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Blood Lead Concentrations and Mortality in Korean Adults: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with Mortality Follow-Up

Author

Listed:
  • Garam Byun

    (Department of Public Health Science, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea)

  • Sera Kim

    (Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea)

  • Soo-Yeon Kim

    (Department of Public Health Science, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea)

  • Dahyun Park

    (Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea)

  • Min-Jeong Shin

    (Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
    School of Biosystems and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea)

  • Hannah Oh

    (Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
    School of Health Policy and Management, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea)

  • Jong-Tae Lee

    (Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
    School of Health Policy and Management, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea)

Abstract

Previous studies have consistently reported an increase in mortality risk, even at low levels of blood lead. The average blood lead concentration in the Korean population has steadily decreased but is still higher than that of developed countries. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between mortality and blood lead concentrations for adults in Korea. We used the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2013) linked Cause of Death data, which are followed by 2018. A total of 7308 subjects who aged over 30 at the baseline examination were included in the analyses. Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratios of mortality from non-accidental causes and cancer mortality. The estimated hazard ratios (95% CI) for comparison of the second and third tertile group with the lowest tertile group were 2.01 (1.20, 3.40) and 1.91 (1.13, 3.23) for non-accidental mortality and 3.42 (95% CI: 1.65, 7.08) and 2.27 (95% CI: 1.09, 4.70) for cancer mortality, respectively. The dose–response relationship also showed significant increase in the risk of mortality at blood lead level between 1.5 and 6.0 μg/dL. Our findings suggest that potent policies to lower lead exposure are required for the general Korean population.

Suggested Citation

  • Garam Byun & Sera Kim & Soo-Yeon Kim & Dahyun Park & Min-Jeong Shin & Hannah Oh & Jong-Tae Lee, 2020. "Blood Lead Concentrations and Mortality in Korean Adults: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with Mortality Follow-Up," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6898-:d:416760
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    Cited by:

    1. Theng Choon Ooi & Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh & Suzana Shahar & Razinah Sharif & Nurul Fatin Malek Rivan & Asheila Meramat & Nor Fadilah Rajab, 2022. "Higher Lead and Lower Calcium Levels Are Associated with Increased Risk of Mortality in Malaysian Older Population: Findings from the LRGS-TUA Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-12, June.

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