Increased lead absorption in inner city children: Where does the lead come from?

Charney, E; Sayre, J; Coulter, M

HERO ID

53730

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1980

Language

English

PMID

7354967

HERO ID 53730
In Press No
Year 1980
Title Increased lead absorption in inner city children: Where does the lead come from?
Authors Charney, E; Sayre, J; Coulter, M
Journal Pediatrics
Volume 65
Issue 2
Page Numbers 226-231
Abstract Pica for lead-containing paint has been questioned as the principal mechanism for the widespread moderately elevated blood lead levels (30 to 80 µg/l00 ml) in inner city children. This study explored the hypothesis that lead-contaminated household dust is a major source of lead for these children; hand contamination and repetitive mouthing is the proposed mechanism of ingestion. Forty-nine inner city children with blood lead 40 to 70 µg/100 ml were matched with 50 children with blood lead ≤29 µg/100 ml from the same inner city environment. House dust lead and lead on hands were found in significantly greater quantity among experimental subjects. Other factors differed between groups; lead content of peeling paint, soil lead, and pica affected more experimental than control children, but did not account for more than 50% of experimental cases. The cause of moderate blood lead elevation is multifactoral: no single source accounted for all children with elevated levels. However, lead contamination of house dust and hands appears to be a major factor in this condition.
Doi 10.1542/peds.65.2.226
Pmid 7354967
Wosid WOS:A1980JF01800005
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English