Using the current Brazilian value for the biological exposure limit applied to blood lead level as a lead poisoning diagnostic criterion

Abstract

In general, biological exposure limits are only used for the promotion and preservation of workers' health and are not applied for diagnostic purposes. However, the issue is controversial for certain types of occupational poisoning. This paper proposes the utilization of biological exposure limits currently applied to blood lead levels in Brazil as an important criterion for diagnosing occupational lead poisoning. The author argues that contrary to the traditional clinical criterion, one should deal with the diagnostic problem of lead poisoning from an epidemiological perspective, using the current Brazilian value for the biological exposure limit applied to blood lead level as an indicator of high relative risk.

Lead poisoning in cattle in southern Brazil

“…The importance of lead as a toxic metal and environmental pollutant has long been recognized. Its hazards to human and animal health have been reported worldwide (Oskarsson et al, 1992;Dwivedi, 1995;Cordeiro, 1996;Abreu et al, 1998). Lead poisoning is one of the most common toxicoses affecting domestic animals.…”