The lead contamination level has increased in the Canadians during the past 30 years. This could probably the result of gasoline, paints, solder used to seal cans. The report has been submitted by Statistics Canada.

In the year 1978, the lead contamination was 25% but during the 2007 survey the number has come down to 1%. The report also indicated that blood contamination levels had also decreased for mercury and cadmium.

According to the head, occupational environmental health laboratory at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., the figures are “amazing”.

Brian McCarry, who holds a research chair in environment and health at the university, the drop in the numbers is indeed dramatic.
The reduction is due to the strict measures adopted by the Canadians.

"Phasing lead out of gasoline is probably one of the best stories I know of regulation impacting on exposures in human health," said Warren Foster, an expert in reproductive endocrinology and toxicology who teaches in the school of medicine.

In the preliminary study results from only eight sites across Canada have been included. The final results which would be released in 2010, would include an update on lead, mercury and cadmium levels in Canadians across all 15 sites from where information was collected.

It was also revealed that a majority of the 2,678 participants in this preliminary survey had detectable levels of lead, mercury and cadmium in their blood. But according to experts that doesn't indicate any increased risk for health problems.