Preschool children's lead levels in rural communities of Zhejiang province, China

The aim of the study was to determine mean blood lead levels (BLLs) and prevalence of elevated BLLs among preschool children aged 3-6 years in Zhejian rural communities, China. Data were gathered by means of a questionnaire and blood lead analyses for 217 children who attended six randomly selected kindergartens. BLLs ranged from 25-43 7 mug/l. Arithmetic mean was 95 mug/l and standard deviation was 56 mug/l. BLLs of 63 samples (29.0%) were greater than or equal to 100 mug/l. Children with BLLs greater than or equal to 100 mug/l came from families with a higher proportion of their fathers or mothers working in conditions of potential exposure to lead, as compared to those with BLLs < 100 mug/l (P < 0.01). A significantly higher proportion of children with BLLs greater than or equal to 100 mug/l lived in buildings that were located near small industries, such as mechanics, furniture, or paint shop, as compared to those with BLLs < 100 mug/l (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the data indicate that high levels of childhood lead exposures even prevail in rural communities and deserve authorities' attention. With the recent ban of leaded gasoline in China, emphasis should shift to other sources of exposure in children.