Ángeles Martínez-Hernanz1, Montserrat González-Estecha2, María Blanco3, Manuel Fuentes4, José María Ordóñez-Iriarte5, Irene Palazón-Bru6, Elpidio Calvo-Manuel7, Andrés Bodas-Pinedo8. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Carretera de Toledo km.12.5 28905, Getafe, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: amartinezhernanz@yahoo.es. 2. Department of Laboratory Medicine, IML, IdiSSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Calle Prof. Martín Lagos s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: montse@cmpx.net. 3. Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Zarzuela, Calle de Pléyades 25, 28023, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: cisne055@yahoo.es. 4. Department of Epidemiology, IdiSSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Calle Prof. Martín Lagos s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: mfuentesferrer@gmail.com. 5. Department of Public Health, University Francisco de Vitoria, Carretera Pozuelo a Majadahonda, Km 1.800, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: jose.ordonez@ufv.es. 6. Department of Laboratory Medicine, IML, IdiSSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Calle Prof. Martín Lagos s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: irene_pb@hotmail.es. 7. Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, IdiSSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Calle Prof. Martín Lagos s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: elpidio.calvo@salud.madrid.org. 8. Department of Pediatrics, Department of Public Health, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, IdiSSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Calle Prof. Martín Lagos s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: andresbpinedo@yahoo.es.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: No safe blood lead concentration in children has been identified. Lead can affect nearly every system in the body and is especially harmful to the developing central nervous system of children. The aim of this study is to analyze blood lead in a population of children and its association with sociodemographic variables, biochemical parameters, copper, iron, selenium and zinc. METHODS: We recruited 155 children (86 boys and 69 girls) with a mean age of 7.3 (SD:4.1). Blood lead and serum selenium concentrations were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Serum copper and zinc concentrations were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Serum iron levels were determined by colorimetric assay. A risk exposure questionnaire for lead was administered to the participants. RESULTS: The median blood lead level was 1.1 (IQR 0.7-1.6) μg/dL. Regarding risk exposure factors, the youngest children (<2 years) who played outdoors presented a median blood lead concentration of 1.1 μg/dL IQR: 0.48-1.48, compared to the median of 0.3 μg/dL IQR:0.2-0.48 in the children who stated they played at home (p = 0.024). Significant differences were also found when taking into account those parents who smoked (median 1.3 IQR 0.8-1.9 μg/dL vs 0.9 IQR 0.5-1.4 μg/dL of non-smokers, p = 0.002). Children who drank tap water had higher blood lead levels (median 1.2 IQR 0.7-1.6 μg/dL) than those who drank bottled water (median 0.7 IQR 0.2-1.3 μg/dL p = 0.014). In addition, children whose mothers had not finished school had higher blood lead levels (median 1.7 IQR 1.2-2.3 μg/dL) than those whose mothers had finished school (median 1.2 IQR 0.7-1.7 μg/dL) and those whose mothers had gone to university (median 0.9 IQR 0.5-1.4 μg/dL) p = 0.034. In the multivariate lineal regression analysis we continue to observe the association between mother's higher level of education and lower blood levels (p = 0.04) and the interaction between age and outdoor play (p = 0.0145). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the decline in blood lead concentrations, associated risk factors continue to exist in vulnerable populations such as children.
BACKGROUND: No safe blood lead concentration in children has been identified. Lead can affect nearly every system in the body and is especially harmful to the developing central nervous system of children. The aim of this study is to analyze blood lead in a population of children and its association with sociodemographic variables, biochemical parameters, copper, iron, selenium and zinc. METHODS: We recruited 155 children (86 boys and 69 girls) with a mean age of 7.3 (SD:4.1). Blood lead and serum selenium concentrations were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Serum copper and zinc concentrations were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Serum iron levels were determined by colorimetric assay. A risk exposure questionnaire for lead was administered to the participants. RESULTS: The median blood lead level was 1.1 (IQR 0.7-1.6) μg/dL. Regarding risk exposure factors, the youngest children (<2 years) who played outdoors presented a median blood lead concentration of 1.1 μg/dL IQR: 0.48-1.48, compared to the median of 0.3 μg/dL IQR:0.2-0.48 in the children who stated they played at home (p = 0.024). Significant differences were also found when taking into account those parents who smoked (median 1.3 IQR 0.8-1.9 μg/dL vs 0.9 IQR 0.5-1.4 μg/dL of non-smokers, p = 0.002). Children who drank tapwater had higher blood lead levels (median 1.2 IQR 0.7-1.6 μg/dL) than those who drank bottled water (median 0.7 IQR 0.2-1.3 μg/dL p = 0.014). In addition, children whose mothers had not finished school had higher blood lead levels (median 1.7 IQR 1.2-2.3 μg/dL) than those whose mothers had finished school (median 1.2 IQR 0.7-1.7 μg/dL) and those whose mothers had gone to university (median 0.9 IQR 0.5-1.4 μg/dL) p = 0.034. In the multivariate lineal regression analysis we continue to observe the association between mother's higher level of education and lower blood levels (p = 0.04) and the interaction between age and outdoor play (p = 0.0145). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the decline in blood lead concentrations, associated risk factors continue to exist in vulnerable populations such as children.
Authors: Olivia M Halabicky; Jennifer A Pinto-Martin; Peggy Compton; Jianghong Liu Journal: J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol Date: 2022-06-24 Impact factor: 5.563
Authors: Qian Luo; Honglong Zhang; Haiping Wang; Li Ma; Min Huang; Jingping Niu; Bin Luo; Jun Yan; Xun Li Journal: Biol Trace Elem Res Date: 2021-10-28 Impact factor: 4.081