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Blood lead levels in Finnish preschool children
Insights
Blood lead levels (Pb-B) in Finnish children were found to be low across urban, rural, and industrial areas. These findings suggest generally safe environmental lead exposure in the studied Finnish populations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Lead exposure is a significant public health concern, particularly in children.
- Assessing blood lead levels (Pb-B) is crucial for monitoring exposure and potential health risks.
- Variations in Pb-B can occur based on geographic location and proximity to industrial sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure and compare blood lead levels (Pb-B) in Finnish children residing in urban, rural, and lead smelter areas.
- To evaluate hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in relation to Pb-B.
- To compare Finnish Pb-B levels with international and Scandinavian studies.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 286 Finnish children was studied across different residential settings.
- Blood lead (Pb-B), hemoglobin, and hematocrit were measured.
- Pb-B was determined using a validated atomic absorption spectrophotometric micro method, with accuracy confirmed by international comparison.
Main Results:
- Mean Pb-B levels ranged from 6.0 to 6.7 microgram/100 ml across all studied areas, with no significant differences.
- The overall range for Pb-B was 3 to 17 microgram/100 ml.
- Hemoglobin and hematocrit values were within the normal range for all children.
Conclusions:
- Blood lead levels in Finnish children are generally low compared to many international studies.
- Pb-B levels were consistent across urban, rural, and lead smelter areas in Finland.
- The findings indicate a low level of environmental lead exposure in the studied Finnish pediatric population.
Abstract:
The blood lead (Pb-B), hemoglobin and hematocrit were measured in 286 Finnish children living in the three largest cities of Finland (n = 172), in rural areas (n = 54) and in a lead smelter area (n = 60). Pb-B was determinated using an atomic absorption spectrophotometric micro method. The precision of the method was good, as was the accuracy tested by an international interlaboratory comparison. The mean Pb-B in urban, rural and lead smelter areas varied between 6.0 - 6.7 microgram/100 ml** (range 3 - 17 microgram/100 ml) and there were no significant differences between the residential areas. The mean values of hemoglobin and hematocrit were in the normal range. The Pb - B values in Finnish children studied were low compared with many international studies but at a similar level as in some recent Scandinavian studies.