Philadelphia neighborhood lead study, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Report of lead-exposure pilot study. Final report

In September 1989, the Philadelphia of Public Health conducted an exposure study to determine the distribution of blood lead levels (BLL) in Lower Port Richmond (LPR). Of 2,658 people selected, 736 (27.7%) participated despite extensive outreach, recruitment, and 'mop-up' activities. Highest participation was among mothers (36.4%) and children (34.6%) living in LPR. The mean BLL among all LPR was 7.7 micrograms/dl versus 7/8 micrograms/dl in the two comparison neighborhoods. The mean BLL among LPR children 0-71 months old was 9.7 micrograms/dl versus 9/5 micrograms/dl comparison; 36.9% (45/122) in LPR and BLL >10 micrograms/dl versus 35.4% (34/96) comparison. Blood EP levels were distributed similarly. Results were both gratifying (lead levels were lower than in recent studies of urban dwellers and found elsewhere in Philadelphia) and cause for concern (10.6% of LPR children and 5.2% of comparison neighborhood children had BLL >15 micrograms/dl). Although the data from LPR and and comparison neighborhoods showed much similarity, comparisons between the populations cannot be made with confidence.