Metal exposures in an inner-city neonatal population.
OBJECTIVE
We measured concentrations of lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) in umbilical cord whole blood and examined sources of environmental Pb exposures in a predominantly African-American population.


METHODS
Between April and July 2006, we collected reproductive histories, questionnaires, and blood samples from 102 women, aged 16-45 years, who delivered at a Memphis, TN hospital.


RESULTS
The prevalence of preeclampsia and low birth weight infancy in the study population was 11% and 10%, respectively. Twenty-eight percent of mothers reported living near a potential Pb-contaminated area, while 43% lived in a residence built before 1978. Geometric mean (GM) concentrations for umbilical cord blood in the study population were 1.3, 3.5, 9.0, and 52.0 microg/dL for Pb, Mn, Cr, and Cu, respectively. Six neonates had cord blood Pb (CBL) concentrations above 10 microg/dL, while 20 had CBL concentrations > or =2 microg/dL. GM umbilical CBL levels were higher in neonates born to women living near a potential Pb-contaminated area (2.2 vs. 1.1 microg/dL) and those with friends, family or household members exposed to lead products (1.6 vs. 1.1 microg/dL). Some evidence of an exposure-response relationship was also detected between all four metal concentrations and an increasing number of maternal lead exposures. After adjustment for confounding, proximity to a Pb-contaminated area was the strongest environmental determinant of CBL levels among neonates with CBL concentrations of > or =2 microg/dL (odds ratio=5.1; 95% CI=1.6, 16.7).


CONCLUSIONS
Metal concentrations were elevated in this population, and CBL levels were associated with proximity to Pb-contaminated areas.
Jones
Elizabeth A
EA
Association of Schools of Public Health, Washington DC 20005, USA.
Wright
J Michael
JM
Rice
Glenn
G
Buckley
Brian T
BT
Magsumbol
Melina S
MS
Barr
Dana B
DB
Williams
Bryan L
BL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology; D002857:Chromium / Q000097:blood; D002947:Cities; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D003710:Demography; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000097:blood; D008670:Metals / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013714:Tennessee / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
D008670:Metals; D002857:Chromium; D007854:Lead; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper