IMMUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS AND CELLULAR IMMUNE FUNCTION IN LEAD-EXPOSED WORKERS

The immunological status of lead acid battery workers with blood lead levels and urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA-U) concentrations ra nging from safe to toxic levels has been examined and compared with th ose of non-exposed, age and sex matched controls. No differences in th e serum concentrations of IgG, IgA and IgM between the populations wer e observed and there existed no correlation between blood lead level o r ALA-U concentrations and serum immunoglobulin levels. In addition as sessment was made of the capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cell s to respond to the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), a correlate of T cell function. As before, there was no difference between exposed an d control populations and no correlation between reactivity and blood lead concentration. Our data Suggest that chronic exposure to lead fai l to compromise lymphocyte function in man.