Abstract
Lead is naturally available toxic heavy metal which is one of the main causes of environmental pollution and produces detrimental effects on health, particularly young children. Lead toxicity has become an emerging global burden of disease varying with the age, socio-economic status, occupation, industrialization, social customs and behaviours. The objective of this study was to find out the baseline blood lead level among children between 8-18 years. A descriptive study was conducted in Gokarneshwor Municipality, Kathmandu with a total of 160 children between 8-18 years of age from 2018 to 2019 after taking ethical approval from Research and Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 17-074/075). Informed written consent was taken from the principal along with their respective parents and semi structured questionnaires were asked to students. Sample size was calculated and simple random sampling was done. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 16. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and descriptive statistics. The mean blood lead level of the children was 4.39±7.35 µg/dl. Mean hemoglobin being 12.63g/dl; out of 160 children 30 (18.75%) children had blood lead levels. Children with elevated blood lead level had mean haemoglobin level within normal range (13.05gm/dl), however out of 30 children, 8 (27%) had haemoglobin level below normal. Lead exposure in the children of urban area of Nepal is considerably high as compared to similar studies coducted in similar settings.
Highlights
Lead is naturally available toxic heavy metal which is one of the main causes of environmental pollution and produces detrimental effects on health, young children
Among the sociodemographic and environmental variables studied, lead exposure had been related to the age group, frequent consumption of instant noodles, children exposed to renovation work, and children playing with batteries (Table 5)
Etchevers et al.[10] showed significant association of BLL with the environmental factors such as consumption of tap water in homes with lead service connections, peeling paint or recent renovations in old housing, handmouth behavior, passive smoking and having a mother born in a country where lead is often used while in this current study among many environmental factors, only children frequently consuming instant noodles, children playing with batteries, children exposed to recent renovation work at home and age group respectively were related with BLL
Summary
Lead is naturally available toxic heavy metal which is one of the main causes of environmental pollution and produces detrimental effects on health, young children. Lead is very toxic cumulative metal and creates health problems.[1,2] The main sources of lead exposure and its pollution are classified as environmental and occupational.[3] Children are exposed to lead from sources like lead based paints, pica, contaminated drinking water, toys and lead based peeled, chipped paints especially during renovations of old houses.[4,5]. Elevated BLLs reduce the lifespan of red cells, causing haemolytic anaemia.[8] Lead toxicity is associated with adverse effects on intellectual development.[9,10] A study done among older children from urban areas of Chennai has reported prevalence of 52.5%.11. Lead toxicity is associated with adverse effects on intellectual development.[9,10] A study done among older children from urban areas of Chennai has reported prevalence of 52.5%.11 In Nepal, its distribution and clinical surveys are to be studied in large cohorts
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