Lead poisoning is a major public-health problem in Bangladesh. A
cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the extent of and risk
factors for elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children in Bangladesh
during September 2007\u2013July 2009. The study included 919 children
aged less than 16 years. The children were recruited from six urban
locations in Dhaka and one rural area in Chirirbandar, Dinajpur. In
total, 495 (54%) children had high BLLs (>10 \u3bcg/dL), with
higher BLLs observed among children aged 5-9 years compared to children
of other ages (p<0.001). The BLLs among children in urban Dhaka were
significantly higher than those in rural areas (13.45\ub18.21
\u3bcg/dL vs 7.29\ub16.25 \u3bcg/dL, p<0.001). The high BLLs
correlated with low body mass index (r=-0.23, p<0.001) and low
haemoglobin status (r=-0.10, p=0.02). On bivariate analysis, proximity
to industry (p<0.001), drinking-water from municipal supply or
tubewell (p<0.001), brass or lead water-taps (p<0.001), use of
melamine plate (p=0.001), and indigenous medicinal (kabiraji)
treatments (p=0.004) significantly correlated with higher BLLs.
Proximity to industry and the use of indigenous medicines remained
significant predictors of high BLLs after controlling for the
confounders. Several risk factors appropriate for future educational
interventions to prevent exposure to lead poisoning were identified