Yearly measurements of blood lead in Swedish children since 1978: an update focusing on the petrol lead free period 1995-2001.
OBJECTIVE
To assess blood lead concentrations (B-Pb) in children not exposed to petrol lead. In a previous paper we reported the results for the period 1978-94 (2441 children measured). A substantial decrease of B-Pb was found, which reflected a beneficial effect of gradual banning of petrol lead. Since 1994, petrol sold in Sweden has not contained lead.


METHODS
In the south of Sweden, each year from 1995 to 2001, B-Pb was measured in 329 boys and 345 girls, aged 7-11 years.


RESULTS
The geometric mean (GM) of B-Pb was 21 (range 6-80) microg/l. There was no consistent change of B-Pb from 1995 to 2001. Children living near a lead smelter had raised B-Pb (GM 24 microg/l, range 11-80). Passive smoking, but not age and sex, influenced B-Pb significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
B-Pb in Swedish children, no longer exposed to petrol lead, seems to have stabilised at an average level close to 20 microg/l (provided there is no nearby industrial lead emission).
Strömberg
U
U
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden. ulf.stromberg@ymed.lu.se
Lundh
T
T
Schütz
A
A
Skerfving
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D007854:Lead