Reduction of Blood Lead Levels in Battery Workers by Zinc and Vitamin C

A group of 39 storage battery workers was evaluated in terms of pertinent biochemical parameters with regard to duration and degree of occupational exposure to lead. Twenty-two of the group had recognized toxic blood lead levels of greater than 60 mcg/100 ml, but fully 31 exceeded the Center for Disease Control's upper limit of normal for erythrocyte protoporphyrin. Other abnormal values found were decreased hemoglobin, increased serum and whole blood copper, increased serum uric acid, decreased serum inorganic phosphate and increased blood spermine, a new lead-related parameter not reported on previously. The severity of lead poisoning among these workers as revealed by blood lead and several other parameters was not related to the duration of exposure (number of years employed), but only to the degree of exposure (job location within the plant). The battery workers were placed on a regimen of vitamin C and zinc. Twenty-two