Journal of Health and Pollution (Jan 2011)
Mapping Global Environmental Lead Poisoning in Children
Abstract
Background. Despite major reductions in environmental lead contamination and mean blood lead levels (BLLs) in children, hotspot lead exposure remains a concern for children globally. Recent mass lead intoxication events in Senegal (2008) and Nigeria (since 2010) illustrate the potential severity of such exposures in children. Objectives. The authors created a global map of children’s BLLs from the published literature and from sites where Blacksmith Institute has worked to remediate lead contamination. This project is intended to draw attention to the continued existence of lead hotspots in the developing world and to underline the need for investigation in regions where data is of poor quality or nonexistent. Methods. The authors collected data from the published literature through a PubMed literature search, and unpublished data from Blacksmith cleanup sites. Eligible studies measured blood lead levels in children (age < 18) using a standard laboratory method or the LeadCare® instrument and test kit, and met minimum data quality standards. Mean and median BLLs were classified into three categories: 1) < 10 μg/dL, 2) 10–19 μg/dL, and 3) ≥ 20 μg/dL. Lead exposure hotspots, those with a mean or median BLL ≥ 10 μg/dL, were stratified by suspected lead source and mean or median BLL. Results. The authors reviewed 1,011 studies and datasets, 120 of which met the inclusion criteria. Of 242 included populations, 57 (24%) were lead hotspots. Most of the included studies came from North America, Western Europe, the Caribbean, India, Bangladesh, South Korea, and China; few studies came from Africa, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, or South America. The 57 hotspots represented more than 8,000 children, mostly in countries that have child and adult mortality rates ranging from low to high child and very high adult mortality, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Conclusions. This mapping exercise underscores the continued and urgent need for high-quality investigations of lead exposure hotspots in regions where health is poor, and where no data currently exist. Designing effective remediation efforts will involve continued training of public health and environmental professionals in these countries to protect children most at risk. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests
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