Immigration and Blood Lead Levels Among Asian Populations in the United States

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to explore determinants of high BLLs among the Asian population in the United States. Methods We used the US nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2011–2018. We conducted stratified analyses to compare the BLLs of US-born and non–US-born Asians. We used adjusted linear regression to find predictors of high BLLs. Results Among 12,563 participants in our analysis, the length of stay in the United States is a predictor of the gradual decrease in BLL among Asian immigrants (P < 0.05). BLLs of immigrants who stayed in the United States for over 50 years were 0.36 μg/dL (95% confidence interval, 0.07 to 0.66) lower than new immigrants, but still higher than their US-born counterparts. Significance Asian population in the US has the highest BLLs among all ethnic groups, and the exposure outside of the US among immigrants is likely the driver.