Surveillance of childhood blood lead levels in Chengdu, China in 2010–2011

Abstract

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.

Serum Zinc Level and Eating Behaviors in Children Receiving Zinc Supplements without Physician Prescription

“…It seems that the poor appetite in many young children has various behavioral and interactive etiologies;[2122] however, organic diseases and exposure to environmental pollutants[23] should be considered as well.…”

“…In the current study, there was no significant difference in serum zinc level between the groups with and without zinc supplement and therefore no direct relation between appetite and serum zinc concentration. It seems that the poor appetite in many young children has various behavioral and interactive etiologies;[ 21 22 ] however, organic diseases and exposure to environmental pollutants[ 23 ] should be considered as well.…”

Advancing Knowledge to Reduce Lead Exposure of Children in Data-Poor Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…It is estimated that in the absence of other sources, soil and dust could account for 30−70% of the variability in a child's BLL. 76 Cultural and behavioral factors that result in increased lead exposures in LMICs include the consumption of herbal/ traditional (e.g., Ayurvedic) medicines, 22,89 pica/geophagia, 23 and the use of lead-containing cosmetics. 90 Children in displaced environments (e.g., refugees and those in temporary/emergency settlements) are highly exposed to pollutants and partake in additional hand-to-mouth activities.…”

“…Lead exposures in high-income countries have historically occurred through the use of leaded gasoline, lead-based paint, and contaminated drinking water, with indoor dust (from lead paint) a persistent “reservoir” for lead exposure. , With regulatory and educational efforts driving reductions in many of these sources in higher-income countries, exposure via drinking water has taken on greater importance. LMICs have similar routes of exposure; however, reducing lead exposures in these locations is a unique problem for multiple reasons, including the typically unregulated, informal economies (that may employ child labor) driving everyday lead emissions/exposures, more recent phase-out of leaded gasoline resulting in higher levels of lead in soil and dust, , cultural and behavioral differences resulting in increased ingestion, , impacts of malnutrition on lead poisoning, a lack of access to healthcare, limited autonomy in health care decision making, and a lack of health promotion and disease prevention activities . Informal and rural water systems in LMICs have been identified as important sources, aligning with issues of drinking water contamination in higher-income countries .…”

Nine kinds of novel cytokines identified in children with lead exposure

“…Lead (Pb) is a neurotoxic heavy metal element derived from anthropogenic activities, including mining, manufacturing, fabrication of batteries, burning fossil fuels and many other human industrial activities [1][2]. Children are the main victims of lead exposure because of more handmouth activities, higher lead absorption rate in the digestive tract, lower lead excretion ability than adults, and undeveloped blood-brain barrier [3].…”