Changing blood lead levels and DNA damage (comet assay) among immigrant women in Taiwan |
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Authors: | Wei-Te Wu Kuo-Juei Lin Tsu-En Liu Chiu-Ying Chen Trong-Neng Wu |
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Affiliation: | a Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan b Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan c Institute of Public Health, National Defense Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan d Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan e Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan f Institute of Environmental Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan |
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Abstract: | BackgroundInternational marriage has had a rapid growth in recent years in Taiwan. However, little is known about the blood lead levels and DNA damage levels among immigrant women from resource-limited countries.ObjectiveThis study (a) explored differences between immigrant women and native women in demographic characteristics, blood lead levels, and DNA damage levels, and (b) identified risk factors that are associated with blood lead concentrations and DNA damage levels after immigration.MethodsWe used a structured questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographic status from (a) 71 immigrant women who had resettled in 2006 in Taichung, Taiwan and (b) 83 native women who live in the same area. Each study participant provided blood samples for lead and metal measurements, complete blood count examination, and the comet assay to measure degree of DNA damage.ResultsImmigrant women had higher mean blood lead concentration (2.23 ± 1.63 vs. 1.63 ± 1.00 μg/dl; p = 0.04) and lower mean blood zinc level (6.22 ± 2.22 vs. 6.89 ± 2.44 mg/l; p = 0.07) than native women. Resettlement time was a determinant to decrease blood lead and DNA damage levels among immigrants in Taiwan. Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed a statistically significant association between blood lead level and DNA damage, while zinc had a protective effect.ConclusionsPublic health agencies should focus on primary prevention and providing screening programs for this vulnerable population. An immigrant women's cohort should been established to follow-up and improve for elevated lead exposure families. |
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Keywords: | Blood lead Comet assay DNA damage Immigrant women Prevalence survey Environmental health |
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