Plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels in workers with occupational exposure to lead

The plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels were measured in a group o f male subjects occupationally exposed to lead for an average period of 17 yr, and compared to those from an age-matched control group living in the s ame city in a similar socioeconomical environment. The blood lead and plasma zinc levels were measured by atomic absorption sp ectroscopy. The plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels were establish ed by the malondialdehyde determination method. Significant differences wer e found in the blood lead levels in lead-exposed workers, 15.00 +/- 10.15 m ug/dL as compared to controls, 2.37 +/- 0.89 mug/dL. The plasma (2.67 +/- 0 .69 muM) and erythrocyte (27.53 +/- 6.28 nmol/g Hb) lipid peroxide levels i n workers with occupational exposure to lead were significantly higher than controls, 1.23 +/- 0.61 muM and 14.35 +/- 2.08 nmol/g Hb, respectively. Th ere were no significant differences of the zinc levels in both groups. The blood lead levels had a statistically significant positive correlation with age and with duration of exposure in both groups, but showed no relati onship to the corresponding blood zinc levels. The results presented in thi s study indicate that the increase of plasma and erythrocyte lipid. peroxid e levels in workers exposed to lead may be related to the lead concentratio n, age and duration of exposure.