title: Reference values of lead in blood and related factors among blood donors in the Western Amazon, Brazil.
abstract: The aim of this study was to (1) determine the reference value of blood lead levels (BLL) in a sample of blood donors of Rio Branco, the capital city of Acre, in the Western Brazilian Amazon, and (2) explore factors influencing lead (Pb) exposure levels. Between 2010 and 2011, blood samples were collected from universal blood donors attending the Central Hemotherapic Unit in Rio Branco with a total number of 1196. Information on characteristics of 1183 donors was obtained through questionnaires. Blood Pb concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry with detection limit of 0.003 μg/L. Association between BLL and participant characteristics was examined by linear regression analysis. Reference values of BLL were calculated as the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the 95th percentile. Reference values of BLL were 109.5 μg/L for men, 70.7 μg/L for women, 88.9 μg/L for younger individuals (18-29 yr), 115.3 μg/L for older ones (≥30 yr), 94.2 μg/L for nonsmokers, and 164.5 μg/L for smokers. Levels of BLL were significantly higher in males, subjects older than 29 yr, non-whites, smokers, regular consumers of manioc flour, and donors practicing any activity related to paints, ceramics, pottery, fishing, or firearms. Subjects with higher education, higher income, vitamin intake use, and drinkers of bottled water displayed lower BLL. In general, BLL in men and women from Rio Branco were higher than those described in other adult populations. Prevention of exposure of this population to local sources of Pb needs to be addressed.
authors.affiliation: a National School of Public Health , Oswaldo Cruz Foundation , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Freire
authors.forename: Rosalina Jorge
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Koifman
authors.forename: Denys
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Vanessa Cristina
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: de Oliveira Souza
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koifman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001782:Blood Donors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012016:Reference Values; D012306:Risk; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007854:Lead