Association of Chronic and Current Measures of Lead Exposure with Different Components of Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials

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

“…Likewise, when visual evoked potential (VEP) latency was measured in gunmetal workers twice at a 12-mo interval 59) , the N2 latency (i.e., conduction time from the retina to the visual cortex) in the second examination returned to the "normal" level and the yearly alteration in the N2 latency of VEP was positively correlated with the corresponding change in the erythrocyte lead level. Also, partial correlation analyses adjusting for age found that the wave I latency of brainstem auditory evoked potentials was associated with the current BPb (r=0.13, p<0.01) and working-lifetime weighted average BPb (r=0.11, p<0.05) in 359 lead smelter workers, suggesting that current lead exposure preferentially affects conduction in the distal auditory nerve 60) . For the threshold assessment of lead neurotoxicity in workers, thus, it appears to be desirable to use the current BPb level, but not the maximum or working-lifetime weighted average BPb level of the past.…”

Chemical exposure and hearing loss

“…121,127 Metals and metal compounds Lead and mercury-Lead and mercury are metal compounds that are known to be neurotoxic, and therefore ototoxic. 128,129 Lead and lead compounds can be found in the manufacture of lead-acid batteries and plastic, in ship breaking, in paint and petrol. Lead may also be present during car radiator repair, welding, plumbing, smelting, refining, and mining.…”

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

“…Counter and Buchanan (2002) reported delayed wave latencies consistent with sensory-neural hearing impairment in adults with chronic exposure to lead through ceramic-glazing work and with mean PbB of 47 μg/dL, and suggested that this finding may be attributable to occupational noise exposure in combination with lead intoxication. Bleecker et al (2003) found dose-dependent alterations in BAEP among lead workers with a mean PbB of 28 μg/dL and a mean-employment duration of 17 years. Analysis of the results led them to suggest that current lead exposure preferentially affected conduction in the distal auditory nerve while chronic lead exposure appeared to impair conduction in the auditory nerve and the auditory pathways in the lower brainstem.…”