Blood lead level risk factors and reference value derivation in a cross-sectional study of potentially lead-exposed workers in Iran

ObjectivesThis exploratory investigation aimed to measure blood lead levels and associated risk factors in exposed workers in Iran, and to derive appropriate reference values for blood lead in this population as a means of epidemiological comparison.DesignCross-sectional.SettingManufacturing plants with potential lead exposure in Southern Khorasan Province, Iran.ParticipantsThe study included 630 workers, selected through stratified random sampling.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary measures in this exploratory investigation were venous blood lead concentration (BLC) and associated risk factors of age, gender, work experience, cigarette smoking and history of opium use. The secondary measures were symptoms associated with lead toxicity. Data analyses were conducted using Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman correlation coefficient and regression analysis.ResultsMean and median BLCs were 6.5±8.1 μg/dL and 3.9 μg/dL (IQR: 2.9–5.8), respectively. Of the subjects, 85 (13.5%) had BLC ≥10 μg/dL. The derived reference BLC value in this study was 30 μg/dL for men and 14 μg/dL for women. Increasing work experience and age were associated with BLC >10 μg/dL. Radiator manufacturers were up to 12.9 times (95% CI 4.6 to 35, p<0.005) more likely than painters to have BLC >10 μg/dL. Most subjects reported multiple symptoms.ConclusionsThe mean BLC was above the maximum recommended concentration. There was a significant relationship between higher BLC and age or working in a printing factory or radiator manufacturing. These findings can direct efforts towards reducing occupational lead exposure.

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Prevalence of dysmenorrhoea, associated risk factors and its relationship with academic performance among graduating female university students in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043814 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e043814

Author(s):

Mesfin Tadese ◽

Andargachew Kassa ◽

Abebaw Abeje Muluneh ◽

Girma Altaye

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Academic Performance ◽

University Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Grade Point ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Associated Risk Factors

ObjectivesThe study aimed to provide an association between dysmenorrhoea and academic performance among university students in Ethiopia. Further, the study attempts to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of dysmenorrhoea.Design and methodInstitution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 April to 28 April 2019. A semistructured and pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance were performed to model dysmenorrhoea and academic performance, respectively.Setting and participantsEthiopia (2019: n=647 female university students).OutcomesThe primary outcome is dysmenorrhoea, which has been defined as painful menses that prevents normal activity and requires medication. The self-reported cumulative grade point average of students was used as a proxy measure of academic performance, which is the secondary outcome.ResultsThe prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 317 (51.5%). The educational status of father (adjusted OR (AOR) (95% CI) 2.64 (1.04 to 6.66)), chocolate consumption (AOR (95% CI) 3.39 (95% 1.28 to 8.93)), daily breakfast intake (<5 days/week) (AOR (95% CI) 0.63 (0.42 to 0.95)), irregular menstrual cycle AOR (95% CI) 2.34 (1.55 to 3.54)) and positive family history of dysmenorrhoea AOR (95% CI) 3.29 (2.25 to 4.81)) had statistically significant association with dysmenorrhoea. There was no statistically significant difference in academic performance among students with and without dysmenorrhoea (F (3611)=1.276, p=0.28)).ConclusionsDysmenorrhoea was a common health problem among graduating University students. However, it has no statistically significant impact on academic performance. Reproductive health officers should educate and undermine the negative academic consequences of dysmenorrhoea to reduce the physical and psychological stress that happens to females and their families.

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Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Associated Risk Factors in Long-distance Truck Drivers from Allahabad, India

International Journal of Applied Research on Public Health Management ◽

10.4018/ijarphm.290375 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 0-0

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Work Experience ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorder ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Truck Drivers ◽

Long Distance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Occupational driving has often been associated with a high prevalence of pain in the neck, shoulder, wrist/hand, back and knee. The present study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and associated risk factors among long-distance truck drivers from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 108 long-distance truck drivers. They were interviewed and examined as per a pre-designed, pre-tested semi-structured interview questionnaire. Results indicate that 78% of long-distance truck drivers had musculoskeletal disorder. The most common symptoms were low back pain (40%) followed by shoulder pain (26%), knee pain (24%), and neck pain (20%). Age, education, addiction, years of work experience, hours of driving were significantly associated with musculoskeletal morbidity (P<0.001). Long-distance truck drivers with continued driving exposure have a high prevalence of a musculoskeletal disorder.

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Prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension among persons aged 15–49 in India: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029714 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. e029714 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Soumitra Ghosh ◽

Manish Kumar

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Family Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Effective Interventions ◽

Life Style Changes ◽

Associated Risk Factors

ObjectivesThis is the first attempt to provide estimates on the prevalence of hypertension at the national, state and district level, a prerequisite for designing effective interventions. Besides, the study aims to identify the risk factors of hypertension.DesignWe analysed cross-sectional survey data from the fourth round (2015–2016) of National Family Health Survey (NFHS). NFHS was conducted between January 2015 and December 2016, gathering information on a range of indicators including blood pressure. The age adjusted prevalence of hypertension was calculated for state comparison, while multilevel logistic regression analysis was done to assess the correlates of hypertension.Setting and participantsIndia (2015–2016; n=811 917) aged 15–49.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome is hypertension, which has been defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg.ResultsThe age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension in India was 11.3% (95% CI 11.16% to 11.43%) among persons aged between 15 and 49 and was four percentage points higher among males 13.8% (95% CI 13.46% to 14.19%) than among females 10.9% (95% CI 10.79% to 11.06%). Persons in the urban location (12.5%, 95% CI 12.25% to 12.80%) had a marginally higher prevalence than persons in rural location (10.6%, 95% CI 10.50% to 10.78%). The proportion of population suffering from hypertension varied greatly between states, with a prevalence of 8.2% (95% CI 7.58% to 8.85%) in Kerala to 20.3% (95% CI 18.81% to 21.77%) in Sikkim. Advancing age, obesity/overweight, male sex, socioeconomic status and consumption of alcohol were found to be the major predictors of hypertension.ConclusionsHypertension prevalence is now becoming more concentrated among the poor. Policy measures should be taken to improve the hazardous working conditions and growing social pressures of survival responsible for ‘life-style’ changes such as consumption of high calorie food and alcohol.

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Environmental Lead Exposure, Catalase Gene, and Markers of Antioxidant and Oxidative Stress Relation to Hypertension: An Analysis Based on the EGAT Study

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/856319 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Jintana Sirivarasai ◽

Sukhumpun Kaojarern ◽

Suwannee Chanprasertyothin ◽

Pachara Panpunuan ◽

Krittaya Petchpoung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Oxidative Stress Marker ◽

Blood Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cat Gene

Lead has been linked to the development of hypertension via oxidative stress. Catalase plays an important role in the disposal of hydrogen peroxide in erythrocyte and its activity was determined by CAT gene. The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the association between blood levels of antioxidant markers such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, oxidative stress-marker (malondialdehyde), and blood lead level and (2) the influence of genetic polymorphism of CAT gene (rs769217) on change in blood pressure in general population of EGAT study project. This is a cross-sectional study of 332 normotensive, 432 prehypertensive, and 222 hypertensive male subjects. Hypertensive subjects had significantly higher blood lead level (5.28 μg/dL) compared to normotensive (4.41 μg/dL) and prehypertensive (4.55 μg/dL) subjects (P<0.05). These significant findings are also found in MDA levels. Moreover, individuals with TT genotype in hypertensive group had significantly higher blood lead and MDA levels (6.06 μg/dL and 9.67 μmol/L) than those with CC genotype (5.32 μg/dL and 8.31 μmol/L,P<0.05). Our findings suggested that decreased blood catalase activity in this polymorphism together with low level lead exposure induced lipid peroxidation may be responsible for hypertension.

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Blood lead level in school going children of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Turkish Journal of Biochemistry ◽

10.1515/tjb-2020-0418 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Shailja Sharma ◽

Prasenjit Mitra ◽

Pankaj Bhardwaj ◽

Praveen Sharma

Keyword(s):

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Local Population ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Urban Region ◽

Limited Information ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Objectives Lead exposure in children contributes to 600,000 new cases of intellectual disabilities every year with maximum occurrence in developing countries. Currently limited information is available on the blood lead level (BLL) in children of India. The aim was to estimate BLL in the school going children of local population of Jodhpur. Methods Four hundred twenty-six primary school children of government and private schools participated in this cross sectional study. Information regarding possible lead exposure was collected. BLL was estimated on Lead Care II analyser (Magellan Diagnostics, USA). Results The mean and median BLL were 4.25 ± 1.75 μg/dL (<3.3–22.6 μg/dL) and 3.5 μg/dL (Inter Quartile Range 0.9). BLL was higher in children of illiterate mothers, those residing near traffic dense areas, urban region and studying in government schools of urban region. Conclusions BLL in children residing in Jodhpur is much higher in comparison to western counterparts. Screening and awareness programs regarding potential sources of lead exposure can help in improving BLL.

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The level of blood lead painter workers Rafsanjan city and its correlation with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in 2019

Occupational Medicine ◽

10.18502/tkj.v12i2.4369 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

A Taheri Fard ◽

H Ahmadinia ◽

M Kafi ◽

M Salandari ◽

A Rahmani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Sugar ◽

Work Experience ◽

Lead Level ◽

Cardiovascular Effects ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

The Body ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Heart Attacks ◽

Sugar Levels

Introduction: Painters are exposed to various chemical harmful agents such as lead particles in paints. Some studies have suggested a possible association of occupational exposure that may cause cardiovascular effects. Lead is absorbed through the body through the skin, skin, and respiratory tract and penetrates some tissues. Considering the importance of labor health in each country's development and progress, this study was conducted to determine the amount of lead in the blood of painters in Rafsanjan in 2019. Materials and Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study of the descriptive type conducted in 1397 on 77 painters of Rafsanjan city. Data collection was done in two stages, in the first stage, based on a checklist that included demographic information, and in the second stage by performing laboratory tests. Finally, by recording the data in SPSS software, quantitative data was reported as a "mean ± standard deviation" and qualitative information as a "number (percent)". Results: Of the 77 painter workers, the youngest is 21, and the oldest is 70 years old. A total of 20 people (26%) had a family history of heart attacks. The highest amount of lead in the blood of painters was reported to be 30.7 micrograms per deciliter, and the level of lead was most correlated with blood sugar. Sixty people (77.9%) painters used personal protective equipment. 49.4% of the study's painters wore work clothes, and 28.6% used gloves while working. Lead levels are directly related to blood sugar, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, age, work experience, and blood sugar levels were most correlated with the level of lead in painters' blood. Conclusion: This study's findings show that due to the increase in the work experience of painters, their blood lead level has also increased, and the blood sugar level has had the highest correlation with the lead level in the painters' blood.

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Childhood Lead Exposure from Battery Recycling in Vietnam

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/193715 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

William E. Daniell ◽

Lo Van Tung ◽

Ryan M. Wallace ◽

Deborah J. Havens ◽

Catherine J. Karr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lead Exposure ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Soil Lead ◽

Effective Strategies ◽

Battery Recycling ◽

Home Based ◽

Lead Levels

Background. Battery recycling facilities in developing countries can cause community lead exposure.Objective. To evaluate child lead exposure in a Vietnam battery recycling craft village after efforts to shift home-based recycling outside the village.Methods. This cross-sectional study evaluated 109 children in Dong Mai village, using blood lead level (BLL) measurement, parent interview, and household observation. Blood samples were analyzed with a LeadCare II field instrument; highest BLLs (≥45 μg/dL) were retested by laboratory analysis. Surface and soil lead were measured at 11 households and a school with X-ray fluorescence analyzer.Results. All children had high BLLs; 28% had BLL ≥45 μg/dL. Younger age, family recycling, and outside brick surfaces were associated with higher BLL. Surface and soil lead levels were high at all tested homes, even with no recycling history. Laboratory BLLs were lower than LeadCare BLLs, in 24 retested children.Discussion. In spite of improvements, lead exposure was still substantial and probably associated with continued home-based recycling, legacy contamination, and workplace take-home exposure pathways. There is a need for effective strategies to manage lead exposure from battery recycling in craft villages. These reported BLL values should be interpreted cautiously, although the observed field-laboratory discordance may reflect bias in laboratory results.

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Prevalence of liver fibrosis and associated risk factors in the Korean general population: a retrospective cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046529 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e046529

Author(s):

Eun-Hee Nah ◽

Seon Cho ◽

Suyoung Kim ◽

Jieun Chu ◽

Eunjoo Kwon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

General Population ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Age Groups ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Abnormal Liver Function Test ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Advanced Liver Fibrosis ◽

Associated Risk Factors

ObjectivesThe health burden of chronic liver disease is increasing worldwide. Its main histological consequence is liver fibrosis, and eventually cirrhosis. This process is rarely diagnosed at the pre-cirrhotic stage due to it being asymptomatic. Little is known about the prevalence of liver fibrosis and associated risk factors in the general population. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and distribution of liver fibrosis using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), as well as the risk factors associated with liver fibrosis in the asymptomatic general population.Design, setting and participantsThis cross-sectional retrospective study consecutively selected subjects who underwent health check-ups including MRE at 13 health promotion centres in Korea between 2018 and 2020. Liver fibrosis was estimated using MRE with cut-off values for significant and advanced liver fibrosis of 2.90 and 3.60 kPa, respectively.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe Χ2 test was used to compare the prevalence of liver fibrosis according to sex and age groups. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors for significant and advanced liver fibrosis.ResultsAmong the 8183 subjects, 778 (9.5%) had ≥significant fibrosis (≥2.9 kPa), which included 214 (2.6%) subjects with ≥advanced fibrosis (≥3.6 kPa). Multivariable analysis revealed that liver fibrosis was associated with age (OR=1.34, 95% CI=1.18 to 1.51), male sex (OR=3.18, 95% CI=1.97 to 5.13), diabetes (OR=2.43, 95% CI=1.8 to 3.28), HBsAg positivity (OR=3.49, 95% CI=2.55 to 4.79), abnormal liver function test (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.49 to 2.42) and obesity (OR=1.77, 95% CI=1.35 to 2.32) (all p<0.001), as well as metabolic syndrome (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.05 to 1.87) (p=0.024).ConclusionsThe prevalence of significant or more liver fibrosis was high in the Korean general population and much higher among individuals with risk factors. This suggests that screening of liver fibrosis should be considered in general population, especially among high-risk groups.

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Environmental assessment of pediatric Lead exposure in Tehran; a prospective cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11494-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hedieh Ahangar ◽

Afsoon Karimdoost ◽

Amir Salimi ◽

Maryam Akhgari ◽

Scott Phillips ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Lead Poisoning ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Industrial Areas ◽

Floor Dust ◽

House Floor

Abstract Background Ingestion and inhalation are common routes of exposure for lead in humans. Developing countries still have unacceptably high rates of lead toxicity, especially in children. Studies on probable risk factors of lead poisoning in Iranian children are insufficient. In this study, we aimed to evaluate possible environmental factors in children with high blood lead concentrations living in Tehran and neighboring cities. Methods In a prospective cross-sectional study between March 2018 and March 2019 we followed all children referred from two pediatric gastrointestinal clinics with blood lead level (BLL) > 5 μg/dL in metropolitan Tehran to investigate possible environmental risk factors in their home. Household specimens including scratched wall paint, house floor dust, windowsill dust, tap water, and consumed spice were evaluated using atomic absorption method to detect lead concentrations. Epidemiological and environmental data collected through in-depth interviews with parents/guardians. Industrial areas were defined based on municipality maps on industrial places. Results Thirty of 56 parents/guardians with BLL > 5 μg/dL agreed to be followed through environmental investigation. The only categorical statistically significant risk factor was a history of lead poisoning in the family and living in an industrial zone. There was a positive correlation between BLL and interior windowsills dust lead level, r = 0.46, p = 0.01. Scratched paint lead level and BLL showed a significant positive correlation, r = 0.50, p = 0.005. House floor dust lead level (median = 77.4, p < 0.001) and interior windowsill dust lead level (median = 291, p = 0.011) were both significantly higher than the environmental protection agency (EPA) standards of 40 μg/ft2, 250 μg/ft2. Interior windowsill dust lead concentrations were significantly higher in industrial areas (p = 0.026). Conclusion Children’s playing environment should be cleaned more often to reduce dust. Moreover, specific rules may need to be implemented for paint lead concentrations and air pollution, especially in industrial areas.

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Modification of vitamin B6 on the associations of blood lead levels and cardiovascular diseases in the US adults

BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health ◽

10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000088 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. bmjnph-2020-000088

Author(s):

Jia Wei ◽

John S Ji

Keyword(s):

Lead Exposure ◽

Vitamin B6 ◽

Homocysteine Level ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

The Us ◽

Vitamin B6 Deficiency

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in the US population. Lead exposure is an important risk factor of CVDs, as is associated with elevated homocysteine level and oxidative stress. We aim to examine whether vitamin B6, which has been shown to reduce homocysteine level, can modify the relationship between blood lead and the risk of CVDs.MethodsCross-sectional data on ever-report CVDs (congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, heart attack and stroke), blood lead level (BLL) and vitamin B6 in the form of plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate were obtained from US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2006 for adults≥20 years old. The association between CVDs and quartiles of BLL was estimated using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for demographics factors, lifestyle variables, stress variables, comorbidities and CVD biomarkers (C reactive protein, homocysteine, cholesterol) and was stratified by vitamin B6 deficiency level (<20 nmol/L) and median value of vitamin B6 (42.5 nmol/L).ResultsPositive associations between BLL and CVDs only appeared in the vitamin B6 deficiency group, with quartile 2 to quartile 4 of BLL showing higher risk of CVDs (OR=3.1, 95% CI 0.9 to 10.6; OR=6.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 30.8; OR=5.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 21.7) compared with quartile 1. When stratified by median value of vitamin B6, a significant association between higher CVD risk with higher BLL was only observed in subjects with low vitamin B6 (p trend=0.004).ConclusionsVitamin B6 could modify the association between BLL and CVDs, which suggests a potential value of vitamin B6 in influencing the effects of lead exposure on the cardiovascular system.

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