Effectiveness of interventions for the remediation of lead-contaminated soil to prevent or reduce lead exposure - A systematic review

To summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of soil remediation to prevent or reduce lead exposure. We systematically searched MEDLINE, the Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Web of Science, and Scopus from 1980 to February 15, 2021. We also performed reference list checking, hand...

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Published in:The Science of the total environment 2022-02, Vol.806 (Pt 1), p.150480-150480, Article 150480
Main Authors: Dobrescu, Andreea-Iulia, Ebenberger, Agnes, Harlfinger, Julia, Griebler, Ursula, Klerings, Irma, Nußbaumer-Streit, Barbara, Chapman, Andrea, Affengruber, Lisa, Gartlehner, Gerald
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blood lead level
Child
Children
Cross-Sectional Studies
Environmental Exposure
Humans
Lead
Lead Poisoning
Soil
Soil remediation
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Summary:To summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of soil remediation to prevent or reduce lead exposure. We systematically searched MEDLINE, the Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Web of Science, and Scopus from 1980 to February 15, 2021. We also performed reference list checking, hand-searched websites, and contacted experts. Eligible studies evaluated the effect of soil remediation to prevent or reduce lead exposure in humans of any age. We screened all records dually; one investigator performed the data extraction; a second checked for completeness and accuracy. Two investigators independently rated the risk of bias of included studies and graded the certainty of evidence. We synthesized findings narratively. We identified 6614 potentially relevant publications, all focused on children, of which five studies (six records) fulfilled our prespecified inclusion criteria. The number of evaluated participants ranged from 31 to 1425, with follow-up periods of 11 months to one year. The primary soil remediation method was the replacement of the upper layer with clean soil. Outcomes were limited to blood lead levels (BLL), dust lead levels, and soil lead levels. The largest study, a controlled before– after study (n = 1425) reported favorable effects of soil remediation compared to no intervention. This finding was consistent with results from two cross-sectional studies and one uncontrolled before–after study. One year post-remediation, the mean reduction in BLL was 2.1 μg/dL (p 
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150480