Detection and analysis of lead concentrations in blood of 3 075 children in Xiamen

Objective: To provide the scientific guidance for the prevention of lead poisoning in children,the lead concen-trations in blood of children in Xiamen is investigated.Methods: 3 075 cases of outpatients in our hospital were surveyed randomly in the range of 0-12 years old.The concentrations of lead in blood of these children were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer.Results: The mean blood lead concentration was 64.98 μg/L,and the ratio of lead poisoning of all surveyed children was 9.33%.Both the above indexes increase gradually with the increase of age and are higher of boys in comparison with those of girls.Conclusion: The lead poisoning rate of children in Xiamen is close to the average level of other cities,however,the blood lead level tends to increase with the increase of age.The effect of lead pol-lution on physical health of children should be paid more attention nowadays.