to be published in the journal, Science of the Total Environment. In that study, Mike van Alphen of Lead Sense, an independent consultancy in Australia involved in environmental lead testing, lead exposure investigations and consumer product testing, examined a single brand of candle sold in Australia. The candle he examined released up to 1,130 micrograms of lead per hour.

Studies have shown that the central nervous system of children is particularly sensitive to lead. Some of the most damaging neuropsychological effects of lead poisoning of young children include learning disabilities, reduced psychometric intelligence and behavioral disorders. These effects have been associated with chronic low-level exposure to lead and are believed to be irreversible.

Nriagu's study measured the rate of lead emission in a laboratory setting using a flux chamber. The lead released as candle fume was collected in nitric acid and analyzed by means of an atomic absorption spectrometer. In addition to measuring emission rates, he calculated concentration levels of lead in the air in an enclosed space after one hour and then again, for five hours.

"The half-life of lead in air obviously would make a difference in terms of it being inhaled. A recent study has shown that particles emitted by candles during a normal burn are sub-micron in size and should remain suspended in the atmosphere for some time. Even if a particle is deposited after only a short trajectory through the atmosphere, it adds to the lead burden in the house dust. Airborne lead represents a hazard in more ways than one," Nriagu said.

House dust is widely recognized as a primary route of childhood lead exposure through hand-to-mouth activities.

"Assuming that only 50 percent of the lead released is deposited in an area measuring 12 feet by 15 feet (such as a living room), we estimate that the loading of the lead to house dust will exceed the U.S. EPA guideline of 100 micrograms per square
'"/>

Contact: Amy Reyes
amelyNr@umich.edu
734-647-4411
University of Michigan
6-Oct-1998

Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. Millions who suffer from nut and milk allergies could benefit from Stanford researchers test
2. Millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders at increased risk for type 2 diabetes
3. More than $34 Million in SPORE Grants
4. Millions wasted on blood pressure tablets
5. Millions turn a blind eye to dangerous driving
6. Millions of Americans are failing to get recommended health care
7. $12 Million SPORE grant spurs head and neck cancer research
8. $2.2 Million herbal cold remedy study underway at U.Va.
9. Millions of migraine sufferers could benefit from better use of medical care
10. UK Researchers Receive $1.14 Million NIH Grant To Study A Molecule That May Have A Role In Diseases Involving Oxidative Cell Death
11. Emory Receives $14 Million Federal Grant To Coordinate 50-Site Brain Attack Prevention Trial