Biomonitoring of exposure of Algerian population to lead

Abstract

Lead poisoning, is currently recognized as a real public health problem. The WHO classifies lead as one of 10 chemicals of serious public health concern. The assessment and management of health risks and public health interventions are largely based on a detailed knowledge of exposure of the general population. Biomonitoring has become an essential tool in environmental health. In Algeria, to date, no study on the evaluation of lead impregnation has been carried out at the national level. The main objective of this work is to assess the exposure of the general Algerian population to lead This is a cross-sectional study with a descriptive aim, carried out over the entire Algerian national territory, on a population aged between 3 and 74 years old. It was carried out on a representative sample of households. The survey lasted three years. A questionnaire, a clinical examination and a blood sample were carried out for each individual. Analytical methods for the determination of lead in whole blood by ICP-MS were optimized and validated. Generalized linear regression models were used to determine the factors influencing lead levels measured in blood samples. The study population, spread over 39 wilayas and 121 districts, consists of 3674 individuals. The mean lead levels were 28.27 μg/L [27.38–29.17], the median was 22.22 μg/L, and the 95th percentile was 73.83 μg/L. The prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (≥100 μg/L) in the study population was 2.2%. A blood lead value of 75 μg/L was proposed as the Reference Exposure Value (REL) for Algeria. Blood lead levels were influenced by age, gender, wilaya of residence, dietary habits such as consumption of canned food and the way in which water is conserved for daily consumption. The use of kohl has been confirmed as a potential source of lead exposure especially among women. Recommendations have been issued to reduce the blood lead levels of the general population in Algeria in terms of limitation of lead in the sources of exposure, installation of an effective health monitoring system and also an adequate management of lead poisoning.