Hygienic-toxicological aspects of exposure to lead. A critical review.

This review on hygienic, toxicologic and ecologic aspects of environmental burden of lead deals with the following topics: occurrence, production and use of lead; metabolism of lead and experimental toxicology of lead; toxicity of lead to man; hygienic and ecologic aspects of lead pollution. Lead ore mining and processing, production of lead-acid batteries and combustion of gasoline containing tetraethyl-lead as an anti-knock ingredient constitute at present the most important sources of lead pollution. The last named source of lead pollution in urban atmosphere is most hazardous to human health. Attempts to reduce this health hazard include use of additive-free gasoline, or replacement of tetraethyl lead by other anti-knock agents, e. g. by tetraethylcopper. The experiments with the use of organic compounds of manganese have failed to succeed. The possibility of biological monitoring of occupational and nonoccupational exposures to lead is discussed in detail in this review.