Blood lead concentrations of preschool children in central and southern Sydney
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M Mira1, J Bawden-Smith, J Causer
1Division of General Practice, Central Sydney Area Health Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Insights
Elevated blood lead levels in Sydney preschoolers were assessed, revealing higher concentrations near the city center. Interventional guidelines are recommended for areas within 10 km of the Sydney Central Business District due to elevated lead exposure risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Lead exposure in children poses significant health risks, including developmental and neurological impairments.
- Understanding the prevalence of elevated blood lead concentrations is crucial for targeted public health interventions.
- Previous studies have highlighted the importance of geographical factors in lead exposure patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of elevated blood lead concentrations in preschool children residing in central and southern Sydney.
- To identify geographical areas with higher proportions of children exhibiting elevated blood lead levels.
- To inform public health strategies for lead exposure reduction in vulnerable populations.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted involving preschool children aged 9 months to 5 years.
- Participants were recruited from 32 randomly selected geographical areas in central and southern Sydney.
- Venous blood lead concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry.
Main Results:
- A total of 718 children provided blood samples for lead analysis.
- The geometric mean blood lead concentration was 0.34 µmol/L (7.0 µg/dL).
- 16.1% of children had blood lead concentrations exceeding 0.48 µmol/L (10 µg/dL), with higher rates (25%) observed within a 10-km radius of the Sydney Central Business District.
Conclusions:
- Overall, the prevalence of elevated blood lead concentrations in central and southern Sydney does not exceed current National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommendations.
- However, areas within a 10-km radius of the Sydney Central Business District show concerningly high lead levels.
- NHMRC interventional guidelines should be applied to communities within this radius where over 5% of children exceed 0.72 µmol/L (15 µg/dL) blood lead concentration.
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence of elevated blood lead concentrations in preschool children in central and southern Sydney.
Participants And Setting:
Children aged from 9 months to 5 years living in 32 randomly selected geographical areas in Central and southern Sydney.
Methods:
Venous blood lead concentrations were estimated by atomic absorption spectrometry.
Results:
953 children were identified and 726 had parental consent to participate. A blood sample for lead estimation was obtained from 718 children. The geometric mean blood level concentration was 0.34 mu mol/L (7.0 mu/dL). The proportion of children with elevated blood lead concentrations was: 16.1% (>0.48 mu mol/L [10mu/dL]), 3.9% (>0.72 mu mol/L[15mu/dL]) and 0.3% (>1.21mu mol/L [25 mu/dL], respectively. The blood lead levels for children living with a 10-km radius of the Sydney Central Business district were: 25% (>0.48 mu mol/L [10mu/dL]) and 7% (>0.72 mu mol/L [15mu/dL]), respectively. Corresponding findings for children living 10 km outside this radius were: 9% (>0.48 mu mol/L [10mu/dL]) and 1.5% (0.72 mu mol/L [15mu/dL]), respectively.
Conclusions:
The proportion of children with elevated blood lead concentrations in Central and Southern Sydney as a whole does not exceed current National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommendations. However, in those areas within a 10-km radius of the Central Business District, NHMRC interventional guidelines for communities where more that 5% of children have blood lead concentrations higher than 0.72 mu mol/L (15 mu/dL) should be applied.