Abstract

This study was performed to assess the lead and cadmium status of children residing in urban factory area and to see if there is a difference of lead and cadmium status between the group with normal iron status. The mean lead concentration of male hair was 9.55ppm which is significantly higher than 6.61 ppm that of female. The mean lead concentration of male urine sample was 0.04ppm, 10.3ppm and $48.14\mu{g/L}$, which is higher than 0.08ppm, 6.08ppm and $20.69\mu{g/L}$ of normal group, respectively. In a suboptimal group the proportion of children whose urinary lead is higher than normal$(35\mu{g/L)$was 87.3%, whereas 2.5% for a normal group. The mean cadmium concentration of male hair was 2.58ppm, which is higher than 2.48ppm that of a female. The mean cadmium concentration of erythrocyte, hair and urine was 0.25ppm, 2.65ppm and $38.83\mu{g/L}$, which is higher than 0.20ppm, 2.40ppm and $19.78\mu{g/L}$ of the normal group, respectively. The proportion of children whose urinary cadmium level is higher than the low limit of risk of cadmium intoxication$(40\mu{g/L)}$ was 21.4%, whereas 0% for a mormal group. Urinary lead and cadmium level showed significantly negative correlation with the RBC count, hematocrit, hemoglobin and serum ferritin, whereas they had significantly positive correlation with FEP/Hb(p<0.01). There was no correlation between the IQ and the level of lead and cadmium.

Keywords

• children with suboptimal iron status;
• lead and cadmium levels in blood;
• urine and hair