Abstract
The Cooperative Lead Survey obtained venous blood samples from 615 pre-school children (6 mos-6yrs) by door-to-door screening. Samples were assayed for lead by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, for erythrocyte protoprophyrin (EP) by hematofluorometry, for ferritin by radioimmunoassay and hbg, hct, and erythrocyte indices were determined by Coulter counter. A questionnaire was administered to all participating families in which, among other questions, they were asked to identify their racial identity (black, white, Asian, other) and their ethnic identity (Hispanic, Cambodian, Laotian, Vietnamese, Portuguese, other). Results were as follows: mean lead level for the entire group was 12.19 ±6.2 mcg/dl whole blood. Highest mean lead values and Laotians in particular (14.20 ±4.8 mcg/dl; n = 40). Although the mean blood level for blacks (13.04 ±8.3 mcg/dl whole blood, n = 54) was higher than for whites (11.6 ±6.7 mcg/dl whole blood, n = 306, the difference was not significant at the p≤ .05 level. 581 EP values could be corrected for hematocrit to yield EP per deciliter of erythrocytes. EPRBC mean EPRBC for the entire group was 75.17 ±48.7 mcg/dl RBC. Highest mean EPRBC values were again seen in Asians (83.25 ±51.8 mcg/dl RBC, n = 164) and Laotians (86.39 ±32.3 mcg/dl RBC, n = 40).
We conclude that Southeast Asians particularly new immigrants, are at significant risk for increased lead levels.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Graef, J., Halvorsen, K., Amitai, Y. et al. RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD AND EP LEVELS IN THREE MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITIES. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 257 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00538
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00538