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Assessment of Blood Lead Levels and Associated Risk Factors Among Children in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Зохиогч
Meredith L. Praamsma
Elnura Halmambetova
Ganchimeg Ulziibayar
Purevdorj Baljinnyam Olkhanud
Он
2016 оны арван нэгдүгээр сарын 25
Төрөл
journal article
Хэвлэгч
Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences
Journal
Central Asian Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume
2
Issue
2
Start Page
195
End Page
205
ISSN
2413-8681
2414-9772
Хураангуй
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine BLLs with a LeadCare II analyzer in children living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and to identify potential risk factors influencing their BLLs with a lifestyle and residential environment questionnaire. Methods: A total of 153 children aged 6-8 years old were tested in 2014. Results: The geometric mean BLL was 5.3 µg/dL (95% CI: 4.9 – 5.7 µg/dL) and 69.3% of the children had blood lead levels ≥5 μg/dL (the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s current reference level). Factors that were significant (p<0.05) predictors of BLL in a multiple linear regression model were sex, age, father’s education level, and father’s job type. The BLL from this study in 2014 shows a 60% decrease since a prior 2005 study, likely due to the ban on leaded gasoline in the country. Conclusion: Academic performance was significantly influenced by BLL, indicating that actions still need to be taken to reduce lead exposure in Ulaanbaatar.