[Effects on arterial pressure of exposure to low doses of inorganic lead: preliminary results].
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to low inorganic lead (Pb) doses on blood pressure of exposed (E) workers. 44 workers of a foundry of lead wrecks and 14 workers employed in enameling and decoration of a manufacturing firm of artistic ceramics were examined. The group of non-exposed (NE) subjects is formed by 59 workers of packaging unit of a food industry. A questionnaire has been administered to all the workers on general characteristics and life habits. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also measured and venous blood collection performed for the determination of blood lead levels. Mean blood lead levels (PbB) and mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) resulted significantly higher in the group of exposed workers of the foundry. Stratifing exposed workers with respect to the median of PbB (18 micrograms/dl), workers with PbB > 18 micrograms/dl presented a mean DBP significantly higher than exposed with PbB < or = 18 micrograms/dl and non-exposed subjects. PbB takes part significantly in determination of DBP, also considering main confounding factors as age, BMI, pack-years and alcohol consumption.
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e di Medicina Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina del Lavoro, Università degli Studi di Bari.
L
L
Di Lorenzo
F
F
Cassano
G
G
Elia
T
T
Gagliardi
A
A
Silvestroni
P
P
Lovreglio
M
M
Corfiati
L
L
Soleo
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*
D007854:Lead