LEAD-EXPOSURE IN SAUDI-ARABIA AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO SMOKING

Lead was determined in whole blood samples obtained from 202 Saudi mal e volunteers. The influence of smoking on lead exposure was investigat ed. Blood lead was significantly higher in current smokers than in non -smokers and previous smokers (P < 0.05). The distribution of blood le ad data in the screened subjects suggested the eixstence of two mixed populations and a cut-off of 12 mu g dl(-1) was found where the two po pulations separate. Of the exposed population, 80% with blood lead con centrations above 12 mu g dl(-1) were smokers.