1%, increased deep tendon reflexes (DTR) 22.3%, and decreased DTR (18.7%). Blood lead concentration (BLC) was 398.95 µg/L±177.40, which was significantly correlated with duration of work (P=0.044) but not with the clinical manifestations of lead poisoning. However, BLC was significantly correlated with urine lead

concentration (83.67 µg/L±49.78; r2=0.711; P<0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (r=-0.280; P=0.011), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (r=-0.304; P=0.006) and fasting blood sugar or FBS (r=-0.258; P=0.010). Conclusion: Neuropsychiatric and skeletal findings were common manifestations of chronic occupational Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical lead poisoning. BLC was significantly correlated with duration of work, urine lead concentration, two hemoglobin indices and FBS. Key Words: Lead poisoning, Occupational exposure, Biochemical markers, Hematologic tests Introduction Lead is one of the most toxic elements which Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical may cause acute, subacute or chronic poisoning through environmental

and occupational exposure.1,2 Common sources of lead poisoning are found in car battery industry, manufacturing of ceramic, plumbing, primary and secondary smelting, and exposure to lead-bearing paint or contaminated food, water and fuel.1-4 Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical It seems that no threshold of blood lead concentration (BLC) has been defined for hazardous health effects of lead.5 Lead poisoning affects multiple body organs. Neurological and gastrointestinal manifestations are predominant in lead poisoning. Chronic exposure among adults leads to loss of short-term memory, inability to Decitabine order concentrate, increased excitability, depressive mood, paresthesia of extremities, loss of coordination, generalized abdominal pain and nausea.6 Patients may also complain of headaches, weakness Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical and myalgia.7 Anemia, lead line (Burton’s line) and abnormal reaction time of deep Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical tendon reflexes (DTR) are common signs in chronic lead poisoning.8,9 More than 99% of lead in whole blood is associated with erythrocyte. Almost 70% of total lead clearance occurs in the urine and the remainder is excreted in the feces and sweat, and may be accumulated in hair and nails. After a chronic exposure,

lead removal usually follows a multicompartment kinetic model: a fast compartment in the blood and soft tissues with a half-life of 1-2 months.3,10 In Iran, workers of car battery, ceramic, and tile factories are heavily exposed to lead and few safety measures are being taken to reduce this exposure. Occupational lead exposure with or without symptoms, has not been thoroughly investigated in Iranian workers Metalloexopeptidase who are exposed to lead. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible clinical and paraclinical toxic effects of lead in workers of a car battery industry in Mashhad, Iran. Patients and Methods This study was in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki,11 and guidelines on Good Clinical Practice. It was also approved by the institutional review board and medical ethics committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.