Blood lead concentration and its associated factors in preschool children in eastern Iran: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lead is a toxic metal that affects almost every organ in the body. Children are more susceptible to lead toxicity because they ingest non-food items (pica), have oral exploratory habits, absorb more substantial amounts of ingested lead compared to adults, and have a developing central nervous system. This study describes venous blood lead concentrations (BLC) in young children living in Birjand, Iran.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in 2016 on children 1-7 years of age who were referred to healthcare centers in Birjand City. Demographic information was obtained, and their BLC was tested using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).

Results

Four hundred children were tested. Their mean age was 52.37 ± 23.77 months; their mean BLC was 2.49 ± 2.64 

SUBMITTER: Zardast M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7493850 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature