Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

The Korean Society of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (대한직업환경의학회)
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Association Between Blood Lead Concentration and Computerized Neurobehavioral Performance in Korean Elementary School Students

초등학생들의 혈중 납 농도와 컴퓨터 신경행동검사 결과와의 관련성

  • Kim, Yeon-Cheol (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University) ;
  • Jeon, Man-Joong (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University) ;
  • Hong, Yun-Chul (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Chul-Gab (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University) ;
  • Ha, Mi-Na (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dankook University) ;
  • Kwon, Ho-Jang (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dankook University) ;
  • SaKong, Joon (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yeungnam University Hospital, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University)
  • 김연철 (, 영남대학교 의과대학 부속병원 산업의학과, 영남대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 전만중 (, 영남대학교 의과대학 부속병원 산업의학과, 영남대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 홍윤철 (서울대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 이철갑 (조선대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 하미나 (단국대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 권호장 (단국대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 사공준 (, 영남대학교 의과대학 부속병원 산업의학과, 영남대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Published : 2011.06.30
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Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate association between computerized neurobehavioral performance and blood lead concentration in Korean elementary school students. Methods: The subjects were 1,077 elementary school students of Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Gwangju. Blood lead concentration was measured and computerized neurobehavioral performance tests were performed. Results: Blood lead concentration of the subjects was in the range of 0.20 and 7.39 ${\mu}$g/dl. The geometric mean of the subjects' blood lead concentration was 1.41 ${\mu}$g/dl. As blood lead concentration increased, reaction time to the symbol digit tended to increase significantly and linearly. As a result of LOWESS(locally weighted scatterplot smoothing), increasing reaction time to the symbol digit was observed. Conclusions: As blood lead concentration under the CDC (center for disease control and prevention) reference value increased, reaction time to the symbol digit tended to increase. But, as the number of subjects over 3 ${\mu}$g/dl is small, it is difficult to make a definite conclusion. If confounding variables are controlled properly in a follow-up study, we can obtain a more definite conclusion.

목적: 이 연구는 전국 초등학생을 대상으로 혈중 납 농도를 측정하고, 컴퓨터 신경행동검사를 실시하여 초등학생의 혈중 납 농도와 신경행동기능의 관련성을 평가하고자 하였다. 방법: 전국의 8개 초등학교 1학년생 1,077명을 대상으로 혈중 납 농도를 측정하고, 컴퓨터 신경행동검사(단순 반응시간, 선택반응시간, 숫자더하기, 부호숫자 짝짓기)를 실시하였다. 결과: 대상 초등학생들의 혈중 납 농도는 0.02-7.39 $\mu$g/dl 사이에 모두 분포하고 있었으며, 기하평균은 1.41 $\mu$g/dl. 신경행동검사 중 부호숫자 짝짓기 항목에서 혈중 납 농도가 증가할수록 반응시간이 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 결론: CDC 권고 수준인 10 $\mu$g/dl 이하의 혈중 납 농도에서 신경행동검사 중 부호숫자 짝짓기의 반응시간이 증가하는 경향이 있었지만, 3 $\mu$g/dl 이상의 대상자가 적어서 명확한 결론을 내리기는 어렵다. 향후 추적관찰 연구를 통하여 혼란변수들을 적절히 통제한다면 혈중 납 농도와 소아들의 신경행동기능과의 관련성에 관해 더욱 타당하게 평가할 수 있을 것이다.

Keywords

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