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

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 ≥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.

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.

Blood Lead Levels During Pregnancy and Its Influencing Factors in Nanjing,China

Objective To investigate the blood lead levels (BLLs) in the duration of pregnancy and 6-12 weeks after delivery,and analyze the influencing factors of BLLs in healthy pregnant women.Methods Pregnant women were recruited from September 2009 to February 2010 at the prenatal clinic in Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital.Altogether 174 healthy pregnant women without pregnant or obstetric complications or abnormal pregnancy outcomes were enrolled as the gravida group,and 120 healthy non-pregnant women as the control group.BLLs during pregnancy were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy.Results BLLs in all the three pregnancy trimesters and postpartum were 59.8±24.3,55.4±20.1,55.9±19.7,and 67.6±17.4 μg/L,respectively,and the mean BLL in control group was 67.5±21.3 μg/L.BLLs during all the three trimesters were lower in the gravida group than in the control group (P=0.043,0.021,and 0.028).Furthermore,occupations,nutrients supplementation,and time of house/apartment painted were associated with BLLs in pregnant women.Lead-related occupations,cosmetics use,and living in a house painted less than 1 year before are risk factors of high BLLs among pregnant women,while calcium,iron,zinc,and milk supplements are protective factors.Conclusion Supplementing calcium,iron,zinc,and milk,or avoiding contact with risk factors may help people,especially pregnant women,to reduce lead exposure.

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.

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.

Lead poisoning due to geophagia: The consumption of miniature pottery

Geophagia (the pica of pottery, clay, earth, or dirt) is practiced before and during pregnancy in several countries, including Mexico, Turkey, Australia, and some African countries, and has been linked with cultural fertility beliefs and the satisfaction of cravings. Unfortunately, consumption of contaminated pottery can represent a source of lead exposure. Concerns regarding ingested pottery are two-fold;first, that people consuming these pots might be exposed to high concentrations of lead, and, second, that ingestion of these pots by pregnant women could result in elevated in utero lead exposure for the fetus. Very few published articles exist on this topic. In an effort to investigate “pot eating”, this study aims to summarize published case studies on lead poisonings resulting from consumption of contaminated pottery. Additionally, several pottery items that are sold for the purpose of consumption were located and analyzed. This paper investigates the risk that “pot eating” poses by reviewing the literature, examining case studies, and analyzing the availability and lead concentration of edible pottery. Preliminary research indicates that although it is not common, “pot eating” can represent a high-risk lead exposure for pregnant women and their fetuses.

Evaluation of Lead Exposure by Hand Wipes: A Review of the Effectiveness of Personal Hygiene on Industrial Sites

To evaluate the effectiveness of personal hygiene (handwashing) amongst workers at industrial sites to remove lead from their hands, a retrospective analysis of hand wipe samples was conducted using data collected by two contractors from two bridge painting projects for total lead using method ASTM E-1979-17/EPA SW846 7000B. Exposures resulted from the removal of lead-based paint from the structure and trace elements of lead found in the abrasive blast media. In total, six work tasks were evaluated and sixty unique hand wipe samples were evaluated. Thirty samples were collected during the worker’s lunch break, after they had reportedly washed their hands with a further 30 collected at the end of the workday following the same protocol. To be included in this evaluation, the contractors were required to follow NIOSH Method 9105 (Lead in Dust Wipes-Dermal Surfaces) with subsequent analysis of samples for total lead by an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accredited laboratory. All 60 samples contained detectable lead. The lead exposures ranged from 19.5 μg to 3420 μg. The geometric mean for the samples collected was 337 μg. These results indicate that current personal hygiene practices at the evaluated sites are not effective at removing lead from worker’s hands during and after the workday. They also suggest that the residual lead measured on the workers’ hands, at the end of the shift, is likely contributing to the elevated blood lead levels in this population.

某废铅蓄电池炼铅遗留场地土壤重金属污染特征及健康风险评价

以某典型废铅蓄电池非法炼铅污染场地为研究对象,采用综合污染指数法、潜在生态指数法以及人体健康风险模型分别对场地土壤中铅和砷污染特征以及健康风险进行评价,并结合暴露吸收生物动力学模型(IEUBK)评估场地周边儿童的血铅水平。结果显示:研究区各点位土壤中铅和砷浓度平均值分别为4.67×10^(4)和2.64×10^(2) mg/kg,显著高于河南省土壤背景值,分别超过GB 36600—2018《土壤环境质量建设用地土壤污染风险管控标准(试行)》二类用地风险筛选值的58.37倍和4.41倍;各点位的综合污染指数和潜在生态指数依次为废旧铅蓄电池拆解区>贮存区>铅块成型区,除铅块成型区土壤砷为轻度污染外,其他区域土壤中铅和砷均属于重度污染,存在极强的潜在生态风险;经3种暴露途径对成人和儿童造成的致癌、非致癌威胁依次为经口摄入>皮肤接触>呼吸吸入,各点位砷的致癌风险大小依次为炼铅炉区>废铅蓄电池拆解区>储存区>铅块成型区>10^(-6);铅和砷对成人和儿童非致癌风险总指数最大分别为25.00和160.69、1.73和11.71,其中铅对儿童的非致癌风险更加明显,二者均高于美国国家环境保护局推荐的最大可接受水平,对附近居民存在极强的潜在健康风险;IEUBK模型计算的儿童血铅浓度超过100μg/L的概率高达99.99%,均远高于5%的安全概率限值。

高海拔地区儿童血铅水平对其血液学参数的影响

目的探讨高海拔地区重度铅中毒儿童血铅水平(blood lead levels,BLLs)与其血液学参数之间的关系,以了解高海拔地区高BLLs对儿童血液学参数的影响。方法选取2021年7月—2022年5月某医院门诊及住院铅中毒儿童591例为研究组,另选取477例健康体检儿童作为对照组。收集两组的白细胞计数(WBC)、红细胞计数(RBC)、血红蛋白(HGB)、红细胞压积(HCT)、红细胞平均体积(MCV)、平均血红蛋白含量(MCH)、平均血红蛋白浓度(MCHC)、红细胞分布宽度(RDW)、血小板计数(PLT)和BLLs指标,分析BLLs与血液学参数之间的关系,评估高BLLs对血液学参数的影响。结果研究组的RBC、HGB、HCT、MCV和MCH低于对照组,而RDW高于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。研究组的BLLs与RBC(r_(s)=–0.10,P=0.012)、HGB(r_(s)=–0.24,P<0.001)、HCT(r_(s)=–0.22,P<0.001)、MCV(r_(s)=–0.20,P=0.002)、MCHC(r_(s)=–0.18,P<0.001)及MCH(r_(s)=–0.23,P<0.001)呈Spearman秩负相关,与RDW(r_(s)=0.28,P<0.001)呈Spearman秩正相关。Logistic回归分析显示,在调整混杂因素后铅中毒儿童BLLs是HGB、HCT、MCV、MCH和MCHC降低及RDW升高的独立影响因素(P<0.05)。BLLs≥700μg/L组的儿童出现HGB、HCT、MCV、MCH及MCHC降低的风险可能是BLLs<700μg/L组的1.34、0.91、0.87、1.61及1.25倍。与BLLs<700μg/L的儿童相比,BLLs≥700μg/L的儿童RDW升高的风险在1.47倍左右。BLLs最高四分位数(>711.9μg/L)的儿童的HGB、HCT及MCH降低的风险可能是BLLs最低四分位数(<522.1μg/L)的儿童的2.16、1.03及1.81倍。与BLLs最低四分位数(<522.1μg/L)的儿童相比,BLLs最高四分位数(>711.9μg/L)的儿童RDW增加的风险在1.47倍左右。结论高海拔地区重度铅中毒儿童的高血铅水平会影响血液系统造血功能,导致红细胞携氧能力降低,进而影响儿童生长发育及生存质量。

4385例儿童血铅水平调查研究与临床分析

目的调查保健门诊儿童血铅水平以及铅中毒状况。方法采用阳极溶出伏安(ASV)法,检测4385例1个月～18岁儿童的血铅水平,并比较不同年龄组男、女童的血铅水平及其季节特点和临床特征。结果本组儿童血铅水平为(55.9±7.5)μg/L,男、女童血铅水平分别为(59.1±7.4)μg/L、(50.5±7.4)μg/L。血铅水平≥100μg/L者695例,占15.8%,其中男童506例,检出率18.0%;女童189例,检出率11.9%,两者比较P<0.001。不同年龄组儿童铅水平升高和铅中毒检出率随着年龄增长而增加,其铅中毒程度有明显差别,轻度铅中毒与年龄呈正相关(线性回归系数B=9.348389E-03),中度和重度铅中毒与年龄呈负相关(线性回归系数B=-9.348432E-03)。1岁以内中和重度铅中毒者占45.5%;儿童血铅水平、铅中毒率有明显的季节特点[CHI(M-EXT)=8.982P总<0.001],夏秋季节铅水平和铅中毒检出率显著增高。结论男童铅中毒检出率高于女童。儿童铅水平和铅中毒检出率随年龄增长而增加,但铅中毒程度与年龄呈负相关。夏秋季血铅水平高于冬春季。

中国15城市0～6岁儿童铅中毒影响因素的研究

[目的]通过调查中国15个中心城市0～6岁儿童铅中毒的影响因素,为制定防止环境铅污染,保护儿童健康政策提供科学依据.[方法]采用分层整群随机抽样的方法在全国15个中心城市中采集0～6岁儿童末梢血17 141份,采用原子吸收光谱法测定血铅水平.同时进行问卷调查.采用多元回归分析方法进行结果分析.[结果]中国城市儿童血铅总体均值为59.52μg/L,10.45%的儿童血铅水平≥100μg/L（1μmol/L=0.00 483μg/L）.多元回归分析表明：儿童生活居住环境、父母的状况以及儿童生活或卫生习惯、饮食以及营养状况影响儿童血铅水平.[结论]儿童生活居住环境、父母的教育状况以及儿童生活或卫生习惯、饮食以及营养状况会影响儿童的血铅水平.应制定相关法规,降低环境铅水平,大力进行健康教育,合理营养.

使用无铅汽油后广州市儿童血铅水平的影响因素

目的了解使用无铅汽油后影响儿童血铅水平的可能因素,为采取新的儿童铅中毒控制措施提供依据。方法于2006年10月—2007年8月按分层随机抽样方法抽取广州市市中心区、城郊区和郊县各1个有代表性的区(县)级市,共选择12所幼儿园和12所小学,选取2373名2至12岁自愿抽血检测的儿童为调查对象,每名儿童抽取静脉血3～5ml,用0.1%TritonX-100和0.1%HNO3对血样稀释20倍后直接以电感耦合等离子-质谱法(ICP-MS)测定血铅。用包括儿童基本情况、家居情况、家庭烹调及儿童饮食情况、儿童生活及卫生习惯情况四大内容34个可能导致儿童血铅水平增高的危险因素的调查问卷进行调查,并对高血铅儿童进行家访。结果2373名儿童血铅几何均值为58.28μg/L,男童血铅均值(61.11μg/L)高于女童(55.37μg/L)差异有统计学意义(t=8.671,P=0.000)。高血铅60人,占2.53%,其中男童36人,占2.90%;女童24人,占2.09%,差异无统计学意义(χ2=1.594,P=0.207)。城乡结合部的白云区血铅均值为60.33μg/L,明显高于市中心的荔湾区(58.09μg/L)和农村的增城(56.72μg/L),差异有统计学意义(F=9.273,P=0.000)。进行多元线性回归分析显示,父亲文化程度低、家居住房面积小、家居较敞开、儿童少洗手和常吸吮手指等是儿童血铅高的危险因素。结论使用无铅汽油后,城郊儿童血铅水平较高,家庭环境和个人卫生是影响儿童血铅水平主要因素。

铅对儿童智能发育的影响

测定了160名来自铅作业工厂厂区内幼托儿童血铅水平,均值为227μg/L,血铅≥250μg/L 者占32%。30月龄以下小儿血铅水平与 Bayley 婴儿发育量表中 MDI 和 PDI 无关;可能与铅接触时间短有关;46月龄以上儿童血铅与总 IQ,操作 IQ 和语言 IQ 呈负相关,高铅组儿童各智商均显著低于低铅组,高铅对智能的影响是全面性的。

0～15岁儿童血铅水平调查

目的:了解天津市0～15岁儿童血铅水平.方法:采用严格质量控制的流行病学研究方法,于2000年7月～2003年7月对天津市8 836例0～15岁儿童进行血铅水平测定.结果:8 836名儿童血铅均值为83.86μg/L.其中血铅≥100 μg/L者2097例,占23.73%,男童高于女童,有显著性差异(P＜0.001).结论:铅中毒已经对儿童健康造成了潜在的危害,所以要采取措施,查找铅污染源,预防铅中毒.

某冶炼厂拆迁场地土壤重金属污染健康风险评价

按照环保部最新颁布实施的污染场地风险评估技术导则(HJ 25.3—2014),选取Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、As 6种重金属元素为主要污染物,结合Pearson相关分析及克里金差值法,对某冶炼厂拆迁场地土壤进行健康风险评价。结果表明:拆迁场地土壤中重金属污染集中于生产区及堆放场,污染程度为生产区≈堆放场>生活区,6种重金属平均值低于《展览会用地土壤环境质量评价标准》B级(HJ 350—2007),Pb、Zn、Cd平均值高于广西省和中国土壤元素背景值;相关分析表明Cu分别与Pb、Zn、Cr、As,Pb-Cr、Pb-As及Zn-Cd存在极显著正相关关系;健康风险评价结果表明生活区土壤中6种重金属对人体健康不会产生不良或危害效应;生产区和堆放场土壤中Cr存在致癌风险,As存在致癌风险和非致癌危害。成人血铅模型(ALM)计算得出生活区、生产区及堆放场中成人血铅浓度值分别为4.98μg·d L-1、5.04μg·d L-1、5.03μg·d L-1,低于成人血铅浓度风险评价的基准值5.8μg·d L-1,且Pb的平均值低于国内外居住用地土壤铅环境基准值。

乡镇废旧蓄电池回收对环境和儿童血铅的影响

目的 分析某乡镇废旧蓄电池回收对环境和儿童血铅水平的影响 ,为治理环境、防止儿童铅中毒提供科学依据。方法 采用整群抽样方法 ,从高污染区、中污染区和相对清洁区分别选取 5～ 9岁在校生进行血铅测定 ,并对其生活环境中空气、土壤、饮用水和小麦中铅的含量进行检测。结果 高污染区的空气、土壤和小麦铅污染最严重 (均值分别为 0 0 16 3mg/m3 、1 16 14mg/kg、7 90 5 0mg/kg) ,饮用水铅含量虽低于国家卫生标准 ,但明显高于相对清洁区 ;中污染区的空气、土壤和小麦也受到一定程度铅污染 (均值分别为 0 0 0 94mg/m3 、0 2 910mg/kg、2 4 2 75mg/kg) ,饮用水铅含量低于国家卫生标准 (均值为 0 0 0 4 8mg/L) ;相对清洁区的空气、土壤、饮用水和小麦无明显铅污染 (均值分别为0 0 0 0 4 7mg/m3 、0 0 5 34mg/kg、0 0 0 32mg/L、0 36 5 0mg/kg)。 3组儿童血铅均值分别为 5 32 μg/L、4 5 2 μg/L、12 6 μg/L ,3组间存在显著性差异 (P <0 0 5 ) ,且环境铅含量越高 ,儿童血铅水平越高。结论 该镇废旧蓄电池回收行业已造成区域性严重铅污染 ,致使儿童血铅明显升高 ,社会干预刻不容缓。

鞍山市儿童血铅水平状况调查

目的了解鞍山市3~6岁儿童铅中毒情况并探讨血铅水平与不同地区、年龄、性别的关系。方法采用分层整群抽样法,抽取鞍山市5所托幼机构的3~6岁408名学龄前儿童（男孩217名,女孩192名）,用石墨炉法测定血铅,并对其父母进行相关知识问卷调查。结果鞍山市不同地区幼儿园间儿童血铅水平差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。男孩与女孩在同年龄组间血铅水平差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,但不同年龄组男孩的血铅水平差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论目前鞍山市儿童铅中毒问题比较严重,应采取行之有效的干预措施。

推广使用无铅汽油对儿童血铅水平影响的研究

于１９９７年７月～９月在上海市５个区县３０所幼托机构对１９７２名１～６岁儿童进行了血铅水平抽样调查，然后于上海地区推广使用无铅汽油半年后的１９９８年４～６月对相应人群进行血铅水平复查。结果发现，上海市儿童血铅水平几何均数由实行汽油无铅化前的８３μｇ／Ｌ，下降到１９９８年的８０μｇ／Ｌ，差异显著（Ｐ＜００５）。超过儿童铅中毒诊断标准（１００μｇ／Ｌ）的比例也由１９９７年的３７８％下降到２５７％。研究表明，推广使用无铅汽油可降低儿童的血铅水平。研究结果将为政府决策提供科学依据，必将推动我国汽油无铅化的进程。