Lead-erythrocyte protoporphyrin correlation in blood of exposed workers
A systematic survey of blood samples from 174 industrial workers occupationally exposed to lead fumes and lead dust, revealed some poor correlations between the lead (Pb) level and the free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) level. In addition to those workers who had an expected correlation (normal Pb-normal FEP or elevated Pb-elevated FEP) there were two groups with atypical correlations. In one group a normal Pb level was associated with an elevated FEP level and in the other group an elevated Pb level was associated with a normal FEP level. This shows that neither the Pb nor the FEP test can substitute for the other. Since the individual FEP response to Pb absorption is unpredictable, both tests should be carried out routinely. This would make it possible to determine simultaneously the degree of absorption (Pb level) and the degree of intoxication (FEP level) and would improve significantly the assessment of undue lead absorption of occupationally exposed workers. If, however, only one of these tests is used for screening the other test should always be carried out as a confirmatory test when the screening detects an elevated Pb or FEP level.
- OSTI ID:
- 6501532
- Journal Information:
- Health Lab. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Health Lab. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 15:3; ISSN HLSCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
560306 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AEROSOLS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY FLUIDS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
ERYTHROCYTES
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
LEAD
MATERIALS
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE
MEDICINE
METABOLISM
METALS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
PIGMENTS
PORPHYRINS
PROTOPORPHYRINS
SAFETY
SOLS
SURVEILLANCE
TOXICITY