[Blood lead levels in children of Cordoba City].

Exposure to environmental lead is a major hazard to public health. International Environmental Agencies have assessed that blood lead concentrations of 10.0-15.0 micrograms/dl or even lower may be a risk factor for children. This survey focussed on environmental lead contamination and tried to provide information about blood lead levels in the children population of Cordoba City. A total of 172 children between 6 months and 9 years of age assisted in health centers and hospitals from December 1995 to December 1996 were surveyed. Lead assessment was performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with graphite furnace. Results revealed that 73.3% of the children population studied exhibited blood lead levels lower than 10.0 micrograms/dl; 19.2% evidenced risk concentration levels (10.0-14.9 micrograms/dl) and 7.6% showed concentrations higher than 15.0 micrograms/dl. It was confirmed that children with elevated concentrations lived in areas where numerous car repair shops are located. Three of the subjects lived in slums. From the group with low blood lead levels (< 10.0 micrograms/dl), 25 children lived downtown or near main avenues of heavy traffic and belonged to middle class families. Our survey showed a high occurrence of children with lead levels higher than 15.0 micrograms/dl (7.6%) whose etiology risk factors have been identified. Prevention should be able to cut down this occurrence through a safe control of environmental lead sources.