[Application of benchmark dose on occupational epidemiology research in lead exposure].
OBJECTIVE
To use the data of occupational epidemiology to estimate the benchmark dose (BMD) of renal dysfunction induced by lead.


METHODS
Blood lead was considered as an exposure biomarker, while urinary total protein (TP), urinary beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-MG) and urinary N-Acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were considered as effect biomarkers reflecting the damage of renal function. The dichotomized (binary) data was used as effect endpoints. The BMD and BMD lower limit (BMDL) of blood lead were estimated at the 10% benchmark response using BMDS version 1.3.1.


RESULTS
There was an increased prevalence of hyper-TP-uria, hyper-beta(2)-MG-uria and hyper-NAG-uria with an increasing blood lead concentration. There was obviously dose-response relationship between blood lead and TP, beta(2)-MG and NAG, respectively. The BMD and BMDL of blood lead affecting renal function were estimated to be 323.6 - 754.3 microg/L and 274.2 - 541.5 microg/L. The BMDL of blood lead was ranged from low to high as NAG, TP and beta(2)-MG. The urinary NAG activity might be served as a sensitive biomarker in detecting early renal dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
It should be feasible to use the BMD approach to set up the reference dose (RfD) and reference concentration (RfC). BMD approach might provide a new and better way for setting up the RfD/RfC.
Tian
Lin
L
Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China.
Jin
Tai-yi
TY
Lu
Xiao-ting
XT
D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000652:urine; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D019963:Clinical Chemistry Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D015995:Prevalence; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000652:urine; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000652:urine
D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D007854:Lead; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase