evaluation of blood lead levels and their effects on hematological parameters and renal function in iranian lead mine workers

Background: lead toxicity has become a growing health concern in countries such as iran. however, little information is available on the assessment and evaluation of the health effects of lead exposure in mine workers. objectives: the present study assessed the occupational exposure to lead and examine the association of blood lead (pbb) levels with hematological and kidney function parameters in mine workers. methods: in this matched case-control study, the level of pbb was measured in 100 workers (70 exposed and 30 non-exposed), and then its relationship was evaluated with complete blood count (cbc) parameters, zinc protoporphyrin (zpp), urea, blood creatinine levels, urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid (ala), coproporphyrin, and creatinine levels. results: the results showed a linear and significant relationship between the pbb level and b-zpp, u-ala, u- coproporphyrin, and u-creatinine levels in states of pbb levels > 20 µg/dl in a time and dose-dependent manner. a significant relationship was observedbetween the pbb level and the years of occupational exposure to lead and the b-urea level (p-value < 0.03).conclusions: chronic occupational exposure to lead decreased hematocrit, rdw-cv, mcv, mch, and hgb values but did not significantly change rbc counts. therefore, a regular assessment of routine blood parameters (such as cbc and zpp) and renal functionindices can be effectively used to monitor the toxic effects of lead exposure.