ORCID Profile
0000-0002-2674-4628
Current Organisation
UNEP
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVINT.2018.08.047
Abstract: Multiple studies in India have found elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in target populations. However the data have not yet been evaluated to understand population-wide exposure levels. We used arithmetic mean blood lead data published from 2010 to 2018 on Indian populations to calculate the average BLLs for multiple subgroups. We then calculated the attributable disease burden in IQ decrement and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Our Pubmed search yielded 1066 articles. Of these, 31 studies representing the BLLs of 5472 people in 9 states met our study criteria. Evaluating these, we found a mean BLL of 6.86 μg/dL (95% CI: 4.38-9.35) in children and 7.52 μg/dL (95% CI: 5.28-9.76) in non-occupationally exposed adults. We calculated that these exposures resulted in 4.9 million DALYs (95% CI: 3.9-5.6) in the states we evaluated. Population-wide BLLs in India remain elevated despite regulatory action to eliminate leaded petrol, the most significant historical source. The estimated attributable disease burden is larger than previously calculated, particularly with regard to associated intellectual disability outcomes in children. Larger population-wide BLL studies are required to inform future calculations. Policy responses need to be developed to mitigate the worst exposures.
Publisher: Environmental Health Perspectives
Date: 2013
Abstract: Background. Lead exposure within artisanal ceramics workshop communities in Mexico continues to be a major source of childhood lead poisoning. Artisanal ceramics workshops expose children through direct ingestion, contaminated soil, and food prepared in lead-glazed pottery. Conversion to non-lead glazes alone may not effectively reduce exposure. This paper describes a model comprehensive intervention and environmental remediation of an artisanal ceramics workshop in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. Objectives. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental interventions—including removal of lead-contaminated equipment, soil and pottery—on childhood blood lead levels. Methods. A typical artisanal workshop using lead glaze was identified and assessed for lead contamination. Baseline blood lead levels (BLL) were taken from 5 children inhabiting the workshop prior to remediation. Follow-up paired BLL were taken 3- and 12-months post-remediation and results compared. Results. A mean 54% decrease in BLL within 3 months of remediation and a 57% decrease within 1 year was observed. Conclusions. This project shows the effectiveness of environmental lead remediation at artisanal Mexican ceramics workshops for purposes of sustained BLL reductions. Application of the methods presented in this paper to other ceramics workshops using lead glaze in central Mexico will likely help to further reduce childhood lead poisoning.
Publisher: Ubiquity Press, Ltd.
Date: 25-11-2014
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 27-10-2015
Publisher: Environmental Health Perspectives
Date: 10-2014
Abstract: Background. Although toxic waste sites have been well investigated in many developed countries, their prevalence and health impact have not been well documented in low and middle income countries where risks attributable to environmental pollution are generally higher than in developed nations. Methods. We compared the burden of disease from toxic waste sites expressed in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) with the same measurement for other threats in India, Indonesia and the Philippines. We used Blacksmith Institute for a Pure Earth's DALY estimates for chemical exposure at 373 toxic waste sites in the 3 countries and World Health Organization (WHO) DALY estimates for different health conditions in the same countries. Results. Chromium VI causes the majority of DALYs among chemicals in India, while lead does so in the Philippines and Indonesia. In India, exposure to chromium VI showed higher DALY estimates than health conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and various cancers. In Indonesia, exposure to chromium VI and lead presented higher DALYs than conditions such as upper respiratory infections. In the Philippines, lead had higher DALYs than most of the examined conditions, including malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS. Conclusions. This study highlights that the burden of disease expressed in DALYs from toxic waste sites may be greater than previously recognized and greater than other well addressed public health threats. We call attention to the need for surveillance of toxic waste sites, epidemiological analysis of the associations between exposure to toxic chemicals and outcomes, and remediation of chemical contamination in India, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2018.12.154
Abstract: While lead-based paint has been banned for use in residential settings in most high-income countries, it remains commonly available in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite its continued availability, little is known about the specific exposure risk posed by lead-based paint in LMICs. To address this knowledge gap, an assessment of home and preschool dust and paint was carried out in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia. A team of investigators used field portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) to measure 1574 painted surfaces for the presence of lead (mg/cm
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 24-02-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVRES.2017.10.042
Abstract: This study details the first comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of a soil lead mitigation project in Dong Mai village, Vietnam. The village's population had been subject to severe lead poisoning for at least a decade as a result of informal Used Lead Acid Battery (ULAB) recycling. Between July 2013 to February 2015, Pure Earth and the Centre for Environment and Community Development (Hanoi, Vietnam) implemented a multi-faceted environmental and human health intervention. The intervention consisted of a series of institutional and low-cost engineering controls including the capping of lead contaminated surface soils, cleaning of home interiors, an education c aign and the construction of a work-clothes changing and bathing facility. The mitigation project resulted in substantial declines in human and environmental lead levels. Remediated home yard and garden areas decreased from an average surface soil concentration of 3940mg/kg to <100mg/kg. One year after the intervention, blood lead levels in children (<6 years old) were reduced by an average of 67%-from a median of 40.4μg/dL to 13.3μg/dL. The Dong Mai project resulted in significantly decreased environmental and biological lead levels demonstrating that low-cost, rapid and well-coordinated interventions could be readily applied elsewhere to significantly reduce preventable human health harm.
Publisher: Thomas Telford Ltd.
Date: 05-2016
Abstract: Millions of people worldwide are suffering health risks as a result of living near highly contaminated sites including abandoned industrial and mining sites, and polluting artisanal areas. More than 3000 sites across 50 developing countries have been identified. Nearly 100 million people are at risk at just these sites. The main impact falls on people in low- and middle-income countries, with children being particularly vulnerable. Interventions have been implemented at about 100 of these sites, with significant success in reducing impacts. This paper aims to draw the attention of practising engineers to the scale and impacts of the problem and to encourage expanded efforts to implement cost-effective solutions. Tackling contaminated sites is part of broader efforts under the umbrella of the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution to reduce environmental pollution, which is one of the largest contributors to the burden of disease worldwide. Clean-up is required but prevention of pollution must also be a high priority.
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 02-2018
DOI: 10.1002/2017GH000109
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Bret Ericson.