Correlations between blood lead concentrations and some blood protein levels in children residing in lead-polluted and control areas.

Ninety children residing in a highly Pb-polluted area near a lead foundry (group E), and 61 children from the control area (group C) were examined and compared. In group E children there were detected significantly increased blood Pb concentrations (girls: 31.6 +/- 16 microgram/100 ml; boys: 38.7 +/- 15.8 microgram/100 ml) in comparison with the control group C children (about 20 microgram/100 ml for both sexes). Regression analysis revealed significantly positive correlation of Pb concentrations in blood with the level of total blood proteins and ALAD, the correlation with A-1AT, alpha-2-M, TRF, and CPL was much less pronounced. Also the correlation of Ca2+ concentrations in blood with blood protein levels was not too marked. On the other hand, the age factor turned out to be very influencing in girls. Remarkable was the change of Pb and Ca correlation positivity in group C children to correlation negativity in group E (ALAD, total proteins, CPL), or of correlation negativity to correlation positivity (A-1AT, TRF). The observed changes are discussed from the aspect of multifactorial action of Pb in the organism.