Determinant Factors of Children's Blood Lead Levels in Java, Indonesia
Muchtaruddin Mansyur1, Dewi Yunia Fitriani1, Ari Prayogo2
1Occupational & Environmental Health Research Centre, Indonesian Medical and Education Research Institute (IMERI), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Central Jakarta, 10430, Indonesia; Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Central Jakarta, 10320, Indonesia.
Summary
Lead poisoning in Indonesian children is linked to used lead-acid battery recycling. Environmental factors and socioeconomic status significantly influence children's blood lead levels (BLLs).
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Lead poisoning poses a significant global health burden.
- Indonesia faces high exposure risks due to improper recycling of used lead-acid batteries.
- Understanding factors influencing children's blood lead levels (BLLs) is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factors influencing blood lead levels (BLLs) in children.
- To compare BLLs in children exposed to used lead-acid battery (ULAB) recycling activities with a control group.
- To identify environmental and behavioral determinants of elevated BLLs in children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 324 children from exposed sites and 240 from control sites (aged 12-59 months).
- Assessment of blood lead levels (BLLs) using a threshold of 20 μg/dL for high BLLs.
- Data collection through questionnaires, blood lead tests, and home-based environmental exposure assessments.
Main Results:
- Children in exposed areas had 3.9 times higher odds of BLLs ≥20 μg/dL compared to control areas.
- Significant disparities in soil lead concentrations were observed between exposed and control sites.
- Multivariate analysis identified socioeconomic status, study area, environmental factors (cookware, food ware, spices, house cleaning), and breastfeeding duration as determinants of elevated BLLs.
Conclusions:
- Key risk factors contributing to children's BLLs were identified, highlighting the impact of environmental contamination from ULAB recycling.
- Urgent strategies are needed to remediate lead-contaminated soils and implement medical interventions for affected children.
- Further research is essential to fully elucidate lead poisoning pathways in environmental contexts.
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