Initial Occupational Exposure to Lead

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Abstract
Serial chromosome and biochemical studies were carried out in 11 subjects before and during initial occupational exposure to moderate quantities of Pb fumes in a storage battery plant. The rate of abnormal metaphases, mostly with chromatid and one-break chromosome aberrations, was approximately doubled after 1 mo. of work; it further increased after 2 mo. of work; remained in this range up to 7 mo. of exposure; and then tended to decrease somewhat. Blood Pb levels increased progressively in the 1st few mo., then reached a steady state. Urinary Pb and coproporphyrin levels increased sharply after 1 mo. of work, while urinary .delta.-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) levels increased moderately. The ALA dehydratase (ALAD) activity of red blood cells was reduced to almost 50% of the initial values after 1 mo., decreased further in subsequent months, and remained decreased through the remainder of the study.