Blood-lead levels of children in the Western Cape

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Abstract
The detrimental effects of low-level lead loads on the cognitive function of young chil dren are now well accepted. Most such studies have been carried out in western coun tries, and there is as yet little information from less developed areas on the environ mental impact of lead or on its role in furthering disadvantage in childhood. In such countries, the small, but significant, lead effect on intelligence may well be additive to other harmful factors - low birth weight, repeated infections, suboptimal nutrition, emotional deprivation and poor intellectual stimulation. In Southern Africa leaded gasoline is still the only form available. The recent lowering of petrol lead levels has provided the opportunity to assess its contribution to lead load. The results of pre vious studies on Cape preschool children and teenagers are briefly reviewed. Two fur ther studies on children attending primary schools are reported. The first compared blood lead levels in children from inner city Cape Town schools before, and some years after, petrol lead was lowered. The second compared groups living in three deep rural villages, one of which is involved in lead mining. Mean blood lead levels in all groups were above internationally accepted standards, and levels in the rural chil dren were surprisingly high.

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