Association of blood lead concentrations with mortality in older women: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundBlood lead concentrations have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular, cancer, and all-cause mortality in adults in general population and occupational cohorts. We aimed to determine the association between blood lead, all cause and cause specific mortality in elderly, community residing women.MethodsProspective cohort study of 533 women aged 65–87 years enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures at 2 US research centers (Baltimore, MD; Monongahela Valley, PA) from 1986–1988. Blood lead concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Using blood lead concentration categorized as < 8 μg/dL (0.384 μmol/L), and ≥ 8 μg/dL (0.384 μmol/L), we determined the relative risk of mortality from all cause, and cause-specific mortality, through Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.ResultsMean blood lead concentration was 5.3 ± 2.3 μg/dL (range 1–21) [0.25 ± 0.11 μmol/L (range 0.05–1.008)]. After 12.0 ± 3 years of > 95% complete follow-up, 123 (23%) women who died had slightly higher mean (± SD) blood lead 5.56 (± 3) μg/dL [0.27(± 0.14) μmol/L] than survivors: 5.17(± 2.0) [0.25(± 0.1) μmol/L] (p = 0.09). Women with blood lead concentrations ≥ 8 μg/dL (0.384 μmol/L), had 59% increased risk of multivariate adjusted all cause mortality (Hazard Ratio [HR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–2.49) (p = 0.041) especially coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality (HR = 3.08 [CI], (1.23–7.70)(p = 0.016), compared to women with blood lead concentrations < 8 μg/dL(< 0.384 μmol/L). There was no association of blood lead with stroke, cancer, or non cardiovascular deaths.ConclusionWomen with blood lead concentrations of ≥ 8 μg/dL (0.384 μmol/L), experienced increased mortality, in particular from CHD as compared to those with lower blood lead concentrations.

Lead accumulation in the roadside soils from heavy density motor way towns of eastern Ethiopia

“…Lead is known to induce a wide range of biochemical and physiological dysfunctions to humans and laboratory animals. Recent epidemiological studies have revealed that increased level of lead in the blood has an association with several disease outcomes such as hypertension, peripheral artery diseases, kidney diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairments [10][11][12]. Lead exposure is also implicated in a broad clinical spectrum of disease, including hematological, renal, cardiovascular, neurological, developmental and behavioral disorders [13].…”

“…Literature reports have also revealed that lead is a toxic heavy metal associated with a number of health problems to individuals exposed to it [6,[10][11][12][13]. However, there was no previous study carried out to understand the levels to which the roadside soils of the eastern towns of Ethiopia; namely, Bishoftu, Modjo, and Adama towns were polluted by lead accumulation originated from the heavy vehicular densities.…”

Internal Exposure to Trace Elements in Non-smoking Residents Living in a Northern Taiwan Industrial City

“…However, this observation was still higher than the recently reported blood Pb for the general populations in other countries (18~33 ng/mL) [24,64,66,67]. A similar blood Pb level (53±23 ng/mL) was found in older women in the USA [70]. Although in general the blood Pb level has declined in recent years, current levels may still result in adverse health effects that should not be ignored [70][71][72][73][74].…”

Toxicidade de materiais de construção: uma questão incontornável na construção sustentável

“…Vários autores referem que o uso de canalizações para abastecimento de água feitas de chumbo provoca graves de problema de saúde, o que se fica a dever à formação de uma película de produtos de corrosão na superfície interna da tubagem, a qual acaba por ser lixiviada e contaminar a própria água (ZIETZ et al, 2009 Tem-se presente que um teor de chumbo no sangue acima de 10 μg/dl se considera como valor de envenenamento (LABAT et al, 2006;TARARBIT CARRÉ;GARNIER, 2009), estando associado à mortalidade cardiovascular e ao aparecimento de cancro. Mais recentemente, Khalil et al (2009) referem um risco acrescido de morte em pessoas idosas para concentrações de chumbo no sangue acima de 8 μg/dl. Outros (MENKE et al, 2006) observaram risco de enfarte de miocárdio e acidente vascular cardíaco (AVC) para níveis acima de 2 μg/dl.…”