The Relationship Between Dental Caries and Unleaded Gasoline Usage Among Children

Abstract

ISEE-0089 Background and Objective: The use of leaded gasoline can cause combustion particulates and lead emissions in air. Empirical studies found that higher lead level in air is associated with higher blood lead levels (BLLs) in human beings. In Taiwan, the use of unleaded gasoline has been completely adopted since 2000. The use of unleaded gasoline probably reduces lead emissions in air. Past literature indicates that lead emissions may increase the prevalence of dental caries. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between dental caries and unleaded gasoline usage. Methods: Our data were collected from three official databases between 1998 and 2007:1) lead level in air was from Taiwan's Environmental Protection database; 2) the diagnoses of the dental disorders were from Taiwan's National Health Insurance database; 3) the Income Per Capita was from Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs. Using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), we identified the diagnoses code with dental disorders from 520 to 529. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate the impact of dental caries on age, gender, income, lead levels in air and the number of dentists. Results: The levels of lead in air reduced steadily from 0.09 to 0.06μg/m3. In all beneficiaries, the average frequency of caries (ICD-9 code 521.0) also declined gradually from 2.38 to 2.1. However, the average frequency of dental disorders (ICD-9 code from 520 to 529) was not decreased (3.44 vs. 3.46 times). In addition, the frequency of decay was notably reduced in 5–14 years old and their caries model of linear regression revealed that caries were highly associated with the lead levels in air (β = 1.06; P = 0.01). Conclusion: The average frequency of caries was significantly related to the use of unleaded gasoline, especially in the 5–14 age-groups.