Blood lead levels in South African inner-city children

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3431305· OSTI ID:6093987

von Schirnding, Y; Bradshaw, D ^[1]; Fuggle, R ^[2]; Stokol, M ^[3]

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1. Medical Research Council, Tygerberg (South Africa)
2. Univ. of Cape Town, Rondebosch (South Africa)
3. State Chemistry Lab., Cape Town (South Africa)

Little is known about childhood lead absorption in South Africa. In this study a cross-sectional analytic survey was carried out to determine the blood lead levels and associated risk factors for inner-city, first-grade schoolchildren. Blood lead analyses, hematological and anthropometric measurements were conducted, and a pretested questionnaire was administered to parents to identify risk factors for lead exposure. In detailed environmental study, daily air and dust samples were collected over a period of 1 year from several sites in the study area, contemporaneously with the blood and questionnaire surveys. Spatial and temporal variations in atmospheric lead were determined. It was found that 13% of mixed race children, but no white children, had blood lead levels {ge} 25 {mu}g/dL, the US action level. Air lead levels averaged around 1 {mu}g/m{sup 3}, and dust lead levels ranged from 410 to 3620 ppm. Environmental lead levels were significantly elevated near heavy traffic, where Environmental Protection Agency standards were exceeded mainly during winter months. Baseline exposure was of significance in influencing blood lead levels of children attending schools in direct proximity to heavy traffic, where blood lead levels were elevated irrespective of other influencing factors. Primary and secondary preventive measures are urgently needed in South Africa to reduce environmental lead exposure.

• OSTI ID: 6093987
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives; (United States) Vol. 94; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AFRICA
AGE GROUPS
AUTOMOBILES
BIOCHEMISTRY
BLOOD CHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY
CHILDREN
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DUSTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
EPIDEMIOLOGY
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
HEMATOLOGY
LEAD COMPOUNDS
MEDICINE
RISK ASSESSMENT
SOUTH AFRICA
VEHICLES
WASTES