Lead intoxication and other health problems in children population who live near mine tailing

Abstract

Objectives. Determine levels of lead and other health problems in children under 10 years living in communities Quiulacocha and Champamarca, Pasco. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in September 2005. We included all children from both communities living near mining waste. Standardized measurement of lead levels and blood hemoglobin and the evaluation of anthropometric and psychomotor development. Results: We did the measurement of lead levels and blood hemoglobin and the evaluation of anthropometric and psychomotor development. Results: The prevalence of lead poisoning (Pb> 10 mg/dL) was 84.7%, the average plumbemia was 15.79 ± 4.85 mg/dL (range: 6.17- 34.53 mg/dL) . The majority (55.8%) of children of both communities was chronically malnourished, 23.0% had anemia, 5.9% had mental retardation. Quiulacocha and Champamarca children had a normal psychomotor growth in 79.2% and 85.4%, respectively. Conclusions. four out of five children of these communities has lead intoxication. The mine tailing are a source of lead pollution on children living in surrounding areas, interventions must be made in these communities.