The lead level in the blood of pregnant women from the city of Sofia
Ivanova, L.; Pentieva, K.; Tsachev, K.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiia 36(3): 7-9
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0324-0959 PMID: 9618947 Document Number: 483471
The study was aimed at establishing the relation between blood lead, nutrient intake and smoking habits of pregnant and nonpregnant women in Sofia. Forty four pregnant in the last trimester of pregnancy and 14 nonpregnant women were examined. There are no differences between the mean blood lead level of the groups. 22.72% of the pregnant and 37.7% of the nonpregnant women studied had blood lead above the accepted tolerable value of 0.48 mumol/l. It was established low intake of calcium, zinc and iron, minerals that contribute to lead bioavailability. A positive correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked and blood lead concentration was established. Based on this study it can be concluded that non-professional external exposure of lead in Sofia is significant. Smoking is eventually one contributing factor that can be excluded to reduce lead exposure.