title: The health impact of environmental pollutants: a special focus on lead exposure in South Africa.
abstract: Studies have shown blood lead levels of some children in South Africa at levels of health concern. New studies show even relatively low lead levels to have detrimental effects on cognitive function in young children. Large numbers of South African inner-city and other children have been shown to have unacceptably high blood lead levels. Studies indicate that blood lead levels of children living in South Africa's urban areas are higher than those of children in most developed countries, including Great Britain, Europe, and the United States. Although data and reported studies are very sparse, mean blood lead levels of approximately 15 microg/dl have been reported in children. Elevated blood lead levels were associated with socioeconomic status and housing conditions. Key environmental risk factors for elevated blood levels were contaminated soil and dust in the urban environment, and the still large number of automobiles using leaded gasoline. In view of emerging evidence linking lead at increasingly lower levels to adverse effects in children, the South African government is taking actions to reduce lead exposure among vulnerable groups. Currently, South Africa has no national lead surveillance program. The government, therefore, has developed international and regional partnerships to prevent and address the problem of lead exposure.
authors.affiliation: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. cxh3@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Carolyn C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mathee
authors.forename: Yasmin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: von Schirnding
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Falk
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning*; D006291:Health Policy; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014507:Urbanization
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007854:Lead