Assessment of prevalence of elevated blood lead levels and risk factors among children and pregnant women in Bihar, India.

Background: While modeled estimates and studies in contaminated areas indicate high lead exposure among children in Bihar, India, local data on lead exposure in the child population is limited.

Objectives: To characterize lead exposure, and assess potential sources of lead exposure among a state-representative sample of children and their pregnant mothers residing in Bihar.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 697 children under five and 55 pregnant women from eight districts in Bihar.