[Chronic lead poisoning caused by wine consumption: an epidemiologic study].

An epidemiological study was carried out after the observation of a case of chronic lead poisoning so as to investigate its possible sources. An environmental evaluation was performed, including an analysis of the waters and wines consumed by the involved family; blood samples were obtained to assess lead levels in the consumers of the possibly implicated wines, with a comparative analysis of controls living in the same area. The study revealed that the source of the poisoning were the claret and white wines, which made soluble the lead when passing through the outlet tubes of the storage casks. The need for a greater surveillance of alimentary products by the corresponding authorities is emphasized.