Blood lead and erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels in Kazakhstan.
A pilot study was conducted to examine the extent of lead exposure and prevalence of iron deficiency in 3 major cities of Kazakhstan. Blood lead (B-Pb.) and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (ZnPP) levels of 475 children, age range 6 months to 7 yeas were measured. The mean B-Pb. levels in the different cities ranged from 4-7 micrograms/dl (minimum 1 to max 29 micrograms/dl) and similarly the mean ZnPP levels ranged from 26-32 micrograms/dl (minimum 12 and maximum 95 micrograms/dl), thus confirming low level lead poisoning of children at some sites. One to four year olds had greater than 10 micrograms/dl B-Pb in 18-27% cases compared with 3-7% cases in five to seven year olds. Prevalence of iron deficiency in 6 months to 4 year old children was the highest ranging from 28-86% compared with 4 to 15% in 4-7 year olds. However, there was remarkably low prevalence (4%) of iron deficiency in a group of 5-6 years olds. This study suggests that a targeted B-Pb and ZnPP monitoring together with an iron supplementation programme in the 3 cities of Kazakhstan is essential. Environmental education appears to have had a positive impact in lowering B-Pb at one site and should thus be expanded nationwide.
Kaul
B
B
Kaulson Laboratories, Inc. West Caldwell, NJ 07006, USA.
Rasmuson
J O
JO
Olsen
R L
RL
Chanda
C R
CR
Slazhneva
T I
TI
Granovsky
E I
EI
Korchevsky
A A
AA
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004912:Erythrocytes; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007623:Kazakhstan / Q000453:epidemiology; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood*
D011524:Protoporphyrins; D007854:Lead