skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Influence of social and environmental factors on dust, lead, hand lead, and blood lead levels in young children

Conference · · Environ. Res.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6079902

The roles of environmental and behavioral factors in determining blood lead levels were studied in a cohort of young children living in an urban environment. The subjects were observed at 3-month intervals from birth to 24 months of age. Repeated measurements were made of the children's blood lead levels, environmental levels of lead in house dust, and in the dust found on the children's hands. A qualitative rating of the residence and of the socioeconomic status of the family was obtained. Interviews and direct observation of parent and child at home were used to evaluate various aspects of caretaker-child interactions. Data analysis consisted of a comparison of results obtained by (a) simple correlational analysis, (b) multiple regression analysis, and (c) structural equations analysis. The results demonstrated that structural equation modeling offers a useful approach to unraveling the complex interactions present in the data set. In this preliminary analysis, the suspected relationship between the levels of lead in house dust and on hands and the blood lead level was clearly demonstrated. Furthermore, the analyses indicated an important interplay between environmental sources and social factors in the determination of hand lead and blood lead levels in very young children.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Cincinnati Medical Center, OH
OSTI ID:
6079902
Journal Information:
Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 38:1; Conference: 2. international conference on prospective studies of lead, Cincinnati, OH, USA, 9-11 Apr 1984
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English