An evaluation of lead in imported candies within Clark County, Nevada, USA.

摘要

Imported candies from Latin America pose a danger to children because of the potential for those candies to contain harmful levels of lead. If we can identify characteristics of imported candies that typically display higher concentrations of lead, then we can make better suggestions to local health officials to help prevent elevated blood lead levels in children. Lead concentrations were measured by both a portable XRF (x-ray fluorescence) and ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) for verification. This study also explores the Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic model developed by the EPA. Using lead exposure data specific to Clark County, we can use this model to estimate the amounts of candy a child would have to consume in order to raise his blood lead level to over 10ig/dL (the federal allowable limit).;The results showed that candies with the ingredients chili or tamarind contained less lead concentrations than candies without chili or tamarind. Lead concentrations in candies from Clark County were typically very low (0.5mug/g) and the IEUBK model determined that, on average, children would have to consume a large amount of candies (∼125) a day to reach a blood lead level of 10mug/dL. However, in the event that some of those candies have an extremely high lead concentration (>1000mug/g) then it would only take a few of those candies to bring a child's blood lead level to dangerous levels. The results of this study illustrated the use of XRF testing as a viable quick test for imported candies since candies with extremely high lead concentrations are of more concern than those near the federal allowable level of 0.1mug/g.