Summary
A study has been performed in 148 non occupationally exposed subjects (19–21 yrs) divided into three groups: males, females without and females using oral contraceptives. PbB-levels ranged from 46 to 238 ppb. Freeerythrocyte-porphyrins (FEP), serum iron (Fe-S), Hb, Ht, total iron-bindingcapacity and unsaturated-iron-binding-capacity were measured. A negative correlation was found between PbB and Fe-S in males only. In females FEP was higher than in males at same PbB-levels. Females using oral contraceptives had higher Fe-S-levels and total-iron-binding-capacity than females not taking these; no difference was found between individual preparations. Two hypotheses are suggested to explain the negative relationship between lead in blood and serum iron in males. In a study of 51 other male subjects, 19-21 yrs, again a negative trend for Fe-S with increasing PbB was observed; the pooled data showed a negative relation; there was no difference in morning and afternoon Fe-S levels.
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Wibowo, A.A.E., Del Castilho, P., Herber, R.F.M. et al. Blood lead and serum iron levels in non-occupationally exposed males and females. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 39, 113–120 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380891
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380891