title: Risk factors for lead exposure in adult population in southern Brazil.
abstract: In Brazil there is no systematic evaluation to access blood lead levels (BLL) in the general population and few studies with adults have been published. The aim of this study was to examine the socioeconomic, environmental, and lifestyle determinants of BLL in the adult Brazilian population. In total, 959 adults, aged 40 years or more, were randomly selected in a city in southern Brazil. Information on socioeconomic, dietary, lifestyle, and occupational background was obtained by interviews. A spatial analysis was conducted to discern whether there were any identifiable sources of exposure. BLL were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. There was an adjustment for gender, age, race, education, income class, smoking status, alcohol consumption, occupation, and red meat or cow milk consumption (Model 1), and for occupation and gender (Model 2). The geometric mean of BLL was 1.97 μg/dl (95% CI: 1.9-2.04 μg/dl). In Model 1, BLL were positively associated with male gender, older age, and drinking and smoking habits, and less frequently with milk consumption. In Model 2, data showed higher BLL in non-white than white participants, in former smokers and individuals with current or former employment in lead (Pb) industries. The participants living in the area with more Pb industries had higher BLL (3.3 μg/dl) compared with those residing in other areas with no or fewer Pb industries (1.95 μg/dl). Despite the low BLL found in adults living in an urban area, Pb industries need to be monitored and regulatory laws implemented to prevent metal contamination in urban settings.
authors.affiliation: a Graduate Program in Public Health, Center of Health Sciences , State University of Londrina , Parana , Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Carolina Bertin
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Almeida Lopes
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Navas-Acien
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zamoiski
authors.forename: Ellen Kovner
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Silbergeld
authors.forename: Maria de Fatima H
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Marcia Liane
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Buzzo
authors.forename: Mariana Ragassi
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Urbano
authors.forename: Airton da Cunha
authors.initials: Ada C
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Monica Maria Bastos
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Paoliello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007854:Lead