Community science reveals insights into metal pollution and
environmental justice
Abstract
Heavy metals are often prevalent in urban settings due to many possible
legacy and modern pollution sources, and are essential to quantify
because of the potential adverse health effects associated with them. Of
particular importance is lead (Pb), because there is no safe level of
exposure, and it especially harms children. Through our partnership with
community scientists in the Marion County (Indiana, United States) area,
we measured Pb and other heavy metal concentrations in various household
media. Community scientists completed screening kits that were then
analyzed in the laboratory via X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) to quantify
heavy metal concentrations in dust, soil, and paint to determine
potential hazards in individual homes. Early results point to renters
being significantly more likely to contain higher concentrations of Pb,
zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in their soil versus homeowners, irrespective
of soil sampling location at the home, and home age was significantly
negatively correlated with Pb and Zn in soil and Pb in dust across all
homes. Analysis of paired soil, dust, and paint samples revealed several
important relationships such as significant positive correlations
between indoor vacuum dust Pb, dust wipe Pb, and outdoor soil Pb. Our
collective results point to rental status being an important determinant
of possible legacy metal pollution exposure in Indianapolis, and housing
age being reflective of both past and possibly current Zn and Pb
pollution at the household scale in dust and soil. Thus, future
environmental pollution work examining rental status versus home
ownership, as well as other household data such as home condition and
resident race/ethnicity, is imperative for better understanding
environmental justice issues surrounding not just Pb, but other heavy
metals in environmental media as well.