[Studies on the biological effects of low level lead exposures. Part 2. Biochemical responses and subjective symptoms in female lead workers (author's transl)].
Females painters of ceramic works were examined for parameters of biochemical lead poisoning such as erythrocyte ALAD, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP), ALA and coproporphyrin (CP) in the urine as well as parameters of lead absorption such as lead concentration in the blood and urine (PbB and PbU). Results were compared with those of male painters. At the same time, subjective symptoms were questioned in both male and female painters. Under the lead exposure levels of these painters (PbB 5-50 microgram/dl, PbU 10-200 microgram/l), FEP alone, among the four biochemical tests for lead poisoning, showed a different behaviour between the male and female painters. Among female painters, significant higher incidence of the symptom of "tiredness" was recognized when the PbB level became more than 20 microgram/dl and significant higher incidence of the "history of abortion" was seen as the PbU level became more than 60 microgram/l. However, any relationship between subjective symptoms and PbB or PbU level was not recognized among male painters. These results suggest that female painters are more susceptible to lead exposure than male painters.
D000328:Adult; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000097:blood; D003306:Coproporphyrins / Q000097:blood; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood; D012737:Sex Factors
D003306:Coproporphyrins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D007854:Lead; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid