Potula Vijayalakshmi, Kaye Wendy
Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Division of Health Studies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Am J Ind Med. 2006 Mar;49(3):143-52. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20262.
The Bunker Hill mine in Idaho operated from 1886 to 1981. In the 60's and 70's it provided approximately 25% of the primary lead in the United States. Women first began working on the production and maintenance lines in 1972. This study examines the impact of menopause and several occupational and lifestyle factors as determinants of blood and bone lead levels among 73 female former smelter workers.
Blood lead levels were analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. The (109)Cd K X-ray fluorescence system was used to measure calcaneus and tibia bone lead content. Information was obtained on reproductive history, alcohol and cigarette consumption, education, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Postmenopausal women (n = 47) had significantly (P < 0.002) higher blood lead levels (3.48 microg/dl) than did premenopausal women (n = 26) (2.19 microg/dl). The best predictors of blood lead levels were smoking (>10 or < or =10 cigarettes/day), natural menopause, technical or community college education, manager or technical worker, and past or present use of HRT. The best predictors of calcaneus bone lead levels (P < 0.2) were technical workers, such as miner; natural menopause; and smoking >10 cigarettes/day; level of education; 1-2 pregnancies; and age (>60 years).
Lead exposure results in higher blood lead levels especially during menopause.
爱达荷州的邦克山矿于1886年至1981年运营。在20世纪60年代和70年代，它提供了美国约25%的原生铅。女性于1972年首次开始在生产和维护线上工作。本研究调查了绝经以及若干职业和生活方式因素对73名前冶炼厂女工血铅和骨铅水平的影响，这些因素作为血铅和骨铅水平的决定因素。
采用石墨炉原子吸收光谱法分析血铅水平。使用（109）镉K X射线荧光系统测量跟骨和胫骨的骨铅含量。获取了关于生殖史、酒精和香烟消费、教育程度以及激素替代疗法（HRT）的信息。
绝经后女性（n = 47）的血铅水平（3.48微克/分升）显著高于绝经前女性（n = 26）（2.19微克/分升）（P < 0.002）。血铅水平的最佳预测因素是吸烟（>10支或≤10支/天）、自然绝经、技术或社区大学教育程度、经理或技术工人以及过去或现在使用HRT。跟骨骨铅水平的最佳预测因素（P < 0.2）是技术工人，如矿工；自然绝经；每天吸烟>10支；教育程度；1 - 2次怀孕；以及年龄（>60岁）。
铅暴露会导致血铅水平升高，尤其是在绝经期间。
