Old paint removal and blood lead levels in children.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors, particularly paint removal and clean up practices, for elevated blood lead levels in children, 12 to 24 months old, living in Wellington city.


METHODS
Children living in residences more than 50 years old, where residential paint removal had taken place in the last two years, were recruited. Care givers were interviewed, a blood sample was taken from the child's arm and a dust wipe sample was collected from the kitchen floor. Blood and dust samples were analysed for lead content.


RESULTS
Data were collected for 141 children (75% of those eligible). The mean blood lead level was 0.24 mumol/L (5.06 micrograms/dL). Higher blood levels were associated with lower income of the main family earner, playing outside, eating dirt and parental hobbies involving lead use. Children receiving regular medical treatment were at lower risk of lead absorption. With the exception of paint removal involving blow torches, none of the paint removal, clean up, or disposal practices was more strongly associated than the other methods with elevated blood lead levels in children living in the household. Dust wipes from the kitchen floor had little predictive value for blood lead level.


CONCLUSIONS
High temperature methods of paint removal and parental hobbies involving lead are associated with higher lead levels in children. Given the availability of alternative means of paint removal, continuing use of high temperature methods is unnecessary. Further work is needed to assess lead absorption risks associated with hobbies involving lead.
Bates
M N
MN
Epidemiology Group, Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Porirua.
Wyatt
R
R
Garrett
N
N
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006686:Hobbies; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D010150:Paint / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors
D004391:Dust; D007854:Lead