Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Lead, Mercury and Cadmium Concentration in Blood and Related Factors among Korean Preschoolers

국내 3-7세 어린이의 혈중 납, 수은, 카드뮴 농도와 관련요인

  • Seo, Ju-Hee (Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Kim, Byoung-Gwon (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University and Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Kim, Yu-Mi (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University and Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Kim, Rock-Bum (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University and Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Chung, Jin-Yong (Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University) ;
  • Hong, Young-Seoub (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University and Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University)
  • 서주희 (동아대학교 중금속노출 환경보건센터) ;
  • 김병권 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 김유미 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 김록범 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 정진용 (동아대학교 중금속노출 환경보건센터) ;
  • 홍영습 (동아대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Received : 2014.05.21
  • Accepted : 2014.08.25
  • Published : 2014.08.31
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Abstract

Objectives: Children are more susceptible to heavy metal toxicity than adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate heavy metal concentrations in the blood of Korean preschoolers and investigate the association between metals in blood and related factors. Methods: A total of 512 subjects from 36 to 83 months of age were sampled. A questionnaire survey was performed and the levels of lead, mercury and cadmium were measured in the blood samples of all subjects. Their parents were interviewed in order to obtain information on basic characteristics, dietary patterns, socio-economic factors, and indoor/outdoor environment of the preschoolers. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between the above factors and lead, mercury or cadmium concentrations. Results: The geometric mean concentrations of lead, mercury and cadmium in the blood were $1.45{\pm}1.58{\mu}g/dL$, $2.14{\pm}1.74{\mu}g/dL$ and $0.23{\pm}1.91{\mu}g/dL$, respectively. Results from multiple linear regression analysis showed that blood lead levels were associated with birth weight and paternal smoking status. Daily mercury intake from food and maternal education were also shown to influence mercury concentrations in blood. Also, blood cadmium concentrations were associated with maternal age and having a bus garage near the place of residence. Conclusion: This study suggests that smoking status, dietary patterns and the environmental status near the residence should be considered as important factors for preventable sources of heavy metal exposure in preschoolers.

Keywords

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