Assessment of Lead Exposure in Schoolchildren from Jakarta

Abstract

Children attending schools in urban areas with high tmffic density are a high risk group for lead poisoning. We assessed the magnitude oflead exposure in schoolchildren from Jakarta by analyzing blood lead concentrations and biomarkers ofheme biosynthesis. A total of 131 children from four public elementary schools in Jakarta (two in the southern district and two in the central district) were enrolled in the study. To evaluate lead pollution in each. area, soil samples and tap water were collected. The mean blood lead concentration was higher in the central distrct than in the southern district (8.3 ± 2.8 vs. 6.9 ± 3.5 pg/100 ml; p<O.05); 26.7% of the children had lead levels greater than 10 pg/100 ml. In 24% of the children, zinc protoporphyrin concentrations were over 70 pmol/mol hemoglobin; in 17% of the samples, hemoglobin was less than 11 gtlOO ml. AJI other values were within the physiological range. Blood lead concentration and hematological biomarkers were not correlated. Analyses of tap water revealed lead values under 0.01 mgl/; lead contamination of soil ranged from 77 to 223 ppm. Our data indicate that Indonesian children living in urban areas are at increased risk for blood lead levels above the actual acceptable limit. Activities to reduce pollution (e.g., reduction of lead in gasoline) and continuous monitoring of lead exposure are strongly recommended.

Metals in pine needles: characterisation of bio-indicators depending on species

“…Thus, an increasing number of automobiles have been found to have caused higher concentrations of lead, platinum and palladium in the environment, e.g. air and soil (Heinze et al 1998;Záray et al 2004).…”

The Effects of Calcium Supplementation on Blood Lead Levels and Short-term Memory of Chronically Exposed Children: A Clinical Trial Study

“…In Indonesia, children who live in urban areas with higher traffic density have a higher risk of lead poisoning [18], [19]. Our data indicate that Indonesian children living in an urban area are at increased risk for BLLs above the actual acceptable limit [20]. The increasing number of industries in Indonesia has been associated with rising heavy metal pollution in several areas such as in Jakarta and Medan [21], [22], [23], [24].…”