RISK-FACTORS ASSOCIATED TO HIGH LEAD BLOO D-CONCENTRATIONS IN CHILDREN OF MEXICO-CITY

Risk factors that contribute to high blood lead concentrations were de termined in 113 infants, aged 3 to 7 years old, that attended pediatri c consultation at the American British Cowdray Hospital (ABC) from May 1991 to October 1992. The range of blood lead concentrations was 4 to 45 mug/dl, with an average value of 15.6 mug/dl (DE=70), and a geomet ric mean of 14.2 mug/dl (IC95%=11.9-165). Seventy six percent of the c hildren presented blood lead concentrations of over 10 mug/dl. The mai n predictors of blood lead levels were the use of glazed pottery for c ooking rice (ANOVA, p=0.0000) and the storage of food in glazed potter y (t-test, p=0.005). There was a significant association between the u se of glazed pottery for cooking rice and blood lead concentrations (t endency p=0.000). The attributable risk of this population due to the use of glazed pottery was 81 per cent. This study sustains the need to develop and enforce public health policies for programs of lead poiso ning prevention.