Air Quality Criteria for Lead Volume II of II - (NEPIS)(EPA) - US ...

AX6-89
Table AX6-4.2 (cont’d). Renal Effects of Lead in the Occupational Population
Reference, Study
Location, and
Period Study Description Pb Measurement Findings, Interpretation
Latin and South America (cont’d)
Pinto de Almeida
et al. (1987)
Northeast Brazil
Study date not
provided
Australia
Pollock and Ibels
(1988)
Harbor Bridge
workers in Sydney,
Australia
Study date not
provided
52 primary Pb smelter workers (had to have worked ≥ 5
yrs on production line).
44 control paper mill workers in same city.
All males.
Renal outcomes = BUN, serum creatinine, uric acid,
proteinuria, creatinine clearance.
Only 2 participants excluded for medical reasons.
38 bridge workers.
Twenty-four h urine Pb excretion following 1 g of EDTA.
Renal outcomes = serum creatinine, creatinine clearance,
and 24 h urine protein excretion.
Mean blood Pb
64.1 µg/dL (workers)
25.5 µg/dL (controls)
Also measured zinc
protoporphyrin and deltaaminolevulinic
acid
Mean (range) blood Pb
34.8 (21.8 to 56.2) µg/dL (Pb
intoxication)
19.9 (9.5 to 26.1) µg/dL
(nontoxic)
EDTA chelatable Pb range
443 to 2366 µg/24 hrs (Pb
intoxication)
131 to 402 µg/24 hrs
(nontoxic)
Mean serum creatinine and uric acid higher in exposed
than controls (1.23 vs. 1.1 mg/dL; p < 0.05 and 6.6 vs.
4.7 mg/dL; p < 0.001, respectively).
Serum creatinine ∃1.5 mg/dL present in 32.7% Pb
workers compared to only 2.3% controls.
Serum creatinine correlated with duration of
employment.
Limitations = data analysis including lack of
adjustment, several outcomes not analyzed.
No significant differences in renal outcomes by Pb
exposure group. Two workers in high exposure group
had evidence of Pb nephropathy.