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Surveillance of elevated blood lead levels in children in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico, 1998–2010

Surveillance of elevated blood lead levels in children in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico, 1998–2010

Authors :
Recio-Vega, Rogelio
Valdez-Abrego, Camilo
Adame-Lopez, Beatriz
Gurrola-Mendez, Aurora
Source :
International Journal of Hygiene & Environmental Health. Sep2012, Vol. 215 Issue 5, p507-513. 7p.
Publication Year :
2012

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Because children exposed to lead have a very high health risk, surveillance and prevention programs are very important to avoid short- and long-term health effects. Objectives: To describe the trend for the blood lead levels over a 12-year period in environmentally exposed children and to document the actions implemented to reduce the blood lead levels. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of children aged 0–15 years who were enrolled in the Coahuila Health Secretary''s Childhood Blood Lead Level Surveillance program. This database includes children from the city of Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico, where the biggest smelter in Latin America is located. Results: A total of 151,322 observations were analyzed in the study. The percentage of samples with elevated blood lead levels decreased from 84.9% to 10.4% during 1998–2010, and the decrease was greater in girls than in boys. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, the majority of strategies and activities to decrease blood lead levels in an environmentally exposed population should be focused on children aged 0–5 years, on the home environment, on preventing fugitive emissions from smelters and other sources and on the proper disposal and confinement of industrial residues. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14384639
Volume :
215
Issue :
5
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
International Journal of Hygiene & Environmental Health
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
76469294
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2011.10.009