Abstract
Background and Aims: To assess blood lead concentrations (B-Pb) in children not exposed to petrol lead. In a previous paper we reported the results for the period 1978–94 (2441 children measured). A substantial decrease of B-Pb was found, which reflected a beneficial effect of gradual banning of petrol lead. Since 1994, petrol sold in Sweden has not contained lead.
Methods: In the south of Sweden, each year from 1995 to 2001, B-Pb was measured in 329 boys and 345 girls, aged 7–11 years.
Results: The geometric mean (GM) of B-Pb was 21 (range 6–80) µg/l. There was no consistent change of B-Pb from 1995 to 2001. Children living near a lead smelter had raised B-Pb (GM 24 µg/l, range 11–80). Passive smoking, but not age and sex, influenced B-Pb significantly.
Conclusions: B-Pb in Swedish children, no longer exposed to petrol lead, seems to have stabilised at an average level close to 20 µg/l (provided there is no nearby industrial lead emission).
Methods: In the south of Sweden, each year from 1995 to 2001, B-Pb was measured in 329 boys and 345 girls, aged 7–11 years.
Results: The geometric mean (GM) of B-Pb was 21 (range 6–80) µg/l. There was no consistent change of B-Pb from 1995 to 2001. Children living near a lead smelter had raised B-Pb (GM 24 µg/l, range 11–80). Passive smoking, but not age and sex, influenced B-Pb significantly.
Conclusions: B-Pb in Swedish children, no longer exposed to petrol lead, seems to have stabilised at an average level close to 20 µg/l (provided there is no nearby industrial lead emission).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 370-372 |
| Journal | Occupational and Environmental Medicine |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Publication status | Published - 2003 |
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Occupational Health and Environmental Health