Assessing the Health Risk and Trophic Transfer of Lead and Cadmium in Dairy Farming Systems in the Mantaro Catchment, Central Andes of Peru.

This study investigated lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) transfer in three dairy farming areas in the Mantaro river headwaters in the central Peruvian Andes and at varying distances from the mining complex at La Oroya. At each of these sites, the transfer of trace metals from the soil to raw milk was estimated, and a hazard assessment for lead and cadmium was carried out in scenarios of minimum, average, and maximum milk consumption in a Peruvian population aged 2-85. Pb and Cd were quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Significantly, the concentrations of lead and cadmium were found to exceed the maximum limits recommended by the World Health Organization, with a positive geospatial trend correlated with the distance from mining activity. Both Pb and Cd were found to be transferred through the soil-pasture-milk pathway, with the primary source of Cd being phosphate-based fertilizers used in pasture improvement. Pb was found to be the most significant contributor to the Hazard Index (HI) with those under 19 years of age and over 60 recording an HI of >1, with infants being the most vulnerable group due to their greater milk consumption in relation to their body weight. A marginal increase in contamination was observed in the dry season, indicating the need for studies to be expanded over several annual cycles.

The Nutritional Value of Biowaste Bovine Slaughterhouse Meals for Monogastric Species Feeding: The Guinea Pig as an Animal Model.

Biowaste from slaughterhouses can be recovered to benefit food security and reduce contamination potential. More than 3 billion heads of livestock are consumed worldwide, which will increase by 17% by 2028, generating more biowaste, increasing infectious agents, and causing economic losses due to circular economy principles not being applied. This work evaluated the nutritional quality of four types of biowaste from bovine slaughter which were transformed into a meal for guinea pigs (rumen content (RCM), ears (EaM), blood (BM), and cheeks (CM)) according to their chemical composition, digestible components, energy contribution, and voluntary consumption. For the animal model, adult male guinea pigs were arranged in metabolic cages for feces collection without urinary contamination. Nine guinea pigs were used in each digestibility test. First, a direct digestibility test was conducted using a meal of barley as a reference diet (RD), the indigestibility coefficient of which allowed for the estimation of the digestibility of biowaste meals through indirect calculations; for this, diets composed of 80% of the RD and 20% of the corresponding biowaste meals were evaluated. The difference method was suitable for determining the digestibility of beef biowaste using the indigestibility coefficients of the reference diet to calculate the digestibility of ingredients which could not be offered as 100% of the meal but were incorporated as 20%. The digestible protein and metabolizable energy contents of RCM, EaM, BM, and CM were 10.2% and 2853 kcal/kg, 44.5% and 3325 kcal/kg, 70.7% and 2583 kcal/kg, and 80.8% and 3386 kcal/kg, respectively. The CM and BM feeds had the highest contributions of digestible protein due to their higher nitrogen content, and the CM and EaM feeds had the highest ME contents due to their higher fat contents. The biowaste meal consumption in descending order was CM > RCM > EaM > BM, which were consumed without problems. These results are indicative that these components can be part of guinea pigs' diets, and it is recommended to continue studies into guinea pig growth and fattening diets with different levels of these biowaste meals.

Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic in Raw Milk Produced in the Vicinity of a Mini Mineral Concentrator in the Central Andes and Health Risk.

The bovine milk quality, safety, and security are of great concern mainly due to the dispersion of toxic substances from various anthropogenic activities and poor practices for organophosphates in agriculture use. This study evaluated the potential risk to human health from lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) from the consumption of milk produced in an area of the Central Andes valley near a mini mineral concentrator by estimating the weekly intake (WI), dietary risk quotient (DRC), hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI) for the Peruvian population aged 2 to 85 years, in three scenarios of milk consumption by age (minimum, average, and maximum). Toxic element quantification was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry following standardized procedures. The mean amount ± standard deviation of Pb, Cd, and As in soils was 292±60.90, 3.54±1.58, and 5.60±2.20 mg/kg, the order of importance being Pb>As>Cd. The contents of Pb, Cd, and As in pastures were 23.17±10.02, 0.25±0.57, and 0.06±0.09 mg/kg, being from highest to lowest Pb>Cd>As. The means of Pb, Cd, and As content in 19 milk samples were 0.029±0.022, 0.007±0.006, and 0.010±0.004 mg/kg. Pb and Cd exceeded the maximum permissible limits (MPL), and the As was below the MPL. At all ages and milk consumption levels, the WI for Pb and Cd were below the estimated tolerable intake (TWI). The WI for As in < 19 years was higher than the TWI. The DRC for Pb and Cd at all three milk intake levels and all ages was < 1, and for As, it was > 1 in < 19 years, being the risk group. The TQH and HI for Pb and Cd were also > 1, signifying no health risk, and for As, the values were > 1 in < 11 years. Our results are valuable for preventing adverse health impacts from safe and innocuous milk consumption.

Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic in Raw Cow's Milk in a Central Andean Area and Risks for the Peruvian Populations.

Milk and its derivatives are basic foods in Peru, especially for children. The Junín region, in the central Andes, is one of the leading dairy basins. However, the safety of milk is affected by mining-metallurgical activities, wastewater dumping, organic residues, and inappropriate use of organophosphate fertilizers in agriculture whose contaminants reach the food chain, putting human health at risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bioaccumulation of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) in milk produced on a representative farm in central Peru, which uses phosphorous agrochemicals and is adjacent to a small mineral concentrator and a municipal solid waste dump, and to evaluate the potential risk for the Peruvian population of 2-85 years considering three levels of daily intake by age, which constitutes the innovative contribution of the study. These three elements were quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry following standardized procedures. The mean contents of Pb (0.062 mg/kg), Cd (0.014 mg/kg), and As (0.030 mg/kg) in milk exceeded the maximum limits allowed by international standards. At all ages, the target quotient hazard followed a descending order of As > Pb > Cd, being > 1 in the case of As. The hazard index was >1 for children under 7, 9, and 11 years of age in the scenarios of low, medium, and high milk intake. The information is valid for formulating policies to prevent adverse health effects and develop standards and awareness programs, monitoring, and control of heavy metals in milk in Peru.

Factores agroalimentarios asociados con la prevalencia de anemia infantil en comunidades altoandinas de Huancavelica, Perú / Gri-food factors associated with the prevalence of child anemia in high-andean communities of Huancavelica, Peru

Fundamentos: La anemia es uno de los grandes problemas de salud pública en el Perú, evidenciándose unanotable prevalencia en población infantil de comunidades altoandinas. El estudio tuvo como objetivodeterminar la relación entre el consumo, producción alimentaria y el estado nutricional de niños menores decinco años en las familias andinas de Huancavelica, Perú; y conocer los hábitos y frecuencia de consumo dealimentos en términos de la Seguridad Alimentaria Nutricional. Métodos: Estudio transversal de tipo descriptivo - relacional, donde participaron 55 familias con niñosmenores de 5 años; se evaluaron componentes de seguridad alimentaria nutricional. Se realizaron pruebas deChi cuadrado y R de Spearman. Resultados: La alta prevalencia de anemia infantil, siendo un 38% anemia leve, 34% anemia moderada y 9%anemia severa. Los alimentos consumidos se componen principalmente de carbohidratos, en promedio elconsumo de pescado y alimentos ricos en hierro es deficiente y el nivel educativo en alimentación de lasmadres es muy escaso. Conclusiones: La alta prevalencia de anemia infantil en las comunidades de Tres de Octubre y Bellavista -Huancavelica, está asociada con el nivel educativo de la madre, el consumo de pescado y vísceras, la tenenciade biohuertos y la crianza de animales. (AU)

Background: Anemia is one of the major public health problems in Peru, showing a notable prevalencein the child population of high Andean communities. The objective of the study was to determine therelationship between food consumption, food production and nutritional status of children under five yearsof age in Andean families in Huancavelica, Peru. It also aimed to know the habits and frequency of foodconsumption and terms of nutritional food security. Methods: Cross-sectional study of descriptive-relational type, with the participation of 55 families withchildren under 5 years old; components of nutritional food security were evaluated. Chi-square andSpearman's R tests was realized. Results: The high prevalence of childhood anemia in the study communities expresses 38% for mild anemia,34% moderate anemia and 9% severe anemia. Food consumption is mainly carbohydrates, on average theconsumption of fish and iron-rich foods is deficient and the mothers' level of education in nutrition is verylow. Conclusions: The high prevalence of childhood anemia in the communities of Tres de Octubre and Bellavista -Huancavelica is associated with the mother's level of education, the consumption of fish and offal, thepossession of bio-gardens and the animal production. (AU)

Lead and Cadmium Bioaccumulation in Fresh Cow's Milk in an Intermediate Area of the Central Andes of Peru and Risk to Human Health.

The dairy basin of the Mantaro River located in the centre of Peru faces serious anthropogenic disturbances as it receives emissions and discharges from the metallurgical mining activity located in the headwaters of the basin and milk contaminated with lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) endangers the environmental and human health, especially children. To measure the concentrations of Pb and Cd in milk and the dangers of their consumption in the Peruvian population, 40 milk samples were collected and quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean concentration of Pb in milk was 15 ± 2.6 µg/kg, which represented 75% of the Maximum Limit (ML), and that of Cd was 505 ± 123 µg/kg, which exceeded the ML by more than 194 times. The estimated weekly intake of Pb for people aged 2−85 years was below the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) references, determining risk coefficients (CRD) < 1. Weekly Cd intake was much higher than the PTWIs and CRDs were between 14 and 34, indicating that consumers would experience carcinogenic health effects, with children being at higher risk than adults, therefore, milk from the area is not safe for consumption. Cd would be transferred mainly through the soil (water)-grass-milk pathway, due to its presence in irrigation water and in fertilizers that contain Cd. The main pathway for Pb entry would be air-soil (water)-milk grass, from the fine particles emitted into the air by the mining-metallurgical activity, developed approximately 90 km from the study area.

Transfer of lead from soil to pasture grass and milk near a metallurgical complex in the Peruvian Andes.

Milk quality is affected by the concentration of lead (Pb) in soil and pasture grasses used to raise cattle, especially in areas near mining-metallurgical complexes. In this study, the Pb content of soil and its transfer to grass and dairy milk in an area located to 20 km from the La Oroya Metallurgical Complex in Peru (altitude, >3,700 m s.a.l) was measured. Twenty soil samples (0-30 cm depth), 20 grass samples were collected, and 0.5 L of milk was obtained from 20 lactating cow in the communal cowshed. The Pb concentration (mg/kg) was quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using a commercial Pb standard as quality control. The Pb average concentration in the soil, grass, and milk samples were 217.81 ± 39.48, 20.09 ± 2.83, and 0.58 ± 0.018 mg/kg (P < 0.01), respectively. The transfer factor (ratio of metal concentration) for Pb from soil to grass and from grass to milk was 0.095 and 0.031, respectively. The soil, grass, and milk samples all presented high Pb concentrations, with the milk samples containing 29-fold more Pb than the safety limit established by European regulations and were not suitable for human consumption or the manufacture of cheese, yogurt, and other derivatives. Our findings demonstrate that action to remediate these soils is critically needed.

Dietary risk of milk contaminated with lead and cadmium in areas near mining-metallurgical industries in the Central Andes of Peru.

The mining-metallurgical industry in the central Andes of Peru is a source of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contamination in milk, and there are no studies on the impact of their ingestion. Using flame atomic absorption spectrometry, we quantified the concentration of these metals in raw milk produced in agroecological zones near these industries, and estimated the exposure and dietary risk in people aged 2-85 yr with minimum, average and maximum daily milk intake. In 2018, 40 raw milk samples were collected from 20 cows at two times of the year. The mean Pb and Cd concentrations were 577 ± 18.2 and 18.35 ± 5.4 µg/kg, all samples exceeded the maximum limits (ML). Children aged 2-5 and 6-15 yr, with average milk consumption, had Pb weekly intakes (WI) of 2019 and 2423 µg, exceeding the risk value; values for Cd 64 and 77 µg were below the risk values. In those older than 20 years the WI for both metals are below the risk values. The Dietary Risk Coefficient (DRC) to Pb in children younger than 8 years was >3 due to higher milk consumption in relation to body weight; for children aged 9-19 years it was 1.7 and 2.9, being <1 for those older than 20 yr. Cd RDCs were <1 at all ages, with the exception of 2-year-olds in the high milk consumption scenario (RDC > 1). There was notable evidence of Pb and Cd exposure risk from consumption of milk produced near mining-metallurgical activities, predominantly for children under 19-year-olds. In Peru there are no regulations for Pb and Cd in fresh milk and milk products, we recommended that ML for heavy metals in food be established.

Nutritional value of some raw materials for guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) feeding.

To formulate economically viable foods and achieve high performance in guinea pig production, it is important to know the nutritional value of the feeds, which requires determining their chemical composition, availability of nutrients, and energy content. Chemical analysis, digestibility tests, and digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) content of 63 feeds were determined using male guinea pigs of 4-5 mo of age. The test feeds were fodder, agricultural residues, agro-industrial and kitchen waste, energy flours, and protein flours of animal and vegetable origin. The result showed wide variability in the chemical composition and energy density of the feeds evaluated. In the case of forages, the main feed source for the guinea pigs, the average contents ± SD of crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), organic matter (OM), DE, and ME were 18.06 ± 6.50%, 23.08 ± 7.14%, 89.95 ± 2.62%, 2963.71 ± 442.68, and 2430.24 ± 363.00 kcal/kg; for the agro-industrial and kitchen waste, the values were 11.52 ± 4.72%, 22.80 ± 14.61%, 91.37 ± 4.74%, 3006.31 ± 554.01, and 2465.18 ± 454.29 kcal/kg; for protein feeds, the values were 55.18 ± 22.87%, 5.11 ± 5.72%, 91.18 ± 6.92%, 3681.94 ± 433. 24, and 3019.19 ± 355.26 kcal/kg; for energy feeds, the values were 12.73 ± 3.22%, 5.46 ± 1.96%, 95.33 ± 3.32%, 3705.41 ± 171.78, and 3038.43 ± 140.86 kcal/kg. The ME content is directly associated with CP content (R 2 = 0.19) and OM digestibility (R 2 = 0.56) and inversely with CF (R 2 = 0.40) and ash (R 2 = 0.13) content (P < 0.01). The results of this study can be used to design feeding programs for family and commercial guinea pig production for meat.

Lead transfer in the soil-root-plant system in a highly contaminated Andean area.

Lead (Pb) is highly toxic heavy metal that is detrimental to the food system. There are large mining and metallurgical companies in the central highlands of Peru that have been active for almost a century and contribute to air, water, and soil pollution, affecting food quality and causing damage to the environment and human health. Our study, conducted in 2018, assessed the content and transfer of lead in the soil-root-plant system in the high Andean grasslands in a geographical area near the metallurgical complex of La Oroya. Lead levels were measured in 120 samples of top soil (0-20 cm), roots, and grass shoots by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. No significant differences were found between the soil pH, organic matter content, and lead among the samples evaluated (P > 0.05). Mean Pb concentrations decreased in the order of soil > root > shoot (P < 0.01) (212.36 ±  38.40, 154.65 ±  52.85 and 19.71 ±  2.81 mg/kg, respectively). The soil-to-root Pb bioconcentration factor, root-to-shoot translocation factor, and soil-to-shoot bioaccumulation factor values were 0.74 ±  0.26, 0.14 ±  0.06 and 0.10 ±  0.03, respectively. Lead in the soil was 3.03 times higher than the maximum limit for agricultural soil, and was 1.97 times higher than the value limit for fodder. Our findings are important and show that soils and pasture in this geographical area have high Pb levels due to metallurgical emissions that have been occurring since 1922. Such pollution negatively impacts health and the socio-economic status of the exposed populations.

Predictive model of stunting in the Central Andean region of Peru based on socioeconomic and agri-food determinants.

Objectives: A limitation in the design and monitoring of public health policies is the lack of conceptual models to explain their results. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model of stunting in children under 5 years of age in the central Andean region of Peru, using socioeconomic and agro-productive predictors. Study design: Cross-sectional data of 380 families in 15 districts of the central region of Peru. WHO criteria were used to define stunting prediction model. Methods: An explanatory and predictive study of stunting in children was carried out considering causality criteria through Chi-square tests and bivariate logistic regression. Family food production, maternal education, breastfeeding practices and others determinant related to rural zone conditions were considered as explanatory variables in stunting of children under 5 years old. Three exhaustive models for predicted the presence of stunting was developed. Results: Stunting percentage was 40.3. To Hosmer and Lemeshow test, the best fit was the model that considered the level of maternal education, timely consumption of colostrum, birth weight and guinea pig rearing, having high reliability (P â€‹< â€‹0.05). Conclusions: A predictive model for early detection of stunting risk in rural areas of the Andean region was developed based on simple and easily applied indicators. Effective policies are required to improve the feeding practices of pregnant women, increase breastfeeding and promote guinea pig raising for self-consumption and improve the nutritional status of children.

Lead and cadmium blood levels and transfer to milk in cattle reared in a mining area.

The presence of heavy metals in milk is a public health problem that negatively effects human health, especially infant health. This study evaluated the concentration levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in blood and its transfer to the milk of 20 cows in production in a rural community near the La Oroya Metallurgical Complex in Peru, which has emitted fine particulate matter for more than 90 years. Validated protocols were used for sample collection. The samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results of the analysis indicated that the levels, in mg/kg, of Pb in blood and milk were 0.38 ± 0.041 and 0.58 ± 0.018, respectively; Pb in milk was 54% higher than that in blood (P < 0.01). Cd levels, in mg/kg, in blood and milk were 0.016 ± 0.002 and 0.02 ± 0.007, respectively; milk had 28% more Cd than did blood (P < 0.05). The results for Pb in milk were compared with the Codex Alimentarius standard (0.002 mg/kg); the mean concentration of Pb in milk was 29 times higher than the acceptable limit, and the mean concentration of Cd was 2 times higher than the acceptable limit of the Romanian standard (0.01 mg/kg). The result could be attributed to the impact of environmental pollution by mining waste. In Peru, there are no norms for maximum Pb and Cd values, and the establishment of maximum value norms for these metals in milk is suggested.

Prevalencia de anemia infantil y su asociación con factores socioeconómicos y productivos en una comunidad altoandina del Perú / Childhood anemia prevalence and its association with socioeconomic and productive factors in a high Andean community of Peru

FUNDAMENTOS: La anemia infantil es un problema crítico en zonas altoandinas del Perú por su asociación con la morbi-mortalidad materno infantil e impacto negativo en el desarrollo emocional, cognitivo y motor de los niños. Se ha realizado un estudio para determinar la prevalencia de anemia en la población infantil del distrito de Tunanmarca y establecer su relación con factores socioeconómicos y productivos. MÉTODOS: Se encuestó a 48 familias campesinas del distrito de Tunanmarca. Se midió el contenido de hemoglobina de sus hijos menores de 5 años, previo consentimiento informado. Las asociaciones entre variables se determinaron con pruebas de Chi cuadrado y Rde Spearman, con un p<0,05 en el SPSS 23. RESULTADOS:La prevalencia de anemia infantil fue 86%, distribuidos en 34,9% de anemia leve, 46,5% de anemia moderada y 4,7% de anemia severa. Las prevalencias de enfermedades diarreicas y respiratorias agudas fueron 16,7 y 25%. La anemia infantil se asocia con algunas variables socioeconómicas y productivas. CONCLUSIONES: En la comunidad altoandina de Tunanmarca, Jauja-Perú se observó una alta prevalencia de anemia infantil, asociada inversamente con la educación materna, hogares adecuadamente constituidos, propietarios de la vivienda, mayor frecuencia de consumo de pescado, habas y crianza de animales domésticos

BACKGROUND: Infantile anemia is a critical problem in high Andean areas of Peru due to its association with maternal and infant morbidity and mortality and negative impact on the emotional, cognitive and motor development of children. A study was carried out to determine the prevalence of anemia in the child population of the Tunanmarca district and establish its relationship with socioeconomic and productive factors. METHODS: A survey to 48 peasant families of Tunanmarca district was applied, and the hemoglobin content of their children under 5 years old was measured, with prior informed consent. Associations between the variables were determined with Chi square tests and Spearman's R, with a p <0.05 in the SPSS 23. RESULTS:Infant anemia prevalence was 86%, distributed in 34.9% mild anemia, 46.5% moderate anemia and 4.7% severe anemia. Prevalence of diarrheal and acute respiratory diseases were 16.7 and 25%. Infant anemia prevalence is associated with some socioeconomic and productive variables. CONCLUSIONS: In the high Andean community of Tunanmarca, Jauja-Peru a high prevalence of childhood anemia was observed, inversely associated with maternal education, adequately constituted households, owning the home, with the highest frequency of consumption of fish, beans and the raising of domestic animals

[Lead levels in pregnant women and newborns in la Oroya City, Peru]. / Niveles de plomo en gestantes y neonatos en la ciudad de la Oroya, Perú

OBJECTIVES: To determine blood-lead (Pb) levels in pregnant women and neonates in a metallurgical city of Peru. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out, the population of which consisted of pregnant women who had lived for at least two years in the city of La Oroya, at the time when the lead, copper and zinc foundries operated normally. A blood sample was obtained from the pregnant women before delivery and, after delivery, from the neonate's umbilical cord and placenta. Lead levels in those samples were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Pearson's squared regressions and correlations were determined. RESULTS: Forty normal deliveries were studied. The average blood lead levels in the mother, umbilical cord and placenta were 27.4 ± 15.6 ug/dL; 19.0 ± 12.6 ug/dL and 319.0 ± 215.9 ug/100 g, respectively. 67.5% of the neonates registered levels higher than 10 ug/dL. Pb levels in the umbilical cord accounted for 69.4% of Pb level in maternal blood. The correlation coefficients between Pb levels in maternal blood and umbilical cord, maternal blood and placenta, and placenta and umbilical cord were 0.36; 0.48 and 0.33, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: At the time the foundry operated, pregnant women and newborns had high blood lead concentrations. Pb concentrations in the placenta and umbilical cord had moderate correlation with the Pb levels in maternal blood. Pb levels in maternal blood and umbilical cord were 1.5 times as high as in more distant areas.

Niveles de plomo en gestantes y neonatos en la ciudad de la Oroya, Perú / Lead levels in pregnant women and newborns in la Oroya City, Peru

Objetivos. Determinar los niveles de plomo (Pb) en gestantes y neonatos en la ciudad de La Oroya, Perú. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal. La población estuvo conformada por gestantes residentes durante al menos dos años en la ciudad de La Oroya, cuando operaban normalmente las fundiciones de Pb, cobre y zinc. Se obtuvo muestras de sangre de la gestante antes del parto y luego del parto se tomaron muestras de placenta y sangre del cordón umbilical. El nivel de Pb de dichas muestras fue evaluado por espectrometría de absorción atómica con horno de grafito. Se determinaron regresiones cuadráticas y correlaciones de Pearson. Resultados. Se evaluó cuarenta partos normales. Los niveles promedio de Pb en la sangre materna, cordon umbilical y placenta fueron 27,4 ± 15,6 ug/dL; 19,0 ± 12,6 ug/dL y 319,0 ± 215,9 ug/100 g, respectivamente. El 67,5% de los neonatos tuvieron más de 10 ug/dL de Pb. El nivel de Pb de la sangre del cordón umbilical representó el 69,4% del nivel de Pb en sangre materna. Los coeficientes de correlación entre el Pb de la sangre materna y cordón umbilical, sangre materna y placenta, placenta y sangre del cordón umbilical fueron 0,36; 0,48 y 0,33, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Cuando funcionaba la fundición, las gestantes y recién nacidos tenían concentraciones elevadas de Pb en sangre. Las concentraciones de Pb en la placenta y cordón umbilical tuvieron una correlación moderada con el Pb de la sangre materna. El Pb de la sangre materna y cordón umbilical fue 1,5 veces más alto que los de zonas más alejadas.

Objectives. To determine blood-lead (Pb) levels in pregnant women and neonates in a metallurgical city of Peru. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out, the population of which consisted of pregnant women who had lived for at least two years in the city of La Oroya, at the time when the lead, copper and zinc foundries operated normally. A blood sample was obtained from the pregnant women before delivery and, after delivery, from the neonate’s umbilical cord and placenta. Lead levels in those samples were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Pearson’s squared regressions and correlations were determined. Results. Forty normal deliveries were studied. The average blood lead levels in the mother, umbilical cord and placenta were 27.4 ± 15.6 ug/dL; 19.0 ± 12.6 ug/dL and 319.0 ± 215.9 ug/100 g, respectively. 67.5% of the neonates registered levels higher than 10 ug/dL. Pb levels in the umbilical cord accounted for 69.4% of Pb level in maternal blood. The correlation coefficients between Pb levels in maternal blood and umbilical cord, maternal blood and placenta, and placenta and umbilical cord were 0.36; 0.48 and 0.33, respectively. Conclusions. At the time the foundry operated, pregnant women and newborns had high blood lead concentrations. Pb concentrations in the placenta and umbilical cord had moderate correlation with the Pb levels in maternal blood. Pb levels in maternal blood and umbilical cord were 1.5 times as high as in more distant areas.