[Risk of cadrdiovascular diseases in lead-exposed workers of crystal glassworks. Part I. Effect of lead on blood pressure and lipid metabolism].
BACKGROUND
Chronic occupational or environmental exposure to small doses of lead results in cardiovascular disorders: arterial hypertension, lipid metabolism disturbances and exacerbation of free radical processes. Each of these changes determines an independent cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of this study was to estimate the cardiovascular risk among the employees exposed to lead in crystal glassworks during the coming 10 years.


METHODS
A group of 153 persons convinced of their good health status were eligible for the study. A questionnaire was used as a study tool, physical, biochemical and toxicological (free erythrocyte protoporphyrins and lead level in whole blood) studies were performed and the cardiovascular risk factor (SCORE) was individually estimated.


RESULTS
Compared to the general population, the increased rate of arterial hypertension, as well as numerous cases of lipid disturbances were revealed.


CONCLUSIONS
Workers occupationally exposed to lead should have the cardiovascular risk factor (SCORE) individually estimated. In view of the higher incidence of hypertension in this population, a special attention should be paid to the detection of this pathology and the efficiency of this disease treatment should be controlled. It is necessary to initiate program of individualized actions to decrease so called hard end-points like stroke, myocardial infarct and sudden death.
Skoczyńska
Anna
A
Katedra i Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych, Zawodowych i Nadciśnienia Tetniczego Akademia Medyczna, Wrocław. annaskoc@ak.am.wroc.pl
Gruber
Katarzyna
K
Belowska-Bień
Kinga
K
Mlynek
Vladislav
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015984:Causality; D002617:Chemical Industry; D015897:Comorbidity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D052439:Lipid Metabolism Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000378:metabolism
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008055:Lipids; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D007854:Lead