Different associations of blood lead, meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)-chelatable lead, and tibial lead levels with blood pressure in 543 former organolead manufacturing workers.
In this study, the authors' objective was to determine the influence of blood lead, meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)-chelatable lead, and tibial lead on systolic and diastolic blood pressures and on hypertension in 543 former organolead manufacturing workers. All workers had past exposure to inorganic and organic lead. The authors used linear regression to model systolic and diastolic blood pressure separately, and logistic regression was used for the modeling of hypertension status (i.e., systolic blood pressure > 160 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure > or =96 mm Hg, or current use of antihypertensive medications). Blood lead, DMSA-chelatable lead, and tibial lead levels had means (standard deviations appear within parentheses) of 4.6 microg/dl (2.6 microg/dl), 19.3 microg (17.2 microg), and 14.4 microg/g (9.3 microg/g), respectively. The authors adjusted for covariates, and they found that blood lead was a predictor of (1) both systolic and diastolic blood pressures and (2) hypertension status in men < 58 y of age. DMSA-chelatable lead and tibial lead were not associated with any of the blood pressure measures. Systolic blood pressure was elevated by blood lead levels as low as 5 microg/dl. We speculate that lead may have a transient influence on blood pressure that is related to target dose levels obtained once release of lead from body stores has occurred.
Schwartz
B S
BS
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Stewart
W F
WF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002614:Chelating Agents; D002617:Chemical Industry; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D004113:Succimer; D013977:Tibia / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D014481:United States
D002614:Chelating Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D007854:Lead; D004113:Succimer