According to a study, passive smoking may expose children to lead. Blood lead levels and secondhand smoking exposure were examined in 2,815 children and teenagers aged 6–19.
Children’s exposure to lead due to secondhand smoking is usually ignored, according to a new study. Texas A&M University researchers examined 2,815 children and teenagers’ blood lead levels and secondhand smoking exposure between 6 and 19. Nicotine byproduct cotinine and lead concentrations were examined.
How does cotinine affect kids?
Biomarker for tobacco smoke exposure is cotinine. The BMC Public Health study linked blood lead to cotinine. Participants with intermediate blood cotinine levels had 18% higher lead levels, while those with high levels had 29% higher lead levels.
The age range 6 to 10 had the largest percentage of those with blood lead levels above the median, with a growing tendency in older groups.
Younger children may put their hands and other things in their mouths more often or absorb more lead than older children and adults.
Researchers found that fat children and teenagers had considerably lower lead levels than non-obese ones. This study found that secondhand smoking can expose children and adolescents to lead.
According to university Genny Carrillo, these findings can affect attempts to limit low-level lead exposure in children. She believes “Further research will probably paint a clearer picture of this exposure route, especially in younger children.”
Carrillo said, “Educating parents about secondhand smoking as a lead source may reduce lead exposure in children and build on previous lead removal campaigns.”.
Conclusion:-
Texas A&M University found that children’s exposure to lead due to secondhand smoking is usually ignored. Blood lead levels and secondhand smoking exposure were measured in 2,815 6–19-year-olds. High and moderate blood cotinine levels elevated lead levels by 18% and 29%, respectively. The majority of those with blood lead levels over the median were ages 6 to 10, with an increasing trend later on. Younger children often put their hands and other things in their mouths or absorb more lead than older children and adults. Heavy kids and teens had far lower lead levels than thin kids and teens. The findings can help prevent low-level lead exposure in youngsters, but further study is needed to understand this process.
