title: Blood lead levels in Finnish preschool children.
abstract: The blood lead (Pb-B), hemoglobin and hematocrit were measured in 286 Finnish children living in the three largest cities of Finland (n = 172), in rural areas (n = 54) and in a lead smelter area (n = 60). Pb-B was determinated using an atomic absorption spectrophotometric micro method. The precision of the method was good, as was the accuracy tested by an international interlaboratory comparison. The mean Pb-B in urban, rural and lead smelter areas varied between 6.0 - 6.7 microgram/100 ml** (range 3 - 17 microgram/100 ml) and there were no significant differences between the residential areas. The mean values of hemoglobin and hematocrit were in the normal range. The Pb - B values in Finnish children studied were low compared with many international studies but at a similar level as in some recent Scandinavian studies.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D007854:Lead