Association between blood levels of lead, blood pressure and risk of diabetes and heart disease in workers.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have supported the association between high levels of blood lead levels (BLL) and elevated blood pressure. In addition, significant correlations between BLL and a variety of risk factors for blood pressure and diabetes mellitus have been well-established.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between BLL, blood pressure and diabetes as well as other selected social and biochemical factors, among workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

METHODS

This comparative study included 110 industrial workers (exposed to lead in the workplace) and 110 non-industrial workers (not exposed); all were recruited in the city of Al-Ain, Abu-Dhabi Emirate, UAE and the groups were evenly matched for age, gender and nationality.

RESULTS

The industrial workers had a significantly higher mean of BLL (median 81 and geometric mean (GM) 62 microg/dl) than did non-industrial workers (median 11 and GM 13 microg/dl). In the present study, the lead-exposed group also had significantly higher blood lead levels, body-mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting blood glucose and plasma levels of total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase and uric acid than did the non-exposed group. Furthermore a significant correlation between BLL and systolic blood pressure was observed.

CONCLUSION

The study supports the hypothesis of a positive association between lead exposure, high blood pressure and risk of diabetes and heart disease.