title: Environmental exposure to lead (Pb) and variations in its susceptibility.
abstract: Based on exposure frequency and intrinsic toxicity, lead (Pb) ranks one of the highest priority toxic materials. Continuous regulation of environmental Pb exposure has contributed to dramatically diminished exposure levels of Pb, for example, blood level of Pb. However, the safety level of Pb is not established, as low-level exposure to Pb still shows severe toxicity in high susceptible population and late onset of some diseases from early exposure. In the present study, we focused on food-borne Pb exposure and found broad variations in Pb exposure levels via food among countries. In addition, there are genetic or ethnical variations in Pb-targeted and protective genes. Moreover, various epigenetic alterations were induced by Pb poisoning. Therefore, we suggest a systemic approach including governmental (public) and individual prevention from Pb exposure with continuous biological monitoring and genetic or epigenetic consideration.
authors.affiliation: a Research Center for Cell Fate Control, College of Pharmacy , Sookmyung Women's University , Seoul , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Youngeun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mihi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000453:epidemiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004782:Environmental Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D007854:Lead
keywords: ALAD (δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase); Lead (Pb); blood lead level (BLL); epigenetics; exposure; genetic polymorphism; metallothioneins; susceptibility; variation