Evaluation of the relationship between chemical and biological monitoring of low‐level lead poisoning

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Abstract
Blood lead levels, together with δ‐aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity determinations have been measured on rats dosed with up to 1000 ppm lead acetate in their drinking water for periods up to 5 weeks. Despite evidence of a compensation mechanism developing in the enzyme determinations, enzyme activity ratios, if properly chosen, still correlate reasonably well (r=0.87) with blood lead levels. Activity ratios using data on the shoulders of pH‐activity profiles (e.g. activity ratios of 6.4 and 7.2), however, give much less satisfactory correlations. These data provide a more stringent test of the chemical monitor–biological monitor correlation than has previously been possible.