Assessment of Exposure to Lead in Humans and Turtles Living in an Industrial Site in Coatzacoalcos Veracruz, Mexico

The intake of lead from the environment may occur thru various receptors. In order to measure lead levels absorbed, samples were taken from Children who live in three localities surrounding an industrial complex in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. Samples were also taken from turtles. Samples were analyzed and results were compared against the general population. In children tested, over 75% of all values were determined to be above CDC's safety levels of (10 mu g/dL). The geometric mean lead concentration was 11.4 mu g/dL, which is clearly higher around the industrial complex than in the general population. In turtles, lead blood levels in the exposed population were 2-fold above (24.2 mu g/dL) those of turtles in the reference population (10.1 mu g/dL). Lead levels observed represent a risk for both human and fauna health.