[Blood lead and blood cadmium concentrations in 55-66-year-old women fron different areas of Nordrhein-Westfalen--chronological trends during 1982-1988].

Blood lead levels were determined in 3098 55-66 year-old women living in different areas of Northrhine-Westphalia (F.R.G.). Blood cadmium levels were determined in a subgroup of 2538 women. The studies were performed between 1982 and 1988. The results show that there has been a further fall of blood lead levels in the general population of West-Germany since the CEC blood lead surveys of 1979 and 1981. A comparable reduction of blood cadmium was not noted. Residents of large urban agglomerations had, on average, slightly higher blood lead levels than residents of small cities located in rural areas (+0.2-0.5 microgram/dl). With regard to blood cadmium, no differences were seen. Smokers were found to have, on average, 3-4 times higher blood cadmium levels than non-smokers. Blood lead was also elevated in smokers when compared to non-smokers. The highest blood lead levels recorded were in the range of 15-30 micrograms/dl. The data further suggest that lead mobilization during conditions of bone demineralization, e.g. in cases of osteoporosis, does not result in toxic blood lead levels in postmenopausal women.