Predictors of Elevated Blood Lead Level in Thai Children: A Pilot Study Using Risk Assessment Questionnaire
Chulathida Chomchai MD*, Chantana Padungtod MD**, Summon Chomchai MD***
Affiliation : * Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics and Pediatric Toxicology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand **Section on Occupation and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand ***Division of Toxicology, Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Introduction: In the era post leaded-gasoline use, the risk of exposure to environmental lead in Thai children
is not well described. This is a pilot study using a risk assessment questionnaire to identify children with
elevated blood lead level.
Materials and Methods : Children from 4 communities, 2 in the Bangkok metropolitan area and 2 in Kanchanaburi
province, were recruited during their well child visits. Blood lead levels were obtained in all children and
parents are asked to fill out a 25-item risk assessment questionnaire.
Statistical analysis: The relationship between the blood lead level and dependent variables were tested using
linear regression and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) as appropriate.
Results : There were 296 children included in the study; 33 from Klong Toey and 114 from Siriraj community in
Bangkok while 149 were from two different communities in Kanchanaburi province. The average blood lead
level was 5.65 + 3.05 mcg/dL. The overall prevalence of children with blood lead level > 10 mcg/dL was 8.1%,
while that of the Klong Toey community was 12.5%. The questionnaire identified 3 independent predictors
of elevated blood lead levels; the presence of peeling paint in or outside the house, eating paints chips, and
the geographic location of children.
Conclusion : Using a risk assessment questionnaire, together with obtaining blood lead level has proven
effective in identifying key environmental features associated with elevated blood lead level in children
from sampled Thai communities. The challenge now is to conduct a larger epidemiological study of a similar
type in order to guide the screening and preventive efforts.
Keywords : Lead poisoning, Risk assessment, Environmental health
