Evolution of blood lead levels in urban French population (1979-1995)
Huel, G.; Fréry, N.; Takser, L.; Jouan, M.; Hellier, G.; Sahuquillo, J.; Giordanella, J.P.
Revue d'Epidemiologie et de Sante Publique 50(3): 287-295
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0398-7620 PMID: 12122345 Document Number: 547485
Background: The aim of the Council Directive issued on 29 March 1977 by the European Union was to measure non-occupational lead exposure levels in the general adult populations of European countries through biological monitoring. In France, such measurements were carried out during 1979 and 1982 in eight metropolitan areas (having more than 500 000 inhabitants), a period during which the lead content of petrol was decreased. The aim of this study conducted in 1995 was to evaluate the exposure trend of lead. Methods: In 1995, measurements were repeated in only three large urban areas (Paris, Marseilles and Lyons). The same sampling method used in the first two campaigns was retained to ensure that the results of 1995 could be compared with those from 1979 and 1982. Results: In these three metropolitan areas, the average blood lead levels decreased by 60 micro g/litre between early 1980s and 1995. This represents a reduction of more than 50%. Conclusions: Certainly, air pollution due to cars is not the only vector of dissemination of lead in urban centres, but it is in this area that the most sustained efforts at eradication have been made. The improvement we have observed is probably due to the policy of eliminating lead from petrol. In conclusion, the lead levels in blood in French urban populations seem to have greatly decreased since the early 1980s.