Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin
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BLENCA2 - English

The results of the BLENCA2 study showed that blood lead concentrations among preschool children in the Goslar district remained significantly elevated.

Background

The district of Goslar has a long history of mining, which has resulted in lasting environmental pollution – particularly due to the accumulation of heavy metals like lead in the soil. Children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure, primarily through inhalation and hand-to-mouth contact while playing outdoors, potentially ingesting contaminated soil or dust.

Even low levels of lead in a child’s body can impair development, affecting attention, behavior, and hearing. In Germany, the age- and gender-specific reference values are 22 µg/L for boys and 19 µg/L for girls aged 3 to 10 years. These reference values represent statistical benchmarks that are not exceeded by 95% of the same-aged population.

As a follow-up to the original BLENCA study, BLENCA2 assessed current lead exposure in children about to start school across the Goslar district. It also examined regional differences, potential exposure routes, and possible associations with health concerns to provide a foundation for targeted preventive measures.

Results

The participating children were aged 5 to 7 years, with 136 girls (44%) and 174 boys (56%).

In 51% of the children, blood lead concentrations exceeded the age-specific reference values – compared to a statistically expected exceedance rate of 5%. The WHO’s recommended threshold of 50 µg/L, above which preventive action is advised, was exceeded by 13% of the children.

There was a significant correlation between blood lead levels and soil lead concentrations at the children's residential, childcare, and recreational locations: children from areas with higher soil contamination had higher blood lead levels. Additionally, lack of regular handwashing and exposure to secondhand smoke were associated with increased blood lead levels.

No statistically significant correlation was found between blood lead levels and health indicators collected during school entry medical exams. However, this does not rule out a possible association. Potential reasons include limited sample size or insufficient sensitivity of the measurement tools used.

A summary of the findings as well as the full final report of the BLENCA2 study can be downloaded here (only available in German):

Next Steps

The results of the BLENCA2 study make clear that preventive measures at the structural level – such as targeted soil remediation, improved design of play and recreational areas, and broad-based education and hygiene initiatives – have great potential to reduce children’s lead exposure in the Goslar district in the long term.

The Goslar district provides detailed information on further measures as well as educational resources on a dedicated website.

Contact

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.

089 4400 - 57610

Partners

  • Participating working groups: Analytics and Monitoring; Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology & Net-Teaching

  • District of Goslar (Lower Saxony, Germany)