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Determinants of Erythrocyte Lead Levels in 454 Adults in Florence, Italy

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  • Saverio Caini

    (Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Benedetta Bendinelli

    (Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Giovanna Masala

    (Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Calogero Saieva

    (Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Melania Assedi

    (Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Andrea Querci

    (Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Thomas Lundh

    (Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University Hospital, 22363 Lund, Sweden)

  • Soterios A. Kyrtopoulos

    (National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Biology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Biotechnology, 11635 Athens, Greece)

  • Domenico Palli

    (Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

Background : Lead exposure, even at low levels, is associated with adverse health effects in humans. We investigated the determinants of individual lead levels in a general population-based sample of adults from Florence, Italy. Methods : Erythrocyte lead levels were measured (using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) in 454 subjects enrolled in the Florence cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study in 1992–1998. Multiple linear regression models were used to study the association between demographics, education and working history, lifestyle, dietary habits, anthropometry, residential history, and (among women) menstrual and reproductive history and use of exogenous sex hormones, and erythrocyte lead levels. Results : Median lead levels were 86.1 μg/L (inter-quartile range 65.5–111.9 μg/L). Male gender, older age, cigarette smoking and number of pack-years, alcohol intake, and residing in urban areas were positively associated with higher erythrocyte lead levels, while performing professional/managerial or administrative work or being retired was inversely associated with lead levels. Among women, lead levels were higher for those already in menopause, and lower among those who ever used hormone replacement therapy. Conclusions : Avoidable risk factors contribute to the lead body burden among adults, which could therefore be lowered through targeted public health measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Saverio Caini & Benedetta Bendinelli & Giovanna Masala & Calogero Saieva & Melania Assedi & Andrea Querci & Thomas Lundh & Soterios A. Kyrtopoulos & Domenico Palli, 2019. "Determinants of Erythrocyte Lead Levels in 454 Adults in Florence, Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:3:p:425-:d:202779
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Deborah J Pain & Ruth L Cromie & Julia Newth & Martin J Brown & Eric Crutcher & Pippa Hardman & Louise Hurst & Rafael Mateo & Andrew A Meharg & Annette C Moran & Andrea Raab & Mark A Taggart & Rhys E , 2010. "Potential Hazard to Human Health from Exposure to Fragments of Lead Bullets and Shot in the Tissues of Game Animals," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(4), pages 1-17, April.
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    Keywords

    lead; determinant; diet; lifestyle; Italy;
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