Lead exposure in the general population of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona: Blood levels and related factors

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 254 individuals not occupationally exposed to lead to determine the degree of lead exposure in the general po pulation of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. Blood lead levels (BPb) wer e analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and zinc protoporphyrin ( ZPP) by haemofluorimetry. Blood lead levels were analysed with respect to i ndividuals' age, sex, area of residence, the season of the year the blood w as drawn and ZPP. Mean blood lead in our series was 0.22 +/- 0.011 mu mol/l (mean +/- S.E.); no significant differences were found with respect to are a of residence, sex or season. A linear relationship was observed between B Pb and individuals' age (BPb = 0.08 +/- 0.05 x age; r = 0.37). The prevalen ce of lead intoxication (BPb > 0.48 mu mol/l) was 7.1%. No linear relations hip was observed between BPb and ZPP. ZPP determination does not appear to be a good screening method for lead intoxication since it presents low spec ificity and sensitivity values with an area below the ROC curve similar to the null value line (area below the curve = 0.5052, IC 95% = 0.443-0.568). We conclude that lead exposure does not constitute a serious health problem in the area studied, since BPb levels found are far below the toxic limit and the prevalence of intoxication is similar to that reported in other stu dies conducted in other developed countries. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.