Childhood Lead Exposure from Battery Recycling in Vietnam

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.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Proximity of residence to an old mineral storage site in Chile and blood lead levels in children

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/0102-311x00023515 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Loreto Lisboa ◽

José Klarián ◽

Rosario Toro Campos ◽

Verónica Iglesias

Keyword(s):

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Storage Site ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Exposure Variable ◽

Lead Levels

Evidence suggests that an old mineral storage site removed in 1998 due to high lead content, remains as a source of exposure in the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The aim was to determine the association between blood lead levels in children and the residential proximity to the old mineral storage site. A cross sectional study was conducted with 185 children aged 7 to 16 years. The outcome variable was blood lead levels measured in 2005. The exposure variable was the distance between the current residence and the old mineral storage site. The distance was measured in meters by Geographic Information System (GIS). The median blood lead level in 2005 was 3.3μg/dL (interquartile range ‒ IQR: 2.0-4.3). A significant inverse association was found between the residential distance to the old mineral storage site and the blood lead levels in children, after adjusting by confounders (β: -0.04; 95%CI: -0.09; -0.01). This result suggests that the old mineral storage site continues to be a source of lead exposure for the children living nearby.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Blood Lead Levels in Pregnant Women and the Source of Exposure in Northern Coastal Area of Brebes Regency

Journal of Public Health for Tropical and Coastal Region ◽

10.14710/jphtcr.v1i1.3172 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 6-12

Author(s):

Nova Amalia Sakina ◽

Suhartono Suhartono ◽

Nikie Astorina Yunita Dewanti

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Passive Smoking ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Quality Standard ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Agricultural Activity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lead Levels

Background: Lead has no advantage for health, pregnant women are vulnerable to lead exposure. Blood Lead Levels (BLLs) in pregnant women that exceed the quality standard in accordance with Center for Disease Control (CDC) (>5 μg/dL) can encounter spontaneous miscarriage and fatigue easily during pregnancy, BLLs in pregnant women < 10 μg/dL can induce health problem during pregnancy such as hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia which is the cause of mortality in pregnant women and high maternal mortality. The aim of study to measure BBLs and the source of exposure.Methods: Pregnant women in 2nd and 3rd trimester were recruited in 4 Subdistricts. Cross sectional study is used with 86 pregnant women located in Wanasari Subdistrict, Bulakamba Subdistrict, Losari Subdistrict and Tanjung Subdistrict with purposive sampling method. BLLs during pregnancy were determined by Atomic Adsorpiton Spectrometer.Results: The results shows that mean of BLLs in pregnant women in this study were 42.437 + 19.758 μg/dL. The source of lead exposure are the habit of consuming seafood (44.2%), wrapping food using newspaper (80.2%), being involve in agricultural activity (37.2%), and passive smoking (70.9%).Conclusions: To recapitulate, BBLs in pregnant women in the northern area of Brebes Regency have exceeded the standard set by the CDC of 5 μg/dL. The dominant source of lead exposure are the habit of wrapping food using newspaper and passive smoking.

Download Full-text

Blood Pressure and Oxidative Stress among U.S. Adults Exposed to Lead in Military Environments—A Preliminary Study

Diseases ◽

10.3390/diseases6040097 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 97 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Emmanuel Obeng-Gyasi ◽

Barnabas Obeng-Gyasi

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase ◽

Clinical Markers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lead Levels ◽

Glutamyl Transferase

In this cross-sectional study, lead exposure among those with a history in military environments was examined. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) are clinical markers of blood pressure, while gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is a marker of oxidative stress. These markers and their effects on those exposed to military environments were explored using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2009 to 2016. Mean SBP and GGT were significantly elevated in those exposed to military environments, with a moderately significant association existing between blood lead levels (BLLs) and SBP. More attention must be given to lead exposure in military environments to mitigate the risk of exposure.

Download Full-text

Factors Associated With High Blood Lead Levels in a Sample of 100 Children in Tehran

Clinical Medicine Insights Pediatrics ◽

10.1177/1179556518825451 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 117955651882545 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nasim Zamani ◽

Narges Gholami ◽

Hossein Hassanian-Moghaddam ◽

Fariba Farnaghi ◽

Latif Gachkar

Keyword(s):

Dairy Products ◽

Pediatric Population ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Young Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Binary Regression Analysis ◽

Lead Levels

Background: Lead is considered a neurotoxic agent. We aimed to evaluate the blood lead level (BLL) in young population and determine probable risk factors of lead exposure in Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 100 children were entered and their BLLs were checked. Results: In all, 25 and 8 patients had BLLs above 5 and 10 µg/dL, respectively. There was a significant univariate correlation between BLL and place of living, water pipe type, using dairy products, and stature in both cut-offs of 5 and 10 µg/dL. Binary regression analysis showed that pipe type was associated with high BLLs at cut-offs of 5 and 10 µg/dL, respectively. Also, there was an association between 50th percentile of stature for age and cut-off of 5 µg/dL. Conclusions: Higher BLLs may be seen in short stature pediatric population. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene water pipes may even cause more release of lead and result in higher absorption of this metal in the pediatric population.

Download Full-text

The correlation between uremic pruritus and blood lead levels in prevalent hemodialysis patients and its relation to the severity of pruritus using visual analog score

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine ◽

10.1186/s43162-021-00045-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sahar Mahmoud Shawky ◽

Reeham Abdel Aziz Abdel Hamid ◽

Lina Essam Khedr

Keyword(s):

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hemodialysis Patients ◽

Visual Analog Score ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Uremic Pruritus ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Lead Levels ◽

Group 2

Abstract Background Pruritus is a common and often distressing symptom in patients with chronic kidney disease. Though the pathogenesis of uremic pruritus remains poorly understood, systemic inflammation has presented itself as one of the possible explanations. High blood lead levels (BLLs) have been noted to be associated with inflammation and poor nutritional status in hemodialysis patients. Our aim is to study the relation between blood lead levels and uremic pruritus. This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 50 patients; all were on regular hemodialysis 3 times per week for at least 6 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups, group 1 (n =10) with no pruritus and group 2 (n=40) with varying degrees of pruritus. Group 2 was further divided according to intensity of pruritus by visual analog score (VAS) into mild (n=10), moderate (n=20), and severe pruritus (n=10). Results There was a significant difference in serum lead levels and ferritin levels between groups 1 and 2 (p value < 0.01 and < 0.05, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in serum lead levels in the groups with varying intensity of pruritus, having higher serum lead levels in patients who exhibited severe pruritus (p value < 0.005) Moreover, a statistically significant relation between elevated blood lead levels and the duration of dialysis was observed in this study. Conclusion Uremic pruritus is a multi-factorial phenomenon, and our study showed that blood lead levels in hemodialysis patients might be associated with increased intensity of pruritus.

Download Full-text

Association of prenatal factors and cord blood lead levels in China: A nested cohort cross-sectional study

Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology ◽

10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126783 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 126783

Author(s):

Xue-Ning Li ◽

Li-Hong Jia ◽

Xia Cao ◽

Shuang-Shuang Zhang ◽

Rui Pu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cord Blood ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prenatal Factors ◽

Lead Levels

Download Full-text

Blood lead level and risk of hypertension in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2016

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82435-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Man Fung Tsoi ◽

Chris Wai Hang Lo ◽

Tommy Tsang Cheung ◽

Bernard Man Yung Cheung

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

The United States ◽

Study Data ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Environmental Lead ◽

Lead Levels

AbstractLead is a heavy metal without a biological role. High level of lead exposure is known to be associated with hypertension, but the risk at low levels of exposure is uncertain. In this study, data from US NHANES 1999–2016 were analyzed. Adults with blood lead and blood pressure measurements, or self-reported hypertension diagnosis, were included. If not already diagnosed, hypertension was defined according to the AHA/ACC 2017 hypertension guideline. Results were analyzed using R statistics version 3.5.1 with sample weight adjustment. Logistic regression was used to study the association between blood lead level and hypertension. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated. Altogether, 39,477 participants were included. Every doubling in blood lead level was associated with hypertension (OR [95%CI] 1.45 [1.40–1.50]), which remained significant after adjusting for demographics. Using quartile 1 as reference, higher blood lead levels were associated with increased adjusted odds of hypertension (Quartile 4 vs. Quartile 1: 1.22 [1.09–1.36]; Quartile 3 vs. Quartile 1: 1.15 [1.04–1.28]; Quartile 2 vs. Quartile 1: 1.14 [1.05–1.25]). In conclusion, blood lead level is associated with hypertension in the general population with blood lead levels below 5 µg/dL. Our findings suggest that reducing present levels of environmental lead exposure may bring cardiovascular benefits by reducing blood pressure.

Download Full-text