[Lead in the blood and protoporphyrin levels in erythrocytes in glass workers exposed to lead]

Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 1997 Dec;48(4):383-9.
[Article in Croatian]

Abstract

This paper investigates how the indicators of lead exposure (blood lead-PbB, delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase-delta-ALAD, erythrocyte protoporphyrin-EP), relate to the exposure duration prior to the analyses, alcohol intake, gamma-glutamyltranspherase (GGT), and smoking habits of 25 glass workers exposed to lead oxide over a period between 1988 and 1994. The PbB was analyzed with the ET ASS method, (ALAD with Standardized European Method) while EP with the spectrofluorometric method. The alcohol intake assessment was based on answers to a medical questionnaire. The results are presented as median values and analyzed by the method of Spearman Correlation. The findings show correlation between EP and the exposure duration to the lead dust over a period of three months prior to the analyses (r = +0.42; t = 2.2; p < 0.05). The median value of PbB was higher (2.4 mumol/L) in workers who consumed over 50 g of alcohol a day than in workers with lower alcohol consumption (1.9 mumol/L). The median value of PbB was higher in workers whose serum GGT surpassed the normal value of 0.66 mukat/L and was lower in workers with GGT lower than 0.66 mukat/L, (2.4 mumol/L and 2.05 mumol/L, respectively). ALAD was lower in the subgroup of workers with GGT higher than 0.66 mukat/L. The smokers manifested a higher median PbB value. The PbB values correlated with the alcohol intake and smoking habit, while the EP values correlated with the duration of exposure to lead dust.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Drinking
  • Erythrocytes / chemistry*
  • Glass
  • Humans
  • Industry
  • Lead Poisoning / blood
  • Lead* / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / blood
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Oxides*
  • Protoporphyrins / blood*
  • Smoking

Substances

  • Oxides
  • Protoporphyrins
  • Lead
  • lead oxide