Models for the relationship between blood lead and air lead.

A "lead exposure" model is proposed for the relationship between blood lead and air lead. Unlike the commonly-used log-log model, this model describes blood lead as a function of both air lead exposure and lead intake from sources other than the air (i.e., food, water, etc.). The blood lead-air lead relationship at low air lead levels is also studied. It is shown that the mathematical characteristics of the log-log model can result in an overestimate of the effect of air lead on blood lead at air lead levels less than 1 to 2 micrograms/m3. The lead exposure model is shown to give a good description of data collected in studies in which subjects' air lead levels were measured by personal monitor.