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Lead screening in children presenting to three hospitals in Lebanon
Tharwat El Zahran1, Hala Mostafa2, Hani Hamade2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon te15@aub.edu.lb.
Insights
Blood lead levels in Lebanese children have significantly decreased since the ban on leaded gasoline. This study found lower lead exposure in children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds and those living in newer homes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Lead exposure poses significant health risks, particularly to children's development.
- A 2003 study in Beirut indicated high blood lead levels (BLLs) before the leaded gasoline ban.
- Data on lead exposure prevalence in Lebanon post-ban was lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess current blood lead levels (BLLs) in Lebanese children aged 1-6 years.
- To identify risk factors associated with lead exposure in this population.
- To evaluate the impact of the leaded gasoline ban on children's BLLs.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 90 children aged 1-6 years in Beirut.
- Blood lead levels (BLLs) were measured for all participants.
- Caregiver questionnaires were used to gather demographic and environmental exposure data.
Main Results:
- The mean BLL was 1.1±0.7 µg/dL, a significant reduction from pre-ban levels, with all values below 5.0 µg/dL.
- Factors associated with lower BLLs included higher parental education and household income >$1000.
- Factors associated with higher BLLs included older housing (>40 years) and use of traditional remedies.
Conclusions:
- Blood lead levels in Lebanese children have markedly declined, likely due to factors including the leaded gasoline ban.
- Further large-scale, nationally representative studies are recommended to fully characterize BLLs.
- Public health interventions should consider socioeconomic and environmental factors influencing lead exposure.
Background:
Lead damages most body organs and its effects are most profound in children. In a study in Beirut in 2003, before banning the leaded gasoline, 79% of the participants showed blood lead levels (BLLs) higher than 5 µg/dL. The prevalence of lead exposure in Lebanon after the ban on leaded gasoline has not been studied. This study assessed the BLL in Lebanese children aged 1-6 years.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in three hospitals in Beirut. The children's BLLs were tested, and their caregiver completed a questionnaire to identify subgroups at risk of exposure. Participants were provided with a WHO brochure highlighting the risks of lead.
Results:
Ninety children with a mean age of 3.5±1.5 years were enrolled in the study and had a mean BLL of 1.1±0.7 µg/dL, with all values being below 5.0 µg/dL, showing a marked decrease in BLL compared with the mean BLL before the ban on leaded gasoline in 2002. Having a father or a mother with a college degree (p=0.01 and p=0.035, respectively) and having a monthly household income greater than $1000 (p=0.021) were associated with significantly lower BLL. Having more rooms at home and residing close to construction sites were associated with a significantly lower BLL (p=0.001 and p=0.026, respectively). Residing in a house aged >40 years and receiving traditional remedies were associated with a significantly higher BLL (p=0.009 and p<0.0001, respectively).
Conclusion:
BLLs have declined among Lebanese children and this could be attributed to multiple factors including the ban of leaded gasoline. It would be beneficial to conduct a larger study with a nationally representative sample to better characterise the BLL.
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