Lead exposure among the general population of Duhok governorate, Kurdistan region, Iraq

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to establish baseline data on lead exposure in a sample of the general population from Duhok governorate, Iraq in 2011. A cross-sectional study was made of blood lead levels of 820 individuals and of dust and of air lead levels in urban, suburban and rural residential areas. Mean blood lead [BPb] value in the overall sample was 7.3 [SD 2.8] microg/dL, range 1.6-17.0 microg/dL; significant differences were found with respect to age, area of residence, altitude and distance from a gasoline generator. The prevalence of toxic levels of lead [BPb > 10 microg/dL] was 22.8% overall and 2.4% in children. People living in suburban areas [39.7%] and < 50 m from a gasoline generator [93.1%] were exposed to high environmental lead levels. A linear relationship was found between BPb and air lead levels [r= 0.8]. While lead exposure does not constitute a great health problem for adults in our community, 2.4% of the children had toxic lead levels and measures to reduce exposure to environmental heavy metals should be considered