Content of lead in human hair from people with various exposure levels in Lithuania.

A study has been performed to estimate if hair lead (Pb) can be used assessing environmental and occupational exposure to the metal. From 1994-1997, 622 ceramic plant employees, 520 randomly selected controls from Kaunas without occupational exposure to Pb aged 18-64 years, and 380 10-13 year old children living in Kaunas participated in this study. The concentration of Pb in the hair samples was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The geometric mean of Pb in the hair of workers occupationally exposed to Pb was significantly higher than that in persons not exposed to the metal (7.6 microg/g, 95% CI = 6.5-8.7 for exposed workers, 3.2 microg/g, 95% CI = 2.8-3.6 for not exposed workers and 2.6 microg/g, 95% CI = 2.4-2.9 for randomly selected controls, p < 0.05). Pb content in hair of boys and girls was 2.9 microg/g (95% CI = 2.6-3.3) and 3.1 microg/g (95% CI = 2.6-3.6), respectively. Lead in hair was not related to gender. Multiple regression analysis in adults with age as a continuous variable showed a positive relationship between Pb in hair and age. Also different exposure levels were significantly related to Pb in hair. In men, a positive association was found between Pb in hair and smoking. The data obtained suggest that human hair could be used to identify lead exposure in epidemiological surveys.