Published in:
Open Access
01-04-2012 | Original Article
Long-term lead elimination from plasma and whole blood after poisoning
Authors:
Gerda Rentschler, K. Broberg, T. Lundh, S. Skerfving
Published in:
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
|
Issue 3/2012
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Abstract
Objective
Blood lead (B–Pb), one of the most used toxicological biomarker all kind, has serious limitations. Thus, the objective is to evaluate whether plasma lead (P–Pb) is more adequate.
Methods
A long-term follow-up study of five cases of lead poisoning. P–Pb was analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Kinetics after end of exposure was modelled.
Results
P–Pb at severe poisoning was about 20 μg/L; haematological effects at about 5 μg/L. Biological half-time of P–Pb was about 1 month; B–Pb decay was much slower.
Conclusion
P–Pb is a valuable biomarker of exposure to and risk, particularly at high exposure.