Summary
The relationship between FEP and the indicators of dose (PbB, PbU, PbU-EDTA) was examined in a group of male subjects who had left lead-exposing jobs more than 12 months previously.
In these subjects, FEP and PbB and FEP and PbU were correlated to a distinctly lower degree compared to previous findings in currently exposed subjects, although the correlations were still statistically significant. In the previously exposed subjects the erythrocyte metabolite displayed definitely higher values than those found in currently exposed subjects at the same PbB or PbU levels.
A very close correlation was found between FEP and PbU-EDTA, as was found in exposed subjects. The regression curve assumed an identical profile in the two situations. From these results it may be concluded that FEP persists at high levels for a long time after cessation of exposure due to a direct inhibition of heme synthetase caused by lead released from the tissue deposits.
It should be noted that FEP proved to be a valid test for predicting the amount of lead storage, even a long time after cessation of exposure.
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Abbreviations
- PbB:
-
blood lead (μg/100 ml)
- PbU:
-
lead in urine (μg/l)
- PbU-EDTA:
-
amount of chelatable lead excreted with 24 h urine after administration of Ca NA2 EDTA (1 g intravenously)
- FEP:
-
free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (μg/100 ml RBC)
- ALAU:
-
urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (mg/l)
- CPU:
-
urinary coproporphyrin (μg/l)
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Alessio, L., Bertazzi, P.A., Monelli, O. et al. Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin as an indicator of the biological effect of lead in adult males. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Hlth 38, 77–86 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378618
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378618