LIFE-STYLE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AS DETERMINANTS OF BLOOD LEADLEVELS IN ELDERLY WOMEN

This report presents descriptive data on blood lead levels in 530 whit e women aged 65-87 years and examines the association of blood lead le vel in this population with specific variables, including age, diet, r eproductive and lifestyle factors, and place of residence. Women were recruited from an urban (Baltimore, n = 205) and a rural site (the Mon ongahela Valley, Pennsylvania, n = 325) during the period 1990-1991. I nformation on lifestyle, medical history, and demographics was obtaine d by questionnaire and interview. Blood lead concentrations were measu red by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean blood lead level of this cohort (5.3 mu g/dl) was nearly 60% lower than that reported b y a national survey in 1976-1980 for white women aged 65-74 years (12. 8 mu g/dl). Urban women had significantly higher blood lead levels tha n rural women (p<0.0001). Urban residence, smoking, alcohol consumptio n, and years since menopause were positively associated with blood lea d level, while body mass index, breast feeding, current estrogen repla cement therapy, moderate physical activity, and calcium intake were in versely associated. These data suggest that mean blood lead levels hav e declined dramatically since 1980. Because it is not known at what le vel of lead exposure adverse health effects occur, other factors that modify lead levels, metabolism, or susceptibility, such as nutrition a nd consumption of tobacco and alcohol, become important.