Author/Authors :
Sawalha, A.F. An-Najah National University - Poison Control and Drug Information Centre, Palestine , Wright, R.O. Harvard Medical School - School of Public Health, USA , Bellinger, D.C. Harvard Medical School - School of Public Health, USA , Amarasiriwardean, C. Harvard Medical School - School of Public Health, USA , Abu-Taha, A.S. An-Najah National University - College of Pharmacy, Palestine , Sweileh, W.M. An-Najah National University - College of Pharmacy, Palestine
Abstract :
In Palestine, chronic exposure to lead has not been adequately addressed as a problem for children. To assess the exposure of Palestinian schoolchildren, we surveyed blood lead levels in 3 schools in Nablus city and collected demographic and clinical data. Blood samples were collected from 178 children (140 boys, 38 girls), age range 6–8 years. The overall mean blood lead level was 3.2 (SD 2.4) μg/dL, and 4.5% of children had levels above 10 μg/dL. Blood lead levels were significantly higher among children living in refugee camps near industrial/high traffic regions than among children living in residential areas of the city. Blood lead levels were positively correlated with family size (r = 0.15) and negatively correlated with household area (r = –0.18). Blood lead levels among these Palestinian schoolchildren were higher than those of other countries where leaded gasoline has been banned and seemed to be higher in more economically deprived children.
