Blood lead levels in Egyptian children from high and low lead-polluted areas: impact on cognitive function

Abstract

Many children are harmed by low-level lead exposure which impairs cognitive development with subsequent poor scholastic achievement. We investigated blood lead levels in children in relation to cognitive function. Blood lead levels were measured in 100 children recruited from high (n = 50) and low (n = 50) lead-polluted areas. Blood lead levels ranged between 3 and 28 microg/dl (median 9, interquartile range 6 microg/dl). In addition, 43% of children had levels > or =10 microg/dl, of whom 90.1% were living in high-risk areas for lead pollution. Cognitive dysfunction was found in 37% of children. Children with cognitive dysfunction had significantly higher blood lead and lower hemoglobin than those without (P < 0.001). Increased blood lead level in many children is one of the health problems in Egypt which may be the reason, at least in part, for cognitive dysfunction with subsequent poor scholastic achievement. Thus, interventions to control lead exposure are mandatory.