Childhood lead poisoning in Mexico: other sources of exposure beyond lead-glazed ceramics (Ensanut 2022)

Objective. To describe and update to 2002 the prevalence of lead poisoning in the population of children 1-4 years old in Mexico and describe sources of environmental and paraoccupational exposure, and use of lead-glazed ceramics (LGC). Materials and methods. Study in a sample of children who participated in the Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutricion 2022 (Ensanut 2022). The capillary blood lead levels (BLL) were measured.A questionnaire was applied to inquire about sources of lead exposure. Results. BLL were measured in 1 158 under 1-4 years.The national prevalence of lead poisoning (>= 5.0 mu g/dl) was 16.8% (95%CI:13.6,20.5). The proportion of households that reported exposure to an exclusive source was 21.2, 17.7 and 7.4% for LGC, environmental and paraoccupational exposure respectively. The prevalence of lead poisoning of those exposed to a single source was 21.5%; and this figure increases to 24.2% among those who reported combined exposure to the three types of sources. Conclusion. The national prevalence of lead poisoning remained stable with respect to the same indicator in Ensanut 2018-19. The use of LGC is a relevant source of exposure,but it is not the only one.An important contribution was identified by environmental exposure and to the lesser extent of paraoccupational exposure.