Blood protoporphyrin IX as a biological indicator of increased absorption of lead.
Blood lead and erythrocyte zinc-protoporphyrin levels were studied in 45 male adults exposed to lead (traditional home-factory pottery) and compared with two control populations. These two variables are well correlated in all the studied populations. Delta-aminolevulinic acid levels in urine (ALA-U) were significantly higher in the exposed group. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (Hc) values and clinical data were also considered. We conclude that the zinc-protoporphyrin method here used is a simple reliable field test of the selection of individuals who need more detailed clinical investigation.
D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000097:blood*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood*
D011166:Porphyrins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D007854:Lead; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; C028025:protoporphyrin IX