15 Jul Continual Decrease in Blood Lead Level in Americans

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Prof Bernard M Y Cheung and co-authors
MBBChir, PhD(Cantab), FRCP, FRCPE
Sun Chieh Yeh Heart Foundation Professor in Cardiovascular Therapeutics
Department of Medicine
University of Hong Kong
Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Lead is toxic even at low levels and affects neurodevelopment in children. There has been a long-term effort in the US to reduce exposure to lead in the environment. We analyzed the trend in blood lead levels in the US, using data on 63890 Americans who took part in the National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2014.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: From 1999 to 2014, the average blood lead level in the US population has been decreasing continuously. The average blood lead level used to be 1.65 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) in 1999-2000, but decreased to 0.84 µg/dL in 2014-2014. The estimated proportion of children aged one to five with a blood lead level of 5 µg/dL or more decreased from 9.9% in 1999-2000 to 0.5% in 2013-2014.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the implications of this work?

Response: As blood lead levels continue to fall in the US population, there is a case for reducing the ‘upper reference level’ from 5 µg/dL to 3.5 µg/dL. This does not mean that a blood lead level of 3.5 µg/dL is completely safe; it only reflects the estimation that 97.5% of young children in the US have a level lower than this.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: It is encouraging that, on average, Americans have lower blood lead levels than before. In young children, this can mean better IQ and academic performance. These figures demonstrate that measures that reduce lead in the environment, such as banning lead in gasoline, using safer paints, modernizing water pipes and better treatment of industrial wastes, are working. However, these efforts must not be relaxed. The crisis in Flint, Michigan, showed that lead still poses a threat to the environment and people’s health.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: The falling trend in blood lead level cannot be taken for granted, so monitoring the amount of lead in the environment and in people should continue.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: The most important thing is to reduce exposure to lead. People who are worried about their blood lead level should seek medical advice. Chelation treatment to remove lead can be harmful and should only be carried out by medical specialists after careful assessments.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Am J Med. 2016 Jun 21. pii: S0002-9343(16)30600-3. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2016.05.042. [Epub ahead of print]
Continual decrease in blood lead level in Americans: United States National Health Nutrition and Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2014.
Tsoi MF1, Cheung CL2, Cheung TT3, Cheung BM4.

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on July 15, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD