ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE TO CADMIUM AND LEAD IN THE PEDIATRIC AGE GROUP

Lead additives in automotive fuel, smog from a nearby industrial cente r warranted an investigation on cadmium and lead in Manisa, a city of tabacco processing. Hundred and one children were screened in view of lead and cadmium exposure. In 23 children between the ages of 0-2 year s the mean (+/-SEM) serum lead level was 7.15 +/- 0.10 mu g/dl, in 28 between the ages of 3-6 years was 7.20 +/- 0.10 mu g/dl and in 50 betw een the ages of 7-15 years was 7.20 +/- 0.10 mu g/dl, respectively, wi th no significant differences. Serum cadmium levels in the same groups of children was 0.066 +/- 0.008 ng/ml, 0.078 +/- 0.008 ng/ml 0.088 +/ - 0.006 ng/ml, respectively. The difference in cadmium levels between the age groups of 0-2 years and 7-15 years was significant (p<0.038). This significant increase in blood cadmium level is also shown by simp le linear regression analysis: Cadmium (ng/ml) = 0.049 + 0.005 (age), and p<0.0001, F Ratio = 50.578, coefficient of correlation = 0.581. Ou r study revealed that lead is not a serious environmental contaminant for children, yet; however, the increasing trend seen in exposure to c admium warrants serious consideration and urgant preventive measures.