Lead levels in the deciduous teeth of Queensland children

Abstract

Lead levels in the deciduous teeth of 292 Queensland children aged between 4 and 9 years are reported. Samples were obtained through the cooperation of parents of children attending kindergartens throughout the State in 1981. Information relating to the child’s place of residence, home environment and parents’ occupation was also gathered with the aid of a questionnaire. Tooth lead levels ranged from 0 to 29 µg/g (mean, 3.4 µg/g; SD, 4.1 µg/g). Possible relationships between aspects of the subject’s history and lead levels are discussed and the data are compared with those of similar, already published studies.