RESULTSThe mean BLL of the 2,271 children was 6.2 μg/dL and 2.03% of the children had BLLs ≥ 10 μg/dL. Mean BLL seemed to increase with age. Unhygienic habits (e.g. not washing hands frequently, biting of toys and pencils), history of pica, use of coal and residence in an industrial zone were found to be the main risk factors contributing to high BLL (p < 0.05). Children with high BLLs have a higher risk of manifesting anorexia and/or abdominal pain as compared to those with low BLLs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONThe mean BLL of children in Chengdu (i.e. 6.2 μg/dL) was found to be higher than that of children in developed countries. Childhood lead poisoning remains a public health problem.

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