Blood cadmium and lead levels among school children in Cracow

An assessment of school children's exposure to cadmium and lead was carried out in Cracow and in a rural area in the years 1987-1989. The metal concentrations were determined in blood, which seems to be the best indicator of recent and current exposure. Simultaneously the levels of cadmium and lead in the air and dust-fall were measured. The study included 431 urban children aged about 12, living in two quarters of Cracow: the old central part of the city with high traffic density (Sródmieście) and the modern part close to the steel and iron plant (Nowa Huta). The rural control group was composed of 152 individuals of the same age. The blood cadmium in children did not exceed the value of 1 microgram/dl, accepted as an upper limit for the general population. An average of 0.33 microgram Cd/dl in young residents of Nowa Huta quarter was found and it was significantly higher than that of the city center (Sródmieście)--0.29 microgram/dl. This was related to higher industrial cadmium pollution observed in Nowa Huta. Unexpectedly, the highest blood cadmium levels (0.39 microgram/dl) were found in the groups from the rural area. Although these results were lower than those derived from other regions of Poland, they were considerably higher than those reported from other countries. Children's exposure to lead was much more dangerous. About 70% of the results from the city center exceeded the controversial upper limit of 20 micrograms Pb/dl, reaching the mean value of 30.5 micrograms/dl. In the group from Nowa Huta blood lead concentrations were markedly lower (20.4 micrograms/dl), corresponding to the degree of environmental pollution. The rural control group also had elevated blood lead levels (22.5 micrograms/dl), probably caused by transboundary emissions. The results obtained point to high environmental lead exposure in Cracow, comparable with those recorded in heavily polluted industrial areas.