von Schirnding Y E, Fuggle R F, Bradshaw D
Research Institute for Environmental Diseases, South African Medical Research Council, Parowvallei, CP.
S Afr Med J. 1991 Apr 20;79(8):454-6.
A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out to determine risk factors for childhood lead exposure. Blood lead levels of inner-city Sub A coloured children living in Woodstock were examined in relation to information obtained by questionnaire on environmental and social factors. The mean blood lead concentration of the population was 18 micrograms/dl. Thirteen per cent of children had blood lead levels greater than or equal to 25 micrograms/dl, the present USA 'action' level. Dusty homes and homes in a poor state of repair, over-crowding, low parental education and income, and other aspects related to family structure and socio-economic status, were associated with raised blood lead levels. It is suggested that social factors assume importance in predisposing children to lead in the environment. In particular, the over-crowded nature of the homes could have a direct bearing on the quality of the care-giving environment, providing opportunity for children's activities to go unsupervised. This could lead young children to be more exposed to accessible sources of lead associated with poor housing conditions. More attention needs to be given to examining the interaction of social and environmental factors in studies of childhood lead exposure.
开展了一项横断面分析研究，以确定儿童铅暴露的风险因素。对居住在伍德斯托克的内城区A区有色人种儿童的血铅水平进行了检测，并与通过问卷调查获得的环境和社会因素信息相关联。该人群的平均血铅浓度为18微克/分升。13%的儿童血铅水平大于或等于25微克/分升，这是目前美国的“行动”水平。家中灰尘多、房屋维修状况差、过度拥挤、父母教育程度和收入低，以及与家庭结构和社会经济地位相关的其他方面，都与血铅水平升高有关。研究表明，社会因素在使儿童易受环境中铅影响方面具有重要意义。特别是，家庭过度拥挤的性质可能直接影响照顾环境的质量，使儿童的活动无人监管。这可能导致幼儿更多地接触与恶劣住房条件相关的可获取铅源。在儿童铅暴露研究中，需要更加关注社会和环境因素的相互作用。
