Past Occupational Exposure to Lead: Association Between Current Blood Lead and Bone Lead

Lead toxicity due to ingestion of spent ammunition is an ongoing cause of mortality in bald eagles. While gross and histologic lesions of lead intoxication have been described in a few individuals of this species, the prevalence of lesions is underreported. A retrospective study of 93 bald eagles with severe lead intoxication was performed to describe the associated lesions and their prevalence and to compare the lesions with blood, liver, kidney, and/or bone lead concentrations. Gross lesions associated with lead toxicity were most frequent within the heart (51/93 birds) and consisted of multifocal myocardial pallor and rounding of the apex. Within the brain, gross lesions included petechiae or hemorrhagic necrosis (13/93 birds). Histologic lesions compatible with lead toxicity occurred within the heart (76/93 birds), brain (59/93 birds), and eyes (24/87 birds). Lead toxicity in bald eagles is characterized by fibrinoid necrosis of small- to medium-caliber arteries, most commonly affecting the heart, brain, and eyes. Gross and histologic lesions are consistent with ischemia caused by a primary vascular injury. A blood lead concentration of greater than 4 ppm and markedly elevated liver lead concentrations were associated with a greater likelihood of lesions in the heart. Severe lead intoxication is frequently associated with lesions that are histologically detectable in bald eagles. The presence of fibrinoid arterial necrosis and parenchymal degeneration, necrosis, and/or hemorrhage within the heart, brain, and/or eyes is suggestive of lead toxicity in bald eagles and warrants evaluation of liver or bone lead concentrations.

Download Full-text

Seasonal Variation in Bone Lead Contribution to Blood Lead during Pregnancy

Environmental Research ◽

10.1006/enrs.2000.4238 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 85 (3) ◽

pp. 191-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Stephen J. Rothenberg ◽

Vladislav Kondrashov ◽

Mario Manalo ◽

William I. Manton ◽

Fuad Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Variation ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Bone Lead

Download Full-text

Association Between Bone-lead Concentration and Aggression in Youth From a Sub-cohort of the Birth to Twenty Cohort

10.21203/rs.3.rs-832446/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nonhlanhla Tlotleng ◽

Nisha Naicker ◽

Angela Mathee ◽

Andrew C. Todd ◽

Palesa Nkomo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Aggressive Behaviour ◽

Lead Concentration ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Children And Adolescent ◽

Bone Lead ◽

Aggression Questionnaire ◽

History Of

Abstract Background: An association between blood-lead levels and aggression has been demonstrated in children and adolescent youth in South Africa. However, there are limited studies that have assessed aggression as an outcome for cumulative lead exposure using bone-lead concentration. The aim of this study was to assess the association between bone-lead concentration and aggressive behaviour among a sample of the youth in South Africa. Methods: Bone lead in 100 participants (53 males and 47 females) recruited and followed in the Birth to Twenty (BT20) Cohort were measured using 109Cd-based, K-Shell X-ray Fluorescence (KXRF). The Buss-Perry Aggression questionnaire was used to measure aggressive behaviour. Linear regression models were fitted to determine the association between aggression score for physical, verbal, anger and hostility and bone lead, adjusting for known confounders. Results: The study participants were between the ages of 23 and 24 years. A one-microgram-per-gram increase in bone lead was found to increase the score for all four scales of aggression, but significantly only for anger (β=0.2 [95% CI 0.04-0.370]). Psychosocial factors such as a history of family violence and exposure to neighbourhood crime were found to be significant predictors for aggression. Conclusion: The study provides a preliminary overview of the relationship between cumulative lead exposure and behavioural problems such as aggression. A larger sample, across exposed communities, may prove more definitive in deciding whether further investigating this association could maximize generalizability. Such information could be crucial in the drafting of policies designed to combat crime associated with youth aggression in South Africa.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of Blood Lead Levels and Their Effects on Hematological Parameters and Renal Function in Iranian Lead Mine Workers

Health Scope ◽

10.5812/jhealthscope.95917 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Razzagh Rahimpoor ◽

Maryam Rostami ◽

Mohammad Javad Assari ◽

Ahmad Mirzaei ◽

Mohammad Reza Zare

Keyword(s):

Renal Function ◽

Occupational Exposure ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

Aminolevulinic Acid ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Health Concern ◽

Zinc Protoporphyrin ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Mine Workers

Background: Lead toxicity has become a growing health concern in countries such as Iran. However, little information is available on the assessment and evaluation of the health effects of lead exposure in mine workers. Objectives: The present study assessed the occupational exposure to lead and examine the association of blood lead (PbB) levels with hematological and kidney function parameters in mine workers. Methods: In this matched case-control study, the level of PbB was measured in 100 workers (70 exposed and 30 non-exposed), and then its relationship was evaluated with complete blood count (CBC) parameters, zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), urea, blood creatinine levels, urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), coproporphyrin, and creatinine levels. Results: The results showed a linear and significant relationship between the PbB level and B-ZPP, U-ALA, U-coproporphyrin, and U-creatinine levels in states of PbB levels > 20 μg/dL in a time and dose-dependent manner. A significant relationship was observed between the PbB level and the years of occupational exposure to lead and the B-urea level (P-value < 0.03). Conclusions: Chronic occupational exposure to lead decreased hematocrit, RDW-CV, MCV, MCH, and HGB values but did not significantly change RBC counts. Therefore, a regular assessment of routine blood parameters (such as CBC and ZPP) and renal function indices can be effectively used to monitor the toxic effects of lead exposure.

Download Full-text

RELATION OF BONE LEAD AND BLOOD LEAD TO KIDNEY FUNCTION AMONG MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY MEN: THE NORMATIVE AGING STUDY

Epidemiology ◽

10.1097/00001648-200007000-00339 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. S134

Keyword(s):

Kidney Function ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Elderly Men ◽

Normative Aging Study ◽

Bone Lead ◽

Aging Study ◽

Normative Aging

Download Full-text

Bone lead associations with blood lead, kidney function and blood pressure among US, lead-exposed workers in a surveillance programme

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oemed-2018-105505 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (5) ◽

pp. 349-354 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Vaughn Barry ◽

Andrew C Todd ◽

Kyle Steenland

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

New York ◽

Kidney Function ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Surveillance Programme ◽

Adult Men ◽

Bone Lead ◽

Data Regression ◽

Exposed Workers ◽

Lead Levels

ObjectivesBone lead and past blood lead levels may be more strongly associated with current health effects than current blood lead, representing recent exposure. We examined whether current bone lead was correlated with maximum past blood lead and compared how three lead measures predicted current blood pressure (BP) and kidney function among workers with past occupational lead exposure.MethodsAdult men in a lead surveillance programme residing near New York City were enrolled. Current bone and blood lead, BP and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were measured. Maximum past blood lead was obtained from surveillance data. Regression models were used to determine associations of health with different lead measures.ResultsAmong 211 participants, median (IQR) bone, maximum past blood and current blood leads were 13.8 (9.4–19.5) µg lead per bone mineral gram, 29.0 (14.0–38.0) µg/dL and 2.5 (1.5–4.4) µg/dL, respectively. Maximum past and current blood lead were significantly associated with current bone lead in adjusted analyses (both p<0.0001), with associations driven by high blood lead. Bone lead was associated with increased continuous systolic BP (coefficient=0.36; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.67; p=0.02); categorical analyses indicated this was driven by the top two bone lead quartiles. Bone lead was non-significantly associated with decreased (worse) eGFR (coefficient=−0.15; 95% CI −0.36 to 0.07; p=0.18).ConclusionsBone lead was significantly associated with past maximum and current blood lead. The association between bone and current blood lead was possibly driven by bone lead resorption into blood. Bone lead, but not past or current blood lead, was associated with elevated systolic BP.

Download Full-text

In Vivo X-Ray Fluorescence of Lead and Other Toxic Trace Elements

Advances in X-ray Analysis ◽

10.1154/s0376030800018243 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 563-572 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David R. Chettle

Keyword(s):

Blood Lead ◽

Data Sets ◽

X Rays ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

X Ray ◽

Fluorescence Measurements ◽

Bone Lead ◽

Γ Rays ◽

Source Excitation

Abstract The first in vivo x-ray fluorescence measurements of lead in bone used y-rays from a 57Co source to excite Pb K x-rays. Later systems used γ-rays from 109Cd to excite Pb K x-rays or polarized x-rays to excite Pb L x-rays. All three approaches involve an extremely low effective dose to the subject. Of the two K x-ray techniques, 109Cd is more precise and more flexible in choice of measurement site. Pb L x-ray fluorescence (L-XRF) effectively samples lead at bone surfaces, whereas Pb K x-ray fluorescence (K-XRF) samples through the bulk of a bone. Both the polarized L-XRF and 109Cd K-XRF achieve similar precision. Renal mercury has recently been determined using a polarized x-ray source. Both renal and hepatic cadmium can be measured using polarized x-rays in conjunction with a Si(Li) detector. Platinum and gold have been measured both by radioisotopic source excitation and by using polarized x-rays, but the latter is to be preferred. Applications of Pb K-XRF have shown that measured bone lead relates strongly to cumulative lead exposure. Secondly, biological half lives of lead in different bone types have been estimated from limited longitudinal data sets and from some cross sectional surveys. Thirdly, the effect of hone lead as an endogenous source of lead has been demonstrated and it has been shown that a majority of circulating blood lead can be mobilized from bone, rather than deriving from new exposure, in some retired lead workers.

Download Full-text

Lead Toxicity in a Family as a Result of Occupational Exposure

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology ◽

10.2478/10004-1254-59-2008-1861 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 127-133 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Aryapu Raviraja ◽

Gaja Babu ◽

Anita Bijoor ◽

Geraldine Menezes ◽

Thuppil Venkatesh

Keyword(s):

Occupational Exposure ◽

Liver Function ◽

Lead Poisoning ◽

Lead Toxicity ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Zinc Protoporphyrin ◽

Function Tests ◽

The Family ◽

Lead Levels

Lead Toxicity in a Family as a Result of Occupational ExposureThis article describes an entire family manufacturing lead acid batteries who all suffered from lead poisoning. The family of five lived in a house, part of which had been used for various stages of battery production for 14 years. Open space was used for drying batteries. They all drank water from a well located on the premises. Evaluation of biomarkers of lead exposure and/or effect revealed alarming blood lead levels [(3.92±0.94) μmol L-1], 50 % reduction in the activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase [(24.67±5.12) U L-1] and an increase in zinc protoporphyrin [(1228±480) μg L-1]. Liver function tests showed an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase [(170.41±41.82) U L-1]. All other liver function test parameters were normal. Renal function tests showed an increase in serum uric acid [(515.81±86.29) μmol L-1] while urea and creatinine were normal. Serum calcium was low [(1.90±0.42) mmol L-1in women and (2.09±0.12) mmol L-1in men], while blood pressure was high in the head of the family and his wife and normal in children. Lead concentration in well water was estimated to 180 μg L-1. The family was referred to the National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India, were they were received treatment and were informed about the hazards of lead poisoning. A follow up three months later showed a slight decrease in blood lead levels and a significant increase in haemoglobin. These findings can be attributed to behavioural changes adopted by the family, even though they continued producing lead batteries.

Download Full-text