What is it about?

This study analyzes how population blood lead levels have changed over time, drawing on 55 studies from across the globe: Europe, Asia, South America, North America, Africa, and Oceania. The changes in blood lead levels are compared with the changes in the use of lead in gasoline.

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Why is it important?

Human exposure to lead can be seen in the concentration of lead in blood. It can take a long time for blood lead levels to fall, because lead becomes stored in the body. This study shows that blood lead levels have fallen as lead has been removed from gasoline, and it also shows that over time, blood lead levels are continuing to fall.

Perspectives

The study also shows that some regions have had much less monitoring than others. Studies carried out over multiple years are needed to show trends. Studies of blood lead concentrations over time in Australia, Russia, African countries and South American countries could extend global knowledge of the status of lead exposure.

Valerie M. Thomas
Georgia Institute of Technology

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Relation of blood lead levels and lead in gasoline: an updated systematic review, Environmental Health, December 2022, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00936-x.
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