EFFECTS OF CHRONIC LEAD AND CADMIUM EXPOSURE ON BLOOD-PRESSURE IN OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED WORKERS

An epidemiological study was performed to assess whether the occupatio nal exposure to lead or cadmium is associated with an increase in bloo d pressure. Blood lead levels were determined in 36 male subjects who were occupationally exposed to lead, whereas urinary cadmium concentra tions were determined in 40 male workers who were employed in cadmium pigment and resin factories from Barcelona (Spain). Blood lead and uri ne cadmium concentrations were also determined in 40 health volunteers who were not occupationally exposed to lead or cadmium (control group ). The mean concentrations of blood lead were 9.8 mu g/dL for controls and 39.5 mu/dL for lead-exposed workers, whereas 0.79 mu g/g creatini ne and 2.50 mu g/g creatinine were the mean levels of urine cadmium fo r controls and for cadmium-exposed workers, respectively. After adjust ing for age, body mass index, and drinking and smoking habits, a signi ficant rise of blood pressure with the increases in blood lead levels was found in the group of lead-exposed workers, but not in the control group. In contrast, the results of this study did not corroborate the hypothesis that an increase in cadmium exposure implies a rise in blo od pressure.