title: The association of prolonged QT interval on electrocardiography and chronic lead exposure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the association of lead exposure with cardiac conduction disturbance among lead-exposed and nonexposed workers in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants comprised 312 lead workers and 329 referents who had no known occupational lead exposure. During their annual health examination, they were invited to take part in the survey. Standard resting 12-lead electrocardiograms were obtained and the electrocardiographic features studied were related to blood lead levels (BLLs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean BLLs were 26.05 (SD = 13.98) and 2.62 (SD = 1.42) μg/dL in lead-exposed and reference groups, respectively. Compared with the referents, lead workers had significantly shorter PR interval and longer QTc interval. Especially, workers with BLL > 30 μg/dL had the highest risk after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and other potential confounders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data suggest that lead exposure is positively associated with prolonged QTc interval.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Zuoying Armed Forces General Hospital, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Chou
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hsueh-Wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Yi-Hao
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Yu-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Yu-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Hung-Yi
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chuang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D007854:Lead