[Biological monitoring of lead in the study of urban pollution due to automobile traffic].

The Authors have reviewed the most important literature available on the determination of blood lead level in non-occupationally exposed subjects, children and groups exposed to vehicular traffic (i.e. policemen, bus drivers, etc.). They have also collected data concerning lead concentration in air (mcg/m3) and in gasoline (g/l). The results show that the gradual decrease of gasoline lead concentrations gives a consistent decrease of blood lead level in the general population. In Italy, in the nonoccupationally exposed subjects, the mean blood lead level in 1974 was 32 mcg/dl and in 1991 was 8,4 mcg/dl. The mean value in children is presently about 8,3 mcg/dl. The values in workers exposed to vehicular traffic are higher than those found in non-exposed population.