Reduced Lead Exposure Following a Sensitization Program in Rural Family Homes Producing Traditional Mexican Ceramics

BACKGROUND: Traditional ceramics are a cultural heritage in Mexico, used by the general population in everyday life. These ceramics are glazed with lead oxide and are usually produced in households that share living and working spaces. Glazing is usually performed by women, and children are not restrained from the work space and frequently help, resulting in high levels of lead exposure for all. Interventions that promote a change in technology (such as lead-free glazes or efficient kilns) are often unrealistic for potters with fewer economic resources who depend on their production as their main income. Interventions focusing on exposure prevention (rather than a technology change) at the household level are scarce. METHODS: Working hand-in-hand with a group of nine women, lay community workers, promotoras, from Santa Fe de Laguna, Michoacán, we developed a program focusing on the self-recognition of health risks. The program was composed of health education (including a lead in blood and bone measurement for women), health/work risk recognition and communication to the community, and work/living area reorganization and remediation in three stages: work with 1) promotoras, 2) their extended families, and 3) their community, including talks in elementary schools. RESULTS: The promotoras developed and distributed risk communication graphic materials and delivered a lead-awareness talk in the Purhepecha language, in the local primary health-care clinic and three elementary schools. Lead in bone levels had a mean ± SD (min, max) of rotula: 84.8 µg/g ± 68.9 (23.89, 214.2), tibia 93.2 µg/g 81.2 (14.23, 261.21). We implemented safer and cleaner ceramic production in the promotoras workshops. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Environmental and occupational exposures can be reduced through programs that are tailored by and for a specific community. When there is no evident alternative technology for safer production, such programs can empower groups and lead to reduced exposure for their children, family and community.