Effects of Exposure to Lead on Selected Biochemical and Haematological Variables

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Abstract
Blood and urine samples were taken from 34 persons occupationally exposed to lead and from 56 non-exposed control persons and blood lead and haemoglobin concentrations, red blood cell count, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-peroxidase) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid were determined. Blood lead concentrations of the lead-exposed subjects were within the range generally accepted as safe for occupationally-exposed adults in many countries (i.e. below 50 μg Pb/dl blood). Yet, significant dose-dependent elevations were found in erythrocyte GSH-peroxidase and urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid. The urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid concentration of lead-exposed smokers was significantly elevated over that of lead-exposed non-smokers. Smoking did not affect the urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid concentration of control persons. In addition, a statistically significantly lower red blood cell count was observed in the lead-exposed group. Our results indicate that the above described safety standard for blood lead concentrations in occupationally exposed adults, although generally accepted, needs revision.