Effects of Individual and Neighborhood Characteristics on Childhood Blood Lead Testing and Elevated Blood Lead Levels, A Pennsylvania Birth Cohort Analysis

Background: Despite declining lead exposure among U.S. children, childhood blood lead level (BLL) undertesting and elevation remains a public health issue. This study explores the impacts of maternal, infant, and neighborhood characteristics on the receipt of lead testing and having elevated BLLs (EBLLs) among children under age two. Methods: Pennsylvania infants born in 2015 and 2016 were followed to 24 months. Birth certificate data were linked to 2015 through 2018 blood lead surveillance data and neighborhood data on household income, poverty, and the burden of houses built before 1970. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the individual and neighborhood characteristics independently and/or interactively affecting the likelihood of lead testing and of having EBLLs. Results: A total of 48.6% of children were tested for BLLs, and 2.6% of them had confirmed EBLLs. The likelihood of lead testing and of having EBLLs among non-Hispanic black children was respectively 7% and 18% higher than white children. Children born to mothers with the lowest educational attainment (<high school), with self-payment as a payment source for delivery, and without WIC enrollment were at higher risk of undertesting. Children living in neighborhoods of the lowest quartile of household income and the highest quartile of poverty and old housing were more likely to have EBLLs. Different neighborhood characteristics modified the associations between some individual factors (such as race/ethnicity, payment source for delivery, and WIC enrollment) and the odds of undertesting and of having EBLLs. Conclusion: This cohort analysis provides more accurate estimates of lead screening rates and the percentages of EBLLs than cross-sectional analysis. Some maternal and infant demographics significantly impact the risk of undertesting and of having EBLLs, and some of the effects vary across different neighborhood characteristics. These findings can help lead prevention programs to target screening and treatment resources to children with specific characteristics.

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Evaluation of blood lead among painters of buildings and cars

Toxicology and Industrial Health ◽

10.1177/07482337211042731 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 074823372110427

Author(s):

Ali Ghaffarian-Bahraman ◽

Alireza Taherifard ◽

Abbas Esmaeili ◽

Hassan Ahmadinia ◽

Mohsen Rezaeian

Keyword(s):

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Low Concentrations ◽

The Mean ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Exposure to lead-based paints is a major threat to the health of painters. This study aimed to evaluate the blood concentration of lead (Pb) in painters of buildings and cars. The present study was a cross-sectional study in which a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic information. Lead concentration in blood samples was determined using the atomic absorption spectrometry method. A total of 32 male painters were selected based on inclusion criteria. The mean blood lead level (BLL) in the painters was 8.1 ± 4.93 μg/dL. Pb levels in car and building painters were 9.42 ± 5.5 μg/dL and 6.7 ± 1.85 μg/dL, respectively. Pb concentration in none of the blood samples was more than 30 μg/dL. The prevalence of BLL ≥ 5 μg/dL and BLL ≥ 10 μg/dL was 97% and 19%, respectively. According to the findings, the rate of BLL among car painters was higher than building painters. Considering the presence of Pb in all blood samples, it seems necessary to increase the awareness of painters about the adverse effects of lead exposure even in low concentrations. However, the sample size in this study was small and more investigations are required in this regard.

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Hubungan kadar Pb dalam darah dengan prestasi belajar pada anak sekolah di SDN Grinting 01 Kecamatan Bulakamba Kabupaten Brebes

JURNAL KESEHATAN LINGKUNGAN INDONESIA ◽

10.14710/jkli.15.2.35-41 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 35

Author(s):

M ROMLI

Keyword(s):

Elementary School ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Observational Research ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Learning Achievement

Title : Association between Blood Lead Level and Learning Achievement on the Students at Grinting 01 Elementary School, Bulakamba District, Brebes RegencyBackground: Plumbum (Pb) is a highly poisonous heavy metal, especially for the children. Pb enters the human body through the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, and also skin. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between blood lead level and the learning achievement on the students in Grinting 01 Elementary School, Bulakamba District, Brebes Regency. Methods: This study was an observational research using cross sectional design. The subjects were 51 students. The data were collected using interview and observational field. The exposure of blood lead level was measured by detecting Pb content in blood according to the result of laboratory test by ASS method (Atomic absorbance spectrometer), and the learning achievement was measured using MST (Middle Semester Test) score of the students. Univariate analysis and bivariate analysis (Chi-Square) were used to analyze the data. Results: The result of bivariate test indicated that there was no correlation between blood lead level and learning achievement with p >0.05. For in the ehole samples, the blood lead level were more than Normal standard of CDC (≥5 µg/dL) with the highest Pb in blood is 48.39 µg/dL and the lowest is 11.06 µg/dL. Conclusion: In conclusion, Pb concentration - in blood on the children does not influence the learning achievement directly.

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Prevalence of Blood Lead among Children Living in Battery Recycling Communities in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16071276 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. 1276 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nurhayati A. Prihartono ◽

Ratna Djuwita ◽

Putri B. Mahmud ◽

Budi Haryanto ◽

Helda Helda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lead Exposure ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Age Groups ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Provider Education ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Education And Development ◽

Lead Testing

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of blood lead levels (BLLs) among children 1 to 5 years old who reside near and distant to informally used lead-acid battery (ULAB) recycling locations and examine risk factors for elevated BLLs. A cross-sectional study was conducted in three greater Jakarta neighborhoods where informal ULAB recycling occurs. Venous BLLs among 279 children were analyzed using portable blood lead testing machines. Demographic, child activities, and sources of lead exposure inside and outside homes were assessed. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate factors associated with the prevalence of BLLs. Forty-seven percent of children had BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL and 9% had BLLs ≥ 10 µg/dL. No differences in geometric mean BLLs were observed between children who lived near and distant to ULAB locations. Older child age groups [Prevalence Ratio (PR) 2.14, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.16, 4.18) and low household income (PR 1.58, 95% CI 1.03, 2.40) were associated with BLLs 5–9 µg/dL. Low educational attainment of the child’s father (PR 3.17, 95% CI 1.23, 8.16) and frequent outdoor child activity (PR 4.93, 95% CI 1.09, 22.21) were predictors of BLLs ≥ 10 µg/dL. This study shows the association between lead exposure among children and environmental sources. Public health officials can consider expanded surveillance, health care provider education, and development of strategies to reduce lead exposure.

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Cross-Sectional Analysis of Blood Lead Level of Entire Korean Lead Workers

Industrial Health ◽

10.2486/indhealth.44.318 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 318-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Kyeong-Ran KIM ◽

Sang-Won LEE ◽

Nam-Won PAIK

Keyword(s):

Blood Lead Level ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cross Sectional Analysis ◽

Lead Workers ◽

Sectional Analysis

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Examining the relationship between blood lead level and stunting, wasting and underweight- A cross-sectional study of children under 2 years-of-age in a Bangladeshi slum

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0197856 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. e0197856 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mohammad Jyoti Raihan ◽

Emily Briskin ◽

Mustafa Mahfuz ◽

M. Munirul Islam ◽

Dinesh Mondal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Lead Level ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Relationship

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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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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.

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The Correlation between Blood Lead Level with Hypertension of Painting Cars Worker in Surabaya

JURNAL KESEHATAN LINGKUNGAN ◽

10.20473/jkl.v9i1.2017.66-74 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 66

Author(s):

Hendra Eka

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Lead Concentration ◽

Health Workers ◽

Smoking Habit ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Blood Lead Concentration ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Calcium

Lead (Pb) is a metal that used as a color pigment in paint material. Lead has an acute effect on blood pressure and caused hypertension in chronic poisoning because it accumulated in blood. The objective of this research was to identify the correlation between aerial lead level and blood lead level with hypertension of workers in car painting workshop Surabaya. This research was an observational with cross-sectional study and to know the correlation analyzed by using phi correlation. Sample of this research were 16 respondents taken from population compatible from deﬁ ned criteria. Blood lead level and blood pressure examined by the health workers then analyzed in the laboratory and using questionnaires to determine the characteristic of respondents. The results of this research is 83.33% respondents were exposed have blood lead concentration exceeds the limit that is > 10 μg/dL and 66.67% respondents were exposed have hypertension. Blood lead concentration have a strong correlation with hypertension (r = 0.618). The workers need to do a routine blood lead concentration check up once every 6 months and use personal protective equipment at work, consume foods and beverages that contain high calcium often nevertheless decrease smoking habit to inhibit absorption of lead in blood.

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Childhood maltreatment and lead levels in middle adulthood: A prospective examination of the roles of individual socio-economic and neighborhood characteristics

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0240683 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e0240683

Author(s):

Anthony Carpi ◽

Valentina Nikulina ◽

Xuechen Li ◽

Cathy Spatz Widom

Keyword(s):

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Public Assistance ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Physical Disorder ◽

Neighborhood Characteristics ◽

Household Dust ◽

Individual Level ◽

Lead Levels ◽

The Relationship

Background Lead is a common environmental hazard because of its past use as an additive to gasoline and household paint. Some evidence suggests that children with histories of child abuse and neglect are at elevated risk for residence in communities and households with less desirable characteristics and high levels of exposure to environmental hazards and toxins. Objectives To understand whether childhood maltreatment leads to higher levels of household dust lead and blood lead in adulthood and the extent to which characteristics of a person’s physical environment or individual level socio-economic status (SES) (based on unemployment, poverty, and receipt of public assistance) contribute to understanding the relationship. Methods A large prospective cohort design study in which abused and neglected children (ages 0–11) were matched with non-maltreated children and assessed in adulthood. Objective and subjective neighborhood characteristics were assessed at approximate age 40 and household dust lead (cleaned and less often cleaned) and blood lead levels were measured at age 41. Blood was collected through venipuncture by a registered nurse as part of a medical status exam. Results Childhood maltreatment predicted higher levels of dust lead in less often cleaned household places, residence in worse neighborhoods defined by objective (census tract data) and subjective (reports of physical disorder and lack of social cohesion and control), and higher levels of poverty, receiving public assistance, and unemployment. Only objective neighborhood characteristics mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and dust lead level in adulthood. There were also significant paths from objective neighborhood disadvantage and individual level SES to higher levels of blood lead. Discussion Thirty years after their childhood experiences, individuals with documented histories of childhood maltreatment are at higher risk for living in environments as adults with elevated lead levels that may impact other aspects of their lives and compromise their health.

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Utilizing Citizen Science to Reverse the Current Lead Testing Paradigm: Development of a Scalable, Low-cost Home Lead Test Kit

Proceedings of IMPRS ◽

10.18060/22754 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katlyn Sawyer ◽

Chris Knaub ◽

Meghanne Tighe ◽

Danielle Forbes ◽

Claire Marks ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Low Cost ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Average Completion Time ◽

Test Kit ◽

Lead Hazards ◽

Paradigm Development ◽

Lead Testing

Background: The Center for Disease Control recommends case management begin at a blood lead level of 5 μg/dL, yet Indiana does not take action until a blood lead level of 10 μg/dL. Low levels of lead can cause irreversible neurological damage in children. The goal of this study was to design a scalable, low-cost Home Lead Test Kit to proactively find lead in homes. Methods: Individuals were recruited through community partnerships, community lead testing events, and flyers. Qualitative data was recorded during home visits as participants used the kit. An x-ray fluorescence analyzer was used in the field and laboratory to analyze lead levels of samples. Results were blinded during the analysis. Results: To date, 40 homes have been recruited, and 20 have been completed. The average completion time of the kit was 23.45 minutes. Of the 8 pre-1950 homes 100% had elevated lead results, of the 7 1950-1978 homes 43% had elevated lead results, and of the 5 post 1978 homes 0% had elevated lead results. Conclusion and Potential Impact: The study is ongoing. Preliminary results support the hypothesis that pre-1950 homes have a high risk of lead exposure, and post 1978 homes have minimal to no levels of lead. Feedback from study participants regarding kit usability has been positive. Future plans are to produce a kit to be scaled up in St. Joseph County with the goal of a statewide model. This kit may allow citizens to identify lead hazards to prevent children from lead exposure.

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