Correlation between biochemical indicators of lead exposure and semen quality in a lead-poisoned firearms instructor

Journal Article · Fri Feb 13 00:00:00 EST 1987 · JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.257.6.803· OSTI ID:6788194

Fisher-Fischbein, J; Fischbein, A; Melnick, H D; Bardin, C W

Lead poisoning is a disease of great public health concern, particularly because of the hazards that lead can pose to children as a result of ingestion of lead-based paint and perhaps as a consequence of the effects of lead pollution of the ambient air. However, lead poisoning is also a common occupational disease among adults. Persons who work as instructors at indoor firing ranges are likewise at high risk for occupational lead poisoning. The typical biochemical features of lead poisoning include inhibition of heme synthesis manifested by elevated levels of erythrocyte protoporphyrin and decreased activity of sigma-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase. Reproductive effects of lead have been reported in both men and women, but these effects rarely present themselves as practical clinical problems in occupational medicine practice. The current Department of Labor standard for occupational exposure to inorganic lead has been promulgated with special emphasis on the protection of the worker from damage to the reproductive system. The authors had the opportunity of measuring biologic indicators of lead exposure and of assessing semen quality in a firearms instructor with lead poisoning and infertility, who was treated and who fathered a child. They report herein the results of these longitudinal observations.

• Research Organization: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
• OSTI ID: 6788194
• Journal Information: JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States), Vol. 257:6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BODY FLUIDS
BIOCHEMISTRY
LEAD COMPOUNDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
BLOOD COUNT
FERTILITY
HYPERTENSION
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
WORKING CONDITIONS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
CHEMISTRY
DISEASES
MATERIALS
SYMPTOMS
VASCULAR DISEASES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology