Blood lead levels in children residing in a 115-year old urban settlement in Harare, Zimbabwe: a cross sectional study

BMC Pediatrics

Research

Cuthbert Musarurwa¹  Terence Nyamayaro²  Svitsai Chagonda²  Itai James Blessing Chitungo² 

[1] Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda;Department of Laboratory Diagnostic and Investigative Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Chemical Pathology Unit, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe;

关键词: Blood lead;    Children;    Harare;    Environmental;    Exposure;    Zimbabwe;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12887-023-03886-6

 received in 2022-08-05, accepted in 2023-02-03,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundElemental lead (Pb) toxicity in children, irreversibly affects their growth and development. We assessed the prevalence of high blood Pb levels (BLL) in children living in a potentially high risk residential area and also assessed Pb levels in environmental specimens.MethodsThis cross sectional study measured blood lead levels (BLL) in 86children living in Mbare, a densely populated suburb in Harare, Zimbabwe, characterised by dwellings progressively constructed from 1907 through to the 1940s, before the ban of leaded paint. Study participants of both genders were under 6 years of age. Potential risk factors of Pb poisoning were assessed. Pb levels were also assessed in soil, water and paint chip specimens from the study area.ResultsThe mean (standard deviation) BLL was 4.3 ± 0.75 g/dL. Twelve (13.95%) participants had BLL of > 5.0ug/dL. Our results showed no significant association between BLL and household income, participant behaviour/habits/activities, sources of drinking water, and the types of cookware used to prepare meals in their households.ConclusionMean BLL observed in the current study were higher compared to those of children of similar age groups in the United States, suggesting that Pb contamination may be more ubiquitous in the Mbare flats area, potentially predisposing these children to impaired development.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023