title: Blood lead levels in children aged 5-9 years living in Cartagena, Colombia.
abstract: During June-August 2004, blood lead (BPb) levels and various hematological parameters were evaluated in children aged 5-9 years old at ten primary schools located in eight neighborhoods in Cartagena, Colombia. The schools selected for this study are attended mainly by children from families of low income. A total of 189 subjects participated in the survey. The arithmetic mean+/-standard error BPb level was 5.49+/-0.23 microg/dL (range<1.0-21.0 microg/dL). The geometric mean was 4.74 microg/dL (95% CI: 4.29-5.18). A proportion of the children (7.4%) had BPb levels above the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's threshold of concern (10 microg Pb/dL). BPb levels were correlated weakly, but significantly and positively, with red blood cell count (RBC), and negatively with child body size, age, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). BPb levels did not differ significantly between boys and girls but significant differences were observed between neighborhoods (P<0.001). Activities such as metal melting-related processes and fishing net sinker production are the main sources of Pb exposure in Cartagena.
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Computational Chemistry Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Cartagena, Campus of Zaragocilla, Cartagena, Colombia. joliverov@unicartagena.edu.co
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olivero-Verbel
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Marlin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Echenique
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guette
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johnson-Restrepo
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Parsons
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D049628:Body Size; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002947:Cities; D003105:Colombia; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012574:Schools
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D007854:Lead