Lead exposure: Pottery impact in Tlaxcala, Mexico

Abstract

The objective of this work was to assess the blood lead level in paired samples of pottery-glaze workers to confirm the LeadCare® II System (LCS) reliability using this device in the general population, and quantify this metal in cooked food in lead-glazed containers. The blood lead measurement in pottery-glaze workers was carried out by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and the LCS. this last method was also used in the general population. The food lead level was quantified through GFAAS. The paired data showed a significant correlation (r = 0.976, p < 0.001), a mean difference of 3.3 μg/dL with limits of agreement between - 2.4 to 9 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.928. These results indicate a good concordance between both methods. The blood lead median of 32.0 μg/dL and interquartile range (IQR) of 16.1 was higher in the pottery-glaze workers than in the general population (children = 5.4 μg/dL, IQR = 5.9 and adults = 8.3 μg/dL, IQR = 2.7). Lead in food exceeded the maximum level considered in the Codex alimentarius. Pottery persists as a potential risk in the Tlaxcala State population.