[Use of lead-glazed ceramic as a source of exposure in children of marginalized indigenous zones of Oaxaca, Mexico]. / Uso de cerámica vidriada como fuente de exposición a plomo en niños indígenas de zonas marginadas de Oaxaca, México.

OBJECTIVE: To find out whether the use of lead-glazed ceramic (LGC) is associated with blood lead levels in indigenous schoolchildren from Oaxaca, México. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated LGC use at home as a primary source of lead exposure in 387 indigenous schoolchildren in Oaxaca in May 2001. RESULTS: We found an adjusted difference of 3.9µg/dl (p<0.01) in blood lead levels (BLL) among children reporting to use (82%) LGC at home vs those who didn't. BL levels greater or equal than 10 and 20 µg/dl were observed in 60 and 27% of children, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lead poisoning from LGC use could remain a concern for public health in Mexico, where there is a need to provide care and further study to verify its effect on BLL.