Blood lead levels among police officers in Lima and Callao, 2004.

Lead contamination is a public health problem of world-wide scope that negatively affects the health of especially women and children. Nevertheless, studies on lead contamination and its impact on health in Peru are limited. The objective of the present study was to determine blood lead levels (BLL) of traffic police officers in Lima and Callao compared with values in police officers working indoors and with data obtained in 1992. The study was performed in May-June 2004 and included 52 traffic officers and 50 officers working in police stations in the north, center and east of Lima and Callao, Peru. Both groups were of similar age. The dependent variables were arterial blood pressure and BLL obtained in each officer. In addition a questionnaire was applied to evaluate risk factors for lead exposure. In 2004, the average BLL in traffic police officers was higher (44.7+/-6.1microg/l) than that of indoor police officers (39.3+/-8.2microg/l) (p=0.0001). However, none of the police officers had BLL of over 100microg/l. No differences were observed in the location of the residences of the participants and the respective traffic density. Those over 30 years of age had a higher risk of having a BLL over 42microg/l than younger officers (odds ratio (OR)=4.45). Traffic police officers had a higher risk of BLL >42microg/l (OR=4.80). Compared with data from 1992 obtained from the literature, an important reduction has been observed in 2004. This may be a consequence of the policy to eliminate leaded gasoline in Peru. However, it is still necessary to monitor this policy to ensure the elimination of lead in gasoline.