Factors Influencing Child Blood Lead Concentrations: A Pilot Study in Hualien and Kaohsiung

• Main Authors: Chia-Chih Chang, 張嘉智
• Other Authors: 尹立銘
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/56584946686127583439

碩士 === 慈濟大學 === 公共衛生研究所 === 94 === Backgroud﹕Leaded gasoline was banned in 2000 in Taiwan. Before then, lead exposure was a well-known environmental pollution. Preschool children are susceptible to lead exposure, because lead affects their nerve systems and intelligence, and the damage is irreversible. This research intended to understand the relations between child blood lead levels and environmentally affecting factors, by using child blood lead concentrations and environmental lead data derived from two different geographical environments of Hualien and Kaohsiung. Methods：This research used purposive sampling, selecting 1~4-year-old preschool children as research subjects from 12 towns of Hualian and 3 towns of Kaohsiung. A blood sample and a questionnaire survey of living pattern were collected from each subject. Soil samples were taken from the two areas and the airborne lead data were retrieved from the local air monitoring sites. The description statistics and the deduction statistics were conducted using SPSS 10.0 Chinese Edition, and lead risk assessment software of IEUBK（developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency）and Crystal Ball was used to calculate the influence of environmental lead exposure on child blood lead levels. Results：This research analysis found that the mean child blood lead concentrations in Hualien and Kaohsiung were 0.91 ± 2.04 μg/dl and 2.24 ± 1.78 μg/dl, respectively, and the difference between two areas was significant（p=0.001）. The data showed that the blood lead concentrations were correlated with family’s occupations that were lead related. Children who lived in the houses with peeled paint chips had the higher blood lead concentrations, although the difference was not significant. There is one fact of concern that the aboriginal child blood lead concentrations were elevated in both Hualien and Kaohsiung. This may have been due to the poor living environments and hygiene conditions, and lack of awareness of lead-causing effects. Although the mean blood lead concentrations were different between the two areas, the pattern of lead exposure was similar; that is, environmental lead from the air and soils had impacts on blood lead concentrations. The risk assessment models of IEUBK and Crystal Ball, used to estimate child blood lead concentrations in Hualien and Kaohsiung with inputs of available environmental data, derived very close results to the blood lead data from this study. However, the models could only provide predictions for regular lead exposure. They will need to be modified if other factors are considered. Conclusions：This research result indicates that blood lead concentrations were lower than those in the previous time when leaded gasoline was consumed in Taiwan, but dose not imply that childhood lead exposure was no longer of concern, because lead causing damage on child’s physical and psychological development is permanent. Therefore, this research hopes to understand the influence factors of childhood lead exposure, to teach families of lead exposured children general and correct knowledge and medical treatment, and also effectively to reduce sources of childhood lead exposure. We expect that the health aqencies reinforce the policy of blood lead screening for all preschool children in the future and let them grow up healthly.