Blood lead level and its relationship to essential elements in preschool children from Nanning, China.

Abstract Objective Our study aimed to assess the distribution of blood lead level and its relationship to essential elements in preschool children in an urban area of China. Design and methods A total of 6741 children aged 0- to 6-year-old were recruited. Levels of lead, zinc, copper, iron, calcium, and magnesium in whole blood samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Results The mean blood lead level (BLL) and the prevalence of BLL ≥ 10 μg/dl (5.26 ± 4.08 μg/dl and 6.84%, respectively) increased with age gradually, and there was a gender-difference for blood lead, copper, zinc and iron levels. Compared with the group of children who had BLLs  Conclusion Age- and gender-differences were found when assessing the BLL and intoxication prevalence in preschool children. Metabolic disorder of essential elements was found even with a low level of lead exposure.