[Comparison of children's blood lead levels in Shanghai before and after the introduction of lead free gasoline].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the blood lead levels of children before and after the introduction of lead free gasoline in Shanghai.


METHODS
We measured the blood lead levels in 1972 children in Shanghai before the introduction of lead free gasoline in Shanghai. The blood lead levels of those children were re-determined 6 months after the leaded gasoline was phased out.


RESULTS
After leaded gasoline was phased out, geometric mean of blood lead levels was decreased significantly from 83 micrograms/L to 80 micrograms/L. The prevalence rate of childhood lead poisoning (blood lead level equal to or more than 100 micrograms/L) decreased from 37.8% to 25.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
The introduction of lead free gasoline could decrease children's blood lead levels in Shanghai. However, the magnitude of decrease is not as great as expected, suggesting that more environmental interventions, such as industry emission control, are needed to prevent childhood lead poisoning.
Shen
X
X
Xin Hua Hospital, Center for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Research, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200092.
Yan
C
C
Zhang
Y
Y
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005742:Gasoline / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012494:Sampling Studies
D005742:Gasoline; D007854:Lead