Widening perspectives of lead toxicity. A review of health effects of lead exposure in adults

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Environmental Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(78)90033-6· OSTI ID:5465914

Grandjean, P ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Copenhagen (Denmark)

Lead has a wide range of applications, and its production and use result in contamination of the environment, including food and drinking water. Geochemical studies indicate that the majority of lead in ecosystems originated from industrial operations, and that human lead intake has increased 100-fold above the natural level. Prehistoric human skeletons contain about two orders of magnitude less lead than present-day samples. Biochemical interference with heme biosynthesis can be detected as a result of current lead exposures, inhibition of aminolevulinate dehydratase and accumulation of zinc protoporphyrin in erythrocytes being the earliest effects. Anemia is uncommon except for cases of lead poisoning, but even slightly increased lead absorption results in a decrease in hemoglobin concentrations. Modern neurobehavioral test methods have disclosed increased prevalence of psychological dysfunction associated with augmented lead absorption. Biochemical and behavioral changes occur below the recommended limit for blood lead concentration of 60 micrograms/100 ml. Several diagnostic tests for lead toxicity are available. The protoporphyrin concentration in the blood seems to be the best risk indicator. The highest occupational lead exposures occur in lead smelters and storage battery plants, but several other industrial operations may result in high lead levels. As much as 1% of the working population may have a significantly increased lead absorption with possible adverse effects. 103 references.

• OSTI ID: 5465914
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Research; (USA) Vol. 17:2; ISSN ENVRA; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOSYNTHESIS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY FLUIDS
CARBON-OXYGEN LYASES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
ERYTHROCYTES
HEME
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
LEAD
LYASES
MAMMALS
MAN
MATERIALS
METALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PIGMENTS
PORPHYRINS
PRIMATES
REVIEWS
SYNTHESIS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES