Blood lead levels in children aged 0-6 years old in Hunan Province, China from 2009-2013

PLoS One. 2015 Apr 1;10(4):e0122710. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122710. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe blood lead levels (BLLs) and the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (EBLLs) in children aged 0-6 years old and to analyze the BLL trend in children from 2009 to 2013 in China.

Methods: A total of 124,376 children aged 0-6 years old were recruited for this study from January 1st 2009 to December 31st 2013. Their blood lead levels were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results: The median BLL was 64.3 μg/L (IQR: 49.6-81.0), and the range was 4.3-799.0 μg/L. Blood lead levels were significantly higher in boys (66.0 μg/L) than in girls (61.9 μg/L) (P<0.001). The overall prevalence of BLLs≥100 μg/L was 10.54% in children aged 0-6 years in Hunan Province. Between 2009 and 2013, the prevalence of EBLLs (≥100 μg/L) decreased from 18.31% to 4.26% in children aged 0-6 years and increased with age. The prevalence of EBLLs has dramatically decreased in two stages (2009-2010 and 2012-2013), with a slight fluctuation in 2010 and 2011.

Conclusions: Both BLLs and the prevalence of EBLLs in children aged 0-6 years old declined substantially from 2009 to 2013 in Hunan Province; however, both remain at unacceptably high levels compared to developed countries. Comprehensive strategies are required to further reduce blood lead levels in children.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China / epidemiology
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Environmental Pollutants / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lead / blood*
  • Lead Poisoning / blood*
  • Lead Poisoning / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Prevalence

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Lead

Grants and funding

This study was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology in China (Grant#:2012GS430101 and Grant#:2012BAI04B01). The funding institution had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. No additional external funding was given to the study.