本研究結果可供政府機關參考，並建議衛生單位對於此族群應進行重金屬的篩檢與預防。
Background: The report of United States National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) showed that international immigrants with a high risk for lead exposure. Lead cause anemia, neurotoxicity, digestive, and reproductive system health effect. Genetic variation will also change the metabolic pathways of heavy metals.
Objective: A cross-sectional study design was performed to investigate the interactions among Hemochromatosis (HFE)and Transferrin (TF) genetic polymorphisms and blood lead level in female immigrants of southern Taiwan .
Methods: We administrated a structured questionnaire to obtain socio- demographic status from 670 immigrant women. Each participant was collected blood sample for metals lead measurements and genotyped for HFE and TF variants. All statistical analyses were performed with SAS software 9.2 versions.
Results: The study results showed that the blood lead level and diet habits of immigrant women were no association, but associated with occupational and environmental exposure with negative correlation. Although the genotypes of TF P570S and blood lead level was no significant difference (P = 0.78), but blood lead level slightly higher in mutant genotypes than wild type.
Conclusions: Blood lead level and genotypes was no association. Increasing over time, the blood lead level was decreased in Taiwan. This study may as a reference for the policy decision, and suggested that the immigrant women should perform a periodic health examination including heavy metal determination and preventive care.
