Environmental lead exposure and its relationship to traffic density among Senegalese children: a pilot study

In Senegal, as in many developing countries, traffic density is increasing in urban areas; in Dakar more than 50% of vehicles use gasoline. Yet the extent and real magnitude of the problem has neither been recognized nor assessed in these countries. Systemic data assessment of lead pollution and people's exposure are not well known in Senegal. This study was also designed to determine the impregnation levels of the lead released by the exhaust of cars and the changes of some early biological markers in Senegalese children. Blood lead (BPb) levels showed that all the children enrolled were exposed. However, lead exposure levels (from 34.7 to 145.8 microg/L) were less important for children living in rural areas (60.9+/-18.3 microg/L) than for those living in urban areas (106.7+/-16.9 microg/L). These changes could be correlated to the difference in the automobile traffic between both these regions (P < 0.001). BPb mean levels found in boys were higher than those in girls (P < 0.05). Despite elevated BPb levels, all values for blood zinc protoporphyrin and urine delta-aminolevulinic acid were within physiological ranges. In addition, variations in some biological markers of oxidative stress and renal disorders were seen; however, they must be confirmed by a future epidemiological study.