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Effect of the {delta}-aminolevulinate dehydratase polymorphism on the accumulation of lead in bone and blood in lead smelter workers

Journal Article · · Environmental Research
;  [1]; ;  [2];  [3]; ;  [4]; ;  [5]
  1. McMaster Univ., Hamilton, Ontario (Canada). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
  2. Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY (United States)
  3. Noranda Inc., Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
  4. Brunswick Mining and Smelting Corp. Ltd., Belledune, New Brunswick (Canada). Occupational Health Services
  5. Hamilton Health Sciences Corp., Hamilton, Ontario (Canada). Dept. of Nuclear Medicine
Lead inhibition of the zinc metalloenzyme {delta}-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALAD) is one of the most sensitive indicators of blood lead levels. Whole blood lead, serum lead, and ALAD genotype were determined for 381 lead smelter workers, including 70 workers expressing the ALAD allele, whose blood lead elevations were observed for more than 20 years of employment. The same employees demonstrated higher serum lead levels. Using a cumulative blood lead index (CBLI) for each worker, based on individual blood lead histories, and in vivo X-ray fluorescence measurements of bone lead to estimate total lead body burden, the slopes of linear relations of bone lead to CBLI were greater for workers homoallelic for ALAD, indicating more efficient uptake of lead from blood into bone. This effect was most significant in calcaneus bone and for workers hired since 1977. Decreased transfer of blood lead into bone in individuals expressing the ALAD allele contrasted with increased blood lead.
OSTI ID:
638284
Journal Information:
Environmental Research, Journal Name: Environmental Research Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 77; ISSN ENVRAL; ISSN 0013-9351
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English