Association of erythrocyte protoporphyrin with blood lead level and iron status in the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-1980

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(86)80194-3· OSTI ID:5115338

Mahaffey, K R; Annest, J L

Both iron status and body burden of lead influence heme biosynthesis. Measurement of protophorphyrin IX in the circulating erythrocyte (EP) has been used to index the extent of lead exposure and iron deficiency. The association of iron status and blood lead level with the level of EP in whole blood for persons ages 6 months through 74 years in the general US population has been investigated by using data obtained in the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II). Iron status was defined as a function of percentage transferrin saturation (%TS) and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Both low iron status (%TS less than or equal to 16.0 or TIBC greater than or equal to 450 ..mu..g/dl serum) and elevated blood lead levels (greater than or equal to 30 ..mu..g/dl) were associated with increased EP concentrations. The analysis of the proportions of persons in the US population with EP levels above the 95th percentile (30 ..mu..g EP/dl of whole blood in the NHANES II data) support the concern that iron status has considerable influence on interpretation of EP levels recommended for use in screening programs aimed at identifying children with lead toxicity. With screening techniques based on EP only, currently used in various public health programs, a considerable number of children with blood lead levels of greater than or equal to 30 and less than or equal to 50 ..mu..g/dl are not referred for further diagnostic evaluation.

• Research Organization: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH
• OSTI ID: 5115338
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 41:1; ISSN ENVRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

552000 -- Public Health
560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BLOOD CHEMISTRY
BODY BURDEN
BODY FLUIDS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
COMPILED DATA
DATA
DIAGNOSIS
ELEMENTS
ERYTHROCYTES
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INFORMATION
IRON
LEAD
MATERIALS
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PIGMENTS
POPULATIONS
PORPHYRINS
PROTOPORPHYRINS
PUBLIC HEALTH
SCREENING
SURVEYS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS