Blood lead levels in San Diego policemen.

Blood lead levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 86 San Diego policemen to see if they would reflect the known high atmospheric lead levels in San Diego. The mean blood lead for the entire group was 27.0 microgram per dl, a level very similar to that found in the general population of other cities. Work exposure to heavy traffic, area of residence, work shift and smoking did not significantly influence blood lead. Thus, an ambient atmospheric lead load ranging from 2 to 5 microgram per cubic m does not demonstrably cause higher blood lead levels in persons exposed to such air. Surprisingly, the youngest group, 21 to 25 years, had the highest mean (32.2 microgram per dl) while the oldest, 46 to 55 years, had the lowest mean (20.9 microgram per dl), a difference statistically highly significant. However, length of work as a policeman per se did not influence blood lead levels. Exposure to other known high-risk factors (hobbies, ceramics, old dwellings) was associated with higher levels (mean 30.6 microgram per dl).