Determinants of childhood lead exposure in the postleaded petrol era: The Tooth Fairy cohort from Newcastle upon Tyne

Abstract

Lead is an environmental contaminant causing irreversible health effects in children. We used dentine lead levels as a measure of early life lead exposure and explored determinants of lead exposure in children living in Newcastle upon Tyne, a historically industrialised UK city, in a cohort born since legislation was introduced to remove lead from petrol, paint and water pipes. The 'Tooth Fairy study' cohort comprised 69 children aged 5-8 years. We collected upper deciduous incisors from children and questionnaire data from their parents in 2005. We measured lead levels in pre and post-natal enamel and dentine using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, and assessed associations between dentine lead levels and residential, dietary, lifestyle and socio-economic characteristics. Dentine lead levels were low (mean 0.26µg/g, range 0.06-0.77), however we observed considerable variability in dentine lead levels within and between children suggestive of differing exposure levels and/or exposure sources across this population. Variables earlier documented to be associated with childhood lead levels were not found to be significant determinants of dentine lead levels in this study. Exposure pathways should continue to be investigated to enable targeted interventions and prevention of lead-induced health impacts in vulnerable populations.

Determinants of blood and saliva lead concentrations in adult gardeners on urban agricultural sites

“…In this regard, the isotopic composition of blood Pb offers a potential way forward. Blood Pb values can be modelled using existing data for known anthropogenic sources (legacy leaded petrol, PM2.5-10 airborne particulates, coal ash, domestic and imported Pb ores used for the manufacture of in-house Pb pipes) (Hodgson et al, 2015;Shepherd et al, 2009Shepherd et al, , 2016. These will vary according to spatial and demographic factors but will provide an evidence-based isotopic framework for more informed public health intervention measures.…”

Tracing fetal and childhood exposure to lead using isotope analysis of deciduous teeth

“…Prior to the present study the teeth from both cohorts had been analysed by LA-ICP-MS and provisional data were acquired for the concentration of Pb in enamel and dentine (Shepherd et al, 2012;Hodgson et al, 2015). Comparison with published data indicated that the mean dentine Pb for the Newcastle cohort (0.26±0.16µg/g; n=69) and Billingham cohort (0.18±0.07µg/g; n=15) were significantly lower than the mean value of 2.23±1.32μg/g for deciduous teeth of children living in non-polluted areas of South Africa (Grobler et al, 2000) and the overall means reported for primary school children in Taipei and Boston of 4.4±3.5μg/g and 3.3±2.5μg/g respectively (Rabinowitz et al, 1991).…”