title: Initial occupational exposure to lead: Chromosome and Biochemical findings.
abstract: Serial chromosome and biochemical studies were carried out in 11 subjects before and during initial occupational exposure to moderate quantities of lead fumes in a storage battery plant. The rate of abnormal metaphases, mostly with chromatid and one-break chromosome aberrations, was approximately doubled after one month of work; it further increased after two months of work; remained in this range up to seven months of exposure; and then tended to decrease somewhat. Blood lead levels increased progressively in the first few months, then reached a steady state. Urinary lead and coproporphyrin levels increased sharply after one month of work, while urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) levels increased moderately. The ALA dehydratase (ALAD) activity of red blood cells (RBCs) was reduced to almost 50% of the initial values after one month, decreased further in subsequent months, and remained decreased through the remainder of the study.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000652:urine; D003306:Coproporphyrins / Q000652:urine; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase / Q000652:urine; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003306:Coproporphyrins; D007854:Lead; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase