A study of blood lead levels in residents of the Sydney area.

Blood lead analyses were undertaken of 133 adults who were healthy blood donors, by means of the carbon rod atomic absorption technique. The mean result was 12-4 mug/100 ml and only two persons had values over 30 mug/100 ml. Subjects were divided into various groups and it was found that smoking did not contribute significantly to the blood level, but the location of dwelling and employment gave a correlation with proximity to the city of Sydney. In three separated groups of urban, suburban and city inhabitants, the use of the motor-car was associated with an increase in the mean blood-level of lead.