Relationships between mean lead levels in the atmosphere and in blood from data published since 1977.

The authors attempted to confirm the reliability of the linear log-log model presented by Goldsmith and Hexter in 1967. The data used were from seven reports published since 1977, including that of the authors. The age of the subjects in these reports ranged from three to over 65 years. Various methods of air sampling and pre-treatment of collected particulate matter were employed. Lead was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean value of lead in the atmosphere ranged from 0.11 to 19 micrograms/m3. A regression line obtained from 13 pairs of averaged lead in the atmosphere and in blood was log(Pb-B) = 0.259 x log(Pb-A) + .243, and the Pearson's moment correlation coefficient between the logarithm of Pb-A and the logarithm of Pb-B was 0.839. These results were roughly the same as those of Goldsmith. This finding confirms the consistency of the association between Pb-A and Pb-B, which may be used to monitor atmospheric and blood lead quantitatively in those countries conducting a lead reduction program in gasoline.