Umbilical Cord Blood Lead Levels in Shanghai, China

This study was designed to determine the cord blood lead (BPb) levels of babies born in one urban area of Shanghai, and to preliminarily identify the demographic, social environment and prenatal factors which have an effect on the cord BPb concentrations. From August to November 1993, umbilical cord blood samples were obtained from 605 live newborns in the Yangpu Maternal and Child Hospital. 257 samples were excluded from measurement because of clotting. In 348 cord samples, the geometric mean of cord BPb levels was 9. 2μg/dl, with a 95 % confidence interval of the mean 8. 86-9. 54 (μg/dl). 142 babies (40. 8 % ) had cord BPb levels of 10μg/dl or greater. As a result of this high percentage of newborns with BPb levels equal to or greater than 10 μg/dl, we estimate that each year in the Shanghal City about 60,000 newborns are at risk for developing neuropsychological deficiencies caused by maternal lead exposure during pregnancy. To investigate the factors affecting cord blood levels, the subjects with levels greater than the 70th percentile (10. 7μg/dl) (n = 104) and less than the 3oth percentile (7. 4μg/dl) (n = 104) were selected to compare the demographic, environ ment and prenatal medical history. Increased BPb levels at birth were associated with maternal passive smoking, a family member being occupationally exposed to lead, proximity to major traffic way, household coal combustion, neighborhood coal combustion, low level of meternal occupations, and the increasing occurrence of having the high lead foodstuff pidan (preserved duck egg) during pregnancy. We conclude that prenatal lead exposure has become an impor tant health issue for young children in Shanghai

Lead levels in Chromolaena odorata (Compositae) along rural and urban roads in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Concentrations of lead(Pb) were determined in leaf samples of \%Chromolaena adorata\% from a rural road and an urban road in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria in relation to vehicular traffic density. Mixed results were obtained wich no trend to indict automobile exhaust fumes. Lead was not detected in rain water from these areas and leaf lead levels seemed to relate more to soil lead concentrations. There was no significant difference in mean leaf lead levels between rural and urban leaf samples and between washed and unwashed leaf samples. It was suggested that the lack of concordance between vehicular traffic density and lead levels in leaves along the highways indicates either a low level use of tetraethyl leaded petrol or, a relatively low vehicular traffic density with lead from exhaust fumes not reaching a threshold to affect levels in plants or be detected in the atmosphere. Implications of concentrations obtained in leaves to consumers when compared with international standards were discussed.

Association between Polymorphisms of MALAT1 and Blood Lead Levels in Lead-exposed Workers

Lead,a heavy metal,which is nonessential but may be harmful to the human body,has been widely used to manufacture many products for use in the modern world.Lead-acid batteries have the advantages of low price,high safety,and advanced technology.

Association of Bone Turnover Levels with MTHFR Gene Polymorphisms among Pregnant Women in Wuhan, China

Pregnancy is a critical stimulator of bone mineral resorption. We used to find the MTHFR gene polymorphisms are related with blood lead levels among pregnant women. Pregnancy-stimulated bone turnover may be associated with MTHFR gene polymorphisms too. In this article, we aimed to determine the relationship between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and bone turnover rates among the pregnant women. The participants including pregnant and non-pregnant women were selected and recruited during their routine prenatal or physical examination from July to October in 2012. A total of 1000 participants, including 250 pregnant women in the first, second, and third trimesters and 250 non-pregnant women, were enrolled in the study. Finally, after excluding 27 participants unable to provide blood samples, 973 eligible participants （i.e., 234, 249, and 248 pregnant women in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively, and 242 non-pregnant women） were included in the research. The MTHFR gene 1298CC homozygote carriers were more susceptible to yield higher plasma homocysteine levels than the 1298AA/AC carriers, with standardized coefficients of 0.086 （P〈0.05） and 0.104 （P〈0.01） of all the participants and the pregnant women, respectively. The MTHFR gene 1793AA homozygote carriers more likely showed higher plasma osteocalcin levels （standardized β=0.091, P〈0.01） than the 1793GG/GA carriers among all the subjects. Plasma homocysteine levels were positively correlated with blood lead levels among the participants and the pregnant women with standardized coefficients of 0.320 （P〈0.01） and 0.179 （P〈0.01）, respectively. Plasma osteocalcin levels were positively associated with blood lead levels among pregnant and non-pregnant women with standardized coefficients of 0.084 （P〈0.05） and 0.125 （P〈0.01）, respectively. In conclusion, homocysteine and osteocalcin contents in plasma are associated with the MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism and blood lead levels among pregnant women. The MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism-related homocysteine is a possible risk factor for increased blood lead levels among Chinese women.

Lead Concentration in Hong Kong Roadside Dust after Reduction of Lead Level in Petrol

Samples of roadside dust were collected from 30 sites in Hong Kong.The total concentrations of 10 metals in the samples were analyzed,and the correlation coefficients among the metal contents and the annual average daily traffic(AADT)in 1986 were determined.Pb was found to have a significant correlation(P<0.01)with AADT.No correlation was found between Al, Ba,Cd,Cr,Cu,Fe,Mn,Ni,and Zn with respect to AADT.A general decrease in the level of Pb in roadside dust in the past few years has been observed since the reduction in the level of lead in petrol.1989 Academic Press,Inc.

A Systematic Assessment of Blood Lead Level in Children and Associated Risk Factors in China

In this study, we searched multiple databases for all relevant original articles (1996-2013). To investigate blood lead levels (BLL) and possible risk factors for lead exposure among children in China A total of 388 articles met our inclusion criteria. The overall geometric mean (GM) BLL was 71 μg/L, and the prevalence of elevated BLL (EBLL, defined as BLL &ge;100 μg/L) was 18.48% among children. The prevalence of EBLL remained significantly higher among boys. In children less than 6 years of age, there were significantly increasing trends in both BLL and prevalence of EBLL in an age-dependent manner. The ban on leaded gasoline significantly reduced the BLL as well as EBLL prevalence; however, children whose parents had lower educational levels or were exposed to lead in the workplace had a higher EBLL prevalence. Despite its decline over time, the average BLL among children in China remains higher than the average level most recently reported in the United States. Childhood lead poisoning remains a public health problem in China.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Hygenall^©Leadoff^TMFoaming Soap in Reducing Lead on Workers’ Hands and the Uptake of Lead on Bridge Painting Projects

Although considerable research has been conducted regarding airborne lead exposures during lead paint removal, little data has been collected measuring the lead concentration on workers’ hands in the construction industry. As a result, there are gaps in our understanding of the effectiveness of a standard work practice control (handwashing) in the prevention and control of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in the workplace. The primary objective of this study was to assess if a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) formulation intended to remove lead from skin (Hygenall© LeadoffTM Foaming Soap) is more effective than a commonly used soap in the industrial painting industry (Zep Cherry Bomb Soap) in reducing the concentration of lead on workers’ hands after exposure. A secondary aim was to assess if using LeadoffTM Foaming Soap during handwashing reduces worker uptake of lead on bridge painting projects. We evaluated hand wipe, air sample and blood lead level data collected by two industrial bridge painting contractors. Airborne exposures ranged from 350 μg/m3 to 19,700 μg/m3. The geometric mean lead concentration remaining on workers’ hands after using Zep Cherry Bomb Soap was 77 μg per hand wipe compared with 61 μg per hand wipe after use of LeadoffTM Foaming Soap for all work classifications. The geometric lead concentration on workers’ hands decreased by 16 μg/hand wipe for all work classifications combined after using LeadoffTM Foaming Soap—a decrease of 21%. The use of Hygenall LeadoffTM Foaming Soap reduced the maximum lead concentration on workers’ hands by 85%. The geometric mean BLL for all work classifications was 12.1 μg/dl before the use of LeadoffTM. After two months of airborne exposure and use of LeadoffTM Foaming Soap at breaks and at the end of the workday, the geometric mean BLL for all work classifications increased to 18.1 μg/dl. Worker BLLs increased despite the reduction in the concentration of lead measured on workers’ hands—most likely a result of ineffective inhalation exposure controls. We found that the LeadoffTM Foaming Soap was more effective in removing lead from workers’ hands than Zep Cherry Bomb.

Economic Responsibility Audit of Leading Cadres of the Party and Government at the Grassroots Level-Existing Problems and Countermeasures

Economic responsibility audit is an important part of the socialist audit supervision system with Chinese characteristics.It is an important responsibility of audit institutions at all levels to carry out economic responsibility audit.This article conducts a comprehensive and profound analysis of the problems existing in the current grassroots economic responsibility audit work.In addition,countermeasures and suggestions are proposed in this article,which are of positive significance to promote the economic responsibility audit work of leading cadres.

Towards prenatal biomonitoring in Nanjing, China： lead and cadmium levels in the duration of pregnancy

Background Prenatal lead and cadmium exposure will not only influence the mother＇s organ systems,but also will provide an environment that may influence the fetus and neonate in a harmful way.In the present study,we detected the blood lead levels （BLLS） and cadmium levels for the duration of pregnancy and 6-12 weeks after delivery and to analyze the influencing factors of BLLs in healthy pregnant women.Methods A cohort study survey was carried out.We recruited 174 healthy pregnant women without pregnancy or obstetric complications or abnormal pregnancy outcomes as the gravida group,and 120 healthy non-pregnant women as the control group.Results The lead concentrations in the three pregnancy trimesters and in the postpartum period were：（5.98±2.43）,（5.54±2.01）,（5.59±1.97）,and （6.76±1.74） μg/dl; and （6.75±2.13） μg/dl in the control group.The cadmium concentrations in the three pregnancy trimesters and postpartum period were 1.61±0.45,1.63±0.46,1.64±0.49,and 1.67±0.57.We found that the BLLs in the gravida group were lower than in the control group during all three trimesters.Occupations,supplement nutritional elements （dietary supplements and nutritional （food） elements）,and the time of house painting could affect BLLs in pregnant women.Lead-related occupations,using cosmetics,and living in a house painted more recently than one year previously are risk factors of high BLLs among pregnant women,while calcium,iron,zinc,and milk supplements are protective factors.Conclusions These findings may help people,especially pregnant women,to reduce lead exposure via supplements of calcium,iron,zinc,and milk or avoiding contacting risk factors.