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Environmental lead exposure in a population of children in northern France: Factors affecting lead burden
Author(s) -
Leroyer Ariane,
Nisse Catherine,
Hemon Denis,
Gruchociak Alain,
Salomez JeanLouis,
Haguenoer JeanMarie
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0274(200009)38:3<281::aid-ajim6>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - lead smelting , medicine , blood lead level , lead (geology) , tap water , lead poisoning , lead exposure , environmental health , population , smelting , tasa , toxicology , environmental engineering , environmental science , metallurgy , cats , materials science , geomorphology , psychiatry , biology , geology
Background This study is part of the assessment of a site in northern France polluted by lead from industrial emissions. Our objectives were to look for the factors that influence lead burden in children aged 8–11 years. Methods A cross‐sectional population‐based study took place in 1996–97 and included 400 children (200 of whom lived on the metal‐polluted site). Results The geometric mean of the blood‐lead levels of children living on the polluted site was 39.5 μg/l (95% CI = 36.3–43.1); that of the non‐exposed children was 30.6 μg/l (95% CI = 27.8–33.6) (P < 0.0001). Analysis of the variations in the mean blood‐lead levels showed associations with: distance from the smelting plants (mean blood‐lead level fell by a factor of 1/1.3 (95% CI = 1/1.2–1/1.4) for each km from the smelter over the range of 1–3 km and was constant thereafter) and consumption of tap water (when the water pipes were made of lead, the mean blood‐lead level of children who drank tap water was twice as high (95% CI = 1.2–3.4) as that of children who did not). Conclusions The children's blood‐lead levels were essentially linked to two factors: proximity to the smelters and drinking tap rather than bottled water. Am. J. Ind. Med. 38:281–289, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.