Thanks to improved environmental awareness and regulations, and the reduced use of leaded gasoline, lead levels in Chinese children's blood systems are dropping, and are now below dangerous levels in most kids across the country, medical experts told a national symposium on preventing and treating lead poisoning yesterday.

More than 100 experts from home and abroad are taking part in the two-day meeting held by Xinhua Hospital. In addition to academic discussions, experts also called for the establishment of an official guideline on children's lead poisoning diagnosis and treatment.

"With the awareness of environment pollution, lead poisoning and the adoption of green energy, blood lead levels in Chinese children decreased conspicuously in recent years," said Shen Xiaoming of Xinhua Hospital.

"About 10 to 20 percent of children surpass 100 micrograms of lead in one liter of blood. This level is believed to influence children's nervous system and development by the international medical community."

"Proper daily habits such as washing hands before eating, avoiding regular contact with cosmetics and avoiding foods like popcorn and preserved eggs are useful to control lead poisoning," he said. "Intake of milk products and more calcium, zinc and iron are all effective methods."

(Shanghai Daily September 27, 2005)