[Description of several cases of preclinical lead poisoning in decorators of ceramic tiles].

Tha AA report 10 cases of subclinical lead poisoning in a small ceramic factory for artistic painting of building tiles . The decoration was done by hand, using lead glazes . In spite of the extremely low lead air level, the decorators , whose time of exposure was 6-18 months had on average 1868 (SD: 810) micrograms Pbu EDTA/24h and 18,2 (SD: 14,8) mg ALAu /l. Hematochemical data were within the normal range, all but serum iron (144 +/- 33 micrograms %). The cases are presented as a clear example of working conditions where lead intake occurs mainly by gastrointestinal absorption. The AA emphasize the importance of biological monitoring as essential to complete the data of environmental pollution. Moreover the prevention of lead poisoning, especially in small factories, requires the implementation of those general hygienic measures recommended in the recent EEC directive.