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Adverse health effects of lead exposure on children and exploration to internal lead indicator

Q Wang1, H H Zhao, J W Chen

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

The Science of the Total Environment
|September 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children in rural China experienced moderate lead exposure, with higher risks for boys and younger children. Lead exposure was linked to decreased intelligence and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Toxicology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Lead exposure poses significant risks to children's physical and neurobehavioral development.
  • Assessing lead levels and associated health impacts in vulnerable populations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the adverse effects of lead exposure on children's health in rural China.
  • To evaluate the relationship between lead levels in blood, urine, hair, and nails, and neurobehavioral outcomes like ADHD and intelligence.

Main Methods:

  • Blood (PbB), urine (PbU), hair (PbH), and nail (PbN) lead levels were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.
  • Childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and intelligence were assessed using Conner's instruments and Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices.
  • Logistic regression and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were employed to determine associations and predictive values.

Main Results:

  • Children exhibited moderate lead exposure, with geometric mean PbB of 71.2 microg/L; 17.0% had PbB levels >=100 microg/L.
  • Boys, younger children (6-10 years), and those in specific villages faced higher lead poisoning risks.
  • Inverse relationships were found between intelligence and PbU/PbH levels (ORs ranging from 1.28-1.79). ADHD prevalence varied by gender and age.
  • PbU, PbH, and PbN correlated positively with PbB, with ROC analysis indicating PbU as a strong internal lead indicator (AUC=0.829).

Conclusions:

  • Children in the studied rural area had moderate lead exposure levels.
  • Internal lead levels, particularly in urine, are associated with intelligence decline in children.
  • PbU serves as a reliable indicator of internal lead burden, comparable to blood lead levels.

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