[Factors of interindividual variations of blood lead levels (author's transl)].

The blood lead levels of 1.877 persons living in 8 large French cities or in their suburbs were measured. Blood lead level varies with sex, age, tobacco, wine consumption and date of construction of the house. The specific effect of each of these variables can be quantified. The slope of the regression of blood lead level on age is approximatively 1 microgram/dl per 14 years. Blood lead level increases by 1 microgram for people living in houses built before 1945. The effect of tobacco and wine consumption is greater among males than females. For males the increase is about 3 microgram/dl between non smokers and heavy smokers whereas for females it is about 2 microgram/dl. Wine effect is about 2 microgram/dl among males and 1 microgram/dl among females. These findings are discussed in terms of differences in lead supply or modifications in the number and condition of red blood cells.