Epidemiological Survey on Blood Lead Levels of Preschool Children in Taiyuan.

Objective To estimate blood lead levels of preschool children in Taiyuan,and to identify high risk factors for lead poisoning in children. Methods Lead levels of 741 capillary blood from children aged 3 to 6 years old were checked by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectromety with filter paper method. Results The mean blood lead level was (0.486±0.140)μmol/L and 328 children(44.26%) were found with blood lead levels equal to or higher than 0.483μmol/L which is the definition of lead poisoning of children. Blood lead levels varied with geographic location.In the industrial distracts and suburbs blood lead level of children was higher than those in the city. Conclusions The blood lead level of preschool children in Taiyuan is considerably high,which may be correlated with the living environment.