Assessment of thyroid, testes, kidney and autonomic nervous system function in lead-exposed workers

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess whether moderate occupational exposure to lead may be associated with early changes in potential target organs (thyroid, testes, kidney, autonomic nervous system). Workers exposed to lead in a lead acid battery factory (n = 98; mean blood lead 51 micrograms/dl, range 40-75 micrograms/dl) and 85 control workers were examined. None of the indicators of kidney function (in urine: retinol-binding protein, beta 2-microglobulin, albumin, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase; in serum: creatinine, beta 2-microglobulin), endocrine function (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, triiodothyronine) and autonomic nervous system (R-R interval variations on the electrocardiogram) were correlated with lead exposure (blood lead or duration of exposure) or showed significantly different mean values between the exposed group and controls. These results and an assessment of the published data suggest that compliance with the Directive of the Council of the European Communities on lead exposure (health surveillance in workers whose lead in blood exceeds 40 micrograms/dl and removal from exposure when blood lead exceeds 70-80 micrograms/dl) would prevent the occurrence of significant biological changes in the majority of lead-exposed workers.

Characterizing Golden Eagle Risk to Lead and Anticoagulant Rodenticide Exposure: A Review

“…In a study of 98 workers from a lead acid battery factory with a mean PbB of 51 μg/dL, the mean hemoglobin concentration was not significantly different than in an unexposed group of 85 subjects (mean PbB, 21 μg/dL). However, four exposed workers, but no controls, had hemoglobin levels below the level considered as the limit value for defining anemia (13 µg/dL) (Gennart et al 1992a). Similar lack of correlation between PbB and hemoglobin was reported in a study of 94 Israeli lead workers with a mean PbB of 38.1 μg/dL (range, 6-113 μg/dL) .…”

“…Some of these studies indicated that correlations can be seen at PbB of <40 μg/dL (Lauwerys et al 1974;Selander and Cramer 1970;Solliway et al 1996), although the slope may be different (less steep) than at PbBs >40 μg/dL. In a study of 98 occupationally exposed subjects (mean PbB, 51 μg/dL) and 85 matched referents (mean PbB, 20.9 μg/dL), it was found that log ZPP and log ALA in urine correlated well with PbB (Gennart et al 1992a). In the exposed group, the mean ZPP was 4 times higher than in the comparison group, whereas urinary ALA was increased 2-fold.…”

Reproductive Toxicity of Metals in Men

“…In men occupationally exposed to lead, blood lead levels equal to or higher than 400 µg L -1 have been associated with reduced sperm count, poor semen motility, and abnormal sperm morphology, particularly of the sperm head (69)(70)(71)(72)(73)(74)(75)(76)(77)(78). Effects on the reproductive endocrine function have been less consistent (71,74,(79)(80)(81)(82)(83).…”

“…Effects on the reproductive endocrine function have been less consistent (71,74,(79)(80)(81)(82)(83). Reduced sperm count and concentration, and lower motility were found in lead workers with blood lead levels lower than 400 µg L -1 (78,(84)(85).…”

Lead Toxicity: Does the Critical Level of Lead Resulting in Adverse Effects Differ between Adults and Children?

“…With respect to the autonomic nervous effect of lead, three studies observed significant differences between exposed and unexposed groups 27,54,55) , and one report found no association between exposure and R-R interval variations 56) . The autonomic nervous function in 36 lead workers aged 21-35 yr and 15 textile workers aged 22-29 yr was assessed by the CV RR with the two components (CCV HF and CCV LF ) 27) .…”