Demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with blood lead levels among Mexican-American children and adolescents in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to assess demographic and socioeconomic differences in blood lead levels (BLLs) among Mexican-American children and adolescents in the United States.


METHODS
We analyzed data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994, for 3,325 Mexican-American youth aged 1 to 17 years. The main study outcome measures included a continuous measure (microg/dL) of BLL and two dichotomous measures of BLL (> or =5 microg/dL and > or =10 microg/dL).


RESULTS
The mean BLL among Mexican-American children in the United States was 3.45 microg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.07, 3.87); 20% had BLL > or =5 microg/dL (95% CI 15%, 24%); and 4% had BLL > or =10 microg/dL (95% CI 2%, 6%). In multivariate analyses, gender, age, generational status, home language, family income, education of head of household, age of housing, and source of drinking water were statistically significant independent predictors (p<0.05) of having higher BLLs and of having BLL > or =5 microg/dL, whereas age, family income, housing age, and source of drinking water were significant predictors (p<0.05) of having BLL > or =10 microg/dL.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant differences in the risk of having elevated BLLs exist among Mexican-American youth. Those at greatest risk should be prioritized for lead screening and lead exposure abatement interventions.
Moralez
Leo S
LS
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA. morales@rand.org
Gutierrez
Peter
P
Escarce
Jose J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States
D007854:Lead