Blood lead levels in children in Perth, Western Australia

Abstract

This study reports on an analysis of the lead concentrations in 123 venous blood samples collected from Perth children aged between two months and 17 years attending Princess Margaret Hospital. The overall geometric mean was 6.9 micrograms lead per 100 ml whole blood, with 95 per cent of results lying between 3.2 and 14.8 micrograms/100 ml. Among children under five years of age, those aged between 18 months and two years had the highest geometric mean blood lead (11.1 micrograms/100 ml). There were no consistent associations between geometric mean blood lead and area of residence, age group or sex. In this sample of Perth children, the mean blood lead concentration was lower than those reported in other studies. Less than 0.1 per cent of children of the age ranged studied would have been expected to have lead levels exceeding the NHMRC 'level of concern' (25 micrograms/100 ml) current at the time of the study. However, the recent adoption of goal of less than 10 micrograms/100 ml could mean that lead levels in up to 21 per cent of Perth children would now be regarded as excessive.