Lead--toxicology and assessment in general practice.
BACKGROUND
Despite a consistent fall in the number of reported cases of inorganic lead toxicity, lead remains an important toxicant. While much of the pathology caused by lead is known, much remains to be established regarding its mutagenicity and teratogenicity.


OBJECTIVE
This article briefly outlines aspects of lead toxicity relevant to general practice, and provides an outline for taking a workplace exposure medical history.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent trends show a continuous decline in the number of lead toxicity cases among workers and nonoccupational cases in adults and children. The protean manifestations of lead toxicity make it difficult for doctors to consider it as a differential diagnosis. A basic understanding of lead toxicology is helpful when assessing its clinical presentation, ordering laboratory tests, advising patients how to avoid workplace exposure, and in understanding why it remains a major concern as a mutagen and teratogen.
Cunningham
Greg
G
Brisbane Industrial Health Services, Brisbane, Queensland. bihs@bigpond.net.au
D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011320:Primary Health Care
D007854:Lead