A new study shows that children in the Upper Mežica Valley (Črna na Koroškem, Mežica and Žerjav) are still exposed to lead from the environment due to historical mining and smelting activities in the region. Using a specific model, the researchers assessed how lead from soil, house dust, air, drinking water and food affects blood lead levels in children aged between 24 and 48 months.

The results show that lead is still present at elevated levels in house dust and soil, contributing significantly to the overall exposure of children. The researchers also paid special attention to the diet from the market and the local environment. They found that including locally produced foods in children's diets can increase total lead exposure, so it is important to monitor which foods are used in children's diets.

The predicted data on blood lead concentrations in children are largely consistent with the actual measurements made in the context of regular biomonitoring, and show that the levels in the study area are higher than in the general Slovenian population. The study underlines the importance of continued monitoring and adequate communication with the population, especially in the light of the changes in the environment caused by the major flood of 2023.

Based on the article BAVEC, Špela, ČERU, Teja, KIRINČIČ, Stanislava, IVARTNIK, Matej, GOLJA, Viviana, TURŠIČ, Janja, TERAN, Klemen, MILER, Miloš. Interdisciplinary assessment of children's lead exposure in residential areas degraded by mining (Upper Meža Valley, Slovenia). Exposure and health. 2025, 19 p., online first. ISSN 2451-9685. DOI: 10.1007/s12403-025-00716-1. [COBISS.SI-ID 239572995]