Effect of living in lead mining area on growth.

OBJECTIVE Blood lead level BLL and growth parameters including weight and height, in children, living in lead mining area was surveyed. METHODS Two groups of 7-11 yr old children, including 45 from a lead mining area (Angooran-Zanjan Province-Iran) and 36 from control area (similar area to the study area, but not lead mining: Ijrood--the same province), were selected to assess BLL (by atomic absorption spectrometry) and growth parameters. RESULTS In the children of the study and control areas, mean BLLs were 36.97+/-24.67 (microg/dL; mean +/- SD) and 15.57 +/- 13.35 (microg/dL; mean+/-SD), respectively (P=0.0005). No significant correlation was found between BLL in children and their fathers' occupation. In addition, there was no significant difference in growth parameters, including weight and height, in the children of two groups. CONCLUSION Regarding the results of this study, environmental exposure due to living in lead mining area can lead to increased BLL in children. In addition, our results suggest there is no significant effect of BLL on growth parameters in children in lead mining area. Since some clinical and sub clinical problems are strongly probable when BLL is increased, special attention of the relevant organizations and more research about the problem and its outcome, is recommended.