Environmental factors associated with blood lead among newcomer women from South and East Asia in the Greater Toronto Area.

Background: Newcomers bring with them histories of environmental exposure in their home countries and may have different sources of lead (Pb) exposure compared to other residents of their adopted country.

Aims: To describe past and current factors associated with Pb exposure and blood Pb among South and East Asian newcomer women of reproductive age in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Ontario, Canada.

Methods: In collaboration with public health units and community organizations a community-based research model was utilized by recruiting peer researchers to assist in all aspects of the study.

Metal Concentrations in Newcomer Women and Environmental Exposures: A Scoping Review.

Newcomer women from developing countries are recognized to be at risk for elevated exposures to environmental contaminants and associated negative health effects. As such, data on exposure sources and contaminant body burden concentrations is critical in the development of effective public health policies and interventions in support of newcomer health. We conducted a scoping review to gather evidence on important toxic metals of health concern, lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd), and their concentrations and potential exposure sources among newcomer women.

Differential environmental exposure among non-Indigenous Canadians as a function of sex/gender and race/ethnicity variables: a scoping review.

Objectives: To determine the extent, range and types of studies of differential environmental chemical exposures among non-Indigenous Canadians as a function of sex/gender and race/ethnicity.

Methods: Computerized database searches were performed from November to December 2013 using Medline, Embase, CAB Abstracts, Proquest and Scopus to identify relevant studies of environmental exposures among non-Indigenous adults aged ≥18 years in Canada published between 1993 and 2013. Articles were identified for full-text review based on a screening of titles and abstracts and were excluded during this initial review if they focused on environmental exposures in the following populations: 1) Indigenous populations, 2) individuals <15 years of age, 3) pregnant women and associated negative birth outcomes, or 4) non-Canadian populations.