Background: Lead-contaminated soils in former mining areas can pose an environmental hazard for decades. In the former mining district of Goslar, Germany, where mining ceased in 1988, soil lead exposure remains a public health concern, with median soil lead concentrations reaching up to 1,500 mg/kg in residential areas. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure due to physiological and behavioral factors. This study aimed to assess blood lead levels (BLLs) in children and identify key exposure pathways. Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted in 2023/24, BLLs were measured in 310 5–7-year-old children. Guardians provided information on potential exposure pathways, including handwashing behavior, hand-to-mouth contact, consumption of homegrown/foraged food, outdoor activity, and secondhand smoke. Children’s locations of residence and recreation were assessed, and soil contamination data were available. Factors were analyzed using bivariate comparisons and adjusted linear regression model. Results: The BLL geometric mean was 22.7 μg/L. Of the children, 51% exceeded the German reference values (19/22 μg/L girls/boys), and 24% exceeded the US reference value (35 μg/L). Thirteen percent had BLLs above 50 μg/L, the World Health Organization benchmark for preventive action. Soil contamination emerged as the main exposure pathway. Children living in very highly contaminated areas had BLLs 29% higher (95% CI: 7%, 56%) than those in the least contaminated areas. Conclusions: These results emphasize the importance of continuing and strengthening preventive measures to reduce lead exposure and intake. Given similar historical contamination in other regions, more extensive environmental assessments and targeted interventions are required to protect children’s health in former mining areas worldwide.
John et al. (Mon,) studied this question.