LEAD IN PLASMA AND ITS RELATIONSHIPS TO OTHER BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS

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Abstract
Blood lead (PbB), erythrocyte lead (Pb[E]) and plasma lead (Pb[P]) were measured in 304 workers exposed to low and moderate concentrations of inorganic lead. The relationships of these three parameters to biological indicators of health effect were also examined. The biological indicators were erythrocyte delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and delta-aminolaevulinic acid in urine (ALAU). A strong association was found between PbB and Pb[E], whereas little relationship was seen between PbB and Pb[P]. Significant correlations were observed between PbB and ALAD ( r = − 0.67) and slightly lower correlations were found between Pb[E] and ALAD ( r = − 0.63). Similar findings were found for the association of PbB and Pb[E] with ALAU. However, no significant correlations were noted for Pb[P] with both ALAD and ALAU. These findings suggest that, despite the possibility that lead in plasma may be of greater ‘biological significance’, practical considerations favour lead in blood (PbB) as a more sensitive indicator for monitoring lead exposure.