Environmental lead exposure among inner-city Cape Town children : a study of associated risk factors

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dc.contributor.advisorFuggle, Richard Francisen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorVon Schirnding, Yasmin Elizabeth Robertaen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2015-12-20T15:33:07Z
dc.date.available2015-12-20T15:33:07Z
dc.date.issued1988en_ZA
dc.descriptionBibliography: pages 284-306.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractRisk factors for lead exposure among children in South Africa have not been well documented. This study elucidated important factors which co-vary with lead in increasing children's risk of exposure. Two study designs were used. First, a cross-sectional analytical study involving first grade school children was executed. Venous blood samples from children were analysed for lead using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In addition other haematological and anthropometric measurements were conducted. A pre-tested questionnaire administered to parents identified risk factors for lead exposure. Statistical analyses, including log-linear models, were used to determine the relationships between biological, environmental, social factors and blood lead. In an environmental study, daily air and dust samples were collected over a year from several sites in the study area, contemporaneously with the blood and questionnaire surveys. Spatial and temporal variations in atmospheric lead were determined. In stage two a case control study was carried out to determine whether risk factors for lead exposure differed among cases (blood lead ≥ 24 ug/dl) and controls (blood lead ≤ 14 ug/dl). Levels of lead in air, water, paint and dust samples from children's homes were determined and the state of housing evaluated. Home interviews were conducted with parents to assess the role of economic, demographic, cultural, and behavioural factors in increasing children's risk. 13% of coloured children, but no white children were identified with blood lead levels ≥ 25 ug/dl. Air lead levels ranged from< 0.5 ug/m³ to> 1.5 ug/m³ and dust lead levels from< 550 ppm to> 3 000 ppm. Environmental lead levels were significantly elevated near heavy traffic, particularly during winter months. Baseline exposure was of significance in influencing blood lead levels of children attending schools in direct proximity to heavy traffic, where blood lead levels were elevated. In cases, direct inhalation of aerosols, and ingestion of lead in water were not found to be important risk factors. Hand contamination and mouthing were associated with increased risk. Sources of elevated lead were found in the homes of both cases and controls, but were not accessible in the homes of controls. A conceptual framework for lead exposure in children is proposed, to illustrate how social and environmental factors may act to increase risk. The results have implications for primary and secondary prevention strategies aimed at the community.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationVon Schirnding, Y. E. R. (1988). <i>Environmental lead exposure among inner-city Cape Town children : a study of associated risk factors</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Environmental and Geographical Science. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15847en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationVon Schirnding, Yasmin Elizabeth Roberta. <i>"Environmental lead exposure among inner-city Cape Town children : a study of associated risk factors."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15847en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationVon Schirnding, Y. 1988. Environmental lead exposure among inner-city Cape Town children : a study of associated risk factors. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Von Schirnding, Yasmin Elizabeth Roberta AB - Risk factors for lead exposure among children in South Africa have not been well documented. This study elucidated important factors which co-vary with lead in increasing children's risk of exposure. Two study designs were used. First, a cross-sectional analytical study involving first grade school children was executed. Venous blood samples from children were analysed for lead using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In addition other haematological and anthropometric measurements were conducted. A pre-tested questionnaire administered to parents identified risk factors for lead exposure. Statistical analyses, including log-linear models, were used to determine the relationships between biological, environmental, social factors and blood lead. In an environmental study, daily air and dust samples were collected over a year from several sites in the study area, contemporaneously with the blood and questionnaire surveys. Spatial and temporal variations in atmospheric lead were determined. In stage two a case control study was carried out to determine whether risk factors for lead exposure differed among cases (blood lead ≥ 24 ug/dl) and controls (blood lead ≤ 14 ug/dl). Levels of lead in air, water, paint and dust samples from children's homes were determined and the state of housing evaluated. Home interviews were conducted with parents to assess the role of economic, demographic, cultural, and behavioural factors in increasing children's risk. 13% of coloured children, but no white children were identified with blood lead levels ≥ 25 ug/dl. Air lead levels ranged from< 0.5 ug/m³ to> 1.5 ug/m³ and dust lead levels from< 550 ppm to> 3 000 ppm. Environmental lead levels were significantly elevated near heavy traffic, particularly during winter months. Baseline exposure was of significance in influencing blood lead levels of children attending schools in direct proximity to heavy traffic, where blood lead levels were elevated. In cases, direct inhalation of aerosols, and ingestion of lead in water were not found to be important risk factors. Hand contamination and mouthing were associated with increased risk. Sources of elevated lead were found in the homes of both cases and controls, but were not accessible in the homes of controls. A conceptual framework for lead exposure in children is proposed, to illustrate how social and environmental factors may act to increase risk. The results have implications for primary and secondary prevention strategies aimed at the community. DA - 1988 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 1988 T1 - Environmental lead exposure among inner-city Cape Town children : a study of associated risk factors TI - Environmental lead exposure among inner-city Cape Town children : a study of associated risk factors UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15847 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/15847
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationVon Schirnding YER. Environmental lead exposure among inner-city Cape Town children : a study of associated risk factors. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, 1988 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15847en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Environmental and Geographical Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Scienceen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherLead in the bodyen_ZA
dc.titleEnvironmental lead exposure among inner-city Cape Town children : a study of associated risk factorsen_ZA
dc.typeDoctoral Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoral
dc.type.qualificationnamePhDen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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