Impact of air pollution by lead on the heme biosynthetic pathway in school-age children

Journal Article · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1975 · Arch. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1976.10667241· OSTI ID:7106763

Roels, H ^[1]; Buchet, J P; Lauwerys, R; Hubermont, G; Bruaux, P; Claeys-Thoreau, F; Lafontaine, A; Van Overschelde, J

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1. Univ. of Louvain, Brussels

Blood-lead level (Pb-B), erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, free erythrocyte porphyrin (FEP) concentration, delta-aminolevulinic acid concentration in urine (ALAU), hematocrit value, and hemoglobin concentration were compared for groups of children 10 to 13 years old from areas differently polluted by lead (rural area and lead smelter area). The biological responses of the children were also compared with those observed in adults similarly exposed to lead (Pb-B: 10 to 40 ..mu..g/100 ml). Compared with the rural children, children living less than 1 km from the smelter exhibited a significant increase of Pb-B and FEP, a significant inhibition of ALAD, and a slight positive correlation of ALAU with Pb-B; however, they showed no biological signs of anemia. In children living approximately 1.5 km from the smelter, there was still a significant increase of Pb-B and a concomitant inhibition of ALAD, but no change in FEP concentration. Comparison of the dose-response curves between Pb-B and FEP in adult males, adult females, and children indicates that the sensitivity to lead is in the order of children greater than or equal to women greater than men. Based on the FEP response, it is proposed that 25 ..mu..g Pb/100 ml blood be regarded as the maximum biologically allowable concentration of lead in blood of school-age children.

• OSTI ID: 7106763
• Journal Information: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 31:6; ISSN AEHLA
• 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.
AIR POLLUTION
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BIOSYNTHESIS
BLOOD
BODY FLUIDS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHILDREN
ELEMENTS
GLOBIN
HEME
HEMOGLOBIN
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
LEAD
MAMMALS
MAN
METALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PIGMENTS
POLLUTION
PORPHYRINS
PRIMATES
PROTEINS
SYNTHESIS
URINE
VERTEBRATES
WASTES