Abstract

Lead is toxic to the kidney, cardiovascular system, developing red blood cells, peripheral and central nervous systems, testes, and fetus. Exposure to lead may occur from a variety of occupational and nonoccupational sources. Although in the United States regulatory and voluntary efforts have been quite successful in reducing worker and population exposure to lead, >2 million workers remain at risk of workplace lead exposure. The concern for lead as a significant public health problem has increased as evidence has mounted regarding adverse health effects at successively lower levels of lead exposure, leading to downward revision of criteria for acceptable blood lead concentrations. Exposure, toxicity, and detection of lead in humans is discussed as is the treatment of lead poisoning.