Screening of school children for blood lead levels and attempts to reduce them by nonpharmacological means in a coastal city of India.

Context : Lead is a major health hazard, especially in children. Impact of lead poisoning on our society is not known. Effectiveness of environmental interventions in reducing blood lead levels is not exactly known, though the Center for Disease Control and Prevention strongly advocates use of such means. Aims: We aimed at screening school children for blood lead levels (BLLs) and reducing the BLLs of children with preliminary BLL> 20 microg/dL by environmental intervention and intensive education. Materials and Methods: To assess the extent of lead poisoning, a screening of 106 children was done, which showed that children belonging to a particular government primary school had higher BLLs. A second screening program of 87 children conducted in that school showed that only 19% had BLL < 10 microg/dL; whereas 44% had BLL between 10 and 20 microg/dL, and 37% had BLL> 20 microg/dL. Thirty-eight children having BLL> 20 microg/dL were selected from the two screening programs. After removing all potential sources of lead from their environment and educating them about the ways to prevent exposure to lead, follow-up of their BLLs was carried out at an interval of 6 months for a period of 1 year. Statistical Analysis: Values of the different follow-up studies were compared using repeated-measure ANOVA. Results : Our results showed that there was a significant (P < 0.0001) reduction in the BLLs in the first and second follow-up studies. Conclusions: The study is a proof of the concept that a decline in the BLLs can be achieved by intense education and avoiding the potential environmental sources of lead.

Low-levels of blood lead and antioxidant status.

Lead is not an essential component of the human body, but it is always present due to extensive exposure and easy absorption in various forms. Lead affects virtually all systems of the body. Several metals can indirectly evoke the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) by way of disruption of normal calcium homeostasis. This is true, especially at high levels of blood lead. This study was undertaken to see if lead at low levels causes oxidative stress and damage. The level of total antioxidant status in blood was measured to indirectly indicate the extent of oxidative damage, and this was correlated with the blood lead levels. The results reveal that even at blood lead levels as low as 14.15μg/dl ± 4.8μg/dl, there is a significant decrease in the levels of total antioxidant status. The total antioxidant levels were 0.78 ± 0.25mmol/l in the lead-exposed as against 1.5 ± 0.76 mmol/l in the unexposed. This study supports the introduction of antioxidants along with chelation, as a regular treatment for lead poisoning cases, as also as a preventive measure against lead poisoning in persons exposed to different sources of lead.

Portable lead analyzer to locate source of lead.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sources of lead in the environment in children with elevated blood, with the help of a Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer. METHODS: One hundred and seven school children were chosen for this study on a random basis, from Mangalore and Karnataka. Their blood lead was analyzed. Of the cases analyzed, 10 students whose blood lead level was more than 40 microg/dl were investigated using a field portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer. This is the first time such a device has been available for this purpose in India. RESULTS: The 'likely' source of lead exposure could be determined in eight cases which was from the immediate environment of the children like 'lead-based' paint on surfaces in the house, on playground and other exterior equipment; lead storage batteries, contaminated dust and soil and other lead-containing substances. CONCLUSION: The use of an X-Ray Fluorescence Analyser appeared to be useful in determining the source of lead.