Lipid peroxidation in workers exposed to lead.

In animal studies, lead compounds increased lipid peroxidation. Using an industrial hygiene approach, we examined the hypothesis that whole blood lead concentration would be associated positively with lipid peroxidation in workers exposed to lead. Study subjects were 130 lead-exposed workers and controls from an industrial area in the south of Taiwan. Blood lead concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and lipid peroxidation was determined by liquid chromatography. Lipid peroxidation was correlated weakly with blood lead when blood lead was less than 35 micrograms/dl, but it correlated strongly with blood lead when blood lead was greater than 35 micrograms/dl, especially when blood lead was greater than 40 micrograms/dl.