Environmental lead exposure in a population of children in northern France: factors affecting lead burden.
BACKGROUND
This study is part of the assessment of a site in northern France polluted by lead from industrial emissions. Our objectives were to look for the factors that influence lead burden in children aged 8-11 years.


METHODS
A cross-sectional population-based study took place in 1996-97 and included 400 children (200 of whom lived on the metal-polluted site).


RESULTS
The geometric mean of the blood-lead levels of children living on the polluted site was 39.5 microg/l (95% CI = 36.3-43.1); that of the non-exposed children was 30.6 microg/l (95% CI = 27.8-33.6) (P < 0.0001). Analysis of the variations in the mean blood-lead levels showed associations with: distance from the smelting plants (mean blood-lead level fell by a factor of 1/1.3 (95% CI = 1/1.2-1/1.4) for each km from the smelter over the range of 1-3 km and was constant thereafter) and consumption of tap water (when the water pipes were made of lead, the mean blood-lead level of children who drank tap water was twice as high (95% CI = 1.2-3.4) as that of children who did not).


CONCLUSIONS
The children's blood-lead levels were essentially linked to two factors: proximity to the smelters and drinking tap rather than bottled water.
Leroyer
A
A
Centre de Recherche en Santé Travail Ergonomie, Lille, France. aleroyer@nordnet.fr
Nisse
C
C
Hemon
D
D
Gruchociak
A
A
Salomez
J L
JL
Haguenoer
J M
JM
D001822:Body Burden; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000097:blood*
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007854:Lead