Investigations of the Prevalence and Sources of Lead Exposure in Saudi Children.

Three issues were investigated in this study; the prevalence of lead exposure in Saudi children, clinical effects of lead, and identification of sources of exposure. Blood lead concentrations were measured in all the screened children using atomic absorption spectrometry. Three groups were investigated, 1047 children aged 2 months to 16 years attending the KFSH Outpatient Clinics, a subpopulation living in Arar in Northern Saudi Arabia, and 126 mothers and newborn babies from Riyadh City (in relationship to the use of Khol). More than 20% of the children at the Outpatient Clinics had blood lead concentrations above 12.59 mug/dl. In the follow-up of a case of lead encephalopathy, high prevalence of lead exposure (23%) and also iron deficiency (60%) were found in the children at Arar. Environmental investigations revealed traditional cosmetics and remedies as the major contributor of lead exposure in these children. Low levels of lead exposure to pregnant women were found, which may be considered hazardous since a weak but significant relationship was found between maternal blood lead concentrations and birth weight of newborns. To study the effect of lead on the haematopoietic system, erythrocyte protoporphyrin and haematological parameters were measured. Erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentrations showed poor correlation with blood lead concentrations below 25 mug/dl and therefore this test is not recommended as a primary test for lead exposure. Also, low and moderate blood lead concentrations had no effect on the levels of haemoglobin. Results of this study emphasise the importance of conducting blood lead screening and health education programmes in areas where the use of traditional cosmetics and remedies is still common