Lead effects among secondary lead smelter workers with blood lead levels below 80 microgram/100 ml.
A subgroup of workers from a secondary lead smelter was defined to include those with blood lead levels not exceeding 80 microgram/100 ml and with no past history of elevated blood lead. Central nervous system symptoms (tiredness, sleeplessness, irritability, headache) were reported by 55% of the group and muscle and joint pain by 39%. Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels were elevated in 71% of cases. Low hemoglobin levels (less than 14 gm/100 ml) were found in more than a third of the workers. While BUN and creatinine were mostly in the normal range, there was nevertheless a correlation between ZPP and both BUN and creatinine. Reduced nerve-conduction velocities were present in 25% of the group; this was not significantly different from findings in a control group. The data indicate that a blood level of 80 microgram/100 ml is an inappropriate biological guide in the prevention of lead disease.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
D011524:Protoporphyrins; D007854:Lead; D015032:Zinc