Lead exposure from households and school settings: influence of diet on blood lead levels

Author(s)

Leroux, Isabelle Nogueira ; Sacone da Silva Ferreira, Ana Paula ; da Rocha Silva, Julia Prestes ; Bezerra, Flavio Ferreira ; da Silva, Fabio Ferreira ; Salles, Fernanda Junqueira ; Luz, Maciel Santos ; de Assuncao, Nilson Antonio ; Alves Cardoso, Maria Regina ; Kaneshiro Olympio, Kelly Polido

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research; v. 25, n. 31, p. 8-pg., 2018-11-01.

Abstract

Lead is known as a potent toxicant to human health, particularly for children while their central nervous system is developing. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between blood lead levels (BLLs) and lead exposure in the children's diet, home, and school environments. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 153 children aged 1-4 years, in four day care centers (DCCs), where a high prevalence of lead exposure was previously found. Lead determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) was performed for venous blood, drinking water collected in the DCCs, and the 24-h diet (n = 64). Environmental screenings were conducted to evaluate lead concentrations in the tableware, buildings, and playground items in all DCCs and children's homes (n = 18) by using a field-portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer (FP-XRF). The BLL mean was 2.71 mu g dL(-1). Means for 24-h lead concentrations in the diet were 1.61 and 2.24 mu g kg(-1) of body weight (BW) in two DCCs. Lead concentrations in the water supply were lower than 2 mu g L-1. More than 11% of the DCCs' environmental analyses presented lead concentrations higher than or equal to 1 mg cm(-2), as defined by the USEPA. The diet was not found to be a risk factor for lead exposure, but households and DCC settings raised concern. Children's exposure to lead in DCC environments, where they spend the most part of their weekdays, appeared to be relevant. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/23272-0 - Lead exposure in São Paulo: blood levels in preschool children and risk factors associated
• Grantee: Maria Regina Alves Cardoso
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/20945-2 - Lead exposure in household and school settings: influence of diet in the blood lead levels
• Grantee: Isabelle Nogueira Leroux
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 12/21840-4 - Exposure to nonessential metals in São Paulo: blood levels in preschool children and associated risk factors
• Grantee: Maria Regina Alves Cardoso
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/01395-4 - High blood lead levels in preschool children: investigation of metal concentrations in possible exposure sources
• Grantee: Júlia Prestes da Rocha Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 14/22118-6 - Lead exposure in household and school settings: comparison among different blood lead levels
• Grantee: Flavio Ferreira Bezerra
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation