Children's blood lead levels after the phasing out of leaded gasoline in Shantou, China.
Shantou, a city in the People's Republic of China, has a central urban population of approximately 700,000 and a large number of registered vehicles (motorcycles = 256,600; other motor vehicles = 261,000). Shantou is designated as 1 of the 5 Special Economic Zones in China. The use of leaded gasoline was prohibited in the city at the end of 1998. Blood samples for lead analysis were collected from children aged 1-5 yr during the summers of 1999-2001, and the samples were analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. In 1999, 44.3% (147/332) of the children had mean blood lead levels in excess of 100 microg/l. The percentage of children with blood lead levels that exceeded 100 microg/l was reduced to 35.8% (227/635) and 23.0% (105/457) in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Average blood lead levels declined from 104 microg/l, to 94 microg/l, and 79 microg/l during the 3-yr period, respectively; the respective concordant geometric means were 97 microg/l, 85 microg/l, and 71 microg/l. Mean blood lead levels for the children studied decreased significantly (p < 0.05) every year. Among all children tested during the 3-yr period, there were no significant differences by gender and no significant differences between children who were between the ages of 2 and 3 yr; however, those who were 4 yr of age had blood lead levels that were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than levels in those 2 and 3 yr of age.
Luo
Wenhong
W
The Central Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. whluo@stu.edu.cn
Zhang
Yuan
Y
Li
Hui
H
D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000506:poisoning*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005742:Gasoline / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011640:Public Policy; D014505:Urban Population; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis*
D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D005742:Gasoline; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D007854:Lead