Blood lead levels, pulmonary function and agility in Polish schoolchildren. (17th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Little, Bert B.; Ignasiak, Zofia; Sławinska, Teresa; Posłuszny, Pawel; Malina, R. M.; Wiegman, David L.
• Is Part Of: Annals of human biology. Volume 44:Number 8(2017)
• Page Start: 723
• Page End: 728
• Publication Date: 2017-11-17
• Subjects: Lead (Pb) -- agility -- schoolchildren -- pulmonary function; Human biology -- Periodicals; 612
• DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2017.1387284
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4460

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Reduced vital capacity (VC) and forced vital capacity (FVC) are associated with lead (Pb) exposure. Aim: The objective of this study is to analyse the effects of Pb on FVC and the shuttle run performance. Subjects and methods: Data were available for 184 male and 189 female Polish schoolchildren aged 10–15 years. Regression analysis was performed of shuttle run performance (dependent) on Pb and FVC. Results: Shuttle run time increased by 1.75 (± 0.77) and 1.97 (± 0.77) seconds for each 10 µg/dL increase in Pb blood among males and females, respectively. Higher shuttle run times indicate poorer performance. Average unadjusted blood Pb level in the sample was 5.27 μg/dL (± 0.19 SE) and 3.82 μg/dL (± 0.10 SE), respectively. Path analysis was used to assess the association of Pb level with shuttle run time. Blood Pb had a significant negative effect on VC ( B = −13.60 ± 3.28 [SE], p < 0.0001) and FVC ( B = −13.08 ± 3.27, p < 0.0001). FVC had a small but significant effect on shuttle run time ( B = −0.04 ± 0.007, p < 0.0001). Pb had a significant effect on the residual of shuttle run time among males ( B = 1.59 ± 0.75, p < 0.03) and females after the effect of FVC was removed ( B = 1.49 ± 0.73, p < 0.04). Conclusions: Thus, Pb had direct and indirect effects that increased shuttle run time, i.e. negatively affected performance.