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Archives of Public Health
Published in: Archives of Public Health 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research

Blood lead levels in the Kinshasa population: a pilot study

Authors: J Tuakuila, F Mbuyi, M Kabamba, AC Lantin, D Lison, P Hoet

Published in: Archives of Public Health | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Objective

Leaded gasoline and lead paints are still in use in the Democratic Republic of Congo but data on blood lead levels in the general population are not available. We evaluated the Pb impregnation in children and adults (0 - 70 years old) in Kinshasa.

Methods

Blood lead was measured by atomic absorption in a sample of 485 healthy people (268 men and 217 women) living in Kinshasa between May 2003 and June 2004.

Results

Geometric mean blood lead was 120 µg/L (95% CI: 115-125), with a higher concentration in men than in women (127 vs 114 µg/L, p = 0.01). Sixty-three percent of children aged less than 6 years old presented blood lead levels above the 100 µg threshold. In the adult population, occupations with a potential risk of exposure to gasoline (car mechanics or garage owners, taxi drivers, conveyors and gas pump attendants) were associated with an extra blood lead of about 65µg/L.

Conclusion

This study indicates a relatively important Pb impregnation of the Kinshasa population. It demonstrates the existence of a major public health issue requiring corrective actions and the implementation of an appropriate regulation.
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Metadata
Title
Blood lead levels in the Kinshasa population: a pilot study
Authors
J Tuakuila
F Mbuyi
M Kabamba
AC Lantin
D Lison
P Hoet
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Archives of Public Health / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 2049-3258
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/0778-7367-68-1-30