Investigation of the relationship between lead paint and children s blood lead level

Introduction:Lead is one of the most durable and widely used heavy metals and its poisoning is one of the most important health problems in all ages, especially in children. One of the most common ways of lead poisoning in children is lead paints used in home painting.Methods:All children referred to the gastrointestinal clinic of Mofid and Loghman because of abdominal pain or constipation were examined by a pediatrician and their blood lead level was determined and children with lead levels Abnormal blood levels greater than 5 μg /dl were included in the study. Thirty children were selected from the 200 children referred to the gastrointestinal clinic due to abdominal pain or constipation or controls who had high blood lead levels.The control group was selected from children referred for pediatric surgery and their blood lead level was measured. The paints used in the painting of the children s homes were sampled and the lead content of the paint samples was measured by graphite atomic absorption spectroscopy. After determining the lead level of the paint samples, the relationship between this parameter and the blood lead level of the studied children was analyzed and SPSS software was used for data analysis.Result:Data analysis showed that the relationship between children s blood lead level with age, gender, weight, height, living status in recent months, age home, pica history, painting in recent months, residence in recent months, recent home remodeling had no significant relationship (p <0.05).There was a significant relationship between childern s blood lead level and father s occupation (P <0.05). There was also a significant relationship between blood lead level and lead in paint used in home painting (p.value <0.01).Discussion & Conclusion:Lead in paint is a threat to children. Therefore, extensive studies of lead, the use of suitable paints in home painting can prevent a high incidence of lead contamination.

Keywords:

Blood Lead Level , Lead , Paint , Poisoning