• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.12-22
• /
• 1994

Effects of very low level of lead in diet and exposure time on the accumulation and distribution in organs and tissues was investigated with growing rats. 21 days old Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to lead for 7, 14 and 21 days by feeding of 0.03, 0.42, 0.92 and 1.46mg/kg Pb as Pb-acetate containing diet, respectively. Lead concentrations in blood, liver, kidney and bone exhibit a linear relationship with lead levels in diet. After 7 days of exposure, the greatest dose dependent accumulation of lead was found in kidney and followed in bone. However, after 14 and 21 days, the dose dependent accumlation of lead in bone was about two fold greater than that in kidney. The accumulation of lead in liver and blood was relatively low. As continuous exposure to lead, the concentrations of lead in liver, kidney, blood and intestinal tracts were rather not increased with exposure time. However, bone lead concentration was increased with exposure time by feeding of 0.92 and 1.46mg/kg Pb in diet, but not 0.42mg/kg. The lead concentration in gastrointestinal tracts tends also to increasing with lead levels in diet after 7 and 14 days of exposure. However, by 21 days of exposure the lead concentration revealed relatively constant value regardless of the dietary lead levels. It is concluded that the binding capacity of the lead in blood, liver, kidney and bone seems to be increased with increasing lead levels in diet. The lead concentration in these organs, with the exception of the lead in bone, seems, however, to be standing under steady state regulation by continued exposure with the same dietary lead level. Therefore, by chronic exposure condition with environmental relevant lead level bone might be a principle targe organ for lead and blood lead repesents better the current lead exposure than the lead body burden.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.324-333
• /
• 2006

This study was designed to investigate the effect of bone demineralization and tibia lead on blood lead in retired lead workers. Two hundred thirty five(126 females and 109 males) retired lead workers who worked in 4 different lead factories and 101 non-occupationally lead exposed subjects(51 females and 51 males) were recruited from March 2004 to October 2004. Bone mineral density(BMD) was measured at left calcaneous bone area by broadband ultrasound attenuation(BUA) method with QUS-2(Metra Biosystems Inc, USA). The BUA value transformed into T-score by WHO standard conversion criteria. Tibia bone lead was measured for skeletal bone lead with K-xray fluorescence(K-XRF) and blood lead was analyzed with flameless atomic spectrophotometer. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum calcium and iron were also analyzed. In addition, information for smoking and drinking status and basic personal data such as age, gender and lead exposure were also collected using questionnaire inquiry. Blood lead was correlated with tibia lead (r=0.664) and these two variables were negatively correlated with BMD in bivariate analysis. BMD showed significant main effect on the change of blood lead independent to tibia lead without any effect modification of age or gender; the one T-score unit decrease of mineral bone density made $0.43{\mu}g/dl$ increase of blood lead. On the other hand, tibia lead showed effect modification with gender on blood lead; the slope of tibia lead on blood lead in male was steeper than in female and crossed at around zero of tibia lead. In the multiple regression analysis of blood lead and tibia lead on BMD after adjustment of related covariates, only blood lead showed statistically significant effect on BMD. This study confirmed that BMD and blood lead were significantly associated. To verify the causal association of BMD on blood lead and vice versa, further longitudinal studies are needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.19-28
• /
• 2010

This study was designed to investigate the effect of increased blood and tibia lead on the change of bone mineral density in retired male lead workers. One hundred nine retired male lead workers who worked in 4 different lead industries and 51 nonoccupationally lead exposed male subjects were recruited from March 2004 to October 2004. Bone mineral density(BMD) was measured by broadband ultrasound attenuation(BUA) at left calcaneous bone area with broadband ultrasound attenuation method of QUS-2(Metra Biosystems Inc, USA). Tibia bone lead was measured for skeletal bone lead with K-xray fluorescence(K-XRF) and blood lead was analyzed with flameless atomic spectrophotometer. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum calcium and iron were also analyzed. In addition, information for smoking and drinking status and basic personal data such as age and lead exposure were also collected using questionnaire inquiry. Blood lead was correlated with tibia lead (r=0.711) and these two variables were negatively correlated with BUA in bivariate analysis. BUA and tibia lead showed significant main effects on the change of blood lead after adjusting covariates. The effect modification by the level of BMD (low: lower than the median of BUA and high: higher than the median of BUA) was observed between the association of tibia lead and blood lead after adjustment of covariates. The subjects who had higher BMD seemed to have lower blood lead by the increase of tibia lead than those of lower BMD. In the multiple regression analysis of blood lead and tibia lead on BUA after adjustment of covariates, only blood lead showed statistically significant effect on BUA. This study confirmed that BMD and blood lead were significantly associated. To verify the causal association of BMD on blood lead and vice versa, further longitudinal studies are needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.156-167
• /
• 2010

To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including bone lead on neurobehavioral test in retired lead workers, 131 retired lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 56 non-occupationally lead exposed subjects were recruited from same area of retired lead workers with consideration of demographic characteristics. The mean levels of blood and bone lead of retired lead workers were significantly higher than control group and there were significant correlation among other lead biomarkers. Compared with controls without occupational lead exposure, lead exposured subjects had worse performance on 10 tests out of 12 neurobehavioral tests, but only two tests(Purdue pegboard nondominant and both hand) showed statistical significance of differences. In multiple linear regression analysis of neurobehavioral tests with lead biomarkers and demographic and lifestyle variables, age was associated negatively with 11 neurobehavioral tests, whereas log-transformed ZPP was associated with Purdue pegboard(both hand) and Santa Ana manual dexterity(non-dominant hand). On the other hand, tibia lead was associated Pursuit aiming test(correct) and Purdue pegboard(dominant hand) and calcaneal lead was associated with Purdue pegboard(dominant hand). This study confirmed that among all relevant variables age was most significantly associated with the poor performance of neurobehavioral tests. The blood lead did not have any significant association with neurobehavioral tests, but tibia and calcaneal bone lead and blood ZPP showed significant association with a few tests even after more than mean 9 years from their retirements.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.87-96
• /
• 2011

In 1967, the problem of occupational lead exposure came to public attention in Korea. Since then, regular progress has been made in lowering workplace lead exposures, instituting new workplace controls, and implementing health examinations of exposed workers. Past serious lead poisoning episodes made it possible to introduce biological monitoring programs on a voluntary basis in high-lead-exposure facilities in Korea. Industry-specific occupational health services for lead workers in Korea during the last 22 years can be categorized into three phases. During the first phase (1988-1993), efforts were directed at increasing awareness among workers about the hazards of lead exposure, biological monitoring of blood zinc protoporphyrin began, and a respiratory protection program was introduced. During the second phase (1994-1997), a computerized health management system for lead workers was developed, blood-lead measurement was added to biologic monitoring, and engineering controls were introduced in the workplace to lower air-lead levels to comply with air-lead regulations. Finally, during the third phase (1998-present), a new biomarker, bone-lead measurement by X-ray fluorescence, was introduced. Bone-lead measurement proved to be useful for assessing body burden and to demonstrate past lead exposure in retired workers. Occupational health service practice for lead workers, including the industry-specific group occupational health system, has brought considerable success in the prevention of lead poisoning and in reducing the lead burden in Korean lead workers during the last several decades. The successful achievement of prevention of lead poisoning in Korea was a result of the combined efforts of lead workers, employers, relevant government agencies, and academic institutes.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.152-158
• /
• 2003

This study was conducted to evaluate two sample digestion procedures and instrumental determination parameters for analysis of lead in bone. Amputated human legs were treated by acid digestion or microwave dissolution prior to spectrometric analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) were used for determining bone lead levels. Recovery efficiencies using standard reference material from acid digestion measured by ICP-MS were in good agreement with those of the certified value, but in cases of acid digestion by GF-AAS and microwave digestion by both two methods, recovery underestimated and overestimated, respectively. For the bone samples, the lead concentrations obtained by ICP-MS after acid digestionwere in good agreement with those by GF-AAS (correlation coefficient = 0.983), but GF-AAS gave systematically higher values than ICP-MS. While a good agreement between two analytical methods after microwave digestion was also obtained (correlation coefficient = 0.950), bone lead concentrations from microwave were relatively higher than those from acid digestion. In conclusion, the use of the simple nitric acid digestion procedure at an ambient temperature coupled to ICP-MS seems to be efficient for the determination of lead in bone in consideration for both the convenience and validity.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.255-260
• /
• 2010

A stabilization/solidification (S/S) process for lead (Pb) contaminated soils was evaluated using waste cow bone containing apatite like compounds. Soil samples obtained form firing range were treated with waste cow bone. The effectiveness of stabilization was evaluated based on the Korean Standard Leaching Test (KSLT) and soil pH. The leached concentration reduced with increased in dose of waste cow bone. Overall, the KSLT results showed that Pb concentration in soils are significantly affected by amount of waste cow bone. When soil amended with 20 % of waste cow bone, less than 0.1 mg/kg was leached, and soil pH was increased from 6.5 to 8.4. Same results were obtained when finer waste cow bone was applied. The reachable concentration of Pb in soil showed in inversely proportional to solid/liquid ratio. Aging periods indicate improving mix design was applied. Relatively high lead concentrations was observed at the first 1 days, however leaching profile are reduced significantly over time for all mix designs.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.144-152
• /
• 2005

To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including bone lead on neurobehavioral test in lead workers, 652 lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 102 non-occupationally lead exposed blue collar workers in general manufacturing industries were also joined this study. All study subjects joined this study with written informed consent. The study variables of lead exposure were blood and patella lead. For the general characteristics of study subjects, standardized questionnaire regarding age, sex, past disease history, job duration, body mass index (BMI), drinking and smoking habit were provided. For the past history of neurotoxicity related diseases, all study subjects were interviewed by qualified occupational health physician. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Compared with controls without occupational lead exposure, lead exposed subjects had worse performance on all tests(p<0.05). 2. After adjustment for covariates (age, sex, job duration, education level, BMI, smoking and drinking status), the signs of the regression coefficients for blood lead were negative for 13 of the 14 tests. Blood lead was a significant predictor of poorer scores on 8 tests (simple reaction time(ms & root MSD), Trail-Making Test B, Digit Symbol Substitution, Purdue Pegboard assembly, Digit Span Test, Benton Visual Retention, and Purdue pegboard both hand). 3. After adjustment for covariates (age, sex, job duration, education level, BMI, smoking and drinking status), the signs of the regression coefficients for patella lead were negative for 12 of the 14 tests. Patella lead was a significant predictor of poorer scores on 8 tests (simple reaction time(ms). Purdue Pegboard assembly, Digit Span Test, Benton Visual Retention. Pursuit Aiming rest (no. of correct & no. of incorrect), Purdue pegboard non-dominant hand and both hand). With above results, blood lead and patella lead were associated with poorer performance of neurobehavioral tests. In addition, patella lead was confirmed to be better predictor of manual dexterity test in neurobehavioral test battery in lead workers

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.225-236
• /
• 1987

This study was performed to investigate the effects of lead poisoning and different levels of dietary lipid on lead and lipid metabolism in the rats. Forty eight male weanling rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing 73.1$\pm$11.1g were blocked into 6 groups according to body weight. Dietary lipid were given at the lev딘 of 5, 20 and 40% of total caloric intake and lead were either administered or not. The results obtained are summerized as follows ; 1) Food intake, weight gain, F.E.R. liver and epididymal. fat pad weights, weight and length of bone, hematocrit and hemoglobin content in Pb-adminstered groups were lower than these in Pb-free groups. 2) Plasma lipid and cholesterol levels were tended to be higher in Pb-administered groups than in Pb-free groups, while liver lipid and cholesterol levels were tended to be lower in Pb-adminstered groups. 3) Fecal dry matter excretion was tended to be higher in Pb-adminstered groups than in Pb-free groups, and were increased with increasing dietary lipid level. Daily fecal excretions of lipid and cholesterol were higher in high lipid groups than in low lipid groups and these levels were even higher in the animals exposed to Pb than in Pb-free groups. 4) Pb contents in blood, liver, kidney and bone were significantly higher in Pb administered groups than in Pb-free groups. Pb levels of blood, liver and bone did not show any significant difference among groups with different levels of dietary lipid, but Pb concentration in kidney of Pb-adminstered groups increased with increasing dietary lipid level.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 1987

The concentrations of lead and cadmium in each organ of the rats were measured by the different distance from the Kyungbu highway at Yangjae-dong, Seoul and control site, Dongguk university forest at Mt. Unack, Namyanghu-gun, Kyunggi from 1984 to 1986. The lead was concentrated in the bone with the least. The lead concentration in the bone of the rats inhabiting within 10m from the highway was determined more than 5 times of the control site and significantly this was inversely proportional to the distance from the highway. The cadmium, in the other hand, was specifically concentrated in the kidney as compared with other oragns i.e., the decreasing order of the kidney within 10m from the highway was more than 3 times of that of the control, although the concentration in the organs was not significantly related with the distance from the highway.