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Document ID (ISN)60420
CIS number 93-1256
ISSN - Serial title 0829-0369 - Travail et santé
Year 1993
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Vyskocil A., Viau C., Brodeur J.
Title Biological monitoring of exposure to lead: An update
Original title La surveillance biologique de l'exposition au plomb. Une mise à jour [in French]
Bibliographic information Mar. 1993, Vol.9, No.1, p.S-2-S-7. 39 ref.
Abstract This bibliographic review is a comparative study of the biological monitoring methods available for the evaluation of exposure to lead. The level of blood lead remains the most useful biological marker for exposed workers although in the case of recent exposure it reflects body weight and previous exposure as well. Although urinary blood levels are more easily obtained, they are considered by many unsatisfactory because of the large inter-individual variations in the behaviour of urinary lead and the risk of sample contamination. Blood δ-aminolevulinate dehydrase measurements are well correlated with blood lead but are only useful at low levels of exposure and are simply an indirect and more complicated means of measuring blood lead. Urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid measurements lack sensitivity at lower exposure levels. Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin measurements are also considered to be too insensitive and the delay in the response of this indicator to lead exposure is viewed as a drawback. Promising X-ray fluorescence techniques have been used for the direct measurement of bone lead but further validation will be required before this measurement can be proposed as a routine monitoring test.
Descriptors (primary) lead; exposure tests; chronic poisoning; diagnosis
Descriptors (secondary) literature survey; protoporphyrin; exposure evaluation; urinary ala monitoring; comparative study; sampling and analysis; determination in biological matter; blood monitoring; determination in tissues; dose-response relationship
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceCanada
Subject(s) Toxic and dangerous substances
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Biological monitoring
Lead and compounds
Inorganic substances