Lowering time trend of blood lead levels in Belgium since 1978

Journal Article · Wed Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1990 · Environmental Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(05)80180-X· OSTI ID:7189562

Ducoffre, G; Claeys, F; Bruaux, P ^[1]

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1. Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Brussels (Belgium)

Since 1978, the biological screening of the Belgian population was regularly monitored by measuring blood lead levels. Over 11 years, 6070 samples were analyzed in urban, rural, and industrial areas. The median values of blood lead concentration dropped from 170 to 78 micrograms/liter of blood, i.e., a lowering of about 55%. The trend persists when taking into account some individual characteristics which influence blood lead levels such as gender, age, tobacco, and areas. These influences and the possible environmental causes of the observed trend are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 7189562
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Research; (USA) Vol. 51:1; ISSN ENVRA; ISSN 0013-9351
• 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.
AGE DEPENDENCE
ANIMALS
BELGIUM
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
EUROPE
LEAD
MAMMALS
MAN
MATHEMATICS
METALS
PRIMATES
REGRESSION ANALYSIS
SEX DEPENDENCE
STATISTICS
VERTEBRATES
WESTERN EUROPE