Environmental lead and children: The Omaha study

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Blood Pb (Pb B) were determined in 1232 samples from 831 children in Omaha and correlated with air Pb (Pb A) concentrations of 0.02-1.69 .mu.g/m3 from 1971 to 1977. A bivariate equation for ages 6-18 yr based on these data predicts an increase in Pb B of 1.4 .mu.g/dl as Pb A increases from 1-2 .mu.g/m3. Pb B increases 7 .mu.g/dl as the mean values for soil and house dust Pb increase from 100 to 750 .mu.g/g. Multiple regression analysis shows that the combined effects of air, soil and house dust Pb account for 21% of the variance of Pb B, with a high intercorrelation of all 3 variables. Since the variance of repeat sampling in individuals accounted for 38% of the total variance of Pb B, approximately 40% is unexplained and requires measurement of Pb from dietary and other sources.