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

AX6-176
Table AX6-6.2 (cont’d). Lead Exposure and Male Reproduction: Semen Quality
Reference and
Study Location Study Description Pb Measurement Findings, Interpretation
Europe
Bonde et al. (2002)
UK, Belgium, Italy
Assennato et al.
(1986)
Italy
Lancranjan et al.
(1975)
Europe
European study of 503 men (362 exposed to
Pb, 141 unexposed controls) employed in
Pb industry.
18 battery workers (exposed group) and 18
cement workers (control group).
150 men occupationally exposed to Pb
divided into four groups: Pb-poisoned
workmen (n = 23) and those showing a
moderate (n = 42), slight (n = 35), or
physiologic absorption (n = 50).
Blood Pb:
Exposed workers:
Mean 31.0 µg/dL (range 4.6-64.5)
Unexposed workers:
Mean 4.4 µg/dL
Blood Pb:
Battery workers:
Mean 61 µg/dL (SD 20)
Cement workers:
Mean 18 µg/dL (SD 5)
Semen Pb:
Battery workers:
Mean 79 µg/dL (SD 36)
Cement workers:
Mean 22 µg/dL (SD 9)
Blood Pb:
Pb poisoned workers:
Mean 74.5 µg/dL
Moderately exposed workers:
Mean 52.8 µg/dL
Median sperm concentration reduced by 49% in
men with blood Pb levels >50 µg/dL.
Odds ratio for sperm count #50 million/ml in
men with blood Pb levels >50 µg/dL compared
to