Factors affecting blood lead concentrations in the UK: results of the EEC blood lead surveys, 1979-1981.

Surveys of blood lead concentrations carried out in the UK under the EEC screening programme for lead covered 8500 people. Blood lead analyses were subject to stringent quality assurance schemes. Significant variations in blood lead were found with age and sex, smoking and drinking habits, social class (in children), age of dwelling and geographical location but not with social class in adults, or with ethnic origin. Blood lead concentrations in childhood exposed to leadworks fell in 1981 following efforts to reduce emissions and improve workers' hygiene. Levels in those living near major roads were not very different from those in the general population in the same area. The highest blood lead concentrations were related to plumbosolvent water; lower levels in 1981 confirmed the effectiveness of remedial water treatment. Broadly similar effects of personal, social and environmental factors on blood lead have been found in other major studies. The findings that several geographical, environmental and personal factors were significantly related to the blood lead concentrations of children and adults have implications for all studies of blood lead concentrations in the general population.