Assessment of Blood Lead Levels and Associated Risk Factors Among Children in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Authors

  • Meredith L Praamsma Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • Nasantogtokh Ganbaatar Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • Munkhtsetseg Tsogtbaatar Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • Elnura Halmambetova Department of Health Sciences, Vrije Universiteit University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Enkhzol Malchinkhuu Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • Chimedsuren Ochir School of Public Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • Ganchimeg Ulziibayar Department, National Center for Public Health, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
  • Purevdorj B Olkhanud Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24079/cajms.2016.02.011

Keywords:

Air Pollution, Environmental Monitoring, Child, Lead, Mongolia

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine BLLs with a LeadCare II analyzer in children living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and to identify potential risk factors influencing their BLLs with a lifestyle and residential environment questionnaire. Methods: A total of 153 children aged 6-8 years old were tested in 2014. Results: The geometric mean BLL was 5.3 µg/dL (95% CI: 4.9 – 5.7 µg/dL) and 69.3% of the children had blood lead levels ≥5 μg/dL (the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s current reference level). Factors that were significant (p<0.05) predictors of BLL in a multiple linear regression model were sex, age, father’s education level, and father’s job type. The BLL from this study in 2014 shows a 60% decrease since a prior 2005 study, likely due to the ban on leaded gasoline in the country. Conclusion: Academic performance was significantly influenced by BLL, indicating that actions still need to be taken to reduce lead exposure in Ulaanbaatar.

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Published

2016-11-25

How to Cite

L Praamsma, M., Ganbaatar, N., Tsogtbaatar, M., Halmambetova, E., Malchinkhuu, E., Ochir, C., Ulziibayar, G., & Olkhanud, P. B. (2016). Assessment of Blood Lead Levels and Associated Risk Factors Among Children in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Central Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2(2), 195–205. https://doi.org/10.24079/cajms.2016.02.011

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Articles