Lead Exposure among Adult Temporary Residents in Eastern Europe: Should Blood Lead Levels Be Monitored?

Background: The risk of lead exposure among temporary residents in Eastern Europe is unknown. We monitored blood lead levels (BLLs) of Peace Corps Volunteers serving in Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia from June 1991 through June 1994. Methods: BLLs were analyzed before the Volunteers left the United States (Sample 1), at mid-service (median of 15 months in-country, Sample 2), and at end-of-service (median of 22 months in-country, Sample 3). Results: Among 425 study participants who provided at least one follow-up blood sample, BLLs were significantly higher at Samples 2 and 3 compared to the U.S. baseline (paired t-test, p<.0001); however, the mean increase in BLL was only 1.0 ug/dL (range = -9.6 to 10.7). Overall, 74% of Volunteers experienced an increase in BLLs, 24% a decrease in BLLs, and 2% no change in BLLs at Sample 3 compared to their U.S. baseline. The highest increases in BLLs were among Volunteers in Albania, Bulgaria, and Romania (analysis of variance, p<.0001). In addition, men had higher mean increases in BLLs at Samples 2 and 3 compared to women (t-test, p=.017 and.029). Conclusions: The risk of significant lead exposure among our study population was low, and monitoring of BLLs among adult short-term residents in Eastern Europe does not seem to be indicated.