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Lead exposure and its adverse health effects among occupational worker's children

Dilshad Ahmed Khan1, Shazia Qayyum, Shahid Saleem

  • 1Department of Pathology Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan. dilshad@nust.edu.pk

Toxicology and Industrial Health
|June 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Children of lead-exposed workers show significantly higher blood lead levels (BLLs) and impaired health. Potential sources include contaminated clothing and home environments, highlighting risks of childhood lead poisoning.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Toxicology
  • Occupational Health

Background:

  • Lead exposure poses significant environmental health risks, especially to children in contaminated areas.
  • Children of occupational workers are particularly vulnerable due to potential indirect exposure pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency and sources of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children of lead-related occupational workers.
  • To investigate the adverse health effects associated with high BLLs in this vulnerable pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative cross-sectional study involving 246 children aged 1-6 years.
  • Inclusion of a lead-exposed group (children of workers near industries) and a control group (children living distantly).
  • Blood lead level analysis using a lead analyzer and biochemical tests for renal and hepatic function.

Main Results:

  • Lead-exposed children exhibited significantly higher median BLLs (8.1 microg/dL) compared to controls (6.7 microg/dL).
  • Elevated BLLs (>10 microg/dL) were found in 31% of lead-exposed children versus 11% of controls.
  • Significant impairment in hematopoietic, renal, and hepatic functions was observed in the lead-exposed group.

Conclusions:

  • Children of lead-related occupational workers face a significantly increased risk of lead poisoning (31% frequency).
  • Indirect exposure via contaminated clothing and home environments is a likely source of overexposure.
  • Elevated lead accumulation adversely impacts the health of these children, affecting multiple organ systems.

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