Abstract
Abstract In the context of a cross-sectional study, concentrations of lead in hair (PbH) were determined by atomic absorption analysis among 263 children aged 1 to 9 years, living less than 900m from a lead smelter in Santo Amaro City, Bahia, Brazil. PbH levels ranged from 20 to 4933 ppm; the median was 349 and the geometric mean was 313 ppm. The mean PbH level was increased among individuals with the following characteristics: female; younger age; shorter distance between residence and smelter; longer residence time in the area; racial group Dark; curly hair; being a child of a lead worker; high lead content in peridomiciliar area. The mean PbH level did not vary markedly according to the child's nutritional status, iron status and the habit of pica. The marked variations in pbH levels point out the feasibility of its use as an epidemiological index in situations of heavy environment pollution.
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