Interim Report on Lead and Arsenic Testing Release

An interim report on health testing for lead and arsenic in the Sydney area was released today. More than 200 results, or 84 per cent of those tested, are now back. Six individuals tested above normal for either arsenic or lead. Five children have levels of urinary arsenic requiring followup, while one adult has an elevated blood lead level. The rest of the results are normal.

Blood and urine samples were taken from 237 residents, including children ages one to five and pregnant women.

Public health is investigating cases where blood lead level exceeds 10 micrograms per decilitre or the urine arsenic exceeds 20 micrograms per litre -- standards established after consultation with experts and review of guidelines and other studies involving lead and arsenic.

"We could expect some results above levels, based on what we've seen in other similar community testing programs," said Maureen Baikie, associate provincial medical officer of health. "The arsenic test is a form of screening test and we were very conservative in setting the level that would prompt a follow-up, or confirmatory, test."

Arsenic may come from soil. It is also present in the food we eat and in come consumer products such as pressure-treated wood or some herbal remedies.

Public Health Services staff are following up with these families. Followup is done on an individual, case-by-case, basis and includes confirmatory testing, medical assessment, assessment of other family members and investigation of sources of exposure.

The tests measure current exposure to lead and arsenic, which is a useful indicator of exposure.

"The results of this testing won't answer all the questions," said Dr. Baikie. "They tell people if they or their children are being exposed to lead or arsenic right now. We can then move immediately to find out where it's coming from and make recommendations to reduce that exposure."

Results of this testing will contribute to the risk assessment process that is currently underway by Health Canada. This risk assessment process, which considers chronic exposures, is expected to be completed by Aug. 31.

Lead and arsenic testing is still being offered to children ages one to five and pregnant women living in Whitney Pier, the North End and neighborhoods north of Welton and Prince Streets in Sydney. In addition to these residents, people of all ages living in the area encompassed by the North of Coke Ovens study (NOCO) -

• on Tupper Street, Laurier Street, Hankard Street, William Street, Frederick Street, Curry's Lane and parts of Lingan Road -
• can still be tested. Residents are encouraged to call Public Health Services at 902-578-5575 for an appointment.

The health testing program was initiated after environmental testing results showed elevated levels of substances such as lead and arsenic, in the soil around the North of the Coke Ovens area.

Another progress update, including a general overview on investigation, is expected before the end of the month.

NOTE: The following is an interim summary report.

PROGRESS REPORT: Testing Program to Examine Current Exposure to Lead and Arsenic in the Residents around the Coke Oven Site

Cape Breton District Health Authority and Office of the Provincial Medical Officer of Health July 12/2001

Introduction

The Cape Breton District Health Authority and the Nova Scotia Department of Health are offering clinical tests to residents of neighborhoods near the Coke Ovens site to determine their current exposure to lead and arsenic. This document provides a progress report on this testing program.

The objectives of this program are to assess current individual exposures to lead and arsenic in the population living near the Coke Ovens Site in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and to make recommendations to reduce exposure as appropriate. The specific target group includes children age 1 to 5 and pregnant women in Whitney Pier, North End of Sydney and parts of Ashby (including and north of Welton and Prince Streets) as well as individuals of any age living in the area North of the Coke Ovens (NOCO).

This program was developed in response to environmental sampling results that demonstrated lead and arsenic in the soil in NOCO. These findings led to an escalation of concerns of residents in the area which, in turn, led to this testing program.

Testing Process

The testing protocol was developed after a review of the literature, consultation with experts and a review of testing programs in other communities. The testing program has been well publicized through public service announcements on the radio, newspaper ads, flyers handed out at schools and churches and through the news media. Individuals are invited to attend a community clinic where the testing process is explained to them and informed consent is obtained. Each individual provides a urine sample for inorganic arsenic and a blood sample for lead. The samples are sent to a specialized laboratory for analysis. Results with an explanation are provided to everyone tested.

Individuals who exceed a predetermined level of blood lead or urine arsenic are being followed up as appropriate on a case by case basis. Follow up includes confirmatory testing, medical assessment, assessment of other family members and of sources of exposure. Recommendations are made to reduce exposure as required.

This testing program is one of a number of initiatives looking at various aspects of risk to health in this area. Long term exposure is being looked at in a chronic health risk assessment being carried out by Health Canada.

Results

The first clinic was held on June 12/2001. Clinics are ongoing based on demand.

These results are based on the information available as of the end of the day on July 11/2001.

• To date 237 individuals have been tested.

• Of those individuals tested, 200 results for blood lead and 202 results for urine arsenic have been received by Public Health Services. The individuals have all been advised or are in the process of being advised of their results by mail or by direct contact with a Public Health Nurse.

Lead:
Blood Lead was normal in 199 out of 200 individuals. One adult from Whitney Pier had a blood lead level above the value set for follow up.

Arsenic:
Urinary inorganic arsenic was normal in 197 out of the 202 individuals tested. Urinary inorganic arsenic was above the level set for follow up in 4 children age five or under and one child between ages 5 and 10. Two (2) of these children live in the North End of Sydney, 2 live in Whitney Pier and one lives in Ashby.

Follow up is underway on all individuals with results above the predetermined level.

Summary

Eighty-four (84) % of the results of blood lead and urinary arsenic testing are now available. Of these, one adult has a blood lead level that is being followed up and 5 children have a urinary arsenic level requiring follow up. It is too early in the testing and follow up process to draw any conclusions. A final report will be prepared when the testing process is complete and all results are available.