A County-Level Program for the Evaluation of the Potential for Take-Home Lead Exposures Among Children in Michigan

Objective: Take-home lead exposure involves lead dust inadvertently carried from the worksite by employees that becomes deposited in their homes and vehicles. We piloted a program in 2 counties in Michigan to investigate the countywide potential for take-home lead exposures across industries. Methods: During 2018-2020, we identified establishments through internet searches and industry-specific registries. We visited establishments with a physical storefront in-person; we attempted to contact the remaining establishments via telephone. We administered questionnaires at the establishment level to assess the presence of lead and the current use of practices meant to mitigate the potential for take-home lead exposures. We recruited workers for wipe sampling of lead dust from their vehicle floors to test for lead levels. Results: We identified 320 establishments with potential lead use or exposures. Questionnaire responses revealed widespread worker exposures to lead and a lack of education and implementation of best practices to prevent lead from leaving the worksite. Dust samples (n = 60) collected from employee vehicles showed a ubiquitous tracking of lead out of the workplace, with a range of 5.7 to 84 000 µg/ft2 and a geometric mean of 234 µg/ft2. Of the sample results, 95.0% were above the lead dust clearance levels for homes established by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Conclusions: This work suggests that take-home lead exposures are widespread and may be important sources of lead exposure among children. It also demonstrates the feasibility of a program for the identification of establishments whose employees may be susceptible to taking lead dust home with them and whose children may subsequently be targeted for blood lead monitoring.

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Follow-Up of Elevated Blood Lead Levels and Sources in a Cohort of Children in Benin

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17228689 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (22) ◽

pp. 8689

Author(s):

Shukrullah Ahmadi ◽

Barbara Le Bot ◽

Roméo Zoumenou ◽

Séverine Durand ◽

Nadine Fiévet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lead Exposure ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Potential Sources ◽

Lead Levels ◽

Sub Saharan

Lead exposure is associated with poor cognitive development in children. Very few studies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have studied blood lead levels (BLLs) and non-gasoline sources of exposure in children. Data from a birth cohort in Benin (2011–2013) suggested that 58% of 1-year-old children had BLLs > 50 ug/L. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of elevated BLLs (>50 µg/L and >100 µg /L) among 425 of these children at 6 years of age in 2016–2018 and to compare BLLs between age 1 and 6 years, and study sources of lead at age 6 years. BLLs were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multiple linear regression and quantile regressions were used to study potential sources of lead. The prevalence of BLLs > 50 µg/L in children was 59.5% (Geometric Mean (GM) 56.4 µg/L, 95% CI: 54.1–58.7) at 6 years of age compared to 54.8% (GM 56.5 µg/L, 95% CI: 53.4–59.6) at 1 year of age. The prevalence of children with BLLs > 100 µg/L decreased from 14.4% at 1 year of age to 8.2% at 6 years of age. After adjustment for all other covariates, consumption of peanuts more than once per month was significantly associated with a 22.0% (95% CI: 4.6, 42.5) increment in BLLs at age 6 years compared with no consumption. Consumption of bushmeat killed by lead bullets at age 6 years was associated with an increase in the higher percentiles of BLLs (P75) compared with the absence of this source. Other potential sources of lead associated with BLLs with marginal significance were consumption of rice, paternal occupational exposure, and the presence of activity with the potential use of lead. This prospective cohort confirms the persistently high prevalence of elevated BLLs in children residing in a rural region in the south of Benin, as well as the presence of multiple and continuous sources of lead. These results highlight the need for prevention programs to reduce and eliminate lead exposure in children.

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Follow-up of Elevated Blood Lead Levels and Sources in a Cohort of Children in Benin

10.20944/preprints202010.0119.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Shukrullah Ahmadi ◽

Barbara Le Bot ◽

Roméo Zoumenou ◽

Séverine Durand ◽

Nadine Fiévet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lead Exposure ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Potential Sources ◽

Lead Levels ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

One Year

Lead exposure is associated with poor cognitive development in children. Very few studies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have studied blood lead levels (BLLs) and non-gasoline sources of exposure in children. Data from a birth cohort in Benin (2011-2013) suggested that 58% of one-year-old children had BLLs > 50 ug/L. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of elevated BLLs (>50 µg/L and >100 µg /L) among 425 of these children at six-years-of-age in 2016-18 and to compare BLLs between age one-year and six-years and study sources of lead at six years. BLLs were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multiple linear regression and quantile regressions were used to study potential sources of lead. The prevalence of BLLs >50 µg/L in children was 59.5% [Geometric Mean (GM) 56.4 µg/L, 95% CI: 54.1 - 58.7] at six years of age compared to 54.8% [GM 56.5 µg/L, 95% CI: 53.4-59.6] at one year of age. The prevalence of children with BLLs >100 µg/L decreased from 14.4% at one year of age to 8.2% at six years of age. After adjustment for all other covariates, consumption of peanut more than once per month was significantly associated with a 22.0% (95% CI: 4.6, 42.5) increment in BLLs at six years compared with no consumption. Consumption of bushmeat killed by lead bullets at six years was associated with an increase in the higher percentiles of BLLs (P75) compared with the absence of this source. Other potential sources of lead associated with BLLs with marginal significance were consumption of rice, paternal occupational exposure, and the presence of activity with the potential use of lead. This prospective cohort confirms the persistently high prevalence of elevated BLLs in children residing in a rural region in the south of Benin as well as the presence of multiple and continuous sources of lead. These results highlight the need for prevention programs to reduce and eliminate lead exposure in children.

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Lead Environmental Pollution and Childhood Lead Poisoning at Ban Thi Commune, Bac Kan Province, Vietnam

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/5156812 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Doan Ngoc Hai ◽

Lo Van Tung ◽

Duong Khanh Van ◽

Ta Thi Binh ◽

Ha Lan Phuong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Lead Poisoning ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Lead Concentration ◽

Lead Level ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Total Blood ◽

Lead Levels

Lead poisoning is a public health problem in many areas of the world. Children are at particularly high risk for adverse effects of lead exposure; even at low concentrations, lead can affect physical, mental, and behavioral development. Children living near lead-zinc mines are at high risk for environmental lead poisoning, especially the contaminated soil. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in Ban Thi Commune, northern Vietnam. 195 children (92,9% participation) aged 3-14 years old (average: 7.69 ± 2.90) were randomly selected from a list of all children prepared by the village health collaborators. 109 (55.90%) were boys and 86 (44.10%) were girls. The research measures were the lead concentration in native soil and the children’s total blood lead concentration determined by the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. The results showed that lead content in soil was many times higher than American Environmental Protection Agency and Vietnam standards (average 2980.23 ± 6092.84 mg/kg dry weight of soil (range 80.05 – 33820.62)). Average blood lead levels for children were 15.42 ± 6.45 μg/dL (95% CI: 14.50 -16.33 μg/dL). The percentage of children with lead levels >10 μg/dL (value considered to be lead poisoning for children according to the Ministry of Health of Vietnam) was 79.49% of the total number of children. None of the children in this study had blood lead level (BLL) that required chelation treatment according to Vietnam MOH guideline (BLL ≥45 μg/dL). There is weakly evidence that lead exposure relates to the physical development of children. Children with low lead concentrations (less than 10 μg/dL) had height and weight of 1.47-3.51 cm and 1.19-2.81 kg, greater than those with BLL >10 μg/dL (p>0.05).

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A Study on the Association between Blood Lead Levels and Habitual Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Koreans with No Occupational Lead Exposure

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.35371/kjoem.2008.20.3.165 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 165 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Ji Ung Park ◽

Se Won Oh ◽

Seung Hyun Kim ◽

Yang Hyun Kim ◽

Ryoung Jin Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Use ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Occupational Lead Exposure ◽

Lead Levels

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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.

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Low-Level Lead Exposure and Blood Lead Levels in Children: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Archives of Environmental Health An International Journal ◽

10.1080/00039890109602898 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 56 (6) ◽

pp. 501-505 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Aysha Habib Khan ◽

Amanullah Khan ◽

Farooq Ghani ◽

Muhammad Khurshid

Keyword(s):

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Low Level ◽

Lead Levels

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Blood lead levels in children aged between 1 and 6 years old in La Plata, Argentina. Identification of risk factors for lead exposure

Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria ◽

10.5546/aap.2016.eng.543 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 114 (6) ◽

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

La Plata ◽

Lead Levels

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Chronic Environmental and Occupational Lead Exposure and Kidney Function among African Americans: Dallas Lead Project II

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15122875 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. 2875 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Robert Reilly ◽

Susan Spalding ◽

Brad Walsh ◽

Jeanne Wainer ◽

Sue Pickens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African Americans ◽

Kidney Function ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Environmental Protection Agency ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Lead Smelter ◽

Male And Female ◽

Negative Effect

Background: We examined the effects of lead on kidney function in occupationally and environmentally exposed adults from a Dallas lead smelter community that was the site of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund clean-up. All subjects were African Americans—a racial group that bears a disproportionate burden of kidney disease. Methods: A two-phase health screening was conducted. Phase II included a physical examination and laboratory tests. Study subjects were African Americans residents, aged ≥19 years to ≤89 years. Of 778 subjects, 726 were environmentally exposed and 52 were both occupationally and environmentally exposed. The effects of lead exposure on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were examined in three groups: male and female smelter-community residents, as well as males with both occupational and environmental exposure. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the dependence of eGFR on log (blood lead level), duration of residence in the community, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Results: There was a statistically significant negative effect on kidney function for all three groups. Comparison of female and male residents showed a slightly larger negative effect of blood lead level on eGFR in females versus males, with the largest effect seen in male smelter-working residents. For each unit increase (log10 10µg/dL = 1) in blood lead level, age-adjusted eGFR was reduced 21.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 in male residents, 25.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 in female residents and 59.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 in male smelter-working residents. Conclusions: Chronic lead exposure is associated with worsening kidney function in both African American male and female residents, as well as male workers in Dallas smelter communities. This effect is slightly, but not statistically significantly, worse in female residents than male residents, and significantly worse in males that both worked and resided in the smelter community.

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