Comparison of blood lead levels in three groups of Sardinian children.

This paper reports blood lead levels in children from three Sardinian municipalities: Portoscuso, Iglesias, and Sestu. Portoscuso, chosen as the control area, is located about 2 km from one of the most important industrial complexes of the island. Iglesias was once an important zinc-lead mining centre. Sestu is a semi-urban centre located about 10 km from Cagliari (the islands's capital), and may be considered unexposed to lead pollution. Blood lead concentration was evaluated in heparinized venous blood samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Children living in Portoscuso show a higher mean of blood lead levels (8.43 micrograms/dl) as compared to that of children of the same age living in Iglesias (6.92 micrograms/dl) and Sestu (5.71 micrograms/dl). By the Bonferroni t-tests procedure these mean differences appear to be statistically significant. The mean of PbB levels obtained in this investigation for children from Portoscuso showed a decrease of 33.62% with respect to that reported in a previous investigation carried out in 1987 (12.7 micrograms/dl).     

Blood lead level distribution by by age group in Japanese

Blood lead levels of 634 healthy Japanese (422 males and 212 females), aged 0–87, living in the Kyushu and Okinawa Islands, were determined by the colorimetric dithizone method and atomic absorption spectrometry. The lead level in the atmospheric environment was not extremely high; it was below 1 μg/m³ in most of the places examined. The differences in the geometric means of blood lead levels between 0–5 yr and other age groups were statistically significant (P<0.01). The blood lead levels of Japanese seem to increase in late teens and then decrease slowly to a steady state. The accumulation of lead taken from food was calculated by assuming the amount of lead from food corresponds to the caloric intake recommended for each Japanese age group (e.g., assuming 150 μg/2700 kcal for boys in late teens). Lead concentration in the air was assumed to be 1 μg/m³. The pattern of lead accumulation in blood by age was similar to the theoretical curve for the accumulated total amount of lead obtained by simulation. The fact probably indicates that blood lead levels in Japanese are dependent on lead in daily foods rather than on lead in the atmospheric environment.     

Small-scale Gold Mining in the Puyango River Basin,Southern Ecuador: A Study of Environmental Impacts andHuman Exposures

This study addresses the impact of small-scale gold mining on the environment and communities of the Puyango River basin in the southwest of Ecuador between 1999 and 2001. Our primary objectives were to measure mercury, manganese, and lead in the river, to identify pathways of population exposure, and biological indicators of human exposure. A multi-method design at the catchment scale was applied to the analysis of water, sediments, and particulate matter for mercury, lead, and manganese over two different seasons. A household survey was undertaken, and individuals were assessed for lead (blood samples), and for mercury (urine and hair samples). River water samples had high concentrations of particulate matter (700 mg/L). Mercury and lead levels in water at the gold processing plants were very high in both seasons (250 ng Hg/L and 160 μg Pb/L). Mercury and lead, there was a downstream gradient with the areas adjacent to the gold processing plants having the highest levels. In Portovelo, the Upper Basin city, 14% of the population reported occupational exposure to inorganic mercury. Although no one in Portovelo consumes water from the river, 10% of the population consume local fish. This contrasts the Lower Basin where 98% of the population consume fish, and 100% use river water for drinking and cooking. Lead blood levels over 20 μg/dl were found in 39.4% of the study population and blood mercury over 10 μg/L only in 10.0%. Urinary mercury over 4 μg/L was found in 66.5% of the examined persons. Hair methylmercury did not exceed the safe limit of 2 μg/g, the mean concentration was 1.2 μg/g. Mining activity and erosion contributes to heavy-metal contamination (mercury, lead, and manganese) throughout the Puyango Basin. The relation between environmental contamination is complex and further research is being conducted to understand these relations.     

Effect of Therapy on Serum Zinc and Copper in Primary Complex of Children

Tuberculosis is a global problem especially in children, more so because of the difficulty in the diagnosis of the disease. There are about 0.5 million deaths every year by this disease, worldwide. There are some reports that, during the disease, there are changes in serum concentrations of zinc and copper, which reach towards normal levels during treatment. Such data for children are scarce, especially in reference to India. Our study indicates that there is an insignificant to significant rise in serum zinc levels in various age groups of children after antitubercular therapy (mean 61.89 ± 3.21 to 65.24 ± 3.60 μg/dl) and significant fall in serum copper levels in different age groups of children (mean 129.96 ± 3.18 to 124.91 ± 3.48 μg/dl). The Cu/Zn ratio also changed significantly from 2.11 ± 0.12 to 1.92 ± 0.12. Because evaluation of available diagnostic criteria for primary complex in children has been found to have high sensitivity, and although this criterion is presently not recommended for diagnosis of primary complex of children, further research can prove its utility in diagnosis and treatment of this disease.     

DNA Damage and Decreased DNA Repair in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Individuals Exposed to Arsenic and Lead in a Mining Site

The aim of this study was to evaluate DNA damage and the capacity for DNA repair in children exposed to arsenic and lead. During 2006, we studied a total of 85 healthy children (aged 4–11 years) who were residents of Villa de la Paz (community A), Matehuala (community B), and Soledad de Graciano Sanchez (community C) in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The quantification of arsenic in urine (AsU) and lead in blood (PbB) was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The alkaline comet assay was used to evaluate DNA damage and DNA repair. The highest levels of AsU and PbB in children were found in community A (44.5 μg/g creatinine for arsenic and 11.4 μg/dL for lead), followed by community B (16.8 μg/g creatinine for arsenic and 7.3 μg/dL for lead) and finally by children living in community C (12.8 μg/g creatinine for arsenic and 5.3 μg/dL for lead). When DNA damage was assessed, children living in community A had the highest DNA damage. Analysis of these same cells 1 h after a challenge with H₂O₂ 10 μM showed a dramatic increase in DNA damage in the cells of children living in community B and community C, but not in the cells of children living in community A. Moreover, significantly higher levels of DNA damage were observed 3 h after the challenge ended (repair period) in cells from individuals living in community A. Our results show that children exposed to metals might be more susceptible to DNA alterations.     

An integrated assessment of lead exposure in children: Correlation with biochemical and haematological indices

BackgroundLead (Pb) is a worldwide concern due to its persistent property in the environment. However, due to diminutive evidence and elusiveness, the impact of lead exposure on the biochemical and haematological parameter in school-age children is not well established.AimThis study primarily aimed to investigate blood lead (BL) in children and its association with haematological and biochemical parameter.MethodsA total of 43 children (4–12 years) were recruited in each control and study group. Furthermore, the study group were subdivided into two groups (group A (<10 μg/dl) and group B (>10 μg/dl)). BL level, haematological parameter including haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cells, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, total leukocytes count, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width, eosinophil’s, platelets in the whole blood and biochemical parameter such as liver function test (total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, total protein, albumin) and kidney function test (sodium, potassium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine) in serum were measured using anodic stripping voltammeter (ASV), Cell-Dyn Ruby Haematology analyser, Beckman coulter Unicel Dxc 800 Synchron Clinical analyser respectively.ResultsThe arithmetical mean of BL level was 19.93 ± 9.22 μg/dl (median: 17.5 μg/dl; range 9.1–37.4 μg/dl). Only 21 % children had BL levels <10 μg/dl and there were 79 % children with BL levels >10 μg/dl. Blood mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, Neutrophils, Monocytes were significantly higher between the control and study group. Additionally, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cells, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, Lymphocytes and mean corpuscular volume intensities were significantly lower in >10 μg/dl group whereas total leukocytes count, neutrophils, monocytes, red cell distribution width, eosinophil’s, platelets levels were statistically higher (p < 0.001).Serum alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, total protein, were higher (p < 0.05) and sodium, albumin were significantly lower in the study group. The mean value of sodium, potassium, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, total protein and blood urea nitrogen, creatinine in two groups (<10 μg/dl and >10 μg/dl) was not significantly different. Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase level was significantly higher (p = 0.015) while albumin levels were significantly lower (p = 0.034) in >10 μg/dl group. A statistically significant correlation of BL levels with all haematological parameters was also observed. Creatinine is positively and albumin was negatively correlated with BL levels.ConclusionThe outcomes specify that high BL levels were significantly associated with higher haematological and biochemical indices in exposed children. However, lead like noxious metals severely affected the haematological, kidney and liver health of children.     

Blood lead level distribution by age group in inhabitants of Ankara

Blood lead levels of 619 healthy and nonoccupationally exposed inhabitants of central and rural parts of Ankara, (297 females and 322 males) ages 2–80, were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Lead also was determined in the whole blood samples from 66 (all male) occupationally exposed adults. The blood lead levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) among children (16.95 μg/100 mL as a geometric mean) than the subdivided age groups of adults (geometric means by decades of age group were ranged from 8.39 μg/100 mL to 14.34 μg/100mL). The levels were lower among young adults and gradually to reach a plateau at the 50–59 age group. Although females had lower lead blood levels than males, sex difference was insignificant (p>0.05).     

An Epidemiological Survey of Blood Lead Level in Tibetan Youth 10–18 Years Old in Songpan,China

There are few studies on Tibetan youth’s blood lead level (BLL) and environmental pollution in China. The objective of this project was to conduct a preliminary investigation on the blood lead level of Tibetan youth. Chinese Han youth’s BLL was also investigated as a control group. A total of 846 Tibetan youth and 785 Han youth were tested for BLL from September to October in 2007. Both of the mean BLL (6.4 μg/dL) and the frequency of high BLL (≥10 μg/dL) of Tibetan youth (7.7%, 65 of 846) were lower than those of Han youth (6.7 μg/dL; 13.2%, 104 of 785). But they are still higher compared with the BLL of youth in developed countries (1.1 μg/dL; USA 2005 census). The BLL of boys was significantly higher than that of girls, both in Tibetan and Han youth (p = 0.033 and p = 0.000, respectively). The study shows that Chinese Han and Tibetan youth's lead poisoning prevention and treatment lags far behind developed countries. These findings have implications for environmental health policy.     

Town and Gender Effects on Hair Lead Levels in Children from Three Sardinian Towns (Italy) with Different Environmental Backgrounds

This study reports hair lead (PbH) levels measured in 2002 in 193 children from three Sardinian towns: Carbonia, Gonnesa, and Sinnai. Carbonia and Gonnesa are in a polluted area of Sardinia due to their vicinity to the industrial zone of Portovesme. As a consequence of its economy and location, Sinnai is not exposed to lead pollution. PbH concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectrometry. The aim of this study was to evaluate if hair is a reliable biomarker to determine different degrees of exposure of populations to lead pollution and if there is a tendency to higher accumulation by males or females. The girls of Carbonia had the highest mean PbH value (2.21 microg/g), followed by the Gonnesa girls (2.03 microg/g), Carbonia boys (1.86 microg/g), Gonnesa boys (0.91 microg/g), and finally the Sinnai boys (0.68 microg/g) and girls (0.50 microg/g). Two-way analysis of covariance, with age as covariate, revealed a significant effect of town and sex on log PbH. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient indicated a significant positive concordance between PbH levels and gender (score for males=1, females=2). The results suggest that hair is a reliable biomarker to determine different levels of exposure of populations to lead pollution, and they indicate that females tend to accumulate lead in the hair more than males of the same age.     

Plasma molybdenum concentrations in children with and without phenylketonuria

Plasma molybdenum concentrations were determined in children, ages two to 12 yr, with and without phenylketonuria (PKU). Mean plasma molybdenum concentrations did not differ significantly between the children with PKU (1.33±0.5 μg/L) and without PKU (1.75±0.8 μg/L). Plasma molybdenum concentrations in both groups of children ranged from <1 to 3 μg/L. When data from all children were combined and then separated based on gender, mean plasma molybdenum levels did not differ significantly between 9 females (1.56±0.68 μg/L) and 12 males (1.58±0.76 μg/L). Data were also combined and mean (±SD) plasma molybdenum concentrations calculated for age groups. Two children aged 1 to <4 yr had plasma molybdenum concentrations of 1.0 μg/L, and six children aged 4 to <7 yr had mean (±SD) plasma molybdenum concentrations of 1.5±0.8 μg/L. Eleven children aged 7 to <11 yr had a mean plasma molybdenum concentration of 1.7±0.7 μg/L, and two children 11 to <14 yr had plasma molybdenum concentrations of 1 μg/L and 2 μg/L. Plasma molybdenum concentrations did not differ significantly among children in the age groups.     

Decrease of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in children exposed to environmental lead

The effects of environmental lead on the immune system of young children were assessed by determining the peripheral blood lymphocytes CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, B(CD19⁺) counts, and natural killer (CD16⁺ CD56⁺) cells in 35 preschool children whose mean blood lead level was 140.6 μg/L. The results were compared to an age- and sex-matched control group with a mean blood lead level of 64.3 μg/L. Compared to the controls, a significant reduction in the percentage of CD4⁺ cells and a significant increase of CD8⁺ cells were seen in the high-lead group. The negative correlation between the percentage of CD4⁺ cells and blood lead levels was found to be significant (p<0.01). These results suggest that exposure to environmental lead might result in alterations in the immune function of young children.     

Plasma lipoprotein levels and the prevalence of hyperlipoproteinemia in a Canadian working population

The lipids and lipoproteins — cholesterol (C), triglyceride (TG) and high-density, low-density, very-low-density and sinking pre-β-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C and SPB-C) — in plasma samples from 1620 fasting white adults and children from the Toronto—Hamilton area were analysed. The mean concentration of HDL-C was about 45 mg/dl in men and about 60 mg/dl in women, and the levels were constant throughout adult life in both sexes. Boys had higher mean HDL-C levels than men, but girls had lower mean HDL-C levels than women. Mean LDL-C levels, like total C levels, increased with age, from about 87 mg/dl in boys to 136 mg/dl in men, and from about 91 mg/dl in girls to 145 mg/dl in women. The mean levels of VLDL-C followed the TG patterns for age and sex, rising from about 7 mg/dl in boys to 26 mg/dl in men, and from about 11 mg/dl in girls to 19 mg/dl in women. SPB-C was detectable visually in 39% of the population and with the aid of densitometry in 54%; the levels were not related to age, sex or oral contraceptive use, and the median level was 3 mg/dl.Prevalence estimates of hyperlipoproteinemia showed that type IV was the most common, and it was found more than three times as often in men as in women. This was in part due to the customary use of plasma TG cut-off points that do not reflect the large difference in TG levels between males and females. Type IIA hyperlipoproteinemia was found in about 2% of the adults and type IIb in a further 1%. Types I, III and V were all rare. The prevalence of types II and IV hyperlipoproteinemia was four times greater in women using oral contraceptives than in nonusers in the same age range.     

A contribution to the world selenium map

Atomic absorption spectrophotometric method was used to determine the serum selenium levels of 86 healthy individuals. Variations in age, sex, and geographically different urban regions of Yugoslavia were investigated. A group of 63 healthy children, ages 8–15 yr, were examined. Mean±standard deviation of the serum selenium concentration was 57±9 μg/L; age and geographic area had no effect on the Se status of children, but the difference between boys and girls was significant (P<0.05). A group of 23 men from Zagreb, ages 22–37 yr, were examined. The group was divided into three age subgroups and no difference was found among these groups. The mean Se concentration was 69±18 μg/L, and a statistically significant difference was found only between the group of adults and the group of children (P<0.05).     

Effect of natural b-carotene supplementation in children exposed to radiation from the Chernobyl accident

Attempts were made to evaluate 709 children (324 boys and 385 girls) who had been exposed long-term to different doses of radiation during and after the Chernobyl accident and had moved to Israel between 1990 and 1994. Upon arrival, all of them underwent a check-up for most common clinical disorders and were then divided into three groups according to their residences (distance from the reactor) and the level of irradiation exposure: no radiation, <5 Ci/m², and >5 Ci/m², respectively. Blood serum analyses for total carotenoids, retinol, α-tocopherol and oxidized conjugated dienes in 262 of the children showed increased HPLC levels of conjugated dienes, indicating increased levels of oxidation of in vivo blood lipids in children from the contaminated areas. The levels were higher in girls than in boys. Some 57 boys and 42 girls were given a basal diet with a diurnal supplementation of 40 mg natural 9-cis and all-trans equal isomer mixture β-carotene in a capsulated powder form of the alga Dunaliella bardawil, for a period of 3 months. Blood serum analyses were regularly conducted before supplementation to determine the baseline effect of radiation exposure to the children, after 1 and 3 months of natural β-carotene supplementation. After supplementation, the levels of the oxidized conjugated dienes decreased in the children's sera without any significant changes in the level of total carotenoids, retinol or α-tocopherol. Other common blood biochemicals were within the normal range for all tests and no statistical differences before or after supplementation of β-carotene were noted. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses for carotenoids in the blood detected mainly oxycarotenoids, and to a lesser extent, all-trans β-carotene, α-carotene, but not 9-cis β-carotene. The results suggest that irradiation increases the susceptibility of lipids to oxidation in the Chernobyl children and that natural β-carotene may act as an in vivo lipophilic antioxidant or radioprotector. Received: 20 March 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 1 August 1998     

Factors affecting the selenium intake of people in transbaikalian Russia

The selenium concentration in foods grown and consumed and in plasma, red blood cells, and toenails of people living in the district of Chita in the transbaikalian part of Russia were studied in August 1991. Preliminary results from the area have suggested low selenium intakes and the possible occurrence of cardiomyopathy (Keshan disease) in the population. A low selenium concentration in foods grown locally was found: mean selenium concentration in wheat grains was 1, 5, and 28 μg/kg, respectively, in three villages studied, that of oats was beween 3–6 μg/kg, and of cow's milk 10–27 μg/kg dry matter. The selenium concentration of bread was considerably higher, between 87–337 μg/kg dry wt, presumably because wheat imported from the US had been used for baking. Occasional samples of pork, beef, and mutton contained between 32–318 μg selenium/kg dry wt. Low selenium concentrations were observed in samples of soil and river water. The mean plasma selenium concentration of 52 persons was 1.02 μmol/L, including 33 children and 19 adult subjects. The selenium concentrations in red blood cells and toenails were 1.95 μmol/L and 0.61 mg/kg, respectively. No symptoms of heart disease caused by selenium deficiency were observed. It is concluded that the selenium status of people was fairly good thanks to the contribution to dietary intake of imported wheat with a high selenium content. As the selenium concentration was very low in foods grown in the area, the selenium intake of the population will be reduced to a very low level if only locally produced foods are consumed.     

Zinc,copper, selenium,and glutathione peroxidase in blood of 11-yr-old dunedin,New Zealand children

Blood was obtained from 564 11-yr-old children who had participated since birth in a multidisciplinary health and development study. Serum zinc concentration did not differ between the boys and the girls (mean±SD: 91=17 μg/100 mL,n=453). Five-6% of serum zinc values were low; although there was a weak correlation with height, none of the boys with low values were below the 10th percentile for height for this group. Serum copper concentration (112±24 μg/100 mL,n=454) was unrelated to sex, height, weight, body mass index, socioeconomic status (SES), or iron status. Blood selenium concentration (49±10 ng/mL,n=564) was lower than previously reported for Dunedin children; it was higher in children in the lower SES categories. The data represent normal values for healthy, 11-yr-old NZ children.     

Relationship of lead and essential elements in whole blood from school-age children in Nanning,China

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate blood lead level and its relationship to essential elements (zinc, copper, iron, calcium and magnesium) in school-age children from Nanning, China.MethodsA total of 2457 children aged from 6 to 14 years were enrolled in Nanning, China. The levels of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were determined by an atomic absorption spectrometer.ResultsThe mean blood lead level (BLL) was 57.21 ± 35.00 μg/L. 188 (7.65%) asymptomatic children had toxic lead level higher than 100 μg/L. The school-age boys had similar lead level among different age groups, while the elder girls had less BLL. The blood Zn and Fe were found to be increased in the boys with elevated BLL, but similar trends were not observed in the girls. Positive correlations between Pb and Fe or Mg (r = 0.112, 0.062, respectively, p < 0.01) and a negative correlation between Pb and Ca (r = −0.047, p < 0.05) were further established in the studied children.ConclusionsLead exposure in school-age children was still prevalent in Nanning. The boys and girls differed in blood levels of lead and other metallic elements. Lead exposure may induce metabolic disorder of other metallic elements in body.     

Evaluation of Association between Biomarkers of Lead Exposure in Sardinian Children (Italy)

The aim of this work is to verify whether there are statistically significant correlations between the concentrations of lead in blood, urine, and hair in children. The sample collected in 2007 consists of 163 children of both sexes from 11–14-year-olds, living in three municipalities of Sardinia (Italy). Inductively coupled plasma atomic mass spectrometry has been used in the determination of lead concentration in biological material. For the overall sample, there is a non-significant partial correlation among the three matrices. However, for subjects with blood lead levels ≥5 μg/dL, there is a significant positive partial correlation between the lead levels in blood and hair, but not between blood and urine or between urine and hair. The results suggest that blood is the preferred biomarker to ascertain lead exposure in human populations, whereas hair can be used as a tool screening when an area is exposed to medium or high lead pollution.     

Monitoring Metals in Blood and Hair of the Population Living Near a Hazardous Waste Incinerator: Temporal Trend

The concentrations of As, Be, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl, and V were determined in hair of 96 school children and in blood of 144 adults living in the vicinity of a hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) (Constantí, Tarragona County, Catalonia, NE Spain). The results were compared with those obtained in previous (1998 and 2002) surveys performed in the same area. Data were analyzed in terms of age, sex, and specific place of residence. Current mean concentrations in hair ranged between not detected (ND) (As, Be, and Tl) and 1.31 μg/g for Cr. In blood, Be, Hg, Mn, Sn, and Tl levels were under the respective detection limits. The mean blood concentrations of the remaining elements ranged from 0.34 μg/dL for Cd, to 2.40 μg/dL for Pb. Significant differences in hair and blood in relation to gender were only noted for Pb in blood. In general terms, metal concentrations in hair and blood from subjects living in Tarragona County are lower than most levels reported for other countries in recent years.     

Lead and cadmium in the hair and blood of children from a highly industrial area in Poland

The study covered the children living in Miasteczko ?lcaskie, near the largest Zn plant in Poland. This is one of the areas highly contaminated with heavy metals. The subjects were 158 children aged from 8 to 15 (98 boys and 60 girls). The average Pb and Cd levels in the hair of the entire children population was 8.21 ± 5.59 μg/g, and 0.91 ± 0.61 μg/g, and the average Pb and Cd levels in their blood were 14.32 ± 3.98 and 0.52 ± 0.24 μg/dL^-1, respectively. The children population under investigation was divided according to their sex. The hair of the girls contained, on the average, 5.06 ± 2.81 μg/g of Pb and 0.74 ± 0.48 ug/g of Cd and the hair of the boys 10.14 ± 6.0 μg/g of Pb and 1.01 ± 0.65 ug/g of Cd. The blood of the girls contained, on the average, 13.23 ± 4.23 μg/dL of Pb and 0.48 ± 0.21 μg/dL of Cd, and the blood of the boys 14.99 ± 3.68 μg/dL of Pb and 0.55 ± 0.24 μg/dL of Cd. Thus, both the hair and blood of the boys accumulated more Pb and Cd than those of the girls. A correlation between the concentrations of these metals was confirmed.