EHF/UWI Lead Poison Research

The Department of Physics at the University of the West Indies (UWI) has partnered with EHF to spearhead a follow-up project aimed at assessing and reducing the levels of lead contamination in Fraser’s Content, St. Catherine. EHF provides support through co-funding, as well as monitoring.

The project aims:

• To identify the extend of the current lead contamination in soils and indoor/outdoor dust;
• To develop an environmental lead hazard map including smelters;
• Screening of blood lead levels of children and pregnant women at-risk;
• Development and dissemination of lead-safe educational materials;

It is expected that the following will be achieved, upon completion of the project:

• Extent of current lead contamination in soils and indoor/outdoor dust ascertained;
• Environmental lead hazard map, including smelters, developed;
• Blood lead levels of children and pregnant women at-risk screened;
• Backyard lead smelting practices at Fraser's Content surveyed.