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Imprint
Exposure pathways for lead in the human organism
Project
Project code: BfR-EXPO-08-1331-202
Contract period: 01.05.2018
- 31.03.2019
Purpose of research: Inventory & Assessment
According to the Federal Environment Agency, the blood lead content of the German population has declined significantly in the last 26 years. However, this level has stagnated since 2002 at a level of 10 μg Pb / L blood [1]. Lead occurs naturally in the earth's crust and is released by both natural and anthropogenic processes. In the environment it is ubiquitous. No published systematic reviews are available for recording of all relevant entry pathways (sources) of the lead exposure of humans. There is a wide range of identified sources, including passive smoking [2], eating chocolate and exposure to electronic waste [3]. A French study explored lead levels in plasma in relation to different exposure pathways of the general population [4]. Alimentary exposure is an essential entry route and has been comparatively studied in Europe [5]. Household dust has been identified as an important source in environments with lead pollution of the environment [6]. In the context of the desired further reduction of lead exposure, the project aims to identify the pathways for lead into the human organism. For this purpose, a systematic review is carried out to collect representative primary data for exposure to lead from different sources. These data are evaluated according to scientifically recognized methods regarding their quality and relevance for the population in Germany. Taking into account the identified sources of exposure, data gaps and possible mitigation measures will identified.
References
1. Blei-Belastung des Menschen. Sinkende Bleikonzentrationen im Vollblut nach Inkrafttreten des Benzin-Blei-Gesetzes [Internet]. UBA Umweltprobenbank. 2017 [cited 2017-12-22]. Available from: https://www.umweltprobenbank.de/de/documents/selected_results/12700.
2. Apostolou A, Garcia-Esquinas E, Fadrowski JJ, McLain P, Weaver VM, Navas-Acien A. Secondhand tobacco smoke: A source of lead exposure in US children and adolescents. Am J Public Health. 2012;102(4):714-22. Epub 2011-08-20. doi: 10.2105/Ajph.2011.300161.
3. Pascale A, Sosa A, Bares C, Battocletti A, Moll MJ, Pose D, et al. E-waste informal recycling: An emerging source of lead exposure in South America. Ann Glob Health. 2016;82(1):197-201. doi: 10.1016/j.aogh.2016.01.016.
4. Tagne-Fotso R, Leroyer A, Howsam M, Dehon B, Richeval C, Nisse C, et al. Current sources of lead exposure and their relative contributions to the blood lead levels in the general adult population of Northern France: The IMEPOGE Study, 2008-2010. J Toxicol Env Health A. 2016;79(6):245–65. Epub 2016-04-14. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2016.1149131.
5. Boon PE, Biesebeek JDT, Sioen I, Huybrechts I, Moschandreas J, Ruprich J, et al. Long-term dietary exposure to lead in young European children: Comparing a pan-European approach with a national exposure assessment. Food Addit Contam A. 2012;29(11):1701-15. doi: 10.1080/19440049.2012.709544.
6. Hogervorst J, Plusquin M, Vangronsveld J, Nawrot T, Cuypers A, van Hecke E, et al. House dust as possible route of environmental exposure to cadmium and lead in the adult general population. Environ Res. 2007;103(1):30–7. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2006.05.009.
Section overview
Subjects
- Toxicology
