Determinant Factors of Children's Blood Lead Levels in Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Introduction

Lead poisoning contributes to a significant burden of disease as a toxic substance found in air, soil, and water. In Indonesia, the risk of exposure is high due to the inappropriate recycling of used lead batteries. The objective was to investigate the factors that influence lead levels in children's blood.

Methods

This cross-sectional study assessed blood lead levels (BLLs) in children aged 12–59 months in four communities exposed to used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) recycling activities, comparing them to a control area. The study employed a threshold level of 20 μg/dL to identify high BLLs and utilized a sample size of 324 children from exposed sites and 240 from control sites. Questionnaires, blood lead tests and a home-based assessment for environmental exposures were applied.

Results

The study participants comprised 295 boys and 269 girls, with an average age of 35 months. Significant disparities in soil lead concentrations median: Q1-Q3 were found between exposed (6581.7 : 2432.6–16647.1) ppm and control areas (253.5 : 158.8–417.1) ppm. Children in exposed areas had 3.9 times higher odds of BLL ≥20 μg/dL. Fathers with BLL ≥20 μg/dL had children with similarly elevated BLLs. Multivariate analysis identified socioeconomic status, study areas, environmental factors (cookware, food ware, spices, house cleaning), and children's behavior (breastfeeding duration) as determinants of elevated BLLs. Reported environmental factors had notable impact on BLLs, with aluminum cookware (aOR = 1.4, 95%CI [1.2–1.6]), food ware materials (aOR = 1.15, 95%CI [1.0–1.3]), type of spices (aOR = 2.7, 95%CI [1.7–48.0]), and house cleaning method (aOR = 2.9, 95%CI [1.2–7.1]).

Conclusion

This study highlighted key risk factors affecting children's blood lead levels (BLL) and emphasized the urgency of employing effective strategies to remediate lead-contaminated soils in exposed regions. The findings underscore the need for prompt medical intervention and monitoring for children in these areas, with additional research essential to fully understand lead poisoning pathways in the environment.