A case-control study to determine risk factors for elevated blood lead levels in children, Idaho.
OBJECTIVE
A pair-matched, case-control study was conducted to identify if risk factors or behaviors suspected to affect childhood blood lead levels, were more prevalent among children with elevated blood lead levels living in the vicinity of a defunct mining and smelting facility.


METHODS
Study individuals were recruited from the 1992 Silver Valley blood lead screening participants. The cases were children with a blood lead level > 10 micrograms per deciliter (microgram/dL). The controls were children with a blood lead level < 10 micrograms/dL, who were matched to cases by age and sex. Data on risk factors were obtained through personal interviews.


RESULTS
Of the variables examined, yard soil remediation showed the strongest association with changes in blood lead levels. This variable was found to be a protective factor for elevated blood lead levels in children (odds ratio, 0.28; confidence interval, 0.08-0.92).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that removal of lead contaminated soil from residential yards was effective in reducing blood lead levels in children.
Maisonet
M
M
Agency for Toxie Substances and Disease Registry Division of Health Studies, Atlanta, Georgia, mnml@ATSDHS2.EM.CDC.GOV
Bove
F J
FJ
Kaye
W E
WE
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003710:Demography; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007061:Idaho / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008906:Mining; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors
D007854:Lead