scholarly journals Environmental lead poisoning among children in Porto Alegre state, Southern Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Maleronka Ferron ◽  
André Klafke de Lima ◽  
Paulo Hilário Nascimento Saldiva ◽  
Nelson Gouveia

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of lead poisoning in children and to identify associated factors, as well as possible local sources of contamination. METHODS: A cross-sectional prevalence study conducted in 2006 with a random sample of 97 children age zero to five years from a neighborhood in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. Blood lead levels were measured and a questionnaire administered to collect information on sociodemographics, recycling and dwelling. A preliminary environmental evaluation was carried out with direct analysis of soil and indirect analysis of air pollution with bioindicators to identify possible sources of contamination. To analyze lead concentrations from the different collection sites, for each type of material studied, ANOVA was performed with a Brown-Forsythe adjustment for heteroscedasticity and with Dunnett's T3 procedure for multiple comparisons of unequal variances. RESULTS: Blood lead levels > 10.0 µg/dL was found in 16.5% of children. Recycling of waste at home, low father's education level, and increased age of children were associated with increase blood lead levels. High lead levels were found in soil, and there was little indication of lead air pollution. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of lead poisoning was identified, and the potential sources of contamination in this community appear related to waste recylcing activities. Studies should be conducted with other populations of Brazilian children and evaluate potential sources of local and general contamination, to accurately characterize this issue in Brazil.

Author(s):  
Thokozani Patrick Mbonane ◽  
Angela Mathee ◽  
André Swart ◽  
Nisha Naicker

Illegal mining is a major public health and societal concern. Recent scientific evidence indicates elevated blood–lead levels in illegal gold miners and associated communities. Yet, there is little research in this regard from low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), where illegal mining is growing. This case series is extracted from a cross-sectional study of lead exposure in incarcerated juveniles in greater Johannesburg. From survey records (blood–lead levels and questionnaires), three males had elevated blood–lead levels and presented with health conditions and behavioural problems putatively linked with lead poisoning. Based on the record review, all three juveniles were in a secure facility due to illegal mining-related activities. All three cases had high blood–lead levels and demonstrated a tendency toward aggressive or violent behaviour. They also presented with conditions associated with lead poisoning, such as anaemia, respiratory illness, abdominal disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions. Juveniles involved in illegal mining are at risk of exposure to heavy metals such as lead, and there is a need for relevant preventative action and health care programmes in this group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahar Mahmoud Shawky ◽  
Reeham Abdel Aziz Abdel Hamid ◽  
Lina Essam Khedr

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.


2001 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 501-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysha Habib Khan ◽  
Amanullah Khan ◽  
Farooq Ghani ◽  
Muhammad Khurshid

Author(s):  
Florence Bodeau-Livinec ◽  
Philippe Glorennec ◽  
Michel Cot ◽  
Pierre Dumas ◽  
Séverine Durand ◽  
...  

2003 ◽  
Vol 301 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 75-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Albalak ◽  
Gary Noonan ◽  
Sharunda Buchanan ◽  
W.Dana Flanders ◽  
Carol Gotway-Crawford ◽  
...  

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-631
Author(s):  
Larry P. Kammholz ◽  
L. Gilbert Thatcher ◽  
Frederic M. Blodgett ◽  
Thomas A. Good

A rapid fluorescent method for estimation of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) is described. Simple ethyl acetate-glacial acetic acid extractions are performed, fluorescence quantitated in a fluorimeter and expressed numerically by comparison with known coproporphyrin standards. Fifty-six children were studied and the extent of lead poisoning was evaluated initially and at different follow-up intervals. A clear relationship was shown between FEP fluorescence and blood lead levels. A correlation was also seen for the intensity of fluorescence and evidence for increased absorption of lead, as estimated by x-ray evidence of ingested lead and deposits in bone. Children with iron deficiency anemia also showed elevations of FEP fluorescence. This FEP fluorescence test allows for a rapid, numerical determination which appears to be useful as a screening test for lead intoxication. It can quickly select patients that may have markedly increased lead absorption and need prompt therapy or select those that at least require further studies for possible lead exposure or the presence of anemia.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-622
Author(s):  
Arthur W. Kaemmer ◽  
Byron R. Johnson

Dr. Greensher and his colleagues are to be congratulated for bringing to the readers' attention a most unusual source of lead poisoning. Inasmuch as many localities are initiating city-wide lead screening programs, it is obvious that pediatricians in this country will be seeing many children with abnormally elevated blood lead levels, and in many cases diligent efforts such as this will have to be undertaken to determine the exact source of the environmental lead. biggest problems with mass screening programs for lead poisoning are well outlined by Moriarty's article.2


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-395
Author(s):  
MARGARET CLARK

In Reply.— We appreciate the work of Carraccio et al which confirms our findings that the anemia found in children with lead poisoning results from coexistent iron deficiency. The discrepancy between the two studies concerning the predictive value of blood lead in elevations of erythrocyte protoporphyrin bears further exploration. What is striking, however, is that in both series more than 50% of the variability in erythrocyte protoporphyrin remains unexplained. Now the public health focus is on detecting children with low blood lead levels—before even subtle CNS damage has occurred.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 661-667
Author(s):  
Lorry A. Blanksma ◽  
Henrietta K. Sachs ◽  
Edward F. Murray ◽  
Morgn J. O'Connell

The Chicago Board of Health in October 1986 began a mass-screening program using a blood lead test to detect lead poisoning in children. Atomic absorption spectroscopy made it possible to screen 5,000 specimens in 1 month, and to test a total of 68,744 children in 2 years. The incidence of high blood lead values was variable and seasonal it was lowest in November through January and highest in June. Control children exhibited the same seasonal variation in lead levels as did the children at-risk for lead poisoning. As a result of this program, 1,154 children were treated with chelates for lead poisoning in 1967 and 1968 at the Lead Poisoning Clinic, and the incidence of high blood lead levels among children living in the same areas declined from 8.5% in 1967 to 3.8% in 1968.


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