Environmental assessment of pediatric Lead exposure in Tehran; a prospective cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Ingestion and inhalation are common routes of exposure for lead in humans. Developing countries still have unacceptably high rates of lead toxicity, especially in children. Studies on probable risk factors of lead poisoning in Iranian children are insufficient. In this study, we aimed to evaluate possible environmental factors in children with high blood lead concentrations living in Tehran and neighboring cities. Methods In a prospective cross-sectional study between March 2018 and March 2019 we followed all children referred from two pediatric gastrointestinal clinics with blood lead level (BLL) > 5 μg/dL in metropolitan Tehran to investigate possible environmental risk factors in their home. Household specimens including scratched wall paint, house floor dust, windowsill dust, tap water, and consumed spice were evaluated using atomic absorption method to detect lead concentrations. Epidemiological and environmental data collected through in-depth interviews with parents/guardians. Industrial areas were defined based on municipality maps on industrial places. Results Thirty of 56 parents/guardians with BLL > 5 μg/dL agreed to be followed through environmental investigation. The only categorical statistically significant risk factor was a history of lead poisoning in the family and living in an industrial zone. There was a positive correlation between BLL and interior windowsills dust lead level, r = 0.46, p = 0.01. Scratched paint lead level and BLL showed a significant positive correlation, r = 0.50, p = 0.005. House floor dust lead level (median = 77.4, p < 0.001) and interior windowsill dust lead level (median = 291, p = 0.011) were both significantly higher than the environmental protection agency (EPA) standards of 40 μg/ft2, 250 μg/ft2. Interior windowsill dust lead concentrations were significantly higher in industrial areas (p = 0.026). Conclusion Children’s playing environment should be cleaned more often to reduce dust. Moreover, specific rules may need to be implemented for paint lead concentrations and air pollution, especially in industrial areas.

An Investigation of Lead Concentration in the Breathing Air and the Blood of Automobile Welders in Birjand, Iran

“…According to their results, the mean BLC of workers was 24.5 μg/dL, which was higher than the permissible limit. In those studies, the BLCs were higher than the welders described in the present study; this might be due to the higher air pollution in Tehran and Isfahan as populous industrial cities 31,32 . Another cross-sectional study done by Ahmad et al 33 , (2014) to investigate the BLC, and health problems related to lead intoxication in workers of lead-acid battery factory in Bangladesh, which showed that the BLCs were high among workers, and the mean BLC was 65.25 ± 26.66 μg/dL.…”

Modulation of Kynurenic Acid Production by N-acetylcysteine Prevents Cognitive Impairment in Adulthood Induced by Lead Exposure during Lactation in Mice

“…The World Health Organization established that there is no safe concentration of Pb 2+ in the blood, as even a low amount of Pb 2+ has been related to cognitive impairment, particularly in children [4][5][6]. This heavy metal can enter the organism by ingestion, inhalation, and absorption, and once inside, it is distributed to the organs and stored in the teeth and bones [7][8][9][10][11][12]. The central nervous system (CNS) is a target of Pb 2+ toxicity, leading to long-term consequences [5,13,14].…”

Potential Health Risks of Lead Exposure from Early Life through Later Life: Implications for Public Health Education

“…The study of Ahangar et al [ 61 ] focused on lead exposure from multiple sources. This study was conducted on some children living around industrial areas in Tehran.…”

“…Their blood samples revealed that these children were exposed to lead at concentrations far higher than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. Furthermore, the authors reported that these children were exposed to lead from various routes such as scratched wall paint, house floor dust, windowsill dust, tap water, and consumption of spices [ 61 ].…”