Analysis of lead body burden in Turkey

Here we report the results of pilot screening for the environmental lead contamination in Turkey. Lead blood concentrations were determined in 342 subjects from 17 cities. The mean lead blood concentration, 3.65 +/- 1.66 micrograms/dl, is much lower than the values reported previously. People smoking tobacco and driving motor vehicles had elevated concentrations of lead in blood. There was also a moderate relationship between the urban population size and the lead in blood values, but no differences were observed, that could be related to distinct geographical locations. Motor traffic was assumed to be the main source of lead pollution in the urban environment in Turkey, and the low lead blood levels were linked to the reduction of lead additives in gasoline, in 1989. Although at present, the environmental lead contamination does not pose a considerable threat to public health, in the near future, when the motorization rate and gasoline consumption will possibly double or triple, the lead content in gasoline might need to be further reduced.