title: [Exposure to lead among the population of Barcelona: chronologic trends from 1984 to 1995].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to determine current lead exposure in the Barcelona population and to evaluate the changes occurred during the last 10 years. Blood lead concentration was investigated in a random sample of 694 healthy subjects (age range: 0-65 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults were random selected from a group of blood donors. Samples of children analysed were selected from subjects with a preoperatory analyses without any disease that could modify blood lead levels. Lead levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood lead concentration was 4.06 +/- 1.4 micrograms/dl in umbilical cord, 8.9 +/- 2.9 micrograms/dl in the paediatric population and 7.8 +/- 4.2 micrograms/dl in the total of adults analyzed. There was statistical differences between the younger subjects and the older population. In 1984 the results found were 18.6 +/- 6.6 micrograms/dl.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained show that in the last 10 years a reduction on the blood lead levels was occurred. This reduction is parallel with a diminish in the lead petrol concentration in the ambient air.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Toxicología, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torra
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodamilans
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montero
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Farré
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corbella
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D007854:Lead