Regional characteristics of children's blood lead levels in China: A systematic synthesis of national and subnational population data

Yang Liu; Feiyan Liu; Kylie Fei Dong; Yongning Wu; Xingfen Yang; Jintao Yang; Hong Tan; Xiaojun Niu; Xinyuan Zhao; Gexin Xiao; Shaoqi Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144649

Regional characteristics of children's blood lead levels in China: A systematic synthesis of national and subnational population data

Sci Total Environ. 2021 May 15:769:144649. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144649. Epub 2021 Jan 18.

Authors

Yang Liu¹, Feiyan Liu², Kylie Fei Dong³, Yongning Wu⁴, Xingfen Yang⁵, Jintao Yang⁶, Hong Tan⁷, Xiaojun Niu⁸, Xinyuan Zhao⁹, Gexin Xiao¹⁰, Shaoqi Zhou¹¹

Affiliations

¹ Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550001, China; School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; National Institute of Hospital Administration, Beijing 100044, China; Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
² Institute of Complexity Science & Big Data Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
³ National Institute of Hospital Administration, Beijing 100044, China.
⁴ China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing 100022, China; Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
⁵ Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
⁶ Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
⁷ Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550001, China.
⁸ School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
⁹ Capital University of Economics and business, Beijing 100070, China; National Institute of Hospital Administration, Beijing 100044, China.
¹⁰ National Institute of Hospital Administration, Beijing 100044, China; Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550001, China. Electronic address: biocomputer@126.com.
¹¹ School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550001, China. Electronic address: fesqzhou@yeah.net.

PMID: 33493913
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144649

Abstract

The blood lead levels (BLLs) of children in China remain notably high in many areas. We aimed to summarise the relevant regional characteristics, identifying problematic areas and the causes of lead pollution. We searched the databases of PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data, systematically reviewing 219 articles published from January 2010 to September 2020. In doing so, we assessed the BLLs noted in 220 prefectures across China. Data were organised using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping. Out of a total of 629,627 children sampled, we found that the average blood lead level (BLL) of children included in our study is 50.61 ± 13.63 μg/L, which slightly exceeds the 50.00 μg/L US standard. Within the sample, 8.75% had BLLs higher than 100.00 μg/L. Children living in Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangxi, Anhui, Fujian, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangxi had notably high BLLs, at more than 60.00 μg/L. A total of 112 municipalities had an average children's BLL above 50.00 μg/L. Furthermore, Chenzhou, Linfen, Yuncheng, and Hechi had the highest children's BLLs, with average values above 100.00 μg/L. The leading contributors to lead pollution are lead mining, lead recovery and the smelting industry. Nonetheless, the lead-acid battery industry needs more attention. Although data suggest that BLLs are decreasing in China, many areas still have high BLLs that need to be monitored. Moreover, national standards must improve to decrease acceptable BLL thresholds for children.

Keywords: Blood lead; Child health; China; Prefectures; Regional characteristics.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Child
China
Cities
Environmental Exposure
Humans
Lead Poisoning* / epidemiology
Lead*

Substances

Lead