Levels of some trace metals and related enzymes in workers at storage-battery factories in Iraq.

Levels of some trace metals (copper, iron, lead and zinc), aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALAD), caeruloplasmin and haemoglobin were measured in the blood of 37 male workers from private-sector storage-battery factories. The men were divided into three groups depending on their jobs: 11 chargers (group I), 8 repair workers (group II) and 18 casting workers (group III); 60 men were selected as controls. Mean levels were 14.63, 36.35, 58.00 and 71.70 micrograms/100 mL for lead, 192.54, 133.90, 96.75 and 45.37 U/mL for ALAD, and 14.02, 12.72, 12.20 and 11.40 g/100 mL for haemoglobin for control and groups I, II and III respectively. Significant negative correlations were found between lead and both ALAD and haemoglobin. The only significant positive correlation was between lead levels and duration of exposure.