[The importance of lead pollution for pregnant women and the newborn in the Ruhr area. II. Communication (author's transl)].

Systematic measurements of blood lead levels in 315 mature and immature neonates and 198 mothers show that at least 40% of statistical variance in blood lead levels depends on lead immission at the mother's place of residence. Almost identical blood lead levels are found in identical and non-identical twins. These investigations demonstrate the value of a biological lead monitoring system. On this basis blood lead levels in areas not covered by the present study can be prognosticated.