title: Milk and Dairy Products Intake Is Associated with Low Levels of Lead (Pb) in Workers highly Exposed to the Metal.
abstract: Lead (Pb) is a toxic metal, frequently associated with occupational exposure, due to its widespread use in industry and several studies have shown high Pb levels in workers occupationally exposed to the metal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of milk and dairy products (MDP) on Pb levels in blood (B-Pb), plasma (P-Pb), and urine (U-Pb), in workers from automotive battery industries in Brazil. The study included 237 male workers; information concerning diet and lifestyle were gathered through a questionnaire, and B-Pb, P-Pb, and U-Pb were determined by ICP-MS. Mean B-Pb, P-Pb, and U-Pb were 21 ± 12, 0.62 ± 0.73 μg/dL, and 39 ± 47 μg/g creatinine, respectively. Forty three percent of participants declared consuming ≤3 portions/week of MDP (classified as low-MDP intake), while 57% of individuals had >3portions/week of MDP (high-MDP intake). B-Pb and P-Pb were correlated with working time (rs= 0.21; rs= 0.20; p < 0.010). Multivariable linear regressions showed a significant influence of MDP intake on B-Pb (β = -0.10; p = 0.012) and P-Pb (β = -0.16; p < 0.010), while no significance was seen on U-Pb. Our results suggest that MDP consumption may modulate Pb levels in individuals highly exposed to the metal; these findings may be due to the Pb-Ca interactions, since the adverse effects of Pb are partially based on its interference with Ca metabolism and proper Ca supplementation may help to reduce the adverse health effects induced by Pb exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, CEP, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, Brazil.
authors.forename: Willian Robert
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, CEP, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula Pícoli
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Devóz
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Dr. Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar 470, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marília Ladeira
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.affiliation: Center of Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Avenida dos Estados, 5001, Santo André, CEP 09210-580, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno Lemos
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n°, CEP, Ribeirão Preto, 14040-903, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, Institute of Health and Society, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Silva Jardim, 136, Santos, CEP: 11015-020, Brazil. gustavo.barcelos@unifesp.br.
authors.forename: Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron
authors.initials: GRM
authors.lastname: Barcelos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003611:Dairy Products; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D007854:Lead
keywords: Lead; Milk and dairy products; Occupational exposure; Pb-Ca interactions; Toxicity