Reference Values of Lead in Blood and Related Factors Among Blood Donors in the Western Amazon, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to (1) determine the reference value of blood lead levels (BLL) in a sample of blood donors of Rio Branco, the capital city of Acre, in the Western Brazilian Amazon, and (2) explore factors influencing lead (Pb) exposure levels. Between 2010 and 2011, blood samples were collected from universal blood donors attending the Central Hemotherapic Unit in Rio Branco with a total number of 1196. Information on characteristics of 1183 donors was obtained through questionnaires. Blood Pb concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry with detection limit of 0.003 μg/L. Association between BLL and participant characteristics was examined by linear regression analysis. Reference values of BLL were calculated as the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the 95th percentile. Reference values of BLL were 109.5 μg/L for men, 70.7 μg/L for women, 88.9 μg/L for younger individuals (18-29 yr), 115.3 μg/L for older ones (≥30 yr), 94.2 μg/L for nonsmokers, and 164.5 μg/L for smokers. Levels of BLL were significantly higher in males, subjects older than 29 yr, non-whites, smokers, regular consumers of manioc flour, and donors practicing any activity related to paints, ceramics, pottery, fishing, or firearms. Subjects with higher education, higher income, vitamin intake use, and drinkers of bottled water displayed lower BLL. In general, BLL in men and women from Rio Branco were higher than those described in other adult populations. Prevention of exposure of this population to local sources of Pb needs to be addressed.

A population‐based study on blood lead levels in blood donors

“…Our results confirm the association seen in previous studies between BLLs and many risk factors including place of residence, education level, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and high‐risk lead exposure from occupational and leisure activities . The percentage of BLL variance explained by the variables included in our study (41.1%) is higher compared with other studies . This finding suggests that our study was well designed to identify the significant predictive variables of lead levels among the blood donor population.…”

“…These findings suggest a very high environmental lead exposure in this population compared with our population of blood donors. Another survey among 1183 blood donors (890 men and 293 women) was performed in 2010 to 2011 in Rio Branco, a nonindustrial city in Brazil . The GM of BLLs was 0.18 µmol/L.…”

“…Higher BLLs are seen in these populations of blood donors compared to our sample. This finding could be probably related to the fact that environmental lead exposure is greater in developing countries …”

“…Although many risk factors for lead exposure were independently predictive of the BLLs in our study, age and sex clearly emerged as the predominant predictive variables explaining most of the variance in both multiple and logistic regression analyses. The relationship between age and lead level is well recognized . There are mainly two explanations for this phenomenon: the birth cohort effect and the cumulative effect.…”

Reference values of cadmium, arsenic and manganese in blood and factors associated with exposure levels among adult population of Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil

“…Mean weight was 81 kg for men and 68 kg for women. Characteristics of study population related to lifestyle and occupations have been previously described (Freire et al, 2014) and are shown in Supplemental material (Tables S1 and S2).…”