Increased Blood Lead Levels Research Articles

Preeclampsia and blood lead (and other metals) in Lubumbashi, DR Congo

Among parturient women in Lubumbashi, blood lead concentrations [geometric means (25th–75th percentiles)] were higher among 40 women with preeclampsia [6.66 µg/dL (5.16–79.4)] than among 39 control women matched for age and gestation duration [5.08 µg/dL (4.27–6.30)]. Blood lead exceeded 5 µg/dL in 33 (83%) preeclamptic women and 17 (44%) control women [odds ratio 6.1 (95%CI 2.1–17.1)]. In another study, we found high levels of lead in surface dust collected in front of homes in Lubumbashi (36/127 samples exceeding 120 µg lead/g dust). Our findings support the conclusions of a systematic review that increased blood lead level increases the likelihood of preeclampsia. Moreover, our study indicates that, as in other urban areas in Africa, exposure to lead is unacceptably high among pregnant women in Lubumbashi. Preventive measures are needed to protect mothers and children from the serious adverse effects of lead exposure.

Reduced regional volumes associated with total psychopathy scores in an adult population with childhood lead exposure

Childhood lead exposure has been correlated to acts of delinquency and criminal behavior; however, little research has been conducted to examine its potential long term influence on behavioral factors such as personality, specifically psychopathic personality. Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that the effects of childhood lead exposure persist into adulthood, with structural abnormalities found in gray and white matter regions involved in behavioral decision making. The current study examined whether measurements of adult psychopathy were associated with neuroanatomical differences in structural brain volumes for a longitudinal cohort with measured childhood lead exposure. We hypothesized that increased total psychopathy scores and increased blood lead concentration at 78 months of age (PbB78) would be inversely associated with volumetric measures of gray and white matter brain structures responsible for executive and emotional processing. Analyses did not display a direct effect between total psychopathy score and gray matter volume; however, reduced white matter volume in the cerebellum and brain stem in relation to increased total psychopathy scores was observed. An interaction between sex and total psychopathy score was also detected. Females displayed increased gray matter volume in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes associated with increased total psychopathy score, but did not display any white matter volume differences. Males primarily displayed reductions in frontal gray and white matter brain volume in relation to increased total psychopathy scores. Additionally, reduced gray and white matter volume was associated with increased blood lead levels in the frontal lobes; reduced white matter volume was also observed in the parietal and temporal lobes. Females demonstrated gray and white matter volume loss associated with increased PbB78 values in the right temporal lobe, as well as reduced gray matter volume in the frontal lobe. Males displayed reduced white matter volumes associated with increased PbB78 values in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. Comparison of the two primary models revealed a volumetric decrease in the white matter of the left prefrontal cortex associated with increased total psychopathy scores and increased blood lead concentration in males. The results of this study suggested that increased psychopathy scores in this cohort may be attributable to the neuroanatomical abnormalities observed and that childhood lead exposure may be influential to these outcomes.

Blood Lead Levels of Children in Flint, Michigan: 2006-2016

We evaluated the increases in blood lead levels (BLLs) observed in young children in Flint, Michigan, during their exposure to corrosive Flint River water during the years 2014 and 2015 and compared their BLLs to those of Flint children measured during the years 2006-2013 and 2016. This was a retrospective study design using BLLs extracted from databases from 2006 to 2016. We analyzed a population sample of 15 817 BLLs from children aged ≤5 years with potential exposure to contaminated Flint River water. Percentages of BLLs ≥5.0 µg/dL and geometric mean (GM) BLLs were analyzed over time. A significant decline in the percentages of BLLs ≥5.0 µg/dL from 11.8% in 2006 to 3.2% in 2016 was observed (P < .001). GM ± SE BLLs decreased from 2.33 ± 0.04 µg/dL in 2006 to 1.15 ± 0.02 µg/dL in 2016 (P < .001). GM BLLs increased twice: from 1.75 ± 0.03 µg/dL to 1.87 ± 0.03 µg/dL (2010-2011) and from 1.19 ± 0.02 µg/dL to 1.30 ± 0.02 µg/dL (2014-2015). Overall, from 2006 to 2016, there was a 72.9% decrease in the percentage of children with BLLs ≥5.0 µg/dL and a 50.6% decrease in GM BLLs. These findings suggest that the 11 year trend of annual decreases in BLLs in children in Flint, Michigan, reversed to a degree consistent with random variation from 2010 to 2011, and again during the exposure to Flint River water in 2014-2015. Historically, public health efforts to reduce BLLs of young children in Flint have been effective over the 11-year period studied.

ROLE OF ß2 MICRO-GLOBULIN IN EARLY ASSESSMENT OF RENAL AFFECTION IN LEAD BATTERY WORKERSMINIA CITY

Environmental pollution by lead is a major concern for public health. The aim of this study was to determine renal parameters which are suitable for early assessment of renal affection in lead battery workers. Subjects & Methodology: Sixty subjects (all males) were included in this study, ten volunteer subjects as control (group I) and fifty workers categorized as study subjects who worked on lead battery factories in Minia city-Minia Governorate .The workers included in this study were divided into two group according to their blood lead level (BLL), (group II): included twenty-four workers with blood lead level < 20 µg/dl and (group III): included twenty-six workers with blood lead ≥ 20 µg/dl. Laboratory investigations were done for all subjects of the study including BLL, urinary delta-Aminolevulinic acid (δ –ALA), renal function indices as blood urea, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, and serum s2 microglobulin. Results: Group II parameters were within normal except s2 microglobulin which was higher than its normal value. Workers in group III were found to have significantly higher levels of, blood urea, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, s2 microglobulin and urinary δ –ALA than workers in group II and control group. Although there was significant positive correlation between BLL and all studied parameters, s2 microglobulin had the highest positivity followed by serum uric acid. Conclusion: increase in BLL causes positive renal effects. s2 microglobulin followed by serum uric acid is good early predictor for renal affection in lead exposed workers

Gender difference in the effects of lead exposure at different time windows on neurobehavioral development in 5-year-old children

BackgroundAlthough the association between lead exposure and children's neurodevelopment has been studied, gender differences remain to be investigated. We examined the effects of lead exposure on the neurobehavioral development of 5-year-old children to identify the vulnerable time window of exposure and potential gender difference. MethodA total of 1751 pregnant women and children participated in the prospective birth cohort study, Mothers and Children's Environmental Health study, since 2006. Lead levels were measured in the maternal blood in early and late pregnancies, in cord blood at birth, and in 2-, 3-, and 5-year-old children's blood. The behavior of 575 children aged 5years were assessed using the Korean Child Behavior Checklist. The association between the blood lead level at each time window and behavior was examined using a generalized linear model adjusted for potential confounders and covariates. ResultsLead levels at late pregnancy were significantly associated with increased risk of behavioral problems in males. Lead levels in 2- and 5-year-old children's blood significantly increased behavioral risks in females: for a 1-μg/dL increase in blood lead levels, the score for total behavioral problems increased by 3.00 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56–5.45) during the late pregnancy in males, whereas it increased by 3.82 (95% CI: 1.25–6.39) at 2years and by 5.72 (95% CI: 0.44–10.99) at 5years in females with a stronger effect in attention and sleep problems. ConclusionEffects of lead toxicity on children's neurobehavioral development showed gender differences. Males were more susceptible to prenatal exposure, while females were more susceptible to postnatal exposure with stronger effects in attention and sleep problems.

The Role of Oxidative Stress In Lead Poisoning

To investigate the relationship between increased lipid peroxidation, and the lowering of both plasma total proteins and albumin in lead-exposed workers, and the effectiveness of antioxidants (vit. C and E) in modulating oxidative stress in those workers.&#x0D; Thirty male and females workers employed in the Iraqi storage battery (age range 20-40 years) were participating in this study. Additionally, 11 healthy subjects were served as healthy controls, with the same age range compared to workers group, to avoid the effects of age variations on the studied parameters. Blood lead levels, erythrocytes and plasma MDA, erythrocytes and plasma GSH, total protein and albumin levels in healthy controls and lead-exposed workers pre- and post-treatments with antioxidant were measured.&#x0D; Comparison with healthy control groups reveal 360% increase in blood lead levels, 150% increase in erythrocyte MDA, 117% increase in plasma MDA, 28% decrease in erythrocyte GSH, 56% decrease in plasma GSH, 13% decrease in total plasma protein and 23% decrease in albumin levels in lead-exposed workers. Treatment with a combination of antioxidant vitamins (1000 mg/day vit. C and 200 mg/day vit. E) for one month produced significant reduction 12% in lead levels, 54% in erythrocyte MDA, 53% in plasma MDA; significant increase 41% in erythrocyte GSH, 120% in plasma GSH and 11% in plasma albumin levels in comparison with pre-treatment levels.&#x0D; In conclusion, there is a beneficial effect of antioxidants on the oxidative stress parameters that not only related to their ability to remove lead from target cells, but also associated with antioxidant potential for bolstering thiol antioxidant capacity, and this makes these vitamins a good candidate for therapeutic intervention in lead poisoning.

Social and Built Environmental Correlates of Predicted Blood Lead Levels in the Flint Water Crisis.

To highlight contextual factors tied to increased blood lead level (BLL) risk following the lead-in-water contamination in Flint, Michigan. Using geocoded BLL data collected in 2013 and 2015 and areal interpolation, we predicted BLLs at every residential parcel in the city. We then spatially joined social and built environmental variables to link the parcels with neighborhood-level factors that may influence BLLs. When we compared levels before and during the water crisis, we saw the highest estimates of predicted BLLs during the water crisis and the greatest changes in BLLs in neighborhoods with the longest water residence time in pipes (μ = 2.30 µg/dL; Δ = 0.45 µg/dL), oldest house age (μ = 2.22 µg/dL; Δ = 0.37 µg/dL), and poorest average neighborhood housing condition (μ = 2.18 µg/dL; Δ = 0.44 µg/dL). Key social and built environmental variables correlate with BLL; such information can continue to guide response by prioritizing older, deteriorating neighborhoods with the longest water residence time in pipes.

Association between Low blood lead levels and increased risk of dental caries in children: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to examine the association between low blood lead levels of <5 μg/dL and the development of dental caries among children.MethodsThe Children’s Health and Environment Research (CHEER) group recruited a cohort of 7,059 school-aged children from six Korean cities. The final study populations in the permanent and deciduous teeth groups were 1,564 and 1,241 children, respectively, after excluding 4 children with blood lead levels of >5 μg/dL. Compared with the children who did not have dental caries, the risk of having dental caries according to blood lead level was estimated by using the zero-inflated negative binomial model.ResultsThe geometric mean (geometric standard deviation, maximum) blood lead level was 1.53 μg/dL (1.57, 4.89 μg/dL), and 74.4% of children had a level of <2 μg/dL. Blood lead level was significantly higher in the children with than in those without deciduous dental caries (1.59 vs. 1.51 μg/dL), similarly with permanent dental caries (1.65 vs. 1.51 μg/dL). After adjustment for covariates, deciduous teeth surfaces that were decayed and filled increased significantly with increasing blood lead levels in a dose-dependent manner (prevalence ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.27). However, the risk of having dental caries in permanent teeth was not linearly associated with the increase in blood lead level.ConclusionsIn the sum of decayed and filled surfaces, we found a significant increase in risk of dental caries of the deciduous teeth with an increase in blood lead levels (<5 μg/dL) but found no statistical significance in the association with decayed and filled surfaces of caries separately.

Biomarker related lead exposure of industrial battery's workers

Background: The risk of occupational lead exposure exists in lead smelting plants and battery industries, which may give rise to the issues related to lead poisoning among battery workers and low-exposed workers. Aims: To investigate the relationship between biochemical and hematological markers of lead effects and occupational exposure in battery workers and determine the role of work-related lead poisoning with emphasis on hemopetic system in exposed workers. Materials and Methods: Present study was carried out from July to October 2015, which collected demographic data, nonwork, and work-related symptoms from lead exposure nonexposed workers (N = 33) and battery wokers (N = 30), Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Each blood sample was collected and analyzed for lead biomarkers, blood lead level (BLL)and δ-aminolevolinic dehydratase (ALAD) and hematological markers, such as complete blood count and recticulocyte count. Results and Discussion: Major non-work-related symptoms were droopiness and muscle pain among nonexposed groups. Major work-related symptoms in battery workers were occurred in lungs and nose. There was a significant increase in BLL, and a significant decrease activity of ALAD was observed in battery workers. Strong positive correlation between years of exposure and employment with BLL was observed and respiratorytract symptoms were also presented.Inverse correlation between the activity of ALAD and hemoglobin and a strong positive correlation between hemoglobin and BLL were found. Conclusion: The lead level and ALAD were good markers for screening lead exposures by significant related to hematological values, duration of work, and exposure and hypertension.

Lead Level in Umbilical Cord Blood and its Effects on Newborns Anthropometry.

High concentration of blood lead is accompanied by adverse health effects on growth of foetus and the newborn. The aim of this study was to determine umbilical cord blood lead level and its relationship with birth weight, length and head circumference of the newborns in Abadan, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 3 ml blood was collected from the umbilical cord vein in 147 newborns, immediately after the birth. Blood lead was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data collection instruments included demographic questionnaire (age of mother, gestational age, newborn gender, job and education of mother) and also data registration form (umbilical cord blood lead concentration, weight, length, and head circumference of newborn). Data was analyzed with SPSS software version 16.0. The mean of umbilical cord blood lead was determined 0.65±0.32 µg/dl (0.3-1.35 µg/dl). The decrease of birth weight with increased blood lead level was small and was not statistically significant. There was reverse significant correlation between umbilical cord blood lead level and birth length and head circumference. There was no significant correlation between blood lead and other variables such as age, weight, education and job of mother and gestational age. Umbilical blood lead level was determined <5 µg/ dl. Excess of umbilical cord blood lead caused decreasing birth weight, length and head circumference of the newborns.

Stunting is associated with blood lead concentration among Bangladeshi children aged 2-3 years.

BackgroundLead toxicity is of particular public health concern given its near ubiquitous distribution in nature and established neurotoxicant properties. Similar in its ubiquity and ability to inhibit neurodevelopment, early childhood stunting affects an estimated 34 % of children under 5 in low- and middle-income countries. Both lead and stunting have been shown to be associated with decreased neurodevelopment, although the relationship between these childhood burdens is underexplored. The association between lead exposure and stunting has been previously established, yet limited data are available on susceptibility windows.MethodsWhole blood lead samples were collected from rural Bangladeshi children at delivery (umbilical cord blood) and at age 20–40 months (fingerstick blood). Stunting was determined using the Child Growth Standards developed from the World Health Organization Multicentre Growth Reference Study. Children with height for age < -2 z-scores below the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards were classified as stunted in all analyses.ResultsMedian (IQR) umbilical cord and fingerstick blood lead levels were 3.1 (1.6–6.3) μg/dl and 4.2 (1.7–7.6) μg/dl, respectively. In adjusted multivariable regression models, the odds of stunting at 20–40 months increased by 1.12 per μg/dl increase in blood lead level (OR = 1.12, 95 % CI: 1.02–1.22). No association was found between cord blood lead level and risk of stunting (OR = 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.94–1.00).ConclusionsThere is a significant association between stunting and concurrent lead exposure at age 20–40 months. This association is slightly attenuated after controlling for study clinic site. Additional research including more precise timing of lead exposure during these critical 20–40 months is needed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12940-016-0190-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Negative Relationship between Erythropoietin Dose and Blood Lead Level in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis

The adverse effects of increased blood lead levels have been well discussed. Several antioxidant agents have been reported to offer protection from lead toxicity and to reduce blood lead levels (BLL). Given that erythropoietin (EPO) also has antioxidant properties, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the role of EPO and other clinical variables on BLL in hemodialysis (HD) patients. We recruited 931 maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients who had undergone HD for at least 6 months and who had ever received blood lead level (BLL) study. Use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents followed the The National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF KDOQI) Clinical Practice Guideline. We estimated demographic, hematological, nutritional, inflammatory, biochemical, and dialysis-related data based on this study. In the group with EPO, 7% had high BLL. In the group without EPO, 22% had high BLL. From the stepwise liner regression, urban areas, hemodialysis duration, and clearance of urea (KT/Vurea) were positively associated with log BLL. In contrast, diabetes (DM), and monthly EPO dose were negatively associated with log BLL. This study showed that EPO dose might be negatively associated with blood lead levels in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

The Impact of Low-Level Lead Toxicity on School Performance among Hispanic Subgroups in the Chicago Public Schools.

Background: Environmental lead exposure detrimentally affects children’s educational performance, even at very low blood lead levels (BLLs). Among children in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the severity of the effects of BLL on reading and math vary by racial subgroup (White vs. Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic Black). We investigated the impact of BLL on standardized test performance by Hispanic subgroup (Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Other Hispanic). Methods: We examined 12,319 Hispanic children born in Chicago between 1994 and 1998 who were tested for BLL between birth and 2006 and enrolled in the 3rd grade at a CPS school between 2003 and 2006. We linked the Chicago birth registry, the Chicago Blood Lead Registry, and 3rd grade Illinois Standard Achievement Test (ISAT) scores to examine associations between BLL and school performance. Primary analyses were restricted to children with BLL below 10 µg/dL (0.483 µmol/L). Results: BLLs below 10 µg/dL (0.483 µmol/L) were inversely associated with reading and math scores in all Hispanic subgroups. Adjusted Relative Risks (RRadj) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for reading and math failure were 1.34 (95% CI = 1.25, 1.63) and 1.53 (95% CI = 1.32, 1.78), respectively, per each additional 5 µg/dL of lead exposure for Hispanic children; RRadj did not differ across subgroups. We estimate that 7.0% (95% CI = 1.8, 11.9) of reading and 13.6% (95% CI = 7.7, 19.2) of math failure among Hispanic children can be attributed to exposure to BLLs of 5–9 µg/dL (0.242 to 0.435 µmol/L) vs. 0–4 µg/dL (0–0.193 µmol/L). The RRadj of math failure for each 5 µg/dL (0.242 µmol/L) increase in BLL was notably (p = 0.074) stronger among black Puerto Rican children (RRadj = 5.14; 95% CI = 1.65–15.94) compared to white Puerto Rican children (RRadj = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.12–2.02). Conclusions: Early childhood lead exposure is associated with poorer achievement on standardized reading and math tests in the 3rd grade for Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Other Hispanic children enrolled in Chicago Public Schools. While we did not see interactions between BLL and ISAT performance by Hispanic subgroup, the stronger association between BLL and math failure for Black Puerto Rican children is intriguing and warrants further study.

GRIN2A polymorphisms and expression levels are associated with lead-induced neurotoxicity.

Lead acts as an antagonist of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). GRIN2A encodes an important subunit of NMDARs and may be a critical factor in the mechanism of lead neurotoxicity. Changes in GRIN2A expression levels or gene variants may be mechanisms of lead-induced neurotoxicity. In this study, we hypothesized that GRIN2A might contribute to lead-induced neurotoxicity. A preliminary HEK293 cell experiment was performed to analyze the association between GRIN2A expression and lead exposure. In addition, in a population-based study, serum GRIN2A levels were measured in both lead-exposed and control populations. To detect further the influence of GRIN2A gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in lead-induced neurotoxicity, 3 tag SNPs (rs2650429, rs6497540, and rs9302415) were genotyped in a case-control study that included 399 lead-exposed subjects and 398 controls. Lead exposure decreased GRIN2A expression levels in HEK293 cells ( p < 0.001) compared with lead-free cells. Lead-exposed individuals had lower serum GRIN2A levels compared with controls ( p < 0.001), and we found a trend of decreasing GRIN2A level with an increase in blood lead level ( p < 0.001). In addition, we found a significant association between rs2650429 CT and TT genotypes and risk of lead poisoning compared with the rs2650429 CC genotype (adjusted odds ratio = 1.42, 95% confidence interval = 1.01-2.00]. Therefore, changes in GRIN2A expression levels and variants may be important mechanisms in the development of lead-induced neurotoxicity.

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS AND ASSOCIATED SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN DAMIETTA GOVERNORATE

Background: With the worldwide increase of industrial pollution and man made or natural combustion activities, people are all exposed either voluntarily or involuntarily to certain environmental pollutants such as heavy metals and organic hydrocarbons. Objective: Investigating the associations between socio-demographic factors, and increased blood lead levels (BLLs) among primary school children in Damietta governorate. Patients and Methods: This was a cross sectional study. It was conducted from January 2015 till January 2016. The study was conducted on Damietta primary schools’ students. The largest (in number of children in primary stage) school was selected as the primary target of the study (students number in all classes were 750 children; 741 cases were included in the statistical analysis). After ethical and administrative approval, all primary school children in the selected school were screened for blood lead levels and correlated with other sociodemographic factors. Socio-demographic information obtained from the questionnaire included sex, age, parental educations and occupations (unemployed, general labor, skilled labor, professional worker), neighborhood condition such as whether living in a crowed neighborhood, person directly raising the child, having sibling(s) or not, parental smoking at home and the mother’s age when the child was born. Blood specimens were collected, and frozen and collected to the Research Center at Al-Mansoura University hospital for lead analysis. Results: Serum lead levels ranged from 5 to 36 µg/dl. The mean value (ISD) was 9.67±6.11. Cases with serum lead level more than or equal to 10 µg/dl were 98 out of 741 (13.2%) and assigned as a positive group. 390 cases (52.6%) were males. Males significantly increased in in positive group (69.4% vs 50.1% respectively). Also, there was a significant decrease in age of positive children (8.52±1.62 vs 9.79±1.69 years respectively). Child anthropometric measurements revealed significant decrease of weight, height and head circumference (HC) in positive when compared to negative cases. There was a significant increase of low social level in positive group when compared to negative group. Furthermore, there was a slight significant increase of percentage of rural residence in positive when compared to negative cases. Male gender, rural residence, parent smoking, outdoor play, eating canned foods, waste piles around house and base floor living are risk factors for increased level of lead above 10µg/dl. Conclusion: Results of the present study shed a light on the situation of serum lead levels in primary school children and associated factors in Damietta Governorate. However, it was just a step on a long road for development an effective strategy for decreasing exposure and harmful effects of lead on children.

Prevention of gastrointestinal lead poisoning using recombinant Lactococcus lactis expressing human metallothionein-I fusion protein

Low-level lead poisoning is an insidious disease that affects millions of children worldwide, leading to biochemical and neurological dysfunctions. Blocking lead uptake via the gastrointestinal tract is an important prevention strategy. With this in mind, we constructed the recombinant Lactococcus lactis strain pGSMT/MG1363, which constitutively expressed the fusion protein glutathione S-transferase (GST)–small molecule ubiquitin-like modifier protein (SUMO)–metallothionein-I (GST-SUMO-MT). The thermodynamic data indicated that the average number of lead bound to a GST-SUMO-MT molecule was 3.655 and this binding reaction was a spontaneous, exothermic and entropy-increasing process. The total lead-binding capacity of pGSMT/MG1363 was 4.11 ± 0.15 mg/g dry mass. Oral administration of pGSMT/MG1363 (1 × 1010 Colony-Forming Units) to pubertal male rats that were also treated with 5 mg/kg of lead acetate daily significantly inhibited the increase of blood lead levels, the impairment of hepatic function and the decrease of testosterone concentration in the serum, which were all impaired in rats treated by lead acetate alone. Moreover, the administration of pGSMT/MG1363 for 6 weeks did not affect the serum concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium or sodium ions. This study provides a convenient and economical biomaterial for preventing lead poisoning via the digestive tract.

Lead Residues in Milk and Blood of Cows at Selected Localities of Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India

The present study was planning to evaluate the concentrations of lead in blood and milk of crossbred cows reared in five different industrial areas in chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 100 milk and 100 blood samples were collected from crossbred milk cows randomly in and around five factories, which were present in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh, India such as Batteries factory at Karakambadi, Nutrine factory and Sugar factory at chittoor and Lamco (Iron pipes) factory at Erpedu and Sugar factory at Puttur. The samples such as blood and milk were subjected for acid digestion method [1], then these samples were used for lead residual estimation by following method of Perkin-Elmer 3100 (USA) double beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer-meter with hallow cathode lamp of lead. The highest lead concentration was found in the blood of cows reared in and around Karakambadi area (1.5 mg/L) then followed by cows of Erpedu (1.2 mg/L), Chittoor (Nutrine factory) (1 mg/L), Puttur (1.0 mg/L) and Chittoor (Sugar factory) (0.9 mg/L). Significant correlation was noticed between high levels of increased blood lead and milk lead levels in cows that were at near in different factories. There was significant increase in blood lead concentration simultaneously increase in milk lead concentration. The increase blood lead in relation with increase milk lead might be due to the excretion of lead through milk increases with increase in blood lead level.

Blood Lead and Other Metal Biomarkers as Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease Mortality.

Analyses of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) in 1988 to 1994 found an association of increasing blood lead levels < 10 μg/dL with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. The potential need to correct blood lead for hematocrit/hemoglobin and adjust for biomarkers for other metals, for example, cadmium and iron, had not been addressed in the previous NHANES III-based studies on blood lead-CVD mortality association. We analyzed 1999 to 2010 NHANES data for 18,602 participants who had a blood lead measurement, were ≥ 40 years of age at the baseline examination and were followed for mortality through 2011. We calculated the relative risk for CVD mortality as a function of hemoglobin- or hematocrit-corrected log-transformed blood lead through Cox proportional hazard regression analysis with adjustment for serum iron, blood cadmium, serum C-reactive protein, serum calcium, smoking, alcohol intake, race/Hispanic origin, and sex. The adjusted relative risk for CVD mortality was 1.44 (95% confidence interval = 1.05, 1.98) per 10-fold increase in hematocrit-corrected blood lead with little evidence of nonlinearity. Similar results were obtained with hemoglobin-corrected blood lead. Not correcting blood lead for hematocrit/hemoglobin resulted in underestimation of the lead-CVD mortality association while not adjusting for iron status and blood cadmium resulted in overestimation of the lead-CVD mortality association. In a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, log-transformed blood lead was linearly associated with increased CVD mortality. Correcting blood lead for hematocrit/hemoglobin and adjustments for some biomarkers affected the association.

Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of Risk and Public Health Response.

We analyzed differences in pediatric elevated blood lead level incidence before and after Flint, Michigan, introduced a more corrosive water source into an aging water system without adequate corrosion control. We reviewed blood lead levels for children younger than 5 years before (2013) and after (2015) water source change in Greater Flint, Michigan. We assessed the percentage of elevated blood lead levels in both time periods, and identified geographical locations through spatial analysis. Incidence of elevated blood lead levels increased from 2.4% to 4.9% (P < .05) after water source change, and neighborhoods with the highest water lead levels experienced a 6.6% increase. No significant change was seen outside the city. Geospatial analysis identified disadvantaged neighborhoods as having the greatest elevated blood lead level increases and informed response prioritization during the now-declared public health emergency. The percentage of children with elevated blood lead levels increased after water source change, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Water is a growing source of childhood lead exposure because of aging infrastructure.

다양한 위해성평가 방법에 따라 도출한 토양오염 판정기준의 차이에 관한 연구(III): 우리나라 납 오염 위해성평가 방법 제안

ABSTRACT The most critical health effect of lead exposure is the neurodevelopmental effect to children caused by the increased bloodlead level. Therefore, the endpoint of the risk assessment for lead-contaminated sites should be set at the blood lead levelof children. In foreign countries, the risk assessment for lead-contaminated sites is conducted by estimating the increasedblood lead level of children via oral intake and/or inhalation (United States Environmental Protection Agency, USEPA), orby comparing the estimated oral dose to the threshold oral dose of lead, which is derived from the permissible blood leadlevel of children (Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM). For the risk assessment,USEPA employs Integrated-Exposure-Uptake-Biokinetic (IEUBK) Model to check whether the estimated portion ofchildren whose blood lead level exceeds 10µg/dL, threshold blood lead level determined by USEPA, is higher than 5%,while Dutch RIVM compares the estimated oral dose of lead to the threshold oral dose (2.8µg/kg-day), which is derivedfrom the permissible blood lead level of children. In Korea, like The Netherlands, risk assessment for lead-contaminatedsites is conducted by comparing the estimated oral dose to the threshold oral dose; however, because the threshold oraldose listed in Korean risk assessment guidance is an unidentified value, it is recommended to revise the existing thresholdoral dose described in Korean risk assessment guidance. And, if significant lead exposure via inhalation is suspected, it isuseful to employ IEUBK Model to derive the risk posed via multimedia exposure (i.e., both oral ingestion and inhalation).Key words : Lead, Risk Assessment, Blood lead level