Abstract
The incidence of lead poisoning in industry has fallen dramatically since the beginning of the twentieth century. This reduction has been partly attributable to increased awareness, improved ventilation and hygiene facilities, and technical changes which have allowed other substances to replace lead, but improved medical surveillance of workers exposed to lead in certain defined industries has also been important. Not all industries where lead exposure can occur are at present covered by specific regulations dealing with lead, however. We report the diagnosis and treatment of eleven oxyacetylene metal burners involved in the demolition of a railway station, who rapidly developed frank lead poisoning. The most suitable measurements to employ in evaluating such a population are considered. The selection, based on blood lead and haemoglobin measurements, of those who should receive further treatment is discussed. Symptoms were found to be more nearly related to indices of effect or toxicity of lead than to indices of exposure or absorption. The effects of chelation therapy upon symptoms, blood lead, haemoglobin and urinary porphyrins are recorded. The need for careful follow-up is illustrated.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Becker D. M., Goldstuck N., Kramer S. Effect of delta-aminolaevulinic acid on the resting membrane potential of frog sartorius muscle. S Afr Med J. 1975 Oct 11;49(43):1790–1792. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- DAGG J. H., GOLDBERG A., LOCHHEAD A., SMITH J. A. THE RELATIONSHIP OF LEAD POISONING TO ACUTE INTERMITTENT PORPHYRIA. Q J Med. 1965 Apr;34:163–175. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Donovan D. T., Vought V. M., Rakow A. B. Laboratories which conduct lead analyses on biologic specimens. Arch Environ Health. 1971 Aug;23(2):111–113. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1971.10665965. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gibson S. L., Mackenzie J. C., Goldberg A. The diagnosis of industrial lead poisoning. Br J Ind Med. 1968 Jan;25(1):40–51. doi: 10.1136/oem.25.1.40. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lyle W. H., Green J. N., Gore V., Vidler J. Enhancement of cadmium nephrotoxicity by penicillamine in the rat. Postgrad Med J. 1968 Oct;(Suppl):18–21. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Meredith P. A., Moore M. R., Goldberg A. Effects of aluminium, lead and zinc on delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase. Enzyme. 1977;22(1):22–27. doi: 10.1159/000458503. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Waldron H. A. Correlation between some parameters of lead absorption and lead intoxication. Br J Ind Med. 1971 Apr;28(2):195–199. doi: 10.1136/oem.28.2.195. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Williams M. K. Blood lead and haemoglobin in lead absorption. Br J Ind Med. 1966 Apr;23(2):105–111. doi: 10.1136/oem.23.2.105. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]