ABSTRACT

Lead (Pb) is one of the most important contaminants in public health due to its high toxicity, exposure from several sources and great dispersion in the environment, that lead to large contact of the population with the chemical agent, especially in the most vulnerable group, represented by children (De Capitani and Paoliello 2012). Human exposure to lead takes place via food, water, air and soil. The susceptibility to lead toxicity is infl uenced by several factors such as environmental exposure, age and nutritional status (ATSDR 2007).