Lead levels in deciduous teeth of children in Bahrain

To determine lead exposure among children in Bahrain, a total of 280 shed deciduous whole teeth were collected from 269 children. Teeth were analyzed for lead concentrations using atomic absorption spectrophotometry with electrothermal atomization. Children were between 5 and 15 years old. The study period extended from July 1993 to April 1994. The study showed that the overall mean tooth-lead level was 4.3 mu g/g dry weight with a range of 0.1-60.8 mu g/g dry weight. The cumulative frequency distribution revealed that 35% of the teeth had a lead concentration of more than 4 mu g/g dry weight. The tooth-lead concentrations differed according to the tooth type and age. The child's sex, nationality, area of residence and socio-economic status had no impact on tooth-lead level. In conclusion, lead is present in toxic concentrations in 35% of the teeth of the children studied. Urgent measures are needed to eliminate lead from gasoline, paint and other sources in the environment.