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Effect of living in lead mining area on growth

The Indian Journal of Pediatrics volume 74, pages 555–559 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

Blood lead level BLL and growth parameters including weight and height, in children, living in lead mining area was surveyed.

Methods

Two groups of 7–11 yr old children, including 45 from a lead mining area (Angooran-Zanjan Province-Iran) and 36 from control area (similar area to the study area, but not lead mining: Ijrood-the same province), were selected to assess BLL (by atomic absorption spectrometry) and growth parameters.

Results

In the children of the study and control areas, mean BLLs were 36.97±24.67 (μg/dL; mean ± SD) and 15.57 ± 13.35 (μg/dL; mean±SD), respectively (P=0.0005). No significant correlation was found between BLL in children and their fathers’ occupation. In addition, there was no significant difference in growth parameters, including weight and height, in the children of two groups.

Conclusion

Regarding the results of this study, environmental exposure due to living in lead mining area can lead to increased BLL in children. In addition, our results suggest there is no significant effect of BLL on growth parameters in children in lead mining area. Since some clinical and sub clinical problems are strongly probable when BLL is increased, special attention of the relevant organizations, and more research about the problem and its outcome, is recommended.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Sahrak Karmandan, Mahdavi Boulevard, Zanjan, Iran

    Nouroddin Mousavinasab

  2. Control Disease Center in Zanjan Province Health Center, Zanjan Province Health Center, Azadi Square, Zanjan, Iran

    Hossein Dinmohammadi

  3. Vali-Ye Asr Hospital, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

    Sara Soroush & Farnaz Sarkhosh

  4. Pediatrics Department, Vali-Ye Asr Hospital, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

    Manoochehr Mahram, Nouroddin Mousavinasab, Hossein Dinmohammadi, Sara Soroush & Farnaz Sarkhosh

Authors
  1. Manoochehr Mahram
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  2. Nouroddin Mousavinasab
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  3. Hossein Dinmohammadi
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  4. Sara Soroush
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  5. Farnaz Sarkhosh
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Mahram, M., Mousavinasab, N., Dinmohammadi, H. et al. Effect of living in lead mining area on growth. Indian J Pediatr 74, 555–559 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-007-0107-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-007-0107-x

Key words

  • Blood
  • Children
  • Environmental exposure
  • Growth
  • Lead
  • Mining