Abstract
To determine the blood lead levels in children living near an inactive lead foundry in the city of Santo Amaro da Purificação, state of Bahia, in September of 1998; and to identify factors associated with differences in these levels. Cross-sectional study with children between 1 and 4 years of age living within 1 km of the lead foundry. Mothers or guardians of 47 children answered a questionnaire concerning ingestion of clay, soil, plaster and/or other materials (pica), and other relevant epidemiological aspects. The concentration of lead in blood was determined by atomic absorption espectrophotometry. The mean blood lead level was 17.1 +/- 7.3 micro g/dL. Blood lead levels were approximately 5 micro g/dl greater among children with pica, regardless of age, visible presence of scum surrounding the home, employment status of the father, family history of lead poisoning, and malnutrition. The environmental legacy of the lead foundry, which was shut down in 1993, continues to represent a relevant risk factor for increased blood lead levels in children, especially those presenting pica.
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