Lead in blood
Lead in blood determination (EDTA)
To determine if lead poisoning is possible.
The lead unit on the results is displayed as µg/dl as of 01-03-24.
This stems from the renewed lead decision.
Non-professional exposure: 0.724 micromol/L
For professional exposure, the following value is accepted as the maximum permissible at the end of the exposure period: 0.724 micromol/L (sexually mature females) 1.93 micromol/L (adult male).
Lead can be hazardous to health if lead levels in the body exceed a certain level. This can happen in two ways: sudden (acute) or creeping (chronic).
Acute lead poisoning occurs through exposure to high concentrations of lead fumes or through ingestion of chemicals in which high levels of lead are present. Continuous and prolonged inhalation and/or ingestion of lead (dust) results in chronic lead poisoning. This prolonged or repeated exposure affects the bone marrow (anemia), nervous system and kidneys.
In acute lead poisoning, there are complaints and symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract (constipation, poor appetite, abdominal pain or colic) and the brain (central nervous system confusion).
In chronic lead poisoning, there are complaints and symptoms of the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, brain and nerves elsewhere in the body (central and peripheral nervous system), kidneys and/or there is reproductive impact.
Red blood cell production is disturbed at lead in blood values higher than 300 μg/L blood.
At values above 400 μg/L blood, reduction in muscle strength may occur and kidney function is impaired. At even higher values, severe nerve disorders with paralysis ("dropping hand") and sensory disturbances can occur. High levels of lead in the blood are known to increase blood pressure. Brain damage can cause seizures and attacks of unconsciousness.
Lead is harmful to reproduction in both males and females. Lead is harmful to development. The developing nervous system of the unborn and young child is especially sensitive to lead. Babies whose mothers were exposed to lead during pregnancy may have mental and physical delays. Studies of children exposed to lead show that even low levels of lead can lead to lower intelligence (IQ), learning disabilities, behavioral problems and kidney damage.
To remove lead from the body, certain chemicals can be used that bond with the lead in the blood and are then excreted with the urine (chelation therapy).
Cause
Lead is a heavy metal that is used in many industries, such as the glass industry, in the manufacture of batteries, batteries and solder, in the paint industry, building materials and in alloys.
High exposure to lead can also occur in lead smelters and refineries, in battery production, steel machining and welding, in the construction industry, rubber and plastics industry, printing, shooting ranges, in radiator repair and other work involving lead soldering.
Products that may contain lead are batteries, roofing, crystal glass, menie, paint dryer, ammunition solder, radiation protection, applications as a non-decomposable substance or as an alloy in sound insulation, cable sheathing, organ pipes, fuses, etc., applications as a decomposable substance (compound) in cotton printing, wood preservation, cosmetics (hair dye), disinfectant, enamel, glaze, semiconductors, catalyst in polyurethane polymerization, ceramics, sealant, hair dye, matches, pigment/dye.
Lead can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.
A health-damaging concentration of airborne particles of lead can be reached rapidly when atomized, especially from powdered lead compounds.
Prevention
Exposure to lead is widespread in industrialized countries. In the Netherlands, it probably affects several thousand workers. Occupational diseases due to lead poisoning are rarely (or no longer) reported.
