Effect of lead on human erythrocytes: an in vitro study.

The present study was an attempt to investigate toxic effects of lead on red blood corpuscle (RBC) under in vitro conditions. Venous blood samples from adult, healthy, well-nourished male donors falling in age group of 25-30 years were collected in EDTA vials for preparation of RBC suspension. These donors were the residents of an area of Bhuj, where soil was not contaminated with lead and also concentration of lead was below detectable limit in blood and drinking water. RBC suspension was treated with (0.0625 to 0.625 ppm) of Pb(NO3) for 4 h at 37 degrees C. The results revealed that addition of lead salt causes concentration-dependent increase in the rate of hemolysis, thus, proving Pb(NO3) as cytotoxic agent even at very low concentration.