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Comparative Study of Blood Lead Levels in Uruguayan Children (1994–2004)

Biological Trace Element Research volume 122, pages 19–25 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Lead does not fulfill any physiological function in the human body. It is generally accepted that the blood lead level (BLL) is the best exposure index, as there is an excellent correlation between the actual exposure of the individual and the concentration of lead in blood. In Uruguay, lead contamination becomes a matter of public concern in 2001, giving rise to a sensitization in the population, which in many cases brought about a change in hygienic and dietary habits of the children. In 2004, after the leaded gasoline phasing out process in Uruguay was completed, we studied non-exposed children to correlate BLL with variables such as age, sex, area of residence, and available environmental lead data and compared these results with those from our similar screening studies 10years ago. The main result of this comparison is that BLL from children in our country had a significant decrease between 1994 and 2004.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay

    A. Cousillas, L. Pereira, C. Alvarez, T. Heller, B. De Mattos, C. Piastra, P. Viapiana, O. Rampoldi & N. Mañay

Authors
  1. A. Cousillas
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  2. L. Pereira
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  3. C. Alvarez
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  4. T. Heller
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  5. B. De Mattos
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  6. C. Piastra
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  7. P. Viapiana
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  8. O. Rampoldi
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  9. N. Mañay
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Cousillas.

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Cousillas, A., Pereira, L., Alvarez, C. et al. Comparative Study of Blood Lead Levels in Uruguayan Children (1994–2004). Biol Trace Elem Res 122, 19–25 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-007-8056-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-007-8056-9

Keywords

  • Lead
  • Blood lead level
  • Children
  • Comparison
  • Environmental exposure
  • Decrease