Blood lead levels in iron-deficient and noniron-deficient adults

Abstract

Iron deficiency (ID) has been reported to increase lead absorption. This relationship has been investigated in detail in children but not in adults. This study was designed to investigate whether blood lead levels are significantly higher in iron-deficient adults. ID-parameters (haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, iron-binding saturation, soluble transferrin receptors, washed zinc protoporphyrin and ferritin) together with whole blood lead were measured in three different adult groups - blood donors (n = 73), pregnant women (n =74) and haemodialysis patients (n = 72). Of a total of 219 subjects tested, 7.7% was found to have a lead level above 10 microg/dl (maximum 16 microg/dl). No association was found between blood lead level and ID [iron-deficient subjects (n: 139), mean: 5.6 microg/dl (SD: 3 microg/dl) and noniron-deficient subjects (n: 80), mean: 5.4 microg/dl (SD: 3 microg/dl)]. The results suggest that the inverse association between blood lead and serum iron in studies carried out on children does not occur in adults.

The Effect of Occupational Lead Exposure on Blood Levels of Zinc, Iron, Copper, Selenium and Related Proteins

“…The present study revealed that there is no association between Fe and blood lead levels, which is concordant with previous data [31–34]. However, Kim et al [35] reported a decrease in the serum Fe level in lead-exposed workers, but a significantly lower dietary Fe intake was observed concurrently.…”

Correlation between blood lead concentration and iron deficiency in Iranian children

“…Many studies especially in paediatric group have revealed that ID and/ or IDA can elevate blood lead concentration with increase blood lead absorption in gastrointestinal tract 34911222425. There is a hypothesis for this increase in lead absorption.…”

“…Children especially infants are at high risk for ID because of high demand for iron and low diet iron during a period of rapid growth. Both ID and lead poisoning are harmful for early development and growth in children and may cause profound neurologic and developmental effects such as cognitive and behaviour problems 345. During 1976-1980, blood lead concentration was more than 10 μg/dl in 78% of people in the United state, but it was reduced to 20% in 1998 3.…”

“…Both ID and lead poisoning are harmful for early development and growth in children and may cause profound neurologic and developmental effects such as cognitive and behaviour problems 345. During 1976-1980, blood lead concentration was more than 10 μg/dl in 78% of people in the United state, but it was reduced to 20% in 1998 3. However, in developing countries such as Iran lead pollution is a serious problem6 and previous studies in children have shown a blood lead concentration > 10 μg/dl in 41-75% of children in large crowded cities 17.…”

“…Although some studies especially in children have showed an association between ID and high blood lead concentration,389101112131415 some other studies have not confirmed this 41016. It have been speculated that iron and lead compete for absorption in the small intestine and in children with inadequate amounts of iron consumption, lead absorption will be increased 1718.…”