Identification of Lead Poisoning in Vulnerable Communities: Experience of an Environmental Unit in Primary Care in Uruguay

• Main Authors: Carolina Juanena, Darío Alberto Pose Román, Adriana Sosa, Aria Jose Moll, Sergio Machado, Gabriela Peredo, Amalia Laborde
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedad Española de Sanidad Ambiental 2021-06-01
• Series: Revista de Salud Ambiental
• Subjects: contaminación; fuentes; plomo; suelos; atención primaria
• Online Access: https://ojs.diffundit.com/index.php/rsa/article/view/1044

The aim of this study is to describe the blood lead levels (BLLs) of the population living in informal settlements with soil lead levels above 400 mg/kg. This is a retrospective study of the visits people living in such informal settlements made to the UPA between 2011 and 2018. The population under study was a convenience sample including children up to 15 years of age and pregnant women who went to primary care centers on their own accord. Their BLLs were analyzed by differential pulse anodic stripping voltametry (DPASV) using a Lead Care II® Blood Analyzer. BLLs above 5 μg/dl were then confirmed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). 606 individuals from 7 informal settlements (6 in Montevideo and 1 in Canelones) were seen during this period of time: 530 (87.4 %) were under 15 years of age, and 76 (12.6 %) older than 15, 2 of which (0.3 %) were pregnant women and 74 (12.3 %) relatives of the children. 32% (n = 194) of the patients had BLLs above 5 μg/dL, and of these, 54% (n = 106) were children under five. Of those cases with BLLs above 10 μg/dl (n = 55), 52 % (n = 29) were children under five. Contaminated soils are relevant points of exposure. According to the American Pediatrics Academy (AAP), children with BLLs above 5 μg/dL require more exposure and surveillance studies. Therefore, intersectoral interaction with the primary care network is a key tool for determining which communities are at risk and hence prioritize interventions.