Environmental exposure to cadmium and lead in the pediatric age group
No Thumbnail Available
Date
1997
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Manisa, a city in the Aegean Province of Turkey, is a territory of world-wide famous viniculture and a region of dense industrial activity. Highway to Izmir, heavy with traffic passes through the city. Lead additives in automotive fuel (although government encourages use of unleaded gasoline), smog from low quality coal burnt in industrial establishments and heavy tobacco smoking warranted an investigation on ultra-trace elements, lead and cadmium. Thus, 101 children who were admitted consecutively were screened in view of lead and cadmium exposure. Jn 23 of these children between the ages of 0-2 years the mean (± SEM) serum cadmium level was 0.066 ± 0.008 μg/L, in 28 between the ages of 3-6 years was 0.078 ± 0.008 μg/L and in 50 between the ages of 7-15 years was 0.088 ± 0.006 μg/L. The difference in cadmium levels between the age groups of 0-2 years and 7-15 years was significant (p < 0.038). Serum lead levels in the same groups of children were 7.15 ± 0.10 μg/dl, 7.20 ± 0.10 μg/dl and 7.20 ± 0.10 μg/dl, respectively, with no significant difference. In conclusion, our study revealed that lead is not serious environmental contaminant for children, yet, in Manisa; however, the increasing trend seen in exposure to cadmium warrants serious consideration and urgent preventive measures.