[Biochemical studies in the evaluation of the health status of workers chronically exposed to lead].

The effects of chronic occupational exposure to lead on the function of internal organs in 150 workers of lead works have been investigated biochemically. Ten percent of the staff constantly exposed to lead and 8 percent of the staff periodically exposed presented heme synthesis disturbances in form of plumbic anaemia accompanied by an increased ferrum level in blood serum, whereas 26 percent of workers exhibited positive tests of biological reaction to lead. The constantly exposed workers exhibited decreased humoral immunity with a statistically significant decrease of IgG and IgM and increase of IgA. Furthermore, gastric juice excretion disturbances were observed. The concentration of beta-lipoproteins and free fatty acids in the blood serum as well as the concentration of uric acid were found to increase. No findings showing deficient hepatic and renal functions were found.