The association between occupational lead exposure and serum cholesterol and lipoprotein levels.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to clarify the possible associations between blood lead level and serum cholesterol and lipoprotein levels in subjects occupationally exposed to lead.


METHODS
Levels of blood lead, serum total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides in 56 male industrial employees who were exposed to lead were compared with those in 87 unexposed employees.


RESULTS
Mean blood lead levels were 42.3 (+/- 14.9) micrograms/dL in the exposed group and 2.7 (+/- 3.6) micrograms/dL in the nonexposed group. The exposed subjects had higher mean levels of total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood lead levels are positively associated with total and HDL cholesterol.
Kristal-Boneh
E
E
Occupational Health and Rehabilitation Institute, Raanana, Israel.
Coller
D
D
Froom
P
P
Harari
G
G
Ribak
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003124:Colorimetry; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D016014:Linear Models; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D007854:Lead; D002784:Cholesterol