Whole blood lead levels were estimated by atomic absorption analysis in 119 Omani children admitted to hospital. Eighteen per cent of the children were found to have a blood lead level of 1.2 mumol/l or more, 5 per cent were found to have a level above 2.4 mumol/l and 3 per cent had very high levels in excess of 3.4 mumol/l. No overall relationship was demonstrated between age and blood lead levels. However, children less than 3 years old were three times more likely than those 3 years or above to have a blood lead level in excess of 2.4 mumol/l. The results of this study are sufficiently worrying to justify a more widespread community based survey of blood lead levels in Omani children.
Adolescent Child