Occupational Medicine 2004;54:76-81
Occupational Medicine, Vol. 54 No. 2 © Society of Occupational Medicine 2004; all rights reserved
In-depth Review |
Lead toxicity
Health in Business Ltd, Cheshire Manufacturing Park, Oil Sites Road, Ellesmere Port, South Wirral CH65 4HF, UK
Lead is one of the oldest known and most widely studied occupational and environmental toxins. Despite intensive study, there is still vigorous debate about the toxic effects of lead, both from low-level exposure in the general population owing to environmental pollution and historic use of lead in paint and plumbing and from exposure in the occupational setting. The majority of industries historically associated with high lead exposure have made dramatic advances in their control of occupational exposure. However, cases of unacceptably high exposure and even of frank lead poisoning are still seen, predominantly in the demolition and tank cleaning industries. Nevertheless, in most industries blood lead levels have declined below levels at which signs or symptoms are seen and the current focus of attention is on the subclinical effects of exposure. The significance of some of these effects for the overt health of the workers is often the subject of debate. Inevitably there is pressure to reduce lead exposure in the general population and in working environments, but any legislation must be based on a genuine scientific evaluation of the available evidence.
Keywords Inorganic lead; legislation; organic lead; toxicity
Received 10 September 2003
Accepted 17 November 2003
Correspondence to: D. A. Gidlow, Health in Business Ltd, Cheshire Manufacturing Park, Oil Sites Road, Ellesmere Port, South Wirral CH65 4HF, UK. Tel: +44 151 348 5678; fax: +44 151 348 5679; e-mail: gidlowd{at}healthinbusiness.com