The lead content of hair in workers occupationally exposed was correlated with the blood lead concentration. Determinations of lead in blood and hair were performed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry in two exposed groups and a control group. A significant correlation was observed between the blood lead and hair lead concentrations, and a regression analysis showed an exponential accumulation of the lead content in hair, simultaneously with the increase of the values in blood. The colour of the hair and the age of the subject did not influence the lead accumulation in hair in the occupationally exposed subjects. The assessment of lead in hair is considered a useful screening test in estimating occupational exposure.During recent years a series of studies have pointed to the use of the content of lead in hair as an index of occupational exposure indicator.'-5 Modem analytical techniques now allow the metal content to be measured in sequential segments of hair.26The present study aimed to follow up the examination of lead in a single hair in workers occupationally exposed and to correlate this with the blood lead concentration. Materials and methodsTwo groups of male workers with differing occupational experience were studied: group 1 comprised 31 subjects exposed to high concentrations of lead in air and group 2, 33 subjects with low exposure. The ages and years of exposure of these two groups are presented in tables 1 and 2. Blood samples were collected on heparin from each exposed person together with five hairs, including the root. Before the analysis the hair was washed in acetone, ethylic ether, and 1*5% solution of sodium lauryl sulphate in order to degrease it and remove exogenous lead, particles7; segments of exactly 1 cm in length, measured from the root, were then taken. To verify the cleanliness of the surface, three hairs (before washing, after a single washing,

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