Children's Blood Lead Levels after the Phasing Out of Leaded Gasoline in Shantou, China

Abstract

Shantou, a city in the People's Republic of China, has a central urban population of approximately 700,000 and a large number of registered vehicles (motorcycles = 256,600; other motor vehicles = 261,000). Shantou is designated as 1 of the 5 Special Economic Zones in China. The use of leaded gasoline was prohibited in the city at the end of 1998. Blood samples for lead analysis were collected from children aged 1-5 yr during the summers of 1999-2001, and the samples were analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. In 1999, 44.3% (147/332) of the children had mean blood lead levels in excess of 100 μg/I. The percentage of children with blood lead levels that exceeded 100 μg/I was reduced to 35.8% (227/635) and 23.0% (105/457) in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Average blood lead levels declined from 104 μg/I, to 94 μg/I, and 79 μg/I during the 3-yr period, respectively; the respective concordant geometric means were 97 μg/I, 85 μg/I, and 71 μg/I. Mean blood lead levels for the children studied decreased significantly (p < 0.05) every year. Among all children tested durin the 3-yr period, there were no significant differences by gender and no significant differences between children who were between the ages of 2 and 3 yr; however, those who were 4 yr of age had blood lead levels that were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than levels in those 2 and 3 yr of age.

Keywords:

• blood lead
• child health
• China
• leaded gasoline
• lead levels