Babu Jayachelvi, Aravindalochanan Vigneswari, Sendhil Saritha, Balakrishnan Kalpana
Public Health, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Nov 15;16(11):e73785. doi: 10.7759/cureus.73785. eCollection 2024 Nov.
Lead exposure is a widely acknowledged risk to public health for children and adults. However, despite efforts to phase out major sources over the last several decades, estimates of the prevalence of blood lead exposures and associated risks remain poorly characterized in many low- and middle-income countries.
This study aimed to determine blood lead levels (BLLs) and assess potential sources of lead exposure among urban communities in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
We obtained blood samples from a cross-sectional sample of 300 healthy individuals aged between 18 and 60. BLLs were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following microwave digestion. A questionnaire was administered to gather information on potential sources of lead exposure. Multivariate regression models were then developed to identify major determinants of BLLs.
The mean BLL was 5.3 µg/dL with BLLs in 49% of the participants exceeding 5 µg/dL. Multiple linear regression analysis identified six predictor variables (low socio-economic status, age, male gender, proximity to industrial areas, using leaded paint and metallic cookware) that explained nearly 76% of the variance in the BLLs (F-value 82.39; p-value: < 0.001).
The results highlight the need for continued targeted interventions to reduce lead exposure, particularly among vulnerable populations in Chennai. Establishing greater capacities for regular biomonitoring and education on lead exposure prevention are recommended.
铅暴露对儿童和成人的公共健康构成了广泛认可的风险。然而，尽管在过去几十年里已努力逐步淘汰主要铅源，但在许多低收入和中等收入国家，血铅暴露的患病率及其相关风险的估计仍不明确。
本研究旨在测定印度泰米尔纳德邦金奈市城市社区的血铅水平（BLLs），并评估铅暴露的潜在来源。
我们从300名年龄在18至60岁之间的健康个体的横断面样本中采集了血样。采用微波消解后，使用电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS）测定血铅水平。通过问卷调查收集铅暴露潜在来源的信息。然后建立多元回归模型，以确定血铅水平的主要决定因素。
平均血铅水平为5.3μg/dL，49%的参与者血铅水平超过5μg/dL。多元线性回归分析确定了六个预测变量（社会经济地位低、年龄、男性、靠近工业区、使用含铅油漆和金属炊具），这些变量解释了血铅水平近76%的方差（F值82.39；p值：<0.001）。
研究结果凸显了持续进行有针对性干预以减少铅暴露的必要性，尤其是在金奈的弱势群体中。建议加强定期生物监测和铅暴露预防教育的能力建设。
