[Acute inorganic lead poisoning in workers employed on building renovation].
BACKGROUND
Occupationally, there are a number of work processes that constitute a long-term risk as sources of exposure to lead. In these processes the presence of lead is not evident but represents a hidden risk of poisoning.


OBJECTIVE
Study of two cases of hidden exposure to lead that were discovered during renovation work on a historical building.


METHODS
Acute lead poisoning symptoms appeared in the 2 workers. The current protocol for treatment of lead poisoning was applied, which consisted in administration of a chelating agent (EDTA), with subsequent monitoring of indicators of dose (PbB. blood lead level, PbU: urinary lead level) and indicators of effect (erythrocyte Protoporphyrin IX, urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA-U), urinary coproporphyrins).


RESULTS
The lead colic and anaemia appeared at PbB values (102 microg/dl e 104 microg/dl) that were higher than the PbB action value (40 microg/dl) and higher than the limit value (60 microg/dl).


CONCLUSIONS
The gravity of the symptoms, the high number of persons potentially involved, the difficulty of reclamation and probable urban contamination, with relative consequences concerning particularly infants and women infertile age, are sufficient grounds to require effective legislative action and improvement in the services available at the hospitals involved.
Sezione di Medicina del Lavoro e Tossicologia Occupazionale, Università degli Studi di Siena. robertaliberatori@inwind.it
Roberta
R
Liberatori
R
R
Romeo
Rosetta
R
Restieri
Daniela
D
Sarrini
A D
AD
Parducci
Monica
M
Puccetti
F
F
Loi
P
P
Sartorelli
D000328:Adult; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis