Elevated hair levels of cadmium and lead in school children exposed to smoking and in highways near schools

Objectives: Heavy metal pollution has become a serious health concern in recent years. Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) are toxic heavy metals. This study was aimed to determine the risk factors for high cadmium and lead levels in school children. Design and methods: The scalp hair samples were obtained from 760 children at 13 schools in Istanbul. A questionnaire was prepared to gather information about demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the children. Hair cadmium and lead concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Household exposure to smoking and attending a school near to Main Streets were found to be the most important risk factors for the high hair cadmium and lead levels in our study. Conclusion: These findings support the public health recommendations that children should not have household exposure to smoking, schools should not be near to the main streets and unleaded gasoline use should be promoted.