In Trail, B.C., as students head back to school, a unique end-of-summer tradition for children under three involves undergoing blood tests to measure lead levels in their bodies. Since 1991, Interior Health public health nurses have been conducting these tests for children aged six months to three years in response to concerns over lead smelter emissions in the region.
Although the previous year’s results showed relatively low lead levels, medical experts emphasize that there is no safe threshold for lead in blood. Lead, a toxic substance, occurs naturally in rock and soil but is also released into the environment through mining and smelting activities, as highlighted by Health Canada.
Exposure to lead primarily occurs through food, drinking water, and consumer products containing lead. Individuals residing near and working in smelters typically face higher exposure rates. Trail houses one of North America’s last lead smelters, employing over 1,400 individuals, with approximately 14,000 people in the Trail census agglomeration area as per the 2021 census.
To address the risks associated with living near a lead smelter, Teck Resources, the city, and local health authorities collaborated with the province to establish the Trail Area Health and Environment Program (THEP). This program conducts testing for lead in air, soil, and blood, alongside educational initiatives and dust control measures.
Teck Resources mentioned efforts to reduce emissions, including the installation of a KIVCET smelter in 1997, resulting in a significant reduction in emissions. Additionally, their lead dust reduction program has seen an 80% decrease in annual ambient lead levels since 2012.
Despite these measures, trace amounts of lead are still detected in tests. In 2024, blood tests on children under three showed an average lead blood level of 2.2 micrograms per decilitre, consistent with the previous year. Experts stress that even seemingly small levels of lead in blood can have adverse effects.
THEP’s testing program focuses on children under three due to the common exposure of toddlers and infants to lead dust while crawling and touching surfaces. The program aims for the lowest possible lead levels for each child while providing education and support to families in the greater Trail area.
While education and testing are crucial, experts like Bruce Lanphear emphasize the necessity of more aggressive actions to prevent lead exposure in individuals of all ages. Lanphear highlighted that low-level lead poisoning is a significant risk factor for heart attacks, underscoring the urgent need for more proactive interventions.
Despite the challenges faced by communities like Trail, which have long relied on industries like lead smelting, balancing economic dependence with the imperative to mitigate lead exposure remains a complex issue that requires careful consideration and action.