Blood lead levels in the general population of Taiwan,Republic of China |
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Authors: | Saou-Hsing Liou Trong-Neng Wu Horn-Che Chiang Guang-Yang Yang Yea-Quay Wu Jim-Shoung Lai Shien-Tsong Ho Yue-Liang Guo Ying-Chin Ko Po-Ya Chang |
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Institution: | (1) National Defense Medical Center, School of Public Health, P.O. Box 90048-509, 10107 Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.;(2) Department of Health, The executive Yuan, No. 5, Lane 2, Chun-Shien S. Rd., Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.;(3) Department of Family and Occupational Medicine, Taiwan Provincial Hsinchu Hospital, No. 25, Lane 442, Sec. 1, Chin-Kuo Rd., Hsin Chu, Taiwan, R.O.C.;(4) Institute of Environmental Health, China Medical College, No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Rd., Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.;(5) Department of Industrial Safety and Hygiene, Chia-Nan Jr. College of Pharmacy, No. 72-1, Pao-An Tsun, Jen-Ter Shiang, Tainan Shien, Taiwan, R.O.C.;(6) Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, No. 138, Sheng-Li Rd., Tainan, Taiwan, R.O.C.;(7) School of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical College, No. 100, Shih-Chuan 1 St. Rd., Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C. |
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Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to investigate the environmental lead exposure of the general population in Taiwan. A total of 2919 residents of Taiwan were selected by multistage sampling methods. The participants were characterized by questionnaires and 10 ml venous blood was collected for blood lead measurement. A quality assurance/quality control program was designed during the analysis of blood lead levels. The mean blood lead level of 2719 residents without occupational lead exposure was 8.29 ± 5.92 g/dl. After adjustment for age and sex distribution to the Taiwan general population, the mean blood lead level was 8.10 g/dl. Adjusted for an 11% underestimation of blood lead levels among the six laboratories, the mean blood lead level was estimated to be 8.99 g/dl. This study also found that blood lead levels were associated with personal characteristics, i.e., gender, ethnic group, education level; lifestyle factors, i.e., smoking, alcohol consumption, sources of drinking water; and residential location, i.e., levels of urbanization, distance of house from the road. However, age, floor of residence, milk consumption, betel nut consumption, and Chinese herbal drug consumption were not found to be associated with blood lead levels. These results show that blood lead levels in Taiwan residents were not higher than in most developed and developing countries. Environmental lead pollution does not seem to be a serious problem in Taiwan. |
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Keywords: | Blood lead levels Environmental pollution Influence factors |
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