Blood lead concentrations of preschool children in central and southern Sydney.

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of elevated blood lead concentrations in preschool children in central and southern Sydney. Children aged from 9 months to 5 years living in 32 randomly selected geographical areas in Central and southern Sydney. Venous blood lead concentrations were estimated by atomic absorption spectrometry. 953 children were identified and 726 had parental consent to participate. A blood sample for lead estimation was obtained from 718 children. The geometric mean blood level concentration was 0.34 mu mol/L (7.0 mu/dL). The proportion of children with elevated blood lead concentrations was: 16.1% (>0.48 mu mol/L [10mu/dL]), 3.9% (>0.72 mu mol/L[15mu/dL]) and 0.3% (>1.21mu mol/L [25 mu/dL], respectively. The blood lead levels for children living with a 10-km radius of the Sydney Central Business district were: 25% (>0.48 mu mol/L [10mu/dL]) and 7% (>0.72 mu mol/L [15mu/dL]), respectively. Corresponding findings for children living 10 km outside this radius were: 9% (>0.48 mu mol/L [10mu/dL]) and 1.5% (0.72 mu mol/L [15mu/dL]), respectively. The proportion of children with elevated blood lead concentrations in Central and Southern Sydney as a whole does not exceed current National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommendations. However, in those areas within a 10-km radius of the Central Business District, NHMRC interventional guidelines for communities where more that 5% of children have blood lead concentrations higher than 0.72 mu mol/L (15 mu/dL) should be applied.