Chronic lead poisoning in an adult battery worker.
BACKGROUND
Lead poisoning is a common environmental health hazard in developing countries. Incidences of lead poisoning are seen in all age groups, especially in adults working in lead-based industries, where many still remain unaware of the adverse effects of exposure to unusually high levels of lead.


METHODS
We report the case of an adult battery worker, who initially received symptomatic treatment because of clinical misdiagnosis. Later, he was treated with appropriate chelators, which helped to decrease blood lead levels drastically. However, being unable to change his occupation, he continues to be exposed to potentially lethal doses of lead.


CONCLUSIONS
A key role for health agencies, besides providing opportunities for diagnosis and therapy, should be to increase public awareness about this widespread environmental hazard through education, documentation and communication.
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Referral Center for Lead Poisoning in India (NRCLPI), St John's Medical College, St John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Koramangala, Bangalore 560 034, India.
G
G
Menezes
H S
HS
D'souza
T
T
Venkatesh
D000328:Adult; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002617:Chemical Industry; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood
D002614:Chelating Agents; D011524:Protoporphyrins; C017803:zinc protoporphyrin; D007854:Lead