Relationships between three indicators of lead exposure in workers: blood lead, delta-aminolevulinic acid and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin.
Whole blood lead (Pb-B), urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA-U) and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) were measured in three groups of workers (n = 196) with different degrees of exposure to lead, and one group of men with no previous exposure to the metal (n = 48). Inter-group comparison showed a correlation of r = 0.73 between Pb-B and log of ALA-U, and r = 0.91 between Pb-B and log of FEP. ALA-U and FEP values rose sharply after Pb-B values reached 450-500 micrograms/l.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000652:urine*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D007982:Levulinic Acids / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000097:blood*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood*
D007982:Levulinic Acids; D011166:Porphyrins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D007854:Lead; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid