[Blood lead levels in children and environmental legacy of a lead foundry in Brazil].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the blood lead levels in children living near an inactive lead foundry in the city of Santo Amaro da Purificação, state of Bahia, in September of 1998; and to identify factors associated with differences in these levels.

METHODS:

Cross-sectional study with children between 1 and 4 years of age living within 1 km of the lead foundry. Mothers or guardians of 47 children answered a questionnaire concerning ingestion of clay, soil, plaster and/or other materials (pica), and other relevant epidemiological aspects. The concentration of lead in blood was determined by atomic absorption espectrophotometry.

RESULTS:

The mean blood lead level was 17.1 +/- 7.3 micro g/dL. Blood lead levels were approximately 5 micro g/dl greater among children with pica, regardless of age, visible presence of scum surrounding the home, employment status of the father, family history of lead poisoning, and malnutrition.

CONCLUSIONS:

The environmental legacy of the lead foundry, which was shut down in 1993, continues to represent a relevant risk factor for increased blood lead levels in children, especially those presenting pica.

• Authors: Fernando Martins Carvalho, Annibal Muniz Silvany Neto, Tania Mascarenhas Tavares, Angela Cristina Andrade Costa, Carolina d'El Rei Chaves, Luciano Dias Nascimento, Márcia de Andrade Reis
• Journal: Revista panamericana de salud publica = Pan American journal of public health (Rev Panam Salud Publica) Vol. 13 Issue 1 Pg. 19-23 (Jan 2003) ISSN: 1020-4989 [Print] United States
• Vernacular Title: Chumbo no sangue de crianças e passivo ambiental de uma fundição de chumbo no Brasil.
• PMID: 12744798 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Lead

Topics

• Brazil
• Child, Preschool
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Environmental Exposure
• Humans
• Infant
• Lead (blood)
• Pica (complications)
• Risk Factors