Lead exposure in children living around the automobile and battery repair workshops

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to screen children 1-12 years of age for lead exposure living around automobile and battery repair workshops. A total of 190 children living in one kilometer areas around the automobile and battery repair workshops were selected from houses and schools. These were divided into two groups group A comprised of the children living around the automobile repair workshops and group B comprised of the children living around the battery repair workshops. Among the 190 children, 115 [60.5%] were males and 75 [39.5%] were females. The mean age of the children was 8.7 years. Majority of the children was less than 4 years of age [55.8%]. The blood lead levels were between the range of 1.3 - 34.2 mg/dl [mean 11.4 mg/dl]. Children living around the battery repair workshops [mean +/- SD 12.85 +/- 6.02] had high blood lead levels [p 0.020] as compared to the children living around the automobile repair workshops [mean +/- SD 10.19 +/- 6.13]. There was a significant negative correlation of blood lead levels and haemoglobin [r = - 0.400 and p 0.001]. Children living around automobile and battery repair workshops had significantly high blood lead levels according to WHO and CDC criteria. Blood lead level [BLL] is a good screening and diagnostic test for the assessment of lead exposure in children living in lead contaminated high risk areas