Lead exposure in Saudi Arabia and its relationship to smoking.
Lead was determined in whole blood samples obtained from 202 Saudi male volunteers. The influence of smoking on lead exposure was investigated. Blood lead was significantly higher in current smokers than in non-smokers and previous smokers (P < 0.05). The distribution of blood lead data in the screened subjects suggested the existence of two mixed populations and a cut-off of 12 micrograms dl-1 was found where the two populations separate. Of the exposed population, 80% with blood lead concentrations above 12 micrograms dl-1 were smokers.
al-Saleh
I A
IA
Biological and Medical Research Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*
D007854:Lead