X-ray fluorescence analysis of lead in teeth of urban children in situ: correlation between the tooth lead level and the concentration of blood lead and free erythroporphyrins.

The tooth lead level of 30 lead-exposed children was measured in situ using an X-ray fluorescence technique. The tooth lead concentration divided by the child's age correlated with the free erythroporphyrin (FEP) (r = 0.51) and the blood lead levels (r = 0.31). The mean tooth lead concentrations of 10 Class IV children (FEP greater than or equal to 190 micrograms/100 ml; blood lead 30-80 micrograms/ml) was 14.5 +/- 5.5 ppm/year. Reexamination of the histories of children who had been classified as Class II or III, but who had tooth lead concentrations within 1 SD of the Class IV level, indicated that many of these children could also be considered to be Class IV children. When the x-ray fluorescence technique was used to screen an urban population of 300 children, the tooth lead values indicated that 72% of the children had been exposed to low levels of environmental lead. Six percent of the children were found to have tooth lead concentrations in excess of 9 ppm/year and within 1 SD of the mean value exhibited by Class IV children. These children were considered to have a high body lead burden. The percentage of children having an elevated tooth lead level is similar to the number previously reported using exfoliated deciduous teeth.