Background: This study was designed to determine current lead exposure in the Barcelona population and to evaluate the changes occurred during the last 10 years. Blood lead concentration was investigated in a random sample of 694 healthy subjects (age range: 0-65 years).
Patients and methods: Adults were random selected from a group of blood donors. Samples of children analysed were selected from subjects with a preoperatory analyses without any disease that could modify blood lead levels. Lead levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry.
Results: Blood lead concentration was 4.06 +/- 1.4 micrograms/dl in umbilical cord, 8.9 +/- 2.9 micrograms/dl in the paediatric population and 7.8 +/- 4.2 micrograms/dl in the total of adults analyzed. There was statistical differences between the younger subjects and the older population. In 1984 the results found were 18.6 +/- 6.6 micrograms/dl.
Conclusions: The results obtained show that in the last 10 years a reduction on the blood lead levels was occurred. This reduction is parallel with a diminish in the lead petrol concentration in the ambient air.