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Lead exposure and iron deficiency among Jammu and New Delhi children
1Kaulson Laboratories, Inc. West Caldwell, NJ 07006, USA.
Insights
Lead exposure is a growing concern in Jammu, with over 67% of children exceeding normal blood lead levels. High iron deficiency exacerbates lead absorption, necessitating increased screening and iron supplementation programs.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Lead exposure and iron deficiency are significant public health issues in children.
- Previous studies indicated elevated levels, but recent data is needed for comparison.
- Iron deficiency can increase lead absorption, worsening its toxic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of lead exposure and iron deficiency in children in Jammu.
- To compare lead levels in Jammu children with those in New Delhi.
- To identify the need for targeted interventions and environmental assessments.
Main Methods:
- Measured blood lead (B-Pb) and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP-ZnPP) levels in 125 children from Jammu.
- Compared these levels with data from 46 children in New Delhi.
- Analyzed B-Pb levels using 1997 CDC stratification.
Main Results:
- Jammu children had a mean B-Pb of 15 µg/dL and EP-ZnPP of 46 µg/dL.
- Over 67% of Jammu children exceeded the 10 µg/dL B-Pb threshold, with 16.5% showing lead poisoning levels.
- New Delhi children had mean levels of 14 µg/dL B-Pb and 55 µg/dL ZnPP.
- A significant increase in children with B-Pb > 10 µg/dL was observed in Jammu since 1985.
Conclusions:
- Children in Jammu exhibit a concerning prevalence of elevated blood lead levels, exacerbated by high rates of iron deficiency.
- There is a critical need for comprehensive screening, ongoing monitoring, and iron supplementation programs in both Jammu and New Delhi.
- Environmental assessment is strongly recommended to identify and mitigate lead sources in Jammu.
Abstract:
In order to examine the prevalence of lead exposure and iron deficiency in Jammu, blood lead (B-Pb) and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP-ZnPP) levels were measured in a group of 125 children and compared with B-Pb and EP levels of 46 New Delhi children. The mean B-Pb level of Jammu children was 15 micrograms/dl and ZnPP level 46 micrograms/dl. The frequency distribution of B-Pb in Jammu children according to the 1997 CDC stratification showed that only 33% were below the 10 micrograms/dl "normal" threshold levels and 50.5% were between 10-19 micrograms/dl, an increasing level of concern. The remaining 16.5% were in the medical intervention lead poisoned level between 20-87 micrograms/dl with corresponding EP levels between 29-160 micrograms/dl. The mean B-Pb and ZnPP levels for New Delhi children were 14 micrograms/dl and 55 micrograms/dl respectively. This study on Jammu children shows a modest increase in mean B-Pb and EP levels from those in 1985; the percentage of children with higher levels of B-Pb > 10 micrograms/dl have significantly increased. Moreover, the continued underlying high prevalence of iron deficiency among these children predisposes them to increased lead absorption from various sources thus aggravating further, the detrimental effects of lead. Therefore, a more extensive screening of all children below 10 years of age and an ongoing B-Pb and EP monitoring and iron supplementation programme for Jammu and New Delhi is essential. An environmental assessment of the sources leading to serious lead intoxication problem in Jammu, a rapidly growing and overpopulated city of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is strongly recommended.