Declining blood lead levels in Victorian children

Abstract

To investigate the distribution of blood lead levels in a sample of Victorian children, and to compare current levels with those from a similar survey in 1979, blood was tested for lead in 252 children (123 under five years) attending Royal Children's Hospital as outpatients and having venepuncture blood samples for medical reasons. Blood lead levels were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean blood lead level was 0.26 mu mol/L (5.4 mu g/dL). In the under-five age group, the mean was 0.28 mu mol/L (5.7 mu g/dL). Only 1.6 per cent of this group exceeded the National Health and Medical Research Council action level of 0.72 mu mol/L (15 mu g/dL). Levels in this age group have declined significantly since 1979, when the mean was 0.54 mu mol/L (11.1 mu g/dL) and 12.9 per cent exceeded 0.72 mu mol/L (15 mu g/dL). Average blood lead levels have halved since 1979, with likely contributing factors being reduced exposure from lead in diet, reduced access to lead in paint and reduced lead in ambient air. Children with elevated levels had identifiable risk factors such as pica or exposure to lead-based paint, suggesting the need for ongoing pubic health action to prevent exposure in these groups.