L-line x-ray fluorescence of cortical bone lead compared with the CaNa/sub 2/EDTA test in lead-toxic children: public health implications

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.86.2.685· OSTI ID:6495971

Rosen, J F; Markowitz, M E; Bijur, P E; Jenks, S T; Wielopolski, L; Kalef-Ezra, J A; Slatkin, D N

Mild to moderate lead toxicity (blood lead, 25-55 micrograms/dl) is a preventable pediatric illness affecting several million preschool children (lead-toxic children) in the United States. In-hospital lead-chelation treatment is predicated upon a positive CaNa/sub 2/EDTA test, which is difficult to perform and impractical in large populations. After the development of an L-line x-ray fluorescence technique (LXRF) that measures cortical bone lead content safely, rapidly, and noninvasively, this study was initiated in lead-toxic children to compare LXRF with the CaNa/sub 2/EDTA test. Moreover, LXRF provided the opportunity to quantify bone lead content. From blood lead and LXRF alone, 90% of lead-toxic children were correctly classified as being CaNa/sub 2/EDTA-positive or -negative. In 76% of 59 lead-toxic children, bone lead values measured by LXRF were equal to or greater than those measured in normal and industrially exposed adults. These results indicate that LXRF may be capable of replacing the CaNa/sub 2/EDTA test. When considered with the known neurotoxic effects on children of low levels of exposure to lead, these results also suggest that either an excessively narrow margin of safety or insufficient safety is provided by present U.S. guidelines, which classify an elevated blood lead concentration as 25 micrograms/dl or greater.

• Research Organization: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6495971
• Journal Information: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States), Vol. 86:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
LEAD
TOXICITY
SKELETON
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
CHELATING AGENTS
CHILDREN
EDTA
AGE GROUPS
AMINO ACIDS
BODY
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ELEMENTS
METALS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS
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