Reducing childhood lead exposure: translating new understanding into clinic-based practice

Factors Associated With High Blood Lead Levels in a Sample of 100 Children in Tehran

Background:

Lead is considered a neurotoxic agent. We aimed to evaluate the blood lead level (BLL) in young population and determine probable risk factors of lead exposure in Iran.

Methods:

In a cross-sectional study, a total of 100 children were entered and their BLLs were checked.

Results:

In all, 25 and 8 patients had BLLs above 5 and 10 µg/dL, respectively. There was a significant univariate correlation between BLL and place of living, water pipe type, using dairy products, and stature in both cut-offs of 5 and 10 µg/dL. Binary regression analysis showed that pipe type was associated with high BLLs at cut-offs of 5 and 10 µg/dL, respectively. Also, there was an association between 50th percentile of stature for age and cut-off of 5 µg/dL.

Conclusions:

Higher BLLs may be seen in short stature pediatric population. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene water pipes may even cause more release of lead and result in higher absorption of this metal in the pediatric population.

Reduction of blood lead levels in lead-exposed mice by dietary supplements and natural antioxidants

BACKGROUND

Lead exposure is a global environmental problem that induces lifelong adverse health effects. Our aim was to investigate the effect of dietary supplements and natural antioxidants on blood lead levels (BLL) in lead-exposed mice, and observe their impact on the absorption of calcium, iron and zinc in vivo.

RESULTS

All of selected dietary supplements (calcium lactate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, ascorbic acid and calcium-rich milk) and natural antioxidants (extract of Chinese wolfberry, extract of Hangzhou white chrysanthemum and antioxidant extract of bamboo leaves) have promising capacity of reducing BLL in lead-exposed mice with an reduction range from 56.2% to 65.1%. The metal ion-mediated chelating and competitively inhibitory mechanisms may elucidate their reduction effect. Besides, blood calcium, iron and zinc levels were not significantly changed in all of the experimental groups, indicating that the intake of all additives does not disturb the absorption of essential mineral elements in mice.

CONCLUSION

All the studied additives not only effectively reduce BLL, but also maintain normal calcium, iron and zinc absorption in mice. The formulation of calcium, iron and zinc supplements and/or polyphenol and vitamin-rich antioxidants may constitute an important secondary prevention effort to reduce BLL and lead exposure.