RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Secondary exposure to lead has been identified as a public health problem since the late 1940s; we investigate the risk of lead exposure among families of radiator repair workers. METHODS: A sample of the wives and children, aged 6 months to 6 years (exposed children) (n = 19), of radiator repair workers and a sample of children whose parents were not occupationally exposed to lead (non-exposed children) (n = 29) were matched for age and residence; their geometric mean blood lead levels are compared. Blood samples were obtained by the finger stick method and environmental dust samples by the wipe method; both were analyzed using a portable anodic stripping voltameter. RESULTS: Dust lead levels were significantly higher in the houses of exposed children (143.8 vs. 3.9 microg/g; P < 0.01). In crude analyses, the highest lead levels were observed among children whose fathers worked in home-based workshops (22.4 microg/dl)(n = 6). Children whose fathers worked in an external workshop (n = 13) also had high levels (14.2 microg/dl) (P < 0.01), while blood lead levels in non-exposed children were significantly lower (5.6 microg/dl)(P < 0.01). The observed differences remained significant after adjustment for age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that children of radiator repair workers are at increased risk of lead exposure and public health interventions are needed to protect them.
Assuntos
Poluição do Ar em Ambientes Fechados/análise , Poeira/análise , Saúde da Família , Chumbo/sangue , Exposição Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Modelos Lineares , Masculino , México , Análise MultivariadaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and severity of asthma and allergic diseases in schoolchildren residing in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1998 to May 1999, among 6,174 children from 53 schools in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. The method used was the one recommended by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) to determine the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Parents were asked to answer a standardized questionnaire on current and cumulative prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. A sample stratified by level of pollution was selected. RESULTS: The cumulative prevalence of medically diagnosed asthma and wheezing was 6.8% (95% CI 6.2, 7.4) and 20% (95% CI 19.7, 21.8), respectively. The prevalence of wheezing in the last 12 months was higher in the group aged 6-8 years than in those aged 11-14 years (9.7% vs. 5.8%, p < 0.01). The prevalence of medically diagnosed rhinitis was 5.0% (95% CI 4.5, 5.6). The prevalence of medically diagnosed eczema was 4.9% (4.3, 5.4). The prevalence of eczema symptoms in the last 12 months was 12.7% in the 6-8 years group and 13.3% in the 11-14 year group, respectively. Severe symptoms of asthma were significantly higher in the 6-8 years group and during the autumn months. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of medically diagnosed and symptomatic asthma was relatively low in comparison with findings from others studies that use similar methods, but the prevalence rates of rhinitis and eczema were higher.
Assuntos
Asma/epidemiologia , Hipersensibilidade/epidemiologia , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , México , Prevalência , População UrbanaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To establish the relation between maternal blood lead (MBL) and umbilical cord blood lead (CBL) levels during delivery, and to determine the major predictors for MBL in women covered by the Mexican Institute of Social Security (MISS), in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1991 to 1993, a cross-sectional study was conducted in four MISS hospitals, among normal pregnant women who volunteered to participate. Blood samples were taken from women and from the umbilical cord during delivery. Statistical analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and simple and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 1,404 mother-newborn pairs were studied. Mean maternal age was 25 years. MBL average was 10.7 +/- 6.5 micrograms/dl; no significant differences were found by hospital, age, or marital status. Mean CBL was 10.4 +/- 6.2 micrograms/dl. A log unit increase in MBL corresponded to a log increase of 0.62 in CBL (p < 0.01). Pearson's correlation was 0.61 (p < 0.01). The main predictors of MBL were: Use of lead-glazed ceramic (positively associated) and milk and orange juice intake (negatively associated). Forty-seven percent of mothers and 50 percent of the newborn babies had values higher than 10 micrograms/dl, and 578 of them had blood lead levels higher than their mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies should be carried out in order to identify necessary interventions.
Assuntos
Sangue Fetal/química , Chumbo/sangue , Gravidez/sangue , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Exposição Ambiental/efeitos adversos , Feminino , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Intoxicação por Chumbo/sangue , Modelos Lineares , Análise MultivariadaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship of < or = 10 microns particles (PM10) and atmospheric ozone concentrations, with the daily number of emergency visits due to asthma and acute respiratory diseases, among children aged under 15, living in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1998 and 1999, an ecologic study was conducted. Atmospheric data were obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), from eight monitoring stations located in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, and EI Paso, Texas. From July 1997 to December 1998, data from emergency room visits for respiratory illness were abstracted from existing medical records of two Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) hospitals in Ciudad Juarez. Diagnoses were classified into two groups: a) asthma, and b) upper respiratory infections (URI), according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 and/or IDC-10). Statistical analysis was carried out using the Poisson regression time series method. RESULTS: During the study period, the mean 24-hour PM10 level was 34.46 micrograms/m3 (SD = 17.99) and the mean ozone level was 51.60 ppb (SD = 20.70). The model shows that an increase of 20 micrograms/m3 in the mean 24-hour exposure to PM10 was related to an increase of 4.97% (95% CI 0.97-9.13) in emergency visits for asthma, with a 5-day lag, as well as to an increase of 9% (95% CI 1.8-16.8) when a cumulative 5-day exposure was considered. URI increased 2.95% as a cause of emergency room visits, for each 20 micrograms/m3 increase in the mean 24-hour exposure to PM10. The impact of PM10 on emergency visits for asthma was greater on days with ozone ambient levels exceeded 49 ppb (median value). CONCLUSIONS: A positive association was found between environmental PM10 and ozone concentrations and the daily number of emergency room visits due to asthma and acute respiratory diseases, even with levels lower than the Mexican standard levels. Also, a synergic effect between PM10 and O3 was found.
Assuntos
Poluição do Ar , Asma/epidemiologia , Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência/estatística & dados numéricos , Infecções Respiratórias/epidemiologia , Saúde da População Urbana , Doença Aguda , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Humanos , Lactente , MéxicoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to determine levels of acetyilcholinesterase (AchE) activity in total blood of women during pregnancy, and liverborns, and to analyze the correlation of the enzymatic activity between the capillary and venous sample. PATIENTS, MATERIAL, AND METHODS: We included 205 samples from pregnant (22), second (25), third trimester (36), full term pregnancy (65), non-pregnant women (28), and from Newborns (29). A bivaried analysis was used to analyse the AchE activity and its association with gestational age, body mass index, tobacco addiction, and use of pesticides at home, and hemoglobin concentration. RESULTS: Women at childbirth and at third trimester showed a significant increase in AcE levels by 5.75 + 1.15 U/mL and 4.98 +/- 0.87 U/mL respectively, respect to levels from non-pregnant women (4.59 +/- 0.79 U/mL). Activity in cord's blood was significatively minor (3.78 +/- 0.56 U/mL) compared with levels in non-pregnant women. There was no difference in AchE activity by tobacco addiction, hemoglobin levels, and use of insecticides at home. AchE activity by capillary and venous punction showed a correlation of 0.68 with p < 0.01 and IC 95% = 0.5171-0.8476. CONCLUSIONS: Enzymatic activity showed a normal distribution and could be considered like values from a non-exposure population. We determined that possible confounding factors like tobacco addiction and use of pesticides at home have no significant effects over AchE activity. Our results are important as reference values for studies about AchE activity in women from populations predominantly exposed to pesticides during gestation.
Assuntos
Acetilcolinesterase/metabolismo , Gravidez/metabolismo , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Recém-NascidoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The measurement of asthma, rhinitis and eczema have been subject of controversy due to lack of a standardized methodology. To test the applicability of a standardized methodology for comparisons of time and space we determined the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in a random sample of schoolchildren (n = 6,238) from 6 to 8 and 11 to 14 years of age living in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The methodology proposed by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) to determine prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis and eczema was applied. Current and accumulated information on prevalence was obtained by means of a standardized questionnaire answered by the children's parents. RESULTS: The accumulated prevalence of asthma by medical diagnosis and wheezing was 5.8% (5.2-6.4) and 21.8% (20.7-22.9) respectively; prevalence of wheezing in the last 12 months was 8.9% in the group of 6 to 8 years against 6.6% in the 11 to 14 year old group p < 0.001. Prevalence of the medical diagnosis of rhinitis was 4.9% (4.3-5.5). Regarding the typical symptoms of rhinitis, in the last 12 months prevalence was 9.6% (6-8 years) and 10.1% (11-14 years). Prevalence of eczema by medical diagnosis was 4.1% (3.6-4.6). Prevalence of eczema symptoms in the last 12 months was 10.1% (6-8 years) and 10.6% (11-14 years). Prevalence of severe asthma symptoms was significantly higher in the 6 to 8 year olds and in the autumn. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of asthma by medical diagnosis and by symptoms is relatively low with respect to other studies performed with the same methodology. The benefits of using a standardized methodology were analyzed.
Assuntos
Asma/epidemiologia , Eczema/epidemiologia , Rinite Alérgica Perene/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Dermatite Atópica/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , México/epidemiologia , Fatores SexuaisRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between calcium intake and blood lead levels in women of reproductive age living in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood lead was assayed in 198 women of 15-48 years of age. By interrogation, the calcium intake was calculated from the frequency of consumption of 11 foods which provide nearly 95% of the intake of calcium in Mexico. RESULTS: The mean blood lead was 9.71 micrograms/dL (range 1 to 39). We observed a statistically significant decreasing trend between the risk of having blood lead levels exceeding 10 mu/dL and the increase in calcium intake. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests the need to evaluate interventions such as modifications in the consumption of milk, cheese, and other calcium rich foods, and their effect on blood lead levels.
Assuntos
Cálcio da Dieta/administração & dosagem , Chumbo/sangue , Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise de RegressãoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy and its impact on birth weight and the immediate post-partum period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a survey of 110 pregnant women who delivered at the Hospital Civil in Cuernavaca, Morelos. The questionnaire was applied by specialized personal. We used multiple linear regression to adjust for differences between birth weight means and multiple logistic regression for complications. RESULTS: In our study, women who suffered violence during pregnancy had three times more complications during delivery (Cl 95% 1.3-7.9). The difference in birth weight of newborns of these women was 560 g less (p < 0.01 adjusted by age and parity) in comparison with women who did not undergo violence during pregnancy. Women who suffered violence during pregnancy had a four times greater risk for having low birth weight babies (Cl 95% 1.3-12.3) than the non-battered women. CONCLUSIONS: We propose more research be done on this topic, including studies of other population groups. Also, health personnel should be educated that violence towards women could constitute a reproductive risk.