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. 2005 Apr;10(4):215-20.

Lead levels in Canadian children: Do we have to review the standard?

Stephen N Tsekrekos  1 , Irena Buka
Affiliations

Lead levels in Canadian children: Do we have to review the standard?

Stephen N Tsekrekos et al. Paediatr Child Health. 2005 Apr.

Abstract
in English, French

Research indicates that the blood lead levels that were once considered safe can adversely affect the neurodevelopment of children. The purpose of the present article is to review issues surrounding lead exposure in Canadian children, including sources, chronic low levels of exposure, and recommendations for prevention. Information was obtained through searches of MEDLINE and Web of Science using a combination of: "Canada" or "Canadian" plus "child" or "paediatrics" plus "lead" or "lead poisoning" or "blood lead". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data and American peer-reviewed literature were also used. On-line Health Canada advisories (available since 1995), as well as relevant reports from nongovernmental organization and the media, were reviewed. The present review found that there has been limited surveillance of blood lead levels of Canadian children and, mainly, among high-risk groups. Harmful health effects may occur below the current standards and the threat of lead in consumer products remains. The current regulation seems to be inadequate to protect Canadian children.

D’après les recherches, les taux de plombémie qu’on estimait sécuritaires peuvent nuire au développement neurologique des enfants. Le présent article vise à analyser les enjeux entourant l’exposition au plomb chez les enfants canadiens, y compris les sources, l’exposition chronique à des taux faibles et les recommandations de prévention. L’information a été colligée à l’aide de recherches dans MEDLINE et dans Web of Science, à l’aide d’une combinaison des termes Canada ou Canadian (canadien) et child (enfant) ou paediatrics (pédiatrie) et lead (plomb) ou lead poisoning (intoxication par le plomb) ou blood lead (plombémie). On a également fait appel aux données des Centers for Disease Control and Prevention et à la documentation scientifique américaine révisée par des pairs. Les conseils électroniques de Santé Canada (depuis 1995), de même que des rapports pertinents d’organismes non gouvernementaux et des médias, ont été examinés. La présente analyse a permis d’établir le peu de surveillance des taux de plombémie chez les enfants canadiens, et surtout dans les groupes les plus vulnérables. Des effets délétères sur la santé peuvent se manifester sous les normes actuelles, et il existe toujours un danger que du plomb soit présent dans les produits de consommation. Le règlement actuel semble insuffisant pour protéger les enfants canadiens.

Keywords: Blood lead; Canada; Children; Lead; Lead poisoning.

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