Study on Blood Lead Levels of Children and High-risk Factors in Shenzhen City

Objective To investigate the blood lead levels of children and to identify related risk factors in Shenzhen City. Methods A total number of 834 children aged 1～6 years were selected to test the blood lead levels. Potentially related risk factors of 611 children were collected using questionnaires. 1 568 food from 6 categories were randomly sampled to measure lead contents. A multi-variable linear regression was used to analyze the correlation between blood lead levels and risk factors. Results Blood lead contents of 834 children were from 22 0 μg/L to 197 4 μg/L, with an average value of 90 6 μg/L, of which 317 children(38 01%) were found with a blood lead level≥100 μg/L. The average value of lead contents in food was 0.41 mg/kg and 1 15% of the samples were above the standard. New decoration in family or kindergarten, metal or painted toys, parent smoking, food and commodities with high lead contents were positive correlated with blood lead contents. Conclusion Blood lead Levels of children are correlated with the lead pollution in living environments and undesirable living habits. A comprehensive Intervention program is necessary to control and prevent lead pollution problem in children.