The relationship of blood lead to systolic blood pressure in a longitudinal study of policemen.

Abstract

We examined the relationship of blood lead level to systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a longitudinal study of 89 Boston, MA, policemen. At the second examination blood lead level and blood pressure were measured in triplicate. Blood pressure measurements were taken in a similar fashion in years 3, 4, and 5. Multivariate analysis using a first-order autoregressive model revealed that after adjusting for previous systolic blood pressure, body mass index, age, and cigarette smoking, an elevated blood lead level was a significant predictor of subsequent systolic blood pressure. Bootstrap simulations of these models provided supporting evidence for the observed association. These data suggest that blood lead level can influence systolic blood pressure even within the normal range.

A Longitudinal Study of Chronic Lead Exposure and Physical Growth in Boston Children

“…It has been noted that blood pressure was positively associated with blood lead levels before and after control for age, BMI, and other related factors (40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45). However, the association between blood lead and blood pressure is not conclusive yet (45), because it is very weak (1 to 2 mm Hg for every doubling in blood lead levels in middle-aged men) and influenced by the inclusion of covariates in the statistical model such as alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking (41).…”

Relationship of Blood Lead Levels to Blood Pressure in Exhaust Battery Storage Workers

“…Two studies examined this issue of temporality, which is critical to establish a casual relationship between lead exposure and blood pressure elevation. In a study of Boston police officers with levels somewhat higher than the current general population, there was a statistically significant association between a high (>30 µg/dl) blood lead level and subsequent elevation in systolic pressure after 5 yr. Two meta-analyses that examined the studies of blood lead and blood pressure are in agreement that there is a correlation between the two parameters, though the magnitude and clinical significance is debatable 2) . In addition, other studies 3,4) did not indicate any relationship between exposure to lead and blood pressure.…”

An epidemiological re-appraisal of the association between blood pressure and blood lead: a meta-analysis

“…The longitudinal Boston 84,85 and Glostrup 53 studies applied autoregression to investigate the correlation between lead at baseline and blood pressure during follow-up. The blood lead concentration was expressed on a linear scale in 15 studies and on a logarithmic scale in 16 (Table 1).…”