RESEARCH
Biokinetics of Lead in Human PregnancyThis major international study largely funded by the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences with collaborators CSIRO, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Garvan Medical Research Institute, and University of Adelaide, was completed in January 2003. It determined using the lead isotope method that lead is mobilised from the maternal skeleton during pregnancy and lactation, with a higher amount mobilised during lactation. A continuation of this study evaluated the efficacy of calcium supplementation in minimising the amount of mobilisation from the skeleton. A summary of this project is given in publication no. 58.
(Papers 15, 22, 26, 28, 30, 32, 37, 40, 42, 48, 50-53, 58, 64).Metal Emissions from Petrol
In this project, largely financed through an Australian Research Council Discovery grant over 4 years, we aim to determine the contribution of manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and other metal emissions from motor vehicles to the environment and exposure of very young children. Manganese is of potential concern because of (a) its recent introduction as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) in NSW as a fuel additive to replace lead and (b) the lack of information on environmental levels, exposure, and long-term health effects, especially in children. This is a collaborative project bringing together researchers from academia, CSIRO, National Measurement Institute, ANSTO and the US Environmental Protection Agency. (Papers 69, 71)
Mining and Smelting Communities
A major investigation at the Broken Hill lead mining community, partially funded by the NSW EPA, established that paint and petrol were significant contributors to blood lead in some children, besides the majority of lead coming from orebody soureces. In addition, it demonstrated the importance of monitoring family members as a pathway for "take-home" lead. This was also the testing ground for development of the tooth method and the petri dish method.
(Papers 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 41, 57, 59)A comparative study of two smelter communities in Port Pirie and Hobart involved the analysis of environmental samples and blood and urine from adult females and some children as part of the study of Biokinetics of Lead in Human Pregnancy (Papers 22, 38).
Other studies involved an investigation into the sources and pathways of lead in ceiling dust and historical sources of lead contamination in Lake Illawarra arising especially from industrial sources such as the Port Kembla smelter, steelworks and power stations (Paper 34) and the distance metals have been transported from the complex (Papers 61, 62). A metals-transport distance study was also undertaken in soils and plants around the Cockle Creek smelter, near Newcastle (Paper 57).
A comparison of lead isotopes in the teeth of lead-poisoned children and environment samples showed that the overwhelming majority of lead derived from smelter emissions (Paper 66)
A preliminary study showed that the lead isotope method could detect uptake of lead in blood of employees exposed to dust from uranium mining and processing operations (Paper 67)Urban Cities (Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide)
A multi-element study of ceiling dust in 28 houses in the Greater Sydney Area showed that ceiling dust provides excellent indications of past contaminants in the urban environment (Paper 68).
"Take Home" Lead
Transport of lead from the workplace to residence was demonstrated using the lead isotope method in Broken Hill (Paper 24 ), Woodlawn mine (Goulburn) (Paper 25), and potentially from engine reconditioning shops. (Paper 42)
Lead Paint Removal from Bridges
Monitoring of lead paint removal from several bridges has been undertaken on a consultative basis.
Ryde Bridge Sydney (funded by the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW); Storey Bridge Brisbane (funded by Queensland Department of Conservation and the Environment); Sydney Harbour Bridge; Several other bridges in NSW and Queensland (funded by RTA).
Forensic Investigations
An investigation of exhibits from a murder trial indicated that the lead isotope method could have produced definitive results but some of the exhibits probably had been contaminated by careless handling. (Paper 55)
The analyses of different sections of teeth indicated that the lead isotope method could possibly be used to identify the country of origin of "missing persons" and potentially the length of residence time in Australia (Papers 28, 30).
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