Erythrocyte protoporphyrin and blood lead levels of children from Jammu and Srinagar and papier mache trainees

In order to examine the prevalence of iron deficiency and environmental lead absorption in children, erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) and blood lead (B-Pb) levels were measured in a group of 112 children from Jammu and Srinagar. The mean EP levels were 50 and 59 μg/dl and mean B-Pb were 15 and 8 μg/dl respectively. Similarly, the mean B-Pb and EP levels of papier mache trainees/workers were 23/25 and 96/98 μg/dl respectively. These results suggest higher incidence of iron deficiency in Srinagar children compared with those in Jammu. However, the mean B-Pb level of Jammu children was twice those in Srinagar. While this follow-up study on papier mache trainees/workers shows significant improvement in B-Pb since 1981, these levels are close to the currently recognized cut-off levels for children. Moreover, the continued underlying iron deficiency predisposes these young female trainees/workers to enhanced lead absorption, thus regular monitoring of both EP and B-Pb is recommended.