Low level lead exposure: the clinical implications of current research. Needleman HL, ed. New York: Raven Press, 1980 Jan; :267-278
Link
NIOSHTIC No.
00155968
Abstract
Criteria for lead (7439921) exposure standards in the workplace are discussed. The earliest demonstrated effect of lead involved inhibition of the heme biosynthetic pathway; indicators include the enzyme aminolevulinic-acid-dehydrase, aminolevulinic-acid in urine, and erythrocyte protoporphyrin activity. There is evidence that peripheral motor disease may be related to a history of increased lead exposure. Kidneys are an important target organ for lead effects. Irreparable damage occurs by the time renal damage is detectable by available clinical tests. Workers with moderately increased lead absorption show spermatic aberrations; lead has an adverse effect on learning ability in offspring, with both maternal and paternal lead exposure. Behavioral problems related to lead exposure include hyperactivity, difficulty in task performance, deficiency in intelligence quotient, and nerve conduction deficits. Studies of lead in maternal and fetal blood suggest that lead may increase the incidence of early membrane rupture and premature deliveries. Lead brought into the home as dust on shoes, clothing, and the body can contaminate the home environment, resulting in elevated blood lead concentrations in children. Studies conducted to assess community lead exposure by both clinical and epidemiologic methods may be applicable in predicting an occupational exposure situation over comparable air lead ranges. The author suggests that the critical issue most in need of further study involves the adverse effects of maternal and paternal lead exposure upon the reproductive process. Careful studies for both male and female lead workers involving pregnancy histories which include spontaneous abortions, birth outcomes, and growth and development of children are needed.
Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.
For more information on CDC's web notification policies, see Website Disclaimers.
CDC.gov Privacy Settings
We take your privacy seriously. You can review and change the way we collect information below.
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests.
Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data.
Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties.
Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page.