Children?s blood lead levels in Latin America and the Caribbean-Recommendations to combat this well-known persistent public health problem

Author(s)

Piai, Kamila de Almeida ; Olympio, Kelly Polido Kaneshiro

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH; v. 32, p. 10-pg., 2023-03-14.

Abstract

This review provides recent evidence on blood lead levels (BLLs) of children living in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and identifies the most recent findings on recommen-dations to combat this public health problem. Most of the ar-ticles reviewed evaluate BLL in areas with the potential risk of lead contamination, but a small number investigated associa-tions with health outcomes. The results show that, of the few studies reviewed evaluating BLL, almost half showed average concentrations that exceeded recommended limits. The rec-ommendations we have provided represent the most current set for the prevention of childhood lead contamination. How-ever, the main obstacle to implementation is the non-prioritization of actions in political processes, a barrier that needs to be overcome. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/18391-0 - The "omics" era applied to society: the impact of formal and informal labor on the exposome of workers with an emphasis on metabolomics, transcriptomics and lipidomics
• Grantee: Kelly Polido Kaneshiro Olympio
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants