title: [Usefulness of the geographic information system (GIS) in the identification of contributing factors to lead blood concentrations in a population of Venezuelan children].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify environmental factors that contribute to blood lead levels (BPb) in children living in an urban area in Valencia, Venezuela, using a Geographical Information System (GIS) as an association tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  An analytical-ecological study was carried out.
  
  
  METHODS
  60 children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demography, potential sources of environmental lead and BPb concentrations. An association was made between environmental variables and BPb, using a buffer analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant difference between BPb in males (11.1+/-3.1 microg/dl) compared to females (9.5+/-2.7 microg/dl). Average BPb of children living within the buffer areas (10.7+/-3.2 microg/dl) was higher than that of the rest of the children (9.9+/-2.5 microg/dl). Children with BPb levels higher than the permissible limit who live in the southern region of the area studied had an average BPb significantly higher than the rest. The GIS enabled the identification of a soldering/welding shop as the nearest source of exposure to the male children's homes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GIS made it possible to recognize sources of lead exposure in the area and its association with the BPb levels of children that live near such sources. It is suggested to further evaluate additional factors that could influence the risk of lead exposure.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Toxicológicas, Universidad de Carabobo (CITUC), Valencia, Venezuela. cituc@intercable.net.ve
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Espinosa
authors.forename: Maritza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seijas
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014687:Venezuela
chemical_list: D007854:Lead