Document Detail


Predictors of blood lead levels in agricultural villages practicing wastewater irrigation in Central Mexico.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10926720     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
To investigate whether the agricultural use of untreated wastewater (i.e. crop irrigation) was associated with elevated blood lead levels in a farming population in the Mezquital Valley and which risk factors, other than exposure to untreated wastewater, were associated with elevated blood lead levels, lead levels were measured in venous blood obtained from 735 individuals. Blood samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Food habits and dietary intake were gathered by interview, using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. The average blood lead level was 7.8 microg/dL (SD 4.66 microg/dL; range 1.2-36.7 microg/dL). 23% of the study population had blood lead levels exceeding 10 microg/dL. The use of lead-glazed ceramics (LGC) was significantly associated with elevated lead levels (p = < 0.001). Other significant variables included age, gender (males), and non-farming-related occupations (e.g., technicians, factory workers). p = 0.005, 0.08, and 0.001, respectively. When the analysis was stratified by the use of LGC for food preparation, an inverse relationship between higher daily calcium intake and blood lead level was detected (beta = - 0.040, p = < 0.05). Thus, blood lead levels were positively associated with the use of LGC. Calcium intake showed a protective effect, maybe by decreasing absorption of lead in the gastrointestinal tract. No association between occupational exposure to untreated wastewater or crop consumption and blood lead levels was detected. Further environmental and health surveillance is recommended.
Authors:
E Cifuentes; J Villanueva; L H Sanin
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  International journal of occupational and environmental health     Volume:  6     ISSN:  1077-3525     ISO Abbreviation:  Int J Occup Environ Health     Publication Date:    2000 Jul-Sep
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2000-10-06     Completed Date:  2000-10-06     Revised Date:  2007-11-06    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9505217     Medline TA:  Int J Occup Environ Health     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  177-82     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, CISP, Head, Department of Environmental Health, Av Universidad 655, Sta Maria Ahuacatitlan, Morelos CP 62508, Cuernavaca, México. ecifuent@insp3.insp.mx
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Agricultural Workers' Diseases / blood*,  etiology*
Agriculture*
Calcium, Dietary / analysis
Ceramics
Female
Food Habits
Humans
Intestinal Absorption
Lead / blood*
Lead Poisoning / blood*,  etiology*
Male
Mexico
Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*,  analysis*
Predictive Value of Tests
Questionnaires
Risk Factors
Waste Disposal, Fluid*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Calcium, Dietary; 0/Ceramics; 7439-92-1/Lead

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