Predictors of lead absorption in children of lead workers

Objectives This study was conducted to determine whether children of lead w orkers are at a higher risk of lead absorption and if so, to identify risk factors for absorption, including lifestyle, household, environmental and p arental work practices with lead. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 17 'lead worker' and 13 compar ison 'non-lead worker' households. Companies and eligible employees were co ntacted using mail-out packs. Children were aged between 12 and 72 months. Data collection involved administration of a questionnaire and collection o f dust, soil, water, paint-scraping samples, and blood from the children fo r the determination of lead and ferritin levels. Statistical analysis was p erformed using SPSS. Results Participants included seven of 29 eligible employees from 14 'sched uled' lead workplaces and 12 of 19 eligible employees from 19 'leadlighter' workplaces identified. The average lead level for workers was 13.9 mu g/dl , children of lead workers 6.93 mu g/dl (n=22) and comparison group 3.93 mu g/dl (n=16). Water lead levels were all <2.5 ppm. The lead content of thre e soil samples and nine dust samples was above suggested guideline levels. Lead levels were significantly higher in children of lead workers but all w ere within recommended levels. Inadequate practice of lead work hygiene mea sures, such as inadequate use of protective equipment and taking work cloth es home, was a common factor in lead worker households that were found to h ave elevated soil and dust lead levels. The differences in lead levels betw een groups did not change significantly when adjustment was made for the cl ustering effect of more than one child per household. Conclusions Children of lead workers are at higher risk of lead absorption. Poor work hygiene practices of lead workers suggest an association with el evated lead levels in their children. A number of other predictors were sug gested by this study but the small numbers of participants made it difficul t to detect statistically significant differences between subgroups.