User menu

Accès à distance ? S'identifier sur le proxy UCLouvain

Assessment of thyroid, testes, kidney and autonomic nervous system function in lead-exposed workers

Primary tabs

Gennart, Jean-Philippe Bernard, Alfred [UCL] Lauwerys, Robert [UCL]

The objective of the study was to assess whether moderate occupational exposure to lead may be associated with early changes in potential target organs (thyroid, testes, kidney, autonomic nervous system). Workers exposed to lead in a lead acid battery factory (n = 98; mean blood lead 51 micrograms/dl, range 40-75 micrograms/dl) and 85 control workers were examined. None of the indicators of kidney function (in urine: retinol-binding protein, beta 2-microglobulin, albumin, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase; in serum: creatinine, beta 2-microglobulin), endocrine function (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, triiodothyronine) and autonomic nervous system (R-R interval variations on the electrocardiogram) were correlated with lead exposure (blood lead or duration of exposure) or showed significantly different mean values between the exposed group and controls. These results and an assessment of the published data suggest that compliance with the Directive of the Council of the European Communities on lead exposure (health surveillance in workers whose lead in blood exceeds 40 micrograms/dl and removal from exposure when blood lead exceeds 70-80 micrograms/dl) would prevent the occurrence of significant biological changes in the majority of lead-exposed workers.

Document type Article de périodique (Journal article) – Article de recherche
Access type Accès restreint
Publication date 1992
Journal information "International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health" - Vol. 64, no. 1, p. 49-57 (1992)
Peer reviewed yes
Publisher Springer (Heidelberg)
issn 0340-0131
e-issn 1432-1246
Publication status Publié
Affiliations UCL - MD/ESP - Ecole de santé publique
UCL - (SLuc) Service d'anatomie pathologique
UCL - (SLuc) Centre de toxicologie clinique
MESH Subject Adult ; Autonomic Nervous System - drug effects ; Humans ; Kidney - drug effects ; Lead - blood - pharmacology - urine ; Male ; Metallurgy ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects - analysis - standards ; Testis - drug effects ; Thyroid Gland - drug effects
Keywords Lead ; Autonomic nervous system ; Hypothalamo-hypophyseal system ; Kidney function tests ; Thyroid hormones
Links
  1. Araki S, Honma T (1976) Relationship between lead absorption and peripheral nerve conduction velocities in lead workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 4:225?231
  2. Assennato G, Paci C, Baser ME, Molinini R, Candela RG, Altamura BM, Giorgino R (1987) Sperm count suppression without endocrine dysfunction in lead exposed men. Arch Environ Health 42:124?127
  3. Baker EL, Landrigan PJ, Barbour AG, Cox DH, Folland DS, Ligo RN, Throckmorton J (1979) Occupational lead poisoning in the United States: clinical and biochemical findings related to blood lead levels. Br J Ind Med 36:314?322
  4. Bellingham AJ, Weatherall DJ (1984) Erythropoiesis, the red cell, and anaemia. In: Weatherall DJ, Ledingham JGG, Warrell DA (eds) Oxford text book of medicine. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 19.8?19.15
  5. Bernard A, Lauwerys RR (1983) Continuous flow system for the automation of latex immunoassay by particle counting. Clin Chem 29:1007?1011
  6. Braunstein GD, Dahlgren T, Loriaux L (1987) Hypogonadism in chronically lead-poisoned men. Infertility 1:33?51
  7. Buchet JP, Reels H, Bernard A, Lauwerys R (1980) Assessment of renal function of workers exposed to inorganic lead, cadmium or mercury vapor. J Occup Med 22:741?750
  8. Cockroft DW, Gault MH (1976) Prediction of creatinine clearance from serum creatinine. Nephron 16:31?41
  9. Cullen MR, Robins JM, Eskenazi B (1983) Adult inorganic lead intoxication: presentation of 31 new cases and a review of recent advances in the literature. Medicine 63:221?247
  10. Cullen MR, Kayne RD, Robins JM (1984) Endocrine and reproductive dysfunction in men associated with occupational inorganic lead intoxication. Arch Environ Health 39:431?440
  11. Ehle AL (1986) Lead neuropathy and electrophysiological studies in low level lead exposure: a critical review. Neurotoxicology 7:203?207
  12. Ehle AL, McKee DC (1990) Neuropsychological effect of lead in occupationally exposed workers: a critical review. Crit Rev Toxicol 20:237?255
  13. Germart JP, Bucher JP, Roels H, Ghyselen P, Ceulemans E, Lauwerys R (1992) Fertility of male workers exposed to cadmium, lead or manganese. Am J Epidemiol (in press)
  14. Goyer RA, Weinberg CR, Victery WM, Miller CR (1989) Lead induced nephrotoxicity: kidney calcium as an indicator of tubular injury. In: Bach P, Lock EA (eds) Nephrotoxicity in vitro to in vivo animals to man. Plenum, New York, pp 11?20
  15. Gustafson A, Hedner P, Schütz A, Skerfving S (1989) Occupational lead exposure and pituitary function. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 61:277?281
  16. Hammond PB, Lerner SI, Gartside PS, Hanenson IB, Roda SB, Foulkes EC, Johnson DR, Pesce AJ (1980) The relationship of biological indices of lead exposure to the health status of workers in a secondary lead smelter. J Occup Med 22:475?484
  17. Hanninen H, Hernberg S, Mantere P, Vesanto R, Jalkanen M (1978) Psychological performance of subjects with low exposure to lead. J Occup Med 20:683?689
  18. He F, Zhang S, Li G, Huang J, Wu Y (1988) An electroneurographic assessment of subclinical lead neurotoxicity. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 61:141?146
  19. Heinegard B, Tiderström G (1973) Determination of serum creatinine by a direct colorimetric method. Clin Chim Acta 43:305?310
  20. Henderson DA (1957) A follow-up of cases of plumbism in children Australasian. Ann Med 3:219?224
  21. Henry RJ (1965) Clinical chemistry: principles and technics, 3rd edn. Harper and Row, New York, pp 292?302
  22. Hilsted J (1984) Testing for autonomic neuropathy. Ann Clin Res 16:128?135
  23. Hogstedt C, Hane M, Agrell A, Bodin L (1983) Neuropsychological test results and symptoms among workers with well-defined long term exposure to lead. Br J Ind Med 40:99?105
  24. Hong C, Hanenson I, Lerner S, Hammond PB, Pesce AJ, Pollak VE (1980) Occupational exposure to lead: effects on renal function. Kidney Int 18:489?494
  25. Huang J, He F, Yigun W, Zhang S (1988) Observations on renal function in workers exposed to lead. Sci Total Environ 71:535?537
  26. Jeyaratnam J, Boey KW, Ong CN, Chia CB, Phoon WO (1986) Neuropsychological studies on lead workers in Singapore. Br J Ind Med 43:626?629
  27. Lancranjan I, Popescu HI, Gavanescu O, Klepsch I, Serbanescu M (1975) Reproductive ability of workmen occupationally exposed to lead. Arch Environ Health 30:396?401
  28. Lauwerys R, Delbroeck R, Vems MD (1972) Automated analysis of 6 aminolevulinic acid in urine. Clin Chim Acta 40:443?447
  29. Lilis R, Gavrilescu N, Nestorescu B, Dumitriu C, Roventa A (1968) Nephropathy in chronic lead poisoning. Br J Ind Med 25:196?202
  30. Lilis R, Fischbein A, Diamond S, Anderson HA, Selikoff IJ, Blumberg WF, Eisinger J (1977) Lead effects among secondary lead smelter workers with blood lead levels below 80 ?g/ 100 ml. Arch Environ Health 32:256?266
  31. Lilis R, Valciukas J, Fischbein A, Andrews G, Selikoff IJ, Blumberg W (1979) Renal function impairment in secondary lead smelter workers: correlation with zinc protoporphyrin and blood lead levels. J Environ Pathol Toxicol 2:1447?1474
  32. McGregor AJ, Mason MJ (1990) Chronic occupational lead exposure and testicular endocrine function. Hum Exp Toxicol 9:371?376
  33. Meyer BR, Fischbein A, Rosenman K, Lerman Y, Drayer DE, Reidenberg MM (1984) Increased urinary enzyme excretion in workers exposed to nephrotoxic chemicals. Am J Med 76:989?998
  34. Morgan J, Hartley MN, Miller RI (1966) Nephropathy in chronic lead poisoning. Arch Intern Med 118:17?29
  35. Muijser H, Hoogendijk EMG, Hooisma J, Twisk DAM (1987) Lead exposure during demolition of a steel structure coated with lead-based paints: II. Reversible changes in the conduction velocity of the motor nerves in transiently exposed workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 13:56?61
  36. Omae K, Sakurai H, Higaschi T, Muto T, Ichikawa M, Sasaki N (1990) No adverse effects of lead on renal function in leadexposed workers. Ind Health 23:77?83
  37. Ong CN, Chia KS, Phoon WO, Ong HY (1987) Evaluation of renal function in workers with low blood lead levels. In: Foa V, Emmet EA, Maroni M, Colombi A (eds) Occupational and environmental chemical hazards. Ellis Harwood, Chichester, pp 327?333
  38. Parkinson DK, Ryan C, Bromet EJ, Connell MM (1986) A psychiatric epidemiologic study of occupational lead exposure. Am J Epidemiol 123:261?269
  39. Ramirez-Cervantes B, Embree JW, Hine CH, Nelson KW, Varner MO, Putnam RD (1978) Health assessment of employees with different body burden of lead. J Occup Med 20:610?617
  40. Robins JM, Cullen MR, Connors BB, Kayne RD (1983) Depressed thyroid indexes associated with occupational exposure to inorganic lead. Arch Intern Med 143:220?224
  41. Rodamilans M, Osaba MJM, To-Figueras J, Fillat FR, Marques JM, Perez P, Corbella J (1988) Lead toxicity on endocrine testicular function in an occupationally exposed population. Hum Toxicol 7:125?127
  42. Roels H, Balis-Jacques MN, Buchet JP, Lauwerys RR (1979) The influence of sex and of chelation therapy on erythrocyte protoporphyrin and urinary ?-aminolevulinic acid in lead-exposed workers. J Occup Med 21:527?539
  43. Schaller KH, Gonzales J, Thurauf J, Schiele R (1980) Früherkennung von Nierenschaden bei beruflich gegenüber Blei, Quecksilber und Cadmium exponierten Personen. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg I Abt B 171:320?335
  44. Seppäläinen AM, Hernberg S (1980) Subclinical lead neuropathy. Am J Ind Med 1:413?420
  45. Seppäläinen AM, Hernberg S, Kock B (1979) Relationship between blood lead levels and nerve conduction velocities. Neurotoxicology 1:313?332
  46. Somervaille LJ, Chettle DR, Scott MC, Tennant DR, McKiernan MJ, Skilbeck A, Trethowan WN (1988) In vivo tibia lead measurements as an index of cumulative exposure in occupationally exposed subjects. Br J Ind Med 45:174?181
  47. Stollery BT, Banks HA, Broadbent DE, Lee WR (1989) Cognitive functioning in lead workers. Br J Ind Med 46:698?707
  48. Stollery BT, Broadbent DE, Banks HA, Lee WR (1991) Short term prospective study of cognitive functioning in lead workers. Br J Ind Med 48:739?749
  49. Telisman S, Cuitkovic P, Papic Z, Prpic-Majic C (1990) Semen quality of workers exposed to inorganic lead. Presented at the 23rd International Congress on Occupational Health, Montreal, Canada, September 1990
  50. Teruya K, Sakurai H, Omae K, Higashi T, Muto T, Kaneko Y (1990) Effect of lead on cardiac parasympathetic function. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 62:549?554
  51. Triebig G, Weltle D, Valentin H (1984) Investigations on neurotoxicity of chemical substances at the workplace. V. Determination of the motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity in persons occupationally exposed to lead. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 53:189?204
  52. Tucker S, Boyd PJ, Thompson AE, Price RG (1975) Automated assay of ?-N-acetylglucosaminidase in normal and pathological urines. Clin Chim Acta 62:333?339
  53. Tuppurainen M, Wagar G, Kurppa K, Sakari W, Wambugu A, Froseth B, Alho J, Nykyri E (1988) Thyroid function as assessed by routine laboratory tests of workers with long-term lead exposure. Scand J Work Environ Health 14:175?180
  54. Vacca CV, Hines JD, Hall PW III (1986) The proteinuria of industrial lead intoxication. Environ Res 41:440?446
  55. Verschoor M, Wibowo A, Herber R, Hemmen J Van, Zielhuis R (1987) Influence of occupational low-level lead exposure on renal parameters. Am J Ind Med 12:341?351
  56. Wedeen RP (1982) The role of lead in renal failure. Clin Exp Dialysis Apheresis 6:113?146
  57. Wedeen RP, Maesaka JK, Weiner B, Lipat GA, Lyons M, Vitale LF, Joselow MM (1975) Occupational lead nephropathy. Am J Med 59:630?640
  58. Wildt K, Berlin M, Isberg PE (1987) Monitoring of zinc protoporphyrin levels in blood following occupational lead exposure. Am J Ind Med 12:384?398
  59. Williamson AM, Teo RKC (1986) Neurobehavioural effects of occupational lead exposure. Br J Ind Med 43:374?380
  60. Wooller K, Melamed S (1978) Simple tests for monitoring excessive lead absorption. Med J Aust 1:163?169
  61. World Health Organization (1980) Recommended healthbased limits in occupational exposure to heavy metals. (Technical report series 647) World Health Organization, Geneva
Bibliographic reference Gennart, Jean-Philippe ; Bernard, Alfred ; Lauwerys, Robert. Assessment of thyroid, testes, kidney and autonomic nervous system function in lead-exposed workers. In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Vol. 64, no. 1, p. 49-57 (1992)
Permanent URL http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/24691