Leo S Moralez1, Peter Gutierrez, Jose J Escarce. 1. David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA. morales@rand.org
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess demographic and socioeconomic differences in blood lead levels (BLLs) among Mexican-American children and adolescents in the United States. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994, for 3,325 Mexican-American youth aged 1 to 17 years. The main study outcome measures included a continuous measure (microg/dL) of BLL and two dichotomous measures of BLL (> or =5 microg/dL and > or =10 microg/dL). RESULTS: The mean BLL among Mexican-American children in the United States was 3.45 microg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.07, 3.87); 20% had BLL > or =5 microg/dL (95% CI 15%, 24%); and 4% had BLL > or =10 microg/dL (95% CI 2%, 6%). In multivariate analyses, gender, age, generational status, home language, family income, education of head of household, age of housing, and source of drinking water were statistically significant independent predictors (p<0.05) of having higher BLLs and of having BLL > or =5 microg/dL, whereas age, family income, housing age, and source of drinking water were significant predictors (p<0.05) of having BLL > or =10 microg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in the risk of having elevated BLLs exist among Mexican-American youth. Those at greatest risk should be prioritized for lead screening and lead exposure abatement interventions.
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess demographic and socioeconomic differences in blood lead levels (BLLs) among Mexican-American children and adolescents in the United States. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994, for 3,325 Mexican-American youth aged 1 to 17 years. The main study outcome measures included a continuous measure (microg/dL) of BLL and two dichotomous measures of BLL (> or =5 microg/dL and > or =10 microg/dL). RESULTS: The mean BLL among Mexican-American children in the United States was 3.45 microg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.07, 3.87); 20% had BLL > or =5 microg/dL (95% CI 15%, 24%); and 4% had BLL > or =10 microg/dL (95% CI 2%, 6%). In multivariate analyses, gender, age, generational status, home language, family income, education of head of household, age of housing, and source of drinking water were statistically significant independent predictors (p<0.05) of having higher BLLs and of having BLL > or =5 microg/dL, whereas age, family income, housing age, and source of drinking water were significant predictors (p<0.05) of having BLL > or =10 microg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in the risk of having elevated BLLs exist among Mexican-American youth. Those at greatest risk should be prioritized for lead screening and lead exposure abatement interventions.
Authors: J Walkowiak; L Altmann; U Krämer; K Sveinsson; M Turfeld; M Weishoff-Houben; G Winneke Journal: Neurotoxicol Teratol Date: 1998 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 3.763
Authors: Olivia Carter-Pokras; Ruth E Zambrana; Gillermina Yankelvich; Maria Estrada; Carlos Castillo-Salgado; Alexander N Ortega Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2008-12
Authors: Parisa Tehranifar; Jessica Leighton; Amy H Auchincloss; Andrew Faciano; Howard Alper; Andrea Paykin; Songmei Wu Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2007-11-29 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Dewi U Iriani; Takehisa Matsukawa; Muhammad K Tadjudin; Hiroaki Itoh; Kazuhito Yokoyama Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2012-11-14 Impact factor: 3.390