Cross-sectional study of blood lead effects on iron status in Korean lead workers.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the iron status of Korean male lead workers by measuring the dietary iron intake and biochemical indices, and tested the hypothesis that a high blood lead level is associated with impaired iron function, which results in higher prevalence of iron deficiency when the route of exposure is not the gastrointestinal tract.


METHODS
One hundred eighteen lead workers and 42 non-lead workers were recruited from mandatory annual health surveillance sites for industrial workers. Blood lead, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels were evaluated as hematologic parameters, and serum iron concentrations, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage of transferrin saturation were evaluated as iron-status parameters. Dietary iron intake was assessed by a 24-h recall method.


RESULTS
Lead workers had significantly lower hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron levels, percentage of transferrin saturation, and dietary iron intake than did non-lead workers, and they had significantly higher (P < 0.01) total iron-binding capacity. The occurrence of iron-deficiency cases, as assessed by hematocrit values, was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in lead workers than in non-lead workers, and the prevalence of iron deficiency was associated with high blood lead levels (P = 0.033). The dietary iron intake was inversely associated with zinc protoporphyrin (P = 0.032).


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirmed the adverse effects of high blood lead levels on hematologic pathways and the effectiveness of dietary iron intake as a secondary preventive intervention against lead toxicity. To promote health and to prevent toxic effects of lead exposure in Korean lead workers, an adequate intake of dietary iron is strongly recommended.
Kim
Hee Seon
HS
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, South Korea
Lee
Sung Soo
SS
Hwangbo
Young
Y
Ahn
Kyu Dong
KD
Lee
Byung Kook
BK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology
D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D007854:Lead; D007501:Iron