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Maternal and umbilical cord blood lead levels: an Istanbul study
Current mean lead concentrations in umbilical cords and in maternal blood in Istanbul were 1.69 +/- 0.91 (standard deviation) microg/dl and 2.37 +/- 0.89 microg/dl, respectively. These levels were much lower than values reported in previous years. Umbilical cord blood lead levels, which correlated significantly with mothers' blood lead levels, were approximately 70% of the latter. The drastic decrease in blood lead levels likely reflects the reduction in use of tetraalkyl lead in gasoline subsequent to 1989.
Current mean lead concentrations in umbilical cords and in maternal blood in Istanbul were 1.69 +/- 0.91 (standard deviation) microg/dl and 2.37 +/- 0.89 microg/dl, respectively. These levels were much lower than values reported in previous years. Umbilical cord blood lead levels, which correlated significantly with mothers' blood lead levels, were approximately 70% of the latter. The drastic decrease in blood lead levels likely reflects the reduction in use of tetraalkyl lead in gasoline subsequent to 1989.
