OBJECTIVETo observe blood lead level and related risk factors among children aged 0-6 years old living in cities in China and to provide data for policy development to the prevention on environmental lead pollution.

METHODSA stratified-clustered-random sampling method was used. 17 141 peripheral blood samples of 0-6 years old children from 15 cities in China were tested. Tungsten atomizer absorption spectrophotometer was employed to determined the blood lead level. Related factors were also studied using a standardized questionnaire. Data were analyzed on related risk factors that affecting blood lead levels through multiple regression method.

RESULTSThe mean blood lead level of 0-6 years old children from 15 cities in China was 59.52 microg/L including 10.45% of those > or =100 microg/L, and 0.62% > or = 200 microg/L. However, the blood lead levels seemed to have had a trend of increase parallel to age among 0-6 years-old children and were higher for boys (59.50 microg/L) than girls (54.95 microg/L). The risk factors which influenceing children's blood lead levels would include the type of housing, parent's education levels, social status and hobby, children's behavior habit, dieting habit and nutritional condition.

CONCLUSIONThe blood lead levels of children in China were lower than data gathered from former national studies but higher than those from developed countries, suggesting that the. Government and the whole society should be aware of the problem on lead poisoning among children during their childhood.