Influence of removal from occupational lead exposure on blood and saliva lead concentrations.

Samples of total blood and unstimulated mixed saliva were obtained from 5 male workers occupationally exposed to lead at various time intervals after removal from their work environment. Initial blood lead concentrations were elevated in all workers and then slowly decreased upon removal. Lead concentrations in saliva fell much more abruptly than those in blood, the saliva half-lives being estimated at 5-7 days. Temporary return to work in 2 workers resulted in relatively marked increases of salivary lead concentrations. These results suggest that salivary lead is closely related to recent lead exposure.