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American Academic Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences
ISSN (Print) 2313-4410, ISSN (Online) 2313-4402
https://asrjetsjournal.org/index.php/American_Scientific_Journal/index
Potential Health Consequences of the El Paso Smelter
Destiny R. Bacon*
Parker University, Department of Public Health,2540 Walnut Hill Ln, Dallas, TX 75229
Email: destinybacon082@gmail.com
Abstract
The city of El Paso, Texas previously had a smelter that employed a lot of individuals in surrounding areas. The
smelter eventually closed, which led to public health officials investigating the health and environmental factors
that the smelter had on the community. Testing has found that there were neurological, behavior, and blood lead
levels elevated within children that were in the vicinity of the smelter. The smelter has created a lasting impact on
the community, environment, and health of the individuals within that area.
Keywords: Statistical analysis.
1. Introduction
El Paso is a town in the state of Texas that runs along the Mexican American border. El Paso has a rich history
with a lot of hard-working individuals settling down there. Within geography, it is important to note that El Paso
lies between Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. This area is largely desert, which means it was a common route
for travelers. In 1887, a smelter was built and became operational [2]. A smelter is a factory for extracting metal
from ores. This process is done by heating up and applying chemicals to an ore. This may produce metals such as
copper, iron, silver, etc. When this process is happening, there are a lot of particles and chemicals that get thrown
into the air [7]. This allows tiny fragments of this lead or arsenic to be distributed into the air and into the lungs
of workers, which could potentially cause cancer [5].This has drawn studies and discussions on the environmental
and health safety of the community within the El Paso population. There are many discussions to this point because
this smelting facility was a huge economic source for the city of El Paso. The smelter employed more than 25,000
people in about 110 years and producing about $15 million in its prime [6]. This is a key point in different
considerations because there is a low-income, Latino community that lives in the city less than two miles from
the plant [4]. The issue of American work vs environment comes into play, which means there must be studies
and data to support the environment and health collapse. Public participation in decision-making is important,
only when the correct research and understanding is adequate [1]. In order to effectively measure the health effects
of the smelter, participants had IQ tests, blood tests, neurological tests, and behavioral tests done.
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Received: 5/13/2024
Accepted: 7/13/2024
Published: 7/23/2024
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* Corresponding author.
https://asrjetsjournal.org/index.php/American_Scientific_Journal/index
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2. Methods
1.1 Data Source
Data for this paper was pulled from an article published in Lancet in 1975. This article describes the neurological
and psychological effects of chronic low blood-lead levels from the El Paso smelter plant. There were 124 children
in the dataset, which included a range of ages and miles from the factory. The data was pulled from children from
1972 to 1974.
1.2 Outcome and other variables
The outcome measures were the blood analysis and the neurological/behavior of the children tested. Patient
demographics in the dataset included age, gender, socioeconomic status, language spoken at home, and duration
of residence in the study area. All of these factors influence the primary outcome measures.
When it comes to neurological and behavioral tests, there were different measures for each. For neurological
testing, auditory reaction, visual reaction, tapping, tandem walking, and standing on each foot were recorded. All
of these measurements were taken individually in order to assess neurologic functioning. For behavior testing, the
Werry-Weiss-Peters Activity Scale (WWPS) was used to assess disturbance. This scale is a questionnaire that has
categories and responses to those questions. Different symptoms that could be related to lead were asking in the
form of yes or no question. Lastly, blood lead levels were taken over the course of two years. This was measured
in micrograms/100 mL.
1.3 Statistical analysis
Data analysis was performed using data from Microsoft Excel that was imported and analyzed in IBM SPSS for
Mac. The descriptive statistics were evaluated for this dataset, which included the number of participants,
minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation.
3. Results
The general descriptive statistics for each individual category discussed above is depicted in tables 1.1-1.4. When
it comes to IQ, the mean for full IQ was 91.08 with a standard deviation of 14.404 stated in Table 1 IQ performance
had a minimum of 51 and a maximum 149. This is important because it allows us a range of the children that were
within the study. In Table 2, it depicts the numerous neurological tests that were performed on participants.
Auditory, visual, and finger taps were all used as a test for neurological performance. They were also done on
both sides (right and left). For auditory taps, the left had a mean of 39.90 with a standard deviation 30.709. On
the right, the mean was 39.98 with a standard deviation 30.865. The right and left auditory taps had a comparable
mean and standard deviation. The visual neurological tests on the right had a mean of 41.87 and 41.77 on the left.
The visual tests also had very similar results when comparing sides. When it comes to symptoms, the participants
were given two options, 1 was yes and 2 was no. When it comes to the mean in Table 3 for all the symptoms, they
were closer to 2 than 1, which meant there were more participants without the symptoms than with. Irritability
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had the closest mean to yes with a mean of 1.69. Lastly, the blood lead levels of the individuals were tested in two
years, 1972 and 1973 in Table 4. The blood lead levels from 1972 had a mean of 36.16 with a standard deviation
of 16.516. The blood lead levels from 1973 had a mean of 31.71 with a standard deviation of 9.931. The blood
lead levels decreased in individuals from 1972 to 1973 in micrograms/100 mL.When the interferential statistics
were assessed, a clear difference was made between children who grew up around the smelter and those who
didn’t. There was a statistical difference between the children who grew up within one mile of the smelter and
those who didn’t within the first two years of life. This was assessed by a 95% confidence interval with specific
statistics provided below, such as t-values, standard estimates, and p-values. This is displayed in Figures 3 and 4.
The children who were raised within one mile of the smelter within the first two years of life had significantly
higher levels of lead in 1972 and then more in 1973. There was also a significant difference of the children who
were screened in 1972 compared to those assessed in 1973, according to Figures 3 and 4. This data was evaluated
with a 95% confidence interval and one-sample t-test methodology of analysis. Lastly, there was a statistical
significance in data when the children’s low blood lead levels were compared with the CDC threshold of lead
exposure, according to Figure 1 and Figure 2. This was also used using a 95% confidence interval with a one-
sample t-test. The p-values in all three of these tests were less than .05, which leads us to the conclusion that all
of these tests were statistically significant.
4. Discussion
There were limitations to the study presented in this paper. The study presented individuals who were only
children. Children have different bodies, immune systems, and physiological processes compared to adults. The
study was geared towards minors but didn’t include any perspective from adults. Given the seriousness of the
issue, it is so important to have data across the range. The response to the smelter could different amongst a
diversity of ages. It is an important consideration when applying this health problem to different populations. The
importance of acquiring data in order to assess adult reactions to the smelter is imperative. Applying this concept
to adults with similar variables would be a great start to make an inference within different communities and
populations. Children are affected heavily by lead poisoning, which is an idea to consider. In order to properly
assess the complete effect of this smelter, it is important to have comprehensive data to support this. Another
limitation that was found was the sample size. 124 children is a great start for a sample size for the initial idea,
but it is nowhere near the data that needs to be collected to make strong inferences and hypotheses. Sample sizes
are important to consider when applying this concept to a bigger population. The need for more testing across the
geographical region is an important comparison that is yet to be made. The low sample size with specific results
could be explained through an alternative method. In order to make conclusions on causation instead of
correlation, a bigger sample size is necessary. Previous studies that include different geographic need to be
included when making assessments on the danger of a smelter within a community.
5. Conclusion
The El Paso Smelter was a smelter located in El Paso, TX that operated for over 110 years. This smelter was
closed and then had the possibility of re-opening. The re-opening of the smelter came under speculation when
studies were published about the possible health implications of living near or next to the smelter. Lead and other
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metals were expelled from the smelter, which meant that the environment and safety of individuals around were
compromised. Data collected from 124 children in 1972 and 1973 was comprised within the study. This data and
showed that these 124 children had altered neurological testing, behavior, symptoms, and blood lead levels.
Previous data published from smelters around the United States have had similar results with decrease
neurological conductive and elevated blood metal levels [3]. This study and its results need to be further
investigated in order to make a comprehensive public health alert about smelters all around the world. Limitations
include sample size and diversity of the individuals chosen within the study. The results of this study need to be
evaluated when it comes to the safety of living around a smelter for possible health effects.
References
[1] Cunningham, C. A., & Tiefenbacher, J. P. (2008). Evaluating the effectiveness of public participation
efforts by environmental agencies: repermitting a smelter in El Paso, Texas, USA. Environment and
Planning C: Government and Policy, 26(4), 841-856.
[2] Dı́az-Barriga, F., Batres, L., Calderón, J., Lugo, A., Galvao, L., Lara, I., Rizo, P., Elena Arroyave, M., &
McConnell, R. (1997). The El Paso smelter 20 years later: residual impact on Mexican
children. Environmental Research, 74(1), 11-16.
[3] Milham, S., Araki, S., Baker, E. L., Barthel, W. F., Bowman, H. R., Catton, M. J., Control, C. for D.,
Clark, A. R. L., Cooper, W. C., Dequidt, J., DeRosa, E., Agency, E. P., Feldman, R. G., Graovac-
Leposavic, L., & Klein, M. (2004, December 17). Exposure of children to heavy metals from smelters:
Epidemiology and Toxic Consequences. Environmental Research.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0013935181900906
[4] Paterson, K. (2008, April 2). Smokestack injustice? toxic Texas smelter may reopen. CorpWatch.
https://www.corpwatch.org/article/smokestack-injustice-toxic-texas-smelter-may-reopen
[5] Rom, W. N., Varley, G., Lyon, J. L., & Shopkow, S. (1982). Lung cancer mortality among residents
living near the El Paso smelter. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 39(3), 269-272.
[6] Soto, E. (2003). A history of the American Smelting and Refining Company: Uncovering the past and
present of the local smelter.
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=47d13d2c5d85a6f1d60cd493659d7
44eb09a4bb0
[7] Van Pelt, R. S., Shekhter, E. G., Barnes, M. A. W., Duke, S. E., Gill, T. E., & Pannell, K. H. (2020).
Spatial and temporal patterns of heavy metal deposition resulting from a smelter in El Paso,
Texas. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 210, 106414.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2019.106414.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2019.106414
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6. Appendix
Table 1: IQ
N Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation
IQ_Performance 124 51 149 99.82 15.993
IQ_Full 124 46 141 91.08 14.404
IQ_Verbal 124 51 126 84.66 13.578
IQ_Type 124 1 2 1.22 .414
Valid N (listwise) 124
Table 2: Neurological tests
N Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation
Taps_finger_right 124 11 99 61.02 22.435
Taps_auditory_left 124 13 99 39.80 30.709
Taps_visual_left 124 15 99 41.77 30.158
Taps_finger_left 124 7 99 55.10 24.400
Taps_visual_right 124 16 99 41.87 29.928
Taps_auditory_right 124 12 99 39.98 30.865
Taps_left 124 5 99 31.78 34.265
Taps_right 124 6 99 32.64 33.829
Valid N (listwise) 124
Table 3: Symptoms
N Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation
Colic 124 1 2 1.81 .390
Irritability 124 1 2 1.69 .466
Convulsions 124 1 2 1.95 .215
Clumsiness 124 1 2 1.91 .285
Pica 124 1 2 1.91 .285
Valid N (listwise) 124
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Table 4: Blood Lead Levels
N Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation
Lead_73 124 15 58 31.71 9.931
Lead_72 124 1 99 36.16 16.516
Valid N (listwise) 124
Figure 1: Histogram of Blood Levels 1972
Figure 2: Histogram of Blood Lead Levels 1973
1a) Hypothesis
Null hypothesis H0: uo 10 ug/100 ml
Alternate hypothesis Ha: uo > 10 ug/100 ml
1c) If p-value is alpha value which is 0.05 in this problem, then reject the null Hypothesis
1d) SE= .9518, CI= (24.9768, 28.7668), T= 17.726
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1e) p<.05, reject the null hypothesis, sufficient evidence that blood lead levels are dangerous and way beyond the
threshold. Blood lead levels in 1973 were higher, so the null hypothesis is rejected for this year also.
Figure 3: Box Plot of Blood Lead Levels 1972
Figure 4: Box Plot of Blood Lead Levels 1973
2a) Hypothesis-
Null- blood levels between children screened within 1 mile of the smelter are not statistically different from those
not raised within 1 mile
Alternative- blood levels between children screened within 1 mile of the smelter are statistically different from
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those not raised within 1 mile
2c) If p a (.05), we fail to reject null hypothesis
2d) Mean x- 35.51429 Mean y- 30.21348
T= 2.285, Df=45.551, P=.02702
P= .02702< a(.05)
2e) Reject null hypothesis, there is a statistical difference in the children that were screened within 1 mile and
those were not raised within 1 mile
3a) Null- blood levels between children screened from 1972 to 1973 are not statistically different
Alternative- blood levels between children screened from 1972 to 1973 are statistically different
3c) If p a (.05), we fail to reject null hypothesis
3d) Mean x- 36.16129 Mean y- 31.70967
T= 4.155, Df=123, P=.000006
P= .000006< a(.05)
3e) Reject null hypothesis, there is a statistical difference in the children that were screened in 1972 than in 1973
Figure 5: Scatter Plot of IQ Verbal 1972
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Figure 6: Scatter Plot of IQ Full 1972
Figure 7: Scatter Plot of IQ performance 1972
4. The chi-square test revealed that these four symptoms (irritability, colic, pica, hyperactivity) could be related
to the blood lead levels between 40 and 68 ug/100 ml.
There is enough evidence to suggest a statistically significant relationship between IQ measures and blood lead
levels in 1972.