Reasons for testing and exposure sources among women of childbearing age with moderate blood lead levels.
The purpose of this study was to examine the circumstances under which women receive blood lead tests in New York State and to characterize the sources of lead exposure among women of childbearing age with moderate blood lead levels. Telephone interviews were conducted with 135 women between the ages of 18 and 45, with blood lead levels from 10 through 25 micrograms/dl, were used to collect information on the reason for their blood lead test and possible sources of lead exposure. It was found that the two most common reasons to be tested for blood lead were workplace screening (47%) and pregnancy (27%). Occupational exposure was the primary source of lead exposure in this population (46%). Another common source of lead exposure was home renovation (24%). A significant proportion (31%) of women with blood lead levels from 10 through 25 micrograms/dl had no known current source of lead exposure. Based on New York's sample, there are a significant number of women of reproductive age with potentially fetotoxic blood lead levels.
New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Occupational Health, Albany 12203, USA.
A M
AM
Fletcher
K H
KH
Gelberg
E G
EG
Marshall
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D014931:Women, Working / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D007854:Lead