Outbreak investigation of lead neurotoxicity in children from artificial jewelry cottage industry.
10.1186/s12199-019-0777-9
- Author:
Akhil D GOEL
1
;
Rohini V CHOWGULE
2
Author Information
1. Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India. doc.akhilgoel@gmail.com.
2. Indian Institute of Environmental Medicine, Kasturba Hospital Mumbai, Building no. 12, Mumbai, India.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Heavy metal poisoning, Case control study, Inhalation exposure
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Air Pollution, Indoor;
adverse effects;
Case-Control Studies;
Child;
Child, Preschool;
Disease Outbreaks;
Female;
Humans;
India;
epidemiology;
Infant;
Inhalation Exposure;
adverse effects;
Jewelry;
poisoning;
Lead;
blood;
standards;
Lead Poisoning;
epidemiology;
pathology;
physiopathology;
Male;
Metallurgy;
Neurotoxicity Syndromes;
epidemiology;
pathology;
physiopathology;
Poverty Areas;
Risk Factors
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
2019;24(1):30-30
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:Although lead neurotoxicity is a known phenomenon, it can often be missed at a primary or secondary care level especially if detailed environmental exposure history is missed.
METHODS:This is an outbreak investigation where we observed 15 pediatric cases with neurologic signs and symptoms clustered in a slum area known for an unorganized artificial jewelry industry. Their clinical, biochemical, and epidemiological features were compared with 14 other children from the same region reporting with non-neurological symptoms who were considered as unmatched controls.
RESULTS:Cases with neurological manifestations had a higher in-house lead smelting activity [OR 7.2 (95% CI 1.4-38.3)] as compared to controls. Toddlers below 3 years of age were more vulnerable to the effects of lead.
CONCLUSION:This study emphasizes that many focal sources of lead poisoning still remain especially in the unorganized sector. In cases presenting with unexplained neurotoxicity, specific occupational and environmental inquiry for chemical poisoning, with special consideration for lead, should be actively pursued.
