[Heavy metal as risk factor of cardiovascular disease--an analysis of blood lead and urinary mercury].
OBJECTIVE
We wanted to investigate the relationship between heavy metal, especially lead and mercury, to the blood pressure and cholesterol level in children.


METHODS
This study was undertaken in three primary schools and the study subjects were a total of 274 children. The lead in the blood and the urine mercury were analyzed by performing atomic absorption spectroscopy.


RESULTS
All of participants' blood lead levels and urine mercury concentrations were below the suggested level of concern according to the criteria of the CDC and ATSDR. We found no significant correlation between lead, mercury and the blood pressure. The blood lead level did not show any relationship with the blood pressure and cholesterol. However, the urine mercury levels were associated with the serum cholesterol.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that mercury can induce an increase of cholesterol as a risk factor of myocardial infraction and coronary/cardiovascular disease.
Kim
Dae-Seon
DS
Environmental Epidemiology Division, Environmental Risk Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research.
Lee
Eun-Hee
EH
Yu
Seung-Do
SD
Cha
Jung-Hoon
JH
Ahn
Seung-Chul
SC
D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013057:Spectrum Analysis
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D007854:Lead; D002784:Cholesterol; D008628:Mercury