Lead poisoning--the silent epidemic.
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Blood lead levels were determined on a random sample of persons in all age groups living near a lead-emitting smelter in El Paso, Texas. A blood lead level of greater than or equal to 40 mug per 100 ml, which was considered indicative of undue lead absorption, was found in 53 per cent of the children one to nine years old living within 1.6 km of the smelter and in 18 per cent of those from 1.6 to 6.6 km; beyond that distance in older persons levels were lower. Children in the first 1.6 km with blood levels of greater than or equal to mug per 100 ml were exposed to 3.1 times as much lead in dust as children there with lower blood values (6447 vs 2067 ppm). There was also airborne lead exposure (8 to 10 mug per cubic meter, annual mean). Paint, water, food, and pottery were less important as sources. The data suggest that particulate lead in dust and air accounted for most of the lead absorption in El Paso children. The smelter was the principal source of this lead, especially within 1.6km of itself.
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Novel methodology is described for the estimation of food intake in the particularly difficult circumstance where groups of people eat directly from a shared bowl of cooked food. Detailed observation and measurement of meal preparation is combined with food table values for composition to calculate the nutrient content of each meal. The distribution of food between individuals is estimated by a suitable algorithm. The ability of the algorithm to identify seasonal changes in energy intakes is demonstrated by comparison of the calculated energy intakes with values for the total energy expenditure of free-living adult male subjects, as measured by the stable isotope, doubly-labelled water technique. This comparison suggests that the energy intake calculated from detailed observation of two cooked meals per day is equivalent to approximately 80% of the total energy expenditure and, by inference, total dietary energy intake. The remaining energy intake may well be derived from uncooked 'snack foods', such as raw fruit and vegetables, or from cooked food obtained, by purchase or as a gift, away from the home. This is the first description of a successful method for the estimation of food intake when people eat directly from shared bowls of food.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate acceptability, compliance and attitude towards the use of iron pots compared with aluminium pots, for cooking in a community that traditionally did not use iron pots. DESIGN: Randomised trial. SETTING: Two rural Malawian villages. SUBJECTS: Fifty-two households received iron pots and 61 aluminium pots. RESULTS: Pot characteristics were assessed by a questionnaire after 3, 6, 11 and 20 weeks of use. Within households using iron pots there was a significant decrease in acceptability score with usage, from an initial value of 13.7 to 11.4 (range 1-20) Answers to questions concerning cooking characteristics showed that after 3 weeks' use the aluminium pot scored better, whereas after 20 weeks fewer answers differed between the iron and aluminium pot groups. Almost a third of the households planned to continue using iron pots daily after 20 weeks, although they had ready access to their former aluminium pot. The presence of a group of consistent pot users suggests that if households were convinced about daily use, then they were likely to maintain consistent use. Some householders considered that iron pots required less firewood for cooking than aluminium pots. The main problems related to lower acceptability were rusting and pot weight. About 25% of problems with iron pots were unrelated to their cast iron characteristics. Overall 23.4% of the households indicated they would buy an iron pot. CONCLUSIONS: The low acceptability of iron pots for cooking could limit their value as an intervention to control iron-deficiency anaemia. Design modifications and better instructions on pot use should improve acceptability. The study highlights the need to assess the acceptability of interventions in order to facilitate their adoption in traditional communities.
OBJECTIVES: To study the dental fluorosis and caries in the permanent teeth of 12 to 13-year-old children in fluorosis-endemic areas; to assess the relationship between fluorosis and the fluoride content of the drinking water and the relationship between caries and the fluoride content of the water; finally, to analyze the effect of fluoride intake and water stored in clay pots on dental fluorosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 477 children were divided into 5 groups (A to E) according to the fluoride concentration of the waters, i.e. by 0.4, 1.0, 1.8, 3.5, and 5.6 mg F/l, respectively. Dental fluorosis was assessed by TF score and caries by the DMF-T index. A questionnaire was used to obtain information about water storage and other information relevant to children's fluoride intake. RESULTS: A positive relationship was found between the mean TF scores and the water fluoride concentration. In groups B and D, the TF score was higher in 13-year-olds than in 12-year-olds. Caries prevalence and mean DMF-T ranged from 2.6% and 0.03 (group E) to 22.1% and 0.38 (group A). Storage of water in clay pots seemed to increase the severity of fluorosis slightly, and to decrease the caries prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Defluoridation of drinking water, or--alternatively--the provision of low-fluoride water sources, should be given high priority in the examined Shaanxi rural areas. Fluoride concentration of drinking water should be maximum 0.6 mg/l. Storage of water in the local clay pots may increase the severity of dental fluorosis.
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Five hundred and seventy-four households in Ottawa were surveyed to evaluate water boiled in electric kettles as a source of lead exposure. Samples of boiled water exceeded the World Health Organization mandatory limit for drinking water (50 microgram/l) in 42.5% of the households. Excessive lead concentrations were observed in 62.8% of water samples from kettles more than 5 years old. Multiple regression analysis indicated that age, sex, and cigarette smoking habits, but not lead concentration in boiled water, nor weekly consumption of boiled water were significantly associated with blood-lead concentration. Lead exposure from electric kettles may be a significant problem only in infants receiving formula prepared with boiled water.
The major determinants of blood-lead levels were studied in 90 children who attended an outpatient pediatric clinic in Mexico City. All children, who were from 1-10 y of age, were from homes for which socioeconomic status had been categorized as medium to high. Blood-lead levels ranged from 0.17 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.008) to 1.21 (SD = 0.06 mumol/l). The main determinant of blood-lead levels was place of residence. Children who lived on private streets (i.e., low-traffic areas) had a significantly lower blood-lead level than children who lived on large avenues and who resided close to main roads (p = .0001, r2 = .27). This observation documented high exposure levels among children who live in Mexico City and suggested that leaded fuel used in Mexico could play an important role in determining blood-lead levels in this population.
Baby bottles are often made of polycarbonate plastic. Impurities remaining in the bottle from the monomer bisphenol A can migrate from the plastic bottles into baby food, thereby causing a health concern. Previous migration testing of new baby bottles showed only trace migration levels of the substance. In the present work, polycarbonate baby bottles were subjected to simulated use by dishwashing, boiling and brushing. Migration testing performed with both new and used bottles revealed a significant increase in migration of bisphenol A due to use. This finding might be explained by polymer degradation. Bisphenol A was determined in 200-ml samples of water food simulant by a method based on solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The detection limit was 0.1 microg l(-1). Twelve different polycarbonate baby bottles were tested by filling them with hot water (100 degrees C) for 1 h. The mean bisphenol A level from new bottles was 0.23 + -0.12 microg l(-1), while the mean levels from bottles subjected to simulated use were 8.4 + -4 microg l(-1) (dishwashed 51 times) and 6.7 + -4 microg l(-1) (dishwashed 169 times), respectively. None of the bottles released bisphenol A at levels that exceed the recently established provisional tolerable daily intake (0.01 mg kg(-1) body weight/day) in the European Union.