Children under the age of three in Trail, British Columbia, are undergoing a unique end-of-summer ritual by having their blood checked for lead levels while school-aged kids return to classes in the area. Since 1991, public health nurses from Interior Health have been conducting these tests for children between six months and three years old due to concerns about lead smelter emissions in the region.
Although the previous year’s outcomes indicated relatively low levels of lead in children’s blood, medical professionals emphasize that there is no safe threshold for lead exposure. Lead, a hazardous substance, occurs naturally in rock and soil but is also released into the environment through mining and smelting activities, as noted by Health Canada.
Exposure to lead primarily occurs through food, drinking water, and products containing lead, with individuals residing near and working in smelters facing heightened exposure risks. Trail is home to one of the last lead smelters in North America, employing over 1,400 individuals, according to the 2021 census data for the Trail area.
Teck Resources, the smelter company, in collaboration with the local health authority and the city, acknowledges the risks associated with living near a lead smelter. They have partnered with the province to establish the Trail Area Health and Environment Program (THEP), which conducts air, soil, and blood lead testing, as well as educational campaigns and dust control measures.
Despite efforts to reduce emissions, trace amounts of lead are still detected in testing. In 2024, blood tests on children under three revealed an average lead blood level of 2.2 micrograms per decilitre, similar to the previous year. Experts caution that even seemingly low levels of lead can have detrimental effects on health, such as IQ deficits and increased risk of certain behaviors.
THEP’s testing program specifically targets children under three years old, as this age group is commonly exposed to lead dust while crawling and putting objects in their mouths. The program aims to minimize lead exposure for each child by providing education and support to families in the Trail area.
While education and testing efforts are commendable, experts stress the need for more aggressive measures to prevent lead exposure in both children and adults. Lead poisoning, even at low levels, is a significant risk factor for heart attacks, underscoring the urgency of addressing the issue effectively. However, finding a balance between eradicating lead exposure and preserving the local economy poses a significant challenge for communities like Trail that have long relied on industries with potential lead exposure risks.