Technical Assistance to the Montana Department of Health and EnvironmentalSciences. Arsenic and Lead Exposure Study of Residents Living Near the Rocker Operable Unit of the Silver Bow Creek Superfund Site, Rocker, Montana

摘要

The ATSDR and the Montana Department of Health and Environmental Sciencesconducted a study to assess arsenic and lead exposure among residents of Rocker, Montana, where arsenic had been detected in soil up to 214,000 ppm. No statistically significant difference was found between Rocker residents and a comparison population with respect to the geometric mean of the urine arsenic levels. When data were combined from both groups, recent seafood ingestion was the variable most strongly associated with detectable urine arsenic levels. Although blood lead levels in the target area differed significantly from those in the comparison, a significant association was not detected between blood lead levels > or = 10 microgram/d1 and area of residence. Lead was detected in the blood of two siblings in the target area at levels of 20.7 and 31.3 microgram/d1. A lead based paint hazard and elevated concentrations of soil lead from the children's play area were detected in the household.