f BIOLOGICAL
ASPECTS OF LEAD
AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
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BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD:
AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Literature from 1950 through 1964
PART I
FOR REFERENCE
Do Not Take From This Room
IRENE R. CAMPBELL AND ESTELLE G. MERGARD
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
KETTERING LABORATORY
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
CINCINNATI, OHIO
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Office of Administration
Research Triangle Park, N. C. 27711
May 1972
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price $6.78 per set
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The AP series of reports is issued by the Environmental Protection Agency to report
the results of scientific and engineering studies, and information of general
interest in the field of air pollution. Information presented in this series
includes coverage of intramural activities involving air pollution research and
control technology and of cooperative programs and studies conducted in conjunction
with state and local agencies, research institutes, and industrial organizations.
Copies of AP reports are available free of charge - as supplies permit - from the
Air Pollution Technical Information Center, Environmental Protection Agency,
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
This work was performed under the sponsorship of Contract No. CPA 22-69-48 with the
Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air Programs, and in part under Grant
USPHS ES 00159 to the Center for the Study of the Human Environment through the
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Publication No. AP-104
11
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/2 31
PREFACE
rKcr«v.c
The Kettering Laboratory of the University of Cincinnati, where this biblio-
graphy was compiled, was founded in the mid-1920 's by Dr. Robert A. Kehoe, a
researcher whose primary interest was the investigation of the problems associated
with the manufacture and use of tetraethyllead. An essential part of Dr. Kehoe 's
program was the development of a large collection of the literature on lead and its
compounds, a collection from which most of the abstracts in this bibliography have
been prepared. It is only fitting, therefore, that this bibliography be dedicated
to him .
Systematic collection of the worldwide lead-related publications was initiated
in 1932 by Nell Conway, whose background was in scientific literature and foreign
languages. She also translated many of the classic works and other articles required
by the members of the Kettering Laboratory in the pursuit of their investigations.
In 1944, Irene R. Campbell assumed the responsibility for directing the biblio-
graphic research program, and the preparation of abstracts - first very brief, then
more informative - began shortly thereafter. With the help of Estelle G. Mergard,
this bibliography, covering the years 1950 through 1964, is presented as a health
information service to the scientific community.
111
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A work of this scope could not have been performed without the assistance of
many individuals and the services of many libraries. The helpfulness and courtesy
of the staffs of the following are deeply appreciated: The Medical Center Library
and the other libraries of the University of Cincinnati; the Public Library of
Cincinnati and Hamilton County; Lloyd Library and Museum; the libraries of the
Merrell Company; Procter and Gamble Technical Information Center; Environmental
Protection Agency National Environmental Research Center; National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health; Center for Research Libraries; and the Kentucky-
Ohio-Michigan Regional Medical Library. Among the full-time staff of the Division
of Bibliographic Research, Evelyn M. Widner, Librarian, deserves particular acknow-
ledgment for her help in setting up references to publications other than periodi-
cals, and in channeling requests for original material. The contributions of other
members of the staff who assisted in this work are also acknowledged.
iv
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CONTENTS
PART I
INTRODUCTION 1
ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS 3
I. BOOKS, MONOGRAPHS, AND PROCEEDINGS 5
II. ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS 15
III. PLANTS AND ANIMALS 47
A. Cold-Blooded Animals, Lower Organisms, Plants, and
In vitro Specimens 47
B. Warm-Blooded Animals 73
IV. MAN 225
A. Adults 225
PART II
IV. MAN (continued)
B. Children 565
V. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE 615
VI. ATMOSPHERIC SURVEYS: POLLUTION AND EFFECTS 645
A. Air 645
B. Soil and Water 690
VII. LEGAL ASPECTS 701
VIII. THERAPEUTIC USES 713
IX. ANALYTICAL METHODS 717
X. CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY 775
AUTHOR INDEX 781
SUBJECT INDEX 809
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BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD:
AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
SCOPE OF CONTENTS
Lead poisoning was recognized by the early Greeks, and, according to Flury,*
by 1930 the volume of published literature on the subject exceeded 10,000 items.
As told by Flury, the physicians of ancient times and the Middle Ages relied upon
the obvious signs of lead poisoning, i.e., colic, paralysis, gray skin color,
and decreased urine volume. Only in the past two or three centuries were attempts
made toward a systematic medical work-up. The French, particularly L. Tanquerel
des Planches, are credited with describing, in the first half of the 19th century,
the complete clinical picture of this disease, although progress in diagnosis and
pathology did not begin until about 1870. Between 1900 and 1930, important advances
were made toward the recognition of excessive absorption of lead, toward the under-
standing of its metabolism, and toward the treatment of I poisoning; however, the
most significant contributions to the study of the metabolism of lead and its physio-
logical effects, particularly of the quantitative aspects, have been made since 1930.
In view of the volume of publications since that date, it seemed desirable to re-
strict this publication to the more recent years, 1950 through 1964. That period
was important because further refinements were made in biochemical and cytochemical
techniques. In addition, the use of the newer chelating agents was significant not
only in the treatment of poisoning by heavy metals, but in giving added insight
into the mechanism of their action on the organism.
Although most of the references on file were annotated, many of the abstracts
had to be revised to give more quantitative data with regard to conditions of
exposure, or to indicate the lack of these data in the publication. This extensive
revision was necessary because many references attributed bizarre diseases to
exposure to, or poisoning by, lead, but provided no data to show the magnitude of
the exposure. Although our collection of references included a large number of
original publications, many references had to be obtained to verify information
contained in them or to prepare abstracts. Published abstracts were used when
original publications, particularly those of secondary interest, were not available.
Most of these abstracts are from Chemical Abstracts, Bulletin of Hygiene, Biological
Abstracts, Excerpta Medica, and Nuclear Science Abstracts. Use of these abstracts
was with permission of the publishers, and is acknowledged at the end of the refer-
ence or abstract.
The material included essentially represents the scientific periodical liter-
ature covered by the principal abstracting and indexing services. Chapters in books
*Flury, F.: Blei. Handbuch der Experimentellen Pharmakologie, A. Heffter and W.
Heubner (Eds.), Berlin, Springer, 1934, Vol. Ill, Pt. 3, pp. 1575-1889.
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are not included; however, entire books devoted to lead and its compounds, or to
proceedings of conferences and symposia, are included. Letters to editors and pub-
lished items or comments that do not contribute to scientific knowledge, or that are
ephemeral in nature, are excluded. Since lead is contained in many minerals, inclu-
sion of articles on this subject has been limited to reviews, except for those arti-
cles that refer specifically to environmental contamination. Inclusion of works on
analytical methodology is limited to those concerned with the determination of lead
in air, biological materials, foods and beverages, drugs, and water, and to those
concerned with the analysis of metabolic indicators of adverse effects (e.g., por-
phyrins).
The abstracts are not intended to be evaluative. They are designed to convey
the conditions, procedures, and findings of the investigations, as well as the con-
clusions of the authors.
ARRANGEMENT OF THE MATERIAL
A brief explanation of the contents of some of the sections may be helpful to
those who use this publication. Section I includes abstracts of books, historical
publications, proceedings of conferences, and general reviews. Specific reviews
and discussions are included in the sections dealing with those aspects (e.g., .
reviews of signs, symptoms, and cases of clinical poisoning appear in Section IV,
Man). Section II covers lead in the environment, including contamination of food
by utensils and pesticides, and contamination of home water supplies by lead pipes,
cisterns, etc. Abstracts of reports on industrial atmospheres and occupational
exposure are given in Section V; related medical information (case reports, medical
surveys, etc.) is covered in Section IV. Section VI includes pollution by lead of
air, soil, and water, and the effects of such pollution on humans, animals, and
plants under actual (field) conditions of exposure. Section VII covers legal
matters, regulations, and recommendations for threshold concentrations, maximum
allowable concentrations, drinking water standards, and tolerance limits for food
products. Section X is confined to chemical reviews, reviews of technological
developments, and works dealing with specific chemical properties and syntheses
of new compounds.
The abstracts are arranged chronologically within each section by year of
original publication, and alphabetically within each year by author.
Availability of published English translations, even when issued in later years,
is noted together with the entry of the original publication. Transliteration from
Cyrillic languages follows the form used in Chemical Abstracts. Author and subject
indices are provided to facilitate the use of this bibliography.
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
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ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS
A Angstrom unit
av average
°C degree Celcius
cc cubic centimeter
Ci curie
cm centimeter
°F degree Fahrenheit
8 gram
ia intraarterial
im intramuscular
in. inch
ip intraperitoneal
iv intravenous
kg kilogram
km kilometer
LC lethal concentration (air)
LD lethal dose
m^ square meter
m3 cubic meter
M mole or molar
MAC maximum allowable concentration
mCi millicurie
meq milliequivalent
Mev million electron volts
mg milligram
mg% milligrams per 100 g, ml
mi mile
ml mi Hi liter
MLD minimum lethal dose
mm millimeter
mM millimole
m^i millimicron
MTD minimum tolerated dose
nCi nanocurie
pCi picocurie
ppb parts per billion
ppm parts per million
sc subcutaneous
SD standard deviation
SE standard error
TD tolerated dose
TLV threshold limit value
U unit
a alpha
P beta
6 delta
Y gamma
a standard deviation
p. micron
uCi microcurie
peq microequivalent
|j.g microgram
°" about, approximately
< less than
£ down to or less than
> more than
i up to or more than
± plus or minus
/ per or over (in equations)
: to (in sense of ratio)
The more common abbreviations of lengthy biological components or substances,
if not first defined in abstract, are found in the Subject Index.
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I. BOOKS, MONOGRAPHS, AND PROCEEDINGS
1950
1 Agricola, G.: DE RE METALLICA. Translated
from the 1st Latin Edition of 1556 by H.C.
Hoover and L.H. Hoover. New York, Dover,
1950, 638 pp.
As stated in the title page, the translation is
appended by Hoover with extensive annotations and
appendices on the development of mining methods,
metallurgical processes, geology, mineralogy and
mining law f^rom the earliest times to the 16th
century. The descriptions of the various processes
and operations are accompanied by a large number
of illustrations. The first reference to Pb in
the index (entered as "censure") states that Pb
was claimed by Horace to be a "pestilential and
noxious metal," for men were punished by means of
molten Pb. The processes described include cupel-
lation, melting prior to liquation, refining sil-
ver, smelting, use in assaying, washing in sluices,
use of Pb ash as flux, in separating gold from
Cu; Pb baths, Pb glass and granules; Pb ore assay
and processing; Pb ochre. One of the illustra-
tions (p. 474) shows a furnace for the extraction
of litharge, with a man tending the furnace and
another one sitting at a table. The legend
states: "The foreman when hungry eats butter,
that the poison which the crucible exhales may not
harm him, for this is a special remedy against
that poison."
2 Beintker, E. (Germany): Arbeitsraedizin
bei Jean Paul. (OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE, AS
DESCRIBED BY JEAN PAUL.) Archiv fUr Hy-
giene und Bakteriologie 132:189-96, 1950.
Some comments to be found in the literary work of
Jean Paul Friedrich Richter (1763-1825) relating
to the sanitary working conditions of craftsmen
and laborers are summarized. These begin with
those applying to Pb, then extend to As and other
metals, employment of children, and other prob-
lems. These comments give an idea of the prob-
lems which were of interest 150 yr ago.
1952
3
Gesellschaft Deutscher Metallhiitten- und
Bergleute e.V.: Vortrkge und Diskussio-
nen bei der Informationstagung liber die
Bleikrankheit. (ADDRESSES AND DISCUS-
SIONS PRESENTED AT THE SYMPOSIUM ON LEAD
POISONING.) Frankfurt a.M., September
12, 1952, Publication No. 3. Clausthal-
Zellerfeld, 1952, 121 pp.
This Symposium was sponsored jointly by the Socie-
ty of German Metalworks and Mine Workers and the
German Society for Work Safety. The papers pre-
sented were the following:
Feiser, J.: ErHffnung der Tagung (OPENING RE-
MARKS), 1-2.
Fieke (Miners Union, Clausthal-Zellerfeld): Die
Bleikrankheit im Spiegel der berufsgenossen-
schaftlichen Statistik (LEAD POISONING FROM THE
POINT OF VIEW OF TRADE UPION STATISTICS), 3-17;
discussion, 18-22.
Heidepriem, C. (Goslar) : Vorbeugende Untersuch-
ungen auf Bleigefahrdung (MEDICAL PREVENTION OF
LEAD POISONING RISK), 23-36. (The material pre-
sented was based on the publication by Heide-
priem and H. Breustedt, 1952) Discussion, 37-47.
Buckup, H. (Bochum): Prophylaktische und thera-
peutische Massnahmen (PREVENTIVE AND THERAPEUTIC
MEASURES). 48-58.
Holmqvist, I. (Skelleftehamn, Sweden): Prophy-
laktische Massnahmen zur Vorbeugung von Blei-
krankheiten. Einige Erfahrungen von der Hiltte
RGnnskar der Bolidensgesellschaft in Schweden.
(PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES FOR THE PREVENTION OF
LEAD POISONING. EXPERIENCE IN THE RONNSKAR
SMELTER OF BOLIDENS COMPANY IN SWEDEN), 59-69;
discussion, including Holmqvist's paper, 70-6.
Tillmann, K.(Works Physician, North-German Re-
finery, Hamburg): Symptome von Bleierkrankungen
(SYMPTOMS IN LEAD POISONING), 77-89; discussion,
90-6.
Danielsson, A. (Skelleftehamn, Sweden): Eine
Methode zur Bestimmung von Blei im Blut mittels
Spektralanalyse (A METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION
OF LEAD IN BLOOD BY SPECTRAL ANALYSIS), 97-103;
discussion, 104-7.
Feiser, J. (Works Director of Lead-Copper Works
Oker): Betriebliche Schutzmassnahmen gegen
Bleierkrankungen (PROTECTIVE MEASURES IN INDUS-
TRY AGAINST LEAD POISONING), 108-15; discussion,
116-21.
4 Kirk, R.E., and Othmer, D.F., ed: ENCY-
CLOPEDIA OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY. New
York, Interscience, 1952, Vol. 8.
The section on Pb is reviewed as follows:
Jones, T.D. (pp 217-53): Lead. The review covers
the physical and chemical properties; analysis;
occurrence; smelting; Pb refining; health and
safety. The latter is briefly stated as to tech-
nical measures; reference is made to the discus-
sion on Pb poisoning.
Hack, C.H. (pp 253-66): Lead alloys. This arti-
cle discusses the properties and uses of the
various grades of Pb and Pb alloys and the con-
sumption of Pb in the US by industries in 1948
and 1949.
Thompson, A.P. (pp 267-74): Lead compounds - In-
organic lead compounds. The compounds covered
are: Pb acetate, basic and basic tetraacetate;
arsenate; azide; halides; carbonates; chromates;
formate; nitrates; oxides; silicates; sulfates.
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Sturgis, B.M. (pp 274-81): Tetraethyllead.
Princi, F. (pp 281-88): Lead poisoning. The fol-
lowing are reviewed: history; industrial expos-
ure; intoxication by inorganic compounds; TEL
poisoning; engineering control; medical control.
5 Lead Industries Association: LEAD IN
MODERN INDUSTRY. MANUFACTURE, APPLICA-
TIONS AND PROPERTIES OF LEAD, LEAD ALLOYS,
AND LEAD COMPOUNDS. New York, Lead Indus-
tries Association, 1952, 230 pp.
The book starts with the history of Pb and pro-
ceeds from mining to its applications in modern
society. The manufacturing processes and the
various products in which Pb is used in, eg, stor-
age batteries, cables, welding and soldering of Pb
are covered, and the alloys of Pb and the oxides
are described. A chapter is devoted to the safe
handling of Pb; others give specifications for Pb,
its alloys and products; properties of Pb and al-
loys , and physical constants of inorganic and or-
ganic compounds.
1953
6 McCord, C.P. (Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor):
LEAD AND LEAD POISONING IN EARLY AMERICA.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AND LEAD POISONING. In-
dustrial Medicine and Surgery 22:393-9
(Sept.), 1953.
A revival in medical appreciation of Pb poisoning
began in Europe just before the American Revolu-
tion, probably through Benjamin Franklin who knew
much about Pb poisoning. As printer, Franklin
published Cadwalader's "Dry Gripes." In his own
writings he mentioned his knowledge as a boy in
Boston of Pb poisoning, and of the Massachusetts
Law of 1723 which regulated the still heads and
worms for rum distillation. He may have been the
first to associate Pb poisoning with printing op-
erations. He was mentioned by several European
writers, ie, George Baker, John Hunter, Benjamin
Vaughan. Though not mentioned by Tanquerel des
Planches, Franklin visited La Charite Hospital in
Paris, analyzed certain hospital records as to oc-
cupations and linked them with Pb exposure. The
list of cases mentioned by Franklin was known to
Tanquerel, and through the latter, to Rumpelt of
Germany.
7 McCord, C.P. (Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor):
LEAD AND LEAD POISONING IN EARLY AMERICA.
LEAD MINES AND LEAD POISONING. Industrial
Medicine and Surgery 22:534-9 (Nov.), 1953.
The history of Pb mining in America begins in 1621
when it was known that some Pb was smelted at the
Fe mine at Falling Creek near Jamestown; however,
the location of this mine was kept secret and thus
lost. Discoveries of Pb ores were made from 1632
on in New England, specifically, in Connecticut,
New York, and Massachusetts, and in Virginia. At
the beginning of the Revolution, a Pb refinery was
established at Sing Sing, N.Y. As the Revolution-
ary War progressed, supplies of Pb became exhaust-
ed, the scant mines were depleted, and bullets had
to be made from Pb cooking utensils and the vari-
ous appliances made of Pb. Concerning Pb poison-
ing, it was assumed in those days that it attacked
smelters but that miners were spared. With the
move to the West, the following landmarks in Pb
mining are recounted: Fever River (later called
Galena), west of Chicago became a thriving Pb min-
ing community in 1828; the discovery in 1690 by
N. Perrot of Pb deposits (galena) in the Green Bay
area along the shores of the Mississippi and tribu-
taries, with active mining begun by P. Renault in
M720; more extensive mining during the following
century in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri,
Arkansas. The mines in Utah, New Mexico, Nevada,
Idaho, Arizona, made history through the overwhelm-
ing incidence of Pb poisoning from mining activi-
ties from 1870-1900, although in Illinois old med-
ical records had shown Pb poisoning among miners
(S. Skeel, 1838, 1840). Richards of Utah described
in his book, "A History of American Mining" (1953),
the conditions prevailing there, which led McCord
to close this phase of Pb poisoning with a quota-
tion to the effect that little Pb poisoning is to
be expected from mining Pb sulfide, but much of it
from Pb carbonate mining, especially in the early
days when there were no suitable protective meas-
ures.
8 McCord, C.P. (Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor):
LEAD AND LEAD POISONING IN EARLY AMERICA.
THE PEWTER ERA. Industrial Medicine and
Surgery 22:573-7 (Dec.), 1953.
Pewter was commonplace in Europe and America in
the 17th and 18th centuries, both for use as cook-
ing utensils and tableware. In those days, pewter
was either all Pb or =50% Pb was contained
in it. Although the early colonial physicians
knew that "dry-gripes" was a common ailment, con-
nection with Pb was apparently not recognized.
The English tinsmiths were aware of the harmful
properties of the Pb content in pewter even before
the colonial period and at times demanded its
elimination not only for this reason but also be-
cause the quality of pewter decreased with in-
creased content of Pb; a =10% content was thought
to be harmless. Benjamin Franklin's involvement
(then 16 yr old) in the dry-gripes episode in
North Carolina rum drinkers, which conjecturally
led to the 1723 enactment of the Massachusetts Bay
Colony law prohibiting the distillation of rum
through pewter stills and still heads, is recount-
ed in detail.
9 Primitive Physic: COLIC FROM THE FUMES OF
LEAD, WHITE LEAD, VERDIGRIS, ETC., 1947.
Industrial Hygiene Digest 17:2 (Mar.),
1953.
As copied from the original: "This, some term the
dry bellyache. It often continues several days,
with little urine and obstinate costiveness. In
the fit, drink fresh melted butter, and then
vomit with warm water. To prevent or cure:
Breakfast daily on fat broth, and use oil of sweet
almonds frequently and largely. Smelters of
metals, plumbers, etc, may be, in a good measure,
preserved from the poisonous fumes that surround
them, by breathing through cloth or flannel muf-
flers twice or thrice doubled, dipped in a solu-
tion of sea-salt or salt of tarter, and then
dried. These mufflers might also be of great use
in similar cases."
10
Richards, R.T.: OF MEDICINE, HOSPITALS,
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
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AND DOCTORS. Salt Lake City, University
of Utah Press, 1953, 266 pp.
The book, which is divided into 2 sections, pro-
vides a clear-cut picture of the dominant diseases
prevalent in Salt Lake City since 1872. Pb poison-
ing headed the list f^om 1872-1892, during the
period when western mining was so rapidly develop-
ing, and Chapter II of the 2nd section is devoted
to Pb poisoning. The discussion is based on 2
periods: (1) 1872-1903, for which compilation all
the records of St. Mark's and Holy Cross Hospitals
for this period were inspected; (2) 1904-1950, es-
timation of this period being based on hearsay and
the memories of 5 smelter officials, 9 mine and
smelter physicians, and 10 mine operators.
To understand the Pb poisoning, it was necessary
to inquire into the origin and development of
mines and smelters and into the types of ore han-
dled and the working conditions that accounted for
the morbidity among workmen. In the days when Pb
poisoning was so prevalent, the miners worked 12
hr/day underground; no baths were systematically
taken for cleanliness; there was no forced ventila-
tion to remove Pb ore dust; clothes were seldom
changed. In addition to being exposed to dust,
smelters were also exposed to Pb fumes. The symp-
toms of Pb cases treated in the Salt Lake City
hospitals were anemia, paralysis of selected mus-
cle groups, delirium, abdominal colic, and dark
Pb line at junction of gums and teeth, Pb colic
being the symptom that brought most Pb poisoning
cases to the hospitals.
A review of >20,000 diagnoses listed in the
records of St. Mark's and Holy Cross Hospitals re-
vealed >6000 cases of Pb poisoning between 1872-
1903. Since records were very incomplete, both in
hospitals and in the mines and smelters, interpola-
tion placed the number of Pb cases during this
period at ^85,000. For the period 1904-1950, the
estimation was 10,205. Since it was felt that
there were innumerable unrecorded cases, the au-
thor estimated that there probably were >100,000
cases of Pb poisoning in Utah between 1872-1950.
This deplorable prevalence of Pb poisoning in Utah
was not duplicated in any other region in the US.
11 Rosen, G. (Columbia Univ., New York,
N.Y.): OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OF
ENGLISH PAINTERS AND VARNISHERS IN 1825.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine 10:
195-9 (July), 1953.
This historic review is devoted to excerpts from
"The Painter's and Varnisher's Pocket Manual,"
published in London in 1825 by an anonymous au-
thor, in which Pb poisoning is discussed most
fully among the different hazards.
1954
12
Leeper, R.W., Summers, L., and Oilman, H.
(Pineapple Res. Inst., Honolulu, Hawaii):
ORGANOLEAD COMPOUNDS. Chemical Reviews
54:101-67 (Feb.), 1954.
The structure, preparation, and properties of the
organo-Pb compounds are reviewed. Tables give a
complete listing of known organo-Pb compounds, and
the poisonous nature of the alkyl-Pb compounds and
symptoms of poisoning are discussed. Caution is
advised in handling the alkyl-Pb's. Most of the
available data pertain to TEL, symptoms of which
differ from those of chronic Pb poisoning due to
inorganic Pb and its cumulative effect. The aryl-
Pb compounds are less hazardous because of their
much lower volatility. There is no reason to sup-
pose that they are inherently any less toxic than
the alkyl-Pb's, and suitable precautions should be
observed. The organo-Pb halides of the type
R3PbX are active sternutators. Pb compounds have
been suggested for pharmacological use against
cancer, and organo-Pb compounds have been tested
for this purpose. Research along this line is
continuing, although the toxicity of the Pb com-
pounds, and the relative insolubility of many of
them in water, lead to difficulties in such appli-
cations. The largest use of TEL is as an anti-
knock agent in motor fuel. In the laboratory the
use of organo-Pb compounds are limited, their
chief use here being as a source of alkyl or aryl
radicals. (340 references)
13 McCord, C.P. (Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor):
LEAD AND LEAD POISONING IN EARLY AMERICA.
THE LEAD PIPE PERIOD. Industrial Medicine
and Surgery 23:27-31 (Jan.), 1954.
The use of Pb water pipes is reviewed from its
earliest history. Although the ancients under-
stood the poisonous nature of Pb, kettles, buckets
and other domestic utensils made of Pb were used
extensively in those days. Mention of Pb water
piping, gutters, downspouts, flashing and Pb-lined
cisterns in American goes back to vLOO yr after
arrival of the 1st pioneers, and reports of ill-
ness from this source began to appear v!800. The
work of S.L. Dana in investigating the water sup-
ply of Lowell, Mass., with reference to Pb in
1848 when a serious epidemic believed to be Pb
poisoning occurred, is reviewed.
The author comments that in 1952 Pb water pipes
were used extensively although today it is im-
probable that any American city now exclusively
relies on such pipes. However, Pb poisoning still
occasionally arises from this source. The comment
is made that it is a wonder that so few cases of
Pb poisoning from Pb plumbing are detected and re-
ported.
14 McCord, C.P. (Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor):
LEAD AND LEAD POISONING IN EARLY AMERICA.
LEAD COMPOUNDS. Industrial Medicine and
Surgery 23:75-80 (Feb.), 1954.
The author traces the history of the use of white
and red Pb as cosmetics (rouge, for the removal of
skin blemishes, hair washes), and in therapy as
ointments, etc, from antiquity through the cen-
turies in England (where white Pb was known as
early as 1274). Although apart from medicinal
use, Pb compounds and the manufacture of them were
little known in Colonial life. With time, the use
of cosmetics became the vogue, and although there
are no records of deaths from this source, many
cosmetics were injurious and caused poisoning of
some degree. Pb therapy also became known in
America. Aside from this, occupational exposure
to Pb in the glazing of pottery (one of the 1st
manufacturing enterprises in the Colonies) was
recognized, as was the use of Pb in paint manu-
facture and in glass. Glass, a scarcity and lux-
ury in early American times, usually had a Pb ox-
Books, Monographs, and Proceedings
-------
ide content up to 92% for Pb glass and 30% in
flint. Pb poisoning in the users of both pottery
and glass was not commonplace. Although white and
red Pb were known for at least 2 millenniums, they
were not manufactured in the US until 1804, only
imported. After 1812 this occupational exposure
became one of the most serious.
15 McCord, C.P. (Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor):
LEAD AND LEAD POISONING IN EARLY AMERICA;
CLINICAL LEAD POISONING IN THE COLONIES.
Industrial Medicine and Surgery 23:120-5
(March), 1954.
Although there are no statistics, Pb poisoning in
early America had to be prevalent. Over and over
in writings there is the mention of "dry-gripes"
(descriptive of all abdominal pains unaccompanied
by fever or diarrhea) but no detailed description
of it or association of its occurrence with an ex-
act exposure such as use of pewter containers or
intake of Pb medicinally. By no means were all
dry-gripes Pb poisoning. The Pb poisoning of our
country's 250 formative years was a "cpnsumer af-
fliction" rather than occupational.
The country's first doctors are not to be criti-
sized for their inability to diagnose, for only
through the astuteness of modern epidemiologists
have the many diseases and illnesses of Colonial
times been segregated. The majority of early phy-
sicians were not well-trained and, other than what
they saw, felt, heard, or smelled, they were help-
less. The situation as to Pb poisoning was no
worse than for most other diseases that were not
obvious. However early in the 1800's physicians
began writing about Pb poisoning in a knowing man-
ner, dispelling much of the obscurity of Pb intox-
ication. Yet even today there are cities and
counties where records are not available in regard
to occurrence of Pb intoxication whether occupa-
tional or otherwise. Most states have laws re-
quiring the reporting of all such occupational
diseases but mostly no compliance; in truth, the
majority of instances of mild plumbism are never
recognized by the physicians themselves.
16 McCord, C.P. (Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor):
LEAD AND LEAD POISONING IN EARLY AMERICA;
SHOT TOWERS. Industrial Medicine and Sur-
gery 23:169-72 (Apr.), 1954.
Small shot are poured, not molded, density and sur-
face tension making for almost perfect spheres and
size being determined by the mesh of the screen.
The sorting of good shot from slugs is done with a
shot tower, a sloping stairway of glass or metal
with a gap between each successive pair of steps.
Shot rolled down, if perfect, moving in a straight
line, gain such momentum that they leap the gaps
and fall into a bin at the end of the lowermost
step. Imperfect shot roll slowly, drop into the
open slots, and are remelted.
The first American shot-makers had no shot tow-
ers, using high bridges or cliffs and wells or
mine shafts for quenching purposes. Nearly every
city has described its shot towers as "the first,"
but it is beyond doubt that numerous shot towers
arose after William Watts' original discovery in
1769 in England. Some representative ones were
originated by Moses Austin, French exile John Nich-
olas Maclot, George Youle, and Robert HcCullogh.
The present-day shot tower is but a moderniza-
tion of the earliest sieve, the melting pot, the
essential elevation, and the inevitable vat of wa-
ter far below. Pouring and dropping (100 ft) are
continuous. From the chilling process at the bot-
tom, a chain bucket system takes the shot upward
some 5 floors where after drying, polishing, siz-
ing, and sorting proceed, the action working down-
ward. Melting temperature is maintained at ^700°F;
As and Sb content is /x/l% and 2-6%, respectively;
some of the sieving pans have as many as 2400 per-
forations, the diameter of the perforations always
being smaller than the diameter of the form shot.
Thousands of shot are formed every second.
It can be safely concluded that in Colonial
America and early US, shot towers did not produce
any significant Pb poisoning. With modern shot
towers, the sorting, grading, and finishing of
shot may cause accumulations of settled and float-
ing dusts, and neglect of suitable sanitary work-
ing conditions in this portion of shot towers
could lead to Pb poisoning.
17 Meiklejohn, A. (Dept. Ind. Health, Univ.
Glasgow, Scotland): THE MILL REEK AND THE
DEVONSHIRE COLIC. British Journal of In-
dustrial Medicine 11:40-4 (Jan.), 1954.
An account is given of mining Pb ore and its smelt-
ing at Leadhills in South Scotland. Since the
galena, sulfide of Pb, occurs in a quartz matrix,
the miners may have developed silicosis, but cer-
tainly the smelters, as well as animal and vegeta-
ble life in the neighborhood, suffered of old from
Pb poisoning. Evidence is quoted that "fowls of
any kind do not live many days at Leadhills;
horses, cows, dogs, and cats often find ill effects
and sheep suffer from browsing off the local grass."
Fumes from smelting the ore was called mill-reek,
and the disease they caused was well described in
1754 by a local doctor whose account is quoted. At
the same time fresh fruit juices for combating scur-
vy if kept in earthenware vessels glazed with Pb,
were found to be causing Pb poisoning. Wedgwood,
the famous potter, set himself (1773) to find a Pb-
free glaze. Contemporary descriptions of Devonshire
colic identify it with mill-reek disease and with
illness seen among Derbyshire Pb-miners and smelt-
ers. Here "belland" was described as long ago as
1678 by Dr. J. Carte. It has been always best
known to the general practitioner.
1955
18
Anonymous: LEAD POISONING IN HISTORICAL
FICTION. FROM "PUT YOURSELF IN HIS PLACE"
(1870) BY CHARLES READE. Industrial Medi-
cine and Surgery 24:560-1 (Dec.), 1955.
In his novel, "Put Yourself in His Place," Charles
Reade describes the Pb hazard to file cutters of
that time.
19 Stevenson, L.G. (Univ. Western Ontario,
Canada): ON THE MEANING OF THE WORDS
CERUSSA AND PSIMITHIUM (PSIMYTHION).
Journal of the History of Medicine and
Allied Sciences 10:109-11, 1955.
This brief historical sketch is on the history of
Pb poisoning from the manufacture of white Pb
(ceruse, blanc de plomb, Bleiweisz, or psimithium
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
in earlier Latin) for use as a pigment. In the
process Pb is placed in a vessel containing vine-
gar. The objection was been frequently raised
that Pb acetate would have been produced instead
of white Pb.
1956
20 Darwall, J.: DISEASES OF ARTISANS WITH
PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE INHABITANTS OF
BIRMINGHAM. British Journal of Industrial
Medicine 13:143-53 (Apr.), 1956.
John Darwall's thesis, presented in 1821, is pub-
lished in the original Latin, together with a trans-
lation by A. Meiklejohn. Hazards to workmen en-
gaged in processes in which white Pb is used are
discussed under the heading of "chemical irrita-
tion." Reference is made to observations published
by Cullen, Orflla, Van Swieten, Percival, and Baker.
20a Japanese Association of Industrial Medi-
cine: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 29th GENERAL
MEETING OF THE JAPANESE ASSOCIATION OF
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE. Journal of Science
of Labour (Japan) 32:217-347 (Apr.), 1956.
See Abstract No. 677
21 Tara, S.: A propos du lis&re saturnin.
(THE LEAD LINE.) French translation of
Burton, H.: Au sujet d'un effet remarqu-
able sur les gencives humaines provoque par
1'absorption de plomb. (REMARKABLE EFFECT
ON HUMAN GUMS INDUCED BY ABSORPTION OF
LEAD.) Me'decin d'Usine 18, No. 5:228-30;
233-4; 237-40, 1956.
Tara introduces a French translation of Henry Bur-
ton's classical work, presented before the Royal
College of Physicians in January 1840. Tara notes
that without wishing to diminish the merits of the
author, the gingival Pb line was described by the
Frenchman Grisolle in 1836; for this reason, it
should be designated as the Grisolle/Burton line.
1957
22 Giuliano, R., and Rafanelli, M.: Lavora-
zioni che espongono all'azione del piombo-
tetraetile. (INDUSTRIAL EXPOSURE TO TETRA-
ETHYLLEAD.) Milan, Institute Nazionale per
1'Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul
Lavoro, 1957, 64 pp.
General physical and chemical properties, toxic ac-
tion, and MAC of TEL are 1st described: 0.2 mg/m3
produces evident symptoms in 1 hr; 0.1—0.14 mg/m
is not tolerable for repeated exposures; 0.15 mg/m3
is the US limit for an 8-hr working day but must
not be regarded as more than the upper limit of
tolerance. In practice the atmospheric concentra-
tion should be well below this. The toxicity by
inhalation and skin application in animals is re-
viewed. Air saturated with TEL contains ^5 mg Pb/L,
The symptoms and occupations in which TEL poisoning
may occur are described, which include its prepara-
tion. In the evaluation of various hazards, the
general principles of safe working are illustrated
by diagrams and photographs. Protective measures
are described and illustrated. Great stress is
laid on the provision of a daily meal of ^1700 cal;
rotation of workers so that intervals of 24 hr be-
tween exposure periods are assured; routine clini-
cal and urinary examination; immediate treatment of
the least sign of intoxication; provision or pro-
tective clothing and appliances, baths, showers;
washing and sterilizing work clothing; continuous
chemical analysis of the air (with analytical meth-
ods given for air samples, biologic liquids and
fuels). A discussion of the theory of antiknock
agents and of the hazards encountered in places
other than TEL factories where Pb-fuels are used is
included. (From review (M.W. Goldblatt) in British
Journal of Industrial Medicine 16:177-8, 1959)
22a Japanese Association of Industrial Medi-
cine: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 30TH GENERAL
MEETING OF JAPAN ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIAL
HYGIENE. Journal of Science of Labour
(Japan) 33:451-588 (July), 1957.
See Abstract No. 732.
1958
23 Lead Industries Association: PROCEEDINGS
OF THE LEAD HYGIENE CONFERENCE. Chicago,
111., November 6-7, 1958, New York, N.Y.,
82 pp.
The Proceedings of this Conference, published
separately and distributed by the Lead Industries
Association, was reprinted in Industrial Medicine
and Surgery 28:93-163, 1959. R.L. Ziegfeld, Sec-
retary-Treasurer, made the introductory address,
and F.E. Wormser, Vice President of the Association
and of St. Joseph Lead Company, New York, gave the
welcoming speech. For the papers presented, see
Abstr. No. 27.
24 McCord, C.P. (Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor):
LEAD SHOT TOWERS IN AMERICA. OLD AND NEW.
Industrial Medicine and Surgery 27:620-6
(Dec.), 1958.
See also Abstr. No. 16 for additional history.
Of all the industries that have survived 200 yr
or more, shot pouring has changed least, basic
principles remaining the same with only refinements
in powering, sources of heating, and mechanical
handling being added. Now as in the early days of
shot making all that is needed are high elevation,
molten Pb with added metallic As to promote fluid-
ity, a colander, and a vat of water at the bottom
for quenching. Nature's physics are the real
workers. Fourteen illustrations show the towers
and operations of manufacture, old and new.
More shot than ever are poured, >40,000 tons Pb/
yr being used for this purpose. In the early dec-
ades every region of the country was nearly self-
sufficient in meeting its needs; but better trans-
portation, along with the manufacture of breach-
loading guns, doomed the regional shot tower and
old shot towers became historic monuments. The
output of the 5 modern shot towers in the US (New
Haven and Bridgeport, Connecticut; East Alton,
Illinois; Kings Mill, Ohio; and San Francisco,
California), operated by ammunition manufacturers
with their marvels of mechanization, can outdo in
costs, volume, and quality 100 old-time towers.
25
1959
California State Department of Public
Health: THE THIRD AIR POLLUTION MEDICAL
Books, Monographs, and Proceedings
-------
RESEARCH CONFERENCE, Los Angeles, December
9-10, 1959, 230 pp.
Pb is included in J.T. Middleton's paper on "The
Impact of Air Pollution Standards on Research,"
in which he reviews the history of the air
pollution problem in California, and the study
and research on this subject by the Department
from 1955 on toward the development of standards.
The areas requiring particular study at the time
were photochemical complex, ethylene, ozone, CO,
Pb, carcinogens, and particulates. Concerning
Pb, further work is needed to determine the
average blood levels for persons living in
places with air pollution and with known occupa-
tional exposure and smoking history. Also, 24-
hr urine samples from these same persons should
be collected, to be compared with those of com-
parable groups living in less polluted air, as
well as the Pb content in autopsy material, eg,
liver, lung, brain, cortical and trabecular bone
(the latter to represent relatively recent ex-
posure) which should be determined continuously.
Pb balance studies are also needed and should
include sampling of the air actually breathed.
First, it would be very important to estimate
what fraction of the Pb in the air is retained
in the body.
26 Horiuchi, K., ed.: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND PUB-
LIC HEALTH, OSAKA CITY UNIVERSITY MEDICAL
SCHOOL. Vol. 1, April 1949-March 1959,
298 pp.
As stated in the preface, K. Horiuchi came to the
University as executive chairman and professor of
the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public
Health in 1949. The scientific papers and ab-
stracts published within the 10 yr are contained in
this volume. The studies were on occupational
health, gerontology, practical and theoretical epi-
demiology, and other subjects. The preface is
followed by a brief history of the Department. The
abstracts of publications concerning Pb are includ-
ed in the appropriate sections under the years of
original publication: Miki, M. (1952, 1958), Hori-
uchi, K., and Takada, I. (1954); Horiuchi, K., and
Ida, N. (1953, 1955); Horiuchi, K., et al (1953,
1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959); Ida, N., et
al (1954); Tamori, E., and Sueknae, M. (1955);
Owada, K., et al (1955); Tamori, E., et al (1955);
Nakano, M. (1956); Imamura, Y. (1954); Horiguchi,
S., et al (1957); Okada, A. (1957); Wada, N.
(1957); Fukumura, S., and Fujisawa, Y. (1952);
Yoshida, Y. (1956); Ishikawa, I. (1959).
27 Lead Industries Association: THE LEAD
HYGIENE CONFERENCE. Chicago, 111., Nov.
6-7, 1958. Industrial Medicine and Sur-
gery 28:93-163, 1959.
As stated in the introduction, Mr. Bowditch,
Director of Health and Safety, Lead Industries
Association presided at the Conference. "Full
freedom was given to the numerous speakers as to
their presentations. By all it was agreed that Pb
can cause catastrophe, but Pb's threat is subject
to ready control. Clinical Pb poisoning on a com-
parative basis now has become a rarity, but the
ominousness of Pb poisoning is a reality. The tar-
get of this conference, of which this is the
record, was the threat - the 'what might happen.'"
For abstracts, see Sections: IV, Baetjer, A.M.;
VA, Belknap, E.L.; Byers, D.H.; Frank, R.W.;
Johnstone, R.T.; Kehoe, R.A.; Miller, L.H.; VB,
Smith, H.D.; VII, Elkins, H.B.; VIII, Foulger,
J.H.; Schrenk, H.H.; Waters, T.C.
The overall summary and discussion was presented
by T.L. Shipman (pp. 162-3). He pointed out in
closing that although there are areas of ignorance
in the field of Pb toxicology, it is hoped that 10
yr from now there will be more precise laboratory
tests for exact determination of the degree of
poisoning and more will be known on the biological
effects of small doses of Pb. The fact that ex-
posures and blood and urine levels are kept below
a certain point does not guarantee that damage
which still cannot be determined is not being done;
this also applies to fields other than Pb.
The discussions were led by W.M. Pallies, C.H.
Hine, M.R. Mayers, H.E. Stokinger, K.W. Nelson,
L.W. Spolyar, L.E. Hamlin, A.S. Johnson, J.J.
Chisolm, Jr., H.L. Hardy, D.J. Lauer.
28 Legge, R.T. (Univ. California, Berkeley):
L. TANQUEREL DES PLANCHES, M.D, 1809-1862.
A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF HIS CLASSIC MASTER-
PIECE ON LEAD DISEASES. Industrial Medi-
cine and Surgery 28:514-6 (Nov.), 1959.
In closing the brief review, the author states
that Tanquerel des Planches ' immortal books on Pb
diseases earn this clinician and investigator a
foremost place in industrial medical history. Men-
tion is made that the books were translated by
S.L. Dana under the title "Lead Diseases," which
also includes the results of Dana's own investiga-
tion of Pb poisoning from Pb plumbing.
1960
29 California State, Department of Public
Health: THE FOURTH AIR POLLUTION MEDICAL
RESEARCH CONFERENCE, DECEMBER 7, 8, AND 9,
1960. Berkeley, California, 1960, Pro-
ceedings of the Third day, 159 pp.
The following papers on Pb were presented in the
Symposium on Lead and Carbon Monoxide: 1. Pre-
liminary Reports of Field Studies of Lead, by D.H.
Hofreuter. 2. Trace Metal Patterns in Health and
Disease, by E.M. Butt. 3. The Comparison of Or-
ganic and Inorganic Lead Poisoning, by J.C. Aub.
The Chairman of the Symposium was H.L. Helwig, and
J.R. Goldsmith led the discussion terminating the
session. (See Abstracts No. 2269, 2106, 2090)
30 Gesellschaft Deutscher Metallhiitten- und
Bergleute e.V.: Vortrage und Diskussio-
nen bei der 2. Informations tagung liber die
Bleikrankheit. (ADDRESSES AND DISCUS-
SIONS PRESENTED AT THE 2nd SYMPOSIUM ON
LEAD POISONING.) Bad Oeynhausen, October
29-30, 1959. Publication No. 7. Claus-
thal-Zellerfeld, 1960, 188 pp.
At this Symposium, J. Feiser was moderator of Part
I, dealing with technical aspects of work safety;
H. Buckup moderated the presentations on the in-
dustrial medical aspects; Part II. The contents
of the publication are as follows:
Kleinert, R.: Eroffnung der Tagung (OPENING RE-
10
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
MARKS), 1-3.
BBrger, H. (Oker): Stand der betrieblichen Mass-
nahmen zur VerhUtung der Bleikrankheit (THE STATUS
OF INDUSTRIAL MEASURES FOR THE PREVENTION OF LEAD
POISONING), 7-25; discussion, 25-35.
NBtzold, 0. (Arnoldstein): Erfahrungen mit Fein-
staubmasken auf einer BleihUtte (EXPERIENCE WITH
MICRODUST MASKS IN A LEAD WORKS), 37-52; discus-
sion, 53-64.
Buckup, H. (Bochum): Die Bleierkrankung, ihre
heutige Bedeutung sowie die MBglichkeiten ihrer
Erkennung, VerhUtung und Behandlung (LEAD POISON-
ING, ITS PRESENT SIGNIFICANCE AND THE POSSIBILI-
TIES OF ITS DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT),
67-98; discussion, 99-114.
Holmqvist, I. (Skelleftehamn, Sweden): Werkarztliche
Erfahrungen auf einer BleihUtte, insbesondere mit
der Blutbleibestimmung (MEDICAL EXPERIENCE IN A
LEAD WORKS, ESPECIALLY BY DETERMINATION OF LEAD
IN BLOOD), 115-44; discussion, 145-50.
Reinl, W. (DUsseldorf): Die medikamentb'se Blei-
therapie und -prophylaxe mit Ca-EDTA (DRUG THERA-
PY IN LEAD POISONING AND PROPHYLAXIS WITH Ca-
EDTA) , 151-70.
Pott, R. (Hamburg): WerksSrztliche Erfahrungen
mit der medikamentbsen Bleiprophylaxe mittels
EDTA auf einer BleihUtte (MEDICAL EXPERIENCE WITH
EDTA PROPHYLAXIS IN A LEAD WORKS), 171-82; discus-
sion, 183-6.
JJ Seven, M.J., and Johnson, L.A., ed.:
METAL-BINDING IN MEDICINE. Proceedings of
a Symposium Sponsored by Hahnemann Medical
College and Hospital. Philadelphia, Lip-
pincott, 1960, 400 pp.
This book is a collection of formal papers and
panel discussions from a meeting held on May 6, 7,
and 8, 1959, to bring together clinicians and re-
search workers in the trace metal fields. Since
this is one of the first comprehensive collections
of data on metal-binding agents, every effort was
made to achieve an accurate reference source. As
decided editorially, "metal-binding" means linkage
between a binding agent and a metal; "chelation"
was reserved for the process of metal-binding in
which the metal is incorporated into a ring
structure. There are 6 groups of papers, each
followed by discussions moderated by G.C. Cotzias,
H.A. Schroeder, H. Foreman, H. Kroll, I.H. Schein-
berg, and H.M. Perry, Jr.; all include reference
to Pb. Appendices include an editor's note con-
cerning identification of the forms of chelates
in the physiological pH range; formulae; periodic
chart. An index of authors and a subject index
which includes abbreviations of compounds com-
pletes the volume.
For papers including discussion of Pb, see:
Johnson and Seven; Weinberg, in III; Foreman;
Schubert and Lindenbaum; Shapiro, in IV; Brieger;
Butt et al; Perry and Camel; Peters; Rieders;
Schroeder; Tipton, in V; Martell, in XI.
32 Voinar, A.O.: Biologicheskaya Rol Mikro-
elementov v Organizme Zhivotnykh i
Cheloveka. (BIOLOGICAL ROLE OF TRACE ELE-
MENTS IN THE ORGANISM OF ANIMALS AND MAN. )
Moscow, Gosudarstvennoe Izdatel'stvo
"Sovetskaya Nauka," 1st ed., 1953; 2nd
ed., 1960, 544 pp.
Review of the occurrence and biological role of
Pb is included in Chapter 14. The distribution
in the human and animal body is covered at some
length, with concentrations shown for various or-
gans and fluids. Effects on enzymatic processes,
the metabolism of Pb, and the toxicity of Pb are
reviewed.
1961
33 Browning, E. (London, England): TOXICOL-
OGY OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS OF INDUSTRIAL IM-
PORTANCE. Annual Review of Pharmacology
1:397-430, 1961.
A chapter on TEL is included. Its properties,
hazards in manufacture, symptoms of poisoning, its
fate in the organism and treatment of poisoning
are reviewed.
34 Horiuchi, K., ed.: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND PUB-
LIC HEALTH, OSAKA CITY UNIVERSITY MEDICAL
SCHOOL. Vol. 2, April 1959-March 1961,
276 pp.
As stated in the preface, this volume should be
useful in the following research fields: (1) oc-
cupational health, (2) gerontology, (3) theoreti-
cal epidemiology, (4) air pollutants, (5) public
health practice. The contents are divided into 5
categories: (I) industrial hygiene and occupa-
tional health, (II) gerontology, (III) environ-
mental medicine, (IV) epidemiology, (V) others.
The abstracts of publications concerning Pb are
included in Sections I, IV, V, VI, VIII, X under
the years of original publication: Tsuji, M.
(1960); Noma, H. (1960); Asano, I. (1960);
Hashimoto, K. (1960); Horiuchi, K., et al (1959,
1960, 1961); Ishii, Y. (I960); Miyaki, S. (I960);
Noma, H.,and Narita, I. (1961); Masuya, Y., et al
(1961); Horiuchi, K. (1961); Nagao, Y. (1959);
Horiguchi, S. (1959); Horiuchi, K., and
Horiguchi, S. (1960).
35 Johnson, L.A., and Seven, M.J., ed.:
PROCEEDINGS OF A CONFERENCE ON BIOLOGICAL
ASPECTS OF METAL-BINDING HELD AT THE
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY
PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, SEPTEMBER 6-9, 1960.
Federation Proceedings 20, Supplement No.
10 (Sept.), 1961, 273 pp.
The papers presented during this conference, to-
gether with the discussions, are arranged under
the following subjects: (1) Physical chemistry of
chelation, specifically as related to metal ions
of biological interest and their coordination com-
pounds, metal chelate compounds in biological sys-
tems and role of metal binding in enzymic reac-
tions; (2) physiologic aspects of metals; (3)
pharmacology and toxicology of chelating agents;
(4) applications of chelating agents in medicine.
While all papers are pertinent to Pb, abstracts
have been prepared only of those which discuss the
role of these agents in the treatment of Pb poison-
ing or other diseases, with special emphasis on
BAL and CaEDTA. See Section V: Foreman, H.;
Hardy, H.L.; Kehoe, R.A.; Perry, H.M., Jr.;
Peters, H.A.; Rubin, M.
Books, Monographs, and Proceedings
11
-------
36 Passow, H., Rothstein, A., and Clarkson,
T.W. (Univ. Hamburg, Germany; Univ.
Rochester, N.Y.): THE GENERAL PHARMACOL-
OGY OF THE HEAVY METALS. Pharmacological
Reviews 13:185-224 (June), 1961.
In the introduction, the author states that the
review is devoted to a discussion of predominantly
theoretical aspects of metal poisoning; that no
attempt has been made to give an encyclopedic sur-
vey of all available knowledge, but that he hoped
to develop a group of generalizations concerning
the biological factors that determine the main
course of events following poisoning, and that a
selected number of experiments with a few represen-
tative metals would be presented in some detail.
The following are the main headings: Chemical
interactions between heavy metal ions and biochem-
ical substances; the action on enzyme systems; in-
teractions with surface films; action on cells;
all-or-none responses ("indirect," as exerted by
Au on hemolysis of red cells, and "direct," as ex-
erted by Pb on permeability of red cells, and Hg
on permeability of yeast cells, and the mechanism
of such responses); action in the interior of the
cell; time dependence of actions; action on epi-
thelial tissues; action on animals; nature of
metal-induced responses; general discussion and
conclusions. Pb enters into discussion under
virtually all headings, and in greater detail in
regard to permeability of erythrocytes; citing
here the work of Aub et al, 1926; Behrens et al,
1927; Clarkson et al, 1958 (2 publications);
Flury, 1934; Glynn, 1957; Grigarzik et al, 1958;
Joyce et al, 1954; Jung, 1947; Lindemann et al,
1960; Lovelock, 1955; Maxwell et al, 1929; Morten-
sen et al, 1944; 0rskov, 1935; Passow, 1961; Pas-
sow et al, 1956 (2 articles); Paul, 1950; Reddi,
1953; Vincent, 1958, 1959; Vincent et al, 1958.
In conclusion, the authors point out that be-
cause of the great variability of their action, the
behavior of individual metals cannot be predicted.
As an example, Hg, Cu, Pb, and Au have high affin-
ities for sulfhydryl groups, yet sometimes they
behave quite differently in biological systems.
Since the metals potentially can interact with
almost any accessible ligand, the location of the
various binding sites within the cell, as well as
the presence of diffusion barriers, decisively in-
fluences the nature and time course of metal action
on cells. Thus, the structural and functional
organization of the cell is the predominant factor
in determining the patterns of toxicity, with in-
hibition of functions associated with the outer
cell surface being of special importance. Ad-
ditional complications arise by the nature of bio-
logical organization in tissues and whole animals,
so that analyses of chemical mechanisms are very
difficult. This however, is true also for other
chemical agents. (130 references)
37 Skinner, H.L., Jr. (Staten Island, N.Y.):
THE LEAD PROBLEM. AN OUTLINE OF CURRENT
KNOWLEDGE AND OPINION. Journal of Occupa-
tional Medicine 3:429-35 (Sept.), 1961.
The author discusses the industrial Pb problem on
the basis of exposure, the importance of air analy-
ses, quantitative and qualitative biologic studies,
metabolism of Pb, signs and symptoms of Pb intoxi-
cation, Pb palsy (various types), Pb encephalop-
athy, and other manifestations. In summary, once
Pb is absorbed into the bloodstream it is distrib-
uted throughout the entire body. A normal person
takes in 0.3 mg/day and rids himself of the same
amount per day. With increased absorption the ex-
cess is mainly deposited in the bones. If this
deposition process is too slow, toxic levels in
the blood and tissues are reached resulting in
symptoms of intoxication. These will occur also
if, over a period of time, Pb is deposited in long
bones and a period of stress occurs which causes
increased quantities of Pb to be released again in-
to the circulation. Following a brief discussion
of treatment with CaEDTA, prevention is emphasized
to the effect that no medical measures should be
recommended in lieu of "adequate engineering mea-
sures for control of Pb exposure." In conjunction
with these, removal from exposure, instruction as'
to diet and hygiene, and hygienic measures are
suggested. In closing, the psychologic aspects to
be considered are a frank approach to the problem
so as to achieve better cooperation on the part of
all personnel.
1963
38 Union des Societes de Sciences Medicales,
Societe d'Hygiene: Premier Congr°es Na-
tional d'Hygiene et de Securite du Travail.
Rapports et Resumes des Travaux. (FIRST
NATIONAL CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL HEALTH.
ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS.) Bucarest, 1963, 304
pp.
For papers concerning Pb, see Alexeieva, Z. ;
Gontea, I.; Jaliu, A.; Kleinstein, I.; Mircev, M.;
Mutafov, B.; Pascou, L.; Pislaru, V.; Preda, N. ;
Prodan, L.; and Stancev, S. (See Sections II, V, VI)
1964
39 California State Department of Health:
THE SIXTH ANNUAL AIR POLLUTION MEDICAL
RESEARCH CONFERENCE. Archives of Environ-
mental Health 8:1-189 (Jan.), 1964.
Most of the papers presented at this Conference in
San Francisco, Jan. 28-29, 1963, together with
discussions, are published in this issue. Papers
from the 1st session were published in the Ameri-
can Review of Respiratory Diseases. For papers
concerning Pb, see Goldsmith, J.R.; Sterling,
T.D.; Butt, E.M., et al; Tipton, I.H., and Shafer,
J.J.; Rustagi, J.S.; Bacaner, M.; Morgan, K. Z.,
and Gofman, J.W., et al, in sections V and VII.
40 Derot, M. , Trad, J., Rautureau, J., and
Fournet, P.~C. (France): Intoxication
saturnine. (LEAD POISONING.) Gazette
Me"dicale de France 71:2823-40 (Sept. 25),
1964.
This review covers the available information con-
cerning Pb poisoning, such as causes of intoxica-
tion (criminal, occupational and accidental, such
as from food and water), types of intoxication
(acute, subacute, severe, chronic) clinical signs
and symptoms, biological and laboratory signs,
organs affected, and manifestations of chronic Pb
poisoning and its diagnosis and treatment. Pene-
tration and deposition of Pb in the organs, its
excretion, chelation, cellular activity, porphyrin
12
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
metabolism in Pb poisoning and toxic effects upon
the various organs as well as other aspects such
as preventive measures, and treatment, are dis-
cussed in depth. (31 references)
41 Gerarde, H.W. (Esso Research Eng. Co.,
Linden, N.J.): TOXICOLOGY: ORGANIC. An-
nual Review of Pharmacology 4:223-46,
1964.
The review includes a survey of the literature on
the toxicology of organometallic compounds, among
them tri- and tetraalkyllead (pp. 240-4). Some of
the physical properties of tetraethyllead (TEL)
and tetramethyllead (TML) are listed in a table.
As these compounds are lipid soluble, they are
concentrated in the brain, body fat and liver.
Because of this selective distribution, manifesta-
tions of poisoning are dominated by involvement of
the central nervous system and differ from those
of inorganic Pb poisoning. Signs and symptoms of
TEL intoxication are reviewed. Analyses of air in
many cities have shown Pb concentrations, as
judged by current hygienic criteria, to be insigni-
ficant. Much of the Pb burned in gasoline is not
exhausted in forms which can remain suspended in
the atmosphere; about 20-30% of it is retained in
exhaust system deposits and lubricating oil, and
the balance is exhausted over 20,000 to 30,000-
mile periods of driving. Experiments with rats
showed that TML is less toxic than trimethyllead,
the intraperitoneal LD-50 of the latter for rats
being 25.5 mg/kg. No signs of poisoning were ob-
tained after intravenous dosing of rats with 34
mg/kg and of rabbits with 20 and 40 mg TML, while
an immediate toxic reaction was elicited in rab-
bits by intraperitoneal administration of 7.5 and
15 mg/kg of trimethyllead. Differences in the
signs of toxic effects in rats and dogs are de-
scribed. The comparative LD-50 for triethyllead
in rats was 11.2 mg/kg, the intravenous LD-50 for
TEL, 15.4 mg/kg. The distribution of triethyllead
in the tissues of animals dosed with TEL was vir-
tually identical with that found after injection
of triethyllead; only small amounts of trimethyl-
lead were found in the tissues of rats dosed with
TML. The conversion in vivo of tetraalkyllead to
trialkyllead is well established; TEL does so rap-
idly, while the conversion of TML to trimethyllead
is much slower. The toxicity of the tetraalkyl
compounds apparently depends on the rate of con-
version to the more toxic trialkyl derivative.
(106 references)
42 Gilbert, T.W. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.):
LEAD. In: Kolthoff, I.M., and Elbing,
P.J., ed., with the assistance of Sandell,
E.B.: Treatise on Analytical Chemistry.
New York, Wiley, 1964, Vol. 6, part II,
pp. 69-175.
In the 1st part of this chapter, the occurrence,
production, and industrial products, extraction
and purification, and the toxicity of Pb and its
compounds are reviewed. This is followed by a
presentation of the properties, physical, chemical,
and isotopic distribution of Pb; separation and
isolation; detection and identification; determina-
tion by precipitation and gravimetric methods,
titrimetric, polarographic, photometric activation
analysis; determination of Pb in specific materi-
als; recommended laboratory procedures. (426
references)
43 Kettering Laboratory in the Department of
Preventive Medicine and Industrial Health,
College of Medicine, University of Cincin-
nati: SYMPOSIUM ON LEAD. Archives of En-
vironmental Health 8:202-354 (Feb.), 1964.
In his introduction to the Symposium, R.A. Kehoe
states that "for more than 30 yr members of the
staff of the Kettering Laboratory have been engag-
ed in the investigation of various aspects of the
occurrence and the behavior of Pb in the external
environment and the internal milieu of man. From
time to time various aspects of this subject have
been presented in publications. Less frequently,
in symposia, much of the available information
derived from our investigations and those of
others has been assembled." The symposium repre-
sents an attempt to bring together certain primary
and ancillary facets of the hygienic problem
raised many years ago by the introduction of
tetraethyllead as an antiknock additive into auto-
motive fuel.
For abstracts, see Sections: II, de Treville,
R.T.; VI, Schepers, G.W.H.; VA, Fleming, A.J.;
Johnstone, R.T.; Kehoe, R.A.; Sanders, L.W.;
Sterling, T.D.; Zavon, M.R.; VB, Smith, H.D.;
VII, Cholak, J.; Hirschler, D.A.; Kehoe, R.A.;
Larsen, R.I.; X, Cholak, J.; XI, Ziegfeld, R.L.
44 Stevenson, L.G. (Yale Univ., New Haven,
Conn.): HISTORY OUT OF PRINT. WHAT THE
HISTORIAN CANNOT LEARN FROM BOOKS. Cin-
cinnati Journal of Medicine 45:467-75
(Nov.), 1964.
Among the subjects brought out by the author from
books, manuscripts and artifacts, is that of Pb
poisoning, a history of which from ancient times
to the 20th century he wrote for his doctoral dis-
sertation at Johns Hopkins. He points out that
direct literary evidence that chronic Pb poisoning
constituted a real problem in Greece and Rome is
not plentiful, and frequently such texts as there
are often give doubtful or equivocal answers.
However, as in paleopathology, ancient bones may
be useful. The use of ^C has been very helpful.
Several of the many uses of Pb which gave rise to
food and beverage contamination, etc, are described.
Books, Monographs, and Proceedings
13
-------
-------
I. ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS
1950
45 Cheftel, H. (France): Le plomb dans les
aliments. (LEAD IN FOODSTUFFS.) Annales
des Falsifications et des Fraudes 43:230-
8, 1950.
In presenting data to the Commission for the Study
of Foreign Substances in Foods, the author states
that in the studies that he has reviewed, Pb sol-
ders, even when they were in direct contact with
food in cans, did not constitute necessarily a
source of contamination by Pb. For this reason,
he has reviewed the concentrations in food report-
ed in the literature, the "normal" and the "usu-
al" of various commercial products. These are
tabulated as to Pb contents in various organs of
beef, horse, sheep, fish, mollusks; milk and other
dairy products; vegetables and fruit; sugars;
flour; bread; water and other beverages, and eggs.
The conclusion is that Pb may be contained natur-
ally in a large number of foods, often exceeding
the maximum that is considered admissible.
46 Dick, J., and Pugsley, L.I. (Dept. Natl.
Health and Welfare, Ottawa, Canada): THE
ARSENIC, LEAD, TIN, COPPER AND IRON CON-
TENT OF CANNED CLAMS, OYSTERS, CRABS, LOB-
STERS AND SHRIMPS. Canadian Journal of
Research 28:Sec. F, 199-201 (June), 1950.
A survey (120 samples) of heavy metal content of
canned shellfish and crustaceans sold on the Cana-
dian market was made. Six cans each were taken
at random from different brands available in re-
tail stores. Pb was determined spectrographically
(Cholak and Story, 1938). Means, SD's and ranges
for Pb in ppm were: clams: 0.81 ± 1.09, 0.0-5.0;
oysters: 0.83 ± 0.96, 0.0-2.5; smoked oysters:
0.33 ± 0.52, 0.0-1.0; crabs: 0.17 ± 0.24; 0.0-
0.50; lobsters: 1.03 ± 3.01, 0.0-13.0; shrimps:
0.48 ± 0.50, 0.0-1.5. With the exception of 1
sample of clams having 5 ppm Pb and 1 sample of
lobster with 13 ppm, values found were not signifi-
cantly above the limits established for Pb content
of foods.
47 Majer, V., Werner, S., Hopp, K., and Mar-
seek, V. (Tech. Univ. Prague, Czechoslova-
kia) : (TRACES OF MERCURY IN SOUP SEASON-
ING.) Chem. Obzor 25:185-7, 1950.
The spice used for soup seasoning showed 9.1 !Jg%.
The spice should be regarded as harmless. The
concentrations at which the other heavy metals and
poisonous elements become omnipresent are higher
than that of Hg (Cu, Pb, As at 10~6, Hg at 10-8).
(From Chemical Abstracts 45:3958, 1951)
1951
48 Anonymous: LEAD AS A CONTAMINANT OF FOOD
AND DRINK. INTRODUCTION OF STANDARD LIMITS
PROPOSED. Chemical Age (London) 65:827-9,
1951.
While no formal limit for Pb in drinking water has
been established, a recommendation by the Metallic
Content Subcommittee of Food Standards Committee
to limit the concentration of Pb in food was ap-
proved by the Minister of Food. It was recognized
that elimination of Pb was not immediately possi-
ble. Evidence at the time indicated that 1-2 mg Pb
can be ingested without toxic effect, depending on
the length of time. Since consumption of 2 lb food
containing 1 ppm would contribute 0.9 mg, limits
have to be kept low. The recommendation provides
for the following, in ppm: soft drinks, 0.2; beer
and cider, 1, to be reduced to 0.5 within 12 mo;
apple juice and concentrated soft drinks, 0.5; 2
ppm for foods subject to low contamination, 0.5
lower limit for staple foods (edible fats, refined
sugar); colorings, 20; spices, 10; tea, 1.0; phos-
phates of NH^, Ca and Na, 5; edible gelatin, 7;
liquid pectin (provisional), 10; canned meats and
fish, 5. Since the Pb content in crustaceans and
shell fish is >2, it is recommended that any con-
tent more than the limit defined be labeled to be
due to Pb natural to fish.
49 Armour Research Foundation of Illinois In-
stitute of Technology: MINERAL CONTENT OF
BEEF REPORTED BY ARMOUR FOUNDATION. Chemi-
cal and Engineering News 29:3868, 1951.
The ash of beef samples was analyzed spectrographi-
cally by the scientists of the Armour Research
Foundation of Illinois Institute of Technology and
assuming that the average US citizen will consume
60 lb of beef in 1951; they estimated that 0.00001
oz of Pb will be taken in, together with varying
amounts of 18 other elements. Among the quantita-
tive estimations, 0.204 oz Mn, 1.6 oz P, and 4.7
oz K will be ingested.
50 Braun, O.G. (Am. Can Co., Maywood, 111.):
PROBLEMS OF METALS IN CANNING EQUIPMENT.
Canner 112:13-4, 24 (June 16), 1951.
A discussion is given of the effect of contamina-
tion by Cu, Fe, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Sn, Zn, and stain-
less steel on canned foods. Because of its toxic
effects, Pb should not be used in any form in
equipment contacting food materials. However,
there have been reports of discoloration of canned
foods through the inadvertent use of Pb, ie, use
of wooden lug boxes for peas paintfed with Pb base
paint resulted in black discoloration of the peas
where they contacted the painted surfaces and ab-
sorbed minute quantities of Pb; a pickled vegeta-
15
-------
ble product prepared for brine canning in a con-
verted Pb-glazed bath tub showed severe discolor-
ation because the Pb glaze was soluble in the acid
brine. Cu, however, has been the most consistent
harmful ingredient and during the past 15 yr there
has been a movement to replace Cu with more cor-
rosive resistant stainless steels. But even
stainless steel is not without hazard and it is
necessary that the proper type is chosen for the
specific purpose.
5J Emanuele, F., and Ceccherelli, E. (Canned
Food Res. Sta., Parma, Italy): (THE LEAD
CONTENT OF CANNED FOODS IN RELATION TO THE
SOLDERING OF THE CONTAINERS.) Ind. ital.
conserve 26:69-76, 1951.
The Italian law prescribes a maximum of 10% Pb in
the alloys for soldering food cans. Experiments
show that even with alloys containing up to 98%
Pb, the Pb content of the foods was always less
than the amounts tolerated by several foreign laws
(ie, 2-5 mg/kg), except in the case of concentra-
ted tomato juice, which, after 3 mo, contained
5.80-6.24 mg Pb/kg. These maxima occurred with
the alloy Sn 90-Pb 10%, while with the alloy Pb
90-Sn 10%, the corresponding values were 3.24-3.70
mg/kg. (From Chemical Abstracts 45:10413, 1951)
52 HHgl, 0., and Sulser, H. (Federal Health
Dept., Bern, Switzerland): Blei, Kupfer
und Zink in Trink- und Brauchwasser. 2.
Mitteilung. (LEAD. COPPER AND ZINC IN
DRINKING AND SOURCE WATERS. II.) Mittel-
lungen aus dem Gebiete der Lebensmittelun-
tersuchung und Hygiene 42:286-311, 1951.
The photometric method, using dithizone, as ap-
plied in this investigation, is described in de-
tail. The concentrations found in the various wa-
ters analyzed were as follows for Pb, Cu, and Zn
(in ranges and average in ug/1), respectively:
Open springs, 0-1, <1; 0.5-5.0, 2; 0.5-4.3, 2; en-
closed springs, reservoirs, pumping stations, 1-5,
3; 0.9-4.0, 2; 3.0-10.0, 6; mineral waters, 0-14,
5; 0-272, 61; 0-28, 12; tap water (running inter-
mittently or continuously), 1-81, 11; 1-17, 7; 10-
1600, 404; stagnant tapwater, 4-260, 92; 15-340,
102; 500-5580, 2650; cistern water, 9; 18; 180;
water in boilers in several homes or apartment
houses, 1-86, 18; 9-180, 68; 105-2640, 641; bot-
tled mineral waters, 14-33; 22-67; 14-240; river
waters, 3-20; 6-19; 22-45; waste waters in Bern,
summer and autumn, 103, 67; 7, 78; 471, 252. The
authors conclude that while the source waters con-
tain only traces of heavy metals, the concentra-
tions in piped waters, boilers, and bottling de-
vices increase markedly. (20 references)
53 Meinsma, J.J. (Commodities Insp., Leeuwar-
den, Netherlands): (THE ACTION OF BUTTER-
MILK ON THE LEAD-CONTAINING COATING OF
TINNED CANS.) Chem. Weekblad 47:85-7,
1951.
Tinned vessels were filled daily with buttermilk
(I) . Samples of I were destroyed with HNO^-HCIO^
and the solutions extracted with dithizone-CHCl3;
the removal of interfering metals, the titration
of Pb, and blank determinations are described.
After a few days the Pb contents of I fell to
about 100 and 300 Ug/1 with coatings containing
1.1 and 5% Pb, respectively. The Pb content of
the original I was 20-58 pg/1 and its acidity 74-
86 ml of 0.1N solution/100 ml. (From Chemical
Abstracts 45:5599, 1951)
54 Mllller, J. (Dresden, Germany): Einige
grundsHtzliche Betrachtungen zur Schutz-
schichtbildung auf Blei und zur BleilBs-
lichkeit im Trinkwasser. (PROTECTIVE-
COATING FORMATION ON LEAD AND SOLUBILITY
OF LEAD IN DRINKING WATER.) Gas- und
Wasserfach 92:39-42 (Feb. 28), 1951.
In different countries, widely varying limits of
Pb in drinking water are permissible. In general,
the Pb content of water is higher after standing
in Pb pipes for 12 hr or more, and decreases with
flow of water. Solution of Pb from the metal it-
self is most important with a new pipe; later, Pb
compounds may also play a role. Pb solution may
be decreased by the formation of tightly adherent
basic Pb carbonate (PbO.2PbC03H20), but even this
is slightly soluble. There appears to be no fixed
relation between the softness of the water and Pb
attack. Changes in composition of the water may
cause solution of a previously deposited protective
coating, and erosion of Pb compounds may also play
a role. Both dissolved and suspended Pb compounds
may play a role in the toxicity of Pb to human
beings.
1952
55 Bartlet, J.C., Coutu, C., List, E., and
Wood, M. (Food and Drug Lab., Dept. Natl.
Health, Ottawa, Canada): THE COMPOSITION
OF EDIBLE BONE MEAL. Canadian Journal of
Technology 30:137-42, 1952.
Sixteen samples of bone meal from 3 processors
were analyzed. Average values found were: Ca
33.0%, P 15.4%, total ash 87.9%, moisture 1.46%.
F content was 350-770 ppm, av 572; Zn av 129 ppm;
Pb, with 1 exception (20 ppm) was <10 ppm (3-8);
Cu <10 ppm.
55 Cannon, H.L. (US Geol. Survey, Washington,
D.C.): THE EFFECT OF URANIUM-VANADIUM
DEPOSITS ON THE VEGETATION OF THE COLORADO
PLATEAU. American Journal of Science
250:735-70 (Oct.), 1952.
The relation of plants to U deposits were studied
over a period of 2 yr. The lines of investiga-
tion pursued were: the observable effects of
mineralized soil on growth habits, the absorption
of U and associated ore elements by plants, and
the ecologic distribution of plants around the ore
deposits. The physiologic signs are limited to
the effects of U, which were masked by excessive
amounts of V, Se, and Mo in the ore. Analyses of
plants growing on U-bearing rocks and soils in-
clude the determination of Pb in soil or rock and
in the ash of various plants according to the
areas studied. Pb ranged in the above media from
2-40 ppm and from <10-110 ppm, respectively.
57 Collins, C.B., Farquhar, R.M., and
Russell, R.D.: VARIATIONS IN THE RELATIVE
ABUNDANCES OF THE ISOTOPES OF COMMON LEAD.
Phys. Rev. 88:1275-6 (Dec. 15), 1952.
Mass-spectrometer measurements of the relative
16
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
isotopic abundances of samples of Pb ores from
Archean-type rocks showed larger variations than
reported by Nier (1952). From the new measure-
ments combined with existing data estimates of the
time of formation of the earth's crust of 3.5
billion yr and of a maximum time of formation of
the elements of 5.5 billion yr have been calculat-
ed. These values are in reasonable agreement with
previous estimates. (From Nuclear Science Ab-
stracts 7:Abstract No. 1173, 1953)
58 Dean Guelbenzu, M. (Inst. Physiol., Bio-
chem. of Spain, Madrid): (DISTRIBUTION OF
MINOR ELEMENTS IN THE POTATO PLANT, SOLA-
NUM TUBEROSUM.) Anales bromatol. (Madrid)
4:57-61, 1952.
Using a previously described semiquantitative
spectrographic technique (Dean Guelbenzu et al,
1947), the distribution of 19 less common elements
was investigated in the roots, stems, leaves, tu-
bers, etc, of Solanum tuberosum. Pb was either
absent or found in mere traces in the roots,
leaves, stems, and tubers. Although present in
the ash, Pb was not detected in the soil in which
the plants were raised. (From Chemical Abstracts
47:3415, 1953)-
59 Nier, A.O.: MASS AND RELATIVE ABUNDANCE
OF ISOTOPES. Ann. Rev. Nuclear Sci. 1:
137-56, 1952.
Isotopic masses and abundances determined in 1950
by various methods are reviewed. Mass spectro-
graphic and mass spectrometric determinations of
mass values and the electrical method for isotopic
abundance values are discussed. New methods of
mass measurement are described, including the
omegatron, the chronotron, the synchrometer, and
microwave spectra. (87 references) (From Nuclear
Science Abstracts 6:Abstract No. 5820, 1952)
60 Viuogradov, A.P., Zadorozhnyi, I.K., and
Zykov, S.I.: (ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION OF
LEAD AND AGE OF THE EARTH.) Doklady Akad.
Nauk S.S.S.R. 85:1107-10, 1952.
Mass spectrographic analysis of Pb from 32 galena
samples, ranging in age from 25 x 10" to 1600 x
lO^ yr or older, was performed, with a probable
accuracy of 1%. Calculation of the results is de-
scribed, and the literature on the subject is re-
viewed briefly. If account is taken of the lack
of differentiation of earth matter in early for-
mative stages, the least age is calculated to be
2.1 x 109yr. (From Chemical Abstracts 47:456,
1953)
1953
61 Allan, D.W., Farquhar, R.M., and Russell,
R.D. (Univ. Toronto, Ontario, Canada): A
NOTE ON THE LEAD ISOTOPE METHOD OF AGE
DETERMINATION. Science 118:486-9, 1953.
62 Bartlet, J.C., List, E., Page, M., and
Chapman, R.A. (Food, Drug Lab., Dept. Natl.
Health Welfare, Ottawa, Canada): THE
HEAVY METAL CONTENT OF GELLING AND STABI-
LIZING AGENTS. Canadian Journal of Tech-
nology 31:146-53, 1953.
The As, Pb, Zn and Cu contents, respectively, were
(in ppm): agar-agar <0.5-0.5, 1.5-16, <15-480,
<10-10; gelatin <0.5-1.5, 1-8, <15-125, <10; car-
rageen (Irish mossgelose) 0.5-1, 2-15, <15-75,
<10-30; Na pectate 1, 6, 130, 10; liquid pectin
1.3, 1.1, <10, <10; locust-bean gum 2.0-6.1, 0.9-
3.2, 22-27, <10; Na carboxymethylcellulose <0.5,
1.7, 10, <10; methylcellulose <0.5, 0.9, <10, <10;
Na alginate 0.5, 4-38, 15-20, <10; algin 1.5, 3.5,
<15, <10; stabilizing mixture (agar, dextrose,
carob and karaya gums) <0.5-1.4, 2.2-25, 50-54,
<10; karaya gum <0.5, 1.3, 30, <10; gum arabic
<0.5, 1.7, <10, <10. A sampling tool was designed
to obtain representative samples from agar bales.
(From Chemical Abstracts 47:8289, 1953)
63 Damon, P.I. (Univ. Arkansas, Fayetteville):
LEAD ISOTOPIC RATIOS AND GEOLOGIC TIME. Am.
Geophys. Union Trans. 34:906-14, 1953.
The consistency of recent data with Nier's (1952)
data and with the Nier-Holmes hypothesis for the
isotopic abundance of common Pb ores is examined.
It can be shown that, although individual samples
deviate markedly from expectation according to age
alone, the data taken together are in agreement
with the basic hypothesis. The deviations tend
to be nonrandom. Possible causes of these devia-
tions are discussed. One consequence of the Nier-
Holmes hypothesis is that the Pb ores should have
been derived from the granitic rocks of the Earth's
crust rather than from a deep-seated source. The
study of Pb isotopic ratios may be applied to geo-
logic problems other than that of geologic time.
(From Nuclear Science Abstracts 8:Abstract No.
4317, 1954)
64 Granottier, A.: (THE LEAD MINE OF DJEBEL
SEMENE.) Regence Tunis, Protect, franc.,
Dir. trav. publ., Ann. mines et geol.
1953, No. 13, 49 pp.
The ores are of 2 types: replacement by galena of
clay-rich beds in marl, and fracture-fillings by
galena and cerussite in limestone. Reserves are
estimated to be more than 500,000 tons, averaging
5.6% Pb. (From Chemical Abstracts 49:13034, 1955)
65 Headlee, A.J.W. , and Hunter, R.G. (W.
Virginia Geol. Surv., Morgantown): ELE-
MENTS IN COAL ASH AND THEIR INDUSTRIAL
SIGNIFICANCE. Industrial and Engineering
Chemistry 45:548-51 (Mar.), 1953.
Spectrographic analyses of 596 spot samples from
16 coal seams in W. Virginia were made for 38 ele-
ments, and enrichment ratios to earth's crust were
calculated from the point of view of recovery from
coal ash. Pb (av 0.048% in column analysis) was
among 22 elements not present in quantities to
warrant recovery; however, by comparison of cube
variance ratio with the enrichment ratio, Pb is
among those that might be recovered. Problems of
atmospheric pollution were suggested by the find-
ing of appreciable quantities of Sr, Ba, Ag, As,
Be, Hg, Pb, Sb, and Sn in coal ash.
66 Horiuchi, K., and Tamori, E. (Osaka City
Univ. Med. School, Japan): INDUSTRIAL
LEAD POISONING. V. THE CONTENTS OF LEAD
IN THE ORDINARY FOODS AND BEVERAGES OF THE
JAPANESE. Igaku to Seibutsugaku (Med. and
Biol.) 26:248-50, 1953.
Environmental Surveys
17
-------
Results are given for Pb contents, as determined
by the dithizone method, of ^80 samples from or-
dinary foods and beverages. In general, canned
fish and meat products contained larger amounts of
Pb than did other foods. (From Chemical Abstracts
47:11308, 1953)
67 Just, J., and Koziorowski, B.: (INFLUENCE
OF MINIUM-PAINTED TANKS ON THE LEAD CON-
TENT OF WATER.) Gaz. Woda i Tech. Sanit.
26:315-8, 1953.
The purpose of the work was to establish whether
water kept in a minium-painted tank takes up Pb
from the coating, in what degree, and for how long
after painting. Experiments were conducted in Fe
containers of 2-6.5-1 capacity, painted with 2
layers of a minium paint prepared by mixing 20
parts by weight of flax oil with 80 parts of mini-
um (96.95% PbO). Two different kinds of oil were
used: a common one and one prepared in the lab-
oratory by adding to it 0.75% Mn02 and mixing for
7 hr at 250°. The experiments were done with 2
different waters: a city water and the same city
water to which chlorides and nitrides were added
in proportions of 250-5 mg/1 Cl and 0.3-25.0 N.
After rinsing, every container was filled with wa-
ter and left for 74 hr at room temperature (16-
25°) and every 24 hr Pb, 0 consumed, and smell
were determined on a sample. After 72 hr the con-
tainer was emptied, rinsed, and filled up again
for another 72-hr cycle, the procedure being re-
peated 23 times for each tank. Results indicated
that the amount of Pb contamination depended on
the quality of oil used in the minium paint. Pb
content in city water fell down to the required
standard (<0.05 mg/1) after a very long time: 22
cycles for containers painted with the coat pre-
pared in the laboratory, and >23 cycles for those
painted with the common coat. The 0 consumed in-
creased (up to 2 ml or more of 0) up to 16-17
cycles and then fell down; the paint smell disap-
peared after 8 cycles. (From Chemical Abstracts
48:14054, 1954)
68 Kulp, J.L., Owen, H.R. , Eckelmann, W.R. ,
and Bate, G.L.: ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION OF
SOME SAMPLES OF COMMON LEAD. US Atomic
Energy Commission Document No. NYO-6197,
1953, 11 pp.
Isotopic analyses have been made on ^24 common Pb
samples from various localities. Isotopic varia-
tions are consistent with those already reported.
The results indicate a possible variation of 4%
in the 207pb/206pb ratio for minerals from the
same district. No observable differences were
found in the isotopic composition of the Pb taken
from different locations on a single crystal of
galena. The 207pb/206pb ratio can be expressed to
a greater degree of precision and is more relevant
to the history of the mineral than a comparison
of these isotopes with 204pb=1.000. (From Nuclear
Science Abstracts 7:Abstract No. 4119, 1953)
69 Leclerc, E., and Beaujean, P.: (GILEPPE
WATERS. I. THE RESERVOIR WATER AND ITS
QUALITIES. II. WATER AT THE CONSUMER LEV-
EL.) Centre Beige Etude et Document. Eaux,
Bull. Mens. 1953, No. 37:128-34; 134-6.
The water supply of the industrial city of Ver-
viers was studied; it consisted of surface waters,
chiefly from peat bogs, drained by the Gileppe
river and 12 other streams into a 3,438,000,000-
gal dammed reservoir. Among the trace elements
determined, <0.1 ppm Pb was found.
The treatment and quality of the drinking water
in the distribution system of Verviers is descri-
bed. Among problems discussed is the effect of
speed of opening of the valves. More violent
valve openings result in muddy waters of up to
700 ppm, suspended solids and 140 ppm Fe in com-
plex form. The Pb content can go up to 9.0 ppm
in new and sometimes old house pipes and varies
with time up to equilibrium 8-10 gal wash water
for a new 6-room house are needed to eliminate Pb.
Corrosion of Pb has not so far been connected with
variations in dissolved 0 and temperatures which
are inimical in the house networks. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 48:3597, 1954)
70 Nagata, M. (Osaka Univ., Japan): SPECTRO-
GRAPHIC ANALVSIS OF MINOR ELEMENTS IN TEA
LEAVES. II. J. Chem. Soc. Japan, Pure
Chem. Sect. 74:534-8, 1953.
Contents of metals in old and new tea leaves were
determined by a semiquantitative spectrographic
method. K, Mg, P, Ni, Na, and Cu were more abun-
dant in new leaves, and Al, Sn, Pb, Be in old
leaves. (From Chemical Abstracts 48:2839, 1954)
71 . Opienska-Blauth, J., and Duhl, W. (Woj .
Stacia Sanitarno. Epidem., Oddz. Inz.
Sanit., Lublin, Poland): (LEAD IN THE WA-
TERS OF THE LUBLIN DISTRICT.) Roczniki
Pahstwowego Zakladu Hlg. 1953:437-45.
Using a modified dithizone colorimetric method to
determine the Pb content of 1400 samples of well
waters in the Lublin district, it was found that
only 4% of the samples showed a Pb content >0.09
mg/1. No relation was found between the increased
Pb concentration and factors of Pb reactivity,
such as pH, hardness of water, nitrate content,
and oxidizability. It is concluded that there is
no relation between water consumption and occur-
rence of chronic Pb poisoning in the Lublin dis-
trict. (From Chemical Abstracts 48:7824, 1954)
72 Orostica, C.G. (Univ. Chile, Santiago):
(DETERMINATION OF ZINC, COPPER AND LEAD IN
MINERAL WATERS.) Univ. Chile, fac. farm.,
Tesis quim. farm 5:186-200, 1953.
The Pb contents of the Chilean mineral waters Pan-
imavida, Jahuel, Cachantun, Raris, and Chanqueahue
are respectively: 25, 83, 93.7, —, and 430 ug/1.
The values were determined photometrically with
diphenylthiocarbazone. (From Chemical Abstracts
49:14236, 1955)
1954
73
Bertrand, D. (Inst. Pasteur, Paris,
France): (DETERMINATION OF METALLIC CON-
TAMINANTS IN PRESERVED FOODS.) 10th
Congr. Intern. lad. Agr. y Aliment., Ma-
drid 1954, 29-33.
Various techniques for the determination of Fe,
Sb, Al, Cu, Ni, and Pb in preserved foods are pro-
posed. (13 references) (From Chemical Abstracts
50:13317, 1956)
18
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
74 De Renzo, B.C. (Lederle Lab. Div., Am.
Cyanamid Co., Pearl River, N.Y.): STUDIES
ON THE NATURE OF THE XANTHINE OXIDASE FAC-
TOR. Annals of the New York Academy of
Sciences 57:905-8, 1954.
Spectrographlc analysis of the ash of an active
extract of rat liver residue, source material for
xanthine oxidase factor, revealed the presence of
many.elements, including Pb (0.3%).
yc Deschreider, A.R., and van Coillie, L.:
(TRACE METALS IN FRESH VEGETABLES.) 10th
Congr. Intern. Ind. Agr. y Aliment. Madrid
1954:390-401. (From Chemical Abstracts
50:14141, 1956)
See Abstr. No. 87.
76 Gehrke, C.W., Runyon, C.V., and Pickett,
E.E. (Missouri Agr. Exptl. Station, Colum-
bia) : A QUANTITATIVE SPECTROGRAPHIC METH-
OD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF TIN, COPPER,
IRON, AND LEAD IN MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS.
THE EFFECT OF STORAGE ON THE CONCENTRATION
OF THESE METALS IN EVAPORATED MILK. Jour-
nal of Dairy Science 37:1401-8 (Dec.),
1954.
The spectrographic method described, claimed to
be rapid, reliable, and accurate, permits the
simultaneous quantitative determination of the
title elements on a single sample. Graphite
was added to the arcing mixture to ensure a
more nearly complete volatilization of the
samples and to prevent the formation of a re-
fractory CaO bead. The precision of the meth-
od was from ±5 to ±8%. The concentration of Sn,
Fe, Cu, and Pb were determined in 5 cases of
evaporated milk in electrolytically plated cans
and 4 cases of milk in hot-dipped cans, stored
at room temperature and at 37°C for up to 1 yr.
The concentration of Sn increased rapidly in
milk stored in both types of cans, increasing
from 20-215 ppm after 340 days of storage. Fe
content increased from 6.5-16.5 ppm in the same
period of time; Cu and Pb concentrations did
not increase significantly. The mean values
were 0.68 ppm for Cu and 0.35 ppm for Pb (av for
35 cans). (22 references)
77 Goto, T. (Tohoku Univ., Sendai, Japan):
(FOOD ELEMENTS AND COOKING. I. SPECTRO-
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF MICROQUANTITIES OF
INORGANIC ELEMENTS IN ORDINARY FOODS.)
Eiyo to Shokuryo 7:69-71, 1954-55.
Pb was widely distributed in vegetable foods, but
it was rare in animal foods. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 53:7448, 1959)
78 Goto, T. (Tohoku Univ., Sendai, Japan):
MICROELEMENTS DISSOLVED FROM COOKING VES-
SELS DURING COOKING. Tohuku J. Agr. Re-
search 4:263-9, 1954.
Elements dissolved from Fe, Al, and Cu vessels
during cooking are significant in hygiene and
nutrition. Water, NaCl, NaHC03, AcOH, tartar-
ic acid and citric acid solutions were used
as the cooking solutions. After varying
boiling times, the solutions were analyzed for
Fe, Al, Cu, Zn, Pb, Co, and Mn. All the ele-
ments increased with length of boiling time.
Al was found in greater concentration in alka-
line solutions; all other elements were dis-
solved in acidic solutions. (From Chemical
Abstracts 49:11907, 1955)
79 Grip, E. (Bolidens Mines, Ltd., Boliden,
Sweden): (THE LEAD ORE AT LAISVALL
(NORTHERN SWEDEN), ITS GEOLOGY, AND A
COMPARISON WITH SOME FOREIGN DEPOSITS.)
Geol. FHren. i Stockholm F8rh. 76:357-80
1954.
Disseminated galena, with sphalerite, pyrite,
barite, calcite, fluorite, and sericite, occur in
Eocambrian sandstones at Laisvall. The deposit is
compared with Pb-Zn deposits from other countries.
(15 references) (From Chemical Abstracts 50:4730,
1956)
80 Kulp, J.L., Bate, G.L., and Broecker, W.S.
(Lamont-Shussy Geol. Observatory, Bloem-
fontein, South Africa): PRESENT STATUS OF
LEAD METHOD OF AGE DETERMINATION. American
Journal of Science 252:345-65, 1954.
From an evaluation of the available results on the
age of radioactive minerals as determined by the
various isotopic ratios, and probable sources of
error, the authors conclude that the 207Pb/235U
and 206pt,/210pb ages are the most reliable over
the greater range of geologic time. The
238u age is generally correct to 5-10% and
supersedes the 207/235 age in accuracy for young
minerals. The 2°8pb/232Th age is considered
usable for minerals high in Th content. The
207/206 age is the least reliable of all. (18
references)
81 Larkin, D., Page, M., Bartlet, J.C., and
Chapman, R.A. (Food and Drug Lab., Ottawa,
Canada): THE LEAD, ZINC AND COPPER CON-
TENT OF FOODS. Food Research 19, No. 2:
211-8, 1954.
Although the above-mentioned elements occur natur-
ally in many products, they may find their way
into food in other ways, ie, from insecticide
sprays, piping, food processing equipment. How-
ever, since there has been a marked change in in-
secticide sprays and processing techniques, the
authors felt a survey of Pb, Zn, and Cu contents
of foods under present conditions was warranted.
Food samples (171) were analyzed spectrographic-
ally. Results were based on single determinations
except for repeated analyses because of high re-
sults, ie, >2 ppm Pb in solid foods or 0.2 ppm in
liquids. Results (ranges) for Pb in ppm were:
meat, dairy products, lard, shortening, <0.5-4.0;
flavorings and beverage powders, 0.04-3.3; dessert
powders and cake mixes, <0.5-2.0; cereal products,
<0.5-2.4; spices, condiments, dressings, <0.5-
17.0; canned fruits, fruit juices, jams, jellies,
<0.5-2.6; beverages, <0.01-1.6; miscellaneous
products, <0.5-9.3. The 4.0 found in meat was
probably due to contamination from the can since
the container was very etched and the sample show-
ed some surface material. Two samples of beverage
powders (lime and lemon) showed excessive amounts
of Pb (2.7 and 3.3 ppm respectively). A number of
spices (cinnamon (4.5 ppm), ginger (4.2 ppm), tu-
meric (2.4, 6.8, 2.9, 2.2 ppm) and curry powder
(17.0, 14.3, 4.3 ppm)) had high Pb contents. The
Environmental Surveys
19
-------
source of contamination in these products was not
known. Raspberry jam with a Pb value of 2.6 was
also high as was cocoa (2.8 ppm) and dried hops
(9.3 ppm). However, it was concluded that, in
general, the Pb content of the processed foods ex-
amined was satisfactory.
82 Szymczyk, F., and Kolankiewicz, J.: (NAT-
URAL ARSENIC AND LEAD CONTENT OF POLISH
GRAINS.) Roczniki Paiistwowego Zakladu
Hig. 5:53-9, 1954.
No Pb was found in samples of grains harvested in
different areas in Poland. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 48:8974, 1954)
83 Truffert, L., and Jans, V. (Soc. Expert
Chemists, France): Les dangers de 1'eau
de Seltz et le saturnisme hydrique. (THE
DANGERS OF SELTZER WATER FROM THE POINT OF
VIEW OF LEAD POISONING.) Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Me'decine du
Travail et de Se'curite' Sociale 15:385-9
(June 21), 1954.
Generally, the Pb content in drinking water does
not exceed 0.1 mg/1 and Pb poisoning from drinking
water is rare. In its last session, the Supreme
Council of Public Health in France set the maximum
allowable level at 0.05 mg/1. The authors studied
the Pb content in various samples of Seltzer (car-
bonated) water by a combination of the dithizone
and polarographic methods in numerous areas sup-
plied by rivers, grouping the samples accord-
ing to whether the water used came from "aggres-
sive" or "non-aggressive" water regions. Pb con-
tent of the 1st type ranged from 0.03-4.6, and of
the 2nd, from 0.03-0.20 mg/1. The results obtain-
ed demonstrated the hazards of drinking certain
types of Seltzer water. Spanish authors are cited
who reported Pb intoxications due to drinking
Seltzer water.
The authors believe that the siphons, with a
high Pb level in the siphon heads, used for the
distribution of Seltzer water, are obsolete and
should be modified to prevent contact of this wa-
ter with any material containing either Pb or
other toxic metals. The need is stressed for the
elimination of Pb from materials used for contain-
ers of food products, particularly carbonated bev-
erages, and for the replacement of the seltzer wa-
ter siphons by other, more hygienic, receptacles
such as are used for other beverages.
1955
84
Chamberlain, G.T. (E. African Agr. Forest-
ry Res. Organ., Kikuyu, Kenya): THE MAJOR-
AND TRACE-ELEMENT COMPOSITION OF SOME EAST
AFRICAN FEEDS. E. African Agr. J. 21:103-7,
1955.
Tables are given showing the content of 21 ele- .
ments, including Pb, in barley, beans, blood meal,
bran (coarse), bran (fine), bulrush millet, cot-
tonseed cake, groundnut cake, linseed cake, lu-
cerne, lupin seed, maize, meat meal, molasses,
oats, pollards, rumenal contents, and yeast.
(From Chemical Abstracts 50:5190, 1956)
85
Czajka, J., and Pietrzykowa, A.: CLASSI-
FICATION OF FRUIT PRODUCTS IN REGARD TO
QUANTITATIVE CONTENT OF ARSENIC, LEAD, AND
COPPER. Ann. Univ. Mariae Curie-Sklodowska
Sect. D, 10:345-58, 1955.
The mean values for As content were: fruit wine
55-110 pg/1, liquid fruit products 86-208 Mg/1,
marmalades and jams 44-75 yg/kg; for Pb content:
musts 125-507 ug/1, fruit wines 125-550 yg/1, mar-
malades and jams 700-1120 ug/kg; for Cu content:
liquid fruits 1.05-3.28 mg/1, fruit wines 0.85-
1.40 mg/1, marmalades and jams 5.0-6.0 mg/kg.
(From Chemical Abstracts 51:6905, 1957)
86 David, D.J., Wark, D.C., and Mandryk, M.
(C.S.I.R.O., Canberra, Australia): LEAD
TOXICITY IN TOBACCO RESEMBLES AN EARLY
SYMPTOM OF FRENCHING. J. Australian Inst.
Agr. Sci. 21:182-5, 1955.
A comprehensive spectrochemical analysis was car-
ried out on the above-ground portions of 6 tobac-
co-plant samples. Mn, Mo, Al, and Pb showed con-
centration relations conforming with the state of
health of the plants. It is suggested that Pb may
be a contributory factor in frenching of tobacco.
(From Chemical Abstracts 50:2744, 1956)
87 Deschreider, A.R., and van Coillie, L.:
(THE TRACE METALS IN FRESH VEGETABLES.)
Ministere Affaires Econ. et Classes Moy-
ennes (Belg.) Lab. Central, Publ. No. 135,
12 pp. (not dated).
The sum of the values for Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and As
in fresh spinach, endives, leeks, chicory, skirret
and sometimes tomatoes exceeded the legal maximum
of 200 mg/kg of dry matter set by some countries
for canned vegetables. (From Chemical Abstracts
49:13547, 1955)
88 Heide, F., and Lerz, H. (Univ. Jena, Ger-
many): (THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF LEAD.) Chem.
Erde 17:217-22, 1955.
The mean Pb content of 12 samples from Muschelkalk
and Upper RBth in Steudnitz near Jena was 7.9 g/
ton. Only the sparry aphrite with 11.5 g/ton and
the platy limestone with 14 g/ton varied much from
the mean value. The mean Pb content for the ar-
gillaceous rocks of R8th in GHschwitz near Jena
was 20.8 g/ton. (From Chemical Abstracts 49:10812,
1955.
89 Kawashiro, I., Fujii, S., and Harada, M.:
COMPARISON OF THE LEAD CONTENTS OF CANNED
FOODS WHEN LOW-LEAD AND HIGH-LEAD SOLDERS
ARE USED. Bull. Natl. Hyg. Lab., Tokyo
1955, No. 73:213-22.
As determined by the dithizone method (A.O.A.C.,
Methods of Analysis, 7th ed, 1950), in 8 Japanese
samples, the Pb content was usually <1 ppm, rarely
1-1.5 ppm. The Pb content was somewhat greater in
samples preserved at 37° than in those preserved
at room temperature. A minute difference (0-0.3
ppm) was found between samples with low Pb (Pb:Sn
= 60:42) and those with high Pb (Pb:Sn = 98:2) sol-
ders. (From Chemical Abstracts 50:6697, 1956)
90 Kulp, J.L. (Columbia Univ., New York,
N.Y.): ISOTOPIC DATING AND THE GEOLOGIC
TIME SCALE. Geol. Soc. Amer., Spec. Paper
62, 609-30, 1955.
A table is given of ages determined by the Pb iso-
20
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
tope method. Rb-Sr ages by isotope dilution ap-
pear to be 15-20% higher than the Pb ages; the
accepted figure for the half-life of Rb may be
in error. (41 references) (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 49:12233, 1955)
91 Markovic, T.: (CORROSION OF LEAD IN DIS-
TILLED WATER.) Werkstoffe u. Korrosion 6:
133-5, 1955.
The effect of the diffusion velocity of 0 on the
corrosion of Pb was studied in distilled water by
means of potential-time measurements. With in-
creasing depth of immersion the potential of the
Pb electrode becomes more noble. By means of
Hickling's method (1937) the origin and nature of
various Pb hydrides, such as Pb2H, PbH, and PbH2,
could be verified. These compounds are to be ob-
served as chemical or physical adsorption com-
pounds at the Pb electrode. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 49:12257, 1955)
92 Nunes de Oliveira, J.: (TRACE ELEMENTS IN
CORN AND FISH MEAL.) Anais da Faculdade de
Farmacia do Porto 15:5-31, 1955.
Trace elements in Portuguese cornmeal and sardine
meal were identified spectrographically, with F
being determined chemically in the amount of 7-9
mg%. The presence of B and Co was not determined.
The elements identified in the 2 meals were Al,
Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Si, and Ti
with Sr in the cornmeal and V in the fishmeal.
(From Chemical Abstracts 52:11310, 1958)
93 Paiva Netto, J.E. de, and Nascimento, A.
C.: (SOME CLAYS OF SAO PAULO STATE.)
Ceramica (Sao Paulo) 1955, No. 2:50-77.
Chemical analyses are given of representative sam-
ples, all of which contained Pb. (22 references)
(From Chemical Abstracts 54:10697, 1960)
94 Patterson, C., Tilton, G., and Inghram, M.
(California Inst. Technol., Pasadena; Car-
negie Inst., Washington, D.C.; Univ. Chica-
go, 111.): AGE OF THE EARTH. Science
121:69-75 (Jan. 12), 1955.
A new method for estimating the age of the earth is
described. It consists of calculating a 207pb/
206pt age from the observed differences between the
isotopic composition of recent Pb isolated from
the surface of the earth where appreciable concen-
trations of U exist and the isotopic composition of
Pb isolated from Fe meteorites where insignificant
concentrations of U are found.
95 Rankine, B.C. (Waite Agr. Res. Inst.,
Adelaide, S. Australia): THE LEAD CONTENT
OF SOME AUSTRALIAN WINES. Journal of the
Science of Food and Agriculture 6:576-9,
1955.
The Pb content of 55 Australian wines varied 0.04-
0.86 ppm, mean 0.23 ppm. White, red, sweet, dry,
fortified, and unfortified wines for home consump-
tion and export were analyzed. The results are
discussed in relation to the legal limit of 1 ppm
in wine introduced by the British Minister of Food.
The literature relating to the Pb content of wines
is reviewed.
96 Schlink, F.J. (Consumers' Res. Inc., Wash-
ington, N.J.): LEAD POISONING. Letter
to the Editor. Journal of the American
Medical Association 157:78, 1955.
Prof. H.H. Uhlig, a corrosion expert at Massachu-
setts Institute of Technology, Department of Met-
allurgy, has reviewed the item in the Journal
(1953). He takes exception to the implied connec-
tion between Pb poisoning and Cu ground wires
stated in the review of the work of Desoille and
Albahary. Uhlig holds that electric current flow-
ing through a pipe has no effect on internal cor-
rosion of the pipe material and thus that Pb poi-
soning can easily occur independently of any
grounding system of which the Pb pipes are a part.
This is not to imply that flow of current is not
often a cause of corrosion on the external surface
of pipes, but, rather, that in the circumstances
described the current flow was not a cause of in-
creased corrosion of the pipe internally. The
ground wire may and often does cause increased
galvanic corrosion near the external pipe area
where it makes contact with the outside of the
pipe.
97 Wedepohl, K.H. (Univ. GBttingen, Germany):
(HEAVY-METAL CONTENTS IN THE CALCAREOUS
SKELETONS OF SOME MARINE ORGANISMS.)
Nachr. Akad. Wiss. GBttingen, Math.-
physik. Kl., Ha, 1955:79-86.
By using average limestones (93 samples) with Mn
300, Zn 25, Pb 9, Sn 5, and Cu 2 ppm and shells of
recent mollusks, cephalopods, and algae with about
Mn 30, Zn 3, Pb 1, Sn 1, and Cu 2 ppm as a basis
of comparison, 5 composite samples of recent for-
aminifera are investigated. The foraminifera sam-
ples contain appreciable amounts of Mn, Pb, Cu and
Sn compared with the above-mentioned recent cal-
careous shells. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:
16997, 1958)
1956
98 Burger, E. (Univ. Heidelberg, Germany):
(LEAD CONTENT OF TORULA DRY YEAST FROM
SULFITE LYE.) Z. Lebensm.-Untersuch. u.-
Forsch. 104:434-6, 1956.
The Pb content of 48 samples was 0.7-3.0 mg/kg
yeast; av 1.2 mg/kg. The data are discussed with
regard to possible Pb intoxication caused by the
use of the yeast in livestock feeds. The results
are well within the tolerated limits. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 51:6907, 1957)
99 Deschreider, A.R., and van Coillie, L.
(Ministry Econ. Affairs, Brussels, Bel-
gium) : Les oligoelements dans les feves
de cacao. (TRACE ELEMENTS IN COCOA BEANS.)
Revue Internationale de la Chocolaterie
11, No. 9:374-84, 1956.
Cocoa beans, such as are used in the manufacture
of chocolate, and their shells were separated,
homogenized, and examined for their content of
trace elements. Only those elements included in
Thatcher's classification were analyzed. The var-
ious types of beans examined were Kongo, Lome,
Carenero, Arriba, Trinidad and Accra. Cocoa beans
contained no Bi or Hg and only minute traces of
Pb (determined by colorimetric method), 0-0.32 ppm
in the beans and 0.57-1.75 ppm in the shells.
Environmental Surveys
21
-------
There were no differences in Pb values among the
various types of beans examined. The average F
content (by Willard-Winter method) (beans, 0.95-
2.28 ppm; shells, 0.19-2.26 ppm) was close to that
usually found in plants, as was As (beans, 0.15-
0.46 ppm; shells, 0.47.1-1.71 ppm). Mo content
was low, 0.1 ppm. Al, was localized in the shells
and varied in content from sample to sample. Fe
content in the beans was ^30 ppm, more abundant in
the shells. Some types of beans are richer in Fe
than others.
The authors note that the relatively high trace
element contents of the various types of cocoa
beans can contribute significantly to human nutri-
tion, especially by providing elements such as Cu,
F, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn.
100 Goto, T. (Tohoku Univ., Sendai, Japan):
FOOD ELEMENTS AND COOKING. I. SPECTRO-
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF MICROQUANTITIES OF
INORGANIC ELEMENTS IN ORDINARY FOODS.
Tohoku J. Agr. Res. 6:279-84, 1956.
Spectrochemical analyses of 30 kinds of represen-
tative Japanese foods showed the presence of 21
inorganic elements, P, Ca, Mg, K, and Na being
present in greatest amounts. Cu, Fe, Zn, Si, Al,
and Mn are also common elements and are found in
almost all the foods. In general, vegetable foods
contain a larger number of elements than animal
foods; Mn, Pb, Sb, Sn, V, and Ba are practically
limited to vegetable foods. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 50:13317, 1956)
101 Jacquemain and Benard: (THE PRESENCE OF
LEAD IN CISTERN WATER.) Ann. Sci. Univ.
Besancon Chim. (2), No. 2:3-11, 1956.
Following a case of Pb poisoning, attributed to
the drinking of cistern water, J. and B. investi-
gated various factors affecting the solution of Pb
in water. The amount of Pb in solution was deter-
mined by the dithizone method. In order to deter-
mine the Pb content of rain water 2 conditions
were necessary: (1) The unknown, as well as the
rain water used to prepare standard solutions
should be degassed. (2) Two standard solutions
should be used, one with a slightly higher and
the other with a slightly lower titer than that
of the unknown (after rough estimation). Rain wa-
ter rapidly reacts with exposed Pb. This corro-
sion is enhanced by galvanic effects but is slowed
down or stopped by the formation of a loose pro-
tective coating. The latter becomes detached on
exposure to the air and corrosion resumes when the
water level rises. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:
2513, 1959)
102 Koch, G.S., Jr. (Colonia San Antonio, San
Francisco del Oro, Chihuahua, Mexico):
THE FRISCO MINE, CHIHUAHA, MEXICO. Econ.
Geol. 51:1-40, 1956.
The ore is polymetallic, averaging 0.5 g Au/ton,
150 g Ag/ton, 5% Pb, 8% Zn, and 0.6% Cu. (From
Chemical Abstracts 50:13668, 1956)
103 Kunaev, D.S.: (GENESIS OF LEAD-ZINC DE-
POSITS IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE KARATAU
RANGE.) Vestnik Akad. Nauk Kazakh. SSR 12,
No. 6:47-60, 1956.
A detailed account of the mineralogical and geo-
logical factors which bear on Pb-Zn deposits in
the Karatau range in Kazakh, SSR. (From Chemical
Abstracts 50:15354, 1956)
104 Lardereau, M.P., and Berthier, P.: (QUALI-
TATIVE SPECTROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF ROUSSIL-
LON GRAPE JUICE AND ATTEMPTS TO DETERMINE
MANGANESE.) Congr. Groupe. Avance. Meth-
odes Anal. Spectrog. Prod. Met. 19th Congr.
1956:303-7.
Among other metals Pb was found in the ash of
grape juice. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:2504,
1959)
105 Lawrence, L.J. (N.S. Wales Univ. Technol.,
Sydney, Australia): NATIVE LEAD FROM THE
REDCAP MINE, CHILLAGOE. Proc. Roy. Soc.
Queensland 68:21-3, 1956.
The Redcap Mine in North Queensland was studied.
The specimen consists essentially of coarsely
cleaved galena coated with earthly Mn oxide. A
central core of readily identifiable metallic Pb
occurs in the granular cerussite of the galena.
Very small patches of red and yellow waxy oxides
of Pb (minium and massicot) are also discernable
in the specimen. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:
3597, 1958)
106 Lounamaa, J. (Finland): (TRACE ELEMENTS
IN PLANTS GROWING WILD ON DIFFERENT ROCKS
IN FINLAND. A SEMI-QUANTITATIVE SPECTRO-
GRAPHIC SURVEY.) Ann. Botan. Soc. Zool.
Botan. Fennicae "Vanamo" 29, No. 4:196
pp., 1956.
The occurrence of Pb in wild plants growing on
outcrops of different rocks as well as in their
substrata is discussed. (From Chemical Abstracts
53:5418, 1959)
107 Queries and Minor Notes: TRACES OF LEAD
IN FOODS . Journal of the American Medi-
cal Association 161:1033, 1956.
The question of whether dry or powdered milk con-
tains enough Pb to make it unsafe for consumption
is answered. Powdered milk has been found to con-
tain 0.4 ppm of Pb, which approximates 0.18 g
Pb/lb of dry milk. This same amount has been re-
ported to occur in many other foods and beverages.
However, since 1.5 mg Pb may safely be taken in
daily without the appearance of recognizable Pb
poisoning, the quantity reported in the powdered
milk should not be regarded with alarm.
108 Rogick, F.A., Teixeira e Silva, H.M., and
Sousa, J. de A. (Sao Paulo,_Brazil):
(LEAD IN MILK CONSUMED IN SAO PAULO, BRA-
ZIL.) Bol. Ind. Animal (Sao Paulo) 15,
No. 1:87-92, 1956.
Analyses of shipped milk supplies showed from
0.005 to 0.4 mg% of Pb, derived from metal cans
that were found to have inner coatings containing
46.5% Pb. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:3187, 1958)
109 Runnels, R.T., and Schleicher, J.A. (Kan-
sas Geol. Survey, Lawrence): CHEMICAL
COMPOSITION OF EASTERN KANSAS LIMESTONES.
State Geol. Survey Kansas Bull. 119:81-
103, 1956.
Quantitative spectrographic determinations of 288
22
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
samples are given for 13 elements, including Pb.
Trace elements were highest in the impure lime-
stones. (From Chemical Abstracts 50:13675, 1956)
HO Tauson, L.V., and Kravchenko, L.A. (V.I.
Vernadskii Inst. Geochem. Anal. Chem.,
Acad. Sci. Moscow): (CHARACTERISTICS OF
DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD AND ZINC ACCORDING TO
MINERALS OF THE CALEDONIAN GRANITOIDS OF
THE SUSAMYRSK BATHOLITH, CENTRAL TIEN
SHAN.) Geokhimiya 1956, No. 1:81-9.
Study of distribution of Pb and Zn in 3 fades of
Caledonian granitoids, viz, earliest porphyritic
granodiorites, coarse-grained biotitic granites,
and leucocratic medium-grained granites. All de-
terminations of Pb and Zn were made by the dithi-
zone method, with specifically purified reagents.
Mineralogical and chemical tabulations are pro-
vided. (From Chemical Abstracts 50:15354, 1956)
111 Turekian, K.K., and Kleinkopf, M.D.:
ESTIMATES OF THE AVERAGE ABUNDANCE OF Cu,
Mn, Pb, Ti, Ni, AND Cr IN SURFACE WATERS
OF MAINE. Bulletin of the Geological
Society of America 67:1129-32 (Aug.),
1956.
A semiquantitative emission spectrographic method
was used to analyze 439 samples of streams and
lake waters over the State of Maine to test the
feasibility of large-scale geochemical prospecting
in unexplored areas, but the data are applicable
to basic geochemical problems. The average abun-
dance of Cu, Mn, Pb, Ti, Ni and Cr in these sur-
face waters was found to be 1.16, 0.40, 0.26, 0.20,
0.02 and 0.02 ppb. The fact that the dominant
crystalline rocks in Maine are granitic is re-
flected generally in the low Ni and Cr values and
the high Pb value.
112 Vinogradov, A.P.: LEAD ISOTOPES AND THEIR
GEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE. In Conference
of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR on
the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, July
1-5, 1955. US Atomic Energy Commission
Document No. AEC-tr-2435 (Pt. 2), 1956,
pp. 187-206. (From Nuclear Science Ab-
stracts 10:Abstract No. 4039, 1956)
1957
113 Anonymous: QUALITY OF SURFACE WATER IN
CALIFORNIA. 1955-1956. Calif. Dept.
Water Resources, Bull. No. 65:1-411, 1957.
Monthly analyses of water from 150 sampling points
include Pb in the list of substances investigated.
(From Chemical Abstracts 55:1971, 1961)
114 Babakhodzhaev, S.M.: (GEOLOGY OF THE NEW
ORE DEPOSITS IN THE TAKOB RIVER BASIN.)
Trudy Instituta Geologii Akademiya Nauk
Tadzhikskoi SSR 1957, No. 2:255-81.
Analyses of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, and F on 5 ore-bearing
rocks of the polymetallic Pb-hematite deposits of
Burmagol-Pshaniba and 8 modal analyses of ore-bear-
ing porphyritic biotite granites and Pb, Zn, As,
Sn, Cd, and F analyses on 9 ore samples from the
Piezdara Pb-Zn-fluorite deposits are given. (From
Chemical Abstracts 54: 15114, I960)
115 Bergner, K.G., and Schikorr, G. (Chem.
Landesuntersuchungsanstalt, Stuttgart,
Germany): (HYGIENIC IMPORTANCE OF WINE
BOTTLE CAPS MADE OF TINNED LEAD.) Zeit-
schrift f!lr Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und-
Forschung 106:132-41, 1957.
Pb contamination of wines in corked bottles which
were capped with tinned Pb caps was studied. Dur-
ing aging there was corrosion of caps. The Pb
corrosion products were found in and around the
mouths of the bottles and were soluble in wine.
It is recommended that Pb caps for beverage bot-
tles be coated to at least 3 u with Sn. (From
Chemical Abstracts 52:649, 1958)
116 Broussy, G., and Pitet, G.: (SPECTRO-
GRAPHIC RESEARCH ON THE SULFUR WATERS AND
GLAIRINS OF CAUTERETS.) Cong. Soc. Pharm.
France, 9e, Clermont-Ferrand 1957, 1963-6.
Pb was found in both water and bacterial glairins.
(From Chemical Abstracts 53:22627, 1959)
H7 tiugelskl, Yu.Yu.: (SOME PECULIARITIES IN
TriE MOVEMENT OF ZINC, LEAD, AND COPPER IN
THE GROUND WATERS OF THE POLYMETALLIC DE-
POSITS OF CENTRAL KAZAKHSTAN.) Geochem-
istry, Moscow, 1957, 84-90.
Samples of ground water from 5 main deposit areas
of the metals indicated that Pb had traveled the
least distance in water. (From Water Pollution
Abstracts 34:Abstr. No. 366 (Feb.), 1961)
118 Costa, R.L., and Molins, R.: (COLORIMET-
RIC DETERMINATION OF LEAD IN MYTILUS EDUL-
IS AND IN THE SEA WATER OF THE VIGO ESTU-
ARY.) Bol. Inst. Espari, Oceanog. No. 84,
1957, 13 pp.
Mussels taken at various stations showed a greatly
increased Pb content in comparison with sea water.
The average factor of enrichment was 38.5. This
increase in concentration might be an index of the
amount of water passing through the tissues of the
mussel. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:7445, 1959)
119 Gilewska, C.: (CONTENTS OF SOME TOXIC
METALS IN PAPER WRAPPINGS FOR FOODS IN
POLAND. DETERMINATION OF LEAD, ARSENIC,
AND COPPER.) Roczniki Panstwowego Zakj!adu
Hig. 8:469-80, 1957.
Samples of wrappings used for food packaging in Po-
land contained, on the average, Pb 2, As 1, and Cu
30 mg/kg. Polish cellophane and printed wrappings
contained, on the average, Pb 1000, Cu 62, and As
24 mg/kg. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:7551, 1958)
120 Grazhdan, P.E.: (SOME RESULTS OF THE
STUDY OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE
UNDERGROUND WATERS OF THE BALKHANY REGION
OF SOUTHWEST TURKMENISTAN.) Trudy Turkmen.
Sel'skokhoz. Inst. 9:485-92, 1957.
Microquantities of Pb were found. (From Chemical
Abstracts 54:11341, 1960)
121 Marshall, R.R. (Univ. Chicago, 111.):
ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION OF COMMON LEADS AND
CONTINUOUS DIFFERENTIATION OF THE CRUST OF
THE EARTH FROM THE MANTLE. Geochimica et
Cosmochimica Acta 12:225-37, 1957.
The ratios 238U/204Pb and 232Th/238U have been
Environmental Surveys
23
-------
calculated from 207 analyses of nonanomalous com-
mon leads. These are the values which would be
present today in the Pb ore-producing reservoirs
in the crust, and they vary systematically with
their "model" lead-lead ages.
122 Millman, A.P. (Imperial Coll. Sci. Tech-
nol., London, England): BIOGEOCHEMICAL
INVESTIGATIONS IN AREAS OF COPPER-TIN
MINERALIZATION IN SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND.
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 12:85-93,
1957.
For the determination of Cu, Sn, Zn, Pb, and Ag in
the leaves and twigs of a variety of trees growing
in an area of Cu-Sn mineralization the semiquanti-
tative methods of spectrographic analysis were em-
ployed. An oak tree and a birch (^20 ft in height
and 8 ft apart near the Kingston Down Consols mine)
were examined for variations in metal content in
the leaves and twigs. Three 15-25 g-samples were
obtained, and particular care was taken to avoid
contamination. Sn, Cu, Zn, and Ag appeared to be
preferably concentrated in the leaves. Pb showed
a 3-fold concentration in the twigs. The author
considers these findings of great interest because
previous workers believed that Pb, entering a
plant, was concentrated in the roots, and varia-
tions of the Pb content in both twigs and leaves
were therefore considered unlikely. The Pb values
found in the leaves, twigs and soil were for the
birch tree and the oak, respectively, in ppm in
dried sample: 5.9, 16, 20 and 3, 9.3, 10.
The analytical results of 62 samples of Quercus
sp, 28 Betula sp, and 19 Fagus sp, showed that
the range of values, as presented in a table (for
Pb respectively,
-------
Solders containing 60-70% Pb, instead of 37%, are
suitable for soldering cans for corned beef or
luncheon meat. The Pb contents of the meats
stored over 9 mo were far below 2 mg/kg. (From
Chemical Abstracts 53:745,.', 1959)
129 Umemoto, S.: RELATION BETWEEN THE CON-
TENTS OF RADON AND RADIUM B IN SEVERAL
RADIOACTIVE MINERAL SPRINGS. Bull. Chem.
Soc. Japan 30:421-7 (June), 1957.
The contents of RaB (-^Ph) and other related com-
ponents were determined immediately after issue
in order to disclose the relationship between the
contents of Rn and RaB. The measurements were
made at Hamamura (Kachimi) Hot Springs, Misasa
Hot Springs, and Sekigane Hot Springs, Tottori
Prefecture, Japan. (From Nuclear Science Ab-
stracts 12:Abstr. No. 2324, 1958)
130 Zyka, V.: (DISTRIBUTION OF THE TRACE ELE-
MENTS IN MINERAL WATERS OF MORAVIA.) Rudy
5, No. 11:1-6, 1957.
By spectral analyses, trace amounts of Cu, Mn, Pb,
among other elements, were detected in the residue
on evaporation of the mineral waters; their asso-
ciations are summarized. (From Chemical Abstracts
56:1300, 1962)
1958
131
Anonymous: ARSENIC AND LEAD ON APPLES.
Lancet 1:959 (May 3), 1958.
Public-health inspectors of Coventry found traces
of Pb and As on the skins and stems of apples from
Lebanon. The contamination was thought to be
caused by a pesticide spray. It is stated that
washing all fruit before eating is adequate pro-
tection from any hazard; peeling and coring pro-
vide an additional safeguard.
132 Babinets, A.E.: (PECULIARITIES IN HYDRO-
GEOCHEMISTRY OF UNDERGROUND WATERS OF THE
LIMITED WATER EXCHANGE OF THE SOUTHWESTERN
PART OF THE RUSSIAN PLATEAU. Geol. Zhur.,
Akad. Nauk Ukr. R.S.R. Inst. Geol. Nauk
18, No. 2:16-29, 1958.
Carboniferous waters are V bearing and contain Co,
and Pb in some cases, and show an increased I con-
tent. (27 references) (From Chemical Abstracts
53:1598, 1959)
133 Borozenets, A.S.: (MINERAL COMPOSITION OF
SCHIZANDRA CHINENSIS GROWN IN DIFFERENT
LOCALITIES.) Materialy k Izuchen. Zhen'-
shenya i Limonnika, Leningrad, Sbornik
1958, No. 3:141-4; Referat. Zhur. Khlm.,
Biol. Khim. 1958, Abstr. No. 30730.
Spectrographic analysis indicated the presence of
trace elements. Cu, Mn, Ni, Mo, Ag, Pb, and Zn
were permanent components of the fruit. Accumula-
tion of trace elements, such as Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn
predominated in the seeds, Ti and Ag in the fruit
juice. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:8320, 1959)
S
134 Duric, D. (Inst. Medicinska Istrazivanja,
Zagreb, Yugoslavia): Otapanje olova iz
glazura zemljanog posuda. (EXTRACTION OF
LEAD FROM LEAD-GLAZED POTTERY.) Arhiv za
Higijenu Rada i Toksikologizu 9:297-303,
1958.
Pb-glazed pottery is widely used in this country,
and is responsible for numerous Pb poisonings both
among peasants and town people. In a series of
cases the analysis of the content of Pb-glazed
pottery and the test of extraction with acetic
acid were carried out. The results are discussed
as regards the factors influencing Pb extraction.
Special attention is paid to the influence of tem-
perature, pH, and the effect of various organic
and inorganic acids. It is pointed out that Pb-
glazed pottery should not be used for storing any
food or drink containing organic acids, nor should
such a content be warmed up or boiled. (From
author's summary)
135 Fischer, H.J.: SIXTY-FIRST REPORT ON FOOD
PRODUCTS AND 49th REPORT ON DRUG PRODUCTS,
1956. Connecticut Agricultural Experiment
Station, Bull. 617, 1958, 86 pp.
This report summarizes examination of foods, drugs,
cosmetics and miscellaneous materials submitted by
the Food and Drug Commissioner and the Commissioner
of Agriculture during the calendar year 1956, as
well as like materials analyzed for the US Geo-
logical Survey, the State Department of Health,
the State Supervisor of Purchases, local health
departments, police and others.
On pp 64 and 65, spray residues are listed. Of 95
samples of apple bark, apple juice, apples, chrys-
anthemums, juniper branches, lettuce, maple leaves,
muck from a pond, peaches, rose bushes, shrubs,
soil, spinach, turf, wine and yew, tested for pest-
icidal residues, no residue was found on 34 sam-
ples while 61 samples gave positive reactions.
The following Pb contents were found: 7.7 ppm in
2 samples of apples and 8.9 ppm in another one.
The stem bark of juniper contained 50 and 25 ppm
Pb; shrubs, 50-100 ppm; soil, 25 ppm; turf from
13th Green, Yale Golf Course, 1-, 2-, and 3-in
depth, good turf, 20, 50 and 15 ppm, respectively,
and wilted turf, 50, 50 and 10 ppm, respectively.
136 Goldberg, E.D., Patterson, C., and Chow,
T. (Scripps Inst. Oceanography, La Jolla,
Calif.): IONIUM-i'HORIUM AND LEAD ISOTOPE
RATIOS AS INDICATORS OF OCEANIC WATER
MASSES. US Atomic Energy Commission Docu-
ment No. A/Conf.15/P/1980, 1958, 7 pp.
The lo-Th ratios and isotopic composition of Pb in
Mn nodules and in deep-sea sediments from the Pa-
cific and Atlantic Oceans have been studied using
a-spectrometric and mass spectrometric techniques,
respectively. The Mn nodules are concretionary
accumulations of oxides of Fe and Mn with appre-
ciable concentrations of such trace metals as Co,
Pb, the rare earths, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Th. These
deposits are unique to the deep-sea floor and the
Fe-Mn phases apparently form from chemical species
in solution in oceanic waters. The deep-sea sedi-
ments analyzed in this study had as principal con-
stituents clay minerals (mainly illites) , detrital
quartz and feldspars, oiogenous opal and phillip-
site. Both the isotopic composition of the Pb and
the lo-Th ratios in surface samples from the sedi-
ments and nodules showed distinct variations be-
tween oceans and also possessed characteristic
values for different localities within the Pacific
Ocean. These results can be interpreted on the
Environmental Surveys
25
-------
oasis that the deep oceanic water masses, which
are in contact with the sediment surfaces, furnish
these isotopes to the sediments. The isotopic
compositions of Pb and Th in these different cir-
culating water masses probably reflect the pre-
vious histories of the waters in the accumulation
and loss of products from the major sedimentary
cycle. Such isotopic analyses in samples from the
deep-sea floor can compliment the classical meth-
ods of study of deep-oceanic circulation which are
based on the distribution of temperature and the
concentrations of dissolved constituents in the
water under consideration or on direct measurement
of the velocities of the water masses. Further,
the possibility of studying the character and be-
navior of deep oceanic waters in past ages presents
itself in the depth distribution of these isotopes
in deep-sea cores. Finally, the validity of rates
of accumulation of deep-sea sediments based upon
lo-Th ratios is considered. Two critical assump-
tions of the method are: the bulk of the lo and Th
enter the sediments from a dissolved form in oce-
anic waters, and the lo/Th ratio in seawater has
been constant over the time period that is being
studied. Certain aspects of the latter assumption
are considered on the basis of residence times of
elements in the oceans and the chemical and miner-
alogical compositions of deep-sea sediments.
(From Nuclear Science Abstracts 12:Abstr. No.
14806, 1958)
137 HyvMrinen, L. (Geol. Tutkimuslaitos,
Otaniemi, Finland): (GEOCHEMICAL PROS-
PECTING FOR LEAD ORE IN KORSNAS (FIN-
LAND) .) Geol. Tutkimuslaitos, Geotekn.
Julkaisuja 1958, No. 61:7-22.
Investigation of erratic boulders was used to
evaluate the movements of the Pleistocene ice
shield. Research yielded data on the CaO and Pb
content. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:16990, 1958)
138 Kefford, J.F. (Food Preservation Research
Lab., Homebush, N.S.W., Australia): THE
LABORATORY EXAMINATION OF CANNED FOODS.
XV. DISSOLVED COPPER AND LEAD. Food
Preservation Quarterly 18:25-9, 1958.
The significance of the occurrence of Cu and Pb in
canned foods and methods for the determination of
these metals are reviewed. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 52:20709, 1958)
139 Masuda, A. (Nagoya Univ., Japan): ISO-
TOPIC COMPOSITION OF PRIMEVAL LEAD OF THE
EARTH.) Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
13:143-52, 1958.
Based on the variation of isotopic composition of
Pb ores, the age of the earth is estimated to be
4.55 billion years. Utilizing 2 radioactive ele-
ments, Th and U, a self-consistent primeval Pb is
obtained, with 204Pb: 206Pb: 207pb:"208pb=l:9.05:
9.81:29.45. These values demonstrate that the
isotopic composition of earth's primeval Pb does
not differ essentially from that of meteorites or
troilite.
140 Mucciolo, P., Campos, M.M. , and Buccheri,
A. (Inst. Nutr., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil):
(PERCENTAGE OF LEAD IN MILK STORED IN
METAL CONTAINERS.) Arquiv. Brasil. Nutr.
14, No. 2:49-58, 1958.
Milk was stored in cans lined with Sn containing
22.2-50.2% Pb, for 5-109 hours. Greatest contam-
ination occurred in cans containing most Pb, but
it was not directly proportional to the amount of
Pb. Increasing acidity of the milk caused greater
contamination, particularly in cans with the high-
er percent of Pb. Pb in the milk ranged from
0.032-0.280% of the milk ash. (From Dairy Science
Abstracts 23:238, 1961; Chemical Abstracts 57:
11609, 1962)
141 Nishimura, M. (Hokkaido Univ., Sapporo,
Japan): (CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF HOT
SPRINGS IN JAPAN. XXXVII; XXXVIII.
SPECTROGRAPHIC STUDIES ON MINOR METALLIC
CONSTITUENTS IN HOT SPRING WATERS OF HOK-
KAIDO. 1; 2.) Nippon Kagaku Zasshi 79:172-
82; 183-7, 1958.
Residues on evaporation from the waters of 107 hot
springs (from 52 localities) in Hokkaido were ex-
amined by direct current arc-spectrographic analy-
sis. Al, B, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Si, and Cu were de-
tected in all the samples. The following elements
were also detected: Li (in 86% of all the
springs), Ti (76), Ba (72), V (69), Pb (62), Ag
(41), Mo (33), Ge (21), Cr (19), P (14), Ni (14),
Ga (12), As (7), W (5), Sb (5), and Zr (4). Ap-
proximate limits of detection of these elements
are given.
Approximate contents of Ge, Pb, and Sb in resi-
dues from hot spring waters were determined.
Relatively high Ge is found in strongly alkaline
and simple springs containing H2S. Ga is found
not only in this type of springs but in strongly
acid waters. Average Pb concentration is V10~3%
with respect to residue on evaporation. The
spring that gives positive lines of Sb always
shows the presence of As. Cr and Ni are detected
in the springs located in the circumference of the
ultra basic rock zone of central Hokkaido. (From
Chemical Abstracts 52:14037, 1958)
142 Penchev, N.P., Pencheva, E.N., and Bon-
chev, P.R.: (SPECTROGRAPHIC INVESTIGA-
TION OF THE TRACE ELEMENTS IN BULGARIAN
MINERAL WATERS.) Compt. Rend. Acad.
Bulgare Sci. 11:375-7, 1958.
A table is presented which shows the temperature
of the various mineral waters, their pH values,
and the spectrographic analyses for Cu, Zn, Pb,
Sn, Sb, Fe, Mn, V, Cr, Ni, Co, Mo, W, Ag, Ti, Al,
Ga, In, Ge, Sr, Ba, Li, As, B, and Be. (From
Chemical Abstracts 53:17380, 1959)
143 Savul, M., and Ababi, V.: (THE COPPER,
ZINC, AND LEAD CONTENT OF SEVERAL TYPES OF
ROMANIAN COAL.) Acad. rep. populare
Romine, Filiala lasi, Studii cercetari
stiin^., Chim. 2:251-69, 1958.
The content of trace elements in the coals was Cu
1.87-14.68, Zn 1.63-48.31, and Pb 0.10-13.45 g/
ton. The amount increased up to Cu 128, Zn 158,
and Pb 51 g/ton in the ash. The amount in the ash
was comparable to that in clays and sedimentary
rocks. The specific surface and adsorption iso-
therms were determined for several coals. The
coals had appreciable adsorptive capacity, and the
elements were adsorbed if their solutions circu-
26
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
lated through the coal layers. (From Chim. et
ind. (Paris) 83:107, 1960; Chemical Abstracts 55:
15884, 1961)
144 Szarski, P.: (CHANGING THE COMPOSITION OF
SOLDER IN FOOD CANS.) PrzemysZ Spozywczy
12:11-3, 1958.
The amount of Pb penetrating into canned food
after 1 yr of storage was not more than 2 ppm
irrespective of the composition of the soldering
material used (ratio of Pb to Sn varied from 70:
30-37:67). (From Chemical Abstracts 52:20711,
1958)
145 Tarantola, C., and Libero, A (Univ. Turin,
Italy): (MICROELEMENTS IN WINE. II.
LEAD.) Riv. Viticol. e Enol. (Conegliano)
11:47-60, 1958.
A Pb content of 0.15 mg/1 was found in white wine
and 0.21 mg/1 in red wine. Six Vermouth samples
contained 0.11-0.22 mg Pb/1. It was found that
during fermentation 29-67% Pb was eliminated from
must, according to the various yeasts used. (From
Chemical Abstracts 53:5582, 1959)
146 Uzumasa, Y., and Akaiwa, H. (Hokkaido
Univ., Sapporo, Japan): (CHEMICAL INVES-
TIGATIONS OF HOT SPRINGS IN JAPAN. XL.
FLUCTUATION OF MINOR CONSTITUENTS OF HOT
SPRING WATERS OF JOZANKEI, HOKKAIDO.)
Nippon Kagaku Zasshi 79:1021-4, 1958.
The fluctuations of Pb were investigated in 2 hot
springs of Jozankei. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:
1599, 1959)
147 Vuorinen, J. (Agr. Research Center, Hel-
sinki, Finland): THE AMOUNTS OF MINOR
ELEMENTS IN FINNISH SOILS. Maataloustie-
teellinen Aikakauskirja 30:30-5, 1958.
The average Mn and Pb content of Finnish soils, as
determined by spectrographic analysis was 617 and
16 ppm, respectively. (From Chemical Abstracts
52:14049, 1958)
148 Williams, H.A.: LEAD AND ARSENIC POISONING
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE TOXICITY OF
LEAD ARSENATE SPRAY RESIDUES. Royal Soci-
ety for the Promotion of Health Journal
78:732-40 (Nov.-Dec.), 1958.
Analyses of 64 samples of 2 varieties of apples
imported in London, England, showed a Pb content
of 0-31 (av 10) ppm, and an As content of 0-16 (av
3.5) ppm. In contrast to popular opinion only 25%
of the total amount of spray residue was found
around the core, calyx and stalk. Less than 1% of
the total As and Pb was detected in the flesh from
peeled fruit while the wrapping papers averaged
600 ppm Pb and 210 ppm As. When the peel from some
apples bearing heavy spray residues was digested
for 2 hr at 37°C in a solution containing 0.13%
HC1 and some pepsin, 1/4 of the Pb and 2/3 of the
As dissolved, whereby it has to be realized that
this experiment reflects only part of the digestive
system. On this basis the approximate daily intake
in vivo from 2 apples would be 0.5 mg Pb and As
each. A review of Pb poisoning in children and
adults is presented and permissible limits for Pb
in food are discussed. There is little reliable
evidence of a synergistic effect of Pb and As. In
comparing the toxicity of Pb and As it appears that
taken frequently over a short period the effects of
As are more harmful but if taken occasionally over
a long period the effects of Pb are more serious.
Legal limits for the As content in food and drinks
are proposed. (40 references)
149 Young, E.G., and Langille, W.M. (Natl. Res.
Council, Halifax; Nova Scotia Agr. Coll.,
Truro): THE OCCURRENCE OF INORGANIC ELE-
MENTS IN MARINE ALGAE OF THE ATLANTIC PROV-
INCES OF CANADA. Canadian Journal of Bot-
any 36:301-10, 1958.
Specimens of numerous marine species of green, red,
and brown algae from the Atlantic coast of Canada
were analyzed for various inorganic elements. The
ranges in concentration were Na 1.6-4.7, K 2.3-
7.1, Ca 0.9-2.3, Si 0.5-2.0% of dry matter; I 20-
2490, Zn 35-97, Cu 6-62, Mn 20-50, As 2-75, F 2-
22, Pb 0.8, Ni 0.3-2, Co 0.1-0.7, and Mo 0.2-1.4
ppm. No seasonal variation was detectable in the
concentration of trace elements in Chondrus cris-
pus. Differences in concentration were observed
between frond and stipe in 2 species of Laminaria.
(From authors' summary; 33 references)
1959
150 Antonov, Yu, G.: (TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE
SOILS OF THE STANISLAV REGION OF THE USSR
AND ENDEMIC GOITER.) Invest. Akad. Nauk
SSSR, Ser. Biol. 1959, No. 2:193-205.
The Pb concentrations in the mountainous parts,
foothills and plains were, respectively, 100, 100,
•65 ppm. (From Chemical Abstracts 54:11353, 1960)
151 Borisova, E.N.: (LEAD CONTENT OF SOIL
AND FOOD PRODUCTS.) Kazansk. Med. Zh.
40, No. 4:88-90, 1959.
Pb content of soil and food products was deter-
mined by the dithizone complex method in those of
Armenia and the Tartar Republics. In Armenian
Pb-bearing soils Pb varied from 5 x 10~3 to 2 x
10"1 and in Tartar soils from 4 x 10~4 to 3 x
10~^% dry weight. Food products in Armenia show-
ed 3 x 10-4 to 1 x 10-3% dry weight Pb, or 2-10
times that in Tartar food (4 x 10~6 to 3 x 10~4%).
Mean (mg/100 g solids) for Tartar and Armenia,
respectively, were: rye 0.0252, 0.1320; wheat
0.0217, 0.2210; corn 0.0040, 0.0070; potato 0.0609,
0.3710; carrots 0.1050, 0.4060; onions 0.0047,
0.0530; onion greens 0.1210, 1.1610; tomatoes
0.1250, 1.0600; beets 0.1020, 0.4810; cabbage
0.1000, 0.4890, and apples 0.0890, 0.1200. Sig-
nificant amounts of Pb were also found in pears
and peaches. Of patients in a high-Pb settlement,
21.5% exhibited nervous system disorders. (From
Chemical Abstracts 58:4965, 1963)
152 Boyle, R.W. (Geol. Surv. Canada, Ottawa):
SOME GEOCHEMICAL CONSIDERATIONS ON LEAD-
ISOTOPE DATING OF LEAD DEPOSITS. Econ.
Geol. 54:130-5 (Jan.-Feb.), 1959.
The validity of age determinations based on the
Pb-isotope ratios of galena or other Pb minerals
in deposits is questioned. A few simple examples
are given to show that fractionation of Pb iso-
topes in geochemical processes is probable. The
geochemical processes through which Pb has passed
Environmental Surveys
27
-------
must be considered in detail before an age can be
assigned to a Pb deposit. (From Nuclear Science
Abstracts 13:Abstract No. 9870, 1959)
153 Chamberlain, G.T. (East African Agr.
Forestry Res. Org., Kikuyu): TRACE ELE-
MENTS IN SOME EAST AFRICAN SOILS AND
PLANTS. I. COBALT, BERYLIUM, LEAD, NICKEL,
AND ZINC. E. African Agr. J. 25:121-5,
1959.
East African soils were found to have a Pb content
of 0.60 ppm. (From Chemical Abstracts 54:6002,
1960)
154 Deschreider, A.R. (Ministry Econ. Affairs,
Brussels, Belgium): Les oligoelements et
1'hygiene alimentaire. (THE OLIGOELEMENTS
AND ALIMENTARY HYGIENE.) Bulletin de la
Societe Scientifique d'Hygiene Alimentaire
et d'Alimentation rationnelle 47, No. 4-6:
124-36, 1959.
The author discusses the occurrence of trace ele-
ments in foods and environment and their absorption
through the alimentary canal. The origins of con-
tamination such as fungicides and pesticides, de-
tergents, disinfectants, atmospheric pollution,
transportation and storage, corrosion, artificial
flavoring, coloring, and machinery, utensils and
packaging materials used in the manufacture and
processing of food products are described in some
detail. Among the elements discussed are Sb, As,
Cd, Br, F, Pb, Se, radioactive fallout (Sr) , Ni,
Fe, Cu, Al, Zn and Sn. The toxicologic conditions
caused by some of these elements and their effect
upon certain enzymes and vitamins are described
from the literature. The survey includes foods
such as fruits and vegetables (fresh and canned),
beverages (water, beer, fruit juices, wine), and
fats, oils, milk and butter. The author concludes
that despite the progress made in the production
and processing of foods, as well as in the use of
packaging materials, pesticides, etc, the problem
of contamination of food products still exists.
To remedy the situation, the author suggests elim-
ination of inferior preservation and packaging
materials, wise and minimal use of metals or their
elimination, and education of the consumer concern-
ing the hygiene of food production and packaging
for his own protection. (58 references)
155 Eristavi, D.I., and Salukyadze, E.D.:
(THE LEAD CONTENT OF CARBON DIOXIDE MIN-
ERAL WATERS OF GEORGIAN SSR.) Tr. Gruz.
Politekhn. Inst. 1959, No. 4:11-3.
Chemical (idometric) and spectral analyses were
made for Pb content of mineral waters of the
Georgian SSR. Pb was not found in mineral waters
of Borzhomi, Nabeglavi, and Sairme. Traces of Pb
were found only by spectral analysis in mineral
water of the Zvare deposit. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 57:4479, 1962)
156 Gayun, K.G.: (FORMATION OF SUBSURFACE WA-
TERS IN THE REGION OF THE TRUSKAVETS
HEALTH RESORT.) Trudy Vsesoyuz. Nauch.-
Issledovatel. Inst. Galurgii, Ministerstvo
Khim. Prom. SSSR 1959, No. 35:331-9.
Waters from the Miocene formations of Truskavets
contained, among other trace elements, somewhat
increased amounts of Pb and Mn. (From Chemical
Abstracts 55:7711, 1961)
157 Gilbert, E., and Grohmann, H. (Chem.
Untersuchungsamt Speyer/Rh, Germany):
(A SIMPLE QUANTITATIVE POLAROGRAPHIC DE-
TERMINATION OF LEAD IN GRAPE JUICE AND IN
WINE.) Deut. Lebensm.-Rundschau 55:300-3,
1959.
Pb content of the ash of wine and grape juices was
0.0-0.17 mg/1. (From Chemical Abstracts 54:10233,
1960)
158 Hem, J.D.: STUDY AND INTERPRETATION OF
ME CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL
WATER. U.S. Geological Survey, Water-
Supply Paper 1473, 1959, 269 pp.
Water sampling and analysis followed standardized
procedure. Traces of Pb, along with B, Ti, Cr,
Ni, Co, Cu, Sn, Cd, and Hg, were widespread. Many
natural waters were radioactive due to Ra and Rn.
159 Imanishi, N. (Univ. Kochi, Japan): (IN-
ORGANIC CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF SEA FISH-
ES.) Records Oceanog. Works Japan, Spec.
No. 3:135-9, 1959.
Pb and Mn were among the elements detected by
spectrographic analysis in ashes of deep-sea fish-
es. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:4810, 1961)
160 Isojima, H.: (IDENTIFICATION OF MATCHES
BY DETERMINATION OF MANGANESE AND LEAD.
II.) Kagaku to Sosa 12:170-4, 1959.
Contents of Cr, Fe, Pb, and Mn in 12 kinds of
match stick heads are listed. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 54:15083, 1960)
161 Jones, D.J.C. (Ministry Agr., Fisheries &
Food, Trawscoed, England): STUDIES OF THE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF KALES AND RAPES.
III. THE MINOR ELEMENTS. Journal of Ag-
ricultural Science 53:151-5, 1959.
Pb was 1 of the elements determined in leaf, stem
and whole plant samples of varieties of marrow
stem and thousand headed kales and varieties of
rapes, using the colorimetric method. Contents in
leaves ranged from 0.4-0.8 ppm dry matter; in
stems, trace-0.4; in whole plant, trace-0.6.
162 Khetchikov, L.N., and Konstantinov, R.M.
(Far Eastern Section of Siberian Branch
Acad. Sci. USSR, Vladivostok): (THE DIS-
TRIBUTION OF ZINC, LEAD, AND COPPER IN THE
COUNTRY ROCKS OF THE FAR EASTERN LEAD DE-
POSITS.) Geol. Rudn. Mestorozhdenii 1959,
No. 4:127-33.
Variations in Cu, Pb, and Zn are not regular in
ore bodies: increase in 1 element is not neces-
sarily followed by increase of the others. This
is almost never true for Pb. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 54:22188, 1960)
163 Kittl, E.: (NEW GEOCHEMICAL DATA ON
ZINC AND LEAD.) Rev. Minera, Geol. y.
Mineralo., Soc. Arg. Mineria y Geol. 24:
41-8, 1959.
Wedepohl's theory concerning the concentration of
Pb by magmatic processes is disputed. (From
Chemical Abstracts 54:11890, 1960)
28
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
164 Klose, J. (Rudolstadt, Germany): Uber das
Vorkommen von Blei im Trinkwasser, (THE
PRESENCE OF LEAD IN DRINKING WATER.)
Zentralblatt flir die Gesamte Hygiene mit
Einschluss der Bakteriologie und Immu-
nitatslehre 5, No. 1:58-63, 1959.
It is demonstrated that in towns and villages the
Pb content of drinking water is often considerably
higher than has been assumed heretofore. The
hygiene of drinking water and the entire field of
medicine may find in these facts the basis for ex-
plaining certain diseases the genesis of which is
now obscure.
165 Merkeshina, L.G.: (COMPARATIVE MINERAL
COMPOSITION OF MILK IN REGIONS OF ENDEMIC
GOITER AS DETERMINED BY SPECTRAL ANALYSIS.)
Sbornik Nauch, Rabot. L'vov. Med. Inst.
17:146-7, 1959.
In endemic goiter regions, the general mineral
content of milk was lower than in regions where
goiter was less prevalent: Pb was among the ele-
ments showing the lowest values, while Mn was
found in higher than usual amounts. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 54:19994, 1960)
166 Milazzo, G. (Inst. superiore sanita, Rome,
Italy): (THE SOLUBILIZATION OF ARSENIC,
LEAD, AND ANTIMONY CONTAINED IN TIN.)
Chim. e Ind. (Milan) 41:128-31, 1959.
The possible toxic effect of Pb contained in the
lining of food tins was examined by testing the
reactivity of alloys of Sn-Pb (Pb:Sn=l.87-0.50)
with 0.1N sulfuric, tartaric, citric and oxalic
acids. Pb was found to pass into solution under
these conditions. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:
22551, 1959)
167 Milazzo, G.: (SOLUBILIZATION OF ARSENIC,
LEAD AND ANTIMONY ULTIMATELY DERIVED FROM
TIN.) Rend. 1st. Super. Sanita 22:397-406,
1959.
Alloys of Sn with 0.166% As, 0.15% Sb, and 0.50-
1.87% Pb were prepared from specially purified Sn.
Neither As or Sb appeared to go into solution when
the Sn-As and Sn-Sb alloys were exposed to 0.IN
^2^04, tartaric acid, citric acid, oxalic acid,
and NaOH for 30 days. The Sn-Pb alloys, in a mix-
ture of citric, lactic, malic, and tartaric acids
(each 0.9%) with 1% NaCl, showed an apparent ten-
dency for Pb to go into solution in proportion to
its % in the alloy. The data are considered too
limited to allow conclusions. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 53:21523, 1959)
168 Nishida, S.: (SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF
CIGARET ASHES.) Kagaku to Sosa 12:226-7,
1959.
Mn was found in 9 kinds of Japanese cigaret ashes
tested; only 2 of them contained Pb which was de-
rived from printing ink for printing the name of
the cigaret on the paper. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 54:15848, 1960)
169 Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission:
WATER QUALITY AND FLOW VARIATIONS. OHIO
RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES - 1956-57. Cincin-
nati, 1959, 168 pp.
The following constituents were determined at
Monitor Stations at 44 locations over a distance
of ^950 mi along the Ohio River and 17 major
tributaries. The Pb concentrations ranged from
0.00-0.03 ppm.
170 Pelissonnier, H.: (A GENERAL GEOLOGIC
CONTROL OF LARGE STRATIFORM DEPOSITS OF
LEAD, ZINC, AND COPPER: "PALEOINSULAR"
STRUCTURE.) Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires
des Stances de 1'Academie des Sciences
248:1691-4, 1959.
The occurrence of stratiform deposits of Pb, Zn,
and Cu on and around paleoinsular or buried-hill
structures is explained by subterranean leaching
by vadose water which ascends in artesian beds
into the buried domes.
171 Rabinovich, A.V., and Baskova, Z.A. (All
Union Sci.-^es. Inst. Geol., Leningrad,
USSR) : (DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN SOME
GRANITIC ROCKS OF EASTERN TRANSBAIKAL .)
Geokhimiya 1959, pp. 546-9.
Rocks studied were of different ages. Pb con-
tents were determined chemically, and results
showed that 37-70% of the Pb of the rocks was
concentrated in the feldspars. The amount of Pb
decreased on passing from granitic rocks of the
polymetallic zones to those of the Mo and Sn
zones. The reverse was true for Pb entering into
galena. (From Chemical Abstracts 54:7462, 1960)
172 Sudarev, P.M., Boiko, V.S., and Arnautov,
N.V.: (THE CONTENT OF SOME TRACE ELEMENTS
IN THE SOILS AND IN THE CROP ASH OF THE
NOVOSIBIRSK REGION.) Izvest. Sibir. Otdel.
Akad. Nauk SSSR, 1959, No. 11:93-5.
The Pb and Mn content in different types of soil
and different crops (alfalfa, maize) is tabulated.
(From Chemical Abstracts 54:9181, 1960)
173 Sveshnikov, G.B. (Vestnik Leningrad Univ.
USSR): (AN EXPERIMENT TO INVESTIGATE OXI-
DATION-REDUCTION POTENTIALS OF WATERS OF
SOME POLYMETALLIC DEPOSITS OF RUDNYl'
ALTAI.) Vestnik Leningrad. Univ. 14, No.
12; Ser. Geol. i Geograf. 1959, No. 2:59-
67.
Pb was found in the waters from ore deposits.
(From Chemical Abstracts 53:22632, 1959)
1960
174 Catanzaro, E.J., and Cast, P.W. (Columbia
Univ., New York, N.Y.): ISOTOPIC COMPOSI-
TION OF LEAD IN PEGMATITIC FELDSPARS.
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 19:113-
26, 1960.
The concentration of Pb in 25 feldspars was 20-
500 ppm, and the highest values were found in pure
white feldspar. (From Chemical Abstracts 54:
18230, 1960)
175 Chernyakohov, V.B.: (BASIC TRACE ELEMENTS
IN SOILS AROUND THE CITY OF NAL'CHIK.)
Uch. Zap., Kabardino-Balkarsk. Cos. Univ.,
Ser. Sel'skokhoz. 1960, No. 8:87-90.
In 2 soil samples taken (meadow chernozem, gray
forest), it was found that the amounts of Cu, Pb,
and Zn were many times higher than normal (in the
Environmental Surveys
29
-------
Central Russian Plain). The elements are concen-
trated in the illuvial layer and their levels were
inversely proportional to humus content. (From
Chemical Abstracts 57:11584, 1962)
176 Dobrovol'skii, G.V., and Yakushevskaya,
I.V. (State Univ., Moscow): CERTAIN CHAR-
ACTERISTICS OF TRACE ELEMENT DISTRIBUTION
IN RIVER VALLEY SOILS.) Vestnik Moskov.
Univ., Ser. VI 15, No. 5:57-70, 1960.
The amount of Pb and Mn were determined by emis-
sion spectroscopy. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:
14782, 1961)
177 Gilewska, C. (State Inst. Hyg., Warsaw,
Poland) : (INVESTIGATION OF THE CONTAMINA-
TION OF FOODS BY TOXIC METALS (LEAD, AR-
SENIC, AND COPPER) FROM PAPER WRAPPINGS.)
Roczniki Panstwowego Zak^adu Hig. 11:163-
72, 1960.
Butter, cheese, marmalade, and candy kept for 3-
10 mo in 22 types of paper and cellophane wrap-
pings containing up to 1300 ppm Pb showed no >2
ppm Pb which is the accepted standard in Poland.
(From Chemical Abstracts 55:5794, 1961)
178 Gillberg, M.: (A LEAD-BEARING VARIETY OF
PARGASITE FROM L&NGBAN, SWEDEN.) Arkiv
Mineral. Geol. 2:425-30, 1960.
An amphibole containing 2.12% PbO has been dis-
covered from Langban. The Pb amphibole is re-
garded as a variety of pargasite. (From Chemical
Abstracts 54:13998, 1960)
179 Ginzburg, I.I., Mukanov, J.M., and Pol-
uzerov, N.P. (Inst. Geol. Ore Deposits,
Petrog., Mineral, and Geochem., Acad. Sci.,
Moscow, USSR): (COPPER AND LEAD IN SOILS
OF THE USPENSK COPPER DEPOSIT IN CENTRAL
KAZAKHSTAN.) Geokhimiya 1960:339-44.
A study of biogeochemical prospecting for Cu at
the Uspensk deposit revealed Pb in only 15 of the
42 soil cross sections. Its concentration ranged
from 50-80 ppm. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:
15239, 1961)
180 Godt, K.J., and Sommermeyer, K. (Univ.
Freiburg/Breisgau, Germany): (THE RaD
CONTENT OF PLANTS OBTAINED BY A y SPEC-
TROSCOPIC MLTHOD.) Atomkernenergie
5:282-5 (July-Aug.), 1960.
The various kinds of radioactive compounds in
plants are not only of incerest from the science
point of view but the knowledge is also required
for critical judgment of questions regarding
radiation protection. The RaD-content in plants,
after all, is quite considerable as it can be
measured by y-spectrographical methods, whereby
the 46.5 kev-line can be regarded as proof.
(From Nuclear Science Abstracts 14: Abstr. No.
21219, 1960)
181 Hansen, R.O., Vidal, R.D., and Stout, P.R.
(Kearney Foundation of Soil Sci., Univ.
Calif., Berkeley): RADIOISOTOPES IN SOILS:
PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. In R.S.
Caldecott and L.A. Snyder, eds.: A Sym-
posium on Radioisotopes in the Biosphere.
Minnesota, University of Minnesota Center
for Continuation Study of the General Ex-
tension Division, 1960, pp. 23-36.
The physical-chemical composition of radioelements
in soils as reviewed by the authors is said to be
as complicated as soil chemistry itself, but with
the added features of radioelements being trans-
formed continuously into new elements. Soil chem-
istry is considered from the point of view of a
3-phase system: gas, liquid, solid. Of these,
the liquid phase represents every kind of radio-
element occurring in nature along with all of the
essential mineral elements which plants must ex-
tract from soils in order to grow. Pb, of which
the 210 isotope is included in the review, is one
of the nonessential elements which is nonetheless
absorbed by plants and has analogous chemical re-
actions to essential elements.
182 Holtzman, R.B.: THE RaD CONTENT OF SOME
POTABLE WATERS IN ILLINOIS. In Argonne
National Laboratory Radiological Physics
Division Semiannual Report, Appendix III.
US Atomic Energy Commission Document No.
ANL-6199, 1960, pp. 115-8.
Water samples (1-2 1) were obtained from 15 dif-
ferent locations in Illinois to determine the
RaD (210pb) content of some potable waters. The
results of the measurements are presented in a
table and show a correlation between 226Ra and RaD
contents (-0.09-0.39 ppCi/1) of the samples ex-
cept in Peoria 2 and LaSalle where they were some-
what higher and those from Cuba which were low.
183 Idzikowski, A., and Trzebiatowski, W.: OC-
CURRENCE OF CERTAIN TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE
ASHES OF UPPER SILESIAN BITUMINOUS COALS.
I Bull. Acad. Polon. Sci., SSr. Sci.,
Chim., Geol. et Geograph. 8:225-33, 1960.
A report is given of Mn, V, Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn,
and Ge contents in the ashes of bituminous coals
from various seams of the coal pits Radzionkow and
Julian. The Zn and Pb contents are up to 1 and
that of Ge02 0.08, the average of 60 samples from
1 coal seam being 0.04%. The determinations were
made by spectrographic methods. (From Chemical
Abstracts 55:15244, 1961)
184
185
Isojima, F.: ANALYSIS OF THE COMPONENTS
OF MATCH-HEADS AND DIFFERENTIATION OF
MATCHES. III. Kagaku Keisatsu Kenkyousho
Hokoku 13:50-4, 1960; Chemical Abstracts
55:14755, 1961.
Kashkai, M.A., and Askerbeili, E.K. (Azer-
baidzhan State Univ., USSR): (MINERAL WA-
TER DEPOSIT IN ADZHIKEND IN THE KHANLAR-
SKII DISTRICT.) Uch. Zap. Azerb. Univ.,
Ser. Geol.-Geogr. Nauk,"l960, No. 5:3-18.
Pb was detected spectrally in water from Adzhikend
springs. (From Chemical Abstracts 57:1992, 1962)
186 Kick, H. (Univ. Bonn, Germany): (THE USE
OF COMPOSTS FOR SOIL IMPROVEMENT AND IN-
CREASE OF YIELDS.) Trans. Intern. Congr.
Soil Sci., 7th, Madison, Wise. I960, 3:
321-8. (Pub. 1961)
When additions of 50 tons of fermented composts/
hectare are made, the availability of Cu, Pb, Zn,
Ge, Mn, and B amounts to but a few hundred g/
30
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
hectare. Detrimental effects to man are not like-
ly. (From Chemical Abstracts 57:6346, 1962)
187 Lafon, K. , Couillaud, P., Caumeil, M., and
Marche, M.: (LEAD CONTENT OF COGNAC BRAN-
DY.) Ann. Inst. Nat. Recherche Agron.,
Ser. E 9:109-16, 1960.
Most cognacs have less than 0.2 mg Pb/1, thus
meeting British import regulations. Some very old
cognacs contain 0.3 mg/1 Pb. Such levels may be
due to contact with Pb solder in the bottling
plant, or, if the cork is not paraffined, in the
bottle seal, or to keeping in crystal glass.
(From Chemical Abstracts 55:18004, 1961)
188 Makarochkin, B.A., and Udenich, D.M.:
(MINERALS IN HONEY.) Pchelovodstvo 37,
No. 11:34, 1960.
Chemical analysis of the ash of honey (raspberry-
fireweed) showed: Si 24.57, Al 13.41, Mg 8.36,
P 4.61, Mn 2.14, Fe 1.97, Ti 0.08, Mo 0.02,
Cu 0.01%. Spectrographic analysis showed the
presence of Be, Mn, Pb, Sn, Si, Ga, Fe, Al, V, Ti,
Cu, Ni, Zr, Ag. An increased content of Mo, Cu,
and Ti can indicate their presence in the soil;
such analyses can help in detecting the presence
of such minerals in the soil. (From Biological
Abstracts 38:Abstr. No. 9086, 1962)
189 Medvedeva, I.V. (Nutr. Lab. Novosiber.
Sci.-Res. San. Inst., USSR): K voprosu o
soderzhanii svintsa v pechenochnykh kon-
servakh. (CONTENT OF LEAD IN CANNED LIVER
PRODUCTS.) Gigiena i Sanitariya 25:105-
7 (Aug.), 1960.
The analysis by the standard method, of canned
liver products (meat pies) after storage for up to
10 yr revealed Pb in 15 of 22 samples, while Pb
was not found in the product before canning. The
transfer of Pb from the cans was not connected
with the duration of storage and was not related
to the Sn content (eg, 1 sample contained 10.4 mg/
kg Sn and 1.33 mg/kg Pb, another, 13.4 Sn and
1.67 Pb, and still another (9-yr storage), 111.8
Sn and no detectable Pb.) The author concludes
that at normal conditions of storage, liver prod-
ucts may be stored 9-10 yr without change in or-
ganoleptic or chemical properties. (11 refer-
ences)
190 Nagy> Z-> Porcsalmy, I., Andrassy, K.,
Dezsb1, I., Kovacs, E., and Polyik, E.
(Med. Univ., Debrecen, Hungary): A hajd-
uszoboszloi hBforrasvizek kemiai elemzese.
(CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF HAJDUSZOBOSZLO THER-
MAL SPRINGS.) Hidrologiai KBzlHny 40:300-
3, 1960.
Analysis of the Hajduszoboszlo thermal springs
gave a Pb content of 18-48 pg/1.
191 Radkevich, E.A., Lobanova, G.M., Tomson,
I.N., Borodaev, Y.S., Mozgova, N.N.,
Khetchikov, L.N., Aleksandrov, A. I.,
Solyanikov, V.P., and Smirnov, S.I.:
GEOLOGY OF THE LEAD-ZINC DEPOSITS OF THE
MARITIME TERRITORY. Trudy Inst. Geol.
Rudnykh Mestorozhden., Petrog., Mineral.
i Geokhim. 34:5-326, 1960.
The geology of the 01 'ga-Tetyukhe region is de-
scribed, and analyses of galena are included in
the data presented. Water samples, taken at var-
ious depths from the surface down to 90 m, show
increase in Zn, Cu, and Pb at 10-20 and 20-30 m
depth; at 20-40 m levels, the concentrations of
these elements decrease strongly; the decrease is
less pronounced at still greater depths. (From
Chemical Abstracts 55:15238, 1961)
192 Russell, R.D., and Farquhar, R.M.: LEAD
ISOTOPES IN GEOLOGY. New York, Inter-
science Publishers, 1960, 243 pp.
As stated in the preface, the prime object of the
monograph by the Canadian authors was to draw to-
gether the various ideas which they had earlier
expressed on the subject, and to present them as a
coherent statement. The isotopes of common Pb is
the main concern and the dating of U and Th is
dealt with in less greater detail. Included in the
book are a number of tables of useful functions
made with the cooperation of the Computation Centre,
University of Toronto, which are found invaluable
in carrying out calculations from measured Pb iso-
tope ratios. Several hundred isotopic analyses of
common Pb are included in an appendix, some of
them derived from earlier literature, while others
represent Toronto analyses and are published here
for the 1st time. (106 references.)
193 Uzumasa, Y., and Akaiwa, H. (Hokkaido
Univ., Sapporo, Japan): (CHEMICAL IN-
VESTIGATIONS OF HOT SPRINGS IN JAPAN. LV.
HOT SPRINGS OF NARUGO, MIYAGI PREFECTURE.)
Nippon Kagaku Zasshi 81:567-70, 1960.
Studies on 6 hot springs showed that Pb and Mn
were among the elements found mostly in waters
with low pH. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:3882,
1961)
194 Yakushevskaya, I.V. (State Univ., Moscow,
USSR): (THE TRACE ELEMENTS IN SEVERAL
SOILS OF OPOL'YA.) Pochvovedenie 1960, No.
6:92-6.
The soil samples contained, among other elements,
700-1700 mg Mn and 19-24 mg Pb/kg soil. (From
Chemical Abstracts 54:21577, 1960)
1961
195 Balks, R. (J.-Koenig~Inst., Munster/Westf.,
Germany): (LEAD CONTENT OF SOIL.) Kali-
Brief e, Fachgeb. 1, No. 11:1-7, 1161.
Analysis of 70 soil samples from Westfalen-Lippe
showed on crop land an average Pb content of 29.5
mg/kg. The average Pb content in soils of grass-
land was 33.7 mg/kg. A relation of clay content
to Pb content was observed. Due to a former
mining of Pb ore near the village of Boenkhausen
the soils of a small-brook area contained >0.5%
Pb and caused toxic symptoms in livestock. (From
Chemical Abstracts 57:1295, 1962)
19$ Belvakova, E.E.: (LAWS GOVERNING THE WA-
TER MIGRATION OF COPPER, LEAD, AND ZINC
AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN PROSPECTING.)
Sovet. Geol. 1961, No. 1:98-108.
Data on the distribution of Cu, Pb, and Zn in min-
eral waters of different metallogenic zones are
given. The concentration of Pb is lowered in
Environmental Surveys
31
-------
neutral and weakly alkaline waters. The role of
sorption in the water migration of the three ele-
ments is discussed. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:
15239, 1961)
197 Durum, W.H., and Haffty, J.: OCCURRENCE
OF MINOR ELEMENTS IN WATER. U.S. Geologi-
cal Survey, Circular No. 445, 1961, 11 pp.
A composite is presented of 3 studies with the use
of separate spectrographic methods for the deter-
mination of minor elements in natural water. The
mechanics of each of the methods are briefly des-
cribed. The major study updates basic information
in Clarke's "Data of Geochemistry," and provides
current data on rates of continental chemical
losses to the oceans. In this study, water samples
obtained from the lower reaches just above the tide
of selected rivers were quantitatively analyzed
for a variety of the most frequently tound minor
metals: Sr, Ba, Li, Rb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, B, Ti,
Mo, Mn, and V. The 2nd study relates to the pres-
ence of Sr.
Pb ranges in ug/1 for locations along the select-
ed rivers in the US and Canada were: Apalachicola
River, State Highway 20, near Blounstown, Fla.,
2.1-6.2; Atchafalaya River, railroad bridge, US
Highway 190, Krotz Springs, La., 1.1-11; Colorado
River, bridge, US Highway 80, Yuma, Ariz., <8.0-
16; Columbia River below the Dulles Dam, ^3 mi
above The Dalles, Ore., 1.2-5; Hudson River at Ford
Motor Co. power plant at Green Island, N.Y., 2.9-
11; Mississippi River, above bridge on US Highway
190 near Baton Rouge, La., 4.0-9.4; Mobile River,
Mount Vernon Landing, Ala., 1.2-15; Sacramento
River, tower bridge on Capital St., Sacramento,
Calif., 0-4.5; Susquehanna River, at hydroelectric
plant spillway, Conowingo, Md., 1.1-7.2; Yukon
River, Mountain Village, Alaska, 1.5-8.6; Churchill
River, east of island off Drachm Point, 8 mi south
of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, 2.5-4.3; Fraser
River, Mission City, British Columbia, Canada,
<0.62-3.9; MacKenzie River, ^3 mi upstream from
separation, at Arctic Red River, Northwest Terri-
tory, Canada, 2.9-7.6; Nelson River, near Amery,
Manitoba, Canada, upstream at Kelsey powersite,
0-22; St. Lawrence River, water works plant, Levis,
Quebec, Canada, 3.2-55.
198 Fillpovic, Z., Stankovic, B., and Dusic,
Z. (Univ. Belgrade, Yugoslavia): DISTRI-
BUTION OF Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, AND Co IN SOIL
IN RELATION TO SOIL pH CHANGES. Soil Sci-
ence 91:147-50 (Feb.), 1961.
Polarographic analyses of certain Yugoslavian sur-
face soils (0-4 in) and subsoils (4-12 in) for Cu,
Pb, Zn, Ni, and Co (colorimetrically) were made
along with pH values. Pb was evenly distributed
throughout the samples, the surface soil being
richer in Pb than the subsoil. AS Pb content de-
creased, pH increased. Changes in trace element
content were also accompanied by corresponding
changes in pH values. Further research is sug-
gested. The Pb analyses were on samples from
Trepca and Ajvalija, the 1st being near a Pb mine.
In 3 samples from Trepca surface soil Pb content
was 516, 500, and 452 ppm with pH of 6.75, 6.91,
and 6.91, respectively; in subsoil, 126, 84, and
133, with pH 6.65, 6.65, and 6.75. Ajvalija top-
soil, 24 and 82 with pH 6.05 and 6.10; subsoil,
10 and 17 with pH 5.85 and 5.50.
199 Helliwell, T.M. (California Inst. Tech.,
Pasadena): OSCILLATOR STRENGTHS OF LEAD
AND THE LEAD ABUNDANCE IN THE SUN.
Astrophys. J. 133:566-71 (Mar.), 1961.
The oscillator strengths of 4 transitions in neu-
tral Pb were calculated and compared with recent
experimental results. The method of calculation
is described. These values are used to investi-
gate the problem of Pb abundance in the sun, which
is compared with the abundance predicted by the
theory of stellar nucleosynthesis. (From Nuclear
Science Abstracts 15: Abstr. No. 16272, 1961)
200 Horiguchi, S. : LEAD CONTENT OF FOODS: A
REVIEW. Rodo no Kagaku 14, No. 10:665-71,
1959. In Contributions from the Depart-
ment of Preventive Medicine and Public
Health, Osaka City University Medical
School, Vol. 2, April 1959-March 1961, p.
57.
201 Kulik, A.A., and Barabash, T.P.: (CON-
TENT OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN GORNYI ALTAI
APPLES.) Tr. 1-oi (Pervoi) Vses. Konf. po
Biol. Aktivnym Veshchestvam Plodov i Ya-
god, Sverdlovsk 1961:119-24.
Pb was found in 2 of 7 varieties of upper foot-
hill apples; traces of Pb were present in 38 of
140 varieties of lower foothill apples. (From
Chemical Abstracts 59:6725, 1963)
202 Legatowa, B.: (TOXIC SUBSTANCES FROM
LEAD-TIN PACKAGES USED IN THE COSMETIC
INDUSTRY.) Rocznikl Panstwowego Zakladu
Hig. 12:329-38, 1961.
Tin plate prevents the migration of metals to
acidic and highly basic cosmetics by stabilizing
the Pb cathode. Tin plating has to be accurate;
otherwise microbatteries are formed, and deep cor-
rosion of Pb occurs resulting in large amounts of
Pb dissolving in the cosmetic. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 55:27784, 1961)
203 Novikova, E.P. (Med. Inst., Lvov, USSR):
(TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE DRINKING WATER OF
THE LVOV DISTRICT AND ENDEMIC GOITER.)
Gigiena i Sanit. 29, No. 9:80-2, 1961.
Pb, Al, Fe, and Mn were present in about equal
concentrations in regions of endemic goiter and in
those without it. (From Chemical Abstracts 56:
7059, 1962)
204 Rama, K.M., and Goldberg, E.D. (Univ.
California, La Jolla): LEAD-210 IN NATUR-
AL WATERS. Science 134:98-9 (July 14),
1961.
The distribution of 210pb, which enters the oceans
subsequent to its production in the atmosphere by
222Rn decay, shows an increase with depth in
sea water. By use of a simplified two-layer model
of the ocean, a residence time of Pb in the upper
mixed layer of <2 yr is derived. It is suggested
that the marine biosphere is responsible for the
conveyance of Pb from surface to deeper waters.
The distribution of 21°Pb in the Colorado River
indicated rapid removal along the path from its
32
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
origin in the feed waters to the reservoir at Lake
Mead. (authors' summary)
205 Rankine, B.C. (Australian Wine Res. lust.,
Adelaide): LEAD CONTENT OF AUSTRALIAN
BRANDIES. Journal of the Science of Food
and Agriculture 12:194-6, 1961.
Analysis of 37 Australian brandies revealed 0.01-
0.06 ppm Pb, mean 0.029 ppm. One sample contained
0.25 ppm. No correlation was found between the Pb
content and the age, type of still, or total acidi-
ty. The significance of the results, in view of
the proposed British limit of 0.5 ppm,is discussed.
206 Stebbins, A.K., III.: SECOND SPECIAL RE-
PORT ON THE HIGH ALTITUDE SAMPLING PRO-
GRAM (HASP). Technical Analysis Report.
US Atomic Energy Commission Document No.
DASA-539B, 1961, 243 pp.
Progress is reported in the High Altitude Sampling
Program (HASP). A study of natural radionuclides
in the stratosphere is included. This assisted in
measurement of stratospheric processes. Elements
studied include l^C, 3n, 210Pb) ?Be, and 32p. 7ge
and 32p concentrations in the stratosphere were
about that expected from cosmic ray production.
210pt in the stratosphere may partially result from
equatorial bomb tests. Comments are presented on
surface fallout measurements which corroborate the
HASP measurements. Seasonal and latitudinal ef-
fects were noted. Contributions of French tests
were calculated. Hazard of radioactive fallout was
assessed by nuclide and dose type. The 30 yr ge-
netic or whole body dose in the US from 1-^'Cs and
elements of shorter 1/2 life is shown to be <100
mrem or <3% of the natural background. Lifetime,
70 yr, somatic bone dose to children in the US, is
shown to be ^200 mrem of which 1/2 is from 90Sr.
This is <2% of the population MPD. U-2 operational
scenes, constants and conversion factors, and a
summary of nuclear detonations are included. (From
Nuclear Science Abstracts 15:Abstr. No. 3279, 1961)
207 Tew, R.P., Sillibourne, J.M., and Silva-Fer-
nandes, A.M. (East Mailing Res. Sta., Kent,
England): PESTICIDE RESIDUES ON FRUIT. V.
HARVEST RESIDUES OF CODLING MOTH INSECTI-
CIDES ON APPLES. Journal of the Science of
Food and Agriculture 12:666-74, 1961.
Persistence and harvest residues of various insecti-
cides used to control codling moth on apples were
examined. Pb arsenate left undesirable residues
under some conditions of application. Since the
ratio of Pb to As in PbHAs04 is 2.77:1, but higher
ratios are found when aged residues are analyzed,
Pb constitutes as serious a health hazard as As,
and for this reason the authors suggest the need
for limits.
208 Tugarinov, A.I., and Zykov, S.I.: (LEAD
ISOTOPES IN ORE DEPOSITS OF THE CAUCASUS
AND CENTRAL ASIA.) Byull. Komissii po
Opredelen. Absolyut. Vozrasta Geol. For-
matsii, Akad. Nauk SSSR, Otdel. Geol.-
Geograf. Nauk 1961, No. 4:66-76.
The isotopic composition of Pb was determined in
Pb deposits of Central Asia in mineralizations of
Variscan and Alpian ages. Pb from the Alpian de-
posits has a very variable isotopic composition.
(From Chemical Abstracts 56:208, 1962)
209 Udodov, P.A., and Parilov, Yu.S. (Poly-
tech. Inst., Tomsk, Russia): (SOME REG-
ULARITIES IN THE MIGRATION OF METALS IN
NATURAL WATERS.) Geokhimiya 1961:703-7.
A hydrogeochemical study was conducted in 15 re-
gions in Siberia from which waters were analyzed
for their ore components. Pb was grouped with
those metals which migrate in natural waters.
(From Chemical Abstracts 57:8357, 1962)
210 Uzumasa, Y., and Akaiwa, H. (Hokkaido Univ.,
Sapporo, Japan): (CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS
OF HOT SPRINGS IN JAPAN. LX. MINOR METAL-
LIC CONSTITUENTS OF HOT-SPRING WATERS.)
Nippon Kagaku Zasshi 82:834-7, 1961.
In 72 water samples of hot springs, Pb showed a
positive correlation with pH and sulfate and a
negative correlation with hydrogen sulfate and
C1-. (From Chemical Abstracts 56:4531, 1962)
1962
211 Buraeva, M.I.: (SALT COMPOSITION OF DRINK-
ING WATER FROM VARIOUS SOURCES IN THE ALEK-
SANDRO-ZAVODSK AND BALEI AREA OF THE CHITA
REGION.) Voprosy Gigieny v Vostochnoi
Zabaikal'e, Chita, Sbornik 1962:67-9.
Subsurface waters from drill holes and mine shafts
in the Aleksandro-Zavodsk area had a low content of
Pb while water from other sources had elevated con-
centrations. In the Bale! area, water from springs
and mine shafts was of good quality, but that from
drilling and deep wells was not, because of high
Pb and As contents. (From Ref. Zh., Geol. 1964:
Abstr. No. 6E51; Chemical Abstracts 61:11748, 1964)
212 Cannon, H.L., and Bowles, J.M. (US Geo-
logical Survey, Denver, Colo.): CONTAMI-
NATION OF VEGETATION BY TETRAETHYL LEAD.
Science 137:765-6 (Sept. 7), 1962.
The Pb content of vegetation growing along the
highways was determined in 3 areas: Denver, Colo.,
Canandaigua, N.Y., and Washington County, Md. In
the Denver area, plant ash contained 100-700 ppm Pb
in samples collected within 5 ft of the highway,
and <5-50 ppm in samples collected 500-1000 ft from
the highway. Grass collected at an intersection
which carries a heavy volume of traffic contained
3000 ppm Pb. Effect of wind direction on Pb con-
tent of vegetation was shown in samples collected
along a highway which has a traffic volume of 4300
cars/day; grass that contained >50 ppm extended
100 ft east from the highway but for only 10 ft to
the west against the prevailing winds. Analysis of
homegrown vegetables in Canandaigua, N.Y., collect-
ed <50 ft from the street showed <10-700 ppm Pb (av
115) in contrast to an expected value of <5-20 ppm
Pb. Soil samples averaged 515 ppm Pb. A similar
relationship was found in Washington County, Md.
Samples collected within 25 ft of any road con-
tained 80 ppm Pb (av), but samples collected >500
ft from a road contained only 20 ppm Pb (av).
213 De Jager, C., and Neven, L. (Observatory,
Utrecht, Netherlands): THE ABUNDANCE OF
LEAD IN THE SUN. Bull. Astron. Inst.
Environmental Surveys
33
-------
Neth. 16:307-11, 1962.
On dry days at the Jungfraujoch Observatory, when
the amount of water in the atmosphere was very low,
a faint line was observed in the sun's spectrum
at 7229.036 A, which is in good agreement with
the wavelength of a Pb line at 7229.008 A. From
an equivalent width of 0.26 mA, measured for the
solar line, a value of 1.4 x 10~H relative to H
was derived for the abundance of Pb in the sun,
in good agreement with the terrestrial abundance.
(From Chemical Abstracts 58:10857, 1963)
214 Fijinaga, T., Morii, F. , and Kanchiku, Y.
(Univ. Kyoto, Japan): (CHEMICAL STUDIES
ON THE OCEAN. XC. CHEMICAL STUDIES ON -
SEAWEEDS 15. SIMULTANEOUS POLAROGRAPHIC
DETERMINATION OF ZINC, COPPER, AND LEAD
IN SEAWEEDS.) Nippon Kagaku Zasshi 83:
1033-5, 1962.
A sample of seaweed was decomposed by nitric acid
and perchloric acid. Zn, Cu, and Pb were extract-
ed with dithizone in carbon tetrachloride at pH
9.0 in the presence of citrate; the ions were
back extracted into 6N HCL. Polarographic deter-
mination was made in 2 different supporting elec-
trolytes; 0.1M ammonium acetate + 0.025M KSCN
+ 0.1% gelatin and 0.5M ammonium acetate + 0.1M
tartaric acid +0.1% gelatin. Five samples of
Eisenia bicyclis contain Zn 109-127, Cu 11-24,
Pb 7-16 Ug/g °f sample dried at 105°. (From
Chemical Abstracts 58:14442, 1963)
215 Grant, C.L., and Pramer, D. (Rutgers
Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.): MINOR-ELE-
MENT COMPOSITION OF YEAST EXTRACT. Jour-
nal of Bacteriology 84, No. 4:869-70,
1962.
The ash of yeast extract showed on analysis 6.8
ug Pb/g of dry weight.
216 Kee, N.S., and Bloomfield, C. (Rothemsted
Expt. Sta., Harpenden, England): THE EF-
FECT OF FLOODING AND AERATION ON THE MOBIL-
ITY OF CERTAIN TRACE ELEMENTS IN SOILS.
Plant and Soil 16, No. 1:108-35, 1962.
Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Pb, V, and Mo were mobilized when
soils were flooded and incubated anaerobically with
plant material. Chrotnite was unreactive under
these conditions, but Cr was mobilized in a soil
of normal composition. Among the reactions de-
scribed, flooding and redrying increased the ex-
tractability of Fe and trace metals; Pb was immo-
bilized to a certain extent with respect to water
and neutral ammonium acetate, probably because Pb
carbonate was formed. In general, reoxidation
decreased the amount of material extractable by
water, but this decrease was partly offset by
corresponding increases in the acetate fractions.
(From authors' summary; 23 references)
217 Los, L.I., and Pyatnitskaya, L.K. (Div.
Public Hyg., Saratov Med. Inst., USSR):
Soderzhanie medi, margantsa, molibdena,
nikelya i svintsa v nekotorykh pishchevykh
produktakh rastitel'nogo proiskhozhdeniya
saratovskoi oblasti. (CONTENT OF COPPER,
MANGANESE, MOLYBDENUM, NICKEL AND LEAD IN
SOME FOOD PRODUCTS OF PLANT ORIGIN IN THE
SARATOV REGION.) Voprosy Pitaniia 21:82-
3 (Nov.-Dec.), 1962.
The spectrographic method was used for the deter-
mination of the title elements in food products
collected in 1960. The Pb contents were as fol-
lows: white cabbage (not determined); rye, 0.012,
wheat, 0.011, and potatoes, 0.039 mg%.
218 Lllthi, H. (Swiss Exptl. Station, WHden-
swil): Toleranzen fUr Schwermetalle in
FruchtsHften. (Empfehlungen der Inter-
nationalen Fruchtsaftunion.) (TOLERANCES
FOR HEAVY METALS IN FRUIT JUICES. RECOM-
MENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FRUIT
JUICE UNION.) Schweizerische Zeitschrift
fUr Obst- und Weinbau 71:412-15, 445-8;
FlUssiges Obst. 29, No. 10, X:ll-4, 1962.
The metal content of processed fruit juices and
the necessity of establishing tolerance limits is
discussed. The metals considered here are Cu, Pb,
and Zn. On the basis of the literature, the daily
ingestion of 0.7-1 mg Pb may have toxic effects on
man.
For reasons of comparison, the content of these
metals in some Swiss drinking water supplies is
listed. In the case of Pb, it ranged from 0.001-
0.081 mg Pb/1; stagnant tap water may contain as
much as 0.26 mg Pb/1. Apples contain 0.01-0.16 mg
Pb/kg, grapes 0.01-1.22; commercial apple and
grape juice, 0-0.3 (av 0.06) and 0.1-1.22 (av 0.5)
mg Pb/1, respectively. Considering the fact that
fruit juices are consumed for health and dietetic
purposes, their Pb content should not exceed 0.5
mg/1. (25 references)
219 Lyubofeev, V.N., Balitskii, V.S., and
Cherkasov, M.I.: (A BIOGEOCHEMICAL METH-
OD.) Tr. po Geol. i Polezn. Iskopaemym
Sev. Kavkaza 1962, No. 2:281-7.
Experimental biogeochemical investigations were
conducted in areas of known polymetallic deposits
in the mountainous forested part of the northwest
Caucasus. Biogeochemical samples were taken at
intervals of 20-30 m along profiles 50-70 m from
each other and transverse to the strike of silica-
sulfide veins and zones. Two to 5 varieties were
selected at each point to get typical indicator
plants. Most of the samples were eastern beech
and Caucasian fir. A slab of bark 5 x 10 cm was
cut from these trees (tree diameter 0.4-1.0 m)
1.5m above the thick end; the sample weight was
200 g. The samples were burned in the field in
a closed container, and then reduced to ash in
muffle ovens in the laboratory and analyzed spec-
trally. Pb and Cu were much better assimilated
by the trees than Zn. Fir, pine, and ferns were
the best accumulators of Pb. A chart of Pb and Zn
distribution was constructed from these results;
on this chart a metal content in plants 50-100
times greater than the background concentrations
indicates the presence of mineralization. Because
of the high sensitivity of the method, small as
well as large ore streaks can be located. This
biochemical method can be used successfully for
prospecting for polymetallic ore shows in wooded
areas with deep porous deposits, where metallo-
metry does not give the required effect. (From
Ref. Zh., Geofiz. 1963, Abstr. No. 7D42; Chemical
Abstracts 60:7805, 1964)
34
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
220 Michelson, I., Thompson, J.C., Jr., Hess,
B.W. , and Comar, C.L. (Consumers Union of
U.S., Mt. Vernon, N.Y.): RADIOACTIVITY IN
TOTAL DIET. Journal of Nutrition 78:371-83
(Dec.), 1962.
Exposure of the human population to radiation from
nuclear debris occurs predominantly from ingestion
of radionuclides in food and water. Total diet
samples collected in 1961 from 10 to 25 major ci-
ties in the United States were analyzed for radio-
nuclides (90Sr> 137Cr> 144Ce> 239pu> 65Zn)( for
natural radioactivity (226^a> 210p|,j 4°K) and for
the stable nuclides of Ca and K. Average daily
intakes of 210pb were found as 4yyCi.
221 Mirchev, Sv.: (CHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF
THE SOILS OF SMOLYAN HEMATURIAL REGION.)
Izv. Nauchnoizsled. Inst. Pochv. Agrotekhn.
"Nikola Pushkarov," Akad. Selskostopansk.
Nauki Bulgar. 4:229-37, 1962.
The soils in this region are acidic and poor in
the assimilated forms of N and P and available
forms of K and Mg. Content of Pb was 23.3-42.2;
Co, 1.6-3.3; and Mo, 0.07-0.21 mg/kg. (From
Chemical Abstracts 60:1059, 1964)
222 Paces, T. (Central Geolog. Inst., Prague,
Czechoslovakia): (A CONTRIBUTION TO THE
GEOCHEMICAL STUDY OF MINERAL WATERS AT
KARLOVY VARY (WEST BOHEMIA.)) Casopis
Mineral. Geol. 7:418-27, 1962.
Pb among other trace elements was detected spec-
trographically in the granite waters of the Kar-
lovy Vary mineral springs. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 58:2267, 1963)
223 Polevaya, N.I., and Panteleev, A.I.: (POS-
SIBILITY OF USING THE LEAD ISOTOPIC METHOD
FOR DETERMINING THE AGE OF GLAUCONITE.)
Inform. Sb., Vses. Nauchn.-Issled. Geol.
Inst. 1962, No. 54:31-6.
The absolute age of a glauconite was determined by
using the Pb isotope method. The Pb separated
from the glauconite consisted of 1.4% ^*Pb,
25.81% 206Pb, 21.07% 207Pb and 51.72% 208Pb. Po-
larographic determination of Pb showed that heating
glauconite for 3 hr at 950° resulted in the sepa-
ration of only 60% of the Pb present. 206Pb,
207Pb and 208Pb which accumulate in the mineral
during its existence were calculated. Corrections
for the presence of the radiogenic Pb affected
noticeably the ages determined from the
204
206
'Pb/
4Pb ratio, ie, 475 compared to 300 million yr
without correction. Further development of the
method is suggested. (From Chemical Abstracts 64:
6346, 1966)
224 Porutskii, G.V., Golovchenko, V.P., and
Cherednichenko, S.V.: (CONTENT OF TRACE
ELEMENTS IN VARIOUS PLANT ORGANS.) Dokl.
Akad. Nauk SSSR 146:1223-6, 1962.
Examination of trace element content (Fe, Sr, Ti,
Cu, Ni, V, Co, Cr, Pb, Be, Mo, and Sn) in leaves
and roots of typical plants (apple tree, pear
tree, potato, cotton, and ragweed) showed that the
greatest amount of these elements may be located
in the plastids; much smaller amounts are in the
fluid proper. Appreciable differences in reten-
tion of the various metals by plants of different
species were noted and tabulated. (From Chemical
Abstracts 58:2652, 1963)
225 Radmic, S., and Maksimovic, M. (Univ.
Belgrade, Yugoslavia): (QUANTITATIVE DE-
TERMINATION OF ARSENIC, LEAD AND METHANOL
IN WINES.) Arhiv Farm. (Belgrade) 12, No.
3:163-9, 1962.
The Pb content of 22 Yugoslav wines of different
origin was 0.0-0.120 ug/1. The presence of Pb is
attributed to the insecticides used on the grapes.
(From Chemical Abstracts 58:10692, 1963)
226 Sanz Pedrero, P., and Fernandez de Valder-
rama, E. (Univ. Madrid, Spain): (POLARO-
GRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF THE LEAD CONTENT
OF CARBONATED BEVERAGES.) Anales Bromatol.
(Madrid) 14, No. 1:9-24, 1962.
Pb was determined in the contents of metal-topped
siphon and ordinary bottles. With 27 siphon bot-
tles, only 5 had <3 ppm. The lowest levels ap-
peared in 3 ordinary bottles (0.04, 0.07, and 0.65
ppm). The various polarographic methods for the
determination of traces of Pb in carbonated bev-
erages were reviewed. (From Chemical Abstracts
58:877, 1963)
227 SillanpHM, M. (Helsinki, Finland): ON
THE EFFECT OF SOME SOIL FACTORS ON THE
SOLUBILITY OF TRACE ELEMENTS. Maatalouden
Tutkimuskeskus Maantutkimuslaitos, Agrogeo-
logisia Julkaisuja No. 81, 1962, 24 pp.
The effects of the total amounts, soil pH, tex-
ture, organic matter content and C/N ratio on the
amounts of acid ammonium acetate-soluble Co, Cu,
Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in 217 Finnish soils were stud-
ied by means of multiple regressions. The total
contents of trace elements (kg/ha) generally de-
creased in the order Mn>Zn>Ni>Cu>Pb>Co.
228 SillanpHH, M. (Agr. Res. Center, Helsinki,
Finland) : TRACE ELEMENTS IN FINNISH
SOILS AS RELATED TO SOIL TEXTURE AND OR-
GANIC MATTER CONTENT. Maataloustieteel-
linen Aikakauskirja 34, No. 1:34-40, 1962.
A study was conducted to evaluate the relation of
the total content of Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn to
soil texture and organic matter content. Single
and multiple regressions were calculated for both
variables. When the regression and correlation
coefficients were compared, it was found that in
contrast to the other metals tested neither the
texture nor the organic matter content of the soil
have any significant effect on the amount of Pb.
229 Suetin, Y.P.: (METAL CONTENT OF NATURAL
WATERS IN THE HIGH-FOOTHILL ZONE ON THE
NORTH SLOPE OF THE ALAI RANGE.) Kirgiz
SSR. Upravlenie Geologii i Okhrany Nedr.
Trudy (Soviet Ministerstvo) Sb. 1962, No.
2:93-6.
More than 20 ore elements, among them Pb, were
found in varying quantities in natural waters of
the high-foothill zone on the north slope of the
Alai Ridge. (From Chemical Abstracts 60:299,
1964)
230 Sveshnikov, G.B., and Shen, C.-L.: (HY-
DROCHEMICAL SURVEY IN THE IRTYSH ORE PROV-
Environmental Surveys
35
-------
INCE.) Uch. Zap. Leningr. Cos. Univ. No.
303, Ser. Fiz. i Geol. Nauk 1962, No. 13:
301-19.
Content of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and that of Ca, Mg,
Na + K, S04, Cl, HC03, and pH were determined in
surface, subsurface, and soil waters. The results
are given in numerous tables, hydrochemical maps,
and profiles. The normal background for Cu, Pb,
Zn was determined as (av for 1957-58) 4, 4, and
20 !Jg/l, respectively,by statistical processing
of chemical analyses of water. The background
content of Cu,_ Pb, and Zn is a subject of yearly
variation and depends on climatic changes. In
addition to Cu, Pb, and Zn the samples of some
waters contained As, Sn, Bi, Mo, Ni, and Ag. Ag
and Mo are good indicators of a possible presence
of polymetallic deposits. The hydrochemical anom-
alies were observed in every area containing known
ore deposits. (From Chemical Abstracts 60:13011,
1964)
231 Tyurina, G.I., and Shchibrik, V.I.: (A
BIOGEOCHEMICAL STUDY OF A SECTION OF A
POLYMETALLIC DEPOSIT IN CENTRAL KAZAKH-
STAN. ) Tr. Tsentr.-Kazakhstansk. Geol.
Upr., Min. Geol. i Okhrany Nedr. Kaz. SSR
1962, No. 2:44-8.
Pb concentrates in leaves and stems of plants
growing over the ore bodies. Pb content in plants
is greater in summer than in fall. (From Chemical
Abstracts 58:1250, 1963)
232 Vinogradova, Z.A., and Kovaljskii, V.V.:
(ELEMENT COMPOSITION OF THE BLACK SEA
PLANKTON.) Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 147:1458-
60, 1962.
Pb in a concentration of 0.2-0.3 x 10~2% is among
a considerable number of elements found in
Chaetoceras curvisetus. Some copepods (Calanus
helgolandicus, Anomalocera and Pontella) contain
Pb, among other elements, in large amounts.
(From Chemical Abstracts 58:14441, 1963)
233 White, W.H., and Northcote, K.E. (Univ.
Brit. Columbia, Vancouver, Can.): DISTRI-
BUTION OF METALS IN A MODERN MARINE EN-
VIRONMENT. Economic Geology 57, No. 3:405-
9, 1962.
The purpose of the investigation was to determine
whether base metals, Fe, and S are being concen-
trated preferentially in near-shore marine sedi-
ments, and whether their distribution patterns are
random or explainable in terms of environment.
Analysis of samples of sediments of the tidal
flats at Mud Bay, at the eastern end of Boundary
Bay, British Columbia, taken at high tides led to
the conclusion that generally metals tend to ac-
cumulate preferentially in fine-grained sediment.
In the case of Pb, no preferential concentration
could be detected; the concentrations found were
very low, usually 1 or 2 ppm.
234 Zyka, V.: (CONTRIBUTION TO THE GEOCHEMIS-
TRY OF BOHEMIAN RIVER WATERS.) Sb. Geol.
Ved, Technol. Geochemie 1962, No. 1:75-
137.
Most waters in Bohemian (Czech) rivers are of mix-
ed or intermediate type (CaHC03, CaSO^, MgHC03,
MgSO,, NaHC03, and NaS04). Their mineral content
varies from several to 9394 (mostly ^500) mg/1.
The average of 170 waters is a CaCO-j type with a
concentration of 165.5 mg/1. This is higher than
the average of USSR waters (123.0 mg/1). On the
average, Bohemian river waters contain Fe 1.2,
Mn 0.255, Cu 0.012, Zn 0.094, Pb 0.035, Cr 0.083,
Ni 0.018, and Sb 0.090 mg/1. Spectral analysis
detected various amounts of additional 35 elements.
The biggest Bohemian river, the Labe (Elbe), car-
ries from Czechoslovakia 2.1 x 10" tons of various
salts, among them Fe 6.842, Mn 2.531, Zn 547, Cu
136, and Pb 136 tons/yr. (21 references) (From
Chemical Abstracts 59:310, 1963)
1963
235 Abernethy, R.F., and Gibson, F.H.: RARE
ELEMENTS IN COAL. U.S. Bureau of Mines,
Information Circular 8163, 1963, 69 pp.
Published information since 1944 on the occurrence
of rare elements in coal is summarized. (This re-
view is based on 114 references on rare and minor
elements, 114 on germanium and gallium, and 82 on
U.) The following data are given for the occur-
rence of Pb in ash (%): United States 0.01-0.13;
Nova Scotia 0.0572 (av); England 0.02-0.08; Germany
3.1 maximum. PbS was found associated with certain
Missouri coals. Nineteen out of 20 pyrite samples
contained 0.0001-0.0461% Pb which demonstrates that
atmospheric dust from coke works carries enough Pb
compounds to contaminate the neighboring pastures.
236 Andriescu, E., Ancusa, M., Telegut, M.,
Roscovanu, A., and Cutui, M. : TRACE ELE-
MENT CONCENTRATION IN THE SECASENI AREA
(BANAT) WATER SUPPLIES. International Sym-
posium on Endemic Nephropathy, Sofia 1963:
196-7.
Preliminary studies of the concentrations of Cu,
Zn, Pb, B and Ni and the ethiopathogeny of endem-
ic nephritis were inconclusive. (From Chemical
Abstracts 65:14126, 1966)
237 Dobrovol'skii, V.V.: (DISTRIBUTION OF
TRACE ELEMENTS BETWEEN THE SOIL-FORMING
GROUND LAYER, SOIL, AND VEGETATION UNDER
CONDITIONS OF THE MOSCOW REGION.) Nauchn.
Dokl. Vysshei Shkoly, Biol. Nauki 1963,
No. 3:193-8.
By spectral analysis the contents of Ti, Mn, Cu,
Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mo, Ag, Sn, V, Zr, Ga, Sr, and Ba
in the soil-forming ground layers (fluvoglacial
(a) and alluvial (b) sands), in the genetic hori-
zons Ag - D of a soddy podzol, and in the ash of
the covering vegetation (herbs, grasses, conifer-
ous needles and bark, and green mosses) were de-
termined. Among the findings, the Pb and Zn con-
centrations rise in the illuvial and humus hori-
zons. Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Sn, Mo, and Ag have a coef-
ficient of biological accumulation (CBA) >1, cal-
culated from the grassy vegetation as well as from
the coniferous needles. (From Chemical Abstracts
60:1064, 1964)
238 Durum, W.H., and Haffty, J. (US Geol.
Surv., Washington, D.C.): IMPLICATIONS OF
THE MINOR ELEMENT CONTENT OF SOME MAJOR
STREAMS OF THE WORLD. Geochimica et Cos-
mochimica Acta 27:1-11, 1963.
36
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Most trace elements in river waters have concen-
tration ranges SlOO ug/1 and median values of 10
)Jg or less. Only Al, Fe, Mn, Ba, and Sr range much
over 100 pg/1. Atlantic Coast river waters are
slightly enriched in Ag, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sr, and
Ti, and slightly deficient in Ba and Li as compar-
ed with median continental values. Gulf Coast
rivers exceed continental values for Al, Ba, Cu,
Fe, Li, Rb, and Ti; Cr, Pb, and Sr are lower. Pa-
cific Coast rivers are slightly enriched in Mo and
Pb and deficient in Cr, Rb, and Ti. Al, Ba, Cu,
Pb, Mo, and Ag in North American runoff are of the
same order as the world average for ocean waters.
Hydrologic and geochemical significance of the
data are discussed. (From authors' summary; 16
references)
239 Fang, C.-L.,Sung, T.-C.,and Yen, B.:
(TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE SOILS OF NORTH-EAST-
ERN CHINA AND EASTERN INNER MONGOLIA.)
T'u Jang Hsueh Pao 11, No. 2:130-42, 1963.
Spectrographic analyses of 360 soil samples from
111 profiles gave the following average contents
of trace elements: Mn 840, Ti 6500, Cu 22, B 46,
Cr 103, Zn, 85, Mo 2.2, Co 23, Ni 51, V 92, Sr 270,
Ba 570, Pb 26, and Sn 6 ppm. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 60:9048, 1964)
240 Hayakawa, T. (Natl. Bur. Inspection Fer-
tilizers Feeds, Tokyo, Japan): (LEAD CON-
TENT IN FISH MEAL.) Igaku To Seibutsugaku
66, No. 4:207-9, 1963.
Pb in fish meal was determined by treating the
sample with nitric, perchloric or sulfuric acid
and measuring Pb in the dithizone-carbon tetra-
chloride extract colorimetrically or polarograph-
ically. The average Pb content of 24 kinds of
fish meal tested was 0.306 ± 0.08 ug/g- (From
Chemical Abstracts 63:12230, 1965)
241 Holman, R.H.C.: REGIONAL GEOCHEMICAL
RECONNAISSANCE OF STREAM SEDIMENTS IN THE
NORTHERN MAINLAND OF NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA.
Canada, Department of Mines and Technical
Surveys, Geological Survey of Canada, Pa-
per 63-23:1-19, 1963.
Concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cu in Nova Scotia
stream sediments are not random, but fall into
regions (low, medium, or high), definite enough
to be used for geochemical mapping. Mean concen-
trations of Zn (80) and Pb (18) agree with Vino-
gradov's general crustal abundances, but the Cu
concentration (7 ppm) is much lower.
242 lordanov, N., and Povlova, M.: (GEOCHEM-
ISTRY OF LEAD IN SOILS.) Izv. Inst. po
Obshcha i Neorgan. Khim., Bulgar. Akad.
Nauk 1:5-14, 1963.
The forms of Pb in soils were determined as (1)
Pb as a part of absorbed complex, (2) Pb in inde-
pendent minerals, and (3) Pb as inclusions in
soil minerals. Experiments made with Ca humate
and kaolin (considered as representatives of the
absorbing complexes) proved that Pb is retained
by the Ca humate and kaolin at pH 5, and fully
liberated from them at pH 1.5. A small part of
the Pb, evidently, is in the form of pyromorphite.
Most of the Pb is included in the Fe and Al hy-
droxide minerals and in CaC03- The content of Pb
in 52 samples of soils of 12 types is 0.00n%.
This is 2-3 times the Pb content in the Earth's
crust. The maximum Pb content was observed in the
upper soil horizons, (From Ref. Zh., Geol. 1964,
Abstr. No. 1V70; Chemical Abstracts 61:1655, 1964)
243 Jaliu, A., Spinu, S., Dinu, I., and Zucman,
I. (Dept. Hyg. Occup. Dis., Bucharest,
Romania): La pollution de 1'eau carbo-
gazeuse par le plomb. (CONTAMINATION OF
CARBONATED WATER BY LEAD.) In Union des
Societes de Sciences Medicales, Societe
d'Hygiene: Premier Congres National
d'Hygiene et de Se'curiteT du Travail.
Rapports et Resume's des Travaux (First
National Congress of Industrial Health.
Abstracts of Papers.) Bucharest, 1963,
pp. 252-3.
Ninety-two samples of carbonated mineral water
were analyzed for Pb. The original tap water con-
tained 26-67 ug Pb/1. Seventeen samples taken
from the vessels in which the water was mixed with
C02 contained 100-410 pg Pb/1; 16 samples of the
mineral water obtained after mixing contained >100
Pg/1; 36 samples taken out of metal bottles in
which the water was distributed to workers con-
tained from 70-1108 pg/1, while the Pb content of
samples collected out of bottles that had been
tinned under supervision, did not exceed 100 ug/1.
244 Kvashnevskaya, N.V., and Shablovskaya,
E.I.: (STUDY OF CONTENT OF ORE ELEMENTS
IN SUSPENSIONS OF A RIVER SYSTEM.) Dokl.
Akad. Nauk SSSR 151, No. 2:426-9, 1963.
Determination of content of Mo, Pb, Cu, Zn, As,
Sb, Co, Ni, Cr, W, Sn, Hg, Mn, Ga, Ag, and TI in
suspension in Caucasian and Central Asian rivers
showed a considerable amount of these elements.
(From Chemical Abstracts 59:12506, 1963)
245 Marchesini, D., Barbieri, G., Milanese, G.,
and Rosso, S. (Offie. Cevolani, Bologna,
Italy): ((PHYSICAL) BEHAVIOR OF ELECTRO-
LYTIC-TIN CANS SOLDERED WITH ALLOYS CON-
TAINING VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF LEAD.) Mostra
Int. Ind. Conserve Aliment., Congr. 18:97-
105, 1963.
A series of mechanical tests, including solubility
tests, were made on tins soldered with alloys con-
taining varying amounts of Pb. The 8 Sn-Pb alloys
used, were chosen in such a way as to explore the
whole range of possible compositions, and to in-
clude alloys commonly used by can manufacturers.
Alloys consisting of Sn 37-Pb 63% and Sn 2-Pb 98%
were not taken into consideration. The preferred
alloy contains 98% Pb. (From Chemical Abstracts
71:Abstr. No. 115950, 1969)
246 Marshall, R.R., and Feitknecht, J. (Natl.
Aeron. Space Admin.): PRIMITIVE LEAD FROM
IRON METEORITES. National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Document N63-15726,
20 pp., 1963.
The Odessa and Toluca Fe meteorites were shown to
contain primeval Pb. Pb from samples of the
Odessa meteorite has unusually large amounts of
206Pb. A sample of the Pinon Ni-rich ataxite,
within the limits of error, contained no detect-
able Pb. Octahedrites can contain as much as 0.25
Environmental Surveys
37
-------
ppm Pb. (From Chemical Abstracts 60:9055, 1964)
247 Mavlyanov, G.A., and Mirzaeva, K.Kh.:
(CONTENT OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE UZBEKI-
STAN NATURAL WATERS.) Doklady Akademii
Nauk Uzbekskoi S.S.R. 20, No. 6:40-2, 1963.
The Uzbekistan waters are characterized by an ele-
vated content of trace elements. Their Pb content
was found to range from 0.0001 to 0.003%. (From
Chemical Abstracts 59:13687, 1963).
248 Minami, E. (Univ. Tokyo, Japan): HOKUTO-
LITE OF TAMAGAWA HOT SPRINGS. Geochem.
Tamagawa Hot Springs 1963:108-28.
Analyses of Hokutolites from various regions
showed a Pb oxide content ranging from 1.46-21.96%.
Radioactivity measurements indicated that they
contained more 206Pb and 208Pb and less 2(WPb and
Pb than does commercial tetramethyllead.
Chemical Abstracts 64:9440, 1966)
249
(From
Petkevich, A.N., and Viller, G.E. : (DIS-
TRIBUTION OF TRACE ELEMENTS AT VARIOUS
DEPTHS OF THE NOVOSIBIRSK RESERVOIR.)
Razvitie Ozernom Rybnom Khozyaistve Sibiri,
Novosibirsk, Sbornik 1963:163-8.
Semiquantitative spectral analysis of surface and
near-bottom waters of the Novosibirsk Reservoir
gave a Pb content of 0.00n%, based on the dry
residue. (From Ref. Zh., Geol. 1964: Abstr. No.
7V229; Chemical Abstracts 61:11749, 1964)
250 Podkorytov, P.M.: (CONTENT AND DISPERSION
OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN SOILS OF THE POTAPOV
EXPERIMENTAL FARM.) Tr. Krasnoyarsk.
Sel'skokhoz. Inst. 16:104-11, 1963.
Trace elements play an important role in the fer-
tility of soil. The content and the dispersion
of Co, Zn, Ni, Mo, V, Pb, and Sn in various hori-
zons are given and discussed. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 62:14375, 1965)
251 Potter, P.E., Shimp, N.F., and Witters, J.
(Illinois State Geol. Surv., Urbana):
TRACE ELEMENTS IN MARINE AND FRESH-WATER
ARGILLACEOUS SEDIMENTS. Geochimica et
Cosmochimica Acta 27:669-94, 1963.
The trace elements B, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Ni, Pb, V,
and Zn were studied in 66 samples of both modern
and ancient marine and fresh-water argillaceous
sediments to determine their value as environmen-
tal discriminators. Samples of each group were
widely scattered geographically and represented
widely varying source areas, climates, tectonic
conditions, and rates of sedimentation. Concentra-
tions of Pb found in modern marine specimens
ranged from 8-32 ppm; of fresh-water, 8-83, or
averages of 20.8 and 21.2, respectively. In the
ancient marine sediments, Pb ranged from 4-52 ppm;
in fresh water sediments, 7-24; av 13.3 and 12.7
ppm, respectively. (51 references)
252 Pryakhin, A.I., Chekhovskikh, M.M., and
Shchebunyaeva, I.A.: (TRACE ELEMENTS IN
SUBSURFACE WATERS OF THE UPPER AMUR RE-
GION.) Izv. Vysshikh Uchebn. Zavedenii,
Geol. i Razvedka 6, No. 1:90-8, 1963.
Mn, Ti, Cu, Ag, Zn, Pb, Cr, Ni, Co, V, Ga, Sb, Zr,
and Sr are typical trace elements in subsurface
waters of the Upper Amur Region. This variety of
trace elements is caused by presence in the region
of a large variety of rocks of variable lithologi-
cal type. According to the amount of trace ele-
ments the subsurface waters in the Upper Amur
Region are subdivided in 12 water-bearing com-
plexes. They vary widely in trace elements: Sb
0.003-0.03, Mn 0.0003-0.3, Pb traces-0.01, Ga
traces-0.003, V traces-0.006, Ti traces~0.03, Cu
traces-0.3, Ag traces-0.06, Zn traces-0.6, Ni
traces-0.03, Zr traces-0.03, Sr 0.001-0.03, Cr
traces-0.06, Co traces-0.003, Mo 0.00-0.003, and
In 0.00-0.003%. (From Chemical Abstracts 59:
1374, 1963)
253 Rasmussen, G.K., and Henry, W.H. (US Dept.
Agric., Orlando, Fla.): EFFECTS OF LEAD
ON THE GROWTH OF SWEET ORANGE SEEDLINGS IN
NUTRIENT SOLUTION CULTURES. Soil and Crop
Science Society of Florida Proceedings
23:70-4, 1963.
When Pb arsenate is sprayed on grapefruit trees in
Florida to lower the acidity of the fruit, much of
the Pb eventually is washed to the soil by rain
where it remains soluble for a certain time and
may influence the growth of plants. Therefore a
study was undertaken to determine the effects of
Pb, at 3 levels of pH, on the growth of sweet
orange seedlings in solution cultures. Two small
sweet orange seedlings were grown for 10 mo in
nutrient solutions containing 0, 0.05, 0.25, 1.25,
6.25 and 31.25 ppm Pb as nitrate or acetate, at pH
levels of 4.5, 5.5 and 6.5, respectively. At har-
vest time, growth, Pb and citric, malic, and total
water-soluble organic acid contents of leaves and
roots were measured. The Pb source had no signif-
icant effect on growth of roots or shoots. In
the pH 4.5 and 5.5 solution cultures, root growth
was stimulated by intermediate levels of Pb and
inhibited by the highest levels. Shoot growth in-
creased when a good root system was present at
these pH levels. Root and shoot growth were in-
hibiteu by all but the lowest level of Pb in solu-
tion cultures adjusted to pH 6.5. The Pb content
of the roots increased as the Pb content of the
solution cultures increased and was highest in the
6.25-and 31.25-ppm Pb solutions at pH 6.5. The
organic acid content of the leaf tissue was not
influenced by either Pb or pH levels. Malic and
total water-soluble organic acids in the root tis-
sue decreased slightly when Pb was increased in
the solution cultures. A slightly higher amount
of organic acids was present in the root tissue at
pH 4.5 than at the other pH levels. Citric acid
content of the root tissue was not affected con-
sistently though the amounts were generally lower
in the high-Pb solutions except for the 6.25-ppm
Pb treatment. Pb inhibited water absorption; the
sweet orange seedlings were wilted often, partic-
ularly those grown in the high-Pb solutions.
254 Sokolova, V.Yu., and Yatsyuk, M.D.: (CER-
TAIN TRACE ELEMENTS IN FOOD PRODUCTS WITH
HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF PROTEINS, FAT, AND
CARBOHYDRATES.) Mikroelementy v Zhizni
Rast., Zhivotn. i Cheloveka, Akad. Nauk
Ukr. SSR, Inst. Fiziol. Rast., Tr. Koor-
dinats. Soveshch. 1963:276-9.
38
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Three groups of food products of high fat content,
high protein content, and high carbohydrate con-
tent, respectively, were analyzed spectroscopical-
ly. Products containing 28-70% fat contained
more Zn and B, products containing 5.5-34% protein
more Fe, Cu, Mn, Mo and Ni, and products contain-
ing 7.8-70% carbohydrates more Ti and Pb. (From
Chemical Abstracts 64:1328, 1966)
255 Still, G.W., and Fahey, J.E.: INSECTICIDE
RESIDUES ON GRAPES AND IN WINES. US Dept.
Agr., ARS 33-81, 1963, 7 pp.
Three applications of Pb arsenate to grapes after
bloom resulted in excessive residues of Pb and
arsenous oxide on the grapes at harvest; practi-
cally all Pb and about 75% of As were lost j.n the
process of wine-making. Filtering the wine did
not remove any Pb or As residues but there was no
Pb or As in excess of the tolerance. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 58:9596, 1963)
256 Stovbun, A.T., Sokolova, V.Yu., and
Yatsyuk, M.D.: Mikroelementy v Sel'skom
Khozyaistive i Meditsine. (ACCUMULATION
OF CERTAIN TRACE ELEMENTS IN VEGETABLE
FOOD PRODUCTS.) (Kiev: Gos. Izd. Sel'
skokhoz. Lit. Ukr. SSR) Sbornik 1963:643-
7.
The content of some trace metals (among them Pb)
was determined in cabbage, onions, carrots and
other vegetables grown in different districts. It
is pointed out that, in establishing dietary re-
quirements for groups of population, variations in
trace-metal content due to varietal and soil dif-
ferences should be taken into account. (From
Referativnyi Zhurnal, Biologiya 1964: Abstract
No. 15N107; Chemical Abstracts 62:1012, 1965)
257 Viller, G.E., and Khrapov, V.S.: (CONTENT
OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN SOILS OF THE BARABA
AREA IN NOVOSIBIRSK REGION.) Mikroelemen-
ty v Sibiri, Inform. Byul. 1963, No. 2:3-
5.
Analysis was made of 43 soil samples taken in
various parts of the Baraba area. The Baraba
loamy soils contained: Si 5, Al 3.0-5.0, Mg 0.5-
5, Ca 1-5, Fe 3, Mn 0.5-0.08, Ni 0.001-0.006, Co
0.001-0.003, Ti 0.5-2, W 0.01, Cr 0.01-0.03, Cu
0.001-0.003, Zr 0.007-0.01, Pb 0.001-0.003, Zn
0.007-0.01, Ga 0.003-0.005, Sc 0.003, P 0.01, Sr
0.01-0.1, and Ba 0.01-0.05%. (From Ref. Zh.,
Geol. 1964, Abstr. No. 12V31; Chemical Abstracts
62:10249, 1965)
258 Warren, H.V. (Univ. of British Columbia,
Vancouver, Canada): TRACE ELEMENTS AND
EPIDEMIOLOGY. Journal of the College of
General Practitioners 6:517-31 (Nov.),
1963.
The author believes that geochemistry plays an im-
portant part in determining the causes of some of
the more newly recognized diseases, such as the
coronary, cancers, and multiple sclerosis. He
then illustrates how geochemical and medical
knowledge can be integrated advantageously by
citing some recent investigations linking the ex-
cess absorption of Pb with some of the above dis-
eases .
In discussing the biogeochemistry of Pb, on the
basis of the literature and own analyses, the
usual Pb concentration of the ash of most recent
vegetation is estimated to range from 50-100 ppm,
and that of growth of the previous year, 25-50
ppm; that growing over soil or rock rich in Pb may
contain in ash up to 1000 and even 3000 ppm. Also.
vegetation may acquire Pb from chemical sprays,
smelter fumes, or automobile exhausts. Pb concen-
trations in the ash of leaves and twigs exposed to
different concentrations of automobile exhausts,
made available to the author from London, Brussels,
and Helsinki, ranged from 30-930 ppm, compared
with 7-100 ppm in those from rural areas nearby.
Comparison of the epidemiologic reports of can-
cer in several parts of Cornwall, Devonshire, and
Sussex with his analyses of soils and vegetables
for Pb, although no direct association could be
found, leads the author to conclude that the evi-
dence of a relationship is suggestive. This com-
parison includes an unpublished report (Howe,
1962) implicating Pb-Zn polluted water as the
cause of gastric cancer. The association with Pb
of the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Sweden,
Northern Ireland, Cornwall, and Derbyshire is
made on the basis of reported geologic formations
in the areas concerned, or on that of analysis of
soil and vegetable samples sent to the author.
The author's investigations in Canada have
revealed certain areas where the soil and vegeta-
tion have abnormally high Pb contents and areas
where the prevalence of multiple sclerosis is
high.
In summarizing, the author states that these
"facts have been brought forward not to prove
that Pb was the cause of some cancers and multiple
sclerosis, but to demonstrate that there is evi-
dence that this assumption might well be taken as
a working hypothesis." He also suggests that
epidemiologic data be plotted against biogeochem-
ical provinces rather than against political di-
visions. (36 references)
259 Westoo, G. (Sweden): (COPPER, ZINC, CAD-
MIUM, AND LEAD CONTENT OF SOME CANNED
FOODS.) Var Foda 15, No. 10:73-8, 1963.
The Pb content of apple, grapefruit, and pineapple
juice was <0.05 mg/kg, and tomato juice from 0.05-
0.3 mg/kg, Cd, Cu, and Zn content 0.05, 0.3-1.1,
and 1.3-8.6 mg/kg, respectively. Anchovy fillets
packed in lobster sauce contained Pb <0.05-0.2,
Cd <0.05, Cu 0.9, and Zn 9-11 mg/kg, Cd, Cu, and
Zn content of Swedish, Norwegian, and Portuguese
sardines in tomato sauce or olive oil was <0.05-
0.3, 0.7-4.2, and 9-50 mg/kg, respectively. The
Pb content of Portuguese sardines in tomato sauce
was, in some cases, very high, up to 6.5 mg/kg.
The other brands met Swedish standards. Pb con-
tent varied from <0.05-0.5 mg/kg. The Pb content
of canned sardines increased with storage time.
However, the Pb content of same brand varied in
different cans tested. (From Chemical Abstracts
61:7599, 1964)
260 Youssef, M.S., and El-Kahwagy, A.S. (Geol.
Surv. UAR, Cairo, Egypt): GEOPHYSICAL AND
GEOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT UNM GHEIG
AREA, EASTERN DESERT. U. Arab Repub.,
Min. Ind., Geol. Surv. Miner. Res. Dep.,
Paper No. 33:1-12, 1963.
Environmental Surveys
39
-------
Geochemical prospecting tests for Pb and Zn were
useful in delineating ore deposits. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 70:Abstr. No. 117022, 1969)
1964
261 Ahmad, S., Haq, A., and Faruqi, F.A. (West
Regional Lab., Lahore, Pakistan): TOXIC
PROPERTIES OF INDIGENOUS EARTHENWARE. Pak-
istan Journal of Science 16:9-14 (Jan.),
1964.
The quantity of acid-soluble Pb in glazes of 16
samples of earthenware of which 10 were indigenous,
3 laboratory-made and 3 imported (2 British, 1
Japanese), was determined. The earthenware sam-
ples were subjected to a "mild" test in 5% acetic
or 0.5% citric acid and a "drastic" test in 10%
citric acid. Pb was determined spectrophotometri-
cally. The British samples gave off 0.03-0.04 ppm
Pb in the mild tests, and 0.07-0.08 ppm in the
drastic one; the Japanese samples did not split
off any Pb in either test. The laboratory-made
samples gave off 0.04-0.05 ppm in the former and
0.10-0.12 ppm in the latter test. For the indige-
nous samples, the corresponding ranges were 0.08-
0.50 and 0.25-0.60, respectively. Generally, the
5% acetic-acid solution gave slightly higher fig-
ures than the 0.5% citric-acid solution. The 10%
citric-acid solution on the average yielded only
twice as high values as the 0.5% one.
Considering the threshold limit of 2 ppm Pb as
the maximum permissible amount of acid-soluble Pb
in glazes (Caller and Creamer, 1939), none of the
samples tested with the exception of the indige-
nous sample No. 10, which was attacked appreciably
both by dilute and concentrated acid, constituted
a health hazard.
262 Chow, T.J., and Tatsumoto, M. (Univ. Cali-
fornia, La Jolla): ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION
OF LEAD IN THE SEDIMENTS NEAR JAPAN TRENCH.,
In Recent Research in the Fields of Hydro-
sphere, Atmosphere and Nuclear Geochemis-
try. Tokyo, 1964, p. 179-83.
The isotopic composition of Pb in the sediments
near the Japan Trench was determined. The values
are: 206Pb/204Pb = 18.45; 207pb/204pb = 15.63; and
208pt,/204Pb = 38.68. The my and K values of the
source material are also calculated to be 8.8 and
3.9 respectively. (From U.S. Government Research
and Development Reports 40:64 (Aug. 20), 1965)
263 Datsko, V.G., Klimov, I.T., and Krasnov,
V.N. (Hydrochem. Inst., Novocherkassk,
USSR): (HEAVY METALS IN THE WATER AND THE
MUD OF THE TSIMLYANSK WATER RESERVOIR.)
Gidrokhimicheskie Materialy 36:50-5, 1964.
Spectral analysis of samples of water and bottom
mud collected from the reservoir monthly for 1 yr
showed the presence of Ni, Cu, V, Mo, Al, Fe, Mn
and Ag in the water and Ni, Co, Cu, V, Fe, Pb and
Mn in mud samples from a depth of 4-24 m. (From
Chemical Abstracts 63:2742, 1965)
264 deTreville, R.T.P. (Mellon Inst., Pitts-
burgh, Pa.): NATURAL OCCURRENCE OF LEAD.
Archives of Environmental Health 8:212-21
(Feb.), 1964.
The concentration of Pb in soil, water, food, and
air is discussed and data obtained by various in-
vestigators are presented in tables. The average
concentration of Pb in soil is 16 ppm, with urban
soils sampled in old residential sections where Pb
paint had been applied and removed for many years,
ranging up to 360 ppm and certain anomalous soils,
near natural or artificial sources of Pb, up to
10,000 ppm. The average concentration of Pb in
public water supplies in the US is about 0.01 ppm,
or 1/5 of the present standard of the US Public
Health Service for potable water. The natural Pb
content of vegetation, including the edible por-
tions, in the fresh state is of the order of a few
hundreaths of a ppm, with the exception of some
items in which Pb had been concentrated. The
flesh of animals and especially certain organs
(eg, the liver) tend to have higher Pb concentra-
tions than food of vegetable origin, and skeletal
tissues have still higher Pb contents. The edible
tissues of shellfish and Crustacea are high in Pb.
Contamination of human food and beverage may in-
troduce Pb in amounts which vary in significance
from negligible to highly significant. The Pb
concentration in the ambient air of cities of the
US averages 1-5 yg/m3.
265 Dios Vidal, R. (Spanish Polytech. Inst.
Pontevedra): (RADON-GENERATING ACTIVITY
IN DIFFERENT GALICIAN SOILS IN RELATION
TO OTHER GREAT WORLD GROUPS AND THE TOTAL
LEAD CONTENT.) An. Edafol. Agrobiol.
(Madrid) 23:53-63, 1964.
Data are presented on the 222 RH generating poten-
tial of different Galician prairie soils formed
from granite and gneiss parent material, and com-
parisons with some of the major soil types
throughout the world were made. The number of
curies of 222Rn escaping from 2500 g of soil
material, at equilibrium with its parent Ra, was
much greater in some Galician soils than in other
soil types, with higher Rn-generating potentials
in the middle and lower parts of the soil profile.
The accumulation of Pb in soils and its absorption
by native plants, such as Ulex nanus, Pteris
aquilina and Carinephorus canescens showed cor-
relation with Rn generation even though the soils
with highest Rn levels provided for most of the
Pb concentration in soils and plants. (From
Nuclear Science Abstracts 22:Abstr. No. 6826,
1968)
266 Doro, B., and Remoli, S. (District Chem.
Lab. of Triest, Italy): Ricerca del
piombo ceduto dagli strati vetrificati
degli utensili da cucina. (DETERMINATION
OF LEAD DERIVED FROM GLAZED KITCHENWARE.)
Bollettino del Laboratori Chimici Provin-
cial! (Bologna) 15, No. 5:482-9, 1964.
The Italian law prohibits the use and sale of
utensils coming in direct contact with foods and
beverages (excluding water) which are made of Pb
or coated inside with Sn, containing >1% Pb or
which are soldered with a mixture of Sn and Pb
where Pb >10%. The recent sanitary law of April
30, 1962, includes the regulations first estab-
lished in 1901 whereby enameled and glazed uten-
sils (porcelain, earthenware) are required to
yield no Pb into a 1% solution of acetic acid af-
40
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ter 24 hr of contact. The fact that the minimum
tolerable amount of Pb as it may leach into the
liquid has not been established, makes the problem
of applying the law realistically a difficult one
for the analyst and the legislator. The order
that "no Pb be yielded" to a 1% solution of acetic
acid in 24 hr had a different implication in 1901
than at the present time because of the degree of
senstivity of the methods that have been developed
since that time.
The authors undertook the determination, quali-
tatively and quantitatively, of Pb extracted from
numerous samples of pottery and earthenware. Sev-
eral of the samples containing notable amounts of
Pb were repeated, and the results of the colori-
metric method with dithizone titration, as used by
the authors, were compared with the gravimetric
(PbS04) method. By the modern methods quantities
as small as 0.05 yg/ml (0.00005 mg) could be de-
termined, while the limit of the older ones was
0.5 mg.
By referring to permissible limits of Pb in
drinking water supplies as adopted in various
countries, the authors point out that their re-
sults disclosed amounts of Pb greatly exceeding
the highest limits, and urge that the regulation
be amended to include the tolerable limits of Pb
in the acetic-acid test of utensils.
267 Durfor, C.N., and Becker, E. (Water Re-
sources Div., U.S.G.S., Washington, D.C.):
SELECTED DATA ON PUBLIC SUPPLIES OF THE
100 LARGEST CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES,
1962. Journal American Water Works Asso-
ciation 56:237-46 (Mar.), 1964.
Spectrographic analyses were made for trace ele-
ments in treated water supplies of the 100 largest
cities in the US in 1962. Data found for Pb
were as follows, in ppb: maximum, 62; median, 3.7;
minimum, not detected; criterion value, 10; per-
centage of supplies with concentrations below the
criterion value, 95.
268 Dvornikov, O.G., Tkach, B.I., Shtanchenko,
M.S., and Antonov, V.M.: (MINERALS OF
THE NATIVE ELEMENT GROUP IN LOOSE ROCKS
AND SOILS OF THE NAGOL'NYI RIDGE.) Dopov-
idi Akad. Nauk Ukr. RSR 1964, No. 9:1226-
9.
The following minerals were found during mineral-
ogical study of soils and friable bedrocks of the
Nagol'nyi Ridge in 1959: native Au, Ag alloy, Pb,
Zn, and Cu. The Ag alloy was found in intergrowth
with embolite, ankerite, and cinnabar. It con-
tained Hg 33.2, Ag 64.31, A1203 0.22, Fe203 0.76,
and insoluble residue 2.45%. The native Pb was
exceptionally abundant. The occurrence of these
minerals was closely related to areas containing
Pb-Zn and Au mineralizations. Therefore, they can
be used as indicators of Pb-Zn and Au mineraliza-
tion during geologic explorations in the Nagol'nyi
Ridge. (From Chemical Abstracts 62:1449, 1965)
269 Dytkowska, 0. (Inst. Lekow, Warsaw, Po-
land) : Zawartosc metali ciezkich w niek-
torych surowcach roslinnyctu (HEAVY-METAL
CONTENT OF CERTAIN PLANT MATERIALS.) Act a
Poloniae Pharmaceutica 21, No. 6:497-500,
1964.
Seven samples of each of the following plants were
analyzed for Pb, Cu, Zn and Fe. The average per-
cent values found for Pb were: caraway seeds, 0.01;
frangula bark, 0.011; valerian rhizomes, 0.009;
belladonna leaves, 0.007; belladonna roots, 0.012;
oak bark, 0.004. Variations between plants col-
lected in various regions were negligible.
270 Eremenko, V.Y.: (FORMS OF HEAVY METALS IN
SOME NATURAL WATERS.) Gidrokhimicheskie
Materialy 36:125-33, 1964.
Heavy metals, including Pb, are present in the wa-
ters of the Volga, Don, and Tseline as colloids and
pseudocolloids, as simple ions and complex ions
with positive and negative charges. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 63:2741, 1965)
271 Glazovskaya, M.A. (State Univ., Moscow,
USSR): (BIOLOGICAL CYCLE OF ELEMENTS IN
VARIOUS LANDSCAPE ZONES OF THE URALS.)
Fiz., Khim., Biol. i Mineralog. Pochv.
SSSR, Akad. Nauk SSSR, Dokl. k VHI-mu
(Vos'momu) Mezhdunar. Kongr. Pochvovedov,
Bucharest 1964:148-57.
The accumulation of trace elements in plants was
followed by means of spectral analyses of soils
and plant ashes. Samples were taken from various
soil zones of the Urals: tundra, taiga, forest-
steppe, and steppe. The coefficients of biologi-
cal accumulation (Kb) of the 20 elements studied
were calculated as ratios of the concentrations
of the given element in plants to that in soil.
According to the Kb, the elements can be arranged
in the following order: Kb = 100: Ba, Sr, Pb;
Kb = 10: Zn, Mn; Kb = 1: Sn, Mo; Kb = 0.1: Ni,
Ti, Cr; Kb = 0.01: As, V. Other elements were not
found. From north towards south, from the moun-
tain tundra towards the coniferous and mixed
forests, meadow and arid steppes, the amounts of
trace elements in plant ashes and the values of
Kb decrease. The contents of mobile forms of
trace elements and their availability for plants
also decrease with increasing soil pH. The ele-
ments absorbed by plants return to the soil sur-
face at the end of the growth period. In the up-
per soil layers the content of elements with the
highest Kb increases 3-10 times, as compared with
the lowest (rocky) layer. Elements with a low Kb
do not accumulate in soil. The content and dis-
tribution of trace elements in the profile of the
zonal soils depend on the nature and capacity of
the biological absorption of elements, the rate
of the organic residue mineralization and the in-
tensity of leaching. (From Chemical Abstracts 62:
4562, 1965)
272 Holtzman, R.B. (Argonne Natl. Lab., 111.):
LEAD-210 (RaD) AND POLONIUM-210 (RaF) IN
POTABLE WATERS IN ILLINOIS. In Adams, J.
A.S., and Lowder, W.M., ed. : The Natural
Radiation Environment. Chicago, Univer-
sity of Chicago Press, 1964, pp. 227-37.
A study of the concentrations of 210Pb and 210Pb
in potable well and surface waters in Illinois was
undertaken in order to estimate the contribution
of potable water to the content of 210pb ancj 210po
in the human body. 210pb ancj its daughters have
been found in many parts of the human environment,
the atmosphere, plants, animals, and in the human
Environmental Surveys
41
-------
body itself. Rain water contains about 2.5 pCi
210pb/l (Lockhart et al, 1958), ocean surface wa-
ter 0.054, Colorado river water 0.13-6.7 and tap
water at La Jolla, Calif., 0.054 (Rama and Gold-
berg, 1961).
The samples for the present study were collected
mostly at the pumping station of the water system
and rarely from taps in private homes, in 18 com-
munities where the water was treated by filtration
or settling and 4 communities with untreated water.
210pb was determined from the amount of its daugh-
ter, 210pO; by a modification of Black's method
(1961) ; 226Ra was estimated by the Rn-emanation
technique of Lucas (1961). In order to correct
the measured 210pb concentrations for build-up
from 226fta amj its daughters during storage, re-
tention of 222jjn in the storage containers had
also to be determined. The contents of 226^a aruj
210pb in these 22 water supplies were tabulated.
Average 226Ra ancj 210pb concentrations, respec-
tively, in pCi/1, were as follows: all waters,
0.14 ± 0.27, 0.039 ± 0.076; treated waters, 0.084
± 0.048, 0.019 i 0.012; untreated waters, 0.43 ±
0.60, 0.127 ± 0.054. The low 210pb concentrations
indicate that the waters are very old with respect
to 210pb decay, ie, the average water precipitated
70 yr prior to measurement, or that removal by
biological and chemical activity is significant.
In another table, the contents of 226Ra, 210Pb,
and 210po> Well depths and type of aquifer for 28
untreated well-water supplies were listed. Ranges
and averages of concentrations, pCi/1, were, re-
spectively: 226Ra> 0.02-22.6, 5.1 ± 3.9; 210Pb)
0.0-0.21, 0.051 ± 0.042; 210pO) 0.0-0.069, 0.016
+ 0.030. The low ratio of 210pb to 226Ra indi-
cates an effective loss of 210pb, possibly due to
the presence of Pb precipitants, H sulfide, sul-
fate ion, biological activity, and the highly
porous aquifer. Considering that the concentra-
tions of 222ftn (which is the precursor of 210pb)
range from 30-300 pCi/1, the low 210Pb values in-
dicate that the residence time of the 3.8-day
222gn in the water is short and that its decay
does not contribute significantly to the 210pb
concentration. The 210pb xevel is inversely cor-
related with the 226Ra level and decreases with
increasing well depth. No gross changes in 210pb
concentration seem to occur during storage or dis-
tribution.
Based on previous studies of the author (1960,
1962) and on the report of the International Con-
gress for Radiation Protection (1960) it was cal-
culated that the contribution of 210Pb from drink-
ing water to the skeleton is ^0.017 pCi/g ash
assuming a 210pb concentration in water of 0.051
pCi/1, this is 0.004 pCi/g of skeletal ash. Since
the average content of 210pb in subjects investi-
gated by the author is 0.15 pCi/g ash, the contri-
bution from well water would range from a maximum
of 11 to an average of 3% and from average surface
water (which contains 0.019 pCi 210pb/i) about 17.
of the total body content.
The conclusion was drawn that potable water does
not constitute an important source of 210pb in the
human skeleton.
273 Ishibashi, M., Fujinaga, T., Morii, F. ,
Kanchiku, Y., and Kamiyama, F. (Univ. Kan-
azawa, Japan): CHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE
OCEAN. XCIV. CHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE SEA-
WEEDS. 19. DETERMINATION OF ZINC, COP-
PER, LEAD, CADMIUM, AND NICKEL IN SEAWEEDS
USING DITHIZONE EXTRACTION AND POLARO-
GRAPHIC METHOD. Rec. Oceanogr. Works Jap.
7, No. 2:33-6, 1964.
The method of analysis of seaweeds was described.
Eisenia bicyclis was found to contain 112-127 yg
Zn, 11-24 yg Cu, and 7-16 yg Pb/g dried material.
Five species of seaweed contained 0.1-0.3 yg Cd
and 2-4 yg Ni/g dried seaweed. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 66:83094, 1967)
274 Jochmann, F.: (GLASS CONTAINING ARSENIC.)
Sprechsaal 97, No. 9:230-4, 1964.
The author reviews the chemical properties of As
in glass, enamel containing Pb arsenate, and the
solubility in boiling water of glass containing
an appreciable amount of As. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 61:4037, 1964)
275 Kaminski, B., and Dytkowska, 0. (Inst.
Lekow, Warsaw, Poland): (HEAVY-METAL CON-
TENT IN SOME SELECTED GALENICS.) Acta
Poloniae Pharmaceutica 21, No. 6:493-6,
1964.
Valerian rhizomes, belladonna leaves, absinth herb
and Chelidouim herb were found to contain 50, 100,
50 and 50 mg Pb respectively. No Pb was detected
in commercial tinctures. (From Chemical Abstracts
62:8943, 1965)
276 Kato, N., Sunada, T. (Radiation Center of
Osaka Prefecture, Japan): LEAD FROM TABLE-
WARE MADE OF POLYVINYL CHLORIDE PLASTIC.
Japanese Journal of Hygiene 19:214-8
(Aug.), 1964.
Polyvinyl chloride plastics are often made by
using a stabilizer which contains Pb compounds.
When drinking straws made of this plastic were
immersed in a 4% solution of acetic acid for 10
min, amounts of Pb ranging from 0 to >100 yg were
dissolved. Even water, pH 5.4, extracted some Pb.
The amount of Pb dissolved depended on the pH. To
eliminate the leaching of Pb from straws, washing
of the straws with acid was found to be effective
and feasible. As a control measure, the straws
should be immersed in an acidic solution of rho-
dizonic soda for the development of a purple
color. (From authors' English summary)
277 Kayser, P., and Meunier, A. (Fac. Med.
Nancy, France): Teneur en radioelements
naturels (Unat, Thnat, K40, Ra
226
Rn
222
et Pb ) des eaux thermales de Plombieres-
les-Bains. (NATURAL RADIOISOTOPES (U, Th,
K40> Ra226s Rn2225 ancj pb210) CONTAINED IN
THE THERMAL WATERS OF PLOMBIERES-LES-BAINS
(VOSGES).) Annales Pharmaceutiques Fran-
caises 22, No. 5:365-72, 1964.
Analyses of samples from 9 different sources gave
a 210pb content of 1-7 uuCi/1.
278 Kovalev, V.F., Kozlov, A.V., and Kralin,
G.A.: (GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
NATURAL WATERS IN WESTERN PART OF THE
TURGAI SYNCLINE.) Tr. Inst. Geol., Akad.
Nauk SSSR, Ural'sk. Filial 1964, No. 69:
37-48.
42
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
In the studied territory most of the subsurface
waters are Cl and Cl-HCO-j waters, having total
mineral concentrations of 1.5-15 g/1. Only in
the Tobol River valley do the Paleozoic formations,
outcropping as a narrow belt, contain waters of
mineral concentrations <1 g/1. The anomalously
high content in waters of Cu, Zn, Mo, Bi, Ag, As,
Pb, and Sn was used as an exploration index during
prospecting for the Cu-pyritic and polymetallic
ores. (From Chemical Abstracts 61:14350, 1964)
279 Krainov, S.R., and Korol'kova, M.Kh.:
(DISTRIBUTION OF SOME TRACE ELEMENTS IN
THE MINERAL WATERS OF THE LESSER CAUCASUS.)
Trudy Vsesoyuznogo Nauchno-Issledovatel'-
skogo Instituta Gidrogeologii i Inzhenernoi
Geologii (N.S.) 1964, No. 9:72-93.
A maximal amount of 0.04 mg Pb/1 was found in var-
ious mineral waters of the Lesser Caucasus, with
the carbonated waters containing the largest
amounts. (From Chemical Abstracts 61:10439, 1964)
280 Malyuga, D.P.: BIOGEOCHEMICAL METHODS OF
PROSPECTING. Authorized translation from
the Russian Text published for the V.I.
Vernadskii Institute of Geochemistry and
Analytical Chemistry by the Academy of
Sciences Press in Moscow, 1963. New York,
Consultants Bureau Enterprises, Inc.,
1964, 205 pp.
The essence of the biogeochemical method of pros-
pecting lies in the discovery of aureoles of dis-
seminated ore deposits by analyzing soils and
plants. In contrast to other geochemical methods
(metallometric surveys, hydrochemical method) the
biogeochemical prospecting method uses a group of
natural phenomena that are not taken into account
by other methods: (1) increased content of metals
in the ash of land plants above ore deposits, (2)
biogenic accumulation of metals in the humus layer
of soil and changes in the ratios of these metals,
and (3) the restriction of biocoenoses to zones
of mineralization and the variability of vegeta-
tion (endemic forms) under the influence of ele-
vated contents of ore elements in the environment.
Subjects covered by the author Include: History
of development of the method, internal factors
governing the migration of chemical elements over
ore deposits, external migration factors, ore de-
posit dispersion haloes, patterns of distribution
of heavy metals in soils, conditions for the ac-
cumulation of heavy metals in plants, experience
with the application of the biogeochemical explo-
ration method in different zones of the USSR,
practical problems involved in a plant-soil bio-
geochemical survey, geochemical interpretation of
the results of a biogeochemical survey, and a
critical evaluation of the biogeochemical explora-
tion method.
In Chapter V on patterns of distribution of
heavy metals in soils, tables are given showing
distribution of heavy metals in zonal soils by
horizons and the percentage content of certain ore
elements in the zonal soils of the USSR. Pb is
listed in these tables.
The list of chemical elements required by plants
has been expanded considerably (Chapter VI, Con-
ditions for the accumulation of heavy metals in
plants). Many chemical elements in small quanti-
ties are stimulators of growth and development of
surface plants (ie, Ni, Cr, Pb, Ra), but have a
negative effect in large doses, being considered
poisonous to surface plants in high concentra-
tions .
Geochemical characteristics of Cu, Zn, and Pb
in the zone of oxidation of the sulfide deposit
is one of the points of discussion in Chapter VII
(Experience with the application of the biogeo-
chemical exploration method in different zones of
the USSR). In the process of the oxidation of
sulfide minerals, Cu, Zn, and Pb migrate with the
soil and ground water. Depending on the composi-
tion of the ores and the ore-bearing rocks, the
migration of the ore elements occurs jointly or
separately. In cases of acidic weathering, when
organic acids are present in the soil and ground
water, Cu, Zn, and Pb migrate together. In cases
when the climate is relatively dry, Pb is precipi-
tated in the form of a sulfate and enriches bar-
ites. Cu, Zn, and Pb are constant constituents
of soils and plants and their study in rocks and
the biosphere makes it possible to determine their
precise mean values in rocks, soils, water, and
surface plants. In the process of oxidation of
sulfide minerals, Cu, Zn, and Pb migrate with
the soil and ground water. Depending on the com-
position of the ores and the ore-bearing rocks,
the migration of the ore elements occurs jointly
or separately. When values are compared with the
content of Cu, Zn, and Pb in soils and plants
taken from ore deposits, there often is a notice-
able lack of correspondence—ie, there is a
sharp increase in the content of these elements
over the zone of mineralization, which confirms
the basic principle relating to exploration for
these elements using soils and plants.
The problem of selecting the method used in
biogeochemical survey, whether to use soils or
plants, and the selection and development of
methods for geochemical exploration in general is
a basic problem for geological exploration. Of
>30 chemical elements investigated with respect
to applicability of the biogeochemical method,
only 10 have been studied relatively well (B, Fe,
Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mo, U) and therefore
recommendations are made for these elements. Pb
is mobile in the podzol profile and thus is re-
flected clearly in woody vegetation; and it is
recommended that in exploration for Pb, plant
samples be obtained for analysis. (12 pages of
references)
281 Masuda, A. (Univ. Tokyo, Japan): DEPTH OF
SOURCE OF LEAD. Nature 204:567-9 (Nov. 7),
1964.
In this study, an attempt has been made to eval-
uate the liquid fraction values (ie, the quanti-
tative fraction occupied by a liquid at a certain
stage of solidification relative to the amount of
initial liquid, the latter amount being taken as
unity) for the source materials of Pb and to re-
duce them to depths within the earth. It is
thought that the source of Pb originated from ma-
terial that had been produced by partial melting
shortly after the formation of the mantle and
pocketed in situ. The study suggests that the
most frequent seats of original sources from which
Pb in ores was derived are at about 150 km and
Environmental Surveys
43
-------
rarely below 400 km and above 75 kit
South Pole.
282 Patterson, C.C. (California Inst. of
Technol., Pasadena): PRELIMINARY REPORT
ON THE ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION OF LEADS IN
LAVAS FROM THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. In
Recent Researches in the Fields of Hydro-
sphere, Atmosphere and Nuclear Geochemis-
try. Miyake, Y., Koyama, T., ed.: Nagoya,
Japan, Sugawara Volume, Nagoya Univ., 1964,
pp. 257-61.
The isotopic compositions of some Pb's in Hawaiian
lavas are listed. These Pb's did not show the ex-
9Ofi
pected high values of Pb, but were even less
radiogenic then continental basalt Pb's. Further-
more, the difference between Pb's from widely sep-
arated magma chambers (islands of Oahu and Hawaii)
was substantial. There was a suggestion, in the
Hualalai lavas, that Pb became more radiogenic in
the acid differentiates, since the 2 Pb samples
from the 1801 flow are regarded as isotopically
different. The data show that different areas of
the Pacific contain Pb's of entirely different
geneses. (From Nuclear Science Abstracts 20:
Abstr. No. 25299, 1966)
283 Pencheva, E.N., and Pavlova, V.N.: (TRACE
ELEMENTS IN BRINES OF THE POMORIA LAKE.)
Tr. Vurkhu Geol. Bulgar. , Ser. Inzh. Geol.
Khidrogeol., Bulgar. Akad. Nauk 3:207-22,
1964.
The content and distribution of 29 trace elements
(including Pb) in various phases and concentrates
of the Pomoria-Lake brines was studied. The con-
tent of most trace elements increased gradually
with increased density of brine, reaching a maxi-
mum usually in the mother brine of 36.2° Baume.
Pb increased especially rapidly at 30° Baume'.
(From Chemical Abstracts 62:8829, 1965)
284 Pereira, J.F., and Echandi, E. (Univ.
Costa Rica, San Jose): (RESIDUAL ARSENIC
IN LEAVES AND SEEDS OF COFFEE PLANTS
SPRAYED WITH LEAD ARSENATE.) Turrialba 14,
No. 2:85-90, 1964.
When 20-yr-old coffee trees were sprayed with Pb
arsenate, As concentrations in the beans were
relatively low; qualitative analysis of the beans
revealed also the presence of Pb. (From Biologi-
cal Abstracts 47:Abstr. No. 44386, 1966)
285 Picciotto, E., Crozaz, G., and De Breuck,
W. (Free Univ., Brussels, Belgium): RATE
OF ACCUMULATION OF SNOW AT THE SOUTH POLE
AS DETERMINED BY RADIOACTIVE MEASUREMENTS.
Nature 203:393-4 (July 25), 1964.
The rate of accumulation of snow at the South Pole
as determined by stratigraphic observations and by
measurements on the fission products and on 210pt,
are reported. The stratigraphic observations and
fission product measurements were in good agree-
ment. They indicate a mean annual accumulation of
6.5 ± 0.5 cm of water between 1955 and 1962. The
21"pb activity was measured on a 2-m deep section
covering the 1962-64 interval and on 60-cm thick
specimens collected at intervals of ^4 m up to a
depth of 26 m. The 3 completely independendent
methods lead to a mean value of the annual rate of
accumulation between 6 and 7 cm of water at the
286 Reiter, R. (Fraunhof er-Ges. Fiirderung
Angew. Forschung, Garmisch-Partenkirchen,
Germany): Die charakteristische natUr-
liche und kOnstliche Radioaktivith't der
meteorologischen Luftkdrper in 700 und
1800 m. SeehBhe. (THE CHARACTERISTIC NAT-
URAL AND ARTIFICIAL RADIOACTIVITY OF METE-
OROLOGICAL BODIES OF AIR AT 700 AND 1800
m. SEA LEVEL.) Nukleonik 6:313-20 (Oct.),
1964.
The characteristic concentrations of 214pb and
212pb an(j nuclear decay products in the different
meteorological air bodies were determined at 700
and 1800 m, and the influences of the source and
movement of the air bodies on their radioactivity
content were shown.
287 Sheftel', V.O. (Ukr. Sci. Res. Inst. Com-
munal Hyg., Kiev, USSR): 0 vyshchelachi-
vanii svintsovykh stabilizatorov iz poli-
vinilkhloridnykh vodoprovodnykh trub.
(THE LIXIVIATION OF LEAD STABILIZERS FROM
POLYVINYL CHLORIDE WATER PIPES.) Gigiena
i Sanitariya 29, No. 10:105-6, 1964. Hy-
giene and Sanitation (USSR) 29:121-2
(Oct.), 1964.
Among the stabilizers used for the manufacture of
polyvinyl chloride plastics, Pb compounds are the
most commonly used. Although the transfer of Pb
into water from vinyl plastics has been confirmed,
several authors have recently claimed that the
presence of Pb stabilizers should not prevent the
use of plastic pipes for drinking water supplies.
In the tests described, the ratio of the volume
of water to the surface of plastic tubes of 40-mm
diameter was chosen to be 1:1. Discs cut from 4
different makes of plastic pipe (containing 2-6%
Pb) were placed in dechlorinated tap water. In
the first test, when the water was allowed to
stand for 90 min, no Pb was removed from the
discs; after vigorous stirring, the concentrations
of Pb were 0.16, 0.13, 0.28, and 0.18 mg/1. When
the plastic was allowed to stand in the water for
24 hr at 20°C, the corresponding amounts were
0.50, 0.35, 0.38, and 0.28 mg/1. After 10 days
these rose to 1.13, 0.64, 0.70, and 0.94 mg/1.
In another test, the water was changed daily. Al-
though Pb concentrations in the 24-hr infusions
gradually decreased, after 4 days 0.30, 0.28, 0.21,
and 0.30 mg/1 were obtained, and after 15 days,
0.19, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.17 mg/1. The findings
confirmed literature reports that free C02 in-
creased leaching of Pb. To investigate the effect
of temperature, tests were run at 5, 20 and 50°.
The respective ranges at 5° were 0.09-0.19; at 20°,
0.10-0.20; and at 50°, 0.19-0.58 mg/1.
The conclusion is that the leaching of Pb from
vinyl plastic pipes in which Pb stabilizers are
used would cause Pb concentrations in drinking wa-
ter exceeding maximum permissible concentrations,
and that Pb stabilizers are not acceptable for use
in plastic pipes conveying drinking water.
288 Smelhaus, V., and Valek, B. (Ceskoslov.
Akad. Vied., Prague, Czechoslovakia):
Rozsirenie mikroelementov v podach Cesko-
slovenska. (OCCURRENCE OF TRACE ELEMENTS
44
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
IN THE SOILS OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA.) Pol'-
nohospodarstvo 10, No. 11:833-6, 1964.
Soils from 48 different regions in Czechoslovakia
were analyzed for trace elements. If Pb was found
at all, it occurred in quantities of <0.1 mg/100
g of soil.
289 Starikov, V.S., Konovalov, B.T., and
Brushtein, I.M. (Northern Caucasus Mining-
Met. Trust., Ordzhomikidze City): (BIOCHEM-
ICAL METHOD OF PROSPECTING AND RESULTS OF
ITS APPLICATION IN THE GORNAYA OSETIA.)
Geokhimiya 1964, No. 10:1070-2.
Analysis of 32 plants showed elevated amounts of
Pb, Zn and Cu in marjoram, coltsfoot, Alpine bell-
flower, centaurea and in leaves of hazel, birch,
alder, maple and sometimes rhododendron. The Al-
pine bellflower which contained in its ash 0.001-
0.1% Pb and 0.01-0.3% Zn was found to grow in
soils of elevated content of Pb and Zn. In gen-
eral, plants growing 250 m from the Main Sadonsk
fracture containing polymetallic mineralizations
were high in Pb, Zn and Cu. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 61:15847, 1964)
290 Strasheim, A., Norval, E., and Butler,
L.R.P. (Council Sci. Ind. Res., Pretoria,
S. Africa): ATOMIC ABSORPTION DETERMINA-
TION OF TRACES OF LEAD IN FISH FLOUR.
Journal of the South African Chemical In-
stitute 17, No. 2:55-60, 1964.
By the method described, concentrations of Pb
ranging from 0.75-12 ppm were found in the pres-
ence of about 12,000 ppm of Ca as phosphate.
(From Chemical Abstracts 62:9693, 1965)
291 Talipov, R.M.: (CONCENTRATION OF NONFER-
ROUS METALS IN SOILS AND PLANTS OF THE
SARY-CHEKU AND UCH-KULACH DEPOSITS (UZBEK-
ISTAN).) Geokhimiya 1964, No. 5:457-67.
The contents of Cu and Pb were determined in soils
and plants in the area of the Sary-Cheku Cu-Mo
and the Uch-Kulach polymetallic deposit. The
data obtained were sufficient to outline the areas
of enriched sections. Parallel increases in the
contents of Cu and Pb in soils and in plants were
observed near known ore bodies. The concentra-
tions of Cu, Pb, and other metals in soils in-
crease 10-20 times above average. This permitted
detection of the presence of ore bodies not yet
discovered by exploration. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 61:4103, 1964)
292 Talipov, R.M.: (RESULTS OF BIOGEOCHEMICAL
SURVEY IN SOME UZBEKISTAN ORE FIELDS.)
Poleznye Iskopaemye Uzbekistana i Voprosy
ikh Genezisa, Akad. Nauk Uz. SSR, Otd.
Geol. Nauk 1964:95-102.
Plants growing over an ore body showed elevated
amounts of Pb, Zn and Cu compared with those grow-
ing at a certain distance from the ore body. Cu
is localized in the leaves, Pb and Zn mostly in
the stems. The ash of Ferula growing in soils
over ore bodies contained 0.02% Pb while the Pb
content in a plant growing several hundred meters
from the ore body was 0.002%. (From Chemical
Abstracts 62:6268, 1965)
293
Tew, R.P., and Sillibourne, J.M. (East
Mailing Res. Sta., Maidstone, Kent,
England): PESTICIDE RESIDUES ON FRUIT.
VI. LEAD AND ARSENIC RESIDUES ON APPLES.
'Journal of the Science of Food and Agri-
culture 15:678-83 (Oct.), 1964.
Further residue studies, including the measurement
of Pb, have confirmed previous findings that har-
vest residues of Pb and As from biologically ef-
fective programs of Pb arsenate sprays, applied by
hand lance to bush trees, may exceed official
limits at least on the earlier ripening varieties
of apple. Pb deposits of 6.97 yg/cm2 and 2.0 ug/
cm2 of As were found at harvest.
294 Tilton, G.R., Davis, G.L., Hart, S.R.,
Aldrich, L.T., Steiger, R.H., and Cast, P.
W. (Carnegie Inst., Washington, D.C.):
GEOCHRONOLOGY AND ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY.
Carnegie Institution of Washington, Papers
from the Geophysical Laboratory No. 1440:
240-56 (Dec.), 1964.
Theoretical and practical aspects of the use of U,
Th, Pb, Sr, Rb, Ar and K isotopes for determining
ages of minerals and rocks were discussed and a
study of the isotopic composition of Pb in feld-
spars and galenas of different ages was reported.
The value quoted for the age of the earth of 4.55
x 10^ yr was based on a comparison of the isotopic
composition of some modern terrestrial Pb with
that of Pb from the troilite phase of Fe meteor-
ites. (From Nuclear Science Abstracts 21:Abstr.
No. 10448, 1967)
295 Truhaut, R. (Univ. Paris, France): Les
substances minerales existant dans la na-
ture. (OCCURRENCE OF MINERALS IN NATURE.)
In Proceedings of the Seventh Meeting of
the European Committee on Chronic Toxic
Hazards (Eurotox), Brussels, June 3-6,
1964. Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 2:
661-3 (Dec.), 1964.
The hazards connected with repeated absorption of
certain naturally occurring minerals such as F,
Se, As, Zn and Pb are discussed. Concerning Pb,
the author mentions that experimental studies have
shown a toxic and possibly cancerogenic effect of
some of its compounds upon man. Also, the possi-
bility of contamination of foods and beverages by
Pb is pointed out. The importance of the preven-
tion of hazards both in occupational and non-
occupational exposure is stressed.
296 Tso, T.C., Hallden, N.A., and Alexander,
L.T. (US Dept. Agric., Beltsville, Md.
and US Atomic Energy Comm., New York,
N.Y.): RADIUM-226 AND POLONIUM-210 IN
LEAF TOBACCO AND TOBACCO SOIL. Science
146:1043-5 (Nov. 20), 1964.
uPo in tobacco plants is derived from either soil
or air. It may be taken up directly from the soil
or may result from radioactive decay of 210pb or
•"6Ra taken up from the soil. It may also result
from radioactive decay of the daughters of 222Ra
deposited on leaves. In attempting to establish
its origin, the authors studied natural radioac-
tivity in different types of leaf tobacco produced
in various years in various localities, and in
soils producing tobaccos in 1963. Included in the
analyses was the calculation of the equilibrium
210P
Environmental Surveys
45
-------
activity of 210pb (daughter of 22oRa an(j precursor
of 210p0) from both nuclides. Comparison of cal-
culation from 210p0 with that calculated from
226Ra showed that 22&Ra is not (-j^ oniy source of
210Pb in tobacco.
The results showed that contents of 226Ra an(j
210po jn leaf tobacco and tobacco-growing soils
vary with the source. The differences may result
from production locality, culture, and curing. Po
is not entirely derived from the Ra; plants prob-
ably take it up from soil or air. (15 references)
297 Vilenskii, V.D., Davydov, E.N., and Mal-
akhov, S.G.: (SEASONAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL
CHANGES IN THE 210Pb CONTENT OF THE ATMO-
SPHERE.) In Radioaktivnye Izotopy v
Atmosfere i Ikh Ispol'zovanie v Meteor-
ologii, Moscow, Atomizdat, 1964, pp. 120-
31.
The concentration of Rn and -^Pb was measured
over a 2-yr period in the surface boundary layer
of the atmosphere over Moscow and the Kheys Island,
and the influx of 210Pb and 90Sr into the atmo-
sphere of polar regions was studied. Also, the
seasonal changes in the rate of purification of
the 210pb aerosol-carrier was evaluated. (From
Nuclear Science Abstracts 20:Abstr. No. 16640,
1966)
298 Vilenskii, V.D., Dmitrieva, G.V., and
Krasnopevtsev, Yu.V.: (NATURAL AND ARTI-
FICIAL RADIOACTIVITY OF THE ATMOSPHERE
OVER THE OCEANS AND THE RELATIONSHIP TO
METEOROLOGICAL FACTORS.) In Radioaktivnye
Izotopy v Atmosfere i Ikh Ispol'zovanie v
Meteorologii, Moscow, Atomizdat, 1964,
pp. 307-22.
The content and distribution of natural Rn and
artificial (210Pb and 90Sr) radioactivity in the
near-water layer of the atmosphere in the low and
equatorial latitudes was studied. (From Nuclear
Science Abstracts 20:Abstr. No. 16699, 1966)
299 Wampler, J.M., and Kulp, J.L. (Columbia
Univ., Palisades, N.Y.): (AN ISOTOPIC
STUDY OF LEAD IN SEDIMENTARY PYRITE.)
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 28:1419-
58 (Sept.), 1964.
The Pb in sedimentary pyrite is typical of dis-
solved Pb in the sea from which the sediments are
deposited, provided that the pyrite is formed at
the time of or soon after deposition, and its iso-
topic composition is not changed by radioactive
decay of U or Th. These conditions appear to be
realized generally in pyrite from unmetamorphosed
sedimentary rocks. In metasedimentary rocks, the
origin of Pb in pyrite may be quite complex, but
in favorable cases the isotopic composition of
such Pb provides some information about the pre-
metamorphic history of the samples. The Pb con-
tent of 30 samples of pyrite from sedimentary and
metasedimentary rocks has been determined by X-ray
fluorescence spectrometry. Pb contents ranged
from a few ppm to several hundred ppm in both sed-
imentary and metasedimentary samples. The U con-
tent of most samples was determined by isotope
dilution; much of the U and in some cases much of
the Pb, associated with the samples, could be re-
moved by leaching for several days in hot HC1.
The U/Pb ratio was mostly so low that the contri-
bution of radiogenic Pb by decay of U was negligi-
ble. The isotopic abundances of Pb were related
to a 2-stage model for development of oceanic Pb
based on the isotopic composition of Pb in the
modern North Pacific. Samples from black schists
9nfi
in Finland contained excess ^UDPb which probably
originated in black shale environments prior to
metamorphism. The amount of excess 2"°Pb and the
composition of other samples indicate deposition
times in excess of 2100 million yr. A group of
samples of Ordovician or Silurian age have iso-
topic compositions similar to those observed in
modern marine Pb.
300 Wilkening, M.H. (New Mexico Inst. Mining
Tech., Socorro): RADON-DAUGHTER IONS IN
THE ATMOSPHERE. In Adams, J.A.S., and
Lowder, W.M., ed.: Natural Radiation En-
vironment. Chicago, Univ. of Chicago
Press, 1964, pp. 359-68.
222Rn, 220Rn an(j 219^ are present in the atmos-
iphere in measureable amounts; 222^ w^t:h a half--
life of 3.82 days has the best chance of escaping
into the air. The U-Ra series from 222Rn to the
22-yr 210pb isotope is shown in a figure. The Rn-
daughter small ions of positive charge and high
mobility that result during the decay of 222Rn ancj
its short-lived daughters are measured with a
negative-wire apparatus. The activity of the
220Rn daughters is governed by the 10.6-hr decay
period of 212pb. The measurement of the Rn-daugh-
ter ions is a useful tool in studying atmospheric
electrical environment.
301 Williams, H.A. (Public Analyst, City Lon-
don Labs, England): THE OCCURRENCE OF Pb
IN TEA. Journal Association Public An-
alysts 2, No. 1:8-12, 1964.
It was suggested that a fine dust from a Pb-bear-
ing soil introduces the contaminant into tea.
(From Chemical Abstracts 63:10584, 1965)
302 Zabugina, E.A., Los, L.I., Polyakova, E.G.,
and Pyatnitskaya, L.K. (Med. Inst., Sara-
tov, USSR): (TRACE ELEMENTS IN WELL WATER
FROM VARIOUS WATER-BEARING HORIZONS OF THE
SARATOV REGION.) Gigiena i Sanitariya 29,
No. 5:88-91, 1964.
The Pb content reported for various water sources
ranged from 0.67-19.36 ug/1.
46
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
I. PLANTS AND ANIMALS
A. COLD-BLOODED ANIMALS, LOWER ORGANISMS, PLANTS, AND IN VITRO SPECIMENS
1950
303 Engelbreth-Holm, J., and Plum, C.M. (Univ.
Inst. Pathol. Anatomy, Copenhagen, Den-
mark) : PRODUCTION OF STIPPLED ERYTHROCYTES
IN VITRO. Nature 166:990 (Dec. 9), 1950.
Since no studies appear to have been carried out
to detect whether the direct action of a Pb medium
on erythrocytes in vitro may cause basophilic stip-
pling (BSE), the authors suspended normal rabbit
erythrocytes in plasma from rabbits poisoned with
daily iv injections of 0.25 g PbO suspended in 10
ml water. In 8 days the BSE increased to 20% and
then declined to normal values toward death at 16
days. No relation was found between the number of
reticulocytes and BSE. To the plasma obtained
from the poisoned rabbits, washed red cells from
normal rabbits were added and the specimens were
placed in a water-bath of 37°C. After 4 hr 6-14%
BSE were formed in the plasma culture from poisoned
rabbits vs 3-7% in that from normal rabbits. The
authors conclude that stippling may be induced in
normal cells cultivated in vitro in a medium which
conditions stippling in vivo.
304 Olson, C.K., and Binkley, F. (Univ. Utah
Coll, of Med., Salt Lake City): METABOLISM
OF GLUTATHIONE. III. ENZYMIC HYDROLYSIS OF
CYSTEINYLGLYCINE. Journal of Biological
Chemistry 186:731-5, 1950.
Cysteinylglycine was prepared from glutathione
treated with 1.2 N HC1. Cysteinylglycine could not
be isolated and apparently was converted to Cyste-
inylglycine during isolation attempts. CGase
(enzyme which hydrolyzes Cysteinylglycine) was
separated from GSHase (enzyme which hydrolyzes
y-glutamyl linkage of glutathione) from pig kidney.
CGase was activated by Co++, Fe++, and Mn++; un-
affected by Mg++, Ca++, and glutamine; inhibited by
Pb++. Preincubation of CGase with Mn-H- ions and
glutathione inhibited its activity. The maximum
hydrolysis of Cysteinylglycine by the action of
CGase was approximately 50% at pH 8.2 under test
conditions. (From authors' summary)
1951
3Q5 Dzialoszynski, L.M. (Univ. Posnan, Poland):
(PHENOLSULFATASE. III. A NEW METHOD FOR
THE ESTIMATION OF PHENOLSULFATASE ACTIVITY,
INHIBITION, INACTIVATION, FRACTIONAL PRE-
CIPITATION.) Bull. Soc. Amis Sci. Lettres
Poznan Bll, 87-99, 1951.
The molecular concentration (M) and percentage in-
hibition respectively, for the following inhibi-
tors added to the previously published list are:
AgN03 10-4, 66; NaCN 10~5, 10; NH20H 10~5, 7;
NH20H 10-4, 63; H2NCONHNH2 10-4, g; pb(N03)? 10 ,
44; Pb(N03)2 10-2, 59; KH2P04 10~2, 25; and AcONa
10-2, o. (From Chemical Abstracts 46:7605, 1952)
1952
306 Ruffilli, D. (Univ. Sassari, Italy):
Azione dell'ambiente biochimico sul]a
riproduzione del virus influenzale in
culture di tessuti. III. Azione di al-
cuni ioni metallic!. (INFLUENCE OF THE
BIOCHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT ON THE REPRODUC-
TION OF INFLUENZA VIRUS IN TISSUE CULTURES.
III. EFFECT OF SOME METAL IONS.) Bollet-
tino della Societa Italiana di Blologia
Sperimentale 28:828-32, 1952.
All cations studied, including Pb and Ag inhibited
specifically the multiplication of the virus. The
latter 2 did so when present in concentrations of
1 x 10~8 and 10~"M, respectively, but did not
destroy the vitality of transplants of chorioal-
lantoic membrane. Pb was fixed in the tissue.
307 Yoshida, K. (Kyoto Univ., Japan): MECH-
ANISM OF LEAD POISONING. I. OXYGEN UPTAKE
OF EXPERIMENTALLY LEAD-INJECTED ANIMAL
TISSUES. II. THE OXYGEN UPTAKE OF TISSUE
SLICES ON ADDING LEAD TO WARBURG'S FLASK.
III. INFLUENCE OF LEAD SALT ON THE ADAP-
TIVE PRODUCTION OF GLYCOLYSIS ENZYMES.
Japan. J. Nation's Health 21:2-4; 68-73;
74-8, 1952.
I. After intracardial injection of 9.1 mg Pb ace-
tate to guinea pigs the 0 consumption of tis-
sues was decreased; the decrease in the liver was
proportional to the log dose of the Pb, but the 0
consumption was not clear in other tissues. The
0 consumption of tissues was increased gradually
with the decrease of Pb in tissues.
II. The 0 uptake of tissue slices in vitro in
Warburg's flask containing asparagine and NaOH or
NaCl, glycine, and NaOH solution at pH 7.4 with
various amounts of Pb chloride (0.3-300 mg%) was
retarded by the presence of the Pb at the concen-
tration of 2 mg% for liver, 15 mg% for brain, and
11 mg% for kidney, and the retardation was propor-
tional to the concentration of Pb in tissues.
However, the decrease of 0 uptake by the Pb-poison-
ed animal tissues cannot be explained on the basis
that the direct inhibition is caused only by Pb.
III. Tests with bakers' yeast on the respira-
tion in media containing NaCl and various amounts
of Pb chloride indicated that Pb++ was not the
direct cause of respiration inhibition; it was at-
tributed to the damage of the production of gly-
colysis enzyme. (From Chemical Abstracts 47:11535,
1953)
47
-------
1953
308 Hashimoto, K. (Kozo High School, Osaka,
Japan): REFRACT1LE BODIES WITH AFFINITY
FOR LEAD IN STYLONYCHIA HISTRIO. Zool.
Mag. (Tokyo) 62:241-4, 1953.
Refractile bodies with an affinity for Pb were
demonstrated in the ectoplasm of Stylonychia Pleu-
rotricha, and Oxytricha; physiological observa-
tions are given. (From Chemical Abstracts 48:
13999, 1954)
309 Hewitt, E.J. (Univ. Bristol Res. Station,
Long Ashton, England): METAL INTERRELA-
TIONSHIPS IN PLANT NUTRITION. I. EFFECTS
OF SOME METAL TOXICITIES ON SUGAR BEET,
TOMATO, OAT, POTATO, AND NARROW STEM KALE
GROWTH IN SAND CULTURE. Journal of Ex-
perimental Botany (London) 4:59-64, 1953.
The title products were grown in sand cultures
with additions of several heavy metals, including
Pb (at 0.5 and 1.0 meq/1 in 1947 and 0.5 in 1948).
Pb was among the metals that were less active in
causing chlorosis (Cr, Zn, V, Mn, and Pb vs Cu, Co,
and Cd).
310 Hiyama, Y., and Ichikawa, R. (Tokyo Univ.,
Japan): THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS TYPES OF
TAGS AND LEAD INJECTION UPON' THE MORTALITY
RATE OF FISH. Bull. Japan. Soc. Sci. Fish-
eries 19:376-81, 1953.
By injection of Pb acetate a passage of time can
be recorded upon the layer of scales and other
hard tissues of fishes. In aquarium experiments
Pb acetate injection (0.1 cc 0.1% Pb acetate/10 g)
had no influence on the mortality rate of goby
(Acanthogobius flavimanus). (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 49:5698, 1955)
311 Miyoshi, Y. (Keio Univ., Tokyo, Japan):
DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN BLOOD CONSTITU-
ENTS. I. EXPERIMENTS IN VITRO WITH
GOAT BLOOD. Journal of Science of
Labour (Japan) 29:488-95, 1953.
A Pb acetate solution (100 mg Pb/ml) was mixed with
15 ml goat plasma. With increasing volumes of Pb
solution the Pb up to 100 yg was distributed uni-
formly between the supernatant fluid and sediment.
Beyond this point the sediment contained more Pb,
coagulating the plasma protein. In goat blood
containing a small volume of Pb acetate solution
at 37° the Pb in plasma decreased to a minimum in
2 hr and thereafter remained unchanged (Pb dis-
tribution between the plasma and corpuscles at
equilibrium). The Pb concentration (yg/dl) in
plasma (x) was related to that in corpuscles (y)
as y = 205.31 x x°'286. (From author's
summary)
312 Monnier, A.M. (Univ. Sorbonne, Paris,
France): Les affinites des globulins
se'riques pour divers cations et leur vari-
ations a la suite de la formolisation.
(AFFINITY OF SERUM GLOBULINS FOR VARIOUS
CATIONS AND ITS VARIATION FOLLOWING TREAT-
MENT WITH FORMALDEHYDE.) Comptes Rendus
des Seances de la Socie'te de Biologie et
de ses Filiales 148:1548-51, 1953.
The effects of HCHO treatment and variations in pH
on the affinity of highly diluted serum proteins
for small amounts of Cu, Zn, Cd, La, Ce, Pb, Co,
and Ni ions are discussed.
313 Reddi, K.K. (Univ. Stockholm, Sweden):
THE UPTAKE OF THORIUM B (LEAD) BY THE
ERYTHROCYTES OF THE RABBIT BLOOD. Arkiv.
Kemi 6:147-54, 1953.
When rabbit blood was treated with Pb salts the Pb
as ThB was taken up by the erythrocytes rather
than by the plasma. Of the total ThB, 2.9% was
bound to the strotna, equally distributed between
stromal protein and cholinesterase. The hemoly-
zate containing the bulk of the bound ThB lost its
activity when dialyzed against acetate buffer of
pH 2.8. A 21% loss occurred after dialysis with
borate buffer of pH 10.0. A 15-fold increase in
activity occurred after addition of 1/3 volume of
absolute ethanol to the hemolyzate, accounting
also for 70% of nondialyzable ThB. By ionophore-
sis the denatured hemoglobin became free of ThB.
The alcohol precipitate yielded protein and non-
protein, probably phenolic, fractions. The non-
protein fraction bound 2/3 of the ThB in the pre-
cipitate. (From Chemical Abstracts 47:11560,
1953)
314 Reddi, K.K. (Univ. Stockholm Sweden):
ISOLATION OF THORIUM B (LEAD)-BINDING SUB-
STANCE FROM THE ERYTHROCYTE OF RABBIT
BLOOD. Nature 172:202-3, 1953.
An 0 stream striking the surface of radio-Th was
used to activate heparinized rabbit blood. The
plasma was removed by centrifugation and the cells
washed 3 times with cold 0.9% Nad, then hemolyzed
with water and alcohol. The hemolyzate was re-
moved by centrifugation and dialyzed against dis-
tilled water; 61% of the ThB was in the nondialyz-
able form with the remainder in the dialyzate. A
precipitate which had 15 times the activity of the
hemolyzate was formed by the addition of absolute
alcohol at -10°. The precipitate was insoluble in
water, 0.9% NaCl, and mineral acids; slightly
soluble in 0.02N NaOH. The biuret, Millon-Nasse,
xanthoproteic and ninhydrin tests were positive.
A weak blood group B was also evident. A green
precipitate was formed with Benedict reagent but
no sugars were detected chromatographically. The
precipitate was dissolved in 0.02N NaOH and the
protein denatured by Sevag's reagent. The pre-
cipitated protein was shaken with CHCl3-BuOH 10:1,
then centrifuged. This was repeated until the
supernatent solution gave a negative ninhydrin
test. C02 was passed through the protein-free
solution to precipitate all of the active com-
ponent. This water insoluble precipitate was dis-
solved in 0.02N NaOH. NH4OH and 20% Pb acetate
were added to form the Pb salt which contained
C 35.95, H 4.88, N 12.14 and Pb 26.08%. The Pb
salt was suspended in water and acidified with 6N
HC1 and H2S to saturation and centrifuged. The
H2S free supernatent gave a positive Millon-Nasse
reaction, a precipitate with Br-^O, an orange
color with diazotized p-nitroaniline, and a blue
color with phosphotungstic-phosphomolybdic reagent.
It is suggested that the substance which takes up
the ThB in nondializable hemolyzate consists of a
protein and a nonprotein component which is prob-
ably a phenolic compound.
48
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
315 Roth, J.S. (Hahnemann Med. Coll. and Hosp.,
Philadelphia, Pa.): ' EFFECT OF SULFHYDRYL
REACTANTS ON LIVER RIBONUCLEASE. Nature
171:127-8, 1953.
The method of Roth and Milstein was employed to
measure the activity of rat-liver ribonuclease.
Several reagents which react with sulfhydryl (SH)
groups increased the activity of the enzyme in
homogenates. The activity was increased ^25% by
4 x 10~4M Ag and Pb ions. Saturation of the sys-
tem with p-chloromercuribenzoic acid or phenyl
mercuric chloride caused a similar increase. Cu
ions at a concentration of 4 x 10~^M inhibited the
activity by VjO%. The inhibitory action of Cu
ions could be reversed by the addition of BAL.
BAL had no effect on the systems containing the
other SH reacting agents, or on the enzyme alone.
The possibility of a SH-containing ribonuclease
inhibitor in liver homogenates is discussed.
316 Santi, R. , and Taormina, A.: (PHARMACO-
LOGICAL STUDIES ON ADENOSINETRIPHOSPHATE
(ATP). I. COMBINED ACTION OF ATP AND
HEAVY METALS ON THE ISOLATED FROG HEART.)
Arch. Ital. Sci. Farmacol. 3:367-73, 1953.
ATP (1:5000-1:10,000) inhibits the toxic action of
Cu and Pb on the isolated frog heart, but not that
of Hg. This is considered in relation to the no-
table tendency of Cu and Pb to form precipitates
with ATP. (From Chemical Abstracts 49:13510,
1955)
317 Yoshida, K. (Kyoto Univ., Japan): MECHAN-
ISM OF LEAD POISONING. IV. INFLUENCE OF
LEAD ON THE PHOSPHATE AND NUCLEIC ACID
METABOLISM. Japan J. Nation's Health 22:
58-62, 1953.
The synthesis of enzymic protein from the forma-
tion of galactozymase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
was lowered in the presence of Pb; the addition of
adenosinetriphosphate had no influence while ad-
dition of ribonucleic acid to 20 yg/ml allowed
normal galactozymase production. PbCl2 added to
the extent of 1000 ug/ml had no influence on res-
piration. The cause of damage on general metabo-
lism by the Pb is attributed to the damage on
nucleic acid metabolism. (From Chemical Abstracts
48:6021, 1954)
1954
318 Fusco, M. , and Guarino, A. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): L'Azione del Pb sull'attivita'
succino-deidrasica. (ACTION OF LEAD ON
SUCCINODEHYDRASE ACTIVITY.) Bollettino
della Societa Italiana di Biologia Speri-
mentale 30:195-6, 1954.
Fresh tissue slices were frozen and washed, then
immersed in buffer solution of methylene blue and
Na succinate at pH 7.7 for 15-20 min, then placed
between slides under water and sealed with paraf-
fin, and the discoloration followed to ^80 min.
When Pb nitrate or acetate was included in the im-
mersion solution, no discoloration was found with
0.1N and 0.01N solutions. At 0.001N slight re-
tardation in discoloration was found, and at
0.0001N the tests ran parallel with the buffer
solutions. Tl at 0.1N concentration did not in-
hibit the succinodehydrase activity, Mn acceler-
ated the reaction slightly, and Hg at 0.001N was
inhibitory.
319 Gurd, F.R.N., and Murray, G.R., Jr.
(Harvard Univ. Cambridge, Mass.): PREPARA-
TION AND PROPERTIES OF SERUM AND PLASMA
PROTEINS. XXXIX. THE INTERACTION OF HUMAN
SERUM ALBUMIN. Journal of the American
Chemical Society 76:187-90, 1954.
The interaction of human serum mercaptalbumin with
plumbous ions at 0° has been studied by observing
the effect of the metal on the solubility of the
protein and by measurements of binding. Pb ions
render the protein insoluble over almost the entire
pH range 2-8. The reaction can be reversed; as
many as 70 Pb ions have been combined with albumin
without obvious effect on the properties of the
protein after removal of the metal. Binding was
measured either by the dialysis equilibrium tech-
nique or by analysis of the Pb-protein precipitate
and of the supernatant solution. Studies of the
competition between Pb and H ions indicated that
Pb ions are bound to carboxylate groups in this
protein. The failure of Pb ions to compete with
Zn ions for common binding sites is taken as evi-
dence that Pb ions do not bind to the imidarole
groups in human serum mercaptalbumin. (From
authors' summary; 35 references).
320 Joyce, C.R.B., Moore, H., and Weatherall,
M. (London Hosp. Med. Coll., England):
THE EFFECTS OF LEAD, MERCURY AND GOLD ON
THE POTASSIUM TURNOVER OF RABBIT BLOOD
CELLS. British Journal of Pharmacology
and Chemotherapy 9:463-70, 1954.
Rabbit red cells poisoned with Pb, Hg, or Au chlo-
rides lost K at 37° and 7°, and later hemolyzed
(except with Pb chloride at 7°). Pb chloride ac-
celerated the entry of **2K into the cells at the
same time net losses of K were occurring. With
Hg chloride, K entry was accelerated only with
large K losses and incipient hemolysis. Au chlo-
ride acted less rapidly and produced effects in-
termediate between Pb and Hg. (20 references)
321 Kostial, K., Vouk, V.B., and Puree, L.:
(THE INFLUENCE OF LEAD IONS ON THE RELEASE
OF ACETYLCHOLINE.) Arhiv Hig. Rada 5:351-
4, 1954.
The preganglionic nerve of cat superior cervical
ganglion was stimulated with a current of 2 cy-
cles/sec and perfused with Ringer solution contain-
ing 1:100,000 eserine sulfate. Addition of Pb
nitrate (1 yg/cc)' reduces the amount of acetyl-
choline in perfusate to 35% of its original value.
When nictitating membrane contractions were meas-
ured, the addition of Pb ions caused a complete
block of ganglionic transmission, while stimulat-
ing the preganglionic nerve fibers. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 49:16220, 1955)
322 Ono, S., and Hiromi, K. (Naniwa Univ.,
Sakai, Japan): NONCOMPETITIVE INHIBITION
OF BACTERIAL a-AMYLASE BY CALCIUM AND OTH-
ER METALLIC IONS. Proc. Japan Acad. 30:467-
72, 1954.
The effect of metallic ions on the action of crys-
talline bacterial a-amylase on amylose was measured
by determining the increase in reducing end groups
Plants and Animals
49
-------
(small fragments) and the decrease in the color of
amylose-iodine complex (large fragments). The
reaction was carried out in acetate buffer, pH
5.8, at 30°. Next to Hg, Pb was among the strong-
est inhibitors of the production of large frag-
ments. (From Chemical Abstracts 49:3311, 1955)
323 Saito, G.: (ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDIES
ON THE ACTION OF VARIOUS METALLIC SALT
SOLUTIONS UPON THE ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANE.)
Yokohama Igaku 4:16-21, 1954, Japanese
Science Review, Medical Sciences Abstracts
1955, Abstr. No. 2980.
Defibrinated human red blood cells were hemolyzed
in hypotonic metal salt solution, and the changes
which resulted in the cell membrane were observed
with the electron microscope. The effects of Cu,
Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Hg, Al, Sn, Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co,
and Ni were tested. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:
9241, 1958)
324 Shaw, W.H.R. (Univ. Texas, Austin): THE
INHIBITION OF UREASE BY VARIOUS METAL
IONS. Journal of the American Chemical
Society 76:2160-3, 1954.
Data on the relative toxicity of metal ions toward
the enzyme urease were collected from the litera-
ture. It was found possible to arrange the common
metal ions in a toxicity sequence: Ag '^Hg++>Cu
>Cd++>Co++>Ni~H">Mn++ with Pb++ and Zn"1"4" unassigned
but 150 yg/g, while in the
kidney inhibition was of greater extent. The
authors conclude that this behavior cannot be ex-
plained entirely by chelation of Pb. (13 refer-
ences)
327 Deszyck, E.J., and Ting, S.V.: EFFECT OF
LEAD ARSENATE SPRAYS ON THE SUCROSE CON-
TENT OF GRAPEFRUIT. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci.,
52nd Ann. Meeting, East Lansing, 1955:
47-8. Journal of the Science of Food and
Agriculture 7:1-259, 1956.
Post-bloom sprays of Pb arsenate applied to grape-
fruic cause a low acid content and an increased
sucrose content in the fruit.
328 Eriksen, L. (Univ. Oslo, Norway): LEAD
INTOXICATION. I. THE EFFECT OF LEAD ON
THE IN VITRO BIOSYNTHESIS OF HEME AND FREE
ERYTHROCYTE PORPHYRINS. Scandinavian
Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investi-
gation 7:80-5, 1955.
The effect of Pb on the biosynthesis of heme and
free porphyrins in immature rabbit erythrocytes
and normal duck erythrocytes was studied in vitro
with the aid of Na acetate labeled in the carbonyl
group with 1LfC and ferric ammonium citrate labeled
with 55/59Fe.
It was shown that Pb exercises a strong inhibi-
tory effect on the formation of heme, but the ef-
fect is not due to a blocking of the incorporation
of Fe into protoporphyrin (PP) as suggested by
Rimington (1938) but to a diminished formation of
the porphyrin part of heme.
It is suggested that free erythrocyte PP is used
for the biosyntheses of heme. (From author's sum-
mary; 15 references)
329 Herrero, F.J.: (EFFECT OF CATIONS OS THE
DEVELOPMENT OF CANDIDA ALBICANS.) Arch.
farm, y bioquim. Tucuman 7:179-92, 1955.
C. albicans grown on agar-peptone-glucose medium
at pH 6.5 was grown in an agar-free medium for 48
hr at 28° and 0.1 ml placed in a Petri dish. Af-
ter 48 hr incubation, observations on growth inhi-
bition were made. Pb has the lowest toxicity
level. (From Chemical Abstracts 51:14895, 1957)
330 Jachimowicz, Th. (Bundes-Lehr-u. Versuch-
sanstalt, Vienna-Grinzing, Austria): (THE
50
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
EFFECT OF LEAD OXIDE ON BEES.) Z. Bienen-
forsch. 3:29-31, 1955.
The lethal dose of PbO when fed to bees in honey
was 0.32-0.50 rag/bee. The toxic symptoms included
decreased inertia, slow wing movement, and inabil-
ity to climb, followed by paralysis, inability to
feed, and death. (From Chemical Abstracts 49:
9826, 1955)
331 Kleinsorge, H., and Rosner, K^ (Med. Univ.
Polyclinic, Jena, Germany): Uber die
Beeinflussbarkeit der basophilen Substanz
jugendlicher Erythrozyten durch Vitamin
812- (THE INFLUENCE OF VITAMIN B12 ON
THE BASOPHILIC SUBSTANCE IN YOUNG ERYTHRO-
CYTES.) Folia Haematologica 73:75-9,
1955.
The influence of vitamin B^2 on the erythrocytes
in the peripheral blood was studied. Rabbits were
poisoned with Pb (6 mg/kg Pb acetate iv which pro-
duced anemia on the 4th day) and the resulting
basophil stippled cells were studied. To 0.1 ml
of such blood was added equal parts of a solution
containing 3.8% Na citrate and 0.75-4.5 pg of vi-
tamin B}2- This was kept from 1-48 hr at 37°.
The basophilic stippling did not disappear. It
was not possible to demonstrate any effect of vi-
tamin Bi2 °n the peripheral erythrocytes. (22
references)
332 Kostial, K. (Inst. Ind. Hyg., Zagreb,
Yugoslavia): (EFFECT OF SODIUM, POTASSI-
UM, CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND LEAD IONS IN
SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION.) Arhiv Hig. Rada
6:193-200, 1955.
The acetylcholine output was measured after per-
fusing the superior cervical ganglion of cats
with 10-25 mM/1 Mg, 6.6-10.5 Ca, 23 K, and Na in
an unspecified concentration, single or in combin-
ations, and also 5.40 uM/1 Pb. Results are given
in the form of columnar plots rather than numeri-
cal values. (40 references) (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 50:5160, 1956)
333 Laroze, A.: (EFFECT OF POISONS ON FISH.)
Anais fac. farm. Porto 15:77-111, 1955.
Squalius cephalus 7-8 cm long, were used in a vol-
ume of 200 cc. The time required to kill was de-
termined as a function of concentration, and was
nearly constant for ferric lactate 1.60-9.83.10~3N,
Al chloride 0.03-2.8.10"3N, and Cu sulfate 0.157-
b.28.10~3N, while for Hg chloride up to 10~3N and
for HC1 up to 10~2N there was a rapid increase.
Temperature studies showed that for Ag nitrate,
Ba chloride, Pb acetate, uranyl acetate, Cu
sulfate, NaF, and LiCl the velocity of fatality was
nearly constant up to 15° after which it in-
creased rapidly. For Hg chloride, ferric lactate,
and NaCN, quinine sulfate, sparteine sulfate and
strychnine sulfate a minimum velocity of mortality
was found around 15°. (From Chemical Abstracts 50:
10287, 1956)
334 Meier, R., Schuler, W., and Krueger, R.
(Laboratories, Ciba Co., Basel, Switzer-
land) : Pharmakodynamische Bedeutung der
Zell-Stoffwechselwirkung "cytotoxischer"
Stoffe. (PHARMACOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF
THE ACTION OF CYTOTOXIC SUBSTANCES ON CELL
METABOLISM.) Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's
Archiv fUr Experimentelle Pathologie und
Pharmakologie 224:206-23, 1955.
In an evaluation of a certain metabolic effect on
yeast for the purpose of determining pharmacologic
effects on cells, a large series of irritants and
their effect on metabolism of yeast and of various
other substances was compared. In addition to
irritants, the substances included nerve stimu-
lants, capillary poisons, cytotoxic substances,
histamine liberators, disinfectants, chemothera-
peutics, hormones, vitamins, etc. Pb acetate was
1 of 15 substances tested which did not affect
respiration, but increased fermentation. (23 ref-
erences)
335 Sapeika, N. (Univ. Capetown, S. Africa):
ACTIONS OF LEAD EDTA COMPLEX. Archives
Internationales de Pharmacodynamie et de
Therapie 101, No. 4:488-94, 1955.
The PbEDTA complex is a water-soluble contrast
medium. It is practically nontoxic. Large iv
doses, eg, 1 ml/kg given experimentally in the
high concentration (50%) produce in cats, rabbits,
and rats a transitory fall of blood pressure that
rapidly returns to normal; it is not prevented by
atropine and is not due to vasodilation as shown
by intestinal plethysmography. The fall of blood
pressure is due to depression of the auricles and
ventricles, and arises presumably from the pro-
duction temporarily of electrolyte imbalance.
Respiration is temporarily and slightly altered.
The muscle of the intestine and nonpregnant uterus
is not stimulated even by high concentrations of
the complex. In rats no interruption of pregnancy
was produced. The PbEDTA complex is excreted
without harm to patients in cases of Pb poisoning
given the Ca complex as antidote. The PbEDTA
complex has radiographic value orally and paren-
terally as demonstrated experimentally. (From
author's summary)
336 Wallen, L.L. (Iowa State Coll., Ames):
THE EFFECT OF ORGANOMETALLIC AND QUATER-
NARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS ON THE GROWTH OF
MICROORGANISMS. Iowa State Journal of
Science 29:526-8, 1955.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Acetobacter suboxydans,
Lactobacillus delbrueckii, L. casei, Clostridium
acetobutylicum, and Aspergillus niger were sub-
jected to the presence of organometallic compounds
and quaternary ammonium compounds, when all other
growth conditions were optimum. Tetrakis(p-di-
methylaminophenyl)Pb tetramethiodide and triphenyl
(2-(p-carboxyphenylazo)-5-(dimethylamino)phenyl)Sn
were so insoluble in water that their aqueous so-
lutions were not toxic. Triphenyl(3-(diethylmeth-
ylammonium)propyl)Pb methosulfate was toxic to all
microorganisms at a concentration of 10~5 M/ml.
Toxicity was probably due to reduction of surface
tension or adsorption on the surface of the cells.
Replacing Pb of this compound by C produced a
•new compound (4,4 ,4-triphenylbutyl) diethyl-
methylammonium methosulfate (444T). This was
less toxic than its Pb analog. Diphenyl-Hg,
triphenylbenzyl-Pb, triphenyl-p-tolyl-Pb, and
triphenylsilanol were all toxic. Tetraphenyl-
Pb and tetraphenyl-Sn were not soluble enough
to be tested. British antilewisite reduced the
Plants and Animals
-------
inhibition of glucose metabolism by triphenyl-
p-tolyl-Pb when used with S. cerevisiae and
L. casei but had no effect on the action of
diphenyl-Hg.
337 White, I.G. (Univ. Sydney, Australia):
THE TOXICITY OF HEAVY METALS TO MAMMALIAN
SPERMATOZOA. Australian Journal of Ex-
perimental Biology and Medical Science
33:359-66 (June), 1955.
The motility of ram, bull, rabbit, and human sper-
matozoa was tested in the presence of bivalent
cations of Mn, Fe, Co, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb at 2.0,
0.20, and 0.02 mM for 4 hr at room temperature.
Fe and Cu were most consistently toxic, although
species differences exist, as shown by the suscep-
tibility of ram spermatozoa to the action of Cu.
Cd was slightly toxic to bull spermatozoa and more
so to human. Glutathione decreased the toxicity
of Cu for ram spermatozoa and Cd for human. High
concentrations of. Pb and Co depressed the motility
of rabbit and human spermatozoa. The use of dis-
tilled water as an artificial insemination diluent
appears to be unnecessary in order to avoid metal-
lic contamination. (23 references)
1956
338 Baier, H., Bassler, K.H., and Lang, K.
(Univ. Mainz, Germany): Wirkungen von
Blei im Intermediarstoffwechsel. (EFFECTS
OF LEAD ON INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM.)
Archiv fur Experimentelle Pathologic und
Pharmakologie 229:495-504, 1956.
The effect of Pb, used as PbCl2, on the citric acid
cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and anaerobic glycol-
ysis was investigated by using isolated mito-
chondria, homogenates, and the cyclophorase system
according to Green et al (1948) . The oxidative
decarboxylation of pyruvate and a-ketoglutarate
was inhibited; the other reactions of the citric
acid cycle were not influenced. The fatty acid
oxidation was inhibited between the activation
step and the &-ketothiolase reaction. The anaero-
bic glycolysis of hexosediphosphate was not in-
hibited. The respiratory chain does not seem to
be affected by Pb.
339 Catchpole, H.R., Joseph, N.R., and Engel,
M.B. (Univ. Illinois, Chicago): HOMEO-
STASIS OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE. III. MAG-
NESIUM-SODIUM EQUILIBRIUM AND INTERACTIONS
WITH STRONTIUM AND LEAD. A.M.A. Archives
of Pathology 61:503-11, 1956.
Dilution potentials with 0.1 isotonic saline were
measured before and after equilibration of rabbit
connective tissue (skin and epiphysis) with iso-
tonic saline containing low concentrations of Mg,
Sr, or Pb (0.005, 0.005, and 0.001 M, respective-
ly) and the difference was a measure of the bi-
valent cation bound to the tissue colloid. Free
energies of formation of metal-colloid complexes
were calculated to be -2700 cal for Mg, -2900 cal
for Sr, and -3500 cal for Pb. Thus, the foreign
cations and, in particular Pb, have a strong
affinity for ground substance and would be ex-
pected to displace the physiological cations. The
implications of this are discussed in relation to
homeostasis and to treatment of Pb poisoning.
340 Grebecki, A., and Kuznicki, L. (Nencki
Inst. Exptl. Biol., Warsaw, Poland): (AU-
TOPROTECTION IN PARAMECIUM CAUDATUM BY IN-
FLUENCING THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ITS
MEDIUM). Acta Biologiae Experimentalis
(todz) 17:71-107, 1956.
Self-protective reactions of the organism by in-
fluencing toxic properties of its environment were
studied in P. caudatum. Toxicities of and protec-
tive devices against salts of inorganic and organ-
ic acids were discussed. Toxicity depended pri-
marily on the cation involved. Among other ele-
ments Pb and Mn were studied. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 52:12251, 1958)
341 Nishizono, H. (Kagoshima Univ., Japan):
THE DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOACTIVE LEAD
(THORIUM B) IN BLOOD OF CATTLE. Journal
of Science of Labour (Japan) 32:434-9
(June), 1956.
The distribution of Pb in the blood was studied in
vitro at 37°C by using fresh cattle blood and ThB
as a radioactive tracer of Pb. The blood was
treated with an anticoagulant (oxalate) and ThB
was added. The results obtained were as follows:
1. The distribution of ThB in blood reached equi-
librium in about 2 hr after addition of ThB and
5-13% of added ThB was found in plasma, 52-61% in
the stroma of red.blood corpuscles, and 34-35% in
the cytoplasm of these cells. 2. 1000-2000 cpm of
ThB which was added to fresh blood was detected in
hemoglobin crystals in such activity as from 43-98
cpm and the fluid, from which ThB was crystallized
out, had no ThB. 3. The hemoglobin crystals pos-
sessed ThB not in their heme fraction but in globin
fraction. 4. The distribution changed as follows
when fresh blood was stored in a refrigerator: 20-
25% of added ThB was found in plasma, 15-25% in the
stroma of red blood corpuscles, and 50-60% in the
cytoplasm of these cells, when measurement was
made in 2 hr after addition of ThB to blood stored
for 7 days. (From author's English summary)
342 Ogawa, M., Itakura, Y., and Imai, M.: (IN-
FLUENCE OF COOKING ON CLAM THIAMINASE. THE
EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS.) Eiyo to Shokuryo
9:59-62, 1956-57.
Hg++ and Fe+++ accelerated thiaminase activity at
higher concentrations (10~2 to 10~3 M) but inhibi-
ted at lower concentrations (10~4 M) . A1+++ ac-
celerated at higher concentrations while Pb++,
Cd++, and Zn++ accelerated at lower concentrations.
Co"1"1" and Cu~H" inhibited at lower concentrations.
Glutathione and cysteine had antagonistic action
with inhibition and acceleration of thiaminase
activity by Hg++ and Fe1' ' ' . Among metal vessels
for cooking, Cu vessels were the most powerful, Fe
vessel was less effective, and glass and alumite
vessels were almost ineffective in inhibiting thi-
aminase activity. (From Chemical Abstracts 51:
8920, 1957)
343 Parker, J. (Yale Univ., New Haven, Conn.):
VARIATIONS IN COPPER, BORON, AND MANGANESE
IN LEAVES OF PINUS PONDEROSA. Forest
Science 2:190-8, 1956.
Spectrographic analysis of P. ponderosa
needles showed the presence of Mn, B, Cu,
Pb, Ti, Cr, Ft, Ub, Fe, Al, Ag, Mo, Sn, Na
52
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
and Ga. Sought for and not found were As,
Be, Au, Zn, Tl and Os. The needles appeared
to accumulate 38-102 ppm Mn, 14-135 ppm B
and 2-8 ppm Cu.
344 Passow, H., and SchUtt, L. (Univ. Hamburg,
Germany): Versuche Uber den Einfluss von
Komplexbildnern auf die KaliumpermeabilitHt
bleivergifteter Menschenerythrocyten. (EX-
PERIMENTS ON THE INFLUENCE OF COMPLEX FOR-
MATION ON THE POTASSIUM PERMEABILITY OF
LEAD POISONED HUMAN FRYTHROCYTES.) Pflue-
gers Archiv fllr die Gesamte Physiologie des
Menschen und der Tiere 262:193-206, 1956.
The loss of K of human erythrocytes in Pb contain-
ing solutions of NaCl could be prevented by addi-
tion of excess phosphate or EDTA. Cyanide or
azide were ineffective. Cysteine, glutathione or
citrate decreased the loss of K only when present
in concentrations many magnitudes above that of
Pb. Later addition of EDTA, chromate or phosphate
to Pb poisoned cells stopped further loss of K but
the cells did not resorb K already lost. At a
given Pb concentration 2 cell fractions may exist
in the same suspension which give off K at differ-
ent rates. Probably Pb is not bound irreversibly
but may be exchanged among the cells. It appears
that the rate of exchange of Pb is comparable to
the rate of loss of K. (19 references)
1957
345 Baler, H., and Lang, K. (Johannes-Guten-
berg Univ., Mainz, Germany): Uber die
Chinin-oxydase. II. (QUININE OXIDASE. II.)
Biochemische Zeitschrift 329, No. 5:381-
91, 1957.
The enzyme could be reversibly separated into the
apoenzyme and coenzyme, the latter containing no
flavine. Concentrations of W~^H of Mg++, Ba++,
Pb++, Mn++, Co++, Fe++, and Ag+ were of no
effect on the purified enzyme. Cu++ in similar
concentration caused 90% inhibition.
346 Dentzer, G. (Germany): Uber einige Mem-
branwirkungen von Komplexsalzen der
Athylendiamintetraessigsaure. (MEMBRANE
ACTION OF COMPLEX SALTS OF ETHYLENE-
DIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID. Archiv fur Ex-
perimentelle Pathologie und Pharmakologie
232:311-2 , 1957.
The isolated phrenic-diaphragm preparation of the
rat was used to test the effect of complexes of
EDTA on the action of a number of drugs. KC1
was strongly influenced antagonistically, less
so d-tubocurarine and flaxedil. There was a re-
inforcement of the actions of procaine, panto-
caine, acetylcholine, and alcohol. The effect
of succinylcholine was not altered. In tests on
the frog rectus muscle the contraction produced
by isosmotic KC1 solution was inhibited 95% by
the Ca and Pb complexes of EDTA. The caffeine,
avertin, and acetylcholine contractions were not
influenced. There was no regularity in ionic di-
rection of the compounds tested.
347 Deschiens, R., Bertrand, D., and Molinari,
V. (Inst. Pasteur, Paris, France): Cap-
acite d'accumulation de certains metaux
par les mollusques de la famille des
Planorbides. (ACCUMULATION OF METALS BY
PLANORBOID MOLLUSKS.) Comptes Rendus des
Seances de la Societe de Biologie et de
Ses Filiales 151:1356-8, 1957.
The mollusks (Planorbis glabratus and Bulinus
contortus) were kept in strongly ionized aqueous
solutions of metal salts as follows: Zn 1.1 mg/1,
Cu 0.17 mg/1, Fe 0.29 mg/1, and Pb 0.205 mg/1 for
24-48 hr; 6 mollusks were used per experiment.
Accumulation of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Pb, in controls
and treated mollusks, in mg metal/kg dried tissue,
were: Zn 98, 368; Cu 56, 2280; Fe 592, 4600; and
Pb 0.16, 35. Cu and Zn were extremely toxic; Fe
and Pb were well tolerated.
34g Houck, J.C. (Georgetown Univ. Hosp.,
Washington, D.C.): INHIBITION, OF RIBO-
NUCLEASE. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta
26:649-51, 1957.
The inhibition of ribonuclease by various cations
and anionic polyelectrolytes was investigated.
Hg++, Pb"1"1", Mg*"1", K+ and Na+ were not inhibitory
under the experimental conditions. Zn++, FC++,
Ag+, and Cu"*""*" were inhibitory, apparently through
competition with ribonuclease for the anionic sub-
strate.
349 Kostial, K., Lorkovic, H., and Vouk, V.B.
(Inst. Med. Res. Yugoslav Acad. Sci. Arts,
Zagreb): ACETYLCHOLINE SENSITIVITY OF
SYMPATHETIC GANGLIA AND STRIATED MUSCLES
IN PRESENCE OF LEAD IONS. In XII Inter-
national Congress on Occupational Health,
Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill, Pro-
ceedings, pp. 295-7.
See following abstract.
350 Kostial, K., and Vouk, V.B. (Inst. Med.
Res., Yugoslav Acad. Sci. Arts, Zagreb,
Yugoslavia): LEAD IONS AND SYNAPTIC
TRANSMISSION IN THE SUPERIOR CERVICAL
GANGLION OF THE CAT. British Journal of
Pharmacology and Chemotherapy 12, No. 2:
219-22, 1957.
The Investigations were limited to the influence
of Pb ions on the contractions of the nictitating
membrane and on the output of acetylcholine (ACh)
in response to stimulation of pre- and postgangli-
onic nerve fibers in perfused superior cervical
ganglia of cats. The effect of increasing the
concentration of Ca ions in the presence of Pb
ions was also studied. In the tests when ACh was
to be collected, eserine sulfate was added to the
perfusion fluid. Pb nitrate was added to Locke
solution in gradually increasing concentrations
without altering the concentration of other com-
ponents. Pb concentrations of 5-40 pM/1 caused
block of ganglionic transmission, and reduced the
output of ACh. Ca ions relieved the block pro-
duced by Pb ions and restored the ACh output. The
presence of Pb ions did not seem to change the sen-
sitivity of ganglion cells to injected ACh. The
effects of Pb ions on synaptic transmission were
noticeable after 1-3 min.
The authors conclude that the results seem to
indicate that the preganglionic nerve endings are
the main site of action of Pb ions. The influence
of Pb on nerve conductions, on ACh synthesis and
Plants and Animals
53
-------
on cholinesterase activity cannot be entirely
eliminated but seemed not to have played a major
role during the experiment.
351 Teisinger, J. (Czechoslovakia): Influ-
ence du sel monocalcique de 1'acide
ethylene-diamine tetraacetique sur quel-
ques liaisons. (EFFECTS OF CALCIUM DI-
SODIUM SALT OF ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRA-
ACETIC ACID ON SOME LEAD BONDS IN THE OR-
GANISM.) In XII International Congress
on Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland,
1957, Vol. Ill, Proceedings, pp. 278-80.
Ph"*"*" was bound to human erythrocytes by addition
of Pb solutions. After allowing to stand for
several hours, EDTA was added at different con-
centrations for the study of its liberation both
in physiological saline solution and in an EDTA
medium. It was found that EDTA influences very
substantially the liberation of Pb ions from
erythrocytes. The same could be proved in experi-
ments with dialysis of serum albumin treated with
low concentrations of Pb. The question of the
spontaneous liberation of Pb and its liberation
under the influence of EDTA was studied in perfu-
jion experiments on the liver of normal and Pb-
poisoned cats. The liver very quickly binds large
amounts of Pb; its liberation into the blood
stream is however, a slow process. EDTA increases
substantially the amount of Pb liberated from the
liver.
In vivo, Pb-j-ons move spontaneously from blood
cells to the plasma. This process is the expres-
sion of a state of equilibrium between blood cells
and plasma. EDTA apparently quickly binds spon-
taneously liberated Pb ions, thus, permanently
disturbing the equilibrium and accelerating the
reaction. From the experiments, it seems probable
that EDTA does not penetrate into the cells. This
already has been shown by Foreman for red blood
cells. Chelating agents acting in a similar way
as EDTA are limited in their effects by their time
relationship. Their effect cannot be enhanced by
excessively increasing dosage. The study of the
mechanism of action of these substances is of
great importance. Substances acting in a similar
manner as does EDTA cannot fully achieve these re-
sults. (From author's abstract)
352 Teisinger, J., Lustinec, K. , and Srbova',
J.: Vliv vapenate soli kyseliny ethylen-
diamino-tetraoctove na vazbu olova v
jatrech. (THE INFLUENCE OF Ca SALTS OF
ETHYLENEDIAMINOACTIC ACID ON THE BINDING
OF LEAD IN THE LIVER.) Casopis Lekafu
Ceskych (Prague), 96:1345-9 (Oct. 18),
1957.
The question of immobilization of Pb in the liver
and the influence of CaN^EDTA on the amounts
which can be washed out by perfusion of the livers
of healthy cats and cats poisoned with Pb have
been studied. It has been shown that the liver
can quickly bind a large quantity of Pb. This
binding is reversible, but the reverse reaction to
the blood is slow. Under the experimental condi-
tions CaNa2EDTA accelerated this reverse reaction
by a factor of 2-4. The concept has been put
forth that CaNA2EDTA quickly binds Pb ions freed
from liver cells; in this way the reverse reaction
is accelerated. A direct effect in the sense of
competitive binding of Pb within the liver cell is
considered less probable. Liver cells do not at
all bind PbEDTA. It is probable that neither
PbEDTA nor CaNa2EDTA penetrates into the liver
cell. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 33:141, 1958).
353 Teisinger, J., Zumanova, R., and Zezula,
I. : Vliv vapenate soli ethylendiaminte-
traoctove kyseliny na vazbu olova v cer-
venych krvinkach a krevnich bilkovinach.
(INFLUENCE OF CALCIUM-DISODIUM ETHYLENE-
DIAMINE TETRAACETIC ACID UPON THE COMBIN-
ATION OF LEAD WITH RED BLOOD CELLSfAND
BLOOD PROTEINS. Pracovni Lekarstvi 9:277,
1957.
In Pb poisoning, Pb mainly combines with the red
blood cells and less with the proteins in the
serum. The reaction of Pb ions mobilized by
CaNa2EDTA j.u --.he blood was studied. It was
found that up to 3 hr the blood corpuscles in
physiological solution do not release any polaro-
graphically detectable amounts of Pb. After ad-
dition of CaNa2EDTA Pb is released by the blood
cells whereby an equilibrium is reached which re-
mains unchanged for hours. Authors believe that
addition of CaNa2EDTA results in a combination
of the ionized Pb with the complex whereby the
equilibrium between Pb in the blood cells and the
plasma becomes disturbed. Thus, another portion
of Pb is transferred into the plasma which in turn
reacts with CaNa2EDTA. (From Zentralblatt fUr Ar-
beitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 8, No. 12:301, 1958)
354 Vouk, V.B., Kostial, K., Hefer-Slat, B.
(Inst. Med. Res. Yugoslav Acad. Sci. Arts,
Zagreb): A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF
MERCURY AND LEAD IONS ON SYNAPTIC TRANS-
iilSSION. In XII International Congress
on Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland,
1957, Vol. Ill, Proceedings, pp. 283-4.
Isolated sympathetic ganglia of the cat were per-
fused with and without addition of Hg and Pb ions.
Nictitating membrane contractions to pre- and
postganglionic nerve stimulation and the level
of acetylcholine (ACh) output to preganglionlc
nerve stimulation were used as indicators of
synaptic activity. Both Pb and Hg ions caused a
failure of the nictitating membrane response to
preganglionic nerve stimulation if added to the
perfusing fluid in concentrations from 5 uM-
40 uM/1. The effect of Hg ions was much slower
compared to the effect of Pb ions which acted al-
most instantaneously. The effects of Pb ions were
easily reversed in contrast to the effects of Hg
ions which persisted even after perfusing the
ganglion with Locke's solution for longer periods.
Both Pb and Hg ions reduced the ACh output on pre-
yanglionic nerve stimulation. The sensitivity of
ganglionic cells to ACh was increased in presence
of Pb ions and much reduced on addition of Hg
ions. The response of the nictitating membrane
to postganglionic stimulation was not influenced
either by Hg or by Pb ions.
355 Wallen, I.E., Greer, W.C., and Lasater, R.
(Oklahoma Agr. Mech. Coll., Stillwater):
TOXICITY TO GAMBUSIA AFFINIS OF CERTAIN
PURE CHEMICALS IN TURBID WATERS. Sewage
54
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
and Industrial Wastes 29, No. 6:695-711,
1957.
Data were collected on the toxlcity of 86 pure
chemicals to the mosquito-fish (Gambusia affinis).
Among chemicals tested were organic substances
such as phenol, cresol, naphthalene, pyridine; in-
organic substances such as chlorides, sulfates,
sulfides, sulfites, acetates, carbonates, chro-
mates, dichromates, hydroxides, fluorides, and
thiocyanates of Na, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Pb. The fol-
lowing data were given for Pb nitrate (tempera-
ture 22-24°C, final turbidity, <25 ppm): At 180
ppm and lower all fishes were normal; at 320 ppm
and higher all were dead in 24 hr. Pb oxide (tem-
perature 18-20°, final turbidity 300 ppm): At
56,000 ppm 1 fish was dead in 24 hr out no other
fish seemed to be affected. The median tolerance
limit was >56,000 ppm. (46 references)
1958
356 Baler, H. (Physiol. Chem. Inst., Univ.
Mainz, Germany): Uber die Wirkung von
Blei auf die Acetylcholinsynthese.
(EFFECT OF LEAD ON ACETYLCHOLINE SYNTHE-
SIS.) Klinische Wochenschrift 36:681-2
(July), 1958.
Since Pb intoxication frequently results in damage
of the peripheral nerves, a study was undertaken
to determine whether a disturbance of the acetyl-
choline (ACh) synthesis is involved. The enzyme
was obtained from the brain of rabbits and rats.
It could be shown that Pb does not inhibit the
ACh synthesis with acetate, acetaldehyde and
citrate, whereas in the presence of pyruvate the
ACh synthesis is clearly inhibited. Pb concentra-
tion used was 3 uM as Pb chloride.
357 Benard, H., Gajdos, A., and Gajdos-Torok,
M. (Res. Lab., Med. Clinic Hotel-Dieu,
Paris, France): Etude de la biosynthese
de I'heme in vitro jl 1'aide des isotopes
radioactifs a partir du sang de Lapin in-
toxique par le plomb. (BIOSYNTHESIS OF
HEME IN VITRO IN PRESENCE OF RADIOACTIVE
ISOTOPES BY BLOOD OF RABBITS POISONED WITH
LEAD.) Comptes Rendus des Seances de la
Societe de Biologie et de ses Filiales
152:296-9, 1958.
Blood from a rabbit made anemic by Pb acetate
(100 mg Pb/kg several times every 5 days), when
incubated with radio-active glycine or with a Fe
compound, formed very small amounts of free por-
phyrin but was unable to inc orporate enough Fe to
,form more than traces of radioactive heme.
358 Clarkson, T.W., and Kench, J.E. (Univ.
Manchester, England): UPTAKE OF LEAD BY
HUMAN ERYTRHROCYTES IN VITRO. Biochemical
Journal 69, No. 3:432-9, 1958.
On the basis of detailed experiments with human
blood, the author concludes as follows: Pb appears
to exist in plasma as a peptized Pb phosphate so-
lution, which is rapidly aggregated in a second-
order reaction to particulate form on the surface
of the erythrocytes. More than 95% of small quan-
tities of added Pb are rapidly attached to the
cells. No competitive inhibition of uptake of Pb
was observed with any of a number of potential
competitors tested. Chelating agents such as EDTA,
hexametaphosphate and glutathione remove Pb attach-
ed to erythrocytes only slowly in vitro; intra-
cellular Pb was not withdrawn. (From authors'
summary)
359 Clarkson, T.W., and Kench, J.E. (Univ.
Manchester, England): THE SEDIMENTATION
RATE AND FRAGILITY OF HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES
IN VITRO AFTER EXPOSURE TO LEAD CHLORIDE.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine 15,
No. 2:115-9, 1958.
A study is described of the interaction of Pb with
human erythrocytes as portrayed by the sedimenta-
tion rate and osmotic fragility. Sedimentation
rates were reduced for RBC exposed to Pb in media
containing excess phosphate, eg, whole blood and
Krebs Ringer bicarbonate solution. An increased
sedimentation rate was observed in erythrocytes
exposed to Pb chloride in saline. Little change
in the osmotic fragility of RBC was detectable
when Pb was added in the presence of excess phos-
phate, but in saline there was a marked increase
in resistance to hemolysis in hypotonic saline.
It is concluded that in vivo plasma Pb will cause
only minimal changes in the fragility of circula-
ting erythrocytes: all injurious effect (inhibi-
tion of heme synthesis and morphological abnormal-
ities such as punctate basophilia) will have al-
ready been produced in precursor cells developing
in the bone marrow. (From authors' summary)
360 Dentzer, G. (Leipzig, Germany): Uber
einige Membranwirkungen von Komplexsalzen
der XthylendiamintetraessigsHure. (MEM-
BRANE ACTION OF SOME COMPLEX SALTS OF
ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID.) Archiv
fUr Experimentelle Pathologie und Pharma-
kologie 232:311-2, 1958.
The author's previous work had established that
stable complex compounds of EDTA have an antago-
nistic effect on Mg activity in the whole animal
as well as in isolated organs. Since the effect
can be achieved with Pb, Mn and Ca complexes, it
was taken to be unspecific for Ca. In view of
these findings, the author examined the effect on
various membrane-active substances of EDTA com-
plexes having high constants.
As anelectrotonics, 2-tubocurarine, flaxedril,
novocaine and pantocaine were used, and as cat-
electrotonics, decamethonium, acetylcholine (ACh),
succinylcholine (SCh) , KC1 and alcohol. In tests
on the isolated phrenic diaphragm of the rat, the
strongest antagonistic effect was found to be on
the activity of KC1; the antagonistic effect on
the activity of d-tubocurarine and flaxedril was
less marked. The activity on novocaine, panto-
caine, ACh and alcohol, on the other hand, was in-
creased. That of SCh was not affected in the
dosage range used.
In the frog rectus, the contraction caused by
isoosmotic KC1 solution was inhibited up to 95%
by the Ca as well as the Pb complex of EDTA. The
contraction by caffeine, avertine and ACh was af-
fected to a negligible degree.
On the basis of his experiments, the author con-
siders the classification of membrane-active com-
plex constants as part of the group of an- or
catelectrotonics to be difficult. He is unable to
Plants and Animals
55
-------
state whether the effects described can be explain-
ed as pure membrane effects or whether mechanisms
similar to the Ca-tubocurarine antagonism are in-
volved.
361 Fukumoto, J., Yamamoto, T., Tsuru, D., and
Ichikawa, K. (Osaka Municipal Univ., Ja-
pan) : (ACTION OF BIVALENT METAL IONS ON
BACTERIAL AMYLASE AND PROTEASE.) Koso Kag-
aku Shimpoziumu 13:194-202; Discussion
343-4, 1958.
Effects of several bivalent ions are studied on
the production of amylase and protease by resting
cells of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and on the
activity of the enzymes produced. The reactiva-
ting effect of bivalent ions is in the order:
Zn>Co>Mn>Mg>Ba>Pb>Sr>Cu>Cd>Hg. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 55:1734, 1961)
362 Duerksen, J.D., and Halvorson, H. (Univ.
Wisconsin, Madison): PURIFICATION AND
PROPERTIES OF AN INDUCIBLE g-GLUCOSIDASE
OF YEAST. Journal of Biological Chemistry
233:113-20 (Nov.), 1958.
An inducible enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis
of aryl and alkyl-B-D-glucosides was purified from
Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain yeast foam. A
number of divalent cations as inhibitors of the
activity of 8-glucosidase were studied. Ca, Mg
and Mn had no appreciable effect while Cu, Fe, Zn,
Co, Ag, Hg and Pb at 33.3 x 1Q-&M inhibited the
action. (27 references)
363 Gramenitskii, E.M. (Med. Inst. Sanit. and
Hyg., Leningrad, USSR): EFFECT OF LEAD
NITRATE ON THE SUPRAVITAL STAINING OF
CELLS OF POIKILOTHERMS. Bulletin of Ex-
perimental Biology and Medicine (USSR) 45:
97-100, 1958.
Effect of Pb nitrate was studied on various
cells of liver, kidneys, and nerves of frogs using
a technique of supravital staining in situ with
neutral red. Threshold paranecrotic doses of
Pb nitrate were: liver cells, 3 mg/g body weight;
kidney tubule cells, 7 mg/g body weight; and sympa-
thetic nerve cells, 10 mg/g body weight. Paranecro-
tic changes were not revealed in the sensory nerve
cells of the spinal ganglia, although reflex acti-
vity of the laboratory animals was depressed. A
supravital staining technique, consisting of in-
jection into the body cavity of 1% aqueous neutral
red solution at dose levels of 0.3-0.5 mg dye/g
body weight and removal and examination of organs
within 1 hr after injection, is recommended for
use in toxicology.
364 Grigarzik, H., and Passow, H. (Univ.
Hamburg, Germany): Versuche zum Mechanis-
mus der Bleiwirkung auf die Kaliumper-
meabilitat roter Blutko'rperchen. (THE
ACTION OF LEAD ON THE POTASSIUM PERMEA-
BILITY^OF ERYTHROCYTES.) Pfluegers Ar-
chiv fur die Gesamte Physiologie des
Menschen und der Tiere, 267:73-92, 1958.
The binding of 210Pb and the action of Pb on the
K permeability of human erythrocytes was studied
as a function of Pb concentration, temperature,
and presence of EDTA. Substances from the cell
interior formed inactive complexes with the Pb.
The action of Pb on K permeability decreased with
time. Renewed addition of Pb led to new losses of
K, when simultaneously a very small amount of cell
content was added. These substances were not pro-
teins, and could be hydrolyzed for 2-3 hr by 0.1
M HC1 at 100° without loss of activity. (18 ref-
erences)
365 Hayashi, K. (Kyoto Prefectural Med. Univ.,
Kyoto, Japan): THE INFLUENCE OF LEAD ION
ON CATALYTIC DECOMPOSITION OF HYDROGEN
PEROXIDE. Kyoto Furitsu Ika Daigaku Zasshi
64:923-52, 1958.
Pb ion inhibits the blood catalase reaction or the
catalytic decomposition of H peroxide by
Pt-but it accelerates that by Pd. Pb is fixed to
red blood cells to an extremely slight extent. Pb
ion is adsorbed on catalase faster than dihydro-
streptomycin, but the former can be displaced by
the latter. (From Chemical Abstracts 54:24969,
1960)
366 Novak, J., and Majsky, A.: (BINDING OF
LEAD ON ERYTHROCYTES. I. IN VITRO EFFECT
ON GROUP RECEPTORS.) Casopis lekafu ce-
skych 97:71-5, 1958.
The effect of Pb on the activity of antigens A,
B, M, N, P, H, and D was studied by using agglu-
tination and drying tests. It was shown that the
binding of Pb inactivates only the D receptor.
(From Chemical Abstracts 53:7437, 1959)
367 Novak, J., and Majsky, A.: (THE BINDING
OF LEAD ON ERYTHROCYTES. II. THE (ROLE OF
THE D RECEPTOR.) C'asopis lekaru ceskych
97:1455-7, 1958.
Solutions containing 10"^ ug Pb/1 erythrocytes
were used. The concentration of Pb was estimated
polarographically before the addition of erythro-
cytes and after the binding of Pb. The D receptor
had no quantitative effect on Pb binding of eryth-
rocytes. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:13241, 1959)
368 Piette, M. (Fac. pharm., Paris, France):
Hydrolyse des acides nucleiques des leuco-
cytes sanguins apres traitement prolonge
par 1'acetate basique de plomb en milieu
alcalin. (HYDROLYSIS OF THE NUCLEIC ACIDS
OF THE LEUKOCYTES IN THE BLOOD AFTER PRO-
LONGED TREATMENT WITH BASIC LEAD ACETATE
IN ALKALINE MEDIUM.) Annales Pharma-
ceutiques Francaises 16:311-4, 1958.
369 Rondanelli, E.G., Gorini, P., Colombi, R.,
and Verga, L.: Ricerca sulla patogenesi
dell' anemia saturnina. L'azione del
piombo sulla mitosi eritroblastica.
(STUDIES CONCERNING THE PATHOGENESIS OF
SATURNINE ANEMIA. ACTION OF LEAD UPON
ERYTHROBLASTIC MITOSIS.) Haematologica
43:1077-94, 1958.
The action of Pb nitrate on basophilic embryonal
megaloblasts of the chicken, on normal human bone
marrow and on circulating erythroblasts of the
newt was studied. Pb in high concentrations in-
hibits karyokinesis (karyostatic effect) while in
low concentrations it retards karyokinesis in
metaphase (statokinetic effect). Even at weak
concentrations, however, the karyostatic effect
56
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
persists besides the statokinetic effect which
distinguishes the action of Pb from that of col-
chicine. (From Medicina del Lavoro 50:388 (Ab-
stracts), 1959)
370 Ruzdic, I., and Crepinko, I. (Central
Med.-Chem. Lab., Zagreb, Yugoslavia):
Das Blei als Hemmstoff der Katalasewirkung.
(INHIBITION OF CATALASE BY LEAD.)
Hoppe-Seyler's Zeitschrift fUr Physiolo-
gische Chentie, 312, No. 1/3:22-5, 1958.
The experimental work described was undertaken to
study the influence of Pb on catalase because of
its possible importance in causing the anemia
which occurs in Pb intoxication. As shown in
charts, Pb ion (Pb nitrate) definitely inhibits
the catalase action of blood serum. However,
this inhibition occurs only when the serum is
treated with the Pb salt for 30 min before being
incubated with the substrate.
371 Savay, G. (Inst. Anat. Histology, Med.
Univ., Szeged, Hungary): LEAD-REACTIVE
SUBSTANCES IN MYONEURAL SYNAPSES. Nature
181:1137-8, 1958.
Diaphragms of rats were fixed for 15 min in 8%
formalin containing 5% Pb nitrate. Frozen sections
of 30-40 v were cut, washed rapidly in distilled
water and immersed in a 2% aqueous solution of Na
sulfide. The characteristic patterns of the sub-
neural apparatus were then visible. The reaction
did not take place if the muscle was frozen or in-
cubated in distilled water before treatment with
Pb nitrate, although neither treatment affected
cholinesterase activity. This suggests that the
reaction with Pb is not due to cholinesterase, but
to a substance of lower molecular weight, such as
cysteine, methionine or glutathione.
372 Stauff, J., and Uhlein, E. (Johann-Wolf-
gang Goethe Univ., Frankfurt/M., Germany):
Einige Beobachtungen liber die Beelnflussung
der Denaturierungsgeschwindigkeit von
Proteinen durch Schwermetallsalze. (THE
EFFECT OF HEAVY METAL SALTS ON THE DE-
NATURATION RATE OF PROTEINS.) Biochemische
Zeitschrift 329, No. 7:549-59, 1958.
The effects of 10 metal ions on the aggregation
rate of protein solutions were compared in phos-
phate buffer of pH 7.0 (used in ionic strengths of
0.25-0.4) and acetate buffer of pH 3.6 (at 0.1).
With 0.2% bovine serum albumin at 67.2°, Mn++ and
Pb++ in either buffer have no effect on the aggre-
gation rate. With 0.2% bovine 6-lactoglobulin at
76.8°, Mn++ and Pb44" in phosphate and Pb++ in
acetate do not change the rate but Mn"1"1" in acetate
accelerates.
373 Talafant, E. (Masarykovy Univ., Brno,
Czechoslovakia): Premena olovnate soli
primeho zlucoveho barviva na rozpustnou
sodnou sul pomoci Katexu FN. (THE TRANS-
FORMATION OF INSOLUBLE LEAD SALTS OF DI-
RECT BILE PIGMENTS TO SOLUBLE SODIUM SALTS
BY MEANS OF KATEX FN.) Casopis Lekaru
Ceskych 97:186-8 (Feb. 14), 1958.
A conversion of insoluble Pb salts of bile pigment
to soluble Na salts was achieved by shaking the
suspension for 1/2 hr in vacuo with anion ex-
changer Katex FN (a formaldehyde resin with pheno-
sulfonic and B-naphthalenesulfonic acids) in Na
cycle. After centrifugatlon the supernatant was
evaporated under reduced pressure and room tem-
perature until dry. In the dry residue 62% of
bilirubin was photometrically demonstrated by
means of diazo reaction. Only 55% bilirubin
was found when using the Yamamoto oxidation
method (1951). Calculated for Na diglucuronide:
59.5% insoluble Pb salts. (From author's sum-
mary)
374 Teisinger, J., Zumanova, R., and Zezula,
I. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis., Prague,
Czechoslovakia): EFFECT OF EDATHAMIL CAL-
CIUM-DISODIUM ON THE LEAD CONTENT OF RED
BLOOD CELLS AND BLOOD PROTEINS. A.M.A.
Archives of Industrial Health 17:295-301
(Apr.), 1958.
Experiments were undertaken to resolve the problem
whether EDTA effects the release of Pb"*"1" ions
bound by red cells and blood proteins. Pb was
bound in vitro to human red cells and these were
subject to the action of different concentrations
of EDTA. It was established that EDTA has a very
considerable effect on releasing the Pb ions
from red cells and Pb is then bound in the form
of PbEDTA. EDTA has the same action on Pb bound
by blood proteins. The mechanism of these reac-
tions is very probably the speeding of the spon-
taneous transference of the Pb"*"^ ions from blood
cells into plasma by a disturbance in the equilib-
rium of this system due to EDTA. (From authors'
summary)
375 Vincent, P.C., and Blackburn, C.R.B. (Univ.
Sidney; Royal Prince Alfred Hosp., Camp-
erdown, Australia): THE EFFECTS OF HEAVY
METAL IONS ON THE HUMAN ERYTHROCYTE. I.
COMPARISONS OF THE ACTION OF SEVERAL HEAVY
METALS. Australian Journal of Experimental
Biology and Medical Science 36:471-8, 1958.
Pb"^ in concentrations
-------
phenylhydrazine or acetylphenylhydrazine into the
dog. The heparinized blood is centrifuged and
reticulocyte rich upper part of the erythrocytes
layer is suspended in plasma. 59ye incorporation
is completely inhibited by 10"% pb acetate among
other substances so tested.
1959
378 Bahadur, K., and Chandra, V. (Allahabad
Univ., Agra, India): (INHIBITION OF
UREASE BY LEAD ACETATE.) Enzymologia 20:
355-8, 1959.
Pb acetate inhibits the action of urease on urea
at pH 8.8. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:3675,1961)
379 Cremer, J.E. (Toxicology Research Unit,
M.R.C. Laboratories, Carshalton, England):
BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE TOXICITY OF
TETRAETHYL LEAD AND OTHER ORGANO-LEAD COM-
POUNDS. British Journal of Industrial Med-
icine 16:191-9 (July), 1959.
The actions of purified tetra, tri, and di-ethyl
Pb (TEL, TrEL, D1EL) on rats and rat brain
slices and brain brei have been examined. The
method was developed based on a reaction with
dithizone and is capable of estimating tri- and
diethyl Sn in rat tissues. After injection into
rats TEL is converted into TrEL and this is
responsible for the toxic effects. MEL is much
less toxic and the effects are different. The
utilization of lactate and the oxidation of
glucose by brain brei and slices respectively
are inhibited by TrEL. A similar effect is seen
in slices taken from rats poisoned with TEL or
TrEL. Rat liver cell microsomes readily con-
vert TEL to TrEL and the latter is stable and
remains in the animal tissues for several days.
The concentration of TrEL in the brain is not
high in comparison with other tissues but brain
tissue appears to be unduly sensitive to its
toxic action. Neither TEL nor TrEL reacts with
BAL or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).
DiEL reacts with BAL but not with EDTA. (From
author's summary)
380 Fujie, Y. (Univ. Tokyo, Japan): (EFFECTS
OF HEAVY METAL IONS ON THE ADENOSINETRI-
PHOSPHATASE OF MUSCLE GRANULES.) Japanese
Journal of Pharmacology 9:6-13, 1959.
Adenosinetriphosphatase from rabbit skeletal mus-
cle granules was moderately inhibited by Pb.
381 Gitelman, H.J., and Neuman, W.F. (Univ.
Rochester, N.Y.): LEAD-HYDROXY APATITE
INTERACTION. US Atomic Energy Commission
Document No. UR-551, 1959, 25 pp.
The present investigation demonstrates that al-
though Pb-Ca exchange may occur it does not appear
to be a prominent factor in the process of uptake
reactions in bone mineral. (From author's sum-
mary)
38Z Grevisse, J. (Univ. Liege, Belgium): Mod-
ification par 1'acide ethylene-diamine-
tetra-acetique des effects de 1'ion plomb
sur 1"uterus non gravide et le jejunum
isole's du Lapin. (MODIFICATION BY ETHYL-
ENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID OF THE EFFECTS
OF LEAD ION ON THE ISOLATED NON-GRAVID
UTERUS AND JEJUNUM OF RABBITS.) Comptes
Rendus des Seances de la Societe de Bio-
logie 153:702-4 (Mar. 20), 1959.
In these experiments in vitro (Grevisse, Goffart,
(see also next abstract) Pb acetate in a concentra-
tion of 10-i*M was found to inhibit the spontaneous
movements of the non-gravid uterus and the tonus
of the jejunum in the rabbit. When CaEDTA was in-
troduced following the Pb (10-%), the resulting
complex EDTA-Pb was inactive with regard to the
uterus while in the intestine it acted as an ex-
citant. This behavior of EDTA explains why some
symptoms of Pb intoxication disappear at the onset
of EDTA treatment while others, such as colics, do
not recede until a sufficient quantity of Pb has
been eliminated by the kidneys.
383 Grevisse, J., and Goffart, M. (Univ. Liege,
Belgium): Activation de 1'ion plomb par
la cysteamine sur certains muscles lisses
isoles du lapin. (ACTIVATION OF THE LEAD
ION BY CYSTEAMINE ON CERTAIN ISOLATED
SMOOTH MUSCLES OF THE RABBIT.) Journal de
Physiologie (Paris) 51:471-2 (June), 1959.
The isolated tissues used were the aorta, tracheal
rings, uterus and intestine of the rabbit, bathed
in Locke's solution to which Pb acetate was added
in a concentration of lO'^MO?.? mg/1) . The same
concentration of cysteamine was used. As summa-
rized by the author, Pb"*"1" as a complex with cyste-
amine has a stronger effect on the aorta and the
tracheal rings of the rabbit than either of the
components has when acting separately. In regard
to other smooth muscles the complex reacts the
same as Pb (intestines) or is less active (uterus).
These phenomena are comparable to the reaction of
As-BAL where the complex, though less toxic for
the whole animal, produces a more intense Lunds-
gaard effect on the isolated muscles of frogs.
384 Leiner, M., and Beck, H. (Johannes Guten-
berg Univ., Mainz, Germany): (INHIBITION
OF CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF CARBONIC ANHY-
DRASE. I.) Acta Biol. Med. Ger. 2:631-49,
1959.
The heavy metal ions studied inhibit carbonic an-
hydrase in this order of decreasing effects: Au,
Co, Pd, Ag, Ni, Zn, Cu, Hg, Pt, Pb, Sn. The sen-
sitivity of carbonic anhydrase to heavy metals is
much greater at pH 4 then at pH 7. (From Chemical
Abstracts 54:14336, 1960)
385 Perlin, A.S. (Prairie Reg. Lab. Natl. Res.
Council, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada):
ACTION OF LEAD TETRAACETATE ON THE SUGARS.
Advances in Carbohydrate Chemistry 14:9-
61, 1959.
The mechanism of glycol-cleavage oxidation by Pb
tetraacetate, the oxidative cleavage of vic-diols
in acyclic and alicyclic systems, and the oxida-
tive cleavage of N-containing carbohydrates is
reviewed. (219 references)
386 Santhanam, M.S. (Univ. Madras, India):
STUDIES ON COLLAGEN, IV. DEPOSITION OF
INORGANIC CRYSTALLITES ON COLLAGEN. Pro-
ceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences,
Section A, 49:210-14, 1959.
58
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Collagen fibers were treated with 10% solutions or
suspensions of inorganic salts for 24 hr and then
dried. With Pb salts, basic Pb carbonate crystal-
lized in the fibers. This phenomenon may be of
interest in Pb poisoning.
387 Simonovic, I., Kostial, K., and Marsic, A.
(Univ. Zagreb and Inst. Med. Res., Zagreb,
Yugoslavia): CLOTTING CHANGES INDUCED BY
METAL IONS IN VITRO. Arhiv za Higizenu
Rada i Toksikologiju 10:227-34, 1959.
Pb"*"1" ions were added to the plasma from female
rats in concentrations of 12.5-62.5 pg. In a con-
trol test 0.5 ml of saline was added. Prothrombin
time, as determined by Quick's method 8-180 min
after the addition of Pb, was not influenced.
388 Somers, E. (Univ. Bristol, England):
FUNGITOXICITY OF METAL IONS. Nature 184:
475-6 (Aug. 8), 1959.
Fungitoxicity of the nitrates of numerous metals,
including Pb, against conidia of Alternaria tenuis
were studied. It was concluded that the primary
toxic action of metal cations is the formation of
an unionized complex with surface ionogenic groups
and that the different toxicities of the metals
can be correlated with the varying strength of
surface binding.
389 Trim, A.R. (Plant Breeding Inst., Trump-
ington, Cambridge, England): METAL IONS
AS PRECIPITANTS FOR NUCLEIC ACIDS AND
THEIR USE IN THE ISOLATION OF POLYNUCLEO-
TIDES FROM LEAVES. Biochemical Journal
73:298-304, 1959.
The precipitation of nucleic acids by metal ions
was studied and 2 methods were devised for the
Isolation of nucleic acids from leaves, based on
precipitation by metal ions. Analytical results
on 10 preparations from leaves by these methods
were given. Pb caused 82% precipitation in prep-
aration without ethanol at pH 3; at pH 7 and with
ethanol, no precipitation was observed. The mech-
anism of the interaction between metal ions and
nucleic acids is discussed. (23 references)
390 Vincent, P.C. (Univ. Sydney, Camperdown,
Australia): THE EFFECTS OF HEAVY METAL
IONS ON THE HUMAN ERYTHROCYTE. III. IN-
HIBITION OF THE EFFECTS OF LEAD AND MER-
CURY. Australian Journal of Experimental
Biology and Medical Science 37:83-96,
1959.
Two types of inhibitor were studied: (1) chelat-
ing agents disodium-ethylenediaminetetraacetic
acid (di-Na EDTA), thiosorbitol, and cysteine
which combine with heavy metal ions in solution;
(2) simple fractions of the red cell, such as
stroma, lipid-free stroma, and hemoglobin, in com-
petition with whole red cells for the uptake of
Pb. Di-Na EDTA completely prevented the effects
of equimolar Pb and also removed most of the metal
from the cells after combination was established.
In the latter instance, the Pb-induced K efflux
was only partly curtailed. Preincubation of di-
Na EDTA with red cells decreased its inhibitory
capacity with respect to both Pb and Hg. A simi-
lar effect following preincubation with Ca was de-
scribed. Fresh stromata, but not lipid-free stro-
matin or hemoglobin, competed equally with the red
cell for the uptake of Pb. The implications of
these findings were discussed.
391 Wang, H. (Stritch School Med., Loyola
Univ., Chicago, 111.): ANALYSES OF A TOXIC
FACTOR, LETHAL TO PARAMECIUM PRESENT IN
NON-GLASS-DISTILLED WATER. Proceedings of
the Society for Experimental Biology and
Medicine 101:682-5 (Aug.-Sept.), 1959.
The toxic effects of chloride, sulfate and nitrate
of Cu and acetate of Pb and Zn on paramecia aurelia
were tested. The threshold concentration, i e, the
concentration causing death of all or nearly all
paramecia in 20-30 min, of Pb acetate was 25~l*M.
392 Wu, H.W., Lu, S.H., and Chang, M.C.:
(TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING. II. EX-
PERIMENTS ON THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN C AND
RUTIN.) Chung Hua Nei Ko Tsa Chih 7:22-3,
1959.
Five hundred tadpoles hatched from 1 batch of toad
ova were kept in 10 jars (50/jar) with well water
and weeds for 7 days when different drugs were
added to the jars (in mg%: 10 vitamin C; 10 vita-
min C + 0.5 Pb; 2.7 rutin; 2.7 rutin + 0.5 Pb; 10
vitamin C + 2.7 rutin; 10 vitamin C + 2.7 rutin +
0.5 Pb; 1 Pb; 0.5 Pb; 0.25 Pb; water). Vitamin C
and rutin had a beneficial effect on the develop-
ment of the tadpoles.
When a number of 8-day tadpoles were put into a
solution containing 6.25 mg% Pb, half of them died
in 72 hr and this concentration was taken as the
LD
50-
Of a 100 8-day tadpoles put in a solution
of the same concentration, 8 died in 24 hr. The
remaining 92 were put into 3 jars: 30 in 25 mg
vitamin C in 80 ml water; 30 in 10 mg rutin in 80
ml water; 32 in 80 ml water (controls). Tadpoles
in the vitamin C and rutin solutions were alive
after 6 days while 28 of the controls had died.
(From Biological Abstracts 3:Abstract No. 1550,
1961; Chemical Abstracts 58:10647, 1963)
1960
393 Buffa, P., and Righi, L. (Univ. Modena,
Italy): (ADAPTATION OF PSEUDOMONAS PYO-
CYANEA (AERUGINOSA) TO CHOLINE. V. A STUDY
OF THE CHOLINE OXIDASE REACTION IN VIVO BY
MEANS OF ENZYME INHIBITORS.) Giorn. Micro-
biol. 8:25-44, 1960.
The effect of various inhibitors on the choline
oxidase reaction was studied by measuring 0 utili-
zation of cell suspensions in choline-yeast ex-
tract medium. The adaptive enzyme appeared to be
dependent on an essential SH group and to require
metal ions as cofactors. Alkaline earth metal
ions did not affect the rate of 0 uptake. They
activated the decline reaction of cells at 75%
final growth but not that of cells at 25% when
their activity was maximum. Heavy metal ions in-
hibited 0 consumption in the following order: Hg>
Ag>Pb>Ni>Cd>Zn>Co>Fe>Cr. (From Chemical Abstracts
54:22827, 1960)
394 Cabejszek, I., and Stasiak, M. : (TOXIC
EFFECT OF SOME METALS ON WATER BIOGENESIS,
WITH DAPHNIA MAGNA AS AN INDICATOR. II.)
Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny 11:
Plants and Animals
59
-------
533-40, 1960.
Toxicity of the following metals was: Hg>Cd>As>
Zn>Pb>Sn; the toxic effect increased with time and
was more pronounced in sulfates than in chlorides.
395 California State Water Pollution Control
Board (Pearson, E.A., Pomeroy, R.D., and
McKee, J.E., Research Consulting Board):
SUMMARY OF MARINE WASTE DISPOSAL RESEARCH
PROGRAM IN CALIFORNIA. Sacramento, Calif.,
Publication No. 22, 1960, 77 pp.
The effects of waste discharges on kelp (Macro-
cystis pyrifera) are discussed in chapter 4, pp
44-9. Toxicity tests with heavy-metal ions showed
Hg to be most toxic to kelp, followed by Cu, Zn,
Pb and Ni as the least toxic.
396 Deszyck, E.J., and Ting, S.V. (Citrus Ex-
ptl. Sta., Lake Alfred, Fla.): SUGAR COM-
POSITION, BIOFLAVONOID CONTENT, AND pH OF
GRAPEFRUIT AS AFFECTED BY LEAD ARSENATE
SPRAYS. Proceedings of the American
Society for Horticultural Science 75:
^66-70, 1960.
Fruit from orchards sprayed with Pb arsenate in
concentrations up to 3 lb/100 gal for 4 seasons or
less, contained slightly less reducing sugar, sig-
nificantly more nonreducing sugar, and more total
sugar than nonsprayed fruit.
397 Fry, F.E.J., Cucin, D., Kennedy, J.C., and
Papson, A.: THE USE OF LEAD VERSENATE TO
PLACE A TIME MARK ON FISH SCALES. Trans-
actions of the Aiaerican Fisheries Society
89:149-53, 1960.
Satisfactory deposits of Pb in scales for time
marks were produced without adverse effects in
whitefish and lake trout by injection of 5%-7% Pb
di-Na versenate at doses of 50 mg/kg wt.
398 Glenner, G.G., and Cohen, L.A. (Natl.
Insts. Health, Bethesda, Md.): HISTOCHEM-
ICAL DEMONSTRATION OF A SPECIES-SPECIFIC
TRYPSIN-LIKE ENZYME IN MAST CELLS. Nature
185:846-7 (Mar. 19), 1960.
In histochemical experiments with fresh frozen
sections of animal and human skin, or sections
fixed in neutral formalin and a new incubation
medium Na-benzoyl-dl-arginine-B-naphthylamide hy-
drochloride localization by a simultaneous re-
action of enzymatic activity to mast cells was
noted. Enzymatic activity was completely abolish-
ed by Pb nitrate (2 x 10~^M) among the inhibitors
tested. Subsequent tests identified the enzyme to
have properties relating to trypsin.
399 Hata, Y.: (INFLUENCE OF HEAVY METALS
UPON THE GROWTH AND THE ACTIVITY OF MARINE
SULFATE-REDUCING BACTERIA.) Norinsho
Suisan Koskusho Kenkyu Hokoku 9:363-75,
1960.
Marine sulfate-reducing bacteria strain SM 1 was
used throughout this work. Heavy metals original-
ly contained in peptone and lactic acid employed
were removed by use of the 8-quinolinol treatment.
Among the conditions investigated, when Bi, Co,
Cr, Mn, Pb, and Sb were present in the culture
media, sulfides were accumulated in higher con-
centration than in the absence of these metals
although the initial growth of the bacteria was
considerably retarded as compared with the
latter case. These results may suggest that
the above metals acted not only as inhibitors
of the bacterial growth, but also as precipita-
tors of free H2S produced. Removal of free
HoS by precipitation from the media has a
favorable effect upon the sulfate-reducing ac-
tivity of these bacteria. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 58:11710, 1963)
400 Hayashi, A. (Kinki Univ., Osaka, Japan):
(BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON OSTREA GIGAS. IX.
LEAD CONTENT.) Seikagaku 32:871-3, 1960.
Seasonal changes of the Pb content in Ostrea
gigas were determined by using the method of Gage.
Except for September when the Pb content was 5.9
ppm of fresh tissue, rather constant values, rang-
ing from 0.1-0.4 ppm, were obtained. Different
culture methods did not influence the Pb content.
Distribution of Pb was highest in the mantle (ppm
of ashed sample). (From Chemical Abstracts 60:
3307, 1964)
401 HBgberg, B., and UvnHs, B. (Karolinska
Inst., Stockholm; ABL Co. HMlsingborg,
Sweden): FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE DIS-
RUPTION OF RAT MESENTERY MAST CELLS
CAUSED BY COMPOUND 48/80, ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY
REACTION, LECITHINASE A AND DECYLAMINE.
Acta Physiologica Scandinavica 48:133-45,
1960.
Pb"1"1" was among the bivalent metal ions tested that
strongly inhibited the disruptive action of com-
pound 48/80, antigen and lecithinase A of rat mes-
entery mast cells in situ. At molar concentra-
tions of 10~6-10~5, Pb nitrate caused 50% inhibi-
tion of the disruptive action caused by 0.5 yg/ml
48/80 compound, 2 Vg/ml lecithinase A or 1/100-
1/1000 horse serum. No inhibition of mast cell
disruption was observed using 20 vig/ml of decyla-
mine with 10"3M pb nitrate.
402 Johnson, L.A., and Seven, M.J.: OBSERVA-
TIONS ON THE IN VIVO STABILITY OF METAL
CHELATES. In Seven, M.J., and Johnson,
L.A., ed.: Metal-Binding in Medicine.
Philadelphia, Lippincott, I960, pp 225-9.
The authors summarize their review of the title
subject, based on 29 references, as follows: The
in vivo stability of a metal chelate may be in-
fluenced by its inherent stability (indicated by
its equilibrium constant, K), the competition of
body cations for the chelate, pH and tendency of
the metal to form insoluble hydroxides, the dis-
tribution and metabolism of the chelate and the
competition of physiological complexing radicals
for the metal ion. Many metal chelates that are
very stable in vitro, including the Fe and Y che-
lates of N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic
acid (HEDTA), Pb and Bi chelates of EDTA, have
been shown to break down in vivo. Various methods
of estimating the relative stabilities of metal
chelates in vivo have been attempted but, as yet,
no ideal method has been devised.
403 Lindemann, B., and Passow, H. (Harvard
Med. School, Boston, Mass.; Physiol. Inst.
Univ., Hamburg, Germany): Kaliumverlust
60
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
und ATP-Zerfall in bleivergifteten Mens-
chenerythrocyten. (POTASSIUM LOSS AND
ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE DECOMPOSITION IN
LEAD-POISONED HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES . ) Pflli-
gers Archiv fur die Gesamte Physiologie
des Menschen und der Tiere 271:369-73,
1960.
As determined by addition of Pb at 0.9 x 10~7 and
7.2 x 10-7M/g cells, the conclusion was drawn that
the K loss after Pb poisoning was caused by a di-
rect effect of Pb on the cell membrane and not by
the interruption of intermediary metabolism. The
Pb effect on the cellular ATP was apparently pro-
duced by interactions of Pb with ligands in the
cell membrane, since Pb was rendered inactive by
erythrocyte contents.
404 Madlo, Z. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. and Occupation-
al Diseases, Prague, Czechoslavakia):
(ISOLATION AND PROPERTIES OF CYSTEINE DE-
SULFHYDRASE.) Collection of Czechoslov.
Chem. Communs. 25:729-34, 1960.
Pb was 1 of the metals inhibiting the title enzyme.
The inhibition was partially reversed by pyridoxal-
5-phosphate. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:640,1961)
4Q5 Meyer, H.: Der Synergismus von Schwermetal-
lionen (Cu4"4; Cd++ Pb++, Hg++) und kolloid-
alem Schwefel bei der fungiciden Wirkung auf
Conidien von Fusarium decemellulare. (THE
SYNERGISTIC ACTION OF Cu++, Cd++, Pb++, Hg++
AND COLLOIDAL SULFUR IN THEIR FUNGICIDAL EF-
FECTS ON THE CONIDIA OF F. DECEMECELLULARE.
Archiv fur Mikrobiologie 37:28-48, 1960.
Formation of sulfides did not explain synergism of
above ions with colloidal S (CS) ; rate of Cu, Cd,
Pb uptake in cells increased in presence of CS.
406 Miyata, S. (Gifu Pref. Med. Coll., Japan):
THE INTERACTION BETWEEN ALBUMIN AND HEAVY-
METAL IONS. Japanese Journal of Indus-
trial Health 2:495-501 (June), 1960.
For the purpose of clarifying the significance of
CaEDTA as an accelerator of heavy-metal excretion,
the interactions between albumin and heavy-metal
ions and the effect of CaEDTA on the combination
of the metal with albumin were studied under vari-
ous conditions by polarography.
EDTA and CaEDTA were found to have the ability
to combine with Cd, Pb, and Mn stoichiometrically
at pH 7, and the complexes were stable. Cd com-
bined with bovine serum albumin at the imidazol
group, but this combination was inhibited by
tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane. Combination of
Pb ions with albumin was completely inhibited by
tartaric ions. EDTA and CaEDTA reacted also with
the Cd or Pb combined with bovine serum albumin.
(From author's English abstract; 20 references)
407 Miyata, S. (Gifu Pref. Med. Coll., Japan):
HEMOLYSIS OF ERYTHROCYTES BOUND WITH LEAD
AND THE INFLUENCE OF Ca-EDTA. Japanese
Journal of Industrial Health 2:649-56
(Aug.), 1960.
Studies on combination of erythrocytes with Pb
were made physically or chemically through hemoly-
sis. Normal erythrocytes (A, consisting of normal
human erythrocytes rinsed with physiological
saline solution and suspended in physiological
saline solution at a rate of 2%), erythrocytes
bound with Pb (B, prepared by putting 5 x 10~^M of
Pb into A), and erythrocytes whose bound Pb was
removed with CaEDTA (C, obtained by adding CaEDTA
twice the equivalent of Pb into B) were respec-
tively hemolyz'ed by the use of hypotonic saline
solution, saponin, monoiodacetic acid, heat, and
ultrasonic wave for comparative studies of their
behavior to the hemolytic factors.
It was found that resistance to hypotonic saline
solution was highest in A, followed in order by C
and B; resistance to saponin was highest in A,
followed in order by B and C; erythrocytes bound
with Pb showed remarkably increased resistance to
the hemolytic activity of monoiodacetic acid; this
resistance was lost following the removal of Pb;
erythrocytes bound with Pb as well as Pb-freed
erythrocytes were more apt to undergo hemolysis by
heat; hemolysis by ultrasonic showed no difference
among the 3. These findings suggested that Pb has
the greatest effect on the blood cell membrane.
Results of the experiments with saponin and mono-
iodacetic acid indicated that the combination be-
tween Pb and blood cell membrane is a chemical
phenomenon, suggesting the presence of a close re-
lationship of Pb with lipoid and SH groups of pro-
tein in the cell membrane. The combination veloc-
ity of Pb with erythrocytes was very high. How-
ever, the effect of the binding did not appear
rapidly, but became increasingly noticeable with
the lapse of time. (From author's English ab-
stract; 25 references)
408 Passow, H., and Weiss, C. (Univ. Hamburg,
Germany): Das Grenzflachen-pH roter
Blutkorperchen in Gegenwart von Schwer-
metallionen. (THE SURFACE pH OF RED BLOOD
CELLS IN THE PRESENCE OF HEAVY-METAL IONS.)
Pfluger's Archiv fur die Gesamte Physiolo-
gie des Menschen und der Tiere 271:374-7,
1960.
According to Hartley and Roe (1940) the surface pH
of suspended particles can be calculated from the
pH of the bulk phase if the electrophoretic mobil-
ity of the particles is known. The mobility of
human red cells has been measured in the presence
of low concentrations of Cu, Cd, and Pb (0.06 mM),
No differences between untreated cells and cells
treated with heavy metals were found.
409 Pecora, L., Fati, S., and Vecchione, C.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): Patogenesi delle
turbe porfiriniche nel saturnismo. (PATHO-
GENESIS OF PORPHYRIN DISORDERS IN SATURN-
ISM.) Folia Medica (Naples) 43:685-95
(July), 1960.
Having observed in earlier experiments that the
addition of tissue homogenates of Pb poisoned
animals stimulates the synthesis of erythrocyte
protoporphyrin (PP) of the system erythrocytes +
glycocoll, the authors investigated the effect of
enzymatic inhibitors and stimulants on the above
system. The addition of Na citrate, vitamin B-j^
and Fe saccharate strongly stimulated PP synthesis;
malonic acid, neoarsphenamide, cysteine, NaF and
ATP inhibited it by ^50%, while Pb nitrate (50 yg),
Na cyanide and iodoacetic acid strongly inhibited
it. The authors consider that the homogenate acts
by stimulating the 1st phase of PP synthesis.
Plants and Animals
61
-------
They had also found that even ether, acetone and
aqueous extract of the tissues, and the serum of
these animals was capable of stimulating PP syn-
thesis in vitro. (From authors' summary)
410 Reichel, L., and Mllller-Freymuth, H.
(Humboldt Univ. Berlin, Germany): fiber
die Bedeutung gewisser lonen bei der
Carotin-Biosynthese. (SIGNIFICANCE OF
CERTAIN IONS IN BIOSYNTHESIS OF CAROTENE.)
Naturwissenschaften 47:62-3, 1960.
Phycomyces blakesleeanus (strain Nit(—) synthesizes
carotene only if Mn1""1", PC>4 , and Mg"1""1" are pres-
ent. Small amounts of thiamine are necessary.
The composition of the nutritive solution is
given. The following ions increase the produc-
tion of carotene: Co"*4", Ca"1"1", Fe+++, Ni++, Zn"1"*,
Mo_+, Pb*"1", and Cu4"1". A concentration of 9 x
10~ M Se02 doubles the formation of carotene,
but the effect of the concentration of Se02 is
very limited.
411 Sako, M. (School Med., Keio Univ., Tokyo,
Japan): DIFFERENCE OF AFFINITY WITH LEAD
BY ORGANS — AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY USING
CaEDTA. Japanese Journal of Industrial
Health 2:657-64 (Aug.), 1960.
The chelating action of CaEDTA was applied to the
study of the different combining ability of or-
gans, ie, liver, brain, lung, muscle, etc, with
Pb. As observed in homogenates to which Pb and
EDTA were added, in the liver of normal rabbits, f
the relationship between the dose of added Pb and
the composition of Pb-EDTA can be expressed by the
equation: y = 4.70xO-^4) where y = dose of Pb,
x = Pb amount of Pb-EDTA. The added Pb combines
more firmly with bone and liver than with brain
or lung. In organs of rabbits with chronic Pb
poisoning, the combined Pb is more stable than the
complex forming in acute Pb poisoning. The dif-
ferent state of Pb combination with the various
organs or the difference of affinity to Pb of the
organ is attributable not only to the difference
of chemical property of water-nonsoluble proteins,
but might also be due to water-soluble proteins
and other biological factors which were not de-
tected by this experiment. (From author's English
abstract; 23 references)
412 Tarzwell, C.M., and Henderson, C. (Robt.
A. Taft San. Eng. Center, Cincinnati, 0.):
TOXICITY OF LESS COMMON METALS TO FISHES.
Industrial Wastes 5:12 (Feb.), 1960.
Exploratory tests showed the toxicity of PbCl2 for
fathead minnows in soft and hard water, respective-
ly, as 2.4 and >75 mg/1 Pb as the 96 hr TLm. Be
was the most toxic, followed by U (0.2 mg/1 in very
soft water, and 3 mg/1, respectively).
413 Waltner, K., Jr., and Csernovszky, M.
(Univ. Med. School, Szeged, Hungary):
EFFECTS OF METAL SALTS ON THE ELECTROLYTE
CONTENT OF HUMAN RED BLOOD CELLS. Clinica
Chimica Acta 5:230-4, 1960.
The salts of the following metals were added to red
cell (RBC) suspensions from young healthy adults at
concentrations from 0.01-7 uM/ml: Al, Ba, Ca, Cd,
Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb (as chloride and
acetate), Sn, Zn, and Zr. The chlorides (at 1 yM)
reduced the K content in the following order:
Pb > Hg > Cu > Sn > Zn > Ba > Co > Cr > Cd > Ni
> Mn > Mg, and promoted the Na uptake in a rather
similar order (at 3 yM). The effect of the sulfate
or nitrate was more pronounced than that of the Cl.
Addition of EDTA with the salts to the RBC suspen-
sion brought about no change in the K or Na content
when the EDTA concentration was 1-1/2 times that of
the metal. Cysteine HC1 also had no marked effect.
The water content of RBC diminished by the action
of some salts, including Pb, nearly in parallel
with the K content. With Pb, Cu, and Co, the loss
of K began already after some minutes; a decrease
in labile phosphate esters was found only after in-
cubation for 1 hr. The electrolyte changes are
thought by the authors to be produced by a direct
membrane ("electrolyte pump") action. (13 refer-
ences)
414 Weinberg, E.D.: THE RELATIONSHIP OF
METAL-BINDING TO ANTIMICROBIAL ACTION.
In Seven, M.J., and Johnson, L.A., ed.:
Metal-Binding in Medicine. Philadelphia,
Lippincott, 1960, pp. 329-34.
Many antimicrobial compounds have the ability to
bind metals. The metals that have been found to
affect in some manner the biological activities
of these compounds, ie, Fe, Cu, Zn, Co, Mn, Ca, Al,
Mg, and Mo, are those which can be activators of
specific enzymes. Although such ions as Ni, Bi,
Sb, Sn, Cd, Sr, Ba, and Pb are bound quite firmly
by the positive group of antimicrobials, it is
found almost always that these ions, which usually
do not activate enzymes likewise do not usually
affect the biological activities of the compounds.
(35 references)
1961
415 Britten, R. (Univ. Inst. Microbiol.,
Copenhagen, Denmark): HYDROLYSIS OF RNA
BY LEAD ACETATE. Comptes Rendus des Tra-
vaux du Laboratoire Carlsberg 32, No. 23:
371-80, 1961.
RNA of Tetrahymena pyriformis, Salmonella typhimu-
rium and Escherichia coli was labelled by growth
of the cells in the presence of 2-1'tC-uracil. Af-
ter washing the cells in TSM buffer or "boiling"
the cell suspension in TSM (100°C for 15 min), the
RNA was extracted. Ribosomes were prepared from
Salmonella typhimurium cells suspended in TSM and
disintegrated in a modified Hughes press, RNA
samples were hydrolyzed by 1M Pb acetate solutions
(pH 5.5), precipitated with trichloroacetic acid
(TCA), filtered and the filters were assayed for
radioactivity. Hydrolysis products were examined
by paper chromatography and also separated on a
column of Dowex-1 formate. Tetrahymena RNA was
rapidly hydrolyzed with a half life of 20 min.
The hydrolysis of Salmonella RNA depended on the
state of the RNA (whole cells, boiled cells, ribo-
somes, boiled ribosomes). Ribonuclease had no ef-
fect on the hydrolysis and it was shown that Pb
acetate inhibits the action of beef ribonuclease.
DNA was not hydrolyzed by Pb acetate. The hydrol-
ysis products were not 5'-nucleotides, but a mix-
ture of 2'- and 3'-nucleotides. The precursors to
ribosomal RNA in E. coli were hydrolyzed twice as
fast at the average RNA of the cell. The author
62
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
suggested that the RNA in the whole cell is bound
in such a way as to protect it from Pb ions, a way
that differs from the protection observed in iso-
lated ribosomes.
416 Cherchi, P. (Univ. Cagliari, Italy): Sail
di piombo ed attivita' esterasiche (ricer-
che in vitro). (LEAD SALTS AND ESTERASE
ACTIVITY (RESEARCH IN VITRO).) Rassegna
Medica Sarda 63:663-8 (Nov.-Dec.), 1961.
Blood sera of clinically healthy subjects were in-
cubated for 2 hr at 37° with either Pb nitrate or
chloride so that the resulting Pb concentration
was equal to 100 yg/100 cm3. Measurements of
the activity of pseudocnolinesterase and procaine
esterase showed that neither of the 2 Pb salts had
an inhibitory action on these enzymes. This con-
firms a previous statement of the author that the
decrease of serum pseudocholinesterase and pro-
caine esterase in Pb intoxications is not due to
an action of Pb on these enzymes but rather to a
decreased production of the enzymes in the forma-
tive organs, particularly in the liver.
417 Feldman, P., and Lichtman, H.C. (State
Univ. of New York, Brooklyn): IN VITRO
PYRROLE SYNTHESIS IN LEAD POISONING. Amer-
ican Journal of Diseases of Children 102,
No. 4:485-6, 1961.
The anemia of Pb poisoning may be in part related
to inadequate heme production. The following
scheme has been suggested for heme synthesis:
glycine + succinate —> amino-B-ketoadipic acid
> g-aminolevulinic acid V porphobilinogen
> porphyrins >heme, each step being depend-
ent on one or more enzymes. The ability to syn-
thesize porphobilinogen and porphyrins from &-
aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was studied in vitro in
the erythrocytes of Pb-poisoned infants and com-
pared with that in the blood cells of normal adults
and Fe-deficient children. Porphobilinogen syn-
thesis which is a function of ALA dehydrase ac-
tivity, tended to be less than normal when the Pb-
poisoned erythrocytes were used as an enzyme
source. This deficit could be favorably influenc-
ed by preactivation of the incubation mixture with
glutathione. Uroporphyrins and coproporphyrin
synthesis from ALA was also diminished in the Pb-
poisoned blood cell.
418 Lloyd, R. (Water Poll. Res. Lab., Steve-
nage, England): EFFECT OF DISSOLVED OXY-
GEN CONCENTRATIONS ON THE TOXICITY OF SEV-
ERAL POISONS TO RAINBOW TROUT. Journal of
Experimental Biology 38:447-55 (June), 1961.
Reduction in dissolved 0 concentration increases
the toxicity to Salmo gairdnerii of Zn, Pb, and Cu
salts, and a mixture of monohydric phenols, to
approximately the same extent. It is suggested
that a given toxic effect is produced by a speci-
fied concentration of poison at the gill surface,
and that this concentration is governed by the
concentration of poison in the bulk of the solu-
tion and also by the velocity of respiratory flow.
419 Magistretti, M., Peirone, E., and Majoni,
A. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Azione in vitro
del piombo-tetraetile sulla monoaminos-
sidasi cerebrale. (THE ACTION OF TEL ON
CEREBRAL MONOAMINE OXIDASE.) Medicina del
Lavoro 52:498-506 (Aug.-Sept.), 1961.
Recent investigations have shown that the content
of serotonin in the brain affects neuropsychologic
behavior. Serotonin is metabolized by monoamine
oxidase and inhibition of the enzyme leads to accu-
mulation of serotonin in the brain. The effect of
TEL on monoamine oxidase was studied in vitro by
preincubating brain homogenates from rats with
ethyl fluid (consisting of TEL, dichloroethane and
dibromoethane) in concentrations of 0.1-0.07-0.05
ml/ml of homogenate and determining the disappear-
ance curve of serotonin that had been in contact
with these homogenates. While in the controls
^90% of the serotonin present was metabolized
within 1 hr, homogenates preincubated with 0.1 mg
of ethyl fluid/ml of homogenate led to inhibition
of the enzyme and homogenates containing lower con-
centrations of ethyl fluid caused a lesser but
still significant inhibition. Corresponding exper-
iments made singly with the components of the ethyl
fluid, ie, 50 mg TEL, 150 mg dibromoethane and 90
mg dichloroethane, respectively, showed that the
inhibitory effect was caused only by TEL.
The hypothesis is advanced that the accumulation
of serotonin in the brain is at least partly re-
sponsible for the neuropsychologic manifestations
characteristic of acute TEL poisoning. (56 refer-
ences)
420 Murakami, T., Ishihara, Y., and Uesugi, K.
(Himeji, Japan): (INORGANIC CONSTITUENTS
IN MARINE ORGANISMS. III. QUANTITATIVE DE-
TERMINATION OF MOLYBDENUM, LEAD, AND CO-
BALT IN SHELLFISH.) Himeji Kogyo Daigaku
Kenkyu Hokoku No. 13:98-108, 1961.
High Pb levels were found in the shell Paphia
philippinarum and Corbicula leana. (From Chemical
Abstracts 56:1848, 1962)
421 Shkol'nik, M.Ya.: (SOME RESULTS OF A
THREE-YEAR STUDY (1958-60) OF THE PHYSIO-
LOGICAL ACTION OF TRACE ELEMENTS.) Mikro-
elementy v SSSR, Byul. Vses. Koordinats.
Komis. po Mikroelementam 1961, No. 1:23-
9.
A study was made of the physiological effects of
trace elements on plants. Most of the study con-
cerned the influence of Cu, Co, Mn, Zn, Mo, B,
and Al. At 28-32° more Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, Ni, Fe,
Al, Pb, Ag, and Ca were assimilated by plants than
at 14-20°. (From Ref. Zh., Biol. 1962, Abstr.
No. 14G75; Chemical Abstracts 58:8381, 1963)
422 Umegaki, I.E., and Tanabe, M. (Kyoto Pref.
Med. Univ., Kyoto, Japan): (I. EFFECTS OF
SALTS OF HEAVY METALS ON ERYTHROCYTES. II.
TOTAL ERYTHROCYTES.) Kyoto Furitsu Ika
Daigaku Zasshi 69:1413-18, 1442-4, 1961.
I. Erythrocytes were suspended in solutions of Pb
acetate, Pb nitrate, and other metal solutions
ranging in concentration from 10~3>i_io~%. Only
Ag nitrate solution strengthened both the maximum
and minimum hemolytic resistance. II. The hema-
tocrit always decreased in concentrations up to
10~%, regardless of the metal salt. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 57:2805, 1962)
Plants and Animals
63
-------
1962
423 Aldridge, W.N., Cremer, J.E., and Threl-
fall, C.J. (Med. Res. Council Lab., Car-
shalton, Surrey, England): TRIALKYLLEADS
AND OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION: A STUDY OF
THE ACTION OF TRIALKYLLEADS UPON RAT LIVER
MITOCHONDRIA AND RAT BRAIN CORTEX SLICES.
Biochemical Pharmacology 11:835-46 (Sept.),
1962.
The action of trimethyl-, triethyl-, tripropyl-,
and tributyllead upon processes associated with ox-
idative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria
and rat brain slices was studied and compared with
that of trialkyltins. All the trialkyllead com-
pounds studied inhibited the stimulating effect of
apyrase on 02 uptake by liver mitochondria; tri-
methyllead was the least active, the other trial-
kylleads were equally active. Oxidative phosphor-
ylation, measured by using hexokinase and glucose
to trap ATP, and the stimulation of ATP by 2,4-
dinitrophenol were inhibited by all trialkylleads.
The respiration and formation of creatinine by rat
brain slices were also inhibited. Although a close
similarity was found between the series of trial-
kyltins and trialkylleads in regard to their action
studied in vitro, they do not bring about the same
signs of poisoning in animals. Thus, there seems
to be a qualitative difference in their biological
properties which cannot be explained at present.
424 Cavagna, G., and Beard, R.R. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): POTASSIUM LOSS FROM LEAD-POISONED
ERYTHROCYTES. FAILURE TO DEMONSTRATE COR-
RELATION WITH AGE OF CELLS. Medicina del
Lavoro 53:779-81 (Dec.), 1962.
In earlier experiments, the authors had observed
that when red cells were treated in vitro with Pb,
K loss occurred, and the result was an increase in
osmotic resistance. At moderately low Pb concentra-
tions (0.008 mM/1), 2 groups of erythrocytes could
be differentiated: one showed rapid K loss, the
other a slow one. Thus the authors inferred that
this was due to the enzyme content of the cells,
which considerably decreases with age, and that the
young cells could be separated by centrifugation.
Therefore, heparinized blood from clinically normal
persons was centrifuged, the top 20% and the bottom
20% red cells were removed and each group of cells
was exposed to several concentrations of Pb chlo-
ride. At Pb concentrations of 0.003-0.008 mM/1,
both groups lost at about the same rate. The au-
thors conclude that the results failed to prove
their hypothesis; however, this could be due to the
possibility that centrifugation is not a suitable
method for the separation of cells.
425 Crandall, C.A., and Goodnight, C.J. (Pur-
due Univ., Ind.) : EFFECTS OF SUBLETHAL
CONCENTRATIONS OF SEVERAL TOXICANTS ON
GROWTH OF THE COMMON GUPPY, LEBISTES RE-
TICULATUS. Limnology and Oceanography 7:
233-9 (Apr.), 1962.
The effects of prolonged exposure to sublethal
concentrations of 3 industrial by-products, ie,
Pb, Zn, and Na pentachlorophenate, were stud-
ied in the common guppy, Lebistes reticulatus.
The pH of the metal salts was 7.9-8.2, total hard-
ness was 80 ppra, and total alkalinity, 51 ppm. In
the case of Pb concentrations of 2 ppm analytical
grade Pb nitrate (Pb, 1.24 ppm) were used. In ad-
dition, fish were placed in 5 ppm Pb nitrate (2.48
ppm Pb) . Control fish were kept in water. After
30 days, the fish were weighed individually every
15 days until the 90th day. Size, activity, be-
havior, and sexual maturity were observed. Of a
total of 109 fish in 5 groups in the 2 ppm Pb ni-
trate solution, 29 or 26.6% were dead at the end
of 90 days, compared with 6.5 and 9.3% in 2 con-
trol solutions. Two groups of 12 and 10 fish in
the 5 ppm solution reached a 50% mortality at 76
and 35 days, respectively. The median weights of
the fish in the Pb solutions were less than the
control medians at all times measured; the median
confidence limits at 90 days corresponded to those
of the controls at 30-45 days. The weight distri-
butions in the Pb solutions were asymmetric, indi-
cating the ability of some fish to grow normally.
Of the 5 groups in the 2 ppm solution, 2 groups
did not contain any recognizable males even after
90 days, in another group, a single male was ob-
served, and in the 2 remaining groups 1 male was
observed at 86 days and 1 at 80 days, respectively.
The results of this study strongly suggest that
Pb produced chronic intoxication. The occurrence
of such chronic or cumulative toxicity makes the
determination of "safe" pollution levels for fish
difficult.
426 Cremer, J.E. (M.R.C. Laboratories, Car-
shalton, Surrey, England): THE ACTION OF
TRIETHYL TIN, TRIETHYL LEAD, ETHYL MERCURY
AND OTHER INHIBITORS ON THE METABOLISM OF
BRAIN AND KIDNEY SLICES IN VITRO USING
SUBSTRATES LABELLED WITH 1*C. Journal of
Neurochemistry 9:289-98, 1962.
The effect of triethyl-Pb on the oxidation by rat
brain and kidney slices of substrates labeled with
l^C has been measured. At concentrations of 1.2-
4.0 x 10~6M triethyl-Pb inhibited the 02 consump-
tion and the output of 14c02 by brain slices when
U-14c glucose was added as a substrate, but was
inactive against kidney slices. The reason for
the sensitivity of glucose oxidation by brain
slices to triethyl-Pb is not known.
427 Galzigna, L., and Brugnone, F. (University
Padua, Italy): Azione dell'acido adenosin-
5-monofosforico nel saturnismo sperimen-
tale. Prove in vitro. (EFFECT OF ADENO-
SINE-5-MONOPHOSPHATE IN EXPERIMENTAL SA-
TURNISM. EXPERIMENTS IN VITRO.) Bollettino
della Societa' Italiana di Biologia Speri-
mentale 38, No. 24:1827-8, 1962.
Blood of rabbits that had been^poisoned with neu-
tral Pb acetate was diluted with a physiological
solution and incubated for 4 hr at 38°C with gly-
cine and one of the following compounds: adeno-
sine-monophosphate (AMP), adenosine-diphosphate
(ADP), adenosine-triphosphate (ATP), pyridine-
phosphate (PLP). Following incubation the free
protoporphyrin (PPE) in the blood cells was deter-
mined. ATP and ADP were found to increase the pro-
duction of PPE by 160% and PLP did so by 40%,
whereas AMP caused a 24% inhibition and AMP + PLP
a 72% inhibition. The data obtained in vitro
agree with results obtained in an in vivo series.
64
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
428 Ishizuka, Y., and Tanaka, A. (Hokkaido
Univ., Sapporo, Japan): (INORGANIC NUTRI-
TION OF RICE PLANT. VIII. EFFECT OF LEAD,
MAGNESIUM, AND ARSENIC LEVELS IN CULTURE
SOLUTIONS ON YIELDS AND CHEMICAL COMPOSI-
TION OF THE PLANT.) Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku
Zasshi 33, No. 9:421-3, 1962.
Pb was present in culture solutions at the level
of 0-50 ppm. At 50 ppm Pb had no effect, for it
was precipitated as Pb sulfate; 10 ppm was the
critical level when SO^was absent. Maximum
content of Pb was 200 ppm in straw and 300 ppm in
roots. (From Chemical Abstracts 60:3448, 1964)
429 Koval'skii, V.V., Rezaeva, L.T., and Kol'-
tsov, G.V. (V.I. Vernadskii Inst. Geochem.
and Anal. Chem., Moscow, USSR): (THE CON-
TENT OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE TISSUES AND
BLOOD OF ASCIDIANS.) Doklady Akademii Nauk
SSSR 147:1215-17, 1962.
The trace elements found in Ascidiella aspersa in-
cluded 0.015% Pb (relative to ash weight). (From
Chemical Abstracts 58:9444, 1963)
430 Mambeeva, A.A., and Tikhonov, N.N. (Inst.
Regional Pathol., Acad. Sci. Kazakh SSR):
Vliyanie uksusnokisloi soli svintsa na
sokratimost' poperechnopososatykh myshts
kholodnokrovnykh. (EFFECTS OF LEAD ACE-
TATE ON THE CONTRACTION OF TRANSVERSO-
STRIATAL MUSCLES OF COLD-BLOODED ANIMALS.)
Trudy Instituta Kraevoi Patologii, Aka-
demiya Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 10:103-7,
1962.
Pb acetate solutions used in these experiments on
the isolated frog muscle were of the following
concentrations: 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1,
0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, and 10.0%. The results
showed that the contraction of transversostriatal
muscle was greatly reduced by Pb acetate. The
magnitude of the contraction rose with increased
concentrations of Pb. However, in respect to
comparatively weak solutions the known resistance
was observed as a result of which muscle contrac-
tion did not reach great height on the kymogram.
Pb contraction was characterized by having a
short latent period, slow increase, no decrease
and irreversibility.
431 Moritsugu, M., and Kobayashi, J. : (TRACE
METALS IN BIOMATERIALS. I. GEOGRAPHICAL
DIFFERENCE OF METALS CONTAINED IN AYU.)
Biol. J- Okayama Univ. 11:393-411,
1962.
Pb,, among other trace elements, was determined with
the aid of a quartz spectrograph in Plecoglossus
altivelis. Of the 116 sample locations along
Japanese rivers, Pb was detected in both the en-
trails and gills of the fish. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 57:6449, 1962)
432 Sijpesteijn, K.A. , Rijkens, F., Luijten,
J.G.A., and Willemsens, L.C. (Org. Chem.
Inst. T.N.O., Utrecht, Netherlands): (AN-
TIFUNGAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF
SOME TRISUBSTITUTED ORGANOGERMANIUM, OR-
GANOTIN AND ORGANOLEAD COMPOUNDS.) Antonie
van Leeuwenhoek, J. Microbiol. Serol. 28:
346-56, 1962.
The antifungal and antibacterial activities of a
number of acetates of trialkyl- and triphenyl-
substituted Pb were investigated. High activity
was found for certain Pb compounds. A probable
mode of action of the compounds was discussed.
(From Chemical Abstracts 58:7308, 1963)
433 Tikhonov, N.N., and Mambeeva, A.A.: (THE
CHANGES OF SORPTION PROPERTIES OF MUSCLE
TISSUE OF COLD-BLOODED ANIMALS UNDER Pb
ACETATE ACTION.) Tr. Inst. Kraevoi
Patol., Akad. Nauk Kaz. SSR 10:100-2,
1962.
A study of isolated frog muscles, after intoxica-
tion with Pb acetate, revealed a rise of sorption
activity of the muscular tissue which is evidently
caused by paranecrosis. (From Chemical Abstracts
58:10653, 1963)
434 Vulpis, N., and Giorgino, R. (Univ. Eari,
Italy): SOME EFFECTS OF METAL IONS ON
BLOOD COAGULATION. Thrombosis et Diathe-
sis Haemorrhagica 8:121-31, 1962.
Clotting mixtures consisting of 0.15 ml plasma
containing 220,000 platelets/mm3 0.09 ml salt so-
lution, and 0.09 ml imidazole buffer of pH 7.2-7.8
were recalcified with 0.03 ml 0.125M Cad2, and
clotting was recorded in the thromboelastograph.
Salts of Cd, Zn, Hi, Fe++, Co, Pb, Al, Mn, Ba, Sr,
Hg, and Li were used. All salts increased the
reaction time and decreased the maximum amplitude,
the first 3 markedly in small amounts, the follow-
ing 4 in larger amounts, and the next 3 hardly at
all. When tested at a concentration of 0.2 yg of
ion/0.36 ml final mixture, the reaction time de-
creased from >200 to 5 sec in the order Cd, Zn,
Ni, Pb, Al, Co, Fe, Sr, Mn, Ba, Li, and Hg; the
maximum amplitude increased from 0-50 mm in the
order Cd, Hg, Zn, Ni, Co, Sr, Al, Pb, Fe, Li, Mn,
and Ba. Hg was tested in several dilutions and
gave very short reaction times, which were ex-
plained by lysis of the platelets. To rabbit
plasma Pb nitrate was added to a final concentra-
tion of 1.70 yg/ml. When this and normal plasma
were mixed in various proportions, the reaction
times increased and the maximum amplitudes de-
creased progressively. Plasma was fractionated by
starch electrophoresis, and 0.65 yg Pb in 0.05 ml
was added to 0.30 ml platelet-rich plasma, 0.13 ml
plasma fraction, and 0.18 ml imidazole buffer of
pH 7.4. The mixtures were recalcified and examin-
ed as before. The aj_-, fibrinogen-, and Y"gl°bu-
lin fractions showed the highest inhibitory ac-
tion. Thromboelastograms, abnormal by the action
of metal ions, could be restored to normal by the
addition of Na2EDTA.
1963
435 Alber, M.A. (Univ. Palermo, Italy): Api
raccoglitrici di vernici al minio. (COL-
LECTING OF RED LEAD PAINT BY HONEY BEES.)
Bollettino dell'lnstituto di Entomologia
Agraria e dell'Osservatorio di Fitopato-
logia di Palermo 5:303-6, 1963-1964.
It is known that bees are attracted to paint
mixed with rosins. In 1963, bees from an apiary
in the neighborhood of the new Pirelli factory
at Villa-franca gathered a mass of red Pb paint
Plants and Animals
65
-------
from the iron structures. They filled crevices
and narrow spaces in the hives and varnished
the surface of honey combs with the poisonous
Pb paint.
436 Chandra, S. (Univ. Lucknow, India): PHYSI-
COCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MILK.'l. COAGULA-
TION OF COW MILK WITH VARIOUS ELECTROLYTES.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. India, Sect. A 33,
Ft. 1:17-24, 1963.
Pure milk can be coagulated with O.U067M and 0.168M
HC1. ihe normal dilution law is applicable in the
1st zone; whereas in the 2nd the reverse is the
case, ie, the lower the concentration of colloid,
the higher the concentration of electrolyte needed
to coagulate. Similarly, 2 separate zones of coag-
ulation are observed with HN03, acetic acid (AA),
A1C13, Al(1*03)3, H2C2°4> and tartaric acids. In
the 2nd zone a change of charge from - to + took
place with HC1, HN03, AA, H^O^, and tartaric
acids due to the adsorption of H+, and with A1C13
and A1(N03)3 to the A1+++. It is not possible to
distinguish the 2nd zone of coagulation with tar-
taric acid and AA at all dilutions and with
A1(N03)3 at <0-°65M. The results of coagulation
of milk with H2S04, AgN03, Pb(N03)2, Pb acetate,
CuS04, ZnS04, CoS04, MnCl2, NiCl2, and FeCl2 in the
1st zone are listed. Coagulation of pure milk and
reconstituted powdered milk both whole and skim and
their mixtures by Pb(N03)2. Pb acetate, ZnS04, and
A1C13 are studied. Powdered milks obeyed the nor-
mal dilution law in the 1st zone of coagulation,
and the skim, powdered milk is more stable than
pure milk. (From Chemical Abstracts 59:6902, 1963)
437 Evans, E.A., Eisenlord, G., and Mine, C.H.
(Med. School, Univ. California, San Fran-
cisco): STUDIES IN DETOXICATION BY MEANS
OF THE ISOLATED PERFUSED LIVER. Toxicolo-
gy and Applied Pharmacology 5:129-41
(Mar.), 1963.
Clearance rate of Pb, morphine, ethanol, and pento-
barbital was measured using isolated perfused liv-
ers of normal rats and rats whose livers had been
damaged by intragastric administration of 50 mg/kg
of allyl alcohol or by sc administration of 480 mg/
kg of C tetrachloride. Damaged livers cleared Pb
more rapidly than normal ones and also had higher
tissue concentrations of Pb than controls at the
end of perfusion. (28 references)
438 Frenk, E.: De 1'affinite de la peau pour
certains metaus. (AFFINITY OF THE SKIN TO
CERTAIN METALS.) Dermatologica 127, No. 1:
33-8, 1963.
Guinea pig skin sections in 1% Pb nitrate solution
treated with diphenylcarbazone showed strong red
coloration of erythrocytes and musculature, but
very weak skin reaction. This confirmed marked
affinity of erythrocytes for Pb, poor fixation of
Pb in skin, and rare production of Pb eczema.
439 Granata, A., and Germano, D. (Univ. Mes-
sina, Sicily): Diverse potere eritrole-
sivo del piombo e dei suoi principal! com-
posti inorganic!. (ACTION OF LEAD AND ITS
PRINCIPAL INORGANIC SALTS ON RED BLOOD
CELLS.) Bollettino della Societa Italiana
di Biologia Sperimentale 39:928-31 (Aug.
31), 1963.
Slightly heparinized venous blood from 20 normal
subjects was reacted at 25°C with 100 mg each of
the compounds to be tested, and the spontaneous
hemolyzing time was determined. Highest hemolysis
values were observed for Pb nitrate, Pb acetate,
Pb carbonate and Pb sulfate in that order, whereas
the chloride and oxide of Pb and metallic Pb were
weak hemolyzing agents. A relationship between
toxicity and penetrating capacity of the substan-
ces into the red cells is suggested.
440 Granata, A., and Germano, D. (Univ. Messi-
na, Italy): Potere eritrolitico del rame
e analisi comparativa del ''tempo di emolisi
provocata" di alcuni metalli. (THE HEMO-
LYTIC POWER OF COPPER AND THE COMPARATIVE
ANALYSIS OF "TIME OF HEMOLYSIS" INDUCED
BY DIFFERENT METALS.) Medicina del Lavoro
54:81-7 (Feb.), 1963.
Hemolytic properties of Pb and 6 other metals were
examined in vitro with red blood cells taken from
the blood of 35 normal subjects. (Metals were add-
ed at 100 mg to 2 ml blood.) Pb had a lower lytic
power than many other metals, which confirms central
action of Pb and its minimal capacity for poisoning
through cell membrane of mature erythrocytes.
441 Granata, A., and Papalia, D. (Univ. Messi-
na, Italy): Potere eritrolitico in vitro
di alcune sostanze in polvere d'interesse
professionale. (HEMOLYTIC ACTION IN VITRO
OF SOME POWDERED SUBSTANCES USED IN IN-
DUSTRY.) Medicina del Lavoro 54:519-23
(June-July), 1963.
The time required by a number of substances to in-
duce hemolysis was determined in vitro in the blood
of 40 healthy adult subjects. Pb304 produced hemol-
ysis in all cases, a maximum effect being reached
on the 3rd day. A comparison with hemolytic effect
of Pb dust showed that Pb30^ damages red cells much
more intensely than Pb. With Pb, maximum effect
was reached on the 10th day.
442 Granata, A., and Stilo, R. (Univ. Messina,
Italy): L'azione dell'acido etilendiamino-
tetracetico sugli eritrociti in vitro.
(ACTION OF ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID
ON ERYTHROCYTES IN VITRO.) Bolletino della
Societa Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
39:925-8 (Aug. 31), 1963.
Venous blood was collected from 14 subjects with
chronic Pb poisoning and 14 individuals with some
kind of blood disease, and immediately mixed with
solutions of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate
(Na2EDTA) at concentrations ranging from 15-0.93%.
Sedimentation occurred quickly at concentrations
<7.5% and more slowly at the higher concentra-
tions. Hemolysis started at 48 hr in the 15% so-
lution and on the 5th day at concentrations of
from 6.42-9%. There was no significant difference
in the time of hemolysis between the blood of Pb-
poisoned subjects and that of the other group,
only in advanced Pb poisoning hemolysis started
after 30 hr in the 15% solution. After the 4th-
5th day, all samples contained stippled cells;
granulations were indistinct in both poisoned and
not poisoned subjects. The granulations caused by
66
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Na2EDTA were quite different from stippled baso-
phils as they appear in Pb poisoning. There was
also a pronounced anisocytosis with numerous
spherocytes; the neutrophils were either damaged
or anomalous due to degeneration while the lymph-
ocytes showed more resistence; the megakariocytes
were slightly increased and monocytes were absent
already after the 2nd day. Consequently, EDTA, at
all concentrations except between 6 and 9%, had a
direct injurious effect on red blood cells in
vitro. At concentrations between 6 and 9% the red
cell was preserved at least until the 6th day.
The conclusion was drawn that EDTA should be ad-
ministered for treatment only in concentrations of
6-9% and that a dose of 500 mg/adult normal sub-
ject should not be exceeded.
443 Keller, R. (Univ. Zurich, Switzerland):
Zur Histochemie der Mastzellesterase.
(THE HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE ESTERASE OF
MAST CELLS.) Schweizerische Medizinische
Wochenschrift 93, No. 42:1504-5, 1963.
The effect of various inhibitors on esterase,
leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and adenosinetri-
phosphatase (ATP-ase) of isolated rat mast cells
has been studied. Pb nitrate in a solution of
2 x 10 M did not affect esterase or ATP-ase, but
inhibited LAP by 25%.
444 Lishko, V.K. (Inst. Biochem. Acad. Sci.
Ukr. SSR, Kiev): (PROPERTIES OF BRAIN
CATHEPSIN.) Ukr. Biokhim. Zh. 35, No. 6:
874-80, 1963.
From purified cathepsin prepared from brain homog-
enate by a method described earlier (Polyakova
et al.,1962; 1960), a protein fraction in which the
cathepsin was concentrated by a factor of 1000 was
isolated by absorption on diethylaminoethyl cell-
ulose and elution with 0.1M NaCl. The maximum
proteolytic action of the concentrated cathepsin
was at pH 3.1 with bull hemoglobin as a substrate
and at pH 4.1 with serum albumin as a substrate.
The enzyme exhibited a maximum stability at pH
5.5-8.5. Its activity was not affected by Pb ions
(0.001M). Of the 3 protein substrates investigat-
ed, viz, denatured hemoglobin, serum albumin, and
egg albumin, cathepsin split hemoglobin best and
egg albumin least. (From Chemical Abstracts 60:
12292, 1964)
445 Morihara, K. (Shionogi Co. Ltd, Osaka,
Japan): PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA PROTEINASE.
I. PURIFICATION AND GENERAL PROPERTIES.
Biochimlca et Biophysica Acta 73:113-24,
1963.
Heavy-metal ions such as Pb^+ inactivate the en-
zymic activity of P. aeruginosa. (19 references)
446 Muraoka, S. (Okayama Univ., Japan): MECH-
ANISM OF SUBSTRATE INHIBITION AND ITS RE-
VERSAL BY HISTAMINE. Biochimica et Bio-
physica Acta 73:27-38, 1963.
In the presence of histamine or in dithizone-
treated medium the inhibition of milk xanthine
oxidase can be suppressed. Since the inhibition
caused by the substrate can be demonstrated by the
addition of a minute amount of metallic ion, such
as 6.6 x 10~7M Pb2+, to the metal-free system,
the presence of a trace of some metallic ion in
the reaction mixture may be responsible for the
inhibition. (16 references)
447 Oborn, E.F.: EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMON
AQUATIC ORGANISMS IN REMOVAL OF DISSOLVED
LEAD FROM TAP WATER. U.S. Department of
the Interior, Geological Survey, Profes-
sional Papers No. 475-C:220, 1963.
Four kinds of aquatic plants absorbed Pb approxi-
mately in proportion to the area of the plant-body
surface in contact with the water. Symbiotic bac-
teria were the most active of the organisms stud-
ied.
447a Parkbok, T.A., and Kuznetsova, G.N.: (EF-
FECT OF THE SOIL TEMPERATURE ON THE AB-
SORPTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF TRACE ELE-
MENTS IN PLANTS.) Tr. Botan. Inst., Akad.
Nauk SSSR, Ser. 4, Eksperim. Botan. 1963,
No. 16:27-48.
The effect of the soil temperature on the content
and distribution of B, Mn, Zn, Fe, Al, Ti, Cu, Ni,
Pb, Mo, Ag, Cr, Ga, V, Sn, and Co in young bean,
barley, and tomato plants was investigated. The
experiments were carried out during the summer
months in a light, air, and temperature-controlled
growth chamber with several podzol soils and in
sand cultures at 2 series of soil temperatures:
26, 28, 30° and 12, 14, 18° controlled by special
arrangement. Soil moisture was maintained at 60%
of capacity. The plants were irrigated daily.
After harvesting the plants were analyzed, leaves,
stems, and roots separately. The effect of the
soil temperture on the content of the same element
varied with different soils. At higher tempera-
tures the increases of B and Mn were the highest.
In some instances the higher temperature affected
the distribution of Mn, Fe, and Ni in the differ-
ent parts of the plant, increasing their trans-
portation from the roots to the leaves. In the
young bean, sharp differences in trace element
contents were observed in various parts of the
plant. Leaves and roots were characterized by a
high content of Mn, Fe, Ti, Al, Cu, and Zn. The
heavy metals Pb, Ag, Ga, Cr, V, and Sn accumulated
primarily in the roots. The stems had a low con-
tent of all trace elements with the exception of
Ni and Mo. In tomato plants the absorption of B
and Mn increased with the higher temperature. The
differences in the B contents were more pronounced
in the leaves and not too significant in the stems
and roots. It is assumed that in order to meet
the requirements of the plant for the trace ele-
ments it would, in addition to availability, be
necessary to take into consideration the tempera-
ture of the soil. Tables of the trace element
contents of the plants at the different soil tem-
peratures are presented. (From Chemical Abstracts
59:14303, 1963)
448 Schweiger, H.G., Schweiger, E., and
Vollertsen, I. (Max Planck Inst. Sea Biol.,
Wilhelmshaven, Germany): RibonucleinsHure-
Abbau und Hamoglobinsynthese in Reticulocy-
ten. (RIBONUCLEIC ACID DEGRADATION AND
HEMOGLOBIN SYNTHESIS IN RETICULOCYTES.)
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 76:482-4
(Nov. 22), 1963.
Plants and Animals
67
-------
Since the disappearance of RNA is a sign of reticu-
locyte maturation, the authors set out to prove
indirectly that RNA degradation is connected with
Hb synthesis. The reticulocytes used in the ex-
periments were derived from rats made anemic by
phenylhydrazine. Washed cells were incubated in
Krebs-Henseleit buffer to which were added -^C-
labeled leucine, amino acids, glucose, Fe, and
Pb (1 x 10 M). The incorporation of leucine in
the soluble protein was taken as a measure of Hb
synthesis. RNA was determined as RNA-P after acid
extraction. The results showed that leucine in-
corporation and RNA degradation behaved synony-
mously. It was also found that both RNA degrada-
tion as well as leucine incorporation were inhibit-
ed almost completely by Pb. The authors point out
that the fact that Pb is not a general inhibitor
for protein synthesis but acts specifically on Hb
formation was seen in the finding that leucine in-
corporation in the stroma proteins was not marked-
ly affected by Pb. (14 references)
449 Sirs, J.A. (Univ. London, England): UPTAKE
OF 02 AND CO BY HEMOGLOBIN IN SHEEP ERYTH-
ROCYTES AT VARIOUS TEMPERATURES. Journal
of Applied Physiology 18:166-70 (Jan.),
1963.
The rate of uptake of 0 and of CO by hemoglobin in
intact red cells of sheep increased by a factor of
M..5 for each 10°C rise in temperature over the
range of 10-35°C. Metals (as chlorides, Ag at
5 x 8~8 g/1, Mg at 20 mg, Cu at 10, and Pb at
100 mg/1) increased the rate of uptake of both
gases by a factor of 1.14-1.3 (Pb, 1.14). The
influence of metal ions appears to be one of in-
creasing the membrane permeability.
450 Tiunov, L.A.: (ENZYMES AND POISONS.) Vopr.
Obshch. Prom. Toksikol. Leningrad, Sb.
1963:80-5.
Commercial poisons are classified according to
their effect on enzymes and action on the various
enzyme systems governing organ functions and meta-
bolic processes. Pb is classified among the poi-
sons acting on the prosthetic group of enzymes, ie,
disturbing synthesis of prosthetic groups. (From
Ref. Zh., Farmakol., Toksikol. 1965, Abstr. No.
3.54.310; Chemical Abstracts 62:13747, 1965)
1964
451 Aokl, K., and Hori, J. (Univ. Nagoya, City
Univ., Japan): EFFECT OF METALLIC CATIONS
ON HUMAN SERUM: STUDY BY STARCH-GEL ELEC-
TROPHORESIS. I. EFFECT OF Pb++, Cu++, AND
NH^"1". Archives of Biochemistry and Bio-
physics 106, No. 1:317-25, 1964.
The technique of one dimensional starch-gel elec-
trophoresis has made possible the resolution of
human serum into more than 12 components, enabling
a more exact study of the effect of metallic cat-
ions on the protein components of serum. When
Pb nitrite or CuS04 was added to human serum, the
amount of precipitate increased with increase in
the concentration of the cation. Some protein
components of human serum were precipitated at
lower concentrations and some resisted precipita-
tion even at higher concentrations of a cation.
The precipitability of a component depended on the
nature of the cation. The main components in the
supernatant obtained, when serum diluted 50% con-
tained 30 mM Pb++, were transferrin and ^-globulin.
Almost all the y-globulin was precipitated when
serum diluted 50% contained 6 mM Cu"*"1"; almost all
the proteins were precipitated when the final con-
centration of Cu"*"1" was 20 mM. It was observed
that the zone of a particular component disappear-
ed abruptly at a certain concentration of cation,
while a new zone appeared, indicating probably,
that the component was modified by the cation with
a change in mobility. Also, that the intensity of
staining of a particular component increased with
increase in the cationic concentration. An ex-
planation is that the metallic cation (Pb++ or
Cu++) bound to the protein binds dye (eg,protein"-
Pb++ - dye-).
452 Beltschev, E.G.: (INFLUENCE OF BIVALENT
METAL CATIONS ON THE DEGRADATION OF RNA IN
RAT AND CHICKEN LIVER HOMOGENATES.) Iz-
vestiya na Tsentralnata Laboratoriya po
Biokhimiya, Bulgarska Akademiya na Naukite
2:47-56, 1964.
The degradation of ribonucleic acid (RNA) by
ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), Mg and Pb in
rat and chicken liver homogenates was studied.
After 6 hr incubation at 37°, 40% of the whole-
tissue RNA was degraded. EDTA at pH 8 blocked the
activity of ribonuclease but had no influence on
the enzyme in an acid medium (pH 5). Mg and Pb
added in excess to EDTA removed the blocking ef-
fect both in rat and chicken liver homogenates.
As the ribonuclease inhibitor was absent in the
latter, the author concludes that the bivalent
metal ions do not inactivate the inhibitor but act
on the enzyme itself; also, that the mechanism of
the mode of action is far from clear. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 62:13425, 1965)
453 Csillik, B., and Davis, R. (Univ. Pennsyl-
vania, Philadelphia): ELECTRON MICROSCOP-
IC LOCALIZATION OF THE "LEAD-REACTIVE SUB-
STANCE" IN THE MYONEURAL JUNCTION. Acta
Biologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae
15, No. 2:203-11, 1964.
Since Savay and Csillik (1958) had shown that the
myoneural junction has a conspicuous affinity for
Pb salts, an electron-microscopic study was under-
taken to determine the localization of supravital-
ly administered Pb nitrate in the myoneural junc-
tions of the intercostal muscle of adult mice.
The dissected thorax of the mice was immersed for
5, 10, 20 and 30 min in a 0.1% solution of Pb
nitrate, containing 10% formalin and sufficient Na
nitrate to achieve isotonicity. Best results were
obtained in samples kept in the solution for 30
min. As anticipated, the Pb-reactive substance of
the myoneural junction was found in the postsynap-
tic membrane and its neighboring parts, ie, in the
same submicroscopic structures which also contain
cholinesterase activity. It is suggested that the
postsynaptic membrane consists of a mosaic-like
pattern of the acetylcholine receptor and displays
the role of a postsynaptic amplified device of the
action of presynaptically released acetylcholine.
454
Fisher, F.M., Jr. (Rice Univ., Houston,
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Texas): THE PROPERTIES AND SPECIFICITY OF
A g-GLUCOSIDASE FROM BLABERUS CRANIIFER.
Biological Bulletin 126:220-34 (Apr.),
1964.
Pb was one of the 13 metal ions tested for the
characterization of a 6-glucosidase found to be
localized mainly in the cecal complex of the ali-
mentary canal of the roach, Blaberus craniifer.
At a concentration of 8.26 x 10-&M, Pb caused 50%
inhibition of the activity of the enzyme. The
range of inhibition by the other ions was from 2-
100%.
455 Flerova, T.P., and Flerov, V.E.: (EXPERI-
MENT ON BIOCHEMICAL AND GEOBOTONICAL PROS-
PECTING IN THE DZUNGARIAN ALA TAU.) Ma-
terialy po Geol. i Polezn. Iskop. Yuzhn.
Kazakhs tana (Alma-Ata: Akad. Nauk Kaz.
SSR) Sb. 1964, No. 2:144-52.
Results are given on surveys made in the areas of
polymetallic deposits already explored in Koksu,
Eastern Suuktyube, and Yablonovoe. In each survey
unit (area 5 m^) , geobotanical, soil, and geologi-
cal observations were made and biochemical and
metallometric samples were taken. It was proved
that: (1) the plants spirea, mint (Mentha), yar-
row, St.-John's-wort, and vetch (Vicia spp.) con-
centrate large amounts of Ag, Ga, and Sb, while
iris, hollyhock, thoroughwax (Bupleurum), and
others concentrate little of the same elements;
(2) the content of Zn, Pb, and Cu in the ashes of
plants, growing over the ore bodies, is 1.5-4%
(the background content is 0.0n-0.00n%) with a
simultaneous increase in the content of Ag, Ga,
Sb, and other elements; (3) the plant indicators
of ore bodies are gypsophila, astragalus, eye-
bright (Euphrasia), dock (Rumex acetosa), (Koksu),
and mountain bluet (Centaurea montana) (Eastern
Suuktyube); and (4) on soil over the ore bodies
the amount of plant species decreases and there is
a sharp predominance of 1 or 2 species. The ef-
fect of ore bodies on plant shape is discussed and
illustrated. The results of metallometric, bio-
geochemical, and geobotanical sampling are compar-
ed and interpreted. (From Ref. Zh., Geol. 1964,
Abstr. No. 12D44; Chemical Abstracts 62:14351,
1965)
456 Goodman, I., and Hiatt, R.B. (Columbia
Univ., New York, N.Y.): CHEMICAL FACTORS
AFFECTING SPONTANEOUS MOTILITY OF THE SMALL
INTESTINE IN THE RAT. I. SULFHYDRYL RE-
ACTANTS. Biochemical Pharmacology 13:871-
9 (June), 1964.
To determine whether the sulfhydryl (SH) group is
involved in the mechanism of intestinal smooth
muscle contractility, relative reactivities of a
variety of SH reactants with the cysteine SH group
were evaluated by a modification of the indophenol
method along with parallel studies of the effects
of the same SH reactants on spontaneous motility
and response to acetylcholine (ACh) of isolated
segments of rat ileum in Ringer's solution. Com-
pounds highly reactive toward the SH group included
Pb acetate among others. Comparisons were made
with compounds that do not react with the SH group.
Pb acetate reacted rapidly with the isolated gut
segment, causing inactivation at concentrations of
10 -ICT^M with inhibition of the normal ACh-in-
duced contraction. At lower concentrations they
had no effect or even enhanced spontaneous intes-
tinal motility, causing increased amplitude of
contraction without inhibition of the ACh con-
traction.
457 Haider, G. (Inst. Technol., Stuttgart,
Germany): HEAVY METAL TOXICITY TO FISH.
I. LEAD POISONING OF RAINBOW TROUT (SALMO
GAIRDNERII) AND ITS SYMPTOMS. Z. angew.
Zool. 51, No. 3:347-o8, 1964.
Rainbow trouts were chronically poisoned in an
aquarium by adding small amounts of Pb acetate to
the water for 2-3 mo or by giving lethal doses
orally or by injectibn. In acute poisoning, the
gill epithelium and inner organs were destroyed
and the fish died of suffocation. Staining with
Ag sulfide revealed the presence of Pb in bones,
liver, kidneys, gills and spleen. (From Water
Pollution Abstracts 39:Abstr. No. 1820, 1966)
458 Hirth, L. (Univ. Munich, Germany): En-
zymschaden bei Schwermetallvergiftung.
(ENZYMIC DAMAGE DUE TO HEAVY METAL INTOX-
ICATION.) Mllnchener Medizinische Wochen-
schrift 106, No. 21:985-8, 1964.
In his introduction, the author states that also
in this age of plastics and chemicals, the use of
certain heavy metals, particularly Pb, provides
opportunity for exposure to them by man. He cites
a report of increased Pb levels in the blood of
the urban population and questions whether Pb oc-
curs in primitive people. As one of the main ef-
fects of heavy metals seems to be the inhibition
of enzymes, he reports his in-vitro experiments of
the effect of Hg on succinodehydrogenase and al-
kaline phosphatase in kidney tissue. A 1 x 10~3M
solution of Hg chloride completely inhibited
succinodehydrogenase, and a similar though some-
what lesser effect was produced by a solution of
Pb acetate, whereas even a 1 x 10~2» solution of
Hg chloride or Pb acetate did not affect the ac-
tivity of alkaline phosphatase. In-vivo experi-
ments were described only for Hg. The brief dis-
cussion of the mechanism of the enzyme-inhibiting
effect revolves mainly around the affinity of Hg
and Pb to the SH-groups.
459 Huff, J.W., Sastry, K.S., Gordon, M.P.,
and Wacker, W.E.C. (Univ. Washington;
Dept. Med. Harvard Med. School; Peter Bent
Brigham Hosp. Boston, Mass.): THE ACTION
OF METAL IONS ON TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS RI-
1 BONUCLEIC ACID. Biochemistry (Wash.) 3:
501-6 (Apr.), 1964.
Added transition metal ions stabilize the second-
ary structure of tobacco virus RNA. In spite of
this stabilization of secondary structure, heating
in the presence of metal ions results in the loss
of biological activity due to the hydrolysis of
phosphodiester bonds. At pH 5.8 and room tempera-
ture Pb ions catalyzed the hydrolysis of RNA to
2'(3')-mononucleotides; on long standing, nucleo-
sides were formed. (From authors' summary; 23
references)
460 Jonderko, G. (Acad. Med., Zabrze, Poland):
WpXyw soli metali ciezkich na aktywnosc
dehydrogenazy mleczanowej. (THE EFFECT OF
Plants and Animals
69
-------
HEAVY METAL SALTS ON THE ACTIVITY OF LAC-
TIC DEHYDROGENASE. Polskie Archiwum Medy-
cyny Wewnetrznej 34, No. 12:1583-6, 1964.
The effect of Mn sulfate, Cd sulfate, Hg chloride,
Pb acetate and Co sulfate in concentrations of 5 x
10-6, 1 x 10-5 and 2 x 10-5M on the activity of
lactic dehydrogenase of human erythrocytes was
studied in vitro. The results showed that the
salts inhibited the action of the enzyme in a con-
centration as low as 5 x 10-&M.
461 Jonderko, G., and Dabrowski, Z. (Silesian
School Med., Zabrze, Poland): THE EFFECT
OF HEAVY METAL SALTS AND CALCIUM DISODIUM
AND MAGNESIUM DISODIUM VERSENATE ON THE
ACTIVITY OF SERUM PHOSPHOMONOESTERASE. I.
IN VITRO STUDIES. Archivum Immunologiae
et Therapiae Experimentalis 12, No. 5:592-
601, 1964.
The behavior of phosphomonoesterase I in the pres-
ence of equimolar concentrations of heavy-metal
salts and chelating agents was studied in vitro
with human blood serum. Two ml of the blood se-
rum using sera of 17 patients with conditions un-
related to intoxication and healthy donors was in-
cubated for 1 hr at 37° with Mn sulfate, Cu sul-
fate, Hg chloride, Pb acetate and Co sulfate in
amounts giving serum concentrations of 5 x 10~6,
1 x 10~5 and 2 x 10"5M after solution. The activ-
ity of phosphomonoesterase I was then determined
in the test and in control samples. Sera of 10
individuals were used to study the "prophylactic"
and "therapeutic" effect of Ca disodium versenate
(EDTA) on the enzyme activity by incubating the
sera with EDTA either before or after incubation
with the heavy metals.
The degree of inhibition of the enzyme activity
increased as the concentration of the heavy metals
increased from 5 x 10~6 to 1 x 10~5 and 2 x 10~5M,
with Hg and Pb showing the strongest effect. Af-
ter prophylactic application of EDTA, Hg and Pb
also caused significantly greater inhibition of
enzymatic activity than the other salts but signi-
ficantly less than EDTA alone or than Hg and Pb
without preincubation with EDTA. Incubation with
EDTA for 1 hr after incubation with the heavy
metals (therapeutic use) caused a significantly
greater decrease of phosphomonoesterase activity
than incubation with EDTA prior to incubation with
the metal salts (prophylactic use of EDTA).
The conclusion was drawn that prophylactic use
of EDTA is more effective than therapeutic use.
There was little change in effect when serum was
incubated with EDTA for 1, 2, or 24 hr. Since all
heavy-metal salts including those of Pb inhibit
phosphomonoesterase at concentrations above 5 x
10-°M, determination of the activity of this en-
zyme may serve as a nonspecific diagnostic test in
intoxications with these metals.
462 Laboureur, P., and Labrousse, M (Joyen
Josas, Seine et Oise, France): Proprietes
d'une lipase fongique a haute activite1.
(PROPERTIES OF A HIGHLY ACTIVE FUNGAL LI-
PASE.) Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des
Stances de 1'Academic des Sciences 259:
4394-6 (Dec. 9), 1964.
The exocellular lipase of a Rhizopus rootstock
stimulates the hydrolysis of numerous glycerides
between pH 2.5-9.5, is active in temperatures from
20°-50° and is activated by Ca and albumin. Among
the mineral substances Ca"*""1" and to a lesser degree
Mn4"1" are strong activators, while the inhibitors
are: Zn++ > Hg++ > Pb++ > Cu++ > Sn"1^ > Fe+++ >
CO++ > Al+~l~l~ in concentrations of 2 x 10~*M.
(From authors' summary)
463 Li, H.C., and Hu, Y.C.: EFFECTS OF LEAD
ARSENATE SPRAYS ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNC-
TIONS AND FRUIT QUALITY OF SWEET ORANGE.
Yuan Yi Hsueh Pao 3, No. 2:129-37, 1964.
Proper spraying of sweet orange with Pb arsenate
improved quality, decreased acidity and increased
the content of sugars, vitamin C and the ratio of
sugar to acid. It also increased the weight of
the fruit and promoted the vigor of the tree.
Spraying sweet orange with 0.25% Pb arsenate 3
times between early young fruit drop and June drop
is recommended. (From Chemical Abstracts 62:7050,
1965)
464 Min, K.S. (Coll. Med., Natl. Univ. Seoul,
Korea): EFFECT OF LEAD ION ON THE POTAS-
SIUM TRANSPORT OF RABBIT BLOOD CELLS. Soul
Uidae Chapchi 5, No. 1:21-30, 1964)
The effect of Pb on the permeability of rabbit red
cells to K were studied on the basis of the dose-
response, time-response curves and osmotic fragil-
ity changes. Pb chloride induced a prehemolytic
loss of K from the erythrocytes over a range 0.5
^20 x 10-3 mM Pb chloride/1, and at concentra-
tions above 20 x 10~^ mM/1, hemolysis began to ap-
pear. The K loss progressed rapidly for 1 hr and
then slowed down. A recovery of cell membrane
occurred with time after poisoning the cells; it
was complete in 5 hr. The K loss was greatest at
20-37° and pH 7.0. Intracellular inorganic phos-
phate increased during the phase of rapid K loss
and thereafter slowed down. Pb induced K leakage
in the cells. The relation between sulfhydryl
groups and Pb binding on the cell membrane was
discussed. (From Chemical Abstracts 65:7886,
1966)
465 Ogawa, K. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): METALLO-
PHILIA (AFFINITY FOR LEAD) OF THE PLASMA
MEMBRANES OF JEJUNAL EPITHELIAL CELLS IN
THE RAT. Abstracts of 77th Session of the
American Association of Anatomists, Den-
ver, 1964. Anatomical Record 148, No. 2:
392, 1964.
In the course of electron histochemical demonstra-
tion of acid phosphatase in the jejunal epithelial
cells of the rat, using the Gomori reaction, the
nonenzymatic deposition of Pb in plasma membranes
of microvilli and interdigitating plications be-
tween adjacent cells was observed. The mode of
nonenzymatic Pb deposition did not differ from
that of enzymatic Pb. Nonenzymatic Pb deposition
was enhanced by fixation of tissues in cold for-
mol-Ca at pH 7.4, and addition of sucrose. The
phenomenon of metallophilia can be overcome by
decreasing the Pb concentration in the Gomori me-
dium from the original 3.7-1 mM. (Condensed ab-
stract)
466 Papke, E., and Pohloudek-Fabini, R.
(Pharmac. Inst. Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Univ.,
70
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Greifswald, Germany): Zur Kenntnis des
KetosSurestoffwechsels von Datura stpamo-
nium L., var. stramonium. Tell V: Uber
die Wirkung einiger Stoffwechselinhibi-
toren auf den KetosMurestoffwechsel von
Datura stramonium L., var. stramonium.
25. Mitteilung: lieitrage zur Chemie und
Physiologie einiger stoffwechselchemisch
wichtiger Sauren. (METABOLISM OF KETO
ACIDS IN DATURA STRAMONIUM VAR STRAMONIUM.
V. EFFECT OF CERTAIN INHIBITORS ON THE
KETO ACID METABOLISM. 25. CHEMISTRY AND
PHYSIOLOGY OF SEVERAL METABOLICALLY IMPOR-
TANT ACIDS.) Pharmazie 19, ^o. 11:718-22,
1964.
Healthy functioning leaves high on the stem of
plants 4-5 mo old were treated with various meta-
jolic inhibitors by suspending the leaves with
their petioles in the respective solutions for 24
hr in darkness. u-Ketoglutaric acid content was
reduced by K metaarsenite, Pb nitrate (1% solu-
tion), NaF, p-fluorobenzoic acid, acetaldehyde,
and butalidon (phenylbutazone), whereas pyruvic
acid was increased by the same compositions. (22
references)
467 Patino, H. (Inst. Fomento Algodonero, Bo-
gota, Colombia): Efectos fitotoxicos del
arseniato de plomo usado como insecticida
en el cultivo de la soya. (PHYTOTOXIC EF-
FECTS OF LEAD ARSENATE USED AS AN INSECTI-
SIDE IN SOYBEAN CULTURE.) Bol Notic Inst.
Fomento Algodonero Bogota 4, No. 5:4-5,
1964.
Toxicity symptoms observed on soybean plants
sprayed with Pb arsenate for control of Lepidop-
tera larvae are described, (From Biological Ab-
stracts 46:Abstr. No. 72893, 1965)
468 Pecora, L., Fati, S., Mole', R., and Pesar-
esi, C. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Azione del
piombo sulla sintesi porfirlnica nel mi-
dollo osseo. (EFFECT OF LEAD ON PORPHYRIN
IN THE BONE MARROW.) In XlVth Internation-
al Congress of Occupational Health, Ma-
drid, Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963. Interna-
tional Congress Series No. 62, Amsterdam,
Excerpta Medica Foundation, 1964, Vol.
Ill, pp 1068-9.
Homogenates of bone marrow removed from the femur,
shoulder and tibia of 20 young rabbits were pre-
pared by the method of Morell (1958), and suspend-
ed in Krebs-Ringer phosphate solution. Aliquot
portions were then treated with glycocoll and Pb
acetate in concentrations of lO'^M, 10~%, 10~7M
and 10~HM. After an incubation of 4 hr at 37°,
the protoporphyrin was determined by the method of
Grinstein and Wintrobe (1950). In concentrations
of IO-IM and IQ-^M Pb acetate inhibited the syn-
thesis of protoporphyrin by 38 and 61%, respec-
tively, whereas concentrations of 10~?M and 10~HM
increased the synthesis by 31 and 80%, respective-
ly. The conclusion was drawn that, since the Pb
concentration in the bone marrow of Pb-poisoned
rabbits is always below that capable of causing
inhibition, the increased porphyrin metabolism in
Pb poisoning must be caused by a stimulating ac-
tion of Pb on the bone marrow.
(The same paper was presented at a meeting of
the Society for Forensic Medicine, Indemnity and
Industrial Medicine, Feb. 26, 1965, an abstract of
which was published in Medicina del Lavoro 56:315-
6 (Apr.), 1965.)
469 Pickering, Q.H., and Henderson, C. (Robert
A. Taft Sanit. Eng. Center, Cincinnati,
0.): THE ACUTE TOXICITY OF SOME HEAVY
METALS TO DIFFERENT SPECIES OF WARM WATER
FISHES. Proceedings of the 19th Industrial
Waste Conference, Purdue University, La-
fayette, Indiana, May 5-7, 1964, pp 578-
91.
A comparative study was undertaken to determine
the acute toxicity of the salts of Cu, Zn, Ni,
trivalent and hexavalent Cr, and Pb to 4 species
of warmwater fishes and the dependence of this
toxicity on certain other water quality character-
istics. The species used were fathead minnows,
bluegills, goldfish and guppies. Ten individuals
of a species were used for each of the concentra-
tions tested and in the control. The test solu-
tions were prepared in a logarithmic series of
numbers such as 10, 5.6, 3.2, 1.8 and 1.0 mg of
the metal salt/1 of water, and from the mortali-
ties at different concentrations the 24-, 48-, and
96-hr median tolerance limits (TL,,,) were comput-
ed. With all 4 species in soft water, Cu was the
most, and CrVI the least toxic while with the oth-
er metals, relative toxicity varied with the test
species. With Pb (as chloride and acetate), the
mechanism of toxicity appeared to be different at
high concentrations and short exposures than at
low concentrations and long exposures. The 96-hr
TLm values in soft water for the fathead minnow
(7.33 and 31.5 mg/1) and goldfish were signifi-
cantly lower than the 24-hr values (11.5 and 45.4
mg), and the 96-hr TLm in soft water was signifi-
cantly lower for the fathead minnow than for the
other species.
470 Ponert, J. (Czech. Bot. Soc., Csav,
Prague, Czechoslovakia): Einfluss von
Blei, Silber, Kupfer und Kalium auf den
Gehalt an Kardenoliden in BlHttern. (IN-
FLUENCE OF LEAD, SILVER, COPPER, AND PO-
TASSIUM ON THE CARDENOLIDE-CONTENT OF
LEAVES.) Naturwissenschaften 51, No. 13:
320-1, 1964.
The content of cardenolldes in leaves of Conval-
laria majalis L., after addition of equimolar so-
lutions of the nitrates of K, Cu, Ag and Pb, re-
spectively, was found as follows, 10"^M/g of fresh
leaves: 25; 13; 39; 6; controls 16. Thus, Ag and
K caused an increase of cardenolides, Pb and Cu a
decrease.
47] Rezaeva, L.T. (V.I. Vernadskii Inst. Geo-
chem. Anal. Chem., Moscow, USSR): (VANA-
DIUM VALENCE STATE IN BLOOD CELLS OF AS-
CIDIELLA ASPERSA.) Zh. Obshch. Biol. 25,
No. 5:347-56, 1964.
Spectral analysis revealed the following average
content of elements (in yg/ml) in blood cells of
A. aspersa: Mg 20, Ca 20, Zn 30, Cu 3, Mo 0.6,
Mn 0.8, Ni 4, Fe 140, Sr 12, Ba 6, Be 0.06, Cr
1.2, Bi 0.2, Pb 3, Sn 0.8, Ag 0.4, Zr 0.3, Al 160,
and Ti 12; there was 0.31-1.66 mg V/ml. Analyti-
cal color reactions, spectrophotometric, and po-
Plants and Animals
-------
tentiometric methods Indicated a dynamic equilib-
rium of V(III) and V(IV) in the blood cells, con-
nected with physiologic redox phenomena. (20 ref-
erences) (From Chemical Abstracts 62:3129, 1965)
472 Studzinski, G.P., and Love, R. (Jefferson
Med. Coll., Philadelphia, Pa.): NUCLEOLAR
ORGANELLES SHOWN BY LEAD PRECIPITATION IN
UNFIXED CULTURED CELLS. Stain Technology
39:397-401 (Nov.), 1964.
A simple method is described for the demonstration
of nucleolar structure of HeLa cells, cultured on
circular coverslips, then placed in 4 mM Pb ace-
tate (or any other soluble Pb salt such as Pb ni-
trate) dissolved in Na acetate-Na barbiturate buf-
fer at pH 5.5 for 30 min at 37°C. The phenomena
described suggest that the retention of Pb in
localized areas of the nucleolus is due to enzy-
matic reactions which produce inorganic phosphates
from endogenous substrates.
473 Waldron, H.A. (Vauxhall Motors Ltd.,
Luton, Gt. Britain): THE EFFECT OF LEAD
ON THE FRAGILITY OF THE RED CELL INCUBATED
IN VITRO. Journal of Clinical Pathology
17:405-6 (July), 1964.
In a recent study, de Kretser and Waldron (1963)
were unable to confirm the hypothesis of Aub et al
(1926) that alteration of the red cell membrane by
Pb was the cause of anemia in Pb poisoning.
In further exploration of this question, blood
was collected from male volunteers who had had no
occupational exposure to Pb. Volumes of a stand-
ard Pb acetate solution were added to give Pb con-
centrations of 10 and 20 ug/ml blood, and the mix-
tures were incubated for 24 hr at 37°.__ As a con-
trol, whole blood was incubated without Pb. Os-
motic fragility tests were done by the method of
Dacie (1956), using buffered saline solution, and
the mechanical fragility index was determined as
described by de Kretser and Waldron. The results
showed that incubating whole blood without Pb
caused the cells to become more fragile while the
addition of Pb caused a marked resistance to hypo-
tonic saline solutions which was especially no-
ticeable in the samples incubated with 20 yg Pb/
ml blood. Incubation per se resulted in an appre-
ciable increase of the mechanical fragility index
of the red cells; incubation with Pb raised the
index only slightly above that of the controls.
The author concludes that although Pb caused a
slightly greater increase in the mechanical fra-
gility index of the red cells than that observed
in controls, the difference was not great, and is
in accord with his (and de Kretser's) finding that
this index was about the same in Pb-exposed and
control workers. Therefore, an increase in the
mechanical fragility index is not a major factor
in the production of Pb anemia.
72 BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
B. WARM-BLOODED ANIMALS
1950
474 Allcroft, R. (Vet. Lab., Weybridge, Surrey,
England): LEAD AS A NUTRITIONAL HAZARD TO
FARM LIVESTOCK. IV. DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD
IN THE TISSUES OF BOVINES AFTER INGESTION
OF VARIOUS LEAD COMPOUNDS. Journal of
Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics 60,
No. 3:190-208, 1950.
Blood, tissue, and fecal concentrations of Pb were
determined after single lethal doses of various Pb
compounds orally and after ingestion of small quan-
tities over long periods. The experiments were
carried out on young calves (a few days-10 mo old)
using large numbers of animals and feeding trial
methods. In order to obtain an indication of Pb
in the liver and kidney of "normal" animals, these
tissues were taken from 31 cattle and sheep (60 mo-
7 yr) slaughtered for other purposes, with results
showing no value >1.5 rag/kg fresh tissue (similar
to that in man). Analyses of Pb in whole blood of
30 young calves gave a mean of 0.129 + 0.010 mg/1
(lower than that in man).
In the experimental animals, tissue concentra-
tions of Pb after ingestion of various Pb compounds
showed that the highest concentrations were found
in kidney cortex and liver tissue (50.5-297.0, 9.3-
126.0 mg/kg, respectively) while the spleen, lung,
heart, and Drain contained detectable but much
smaller amounts (<1.0-5.7, 2.0-3.6, <1.0-1.3, <1.0-
1.5 mg/kg, respectively). Comparison of blood and
fecal levels made over a period of several weeks
after ingestion of sublethal amounts of Pb as galena
(0.5 g/kg body weight, total Pb 46.6 g) and acetate
(0.2 g/kg body weight, total Pb 6 g) showed that
even when fecal Pb values had returned to normal,
blood values still remained abnormally high. In
the experiment attempting the chronic poisoning of
cattle, conditions that might occur on farms were
simulated as far as possible (ie, contamination of
water supplies, flaking of paint from food recep-
tacles and stalls, rations contaminated by soils,
etc). The results showed that relatively large
quantities of Pb (1-2 g daily) ingested over a
period of 2 yr had no ill effect.
475 Allcroft, R., and Blaxter, K.L. (Vet. Lab.,
Weybridge, Surrey, England): LEAD AS A
NUTRITIONAL HAZARD TO FARM LIVESTOCK. V.
THE TOXICITY OF LEAD TO CATTLE AND SHEEP
AND AN EVALUATION OF THE LEAD HAZARD UNDER
FARM CONDITIONS. Journal of Comparative
Pathology and Therapeutics 60, No. 3:209-
18, 1950.
Data are presented in 2 parts: (1) relating to
acute poisoning and (2) relating to chronic poison-
ing. Summarization of data obtained on toxicity of
Pb in various forms when given in single doses in-
dicated that ingestion of 0.2-0.4 g/kg body weight
caused death in a few days. The fatal dose for
older cattle and mature sheep was larger (0.6-0.8
g/kg body weight). In enumerating field cases of
acute poisoning in cattle, it was suggested that
large numbers of calves die annually throughout
Great Britain as a result of the ingestion of toxic
quantities of Pb, Pb paint and painters' material
being the most frequent cause. In chronic poison-
ing experiments, on continued daily ingestion of Pb,
a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight could be tolerated
for many months and 6 mg/kg body weight could be
tolerated for 3 yr, and it is concluded that cumu-
lative poisoning rarely occurs in ruminants. On
the basis of a single experiment it was suggested
that much smaller amounts of Pb (1 mg/kg/day) were
sufficient to cause abortion in the ewe if ingested
during pregnancy by animals in poor condition.
Levels of Pb in pastures were discussed, and it
was shown that the ingestion of herbage contaminated
with Pb soil dust in certain areas could result in
the ingestion of >130 mg Pb/kg dry matter consumed.
The average annual ingestion of Pb by sheep in the
area of Derbyshire was high, the amount being much
greater in winter than in summer. However, the Pb
content of the blood of sheep in this area suggest-
ed that there was no real danger of any form of Pb
poisoning. Diagnosis of acute Pb poisoning was also
discussed briefly, emphasizing that a verdict on
analytical data alone without additional evidence
is often difficult.
476 Blaxter, K.L. (Veterinary Lab., Weybridge,
Surrey, England): LEAD AS A NUTRITIONAL
HAZARD TO FARM LIVESTOCK. III. FACTORS
INFLUENCING THE DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN
THE TISSUES. Journal of Comparative
Pathology and Therapeutics 60, No. 3:177-
89, 1950.
The internal transport and deposition of Pb ab-
sorbed in the bodies of sheep and rabbits were
studied. Following the iv injection of 400 mg Pb
acetate into sheep, the whole blood concentration
of Pb dropped slowly (ie, 72.8-1.0 mg Pb/1 blood
for 0.08-282 hr after injection). Initially the
Pb content of the serum fell more quickly than
that of the erythrocytes. In sheep given Pb oral-
ly, 85-90% of the Pb in the blood was in cells.
In rabbits the serum Pb was largely bound to pro-
tein. Pb given iv in increasing quantities (5-60
mg) to rabbits was distributed among the reticulo-
endothelial cells, the most striking feature being
the enormous increase in Pb content of spleen and
bone marrow, compared with slower increase in the
Pb content of kidney and compact bone. When given
orally (1-4 g) most of the Pb was found in the
skeleton with large concentrations in the kidney.
After iv administration of Pb, 5-10% was present
Plants and Animals
73
-------
in the tissues on the 59th day. Results were dis-
cussed in relation to the factors causing the dif-
ferential distribution of Pb and its implication.
(13 references)
477 Blaxter, K.L. (Veterinary Lab., Weybridge,
Surrey, England): LEAD AS A NUTRITIONAL
HAZARD TO FARM LIVESTOCK. II. THE ABSORP-
TION AND EXCRETION OF LEAD BY SHEEP AND
RABBITS. Journal of Comparative Pathology
and Therapeutics 60:140-59 (Apr.), 1950.
Experiments were carried out with 10 sheep from
which feces samples were collected quantitatively
for at least 4 days while the sheep were being fed
a constant ration with a daily intake of Pb ranging
from 1.9-115.5 rag. Analyses of excreta and food
were made daily during this period. It was clear
that within the range of 2-110 mg there was little
change in the percentage of Pb which was apparently
absorbed. Regardless of food source or amount of
Pb given within this range, the mean excretion was
98.7%, absorption being 1.3% of Pb ingested with a
S.E. of ±0.8%. The fecal Pb was largely excreted
as phosphate or sulfide.
In 5 experiments with sheep, blood analyses were
carried out following the absorption of Pb from the
digestive tract, with samples taken at intervals
before and after dosage. In cases of massive doses
of Pb, the maximum blood level was reached at the
4th-6th hr following dosage. Pb left the blood
stream at a very slow rate thus indicating that
absorption rate was low. Data for 1 sheep receiv-
ing 30 mg Pb acetate showed the following mg Pb/1
blood for number of hours after dosage respective-
ly: 0.08, 0; 0.78, 2; 1.46, 4; 1.37, 6; 0.94, 12;
0.63, 24; 0.40, 72. Two sheep receiving 400 mg Pb
intravenously and 40 g Pb acetate orally died at
comparable times. The greatest concentration of
Pb was found in the kidneys and livers of both
sheep. The calculated percentage of Pb absorbed
by the tissues of the sheep which died as a result
of the oral poisoning ranged from 0.5-2.2%.
In urine samples collected quantitatively, excre-
tion of Pb depended on Pb intake, but even when
large quantities were given, excretion did not
exceed 0.8 mg/1 daily. On low intakes (2 mg)
urinary Pb excretion (0.07-0.08 mg/1) was of the
same order of magnitude as the excretion reported
in normal human beings. Pb was excreted in the
milk of a. ewe given 5 g Pb acetate in its diet 7
days before lambing in relatively large quantities
(0.28, 0.18, 0.15 mg Pb/kg on 2nd, 4th, and 6th
day of lactation respectively). A ewe given 100
mg Pb acetate commencing the 6th day of lactation
showed the following results: 7th day of lacta-
tion, 0.38 mg Pb/kg; 14th, 0.55.
When large quantities of Pb were given to 2
sheep and 6 rabbits, the bile was the major
channel of Pb excretion, the colon and wall of the
intestine being of very little importance in ex-
creting Pb which had gained access to the body.
Data given to confirm the quantitative importance
of the liver in the excretion of Pb showed that of
the Pb injected,1.27% was excreted in the urine
of the sheep, 5.31% in the bile, and only 0.17%
in the bile-free feces. Of the total Pb excreted
(11.15 mg), 17.1% was in the urine, 80.7% in the
bile, and 2.2% in the bile-free feces. Even 3
days after the injection of Pb, the concentration
in the bile was always greater than tne concentra-
tion of Pb in the serum (1.16 and 0.11 mg/1 re-
spectively). It was suggested that Pb is actively
excreted by the liver and that the excretion of
large quantities involves the breakdown of the
liver cells.
When <3 mg Pb were ingested daily by sheep,
there was no retention of Pb. Above this quantity
Pb was retained in increasing quantities by the
tissues. These results differ markedly from
those on mice, rats, and humans. The avidity of
the tissues in retaining Pb was shown by the
fact that when Pb was injected into the systemic
circulation, only 4-10% of the amount injected was
recovered over a period of 6 days following the
injection. (33 references)
478 Chiodi, H., and Sammartino, R. (Inst.
Exptl. Biol. Med.; Inst. Pathol., Buenos
Aires, Argentina): RENOTROPHIC ACTION OF
LEAD IN THE RAT. Acta Physiologica Latino-
americana 1:32-45, 1950.
Chronic oral administration of 2 ml of a 0.5-12%
solution of Pb acetate daily by stomach tube to
rats for 10 days-11 mo produced renal hypertrophy
at the expense of tubular cells. Percentage in-
creases in kidney weight was 34-81 according to
size of dose and number of days administered.
This action of Pb was believed to be specific, the
hypertrophy not being secondary to the destructive
lesions caused by Pb. A protein-rich diet augment-
ed the renotrophic action of Pb. Such a diet + Pb
acetate showed a 91% increase in kidney weight
after 4 mo. BAL, and to a lesser extent testo-
sterone propionate, inhibited the renotrophic and
renotoxic actions of Pb.
479 Di Porto, A. (Univ. Rome, Italy): II
metabolismo dei metili nella intosslca-
zione sperimentale da piombo. (METHYL ME-
TABOLISM IN EXPERIMENTAL POISONING FROM
LEAD.) Policlinico (Rome), Sezione Medica
57:359-68, 1950.
Six rabbits (1400-1600 g), after having been kept
on a standard diet for 5 days, received iv injec-
tions of 5 mg Pb acetate in 2 ml distilled water
daily for 12 consecutive days and, on the last day,
received 4-j times higher doses. Trimethylamine in
urine was determined just prior to the injection,
and every 3rd day thereafter (Monasterio'rf method,
1935). Two of the last 3 animals died shortly af-
ter injection. Histology x^as performed on liver,
bone marrow and kidney.
The body weight decreased by the 12th day to
840-1050 g; basophilia ranged from 2-7/1000, and
urinary trimethylamine increased from a normal of
1.80-2.89 to 4.03-7.56 mg/24 hr. The increase
paralleled the degree of weight decrease, increase
in basophilia, and that of organ damage.
480 Gray, L.F., and Ellis, G.H. (Agric. Res.
Admin., Ithaca, N.Y.): SOME INTERRELATION-
SHIPS OF COPPER, MOLYBDENUM, ZINC AND LEAD
IN THE NUTRITION OF THE RAT. Journal of
Nutrition 40:441-52 (Mar.), 1950.
A toxic state was produced in rats by additions
of Mo to 2 different basal diets (mineralized
whole milk powder (supplemented with Cu, Fe, and
Mn) and rat chow). Using the milk powder diet,
74
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
the mineral levels selected for the interrelation-
ship study were 0.01% Cu, 0.08% Mo, 0.05% Zn, and
0.005% Pb. Eighty weanling rats (3 males and 2
females (48-55 g weight) on each of 16 treatments)
were used. Good growth was obtained for the rats
on all diets containing no added Mo. Mo retarded
growth; Zn produced anemia, and together with Pb
caused lowest mean hemoglobin (Hb) of any treat-
ment; Zn alone did not retard growth; but Mo + Zn
resulted in poorer growth. From Hb results no
certain conclusions could be drawn. Pb alone had
no effect on growth or Hb. None of the minerals
affected leukocyte count. (20 references)
481 Pecora, L. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Contri-
bute allo studio del mielograuima nell'-
intossicazione sperimentale da piombo.
(Ricerche eseguite con il'metodo della
mielobiopsia ripetuta). (THE MYELOGRAM IN
EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING. (RESEARCH
PERFORMED BY THE METHOD OF REPEATED BONE-
MARROW BIOPSY).) Folia Medica (Naples)
33:365-82, 1950.
On alternate days 5-6-mo-old male rabbits received
2 ml of 20% Pb acetate solution. Every 10 days
bone-marrow punctures were made. The animals died
^30-50 days after the beginning of the experiments.
Ten tables give the results of the bone marrow and
blood tests. No characteristic variations were
noted, although slight changes occurred after ^2
wk. (13 references)
482 Robert, P., and Zllrcher, H. (Dermatol.
Clin., Univ. Bern, Switzerland): Pigment-
studien. 1. Mitteilung. Uber den Ein-
fluss von Schwermetallverbindungen, Hamin,
Vitaminen, Aminosauren, mikrobiellen
Toxinen, Hormonen und weiteren Stoffen auf
die Dopamelaninbildung in vitro und die
Pigmentbildung in vivo. (PIGMENTATION
STUDIES. I. THE ACTION OF HEAVY-METAL
COMPOUNDS, HEMIN, VITAMINS, AMINO ACIDS,
MICROBIAL TOXINS, HORMONES, AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES ON DOPA-MELANIN FORMATION IN
VITRO AND ON PIGMENT FORMATION IN VIVO.)
Dermatologica 100, No. 4/6:217-41, 1950.
In all experiments a freshly prepared 0.5% dopa
solution in carbonate buffer was used. Each se-
ries consisted of 4 individual tests, A, B, C, and
D, A contained no addition; B, C, and D contained
0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 ml of the test substances,
each with 3 ml dopa solution (= 15 rag dioxyphenyl-
alanine). Of the metals tested in vitro, Ag, Co,
Mn, Au, Fe and Cu considerably increased the for-
mation of dopamelanin, while Cr, Pb, As, Zn, Th,
and Ni were without influence. Pb was not tested
in the in vivo experiments with rabbits; intra-
cutaneous injections of solutions of Fe, Cu, Co,
Ni, and As produced a local pigmentation and ac-
celerated growth of hair, believed to be due to a
raising of the local oxidation process.
483 Schmid, R., Schwartz, S., and Watson, C.J.
(Univ. Minnesota Hosp., Minneapolis):
PORPHYRINS IN THE BONE MARROW AND CIRCULA-
TING ERYTHROCYTES IN EXPERIMENTAL ANEMIAS.
Proceedings of the Society of Experimental
Biology and Medicine 75:705-8, 1950.
As summarized by the authors, the coproporphyrin
(CP) and protoporphyrin (PP) of bone marrow and
circulating erythrocytes in the rabbit exhibit
dynamic changes under a variety of stimuli to
erythropoiesis, including Pb poisoning, phenylhy-
drazine, hemorrhage, and reduced OT tension. The
changes are a striking increase of CP in the de-
veloping erythrocytes of the bone marrow with a
marked relative reduction of CP concentration in
circulating red cells, and an inconstant but gen-
erally increased level of PP in the circulating as
compared with the marrow erythrocytes. These ob-
servations point to a close relation between CP
and hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis, and appear to be
consistent with concepts which consider CP either
as a direct precursor of Hb PP or as a by-product
of the synthesis. The precursor concept seems to
permit a more reasonable correlation of the por-
phyrin findings in bone marrow and blood with
those in urine and feces.
4JJ4 SUmegi, I.: HAEMOCHROMATOSIS. THE PATH-
OGENESIS OF PORPHYRINURIA IN LEAD POISON-
ING AND HAEMOCHROMATOSIS. Orv. Hetil. 91:
165, 1950.
The author carried out experiments to confirm his
opinion that both in hemochromatosis and Pb poi-
soning, Fe and Pb respectively cause generalized
damage to the reticuloendothelial system, the ex-
tent and principal site of the damage being reli-
ably indicated by the presence and type of copro-
porphyrin in the urine. When white rats are given
Pb acetate daily in a 1% solution intragastric-
ally, in a dose of 1 ml/100 g body wt, porphyrin-
uria is found at the end of the 1st wk, although
fluoresence in the bone marrow is detectable mi-
croscopically only; cultures of the marrow from
these animals show much fluorescence within 48 hr.
The author believes that when this porphyrin is
formed in the marrow Fe is no longer taken up in
the formation of hemoglobin and that the substance
which is formed without Fe is coproporphyrin III;
the anemia in Pb poisoning is partly due to this
failure to take up Fe and partly due to the metal-
lic damage to the reticuloendothelial cells which
prevents them from releasing Fe normally for blood
formation. When the reticuloendothelial cells of
white rats are thoroughly blocked by Indian ink
before administration of the Pb above, it is found
that the animals show no evidence of porphyrin
formation at the end of 1 wk and only 1/3 of them
have a minimal production after 2 wk; anemia de-
velops in these animals well before its appearance
in the animals given Pb only. The author believes
that in hemochromatosis the deposition of Fe in
the liver damages the parenchymatous cells and
Pb's to the appearance in the urine of copropor-
phyrin I; because of the liver's power of regener-
ation this appearance is inconstant in the early
stages of the disease, which explains the variable
findings of other authors. When the deposition of
Fe is such as to affect seriously hemoglobin for-
mation in the marrow, then coproporphyrin III is
formed. The appearance of type I and III in hemo-
chromatosis and heavy metal poisoning depends on
whether the damage is predominatly of the liver or
the marrow. (From British Journal of Industrial
Medicine 7:206, 1950)
485
Tomson, N.M.: TRACE ELEMENTS AS A MEDICO-
Plants and Animals
75
-------
BIOLOGICAL AND HYGIENIC PROBLEM. Vestnik
Akad. Med. Nauk SSSR 1950, No. 5:29-35.
See Abstract No. 32J6.
1951
486 Allcroft, R. (Ministry Agric., Weybridge,
Surrey, England): LEAD POISONING IN CATTLE
AND SHEEP. Veterinary Record 63:583-90
(Sept. 15), 1951.
A brief review on the absorption, excretion, re-
tention, and general metabolic effect of Pb in
farm animals is presented. The concentration of
Pb found in various tissues depends considerably
on the portal of entry as well as on the quantity
and nature of Pb compound and length of exposure.
In farm animals 1'b enters the body most commonly
through the mouth.
Because water-soluble Pb compounds react with
alimentary contents to form insoluble Pb complexes,
intestinal absorption of insoluble Pb carbonate is
of the same order of magnitude as is absorption of
water-soluble Pb acetate. In reviewing findings
of the author's group, normal Pb contents in liver
and kidneys of 31 cattle were 0.3-1.5 ppm (wet
tissues); those in whole blood of 30 calves were
0.05-0.25 ppm (mean, 0.13 ppm); similar means were
found in the whole blood of goats, sheep, horses,
and cows. Fecal Pb values obtained from 14 normal
calves were 1.5-30 ppm dry basis (mean, 12 ppm).
The range for 12 normal cows was 6-35 ppm (mean,
13 ppm). Blood and tissue levels were given fol-
lowing ingest ion of lethal and sublethal doses of
Pb in different forms. Highest concentrations
were found in the kidney cortex (50.5-297.0 ppm);
the liver also contained high amounts (9.3-126.0
ppm). After ingestion of Pb compounds there was
a considerable and rapid rise in the amount of Pb
in the blood. In the case of subiethal doses of
Pb acetate there was a fairly rapid fall to lower
levels but the values did not return to normal for
weeks.
Useful information could be obtained from the
study of blood and fecal levels in surviving
animals in which Pb poisoning is suspected. Il-
lustrative data showed that after administration
of sublethal doses of galena and Pb acetate, even
when fecal Pb levels had returned to normal, blood
values still remained abnormally high (ie, galena
results: 0.10-1.0 mg Pb/L blood, 3-1220 mg Pb/kg
dry fecal matter; Pb acetate: 0.08-1.22 mg Pb/1
blood, 15-103,800 mg/kg dry fecal matter). If
both blood and fecal values are elevated it can be
assumed that ingestion of Pb was recent. If blood
level is high and fecal level normal, then inges-
tion probably occurred a considerable time before.
In accumulative Pb-poisoning experiments, 1
steer died after 35 mo of Pb acetate feeding dur-
ing which time '^1600 g of Pb was ingested. Tn
another experiment 400 g of Pb shot was given to
a calf over a period of 4 mo without ill effect;
84% of the shot was recovered from the digestive
tract, chiefly the reticulum, 5 mo after the last
dose. The lethal dose of Pb in cattle and sheep
is ^0.2-0.4 g/kg body weight ingested on any 1 day
for calves up to 4 mo of age, while in older cattle
and sheep relatively larger doses are required.
Values >40 ppm in the kidney cortex and >10 ppm in
the liver are of definite diagnostic significance.
487 Coburn, D.R., Metzler, D.W., and Treichler,
R.: A STUDY OF ABSORPTION AND RETENTION
OF LEAD IN WILD WATERFOWL IN RELATION TO
CLINICAL EVIDENCE OF LEAD POISONING. J.
Wildl. Mng. 15:186-92, 1951.
Clinical symptoms diagnostic of Pb poisoning in
ducks in relation to 2 levels of dosing are herein
established.
The critical daily dosage level was found to be
between 6-8 mg/kg. The average survival time for
birds dosed at a level of 12 mg/kg was 3.5 days
less than for birds receiving Pb at the 8 mg/kg
level, but there was no significant difference in
the deposition of Pb in the tissues of the 2
groups.
Pb metabolism studies for 3 consecutive periods
showed comparable rates of retention for the 2
dosage levels, with no significant difference in
Pb retention. The rate of deposition of Pb in the
tissues, as indicated by metabolism tests, was
found to be such that related clinical symptoms
could be predicted.
Any 1 of 3 units, skeleton, liver, or soft tis-
sues might be satisfactory as field samples for
the determination of Pb poisoning by chemical an-
alysis. (From Veterinary Bulletin 22:540, 1952)
48J Dean Guelbenzu, M., Lopez de Azcona, J.Ma.,
and Santos Ruiz, A. (Inst. espan fisiol. y
bioquim., Madrid, Spain): (TRACE ELEMENTS
TN THE WHITE RAT.) Rev. espan. fisiol. 7:
63-79, 1951.
The food, feces, urine, bones, skin, muscle, brain,
eyes, blood, heart, lungs, stomach (with contents),
intestines (with contents), liver, spleen, kidneys,
and testicles of lactating and other adult rats
were studied spectrochemically. Pb was found very
often in all organs but was distributed very ir-
regularly in the muscle. Some bone samples lacked
Pb. Most of the oligoelements were found in
greater quantity in the feces than in the urine.
(From Chemical Abstracts 46:2648, 1952)
489 Desoille, H., Derobert, L. , LeBreton, R. ,
and Martin, R. (Dept. Ind. Hyg., Natl.
Inst. Hyg., Paris, France): Du danger de
saturnisme au cours de 1'utilisation des
huiles de coupe plombiferes. (DANGERS OF
LEAD POISONING IN THE USE OF CUTTING OILS
CONTAINING LEAD.) Proceedings of the
Society of Industrial Medicine and Hygiene.
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale
12:416-23, 1951.
Guinea pigs were exposed to a mineral oil contain-
ing 0.8 g Pb/100 ml and the effects produced by
inhalation, skin absorption and ingestion were
periodically followed by determining basophilic
stippling, Pb content in liver, and pathologic
changes in lung, liver and kidney. Five guinea
pigs, exposed to an aerosol containing 0.08 mg
Ph/nP for 11 wk, showed significant basophilic
stippling after 6 wk and liver Pb contents of 26-
32 mg/100 g. In 2 separate experiments, the oil
was applied to the back and neck of 5 animals.
Examination showed evidence of basophilic stippling
and liver Pb content of 8-10 mg/100 g. In feeding
experiments, 3 out of 4 animals fed 1 ml oil/day
died after 5-7 days and 4 out of 5 fed 0.25 ml/day
76
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
died after 1 mo. In both cases, the basophilic
stippling was marked and the liver Pb content was
4-8 mg/100 g. The renal parenchyma showed hemor-
rhages in the intertubular and intraglomerular
spaces, epithelial nephritic lesions on the con-
voluted tubules, erythrocytes inside the glomer-
ulus, cellular edema of the vascular element,
significant lesions of the epithelial element,
marked lesions in the cortical regions and along
the labyrinth. The hepatic parenchyma showed
periportal hemorrhages with infiltration of inter-
trabecular erythrocytes. The pulmonary parenchyma
showed thickening of the walls, as well as intra-
parietal edema, and lymphocyte proliferation caus-
ing typical lesions, mainly in the perivascular
region. Emphysemic lesions, diffuse intraparietal
hemorrhages, and fatty deposits around the bron-
chial openings and the alveolar parenchyma were
also found.
The authors conclude that the introduction of Pb
in any form into cutting oils be forbidden.
490 Fisher, H.J. (Connecticut Agr. Exptl. Sta.,
New Haven): COMMON TOXICOLOGIC FINDINGS
IN CONNECTICUT. Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association 118:309-11,
1951.
For many years, the Connecticut Agricultural Ex-
periment Station has been examining animal viscera,
feeds, foods, and miscellaneous materials suspected
of containing poison. The highlights of the sta-
tion's tests prior to 1936 are listed and include
the findings in 1923 of a sample containing Pb ar-
senate poisoning and 159 pointing to Pb poisoning
were analyzed of a total of 1387 examinations.
There were 3 times as many cases of poisoning from
Pb as from any other poison.
491 Gorsheleva, L.S.: Vliyanie tetraetils-
vintsovoi Intoksikatsii na vysshuyu
nervnuyu deyatel'nost' zhivotnykh (belykh
krys). (EFFECT OF TETRAETHYL LEAD POI-
SONING ON THE HIGHER NERVOUS ACTIVITY OF
ANIMALS (WHITE RATS).) Zhurnal Vysshei
NervnoT Deyatel'nosti imeni I.P. Pavlova
1:727-38, 1951.
Subcutaneous injection of 0.04 g/kg of TEL into
rats led to a 3-phase serious alteration of acti-
vity of the higher nervous system. In the 1st
phase the cortical activity and stimulability were
increased with decrease of latent period of con-
ditioned reflexes. In the 2nd phase the blocking
process mounted and its course spread to sub-
cortical layers leading to chaotic motor functions.
The last, 3rd, phase was that of restoration of
functions, with normalization first of uncondi-
tioned, then the conditioned reflexes. Generally
animals with weak level of nervous activity suf-
fered more severe signs of such intoxication than
did animals with a high level of nervous activity,
or animals with nervous stability.
492 Graziani, G. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Azione
del B.A.L. sulla crasi ematica e sul mielo-
gramma nella intossicazione sperimentale
da piombo. (ACTION OF DIMERCAPROL ON THE
BLOOD PICTURE AND MYELOGRAM IN EXPERIMENTAL
LEAD INTOXICATION.) Haematologica 35:159-
75, 1951.
Rabbits received orally on alternate days 200 mg
Pb acetate. One group received im 10 mg BAL/kg
body weight/day; every 5-6 days the red and white
cells were counted, hemoglobin, leukocytic formula
and globular resistance were determined. One group
treated with BAL was sacrificied at the time the
last control animal died, and the myelogram was
examined; another group was observed beyond the
death of* the controls.
The results are shown in tables for each animal.
The bone marrow after the BAL administration had
conserved its erythroblastic activity, which
appeared deeply affected in the controls. In the
animals in which the poisoning was continued after
the death of the controls a Pb anemia appeared
finally, but the doses of poison required to
produce it were much greater.
493 MacDonald, N.S., Ezmirlian, F., Spain, P.,
and McArthur, C. (School of Med. Univ.
California, Los Angeles): THE ULTIMATE
SITE OF SKELETAL DEPOSITION OF STRONTIUM
AND LEAD. Journal of Biological Chemistry
189:387-99, 1951.
X-ray diffraction studies of the bone ash of rats
receiving repeated injections of Sr chloride and
of Pb acetate indicate that both of these cations
ultimately enter into the internal structure of
the inorganic salt crystallites. Powder patterns
made with the Debye camera showed no evidence of
a 2nd solid phase, even in bone sanples containing
as much as 8% Sr and 5% Pb. Determinations of the
unit cell dimensions of such bones laden with Sr
or Pb were made with a precision of ±0.01% by the
use of a symmetrical focussing back reflection
camera. Cohen's method was used for extrapolation
of the data to a Bragg angle of 90°. These deter-
minations clearly demonstrated distortions of the
unit cell as a result of the presence of foreign
ions. It was impossible to ascertain by density
determinations whether the foreign cations were
present in the lattice interstices or had taken up
lattice point positions by displacing the normal
ionic occupants of those positions. Large ectopic
calcifications were noted on the peritoneal sur-
faces of the rats receiving intraperitoneal in-
jections of Pb acetate. The ash of this material
showed the same crystalline structure as bone salt
except that the lattice was distorted by the pre-
sence of Pb .
Although the evidence sheds little light on the
initial phases by which Sr and Pb ions are accu-
mulated in bone, it is concluded that some, and
perhaps most, of the cations ultimately become
part of the crystalline structure of the bone salt.
The length of time during which such material re-
mains fixed depends upon the rate of bone resorp-
tion and reformation.
494 Nordmann, M. (Pathol. Inst., Hannover,
Germany): Zur Pathologie der Bleivergif-
tung. (PATHOLOGY OF LEAD POISONING.)
Srztlicher Dienst DB 12:116-8, 1951.
In this discussion, it is pointed out first that
severe Pb poisoning is seldom seen nowadays by the
pathologist. Most frequently the decision must
be made as to whether any causal connection exists
between serious organic changes and Pb poisoning.
Primarily, the blood vessels that react through
Plants and Animals
77
-------
specific contractions, are affected (high blood
pressure, as well as Pb-produced epilepsy, mus-
cular atrophy). In animal experiments, liver
damage could be observed only in rats fed an un-
balanced fatty diet which of itself made the ani-
mals sick. The development of hypertonia as a
result of vascular spasm is easily explained, ar-
teriosclerosis, however, more difficulty; Pb con-
tracted kidney is difficult to differentiate from
the arteriosclerotic. Gastric ulcers can be ex-
plained by a complex of causes and it is possible
that as an extreme factor Pb also can play a role.
On the part of the nervous system, degenerative
processes principally were observed but also re-
active changes (granuloma). According to Speransky
almost every type of poisoning acts on the nervous
system. The author warns against a simplification
which could be taken to be decisive by the expert
witness. Only medical experience can be decisive.
The question of Pb arteriosclerosis is considered
along with the organic cirrhosis. Since there are
a number of causes for the development of liver
cirrhosis, angina pectoris, and ulcers, extreme
caution is recommended. Still more questionable
is the connection between liver cancer and gastric
cancer.
495 Pimenta de Mello, R. (Univ. Minnesota
Hosp., Minneapolis): EFFECT OF LIGHT ON
URINARY COPROPORPHYRIN EXCRETION IN LEAD-
POISONED RABBITS. Proceedings of the
Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine
76:823-5, 1951.
Light exposure increased the urinary coproporphyrin
excretion in rabbits with Pb poisoning produced by
100 mg/kg of Pb acetate ip or sc. The increase was
especially marked after ultraviolet radiation.
Subsequent radiation, however, failed to cause a
renewed rise or was followed by only a small in-
crease. Whether the increase following light is
due to mobilization of preformed porphyrin, or to
increased porphyrin formation, was not determined.
(From author's summary)
496 Plum, C.M. (Univ. Inst. Pathol. Anat.,
Copenhagen, Denmark): LIVER AND SPLEEN IN
HAEMATOPOIESIS. II. INVESTIGATIONS INTO
THE INFLUENCE OF A NUMBER OF METALS ON THE
PERIPHERAL BLOOD PICTURE, WITH SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO ERYTHROCYTE DIAMETER AND THE
INJURIES TO THE LIVER. Archives Inter-
nationales de Pharmacodynamie et de TheV-
apie 86, No. 1:52-79, 1951.
Soluble salts of Al, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd were
injected or given orally in toxic doses to rabbits.
When pronounced liver cirrhosis occurred there was
an associated macrocytic anemia (with increase in
the diameter of the red cells) suggesting that the
liver has a function in regulating the size of the
erythrocyte.
In the experiments with Pb, the oxide (PbO) was
administered to rabbits (av 2500 g) in suspensions
by mouth in doses of 0.25 g or iv at 10 ml of 2:
1000 solution in saline daily. The animals became
highly anemic, with marked anisocytosis, poikilo-
cytosis and a few erythroblasts in the peripheral
blood, and marked basophilic stippling. After 8-
14 days the serum bilirubin was elevated in all
animals. Post mortem examination showed extensive
changes in liver, kidneys, spleen, and bone marrow.
Among the blood findings, the diameter of erythro-
cytes increased from 6.53-6.78 on day 0 to 7.00-
7.59 on day 21. In experiments with Pb acetate
given iv at 2 ml daily (5.55 g dissolved in 100 ml
saline), similar results were obtained, but the
liver injury appeared to be more severe and the
rise of bilirubin greater. Erythrocyte diameter
increased from 6.60-6.72 on day 0 to 7.02-7.73 on
day 21. Poisoning by a suspension of Pb30^ (be-
cause of difficult solubility) in a dose of 0.25
g, produced changes similar to PbO, but the effect
was somewhat weaker and a longer period passed be-
fore changes in the blood appeared. The cause of
the variations in the effect are attributed to
differences in solubility of the salts.
In discussing the histologic picture of the
liver, the author states it to be different from
the one seen in obstructive jaundice. There is
distinct fatty degeneration and often distinct
leukocyte infiltration, or incipient cirrhosis of
the liver. (38 references)
497 Schubert, J., and White, M.R.: EFFECT OF
SODIUM AND ZIRCONIUM CITRATES ON BLOOD
LEVEL, DISTRIBUTION, AND EXCRETION OF IN-
JECTED RADIOLEAD. AECU-1227, UAC-356,
Feb. 1951.
See Abstract No. 523.
498 Schwartz, S., Keprios, M., and Schmid, R.
(Minneapolis, Minn.): EXPERIMENTAL "POR-
PHYRIA" IN RABBITS. Proceedings of the
Central Society for Clinical Research.
Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medi-
cine 38:949, 1951.
Studies undertaken to develop extreme coproporphy-
rinuria in rabbits have led to the induction of a
condition which is chemically similar to porphyria
in human beings. Over 1,500 pg of both copropor-
phyrin (CP) and uroporphyrin (UP) have been re-
covered from 24-hr-samples of urine. As in acute
intermittent porphyria, the urinary porphobilino-
gen reaction is positive. On the other hand, the
excretion of the porphyrin in the free form
(rather than as the Zn complex), and the presence
of bone marrow are similf.r to the congenital or
photosensitive type of porphyria in human beings.
Highest values of UP have followed the combined
use of phenylhydrazide, Pb, and exposure to un-
filtered light from a Hg arc lamp.
These rabbits have been found to be of great
value for isotopic ^"*C studies of porphyrin me-
tabolism. Following the administration of 250 x
106 counts/min of glycine-2-1'*C, the UP of 1 rab-
bit showed 120 counts/min/yg. The relationships
of this and other urinary and tissue porphyrins
to one another and to hemoglobin synthesis are
being investigated.
499 Soprana, C. (Univ. Padova, Italy): (THE
ACTION OF SODIUM PYROCATECHOL DISULFONATE
ON THE FECAL ELIMINATION OF LEAD IN EXPER-
IMENTAL POISONING.) Folia Med. (Naples)
34:456-60, 1951.
A 1% solution of Pb nitrate was injected intra-
muscularly daily for 8 days into 6 rabbits. Of
these, 3 got 5 ml 5% Na pyrocatechol disulfonate
(PD) intravenously 15 min after Pb. Feces were
78
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
analyzed spectrographically for Pb on the 3rd,
6th and 9th days. Rabbits which received PD ex-
creted a significantly higher amount of Pb, which
was probably complexed with PD and eliminated in
this form via the bile. (From Chemical Abstracts
46:6269, 1952)
500 Sllmegi, I. (Hungarian State Railways (M.A.
V.) Hosp.): THE PATHOGENESIS OF PORPHYRI-
NURIA IN HEMOCHROMATOSIS AND IN LEAD IN-
TOXICATION. Acta Morphologica Academiae
Scientiarum Hungaricae (Budapest) 1:459-
65, 1951.
In order to determine how coproporphyrin III is
formed in the bone marrow in the course of Pb in-
toxication, 25 white rats were intoxicated with 1%
solution of Pb acetate (1 ml/100 g body weight via
stomach tube). Urinalysis revealed that in 50% of
the animals porphyrin could be demonstrated in the
urine by the end of the 1st wk; during the 2nd wk
it could be demonstrated in all the rats. In the
1st wk the entire quantity of porphyrin correspon-
ded to that of coproporphyrin III. In ^3 wk, upon
sacrificing the animals that had lost a great deal
of weight, it was seen on naked eye examination
that the bone marrow showed a vivid red fluores-
cence and in studying tissue cultures immediately
following implantation, the bone marrow particle
was found to show intensive red fluorescence, be-
coming slightly more intensive after 48 hr.
In another experiment, 16 white rats were block-
aded with iv injections of china ink (0.5 ml given
on 4 consecutive days). Following this treatment
Pb intoxication was initiated in the manner des-
cribed above. Twelve animals poisoned with Pb only
were used as controls. Again, at the end of the
1st wk porphyrin appeared in the urines of Pb in-
toxicated animals but not in that of the blockaded
rats. Bone marrow revealed no porphyrin production
in either group of animals. During the 2nd wk,
coproporphyrin III appeared in the urine of the
control rats and in every case the bone marrow
showed vivid red fluorescence with the tissue cul-
tures demonstrating production of large amounts of
porphyrin. This was not demonstrated in the case
of the blockaded rats. Blockaded animals tolerated
intoxication much worse than the controls who lived
longer. Anemia also developed earlier in the block-
aded animals.
In conclusion, according to these animal experi-
ments, the site of coproporphyrin III production
in Pb poisoning is the bone marrow and its appear-
ance in urine is indicative of a special lesion
suffered by the bone marrow. This lesion may be,
together with the disturbed Fe metabolism and me-
tal-hemolysis, in part responsible for the anemia
which develops in Pb poisoning. Coproporphyrin I
is synthesized in the liver and its appearance in
the urine is the consequence of a severe hepatic
lesion. In cases of hemochromatosis the excretion
of coproporphyrin I is dominant, and the appear-
ance of small amounts of coproporphyrin III is in-
dicative of a special bone lesion.
1952
501
Alexander, E.: THORIUM B LABELLED RED
CORPUSCLES. Arkiv Kemi 4:363-8, 1952.
The ThB produced in rabbit blood by decaying Tn
is found to be almost quantitatively taken up by
the corpuscles. Only 2% of the total ThB content
remains in the plasma phase. A similar result is
obtained when a solution of ThB + C collected orig-
inally in an electric field is dissolved in blood.
The distribution between plasma and corpuscles of
RaD obtained from tubes which formerly contained
Rn also was found to be essentially the same. The
uptake of ThB-labeled Pb by the corpuscle phase
was much less pronounced. The ThB content of the
plasma phase amounted in this case to 16% of the
total activity of the blood. The Bi isotopes ThC
and RaE showed no pronounced preference for the
corpuscle phase and were found in about equal
amounts in equal weights of plasma and corpuscles.
(From Nuclear Science Abstracts 7:Abstract No.
2254, 1953)
502 Barka, T., Posalaky, Z., and Kertgsz, L.
(Univ. Budapest, Hungary): DISTRIBUTION
OF TRACED LEAD SALT COLLOID IN THE RETICU-
LOENDOTHELIAL ORGANS. Acta Morphologica
Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae (Budapest)
2:267-74, 1952.
Mature female rabbits (2-3 kg body weight) were
given 2 mg/kg colloidal Pb sulfide iv (ear vein).
The isotope ThB with a half-life of 10.6 hr, atom-
ic number 82, and atomic weight 212 was used for
tracing. Blood was removed from the opposite ear
vein at regular intervals for 3 hr and the animals
were then killed. The colloid disappeared from
the blood at an exponential rate during the 1st
60 min and after that the loss was linear. The
colloid showed greatest affinity to the spleen,
bone marrow, and liver, and to a lesser degree to
the kidney, lungs, and adrenals. Thymus and pitu-
itary glands did not contain any colloid. The
mean Pb sulfide content of the organs was: spleen,
3.7 yg/100 mg wet weight; bone marrow, 3.37; liver,
1.7; lymph node, 0.08; thymus, under limit of mea-
surability; kidney, 0.53; lungs, 0.29; adrenals,
0.12; hypophysis, under limit of measurability.
Three hours after injection, the liver was found
to contain an average of 27.0% of the 2 mg/kg body
weight of Pb sulfide colloid injected, while the
kidney contained 1.3%, the spleen 0.78%, and the
lungs 0.57%. (12 references)
503 Bauer, R.O., Rullo, F.R., Spooner, C., and
Woodman, E. (Univ. School Med., Boston,
Mass.): ACUTE AND SUBACUTE TOXICITY OF
ETHYLENE DIAMINE TETRAACETIC ACID (EDTA)
SALTS. Federation Proceedings 11:321
(Mar.), 1952.
Considerable interest attaches to abstraction of
metals from biologic systems by EDTA insofar as
specificity can be obtained. Na2EDTA should re-
move Pb and certain other metals from the body
with formation of PbNa2EDTA. Toxicity data are
needed not only for EDTA but for PbEDTA formed in
vivo. Acute toxicity determinations with EDTA is
rendered difficult by solubility relations. The
ip LDjg's in mice, rats and rabbits exceeded 4.5,
7, 6 g/kg respectively; iv in rabbits was below
4 g/kg with no death at 2 g/kg. Daily (5/wk) dos-
es (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0 g/kg) ip in Wistar
rats (6/dose) have produced a graded weight depres-
sion during 14-wk administration. Daily (5/wk) ip
injections of EDTA in rabbits (0.5 g/kg) and cats
Plants and Animals
79
-------
(0.25 g/kg) resulted in time-50% mortality
and 95% confidence limits of 78 (59-103) and 78
(35-170) days. Dogs (20) challenged twice daily
with 150, 250 and 500 mg/kg iv produced LT5g's of
40 (27-59), 18.5 (12-28) and 13 (12-20) days. In
rabbits, 1 dose iv LDso of PbEDTA was 1000 mg/kg
as Pb, whereas the ip LD5Q was 350 mg/kg. The
latter value was unexpected in view of the approx-
imate LD5Q equality of ip and iv EDTA. Daily
(5/wk) ip administration, 20 and 40 mg/kg Pb as
PbEDTA, was not toxic to rabbits over 105 days.
PbEDTA in daily doses of 70 and 100 mg/kg as Pb
produced LT50's of 8.5 (5.3-13.7) and 1.3 (1.0-1.6)
days. Chickens poisoned with metallic Pb depos-
ited in crop sac were protected from weight loss,
anemia, ataxia and wing drop when 0.5% CaEDTA was
included in their drinking water. (From authors'
abstract)
504 Beyers, J.A.: Loodvergiftiging. (LEAD
POISONING.) Tijdschr. Diergeneesk. 77:587-
605, 1952
Three cases of acute Pb poisoning of cattle herds
are reported. The author has never found a "Pb
line" around the teeth, nor has he seen porphyrin-
uria, or basophil granules in the red blood cor-
puscles, in acute or chronic Pb poisoning of cattle
or horses. (From Biological Abstracts 27:17151,
1953)
505 Butt, E.M., Pearson, H.E., and Simonsen,
D.G. (Los Angeles County Hosp.; Univ.
Southern California School Med.): PRODUC-
TION OF MENINGOCELES AND CRANIOSCHISIS IN
CHICK EMBRYOS WITH LEAD NITRATE. Proceed-
ings of the Society for Experimental Biol-
ogy and Medicine 79:247-9, 1952.
Injection of Pb into the albumen of fertile eggs
may result in tht production of meningoceles in
chick embryos. Cu and Hg ions were noted to be as
toxic as similar quantities of the Pb ion, but
meningoceles were not seen in the embryos surviv-
ing 13 days incubation. Na salts of anion used
in the metal experiments failed to produce meningo-
celes. (14 references)
506 Compton, L.S. (Clymer, N.Y.): LEAD POISON-
ING. Michigan State College Veterinarian
12:161-65 (Spring), 1952.
Although Pb poisoning in animals is very common
and its diagnosis should be relatively easy, many
cases are treated otherwise. Examples of the
difficulty encountered in diagnosing Pb poisoning
in animals are cited. One case involving a herd
of cattle was typical of how Pb poisoning can be
camouflaged. The sick animals, which died during
the course of treatment with dextrose-Ca prepara-
tion, showed a nervous form of parturient paresis
or acetonemia. Investigation revealed that the
animals were grazed in an area where fencing had
been painted recently and that they had gnawed
painted boards and posts and had eaten paint-
smeared grass. Another case diagnosed as hemor-
rhagic septicemia was Pb poisoning due to water
stored in heavily-coated 5-gallon paint pails.
Another diagnosis of black leg was also Pb poison-
ing from empty paint pails used for feed and water.
Other cases diagnosed incorrectly involved animals
(cows, horses, goats) licking: freshly painted
sign boards, joints of new water lines sealed with
red Pb oxide, paper that had been used to wrap
arsenate of Pb, empty cans that had held spray
material, wood preservatives containing Pb, and
paint from freshly opened paint cans. Immediate
autopsies are necessary to establish a definite
differential diagnosis. Then the primary objective
is to discover the source in order to prevent
further losses. In all events, diagnosis must be
correct, so that medication can be of value.
507 Graziani, G., Fusco, M., and Rossi, L.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): Ferro serico e
saturnismo. Nota I. Comportamento del
ferro serico nella intossicazione speri-
mentale. (SERUM IRON AND LEAD POISONING.
I. SERUM IRON IN EXPERIMENTAL POISONING.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 35:964-77, 1952.
Rabbits of 3 kg were poisoned with daily doses of
0.2 g Pb nitrate given orally for ^3 wk when death
occurred. The pretreatment Fe values were 100-
140 pg/100 ml serum. During treatment the value
increased by 2-300% during 15 days and then grad-
ually dropped to levels below the original values.
The porphyrins showed a continuous decrease. The
phenomena are attributed to the failure of Fe uti-
lization by the direct or indirect action of Pb.
508 Harashima, S., Miyoshi, Y., and Watanabe,
G. (Keio-Gijuku Univ., Tokyo, Japan):
(DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN BLOOD. IV. DIS-
TRIBUTION OF LEAD BETWEEN PLASMA AND COR-
PUSCLES OF GOAT BLOOD IN VITRO.) Igaku to
Seibutsugaku 24:189-91, 1952.
Oxalated goat blood was incubated at 37° for 2 hr
with various amounts of Pb(OAc)2 (in a concentra-
tion dilute enough to avoid precipitation of the
plasma proteins). The Pb contents were determined
on both corpuscles and plasma fractions. The dis-
tribution of Pb was expressed by an equation:
y = 205.31x°-286, in which y and x were Pb con-
tents of corpuscles and plasma, respectively.
(From Chemical Abstracts 47:10729, 1953)
509 Harbers, E.: (INVESTIGATION OF THE DIS-
TRIBUTION AND ELIMINATION OF DECAY PRO-
DUCTS OF THORIUM X PRODUCED IN VIVO.) Z.
Naturforsch. 7B:363-5 (June), 1952.
The tissue distribution and excretion of decay
products, even if short-lived, frequently differ
greatly from those of the parent element and can
constitute a hazardous complication in radioiso-
tope therapy or tracer studies. Curves are drawn
showing the variation with time of ThX (224Ra),
ThC (212Bi), ThB (212pb) , and total activity in
blood cells, serum, liver, kidneys, spleen, and
urine of rabbits injected with ThX. An initial
increase in total activity in blood cells and
liver is noted as the ThC concentration builds up.
(From Nuclear Science Abstracts 6:Abstract No.
6513, 1952)
510 Healy, G.M., Morgan, J.F., and Parker, R.C.
(Univ. Toronto, Canada): TRACE METAL CON-
TENT OF SOME NATURAL AND SYNTHKTIC MEDIA.
Journal of Biological Chemistry 198:305-12,
1952.
Pb was determined in the following media (in
Vg/100 ml): Chicken plasma, 10; chicken serum
80
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
7.5; horse serum 20; chicken embryo extract 8.
Determination of Pb content of redistilled and
ion exchange water before and after storage for
2 wk showed in ug/1000 ml: Barnsted water re-
distilled in Pyrex, 0.9; Barnsted water redis-
tilled in Pyrex then stored in Pyrex bottle, 3.0;
Barnsted water redistilled in Pyrex then stored
in paraffin-lined bottle, 4.1; Barnsted water
passed through mixed bed ion exchange column, 0.5;
water from ion exchange column stored in poly-
ethylene bag, 1.5.
511 Hesse, E., and Marquardt, H. (Gen. Hosp.
St. Georg, Hamburg, Germany): Berichtung
zur Arbeit von E. Hesse and W. Floter:
"Die Behandlung der Bleivergiftung mit
Folsaure." (CORRECTION OF WORK BY E. HESSE
AND w. FLO'TER: "TREATMENT OF LEAD POISON-
ING WITH FOLIC ACID.") Klinische Wochen-
schrift 30:1100, 1952.
In his former experiments (1950) the author had
found survival time of rabbits suffering from Pb
poisoning and treated with "Folsan" to be 30 days.
In later experiments (1951), survival time of 5
rabbits was 18 days. In experiments with 61 rab-
bits, under various conditions and with several
kinds of Folsan preparations, survival time was
8.2 days in comparison with 12 control animals,
where it was 7 days. In earlier experiments
(1937) , Hesse had also determined the survival
time in pigeons and rats. The authors assume that
the antagonism of Folsan against Pb poisoning seen
in rabbits either produced counter-effects in the
specific animal species by virtue of unknown im-
purities, or that the favorable results seen ear-
lier had been only accidental.
512 Jordan, J.S.: LEAD POISONING IN MIGRATORY
WATERFOWL, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE
MALLARD, ANAS PLATYRHYNCHOS L. Thesis,
University of Michigan, 1952, 155 pp.
The purposes of this study were (1) to evaluate
losses from Pb poisoning in migratory waterfowl
that ingest commercial shot pellets which have
been expended over their feeding areas, and (2)
to attempt to reduce these losses by developing
and introducing a nontoxic shot. The study was
divided into 2 phases: (1) Field investigations,
and (2) pen experiments. The frequency of occur-
rence of various numbers of shot ingested by water-
fowl was determined through fluoroscopy of live-
trapped ducks and fluoroscopy of gizzards from
samples of water fowl bagged by hunters throughout
the US. Wild mallard drakes were trapped, banded,
dosed with shot pellets, and released alternately
with equal numbers of undosed control birds. Sev-
eral species of waterfowl were held in captivity,
and the effects of given doses of commercial and
noncommercial shot pellets were observed. It was
shown that the supply of available shot is largely
limited to the quantity expended over the feeding
areas by hunters each season. Fluoroscopy of more
than 18,000 gizzards revealed that 6.57% of the
ducks in 12 leading species had ingested 1 or more
shot pellets; 65% of these had taken only one.
Variations in the incidence of shot among species
were attributed to differences in methods of feed-
ing and in types of habitat preferred. Band re-
turns from dosed mallards indicated that migration
was retarded, and Pb-poisoned birds were more
vulnerable to the gun. The ingestion of not >1
shot pellet did not appear to materially lower the
numbers of drake mallards from one year to the
next.
As shown by results of pen experiments, Pb from
ingested shot appeared to have a direct, damaging
effect on smooth muscles of the digestive tract,
and Pb-poisoned waterfowl failed to consume ade-
quate amounts of food. Pb-induced starvation
appeared to be the direct cause of death. The size
and hardness of food items, and the amounts con-
sumed had an important influence on the effect of
ingested Pb. Food intake varied with sex and age,
and the effect of Pb varied accordingly. Rates of
mortality increased with the shot dose, but symp-
toms and survival periods did not change. Some
severely affected birds apparently recovered from
Pb poisoning following elimination of shot or re-
newal of appetite. Shot alloys containing Pb show-
ed no promise of alleviating Pb poisoning in water-
fowl. Fe shot was nontoxic when fed to mallards.
This alloy is not now on the market commercially,
but may be available to waterfowl hunters in the
near future. Until Fe shot becomes obtainable,
losses from poisoning may be reduced by (1) in-
creasing the amounts of certain natural waterfowl
food plant resources, (2) dispersing waterfowl
from known focal areas of Pb poisoning, and (3)
exercising greater care in shooting and thereby
reducing the amount of shot expended on the feed-
ing grounds of waterfowl. (From Dissertation
Abstracts 12:370, 1952)
513 Karnofsky, D.A., and Ridgway, L.P. (Sloan-
Kettering Inst. Cancer Res., New York,
N.Y.): PRODUCTION OF INJURY TO THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM OF THE CHICK EMBRYO OF LEAD SALTS.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental
Therapeutics 104:176-86 (Feb.), 1952.
Pb nitrate, injected into the yolk sac, produced a
severe and characteristic injury to the central
nervous system of the chick embryo; this began with
widespread hemorrhage in the brain and was followed
by necrosis of the brain tissue and hydrocephalus.
The response, not seen when Pb was injected at the
2nd day of incubation, first appeared in embryos
treated on the 3rd - 4th days. A dose of 0.10-0.15
mg/egg of Pb nitrate was consistently neurotoxic
during the 4th - 10th day, but in contrast to this
uniform dosage, the embryo developed a progressive
tolerance of Pb, so that on the 8th - 12th days,
it survived 5 - 10 mg of Pb, 50 - 100 times the
lethal dose at 4 days. After the 12th day the
brain became increasingly resistant to Pb, although
Pb could still specifically damage the brain of
the embryo at 15 days. The embryo continued to
grow fairly well despite the Pb-induced brain in-
jury, and it showed normal yolk sac retraction at
the time for hatching, although it ordinarily
failed to hatch.
Other organs of the embryo do not seem to be
grossly affected by the minimum doses of Pb dam-
aging the brain, but when large doses are given
there may be severe stunting and abnormalities in
bone and feather growth. Thallium, which inter-
feres with bone growth, and Pb exert their speci-
fic and independent effects when given to the
same embryo. (From authors' summary; 12 refer-
Plants and Animals
81
-------
ences)
514 MacDonald, N.S., Ezmirlian, F., Spain, P.,
and Rounds, D.E.: INTRAVENOUS AGENTS DI-
MINISHING ACCUMULATION OF METAL IONS. I.
LEAD. US Atomic Energy Commission Document
No. UCLA-229, 1952, 12 pp.
A preliminary search for readily available chemical
agents, suitable for iv administration and possibly
of use in therapy of poisoning by metals which
accumulate in bone, was carried out. Young rats
were injected iv with 25 mg Pb/kg body weight, fol-
lowed 1/2 hr later by an injection of the chemical
agent. After 1 day, the femurs and livers were re-
moved and analyzed for Pb++ by a polarographic
technique. The same agents were also tested by
administration 1/2 hr before the Pb. The materials
tested were the N34EDTA, casein hydrolysate, pec-
tin, a copolymer of methyl vinyl ether and maleic
anhydride, glucuronolactone, oxypolygelatin, poly-
vinyl pyrrolidone, dextran, Na thiosulfate, and a
hydrolzed polyacrylonitrile. The 1st 4 agents sig-
nificantly reduced the bone burden of Pb and the
1st 7 agents showed enough promise to merit fur-
ther detailed evaluation. The liver burden of Pb
also tended to decrease in the cases where the
bone burden was lowered. (From Nuclear Science
Abstracts 7:Abstract No. 51, 1953)
515 Moeschlin, S., and Schechterman, L. (Univ.
Zurich, Switzerland): Vergleichende Un-
tersuchungen tlber den therapeutischen
Effekt von BAL Oder Natriumcitrat bei der
experimentellen Bleivergiftung. (COMPARA-
TIVE STUDY OF THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF 2,3-
DIMERCAPTOPROPANOL (BAL) OR SODIUM CITRATE
ON EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Schweiz-
erische Medizinische Wochenschrift 82,
No. 45:1164-5, 1952.
Of 60 guinea pigs poisoned by intraperitoneal in-
jections of a total dose of 240 mg of Pb nitrate/
kg of body weight, 20 were given intramuscular in-
jections of dimercaprol ("BAL") for 14 days, 20
were given a 5% Na citrate solution through a
stomach catheter for 21 days, and 20 served as
controls. Experimental results indicated that di-
mercaprol is not only ineffective in the treatment
of guinea pigs with subacute Pb poisoning, but it
apparently increases the toxicity of the Pb. Na
citrate was an effective therapeutic agent by pro-
longing the duration of life in the animals, de-
laying and reducing the occurrence of character-
istic changes in the blood, such as basophilia,
anisocytosis, and poikilocytosis, and by exerting
a favorable influence on appetite and increase in
weight.
As a result of this experiment and of additional
clinical experience, the authors consider the use
of Na citrate as the method of choice for the
treatment of Pb poisoning. For prophylactic pur-
poses, they recommend for workers heavily exposed
to Pb and suffering with recurrent illness, treat-
ment with 5 mg Na citrate 3 times daily for 1 wk
out of every month.
516 Mouriquand, G., Edel, V., Roche, L., anil
Chighizola, R. (France): Intoxication
saturnine et chronaxie vestibulaire.
(LEAD POISONING AND VESTIBULAR CHRONAXIE.)
Comptes Rendus des Seances de la Societe1
de Biologie et de ses Filiales 146:1209-
11, 1952.
The authors had been able to confirm Bourguignon's
findings that in chronic CO poisoning vestibular
chronaxie (VC) is increased (rise to i50 a , 100 a ;
normal, 12-203 ), and they had found that this
also occurred in Pb poisoning. In the experiments
here reported, they subjected pigeons to both acute
and chronic poisoning by oral administration of Pb
acetate solution in a concentration of 0.02 g Pb/
drop. As found in 6 pigeons, the VC, which rose
progressively, produced death in 3-5 wk. The im-
portant finding was that long before appearance
of signs of intoxication (asthenia, weight loss)
the VC rise became evident. The authors wonder
in conclusion whether this "chronaxie disease"
does not also occur in excessive Pb exposure before
the classical signs of poisoning appear and would
thus indicate early treatment. For the above ex-
periments they had chosen pigeons as the test
animal because they had earlier seen that the re-
sponse of VC to various drugs in pigeons was simi-
lar to that in man, children and adults.
517 Pardoe, A.U. (London Hosp. Med. Coll., Eng-
land): RENAL FUNCTION IN LEAD POISONING.
British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemo-
therapy 7:349-57 (Sept.), 1952.
Measurements of blood pressure, glomerular filtra-
tion rate, and tubular excretory mass were made on
a group of rats during prolonged treatment with Pb
acetate, and compared with measurements made in a
control group receiving Na acetate. Pb and Na
acetates were first given in a dose of 35 mg/100 g
3 times/wk; after 63 days the dose was increased
4-fold and continued for another 72 days; 89 days
after the last dose of Pb, BAL was given to 4 of
this group intraperitoneally at 4 mg/100 g, in NaCl
solution, twice daily for 5 days. The 4 remaining
Pb animals received NaCl solution only. A com-
parison of the fresh weights of various organs of
rats from the Pb and control groups showed marked
enlargement of the kidneys and livers, and some
increase in weight of the hearts, spleens and
adrenals of the Pb rats. Histologic lesions were
observed in the kidneys of the Pb rats, and appear-
ed to affect mainly the proximal limb of Henle's
loops and the distal convoluted tubules. No signi-
ficant rise in arterial blood pressure was observed
in Pb rats, even after 4 mo exposure to Pb. Reports
of positive results are criticized on the ground of
inadequately controlled observations. Glomerular
filtration rates showed no significant difference
between the groups receiving Pb and the control
group, throughout the period of dosing. Tubular
excretory capacity, assessed as Tmp^jj, rose in the
group receiving Pb, showing a statistically signif-
icant increase after prolonged dosing. This ef-
fect appeared to be reversible; 100 days after
dosing with Pb had ceased, the TmpAH had fallen to
the pretreatment level. Treatment with BAL pos-
sibly accelerated this recovery. (20 references)
518 Pardoe, A.U., and Weatherall, M. (London
Hosp. Med. Coll., England): THE UPTAKE AND
EXCRETION OF WATER IN RATS POISONED WITH
LEAD. British Journal of Pharmacology and
Chemotherapy 7:358-69 (Sept.), 1952.
82
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Some functions of the kidneys and the amount of
water in certain organs under various conditions
were studied in male albino rats. Administration
of Pb (as acetate) in Series 1 was 3.3 meq/kg 3
times/wk, over 63 days orally; (2) 13.3 meq/kg as
above for 1st 18 doses, then 3 doses in 4 wk, then
2 times/wk over a total 98 days; (3) as in 2 in
2 doses over 7 days; 0.67 meq in 1 iv injection;
6.7 meq in 2 doses over 7 days, and 0.33 meq iv at
1st oral dose; (4) 0.67 uieq iv. Controls received
equivalent amounts of Na acetate. Additional ex-
periments were carried out with frogs that had been
kept for 2-3 wk in water containing 1 mM Pb chlo-
ride which was changed 3 times/wk. Of 24 frogs, 1
died; all 12 kept in distilled water survived.
The onset of absorption of water from the alimen-
tary canal was delayed in rats which had received
Pb orally, but then proceeded normally. It was
little affected when Pb was given iv. Absorption
was possibly also somewhat delayed both in control
and Pb rats by nicotine. In the Pb rats, the stom-
ach, small intestine, liver, kidneys, and adrenals
were heavier than in the controls. In at least
the liver and kidneys there was both an increase
in the dry weight and an increase in the water
content of the organs. There was also an increase
in the contents of the alimentary canal, particu-
larly but not only in the rats which had received
Pb orally. Water diuresis was slightly but not
significantly accelerated in rats given Pb orally.
The inhibitory effect of vasopressin on water
diuresis in the Pb rats was variable. In the first
few weeks of administering Pb, vasopressin had
more effect than in controls. Later the animals
became abnormally insensitive, at first reversibly
and later apparently irreversibly. In rats which
were receiving large doses of Pb frequently, the
antidiuretic effect of nicotine was greatly in-
creased. This increase was not related to an in-
creased sensitivity to vasopressin. It disappeared
within a few days of reducing the dose of Pb and
reappeared when intensive dosing was resumed.
Vasopressin in very large doses had highly signi-
ficantly more effect on the weight of normal frogs
than it had on the weight of frogs which had been
kept in Pb-containing water. Possible causes of
these changes were discussed, taking into consid-
eration sensitivity to pituitary extracts and other
factors.
519 Pirrie, R. (Univ. and Royal Infirmary,
Glasgow, Scotland): THE EFFECT OF SPLE-
NECTOMY AND RETICULOENDOTHELIAL BLOCKADE
UPON THE ANAEMIA OF LEAD POISONING IN
GUINEA PIGS. Journal of Pathology and
Bacteriology 64, No. 1:211-22, 1952.
The anemia associated with chronic Pb poisoning
was studied in 18 guinea pigs for periods of up
to 150 days by the daily administration by pipette
of Pb nitrate/100 mg. Stippling of erythrocytes
and hemoglobinating normoblasts occurred in the
bone marrow of all animals, and to a higher de-
gree than in the peripheral blood. A varying pro-
portion of the basophilic granules gave the histo-
chemical test for Fe. Splenectomy performed before
or during Pb poisoning resulted in relatively high
red-cell and stippled-cell counts but the associ-
ated increase in hemoglobin was small, so that
anemia in splenectomized animals was hypochromic.
This effect lasted only 50-60 days, then the num-
ber of red cells and stippled cells gradually
diminished. Reticuloendothelial blockage by try-
pan blue effected after this time caused rapid in-
crease in these cells in circulation. The histo-
logical appearance of the spleen resembled that
seen in hemolytic anemia in general. There was
marked hemosiderosis in the liver of splenecto-
mized animals examined after the secondary red-cell
fall. The chemical Fe content of the spleen of Pb
poisoned animals was higher than that of controls,
and the amount of Fe in the liver varied with the
prevailing blood picture. Urobilinogen, even in
trace amounts, was not isolated from the feces.
The author concludes that these findings support
the contention that Pb exerts its hematological
effect primarily on the red-cell precursors in
the bone marrow, and that the resultant defective
erythrocytes are removed from the circulation by
the spleen and reticuloendothelial system in gen-
eral. Dyshematopoiesis and hemolysis both appear
to play a part in producing the anemia in chronic
Pb poisoning. (From author's summary; 12 refer-
ences)
520 Pletscher, A., Richterich, R., Thoelen,
H., LUdin, H., and Staub, H. (Med. Univ.
Clinic, Basel, Switzerland): Uber das
Verhalten von AminosHuren und Fermenten
bei Schwermetallvergiftungen. 2. Mit-
tellung. Die Wirkung von Calcium und
LHvulose bei der akuten experimentellen
Bleivergiftung. (THE BEHAVIOR OF AMINO
ACIDS AND ENZYMES IN HEAVY METAL POISONING.
II. THE ACTION OF CALCIUM AND LEVULOSE IN
ACUTE EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.)
Helvetica Physiologica et Pharmacologia
Acta 10:328-38, 1952.
The effects of Ca and levulose on acute experimen-
tal Pb poisoning in rats were studied by the fol-
lowing methods: Microbiological determination of
cystine, methionine, serine, phenylalanine and
leucine in liver and blood; histochemical demon-
stration of the alkaline phosphatase and histo-
logical examination of liver and kidneys; micro-
scopical examination of the erythrocytes in blood.
The results were (1) Favorable influence of Ca on
all changes caused by Pb. (2) Levulose has a
favorable effect on Pb disturbances of the amino
acid and enzyme metabolism as well as on changes
of the erythrocytes, while it produces unfavorable
effects on histological damage to liver and kid-
neys. (3) The results point to a detoxifying
function of cystine in acute experimental Pb poi-
soning. (From authors' summary)
521 Ridgway, L.P., and Karnofsky, J.A. (Sloan-
Kettering Inst. Cancer Res., itew York):
THE EFFECT OF METALS ON THE CHICK EMBRYO:
TOXICITY AND PRODUCTION OF ABNORMALITIES
IN DEVELOPMENT. Annals of the New York
Academy of Sciences 55, Art. 2:203-15,
1952.
This is a review of experimental abnormalities
produced in chick embryos by injection of Tl, Pb,
Co, B, As, iih, B, and Se salts. (For the study
conducted by the authors, see Karnofsky, D.A.,
and Ridgway, L.P. (1952).)
Plants and Animals
83
-------
522 Schmid, R., Hanson, B., and Schwartz, S.
(Univ. Minnesota Hosp., Minneapolis):
EXPERIMENTAL PORPHYRIA. I. ISOLATION OF
UROPORPHYRIN I FROM BONE MARROW OF LEAD
POISONED RABBITS. Proceedings of the
Society of Experimental Biology and Medi-
cine 79:459-62 (Mar.), 1952.
Of 23 rabbits used, 5 received 1 single sc injec-
tion of 100 mg Pb acetate (63.7 mg Pb)/kg body
weight, and were killed 25-44 days later. The 2nd
group of 5 received daily iv injection of an aque-
ous solution of 5 mg crystalline riboflavin phos-
phate, and sc injection of 100 mg Pb acetate/kg
body weight for 25 days; 2 of this group also re-
ceived iv 500 mg ascorbic acid daily. Two rabbits
were given repeatedly over several weeks prior to
the examination small amounts of Pb acetate iv, the
total being 85 mg and 100 mg respectively. A
group of 11 rabbits received repeatedly sc injec-
tions of 20-40 mg phenylhydrazine over periods of
6-45 days. The total dosage ranged from 110-400
mg. On the last day of phenylhydrazine adminis-
tration they received iv 20 mg Pb acetate/kg body
weight; they were sacrificed from 3-9 days later.
As summarized, crystalline uroporphyrin I was iso-
lated from the bone marrow and found to be identi-
cal with uroporphyrin I isolated from the urine
of a patient with photosensitive (erythropoietic)
porphyria. The bone marrow of rabbits with acute
or chronic Pb poisoning was found to contain uro-
porphyrin I from 15-844 yg/100 ml. In experimen-
tal Pb poisoning, significant amounts of uropor-
phyrin are found in the circulating red blood cells
only during the very acute stage when the erythro-
cyte coproporphyrin is likewise markedly increased.
(13 references)
523 Schubert, J., and White, M.R. (Chicago,
111.): EFFECT OF SODIUM AND ZIRCONIUM
CITRATES ON DISTRIBUTION AND EXCRETION OF
INJECTED RADIOLEAD. Journal of Laboratory
and Clinical Medicine 39:260-6, 1952.
The effects of Zr and Na citrates on the blood dis-
appearance, tissue distribution, and excretion of
soluble Pb salts injected iv into rats at 2 con-
centrations (carrier-free and with added carrier)
were studied. Of the injected dose, ^10% of the
carrier-free ^lOpj, was ±n the blood (essentially
the cellular fraction) after 25 min, from which it
disappeared with a 1/2 time of 30 hr. When in-
jected with carrier Pb, only 6% of the injected
210pb was in the cells and ^22% in the plasma.
The Pb in the plasma left rapidly, <2% of the dose
remaining after 3 hr. Na or Zr citrate Injected
after carrier-free 210pb did not affect the rate
of disappearance of ^lOpj, from the blood, the tis-
sue distribution, or the fraction excreted. In
rats injected with carrier amounts of Pb labeled
with 210pb, Zr and Na citrate both caused some re-
distribution of 210pb, but neither affected the
immediate rate of disappearance of 210pb from the
blood. Zr citrate caused at least a 3-fold in-
crease in the 210pb excreted during the 1st 24 hr
and a decrease in the kidney concentration. The
authors conclude that the action of many drugs
used to treat Pb poisoning is explained by the
supposition that they slow down the rate of trans-
fer of Pb from the skeleton into the circulation;
the ensuing natural rapid drop in the plasma Pb
level relieves the symptoms of Pb poisoning.
524 Schwartz, S., Keprios, M., and Schmid, R.
(Univ. Minnesota Hosp., Minneapolis): EX-
PERIMENTAL PORPHYRIA. II. TYPE PRODUCED
BY LEAD, PHENYLHYDRAZINE AND LIGHT. Pro-
ceedings of the Society of Experimental
Biology and Medicine 79:463-8, 1952.
Treatment of rabbits with phenylhydrazine, Pb ace-
tate and light produced a temporary condition
similar to porphyria in man. Uroporphyrin I (UI)
appeared in the urine. Values of up to 3466 ug/
day were observed. The major portion of the uri-
nary porphyrin was excreted as the free form rather
than as the Zn complex. Bone marrow U- and co-
proporphyrin values were elevated to 1500-2000 yg%
as compared to normal values of M3 to 50-10 iig% re-
spectively. Liver porphyrin concentrations were
generally normal. (From authors' summary; 21 ref-
erences)
525 Sedlmeier, H., and Dahme, E.: Die Ver-
Snderungen der SerumeiweisskBrper bei der
experimentell erzeugten Bleivergiftung.
(CHANGES IN THE SERUM ALBUMIN IN EXPERI-
MENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Berl. Munch, tier-
Hrztl. Wschr. 65:181-4, 1952.
The authors produced subacute and chronic Pb poi-
soning in rabbits by the intravenous injection of
5.5 mg Pb acetate/kg body weight in aqueous solu-
tion. There was a decrease of albumin and an in-
crease of a- and 8-globulins in the blood serum.
(From Veterinary Bulletin 23:2910, 1953)
526 Slobodchikova, A.I. (Republic Specialties
Hosp., Ufa, USSR): Intoksikatsiya etili-
rovannym ill svintsovym benzinom. (THE
TOXIC EFFECT OF LEADED GASOLINE.) Zhurnal
Nevropatologii i Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S.
Korsakova 52, No. 4:27-31, 1952.
The concept by many authors that the action of
TEL-containing gasoline or kerosine is due to the
TEL molecule appears erroneous to the author. She
holds that in combination with gasoline, ethyl
fluid exerts new properties, differing from those
of pure TEL. In her experiments, cats were ex-
posed to the inhalation of TEL-^asoline (aviation
grade containing 4-8 ml/1) by applying with a soft
brush to all paws 3-4 times/day for 8-9 days when
death occurred (150-170 g TEL gasoline, in acute
experiments). In chronic experiments, the same
procedure was used by applying to 2 paws a total
of 200-210 g TEL-^asoline over a period of 67
days. AS summarized, the effects seen were those
on the central nervous system as indicated by the
changes which took place in the behavior of the
cats as the poison accumulated in the organism.
At first a short period of excitement appeared,
followed by a state of inhibition accompanied by
the usual concomitants of the vegetative nervous
system and by cerebral effects. The cats mani-
fested toxic effects in all the regions of the
central nervous system but mostly in the cortical
and subcortical formations, in the cerebellum, and
in the spinal cord. This is not characteristic of
TEL-sasoline only, since similar effects result
from exposure to other poisons. In TEL gasoline
poisoning the cortical elements appear to be the
first to become affected. In chronic intoxication
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
with small doses a satisfactory functional compen-
sation took place and the pathomorphologic changes
were not as profound.
527 Thoelen, H., Richterich, R., Pletscher, A.,
and Staub, H. (Univ. Basel, Switzerland):
Uber das Verhalten von Aminosauren und
Fermenten bei Schwermetallvergiftungen.
I. Die experimentelle, akute and subakute
Bleivergiftung. (AMINO ACIDS AND ENZYMES
IN HEAVY-METAL INTOXICATION. I. EXPERI-
MENTAL ACUTE AND SUBACUTE LEAD POISONING.)
Archiv fur Experimentelle Pathologie und
Pharmakologie 215:389-401, 1952.
Adult rats were poisoned with a 0.5% Pb acetate
solution by being given either 0.4 ml of solution
9 times intraperitoneally within 14 days, or 0.4
ml 2 times weekly for 3 mo. After decapitation,
amino acids were determined by microbiological
methods. In the rats with acute poisoning blood
and liver showed an increased cystine content and
serine was unchanged. The alkaline phosphatase
was increased in the li\er and decreased in the
kidneys. In subacute poisoning there was no change
in the liver cystine, but most of the other amino
acids were reduced. The alkaline phosphatase in
liver and kidneys was lowered.
528 Van Klaveren, F.W., and Shrivastava, P.C.
(Teddington Chem. Factory. Ltd., Andheri,
Bombay, India): LEAD ANEMIA IN THE RAB-
BIT AND THE POTENCY OF LIVER EXTRACTS.
Indian J. Med. Research 40:495-504, 1952.
The hematopoietic potencies of 2 liver extracts
were evaluated by their ability to stimulate red-
cell regeneration in rabbits made anemic by Pb
acetate injection. Both preparations gave a max-
imum response on the 7th day after administration
and had a greater potency than expected from their
vitamin 8^2 content. A purified liver concentrate
free of vitamin B-^ gave a marked hematopoietic
response. (From Chemical Abstracts 47:10731,
1953)
529 Weatherall, M. (London Hosp. Med. Coll.,
England): THE FATE OF INTRAVENOUSLY AD-
MINISTERED COPROPORPHYRIN III IN NORMAL
AND LEAD-TREATED RABBITS. Biochemical
Journal 52:683-90, 1952.
Experiments were performed to discover why copro-
porphyrin (CP) III appears in the urine, but not
in the feces, in Pb poisoning. It was found that
at least 1/2 the urinary CP in Pb-treated rabbits
is formed from a precursor after the urine is
passed. CP III was obtained from the urine of Pb-
treated rabbits, crystallized as its methyl ester,
hydrolyzed and injected in 100 yg doses iv into
conscious and anesthetized normal and Pb-treated
rabbits. No additional urinary excretion of CP
III was found. In anesthetized rabbits, the mean
rate of excretion of CP in the bile was 1.3 ± 0.6
yg/hr for normal rabbits and 1.7 ± 1.1 yg/hr for Pb-
treated rabbits. When 100 yg CP were injected iv,
this rose to 18-36 yg/hr and 35-75% of the dose
was accounted for in 4 hr after injection. No dif-
ference was apparent between the biliary excretion
of the normal and that of Pb-treated rabbits.
The author suggests that the CP found in the
urine in Pb-treated rabbits is excreted entirely
as a precursor, and that the metabolic disorder
produced by Pb is an overproduction or failure of
utilization of a precursor of CP and not of CP it-
self. CP had no effect on the behavior, blood
pressure or water diuresis of either normal or Pb-
treated rabbits. (From author's summary; 27 refer-
ences)
530 Weatherall, M. , and Comfort, A. (London
Hosp. Med. Coll., England): URINARY POR-
PHYRINS IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.
Nature 169:587-8, 1952.
Rabbits were poisoned by the iv administration of
13.7 mg PbCl2/kg and subsequent feeding of 250 ppm
Pb(C03)2 for 4 mo. Porphyrins in urifte were de-
termined spectrophotometrically and characterized
by paper chromatography. Coproporphyrin (CP) ex-
cretion of normal rabbits was 4.8 yg/kg/day; after
PbCl2 it rose to 79.5 yg/kg/day, then declined
gradually. The bulk of the porphyrin from normal
and poisoned animals ran with an RF .corresponding
to the presence of material with 4 carboxyl groups,
identical with that of the pure CP marker. 3-,
4-, and 5-carboxyl porphyrins were also observed
in all but the smallest fractions. There was no
evidence that chronic Pb poisoning affects the
balance between the urinary 3-, 4- and 5-carboxyl
porphyrins compared with the normal rabbit. Four
Pb-poisoned rabbits were treated with 5 mg/kg of
folic acid, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, or 0.9%
Nad (0.5 ml/kg) im twice daily for 3 days, re-
peated at 5 weekly intervals until each animal had
received each treatment. Porphyrin excretion was
not altered significantly by any of these treat-
ments.
1953
531 Cibic, B. (Ljubljana, Yugoslavia): Bazo-
filno punktirani eritrociti in porfirin-
urlja pri eksperimentalnem in poklicnem
saturnizmu. (STIPPLED CELLS AND PORPHY-
RINURIA IN EXPERIMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING.) Zdravstveni Vestnik 22,
No. 7-8:189-95, 1953.
Pb poisoning was produced in rabbits by giving Pb
oxide or Pb chloride in food for 10-60 days, or by
injecting a solution of Pb chloride intravenously
(the dose of Pb given is not clearly stated).
Blood films were made at intervals and examined
for punctate basophilia by dark-ground illumina-
tion. The affected red cells were larger than
normal (8.30 y diameter, compared with 6.70 u), and
contained fine, medium and coarse basophilt; gran-
ules. The proportion of basophile cells began to
increase on the 3rd day of treatment and porphy-
rinuria appeared a few days later; the basophilia
attained a maximum of 5% between 15 and 25 days
and then fell although the administration of Pb
was continued. It rose again when the dose of Pb
was increased. The porphyrinuria was increased by
provoking acidosis by giving ammonium chloride.
In acute Pb poisoning produced by intravenous in-
jection marked porphyrinuria appeared immediately;
poikilocytosis and anisocytosis were seen, but
there was little or no increase in basophilia.
After repeated injections hemoglobinuria and baso-
philia appeared. Observations were also made on
miners who had worked for long periods in the Pb
Plants and Animals
85
-------
mine at Mezica; basophilia up to 2.2% was seen and
symptoms of Pb poisoning appeared at levels >0.8%.
It is suggested that the production of acidosis
may be used as a test for latent saturnism in mass
investigations, a positive result being indicated
by the appearance of porphyrinuria. A test of
this kind would be easier to carry out than the
mass examination of blood films for punctate baso-
philia. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 29:173, 1954)
532 Comfort, A., and Weatherall, M. (London
Hosp. Med. Coll., England): URINARY POR-
PHYRIN IN LEAD-TREATED RABBITS. Biochem-
ical Journal 54:247-52, 1953.
Chromatography has made it possible to separate
and identify porphyrins not previously described.
The ether-soluble porphyrins in urine from animals
exposed to Pb were always thought to be copropor-
phyrin III but recent studies have revealed di-,
tri-,penta-, hexa-, and heptacarboxylic porphyrins.
In rabbits maintained on a porphyrin-producing Pb
intake the chief ether-soluble porphyrin extracted
from the urine is coproporphyrin III, and possibly
a very small amount of coproporphyrin I. By means
of kerosene chromatograms evidence was obtained for
the existence of porphyrins with 2, 3, 6, and
possibly 5 COOH groups. Evidence was also obtained
for the existence of a tetracarboxylic porphyrin,
which is not identical with coproporphyrin I or
III.
533 Comfort, A., Weatherall, M. (London Hosp.
Med. Coll., England): PORPHYRINS FROM
THE URINE OF RABBITS EXPOSED TO LEAD.
Journal of Physiology 119, No. 1:5P, 1953.
The urine of rabbits treated with Pb contains sev-
eral other porphyrins besides the well-known cop-
roporphyrin III. Porphyrins probably containing
3- and 6-carboxyl groups are detectable by paper
chromatography of the ether-extracted and partial-
ly purified free porphyrins; these porphyrins are
also demonstrable in normal rabbit urine. Addi-
tional fractions are found by chromatography on
alumina columns and by paper chromatography of
the methyl esters of porphyrins obtained from Pb-
treated animals. It seems likely that these frac-
tions include 2- and 5-carboxyl porphyrins and
that >1 type of some of these porphyrins may be
present.
534 Cottier, P., Kunz, H.A., and Zollinger, H.
U. (Univ. Zurich, Switzerland): Experi-
menteller Beitrag zur Frage der Bleihyper-
tonie. (EXPERIMENTAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE
PROBLEM OF LEAD HYPERTONIA.) Helvetica
Medica Acta 20, No. 4/5:443-9, 1953.
In the 1st series of experiments 3 groups of adult
albino rats of 10 each received sc Pb phosphate
(J. g = 0.69 g Pb) in pectin suspensions as fol-
lows: (1) 2 times/wk 2-10 mg; (2) 1 dose of 20
mg/wk; (3) 1 dose of 40 mg/wk. In the 2nd series
4 groups of 5-10 rats received sc 1 dose/wk of
(1) 20 mg; (2) same; (3) 40 mg; (4) 2-10 mg. Oth-
er groups served to determine the Pb content of
kidney and other organs. Their blood pressure (BP)
was measured by an indirect plethysmographic method
under light ether narcosis. Doses up to 20 mg/wk
had no effect on BP. An optimum dose of 20 mg/wk
led to labile intermittent increases in the BP.
Higher doses, 40 mg/wk, caused a normotonic to
hypotonic reaction of the BP. A partial factor
for the hypotonia was the anemia with its impair-
ment of the circulatory organs. The individual BP
frequency coefficient was single-dose dependent,
independent of total dosage and survival period.
The hypertonia preceded the hypertonic vascular
changes (hypertrophy of the arteriole media) in
the kidneys, intestines, pancreas, and brain. The
degree of the hypertrophy of the media depended on
the survival period of the hypertonic animals.
Even with prolonged survival (92 wk), no arterio-
sclerotic chronic nephritis was observed histolog-
ically. However, the possibility could not be
excluded that in human beings, especially in those
with prolonged hypertonia, an arteriosclerotic
chronic nephritis might gradually develop.
The percentage of basophilic stippled erythro-
cytes and time of their appearance in the blood
represented an approximate index of intoxication
at the dosages used. In all Pb-intoxicated ani-
mals, stippled erythrocytes were present.
The authors conclude that the experiments demon-
strate the importance of an optimum dose for the
achievement of a high BP in the rat, since a sim-
ilar situation is assumed to hold true for human
beings; at least, they seem to explain the fact
that an elevated BP is not one of the chief symp-
toms observed in cases of human Pb poisoning and
that hypertonia as well as normo- and hypotonia
can be found in chronic Pb poisoning. However, the
experiments do not explain the mechanism by which
Pb causes an elevation of the BP.
535 De Rosa, R. (Univ. Naples, Italy):
L'Azione dell'alfa-tocoferolo nella in-
tossicazione sperimentale da piombo. Corn-
portamento della coproporfirinuria e della
crasi ematica. (ACTION OF a-TOCOPHEROL IN
EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING. COPROPORPHY-
RINURIA AND BLOOD PICTURE.) Bollettino
della Societa Italiana dl Biologia Speri-
mentale 29:1439-41, 1953.
Two groups of 4 rabbits each were given orally 200
mg Pb acetate every other day and, in the test
group, im injections of 200 mg a-tocopherol every
4th day. The vitamin treated animals showed after
7 days a coproporphyrin excretion in the urine of
an average of 7 yg/100 ml or 21 yg/24 hr. Toward
the end of the 37 days' test, the figures were 28
and 72.8 pg. The animals receiving no vitamin
started with excretion within a similar range, but
the figures increased rapidly to 112 and 358 and
finally to 135 and 378 wg/24 hr. The vitamin-
treated group lived an average of 10 days longer
than the others.
535 De Rosa, R. (Univ. Naples, Italy): L'Az-
ione dell'alfa-tocoferolo nella intossica-
zione sperimentale da piombo. - Comporta-
mento del quadro anatomo-istologico.
(ACTION OF a-TOCOPHEROL IN EXPERIMENTAL
LEAD POISONING. THE ANATOMICAL HISTO-
LOGICAL PICTURE.) Bollettino della
Societa Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
29:1441-3, 1953.
Two lots of 6 rabbits each were administered oral-
ly 200 mg Pb acetate on alternate days; 1 of the
groups received simultaneously 200 mg a-tocopherol
86
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
(vitamin E) every 4 days. Rabbits of both groups
were sacrificed at predetermined times, ie, every
5 days, so that the organic changes could be ob-
served in the different phases of intoxication.
Animals treated with tocopherol survived up to the
30th day; those not treated died within 20 days.
Pathologic changes in kidneys, liver, spleen, in-
testine, lungs, heart and adrenal glands were
followed. The results showed that tocopherol ex-
erted a protective action which, while not modify-
ing to a significant extent the morphology of the
lesions, limited their progression and consequent
anatomic and functional damage. The mechanism of
this protective action is attributed to the im-
provement of circulation in the tissues which be-
comes compromised in Pb poisoning by vasospasm.
537 Ganguli, H.D., and Chowdhuri, S. (Govt.
West Bengal, Calcutta, India): ACUTE LEAD
POISONING IN CATTLE AND LEAD CONTENTS OF
SOIL AND GRASS IN GRAZING GROUNDS. Jour-
nal and Proceedings of the Institution of
Chemists, Calcutta 25:165-70 (July & Oct.),
1953.
Five of 25 Pb poisoned dairy farm cattle died
within the course of a few days near Calcutta
(1952). Symptoms were: Abdominal pain, low tem-
perature, salivation, bloody discharge from nos-
trils, convulsions, coma and death. Autopsy re-
vealed subcutaneous hemorrhage, blood and metal
particles in congested stomach and intestinal
mucosa, easily detachable mucous membrane in rumen,
blood fluid in the peritoneal cavity, etc. Stom-
ach contents included metallic bits mostly of Pb
shot. The dairy farm was situated near a shooting
range. Since Pb poisoning of cattle is rare in
India and to establish correctness of diagnosis,
soil, subsoil and grass (or herbage) samples were
taken from parks, grazing and agricultural fields
in and near Calcutta, from 4 sides of various
shooting grounds and from plots away from shoot-
ing grounds, near military areas and paint works,
and from common grazing fields, to be examined for
Pb. The colorimetric method of Lynch et al
(1934) was used. In the agricultural, grazing
and park samples, Pb contents ranged from 0.001-
0.008 ppm in soil, from trace to 0.005 in subsoil,
and from trace to 0.002 in grass or herbage. In
the shooting range samples, Pb values ranged from
0.22-0.88 ppm in soil, from 0.011-0.42 in subsoil,
and from 0.53-2.24 in grass. In the plots remote
from shooting grounds, the highest values for the
3 groups of samples were 0.28, 0.03, and 0.53 ppm,
near military fields and paint works, 0.82, 0.28
and 1.88 ppm, and in common grazing fields, 0.008,
0.005 and 0.002 ppm, respectively. Pb content in
normal cattle ranged from 0.03 ppm in muscles to
0.52 in liver. In the Pb poisoned animals the
maximum Pb values were: liver, 5.0; kidney, 11.7;
spleen, 3.5; stomach walls, 7.1 and intestines
4.5 ppm. The investigation confirmed the diagno-
sis of Pb poisoning caused by grazing near a shoot-
ing range.
538 Gerlich, N., and Remy, R. (Munic. Hosp.,
Bielefeld, Germany): AntiperniciHs wirk-
same Stoffe bei der BleianHmie. (SUBSTAN-
CES ACTIVE AGAINST PERNICIOUS ANEMIA AND
LEAD ANEMIA.) Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's
Archiv fUr Experimentelle Pathologic und
Pharmakologie 220:351-7, 1953.
Male rabbits of 2-3 kg weight injected on 3 con-
secutive days with 5.5 mg Pb acetate/kg developed
anemia reaching on the 5th day a low of 2.5 million
erythrocytes and 50% hemoglobin. Onset of the
anemia was delayed by simultaneous administration
of liver extract and vitamin B-^- Comparing on
the basis of vitamin B^ content, liver extract is
4-5 times as potent as vitamin B-^. The effect of
folic acid was less marked and of shorter duration.
Fairly large doses of Co 0.08 yg/g had a favorable
influence on the anemia, but quantities corres-
ponding to those contained in efficacious doses of
vitamin Bi~ were without effect. (41 references)
539 Graziani, G., Fusco, M., and Rossi, L.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): Ferro serico e
saturnismo, Nota II: La ferremia da
carico nel saturnismo sperimentale. (SER-
UM IRON AND LEAD POISONING. II. IRON
TREATMENT IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 36:218-33, 1953.
Rabbits were poisoned by doses of 0.1 g Pb acetate
given every 2nd day. One group of animals re-
ceived 50 mg reduced Fe, another group 0.5 mg Fe
as an intravenous preparation. In the latter
case, the plasma Fe was markedly higher than be-
fore the Pb poisoning, which proved a deficiency
in Fe utilization. Oral administration did not
have this effect which is explained by impaired
gastrointestinal absorption.
54Q Harwood, P.O. (Dr. Hess & Clark, Inc.,
Ashland, 0.): THE USE OF LEAD ARSENATE
MIXED WITH PHENOTHIAZINE FOR THE REMOVAL
OF TAPEWORMS FROM SHEEP AND GOATS. Proc.
Helminthol. Soc. Wash., D.C. 20:29-31,
1953.
The results of tests with Pb arsenate-phenothia-
zine mixtures on sheep and goats support the as-
sumption that the mixture is as effective against
tapeworms as each drug administered independently.
There was very little difference in the toxlcity
of the mixture and of Pb arsenate alone, as a dose
of 5-7 g Pb arsenate killed all animals to which
such a dose was given. However, a dosage level of
25 g phenothiazine + 1 g Pb arsenate was safe for
all but extremely debilitated animals. (From
Chemical Abstracts 48:7192, 1954)
541 Hermann, H.( Chatonnet, J., and Vial, J.
(Univ. Lyon, France): Modifications de
la re'activite' vasculaire par divers sels
metalliques. (MODIFICATION OF VASCULAR
REACTIVITY BY VARIOUS METALLIC SALTS.)
Comptes Rendus des Stances de la Socie'te'
de Biologie et de ses Filiales 147:1804-6,
1953.
In dogs with spinal cord destroyed, 0.0044 meq/kg
of the salt was injected iv and the effect on the
action of vasomotor agents (adrenaline, noradrena-
line, heptedine, histamine, acetylcholine) was
studied. Salts of Pb were among those which de-
creased the action more or less.
542 Holm, L.W., Wheat, J.D., Rhode, E.A., and
Firch, G. (Univ. California, Los Angeles):
THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC LEAD POISONING
Plants and Animals
87
-------
IN HORSES WITH CALCIUM DISODIUM ETHYLENE-
DIAMINETETRAACETATE. Journal of the
American Veterinary Medical Association
123:383-8 (Nov.), 1953.
Seven horses (6-8 yr old) were presented to the
University clinic, 3 at first and 4 2 wk later.
They had been quartered on a pasture 2 mi froE a
smelter and within its smoke zone. The owner
stated that several horses had died earlier; liv-
ers taken from the dead animals were submitted for
toxicologic examination. One of the 3 was edema-
tous in belly and legs; 2 and 3 had pharyngeal
paralysis and were roarers; 3 also showed Pb line
on gums, pneumonic signs, and died 48 hr after ad-
mission. From preliminary analyses of blood,
urine, feces and liver and clinical examination,
a diagnosis of chronic Pb poisoning was made.
The 2 survivors and the 4 admitted later, showing
the same signs but not as marked, were treated
with CaEDTA in a 2% solution, administered iv at
1.0 g/30 Ib body weight at a drop rate of 6-80/min.
No untoward effects were noted except in 1 that
had first received the injection at 80-100 drops/
min. The edematous animal did not respond to
treatment as did the others. The authors believed
that the edema was due to Pb-induced nephritis,
although no function tests were made.
543 Holm, L.W., Rhode, E.A., Wheat, J.D. , and
Firch, G. (Univ. California, Davis):
TREATMENT OF ACUTE LEAD POISONING IN CALVES
WITH CALCIUM DISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRA-
ACETATE. Journal of the American Veteri-
nary Medical Association 123:528-33 (Dec.),
1953.
Seven calves were poisoned orally with a single
dose of Pb acetate (1 g/5 Ib body sweight) to study
the effect of CaEDTA therapy. Blood, urine, and
feces samples were taken before and during the
experimental period. Subcutaneous CaEDTA treat-
ment (I g/30 Ib body weight as a 25% solution) was
started when marked central nervous system distur-
bances were observed and when the animals were con-
sidered to be in grave danger. A table showing
the schedule of treatment for each animal is given.
Four of the animals survived. Marked clinical im-
provement was noted soon after initiation of treat-
ment; nervous signs disappeared after 24 hr; dull-
ness persisted for 3 days; animals began eating
on 2nd-4th days after treatment was started; vis-
ion began to return 4-5 days after treatment, be-
coming normal within a week. One calf recovered
after a single course (4 days) of treatment; 3
were given a 2nd course after a 9-day lapse. One
calf died before any treatment could be instituted,
1 died with Kypical signs of Pb poisoning 3 days
after the 1st: treatment, and 1, after having made
an apparent recovery, fell dead on the 13th day
after poisoning as she was being prepared for a
2nd series of treatment. One calf that recovered
was killed 41 days after treatment to determine
residual Pb in the tissues. Necropsy of these 4
animals showed the Pb contents to range in mg/100
g: kidney cortex, 0.29-6.88; liver, 0.34-4.10;
rumen contents, wet and dry, 5.5-76.0 and 40-380.
A striking difference in the Pb level of rumen
contents between 2 of the animals was attributed
to the use of Mg sulfate, which presumably caused
purgation and the lowering of the rumen reservoir.
Distribution curves of Pb in blood, urine, and
feces for the surviving calves during the course
of Pb poisoning and CaEDTA treatment are given.
The 2nd course of treatment with 1 calf raised the
urinary output of PbEDTA significantly, but the
increase in excretion of the other 2 was not mark-
ed, indicating more complete complexing of the
tissue Pb with CaEDTA during the course of the 1st
treatment of these 2.
In conclusion the authors state that the 4
calves that survived made remarkable recoveries,
urinary and fecal Pb levels indicating that
CaEDTA promoted rapid urinary excretion and en-
hanced biliary excretion of Pb complexed as PbEDTA.
544 Horiuchi, K., and Miki, M. (Osaka City
Univ., Japan): INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING.
VI. DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN EXPERIMENTAL
ANIMALS. 1. LEAD CONTENTS IN BLOOD AND
URINE OF GUINEA PIGS. Igaku to Seibutsu-
gaku (Med. and Biol.) 27:197-9, 1953.
The contents of Pb in blood and urine of guinea
pigs, as determined by the flame spectrophoto-
metric method were 23 (SE, ±2.02) and 15.6 (SE,
±2.29) yg/100 g, respectively. From observed
values theoretical distribution curves for Pb in
blood and urine were presented. (From Chemical
Abstracts 48:1581, 1954)
545 Horiuchi, K. , Owada, K., Takada, I.,
Ida, N., Fukumura, S., Imamura, Y., and
Tamori, E. (Osaka City Univ., Japan):
INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING. VII. UPTAKE,
DISTRIBUTION, AND ELIMINATION OF LEAD.
1. AN EXPERIMENT WITH RaD. Igaku to
Seibutsugaku (Med. and Biol.) 28:226-9,
1953.
RaD was used as a tracer in the study of the fate
of Pb in Pb-poisoned guinea pigs. RaD was much
increased in the blood at 2-6 hr after injection,
and decreased thereafter; it was more abundant in
blood cells than in serum. RaD was excreted in
the urine immediately after injection, and the
amount of excretion decreased with time, while the
excretion of RaD in the feces showed a maximum at
3-4 days after injection. At a later stage of the
experiment, excretion of RaD in the feces was
usually larger than in the urine." Little RaD was
found in brain and muscle after injection. The
contents of RaD in the spleen and kidney increased
gradually with time, while in the liver the con-
f at was larger in the early stage than later.
More RaD was found in bone than in any other organ
tested. (From Chemical Abstracts 48:1581,, 1954)
546 MacDonald, N.S., Ezmirlian, F., Spain, P.,
and Rounds, D.E. (Univ. California Med.
School, Los Angeles): AGENTS DIMINISHING
SKELETAL ACCUMULATION OF LEAD. A.M.A.
Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occu-
pational Medicine 7:217-20 (Mar.), 1953.
A preliminary search for readily available chem-
ical agents, suitable for iv administration and
possibly of use in therapy of poisoning by metals
which accumulate in bone, was carried out. Young
male rats (mean weight 78 g) were placed in 11
groups of 25 each; 10 from a group each received
iv 25 mg Pb/kg (as aqueous Pb acetate solution),
followed 1/2 hr later by test agent; another 10
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
received the test agent, followed 1/2 hr later
by Pb; the remaining 5 served as controls, receiv-
ing Pb but no agent. After 1 day, the femurs and
livers were removed and analyzed for Pb by a po-
larographic technique. The materials tested were
Na^ salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ca-
sein hydrolysate, pectin, a copolymer of methyl-
vinyl ether and malelc anhydride (PVM-MA), glu-
curonolactone, oxypolygelatin, polyvinylpyrroli-
done, dextran, Na thiosulfate, and a hydrolyzed
polyacrylonitrile ("krildium"). The first 4
agents significantly reduced the bone burden of
Pb and the first 7 agents showed enough promise
to merit further detailed evaluation. The liver
burden of Pb also tended to decrease in the cases
where the bone burden was lowered.
547 MacDonald, N.S., Nusbaum, R.E., Ezmirlian,
F., Barbera, R.C., Spain, P., and Rounds,
D.E. (Univ. California, Los Angeles):
MECHANISMS IN SKELETAL ACCUMULATION OF
IONS. Archives of Biochemistry and Bio-
physics 43:118-26 (Mar.), 1953.
The deposition of Sr and of Pb in the femurs of
white male rats (120 used for Sr and 60 used for
Pb) as a function of parenteral dosage was studied.
A single intraperitoneal injection was administer-
ed and the content of metal ion determined after
24 hr. Dosages ranged from 0.10-75.00 mg of Sr"4"1"/
200 g body weight and from 0.03-6.00 mg/200 g body
weight in the case of Pb. The uptake indicated
that at least 2 modes of accumulation occurred.
The dominant process at low doses was described
satisfactorily by an equation of the same form as
the Langmuir gas adsorption isotherm. However, an
abrupt discontinuity in the graph of the data ap-
peared as the dose was increased. This departure
from linearity was interpreted as the point where
saturation of the initial mode of deposition was
attained. The values of these saturation levels
for Sr and Pb were 125 ppm and 60 ppm, respective-
ly. The various compartments in which the cation
might conceivably be found in bone were discussed.
It was estimated that if the 1st stage saturation
were the result of adsorption or ionic exchange
at surfaces of bone salt crystals, the average
burden would be "'32 atoms of Sr/crystal and 6/crys-
tal in the case of Pb. However, the combining
power of the sulfate present in the organic matrix
of bone could equally well account for the binding
of the saturation levels of Sr and Pb.
548 Matusevich, Ya.Z.: (THE THERAPEUTIC BK-
HAVIOR OF ASCORBIC ACID IN EXPERIMENTAL
LEAD POISONING OF RABBITS.) Trudy Lenin-
grad. Sanit.-Gigien. Med. Inst. 14:62-5,
1953.
In Group 1, 8 rabbits received daily doses of ]5
mg/kg of Pb. In Group 2, 7 rabbits received in
addition to Pb,ascorbic acid at 10 mg/kg. Loss of
weight due to Pb poisoning in the 2 groups was
17.7 and 17%, respectively. Average longevity from
the 1st day of Pb administration was 41.9 and 48.3
days. During the period of intoxication Pb elim-
ination in urine was an av 0.420 and 0.312.
mg. Daily elimination of ascorbic acid in the
urine of Group 1 was 2.442 mg, and in Group 2
1.243 mg during the period of intoxication as com-
pared with 1.380 mg and 2.440 mg before Pb admin-
istration. In the muscles, lungs, liver, spleen,
and kidneys of Group 2 the Pb content was 8 times
as great as in Group 1. Administration of ascor-
bic acid prolonged the life of the Pb poisoned
rabbits, increased the tissue tolerance to Pb by
allowing more of the Pb to be retained by the tis-
sue and resulting in a lesser elimination of it:
via the urine. (From Referat. Zhur. Khim. Biol.
Khim. 1955, No. 7277; Chemical Abstracts 50:5916,
1956)
549 Moreili, A., and Preziosi, P. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): Variazione di alcuni in-
dici biologic! per intossicazione da
piombo tetraetile. (VARIATION OF SOME
BIOLOGICAL INDEXES IN THE INTOXICATION WITH
TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Bollettino della
Societa Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
29:1453-5 (July) , 1953.
After intoxication of 3 rabbits with TEL (50 mg/
kg, 10 mg/kg, solvent only), there were changes in
glycemia (decrease'), azotemia (increase), choles-
terolemia (decrease) , and proteinemia (great de-
crease) ; no change was noted in bilirubinemia.
Reactions of Takata and HMnger were impossible to
determine on account of the low protein content.
550 Moreili, A., and Preziosi, P. (Univ. Na-
ples, Italy): L'azione del piombo tetrae-
tile sulla pressione arteriosa e sul res-
piro. (ACTION OF TETRAETHYLLEAD ON ARTER-
IAL PRESSURE AND ON RESPIRATION.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 36, No. 7:526-3"', i953.
Intravenous injection of small doses of TEL caused
in the unanesthetized rabbit hypotension and res-
piratory stimulation; larger doses caused hyper-
tension and respiratory depression. The hypo tensor
effect was proportional to the dosage, but the
pressor effect was quite inconstant. (From au-
thors' summary)
551 Moreili, A., and Preziosi, P. (Univ Na-
ples, Italy): L'azione del piombo tetrae-
tile sul sistema nervoso vegetative. (AC-
TION OF TETRAETHYL LEAD ON THE AUTONOMIC
NERVOUS SYSTEM.) Folia Medica (Naples) 36,
No. 7:538-50, 1953.
Intravenous injection of 0.001-JO mg TK7,/kg in
acacia-gum suspension caused in the nonanesthetized
rabbit an increase of the depressor action of
acetylcholine (ACh); higher doses prolonged but
reduced the intensity of the ACh action. Ihe hypo-
tensive effect of histamine was accentuated, but
the pressor effect, if present, was abolished.
Small doses accentuated the pressor effect of
adrenaline, high doses reduced it. Small doses
Increased the effect of the stimulated peripheral
vagus; large doses prolonged the duration but re-
duced the intensity of this effect. It augmented
progressively with dose and reflex effect of the
depressor nerve. Small doses increased, large
doses decreased the vasomotor reflexes of the
carotid sinus. The central vagus end was progress-
ively stimulated. The respiratory inhibition by
adrenaline, ACh, and histamine was abolished, but
that produced by stimulation of the central vagus
or depressor end was stimulated.
552
Morelli, A., and Preziosi, P. (Univ. Na-
Plants and Animals
-------
pies, Italy): Rllievl sull'intossicazione
subacuta da piombo tetraetile. (THE SUB-
ACUTE TOXICITY OF TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 36:551-6, 1953.
Ten rabbits were placed in 5 groups of 2 each. One
group served as controls; the others received sc
from 1-100 mg TEL in alcohol/kg body weight for
10 consecutive days to induce subacute poisoning.
From the results it appeared that the individual
resistance to TEL varied widely. Symptoms were
usually not very characteristic, even when death
approached, in contrast to acute poisoning. Hypo-
tension was observed only in some animals. The
autonomic nervous system was not markedly affected
at the end of treatment.
553 Morelli, A., and Preziosi, P. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): La fosfatasi acida encefalica in
corso di intossicazione subacuta con piombo
tetraetile. (ACID PHOSPHATASE IN THE BRAIN
DURING SUBACUTE POISONING WITH TETRAETHYL
LEAD.) Folia Medica 36:718-22, 1953.
No great variation of acid phosphatase was deter-
mined in the various parts of the brains of rab-
bits which were either acutely or subacutely in-
toxicated with TEL by iv injection in doses of 60-
90 mg/kg in gum arabic or 10 and 50 rag/kg in a 95%
alcohol solution for 10 consecutive days sc. The
control group received the solvent equal in amount
to that received by the TEL-poisoned group in 10
days.
554 Morelli, A., and Preziosi, P. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): Rilievi ematologici
nell'intossicazione subacuta da piombo
tetraetile. (HEMATOLOGY IN SUBACUTE
POISONING WITH TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 36:723-8, 1953.
Rabbits, 1100-1500 g in weight, were placed in 5
groups of 2 animals each, which received sc TEL,
dissolved in 95% alcohol, in doses of 1, 10, 50, or
100 mg/kg daily for 10 days; controls received
the solvent only. The following were examined:
hemoglobin content, red and white blood cells,
basophilic stippling, form and color of erythro-
cytes, differential formula, cellular resistance,
and the bone marrow. The results, presented in 2
tables, led the authors to conclude that the pe-
ripheral blood picture and the bone marrow are not
markedly affected by TEL, nor is the resistance of
the blood cells changed.
555 Morelli, A., and Preziosi, P. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): Ripartizione del piombo
in animali intossicati in mode acuto e
subacuto con piombo tetraetile. (DISTRI-
BUTION OF LEAD IN ANIMALS POISONED ACUTELY
OR SUBACUTELY WITH TETRAETHYL LEAD.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 36:788-800 (Oct.),
1953.
The amounts of Pb recovered from the organs of
rabbits poisoned with TEL, iv (1.111-150 mg/kg) or
sc (1-150 mg/kg, both for 10 days, in gum arabic),
to induce acute and subacute poisoning respective-
ly did not differ appreciably in the 2 groups.
The highest values were found in the adrenals and
the lungs, and the lowest, except for 1 rabbit,
in the brain. In acute intoxication the lung
predominated in deposition of Pb (except for 1
rabbit on the lowest dosage), followed by the
adrenal. In subacute poisoning this order was
reversed. In the other organs examined (kidney,
liver, spleen, heart, bones, and embryo), no note-
worthy differences between the organs were ob-
served. The data are presented in 4 tables both
quantitatively and relatively, by assigning 100
to the adrenal content of Pb, and in bar graphs.
The high amount found in the adrenal indicated to
the authors a selective distribution in some or-
gans and tissues. The relationship between Pb
content and histologic findings is reported in
the following publication.
555 Morelli, A., and Preziosi, P. (Univ. Nap-
les, Italy): Reperti istopatologici nell'
intossicazione subacuta da piombo tetrae-
tile. (HISTOPATHOLOGY IN SUBACUTE POISON-
ING WITH TETRAETHYLLEAD.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 36:801-32 (Oct.), 1953.
Detailed histologic studies were performed on the
kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, lung, heart,
brain and adrenals of rabbits (1.100-1.400 kg
weight) subjected to subacute poisoning by the ad-
ministration of 1, 10, 50, and 100 mg TEL (in 95%
alcohol)/kg; 2 rabbits were used at each dosage;
controls received the solvent only. Particular
attention was paid to relationships between histo-
logic findjngs and the amount of dose, quantity of
Pb found in the organs, and biological changes.
In their conclusions, the authors point to the
congestive hemorrhagic and degenerative lesions
which were of marked severity in the adrenals,
lung, liver, myocardium and kidney. They also
point out that in the brain lesions such as would
have been expected from the neurologic syndrome
characterizing human poisoning, were not encounter-
ed or were only little evident. The most severe
degeneration was seen in the adrenal cortex. Also
conspicuous were the myocardial lesicns, accompan-
ied by noteworthy quantities of Pb; kidney exhibit-
ed diffuse bilateral nephrosis. The liver lesions
were less intense. The authors consider that these
findings could explain some of the disturbances en-
countered in human poisoning. (15 references)
557 Mosinger, M., and Fiorentini, H.: Sur la
pathologie de 1'intoxication saturnine
experimental. (PATHOLOGIC FINDINGS IN
EXPERIMENTAL LEAD INTOXICATION.) Travaux
du 26 Congres International de la Medecine
Legale, Medecine Sociale et Medecine du
Travail de Langue francaise 1953:491-7.
Eighteen guinea pigs received 2-6 subcutaneous in-
jections per week of 1% aqueous Pb acetate solu-
tion in doses of 0.1-1 ml for 4 mo. Three of the
animals which had been given 13 injections of 0.5
ml Pb solution/mo, received in addition daily in-
jections of 5 mg ACTH. The pathologic and histo-
logic findings illustrated by photographs were
characteristic. These were: (1) in the liver
changes pointing to diffuse parenchymatous damage,
insular necrotic processes and parenchymatous as
well as periportal histiolymphoid infiltrations.
With simultaneous administration of ACTH the le-
sions were still more intense and approached the
picture of acute liver atrophy. (2) In the adre-
nal cortex there was diffuse hypertrophy with
hyperlipoidosis of the funicular zone; the latter
90
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
was absent when ACTH was administered, but in con-
trast, more degenerative changes. (3) In the
medulla of the adrenal gland, the volume of which
was not changed, there were large cells with
spongy, vacuolated plasma and nuclear hypertrophy
or pyknosis; with ACTH on the other hand, a degen-
erative medulla atrophy. (4) In the reticuloendo-
thelium of the lymph nodes, of the bone marrow,
the lungs, liver and kidneys, typical reactions
which could be designated as Pb reticuloendotheli-
osis, intensified by ACTH, was especially note-
worthy. (5) Hematologically, there was a marked,
progressive anemia with red cells dropping to 1.6
million, and a leukocytosis (108,000) with partial
relative lymphopenia. The other cellular constit-
uents (eosinophils, basophils, and raonocytes) re-
mained unchanged. ACTH had no effect on the hema-
tologic changes. (From Deutsche Zeitschrift ftlr
die gesamte gerichtliche Medizin 45:107 (Ab-
stracts), 1956)
558 Miyoshi, Y. (Univ. Tokyo, Japan): DISTRI-
BUTION OF LEAD IN BLOOD CONSTITUENTS:
II. LEAD DISTRIBUTION IN BLOOD OF EXPERI-
MENTALLY LEAD-POISONED GOATS. Journal of
the Science of Labor (Japan) 29:557-62,
1953.
The ratio of Pb concentration in plasma to that in
corpuscles Increased with the amount of Pb in
whole blood. The relation between the 2 was ex-
pressed by y = 51.01 X x0'^1*0 (similarly parabolic
with human blood whose corpuscles, however, take
less Pb). With the same y, x was slightly higher
in vivo than in vitro, explainable by the assump-
tion that the plasma and corpuscles of Pb-poisoned
goat blood changed more physicochemically than
those of normal blood. (From Chemical Abstracts
48:7803, 1954).
559 Ottaviano, G., and L'Abbate, S. (Univ.
Catania, Italy): Prime ricerche sull'-
azione della 4-mercapto-benzensulfonamide
nell'avvelenamento acute e cronico da
piombo. (FIRST STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF
4-MERCAPTO-BENZENESULFONAMIDE ON ACUTE AND
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Bollettino della
Societa Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
29:1219-22 (June), 1953.
The experiments described showed that 4-mercapto-
benzenesulfonamide (MBS) reacts with Pb acetate
in vitro, forming an insoluble compound, which,
after administration in vivo (to guinea pigs) is
not separable and is thus nontoxic. MBS, adminis-
tered orally and sc, does not protect the guinea
pigs from the toxic effects of Pb, but does not
aggravate the toxic syndrome. It is believed that
MBS, while reacting with Pb ions with the forma-
tion of Pb 4-(sulfonamido) thiobenzene, as has
been shown, could form intermediary organometallic
compounds that are more soluble and more toxic, or
that the administration of MBS could predispose
an easier and more rapid absorption of Pb ion.
The first hypothesis seems to be more acceptable
since BAL also, according to the experiments of
Braun, Lusky and Calvery, appears to aggravate
the toxic syndrome of Pb by the formation of more
toxic complexes.
560
Pardoe, A.U., and Weatherall, M. (Dept.
Pharmacol., London Hosp. Med. Coll.,
England): ANTIDIURETIC ACTIVITY OF EX-
TRACTS OF THE PITUITARY GLANDS OF LKAD-
POISONED RATS. Journal of Physiology
119, No. 1:16P, 1953.
Nicotine delays diuresis considerably more in Pb-
poisoned rats than in normal rats. Among possible
factors concerned in the increased response is a
greater formation and liberation of antidiuretic
hormone in the pituitary gland. The amount of
antidiuretic activity in saline extracts of the
pituitary glands of rats poisoned with Pb acetate
and of controls treated with Na acetate has there-
fore been assayed by iv injection into rabbits
and sometimes into rats. The pituitary glands of
the Pb-poisoned rats nearly always had more anti-
diuretic activity than the controls (av 540 com-
pared with 420 milliunits/100 g body weight) and
the mean difference was statistically significant
(t = 4.275, P <0.01). Differences in body weight
were small and did not account for these differ-
ences. The increase in antidiuretic activity is
comparable in magnitude to that seen in rats which
have been dehydrated for 48 hr (Ames and Van Dyke,
1950). Its occurrence in Pb poisoning may repre-
sent a direct effect on the cells of the hypophysis
or be secondary to changes in water metabolism
elsewhere in the body (Pardoe and Weatherall, 1952).
561 Pribilla, W. , and Achenbach, W. (Univ.
KBln, Germany): Experimenteller Beitrag
zur BleianSimie des Kaninchens. (THE ANE-
MIA OF LEAD POISONING IN RABBITS.) Srzt-
liche Wochenschrift 8:204 (Feb. 27), 1953.
Treatment with Co and folic acid of Pb-induced
anemia was attempted in 16 rabbits of approximate-
ly the same weight. In preliminary tests, their
sensitivity to Pb varied markedly, but with 4 x 10
mg/kg Pb acetate (1% solution intravenously for 4
days) it was possible to achieve an anemia of ap-
proximately even severity in all animals. This
dose was given to all 16 animals. Of the 16, 8
received, in addition, Co (9 mg/day intramuscular-
ly) and 4, folic acid (15 mg/kg/day). The injec-
tions were started 1 day before Pb administration
and were continued until a distinct increase in
the blood values was observed. One Pb-folic acid
animal died early, leaving 15 animals for evalua-
tion.
Erythrocytes and hemoglobin (Hb) decreased: The
lowest Hb value in the 4 untreated animals occurred
after 5-9 days, reaching 32-45% of its initial
value. Of the 8 Pb-Co animals, 7 reached their
lowest Hb value between the 5th and 7th days, 1
animal on the llth day amounting to 15-53% of the
initial value (mean decrease 30%). The 4 Pb-folic
acid animals reached their lowest Hb value (25-
31% of the initial value) on the 5th-7th days.
There was no significant difference in the time
during which the Hb returned to its initial values
in the 3 groups of animals! thus, an influence of
Co or folic acid upon Pb-induced anemia was not
observed.
For inducing fatal Pb intoxication, the animals,
after an interval of several weeks and return of
their blood levels to normal, received 20 mg/kg
Pb acetate on the 1st day, and 30 mg/kg on the
following days until their death. Co and folic
acid were again given as above. The survival time
Plants and Animals
91
-------
of the untreated animals was 4-6 days, of the Pb-
Co animals, 4-10 days (av 6.5 days), and of the
Pb-folic acid animals, 4, 7, and 10 days. Thus,
neither Co nor folic acid proved to be of efficacy
in prolonging the survival span of the Pb intoxi-
cated animals. The authors, therefore, do not
believe that prophylactic folic acid administra-
tion to Pb exposed workers is useful.
5g2 Rieders, F. (Jefferson Med. Coll., Phila-
delphia, Pa.): ACTION OF DIMERCAPROL (I)
AND OF ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRAACETIC ACID
(II) ON LEAD IN TISSUES. Federation Pro-
ceedings 12:1188 (Mar.), 1953.
Affinities of (I) and (II) for Pb were compared at
various pH values, in presence and absence of
plasma by electrometric measurements and by parti-
tioning Pb between chloroform solutions of dithi-
zone and buffered aqueous solutions of (I) or (II).
Abilities of (I) and (II) to remove Pb from iso-
lated tissues of rabbits which had received Pb by
slow intravenous infusion (10 mg/kg) were compared.
Erythrocytes, long bones and slices of liver, kid-
ney, striated muscle, small intestine, brain and
spleen were incubated with (I) or (II) in buffer.
Aliquots of supernatent were withdrawn at 1/2 hour-
ly intervals; these and tissue residues were ana-
lyzed for Pb content. In conjunction with data on
the effects of (II) on urinary excretion of Pb and
coproporphyrin III and on blood levels, the rela-
tive efficiencies of (I) and (II) with respect to
de-leading of tissues in vitro and in vivo will be
discussed. Dependence of rate and extent of com-
plexation of Pb by (I) or (II) on pH, drug concen-
tration and presence of plasma components as well
as cell accessibility and permeability will also
be considered.
563 Sano, S. (Kyoto Univ., Japan): THE EFFECT
OF BAL UPON LEAD POISONING. Japanese
Journal of the Nation's Health 22:266-75,
1953.
Animals treated with BAL showed a Pb excretion in
urine and feces 2-3 times greater than untreated
animals did, and the Pb contents in blood, bones,
livers and kidneys decreased remarkably after
treatment of acute Pb poisoning. In subacute and
chronic cases Pb excretion appears to be unaffect-
ed after BAL treatment. The increase of Pb ex-
cretion was due to the increased excretion of Pb
from the blood and soft tissues, and was not due
to the mobilization of the Pb in bones.
564 Sano, S. (Kyoto Univ., Japan): THE EFFECT
OF SODIUM CITRATE UPON LEAD POISONING.
Japanese Journal of the Nation's Health
22:276-9, 1953.
An injection of 5 mg Pb as Pb acetate into the
heart of a guinea pig or exposure of rats to in-
halation of Pb powder and oral administration of
1 g Na citrate daily to guinea pigs or 0.3 g Na
citrate/kg to rats did not give sufficient effect
on Pb excretion; in chronic cases, treatment of Na
citrate caused marked increase of Pb excretion in
urine while there was no change in fecal excretion
of the Pb.
565 Taylor, A., Carmichael, N.: THE EFFECT OF
METALLIC CHLORIDES ON THE GROWTH OF TUMOR
AND NONTUMOR TISSUE. University of Texas
Publication No. 5314, Biochemical Institute
Studies 5, Cancer Studies 2:36-79 (July
15), 1953.
A series of 33 metallic chlorides (Cl) and 4 metal-
lic nitrates (N-0) were tested at various dosages
for their effect on the growth and survival of
chick embryos, and the tumors and embryos of eggs
bearing yolk sac implants of a mouse mammary adeno-
carcinoma. The same series of compounds was also
tested at various dosages for their effect on dba
mice, and dba mice bearing transplants of a sar-
coma.
Eleven-day chick embryos were used in 222 ex-
periments involving 2484 eggs, and tumor-bearing
eggs were used in 118 experiments with 2403 eggs.
In the mouse experiments, nontumor-bearing mice
were used in 41 experiments involving 490 animals,
and mice bearing sarcoma transplants were used in
152 experiments including 2283 animals.
The 10 most toxic compounds in 5-day tests with
11-day chick embryos, and 1-day tests with the
embryos of tumor-bearing eggs were, beginning with
the most toxic CdCl, HgCl, PbN-0, AgN-0, T1C1,
PbCl, CuCl, CoCl, LiCl, RhCl. In the tests with
PbN-0 (some were also made with PbCl), a dose of
0.1 mg injected into the yolk sac caused develop-
ment of meningoceles in many of the chick embryos.
The growth of tumors was accelerated by injection
over the chick membrane of 0.1 mg; the same dose
injected into the yolk sac inhibited tumor growth.
The growth of egg-cultivated tumors was inhibi-
ted 70-99%, and the host embryos, 10-29%, by CoCl,
MgCl, HgCl, NdCl, RbCl, AgN-0, SnCl, and SrCl.
566 Tsuchiya, K., Kondo, H., Hoshi, Y., and
Nakai, S. (Keio Univ., Tokyo, Japan): COR-
RELATION BETWEEN HEPATIC FUNCTION AND LEAD
IN BLOOD, URINE AND FECES IN EXPERIMENTAL
LEAD POISONING. Journal of Science of La-
bour 29:484-7, 1953.
In goats injected subcutaneously with 10-20 mg
Pb/kg body weight every other day for 10 days Pb
was excreted mostly in feces while the hepatic
function was not impaired. After the impairment
Pb in urine decreased below normal, the serum albu-
min/globulin ratio decreased, and bilirubin in
plasma increased. The urinary coproporphyrin was
variable. With an increase of Pb in blood the
erythrocyte and hemoglobin counts decreased, and
reticulocytes and basophilic stippled cells ap-
peared.
567 Valade, P., and Coste, E. (Bouchet Res.
Center, Paris, France):^ Toxicite de sels
organiques de plomb. (Etude experimen-
tale.) (TOXICITY OF ORGANIC LEAD SALTS.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY.) Archives des Mal-
adies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Securite Sociale 14:584-93,
1953.
Eight groups of animals, each containing 1 dog
and 2 rabbits, 2 also containing 2 guinea pigs,
were exposed to dusts of Pb stearate and Pb acetyl-
salicylate 20 times for 30 min over a period of 2
mo. Dust concentrations were 333 mg/m , 95% of
the particles were 1 y in diameter and 5%, 3y. The
effects of the 2 compounds were similar. Loss of
weight was the only clinical sign noted. Hemato-
92
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
logic studies showed nucleated erythrocytes, poly-
chromatophilia, anisocytosis, basophilic stippling,
but no anemia. The liver was enlarged, yellow and
showed fatty degeneration leading to degenerative
hepatitis and cirrhosis. Renal lesions were found
in the glomeruli and convoluted tubules, and the
lungs showed the general signs of defense against
the presence of foreign particles. The microscopic
appearances of these lesions were illustrated.
Pb salts were detected histochemically in the
tissues and organs (method of Frankenberger, Cre-
tin) , mainly in the cells of the reticuloendothe-
lial system.
The authors concluded that organic Pb salts were
toxic to animals, and thus probably to man.
568 Wanntorp, H., and Brickman, S.: Blysul-
fidens och blysligens toxicitet fbr idis-
slare. (TOXICITY OF GALENA AND OF LEAD
SULPHIDE FOR RUMINANTS.) Nord. Vet. Med.
6:306-30, 1953.
The authors mentioned 6 outbreaks of Pb poisoning
in sheep and cattle, caused by the ingestion of
galena (a mineral containing Pb sulfide) which had
fallen from motor or railway trucks, and described
the experimental reproduction of poisoning by ad-
ministering the mineral to 6 sheep and a calf.
The dose of galena necessary to produce symptoms
depended on the time that had elapsed since the
mineral was dug; galena which had been stored for
4 yr or longer was considerably more toxic than
the freshly-dug material, probably as a result of
oxidation of sulfide to sulfate. (From Veterinary
Bulletin 24:3621, 1954)
569 Zaitseva, A.F. (Dept. Communal Hyg.,
Lenin Med. Inst., Moscow, USSR): Eksperi-
mental'nye issledovaniya k gigienicheskomu
obosnovaniyu predel'no dopustimoi kontsen-
tratsii svlntsa v vode vodoemov. (EXPERI-
i-jENTAL DETERMINATION OF PERMISSIBLE TOLER-
ABLE CONCENTRATION OF LEAD IN WATER-
STORAGE RESERVOIRS.) Gigiena i Sanitariya
1953, No. 3:7-11.
In experiments with mice which received aqueous
solutions of 5, 0.5, 0.05, and 0.005 mg Pb/kg body
weight for 4 mo, changes in conditioned reflex
response were observed at the lowest dose used.
The author finds the limit concentration set for
drinking water by the USSR standard of 0.1 mg/1,
oeyond which it may affect self-purification by
biological means, to be correct. Taste of the
water is not affected by even higher concentra-
tions.
570 Zollinger, H.U. (Univ. Zurich, Switzer-
land): Durch chronische Bleivergiftung
erzeugte Nierenadenome und -carcinoma bei
Ratten und ihre Beziehungen zu den entspre-
chenden Neubildungen des Menschen. (KID-
NEY ADENOMAS AND CARCINOMAS IN RATS CAUSED
BY CHRONIC LEAD POISONING AND THEIR RELA-
TIONSHIP TO CORRESPONDING HUMAN NEOPLASMS.)
Virchow's Archiv fllr Pathologische Anato-
mie und Physiologic und fllr Klinische Med-
izin 323:694-710 (July), 1953.
In addition to 270 white rats weighing 150-180 g,
that were injected subcutaneously once a week with
1 ml of a 2% Pb phosphate suspension providing 20
mg, 40 controls were used. The total dose received
varied from 40-760 mg. A part of the rats were
sacrificed during the injection period, but a
large number died spontaneously. Among the latter,
histologic examination was possible in 112. Of
these, 21 had neoplasms. In those that survived
10 mo or more a very high percentage (19 of 29)
showed adenomas, papillomas, and cystadenomas of
the kidney cortex. In 3 cases adenocarcinomas
were detected. The first appearance of tumors oc-
curred in the 4th mo. There was no direct re-
lationship between time of exposure and frequency
of neoplasms. The smallest dose producing a tumor
was 120 mg. Investigations of changes in the kid-
neys showed increase in size of kidneys, increase
in the size of the nuclei, disturbance of mitosis,
polymorphia, deposition of Pb salts in the distal
tubules, pigment droplets in the tubular epithe-
lium, little fibrosis of the stroma, occasional
hypertrophy of arterioles, and no changes in the
glomeruli. All indications pointed to a direct
action of Pb on nuclear metabolism followed by
an inhibition of mitosis.
The author concludes that in regard to renal
damage, Pb seems to have a radiomimetic ability in
the way it disturbs the metabolism of the nucleus
with secondary hyperplasia. However it is most
probable that processes of regeneration after epi-
thelial necrosis play a part in the development of
tumors. However these processes as a cause for
tumor development are far less important in rats
than in human kidneys. Hormonal stimulation of
hyperplasia seems not to be present. Kidney tumors
resembling hypernephroma were not detected in the
experiment.
1954
571 Adam, K.R., and Weatherall, M. (Univ. Edin-
burgh; London Hosp. Med. Coll., England):
OBSERVATIONS ON DITHIOLS AND THE DISTRIBU-
TION OF LEAD IN RABBITS. Journal of Phar-
macy and Pharmacology 6:403-9 (June), 1954.
Dimercaprol (BAL) promotes the excretion of Pb from
the body. It is a dithiol, and there are others
which might be more effective. Dimercaprol gluco-
side (DG), which has a low toxicity, dimercaptopro-
pionic acid (DP), 1,3-dimercaptopropanol, and 1,4
dimercaptoerythritol were chosen for an examination
of their effect on the distribution of Pb in the
body. Pb chloride or Pb acetate, containing 210pb
or 212p]:,) was injected iv into rabbits in doses of
0.01 mM (2.07 mg Pb)/kg or 0.1 mM (20.7 mg Pb)/kg.
Either 1 and 5 hr later, the dithiols were injected
im in 2 doses of yM/kg as follows: BAL, 400 and'
100; the above thiols, 600 and 150; 90 and 22.5;
100; 500 and 125, respectively. DG was studied
more extensively, with repeat dosage at 19 and 23
hr after poisoning. The animals were killed 24 hr
later, Pb in the tissues was estimated by measure-
ment of their radioactivity by means of a Geiger
counter. DG produced a total excretion in 23 hr of
up to 30 or 40% of the Pb given. The quantity of
Pb was reduced not only in the liver and bone mar-
row, but also in the kidneys, blood cells and bone.
In the urine and bile considerable increases oc-
curred, accounting for most of the Pb removed from
the tissues.
The overall results showed DG and DP to be sub-
Plants and Animals
93
-------
stantially more effective than BAL in promoting
the excretion of Pb in the urine. The other
dithiols were not more effective. After DG, the
Pb remaining in the body was distributed more uni-
formly than in the control animals. After a 10-
fold increase in the dose of Pb inequalities in
distribution were exaggerated. BAL and DG caused
a bigger absolute increase in the excretion of Pb
after this dose than after the smaller dose. Rel-
atively to the dose of Pb, they were less effec-
tive.
The authors discuss the results on the basis that
Pb combines reversibly with various receptors in
the soft tissues, or with dithiols, and in each
reaction an equilibrium is reached. Bone takes up
Pb more slowly than the soft tissues and Pb so tak-
en up is much less dissociable. More Pb is ex-
creted while the dithiol is given, and the rise in
tissue-Pb thereafter is to a lower level than be-
fore treatment; similarly the bone-Pb reaches a
lower final level.
572 Aleksleva, Is. (Sci. Res. Inst., Ind. Hyg.
Occup. Dis., Bulgaria): Ultravioletovoto
oluchvane kato profilaktichno sredstvo pri
olovnoto otravyane. (Predvaritelno sobsh-
chenie.) ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION AS A
PREVENTIVE MEASURE IN LEAD POISONING; PRE-
LIMINARY COMMUNICATION.) Suvremenna Medi-
tsina (Sofia) 5, No. 6:17-26, 1954.
Pb-poisoned guinea pigs exposed to ultraviolet ir-
radiation survived longer than those not so ex-
posed.
573 Ambrosio, L., and Mazza, V. (Univ. Naples,
Italy) : Comportamento del lisozima nel
siero di sangue e negli organi nelle
intossicazioni sperimentali (piombo, ben-
zolo, manganese). (BEHAVIOR OF LYSOZYME
IN THE BLOOD SERUM AND IN SOME ORGANS IN
EXPERIMENTAL POISONING (LEAD, BENZENE,
MANGANESE).) Rivista dell'Istituto
Sieroterapico Italiano 29:252-62, 1954.
Above poisonings were induced in groups of 4 dogs
each. Pb was given by gastric tube (aqueous solu-
tion with 0.10 g Pb acetate) on alternate days for
50 days; 1 dog died on day 41 and 1 on day 35.
Lysozyme activity, determined by Caselli's method,
decreased progressively, with severity of poison-
ing. In 1 dog, it dropped from 61-16 units after
10 days and remained at this level. In the or-
gans, greatest decrease was in the spleen, fol-
lowed by the kidney and liver. Hardly any reduc-
tion was seen in the lungs, heart and gastric
mucosa. Decreases were also observed in the ex-
periments with benzene and Mn. Those by benzene
were correlated to decreases in neutrophils; as to
Pb and Mn, reticuloendothelial tissue disorders
were held responsible.
574 Aub, J.C. (Massachusetts Gen. Hosp. , Cam-
aridge): BONE METABOLISM STUDIED BY
RADIOACTIVE LEAD AND RADIUM. Indian Jour-
nal of Child Health (Bombay) 3:601-7,
1954.
In reviewing his studies, the author shows that
bones are not static, but are rapidly changing in
their structure throughout life. This change is
more marked in children than in adult life, but
the exchange of salts goes on in both periods.
The metabolism of the trabeculae is very rapid
and can be dramatically influenced by changes in
the rate of Ca metabolism. The metabolism of the
cortex is very slow. Great influences on it or
on dental dentine would be difficult to produce
except with a very long lasting strain on bone
metabolism.
His group used radioactive Pb or Ra for the
studies discussed, because their metabolism runs
parallel to Ca in bones and their radioactivity
lasts for years. Experiments with animals (cats
and dogs) showed that in cats on a 12 wk long
low-Ca diet the trabeculae practically vanished
from the bones while the hard structure of the
cortical bone remained essentially unchanged.
Films taken after treatment with radioactive Pb
showed that fresh inorganic salts were deposited
and the location of this deposition. Pb radiation
was greatest in the trabeculae while there is lit-
tle activity in the cortex. As the bone grew the
Pb which was present in the spongiosa near the
epiphysis continued to be redissolved and rede-
posited. Bone growth, therefore, has a rapid me-
tabolism of inorganic salts which is analogous to
that found in the bone trabeculae. An equilibrium
between the salts and the bone spongiosa and in
the cortex can be reached, after many years. In
teeth of animals after radioactive Pb was injected,
the amount of the isotope concentrated in dentine
was analogous to that concentrated in the cortex
of the bone.
In man this can be studied in children who have
ingested painted surfaces. i'he epiphyseal lines
are more dense due to an increased accumulation of
Pb and Ca, this pnenomenon is known by the name
Pb-line.
575 Baikie, A.G. (Univ. Dept. Med. Royal
Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland): THE FECAL
EXCRETION OF UROBILINOGEN OF NORMAL AND
LEAD POISONED GUINEA PIGS. Blood 9:461-72,
1954.
The method of Watson for the estimation of fecal
urobilinogen (UBG) was modified for use in guinea
pigs. Estimations on 3 or 4 day fecal collections
gave less variable results than estimations on
single day collections. Loss of UBG upon storage
to the 3rd or 4th day was small. For normal guinea
pigs a mean daily excretion of 0.23 mg SD i 0.10
was found. Serial estimations were carried out of
the UBG excretion of guinea pigs before and during
experimental poisoning with Pb nitrate. During
Pb poisoning there was a statistically significant
increased excretion of UBG. This was shown to be
correlated with the fall in Hb levels which occur-
red in the poisoned animals. It is concluded that
these results provide confirmatory evidence for the
view that hemolysis plays an important part in the
anemia of chronic Pb poisoning. (From author's
summary)
575 Baikie, A.G., and Valtis, D.J. (Royal
Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland): THE OXYGEN
CONSUMPTION OF THE BLOOD IN EXPERIMENTAL
LEAD POISONING. British Journal of Experi-
mental Pathology 35:434-8 (Oct.), 1954.
Guinea pigs were poisoned by the oral administra-
tion of Pb nitrate in doses varying from 75-150
94
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
mg daily. Reticulocytosis was produced in other
guinea pigs either by repeated withdrawal of blood
by cardiac puncture or by administration of anti-
guinea-pig red cell serum resulting in hemolytic
anemia. Blood for study of 0 consumption was ob-
tained by cardiac puncture, and after proper prep-
aration, the 0 content was determined in 1 ml
samples, with determination of packed cell volume,
red cell count, and total nucleated cell count
being carried out in duplicate. The 0 uptake of
the blood of Pb-poisoned guinea pigs was much
higher than that of normal animals, and this cor-
related with the presence of stipple cells, which
are a form of reticulocyte. (15 references)
577 Bianchi, c., Ambanelli, U., and Salvi, G.
(Univ. Parma, Italy): ivicerche sperimen-
tali sulla azione della beta-mercaptoeti-
lamina nella intossicazione da tetraetile
di piombo. (EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE
ACTION OF BETA-MERCAPTOETHYLAMINE ON IN-
TOXICATIONS BY TETRAETHYL LEAD.) L'Ateneo
Parmense 25, No. 6:419-45, 1954.
The technique of Ambanelli and Salvi (1953-4) was
used to expose 35 rabbits, j.n groups of 2 or 3
for 10-35 min to inhalation of air containing 3.5-
5.0 mg TEL/1 or to TEL-saturated air. Half of the
rabbits were treated with 3-mercaptoethylamine
(MEA; cysteamine, NH2-CH2-CH2-SH (Lambratene,
Cilag)). Throughout the experiments, the animals
were examined as to weight and body temperature.
In the 1st experiment, using 20 animals exposed to
high concentrations of TEL half of whom were treat-
ed with 10 or 14 eg MEA/day iv, 9 survived while
all of the 10 controls died in 3-4 days, under
constant progressive hypothermia. In a 2nd experi-
ment, in 15 animals exposed to low concentrations
for up to 11 days, iv injection of MEA at 10-18
eg/day brought about a greater elimination of Pb
in the urine than in nontreated animals or in
those treated with a diuretic (urea, iv, 1-1.2 ml
of 30% solution). The authors attribute the action
of MEA to its metal-chelating properties.
578 Calhoun, J.A., McLean, R., Hudson, J.C.,
and Aub, J.C. (Harvard Univ. Massachusetts
Gen. Hosp., Boston): COMPARATIVE EXCHANGE
OF CALCIUM, LEAD, AND RADIOACTIVE LEAD IN
DOGS. A.M.A. Archives of Industrial Hy-
giene and Occupational Medicine 9:9-22
(Jan.), 1954.
As concluded by the authors, radioactive Pb, used
experimentally as an indicator for inert Pb, was
toxic to dogs when injected intravenously (iv) in
amounts ranging from 0.2-2.3 x 10~^ mCi/kg. Vary-
ing the amount of inert Pb from 0.6-6.7 mg/kg did
not seem to influence the survival time. Toxicity
appeared to be dependent upon the amount of radio-
activity. The average urinary excretion of the
tagged Pb analyzed as Ra D was roughly 67% of the
total excretion. Parathyroid hormone, low Ca diet,
or high Ca diet had no effect on excretion of
tagged Pb. This was not in agreement with their
previous findings with inert Pb. A possible ex-
planation is discussed. It was doubtful that the
toxic effects of radiation seriously impaired the
mechanism involved in the response to parathyroid
hormone, because this medication caused a satis-
factory increase in Ca excretion. As much as 60-
dO% of the injected Pb was excreted during the
lifetime of the animals which survived some months.
Only a small fraction of the stored Pb was present
in organs other than bone. Dogs given radioactive
Pb appeared to develop uremia after some months.
Apparently the azotemia, leukopenia, and physical
deterioration in these animals were due to the ra-
dioactivity, since the injection of 1.9 and 2.7
mg/kg of inert Pb had no apparent deleterious ef-
fects on the health of 2 other animals. The clin-
ical evidence of renal failure was more obvious
than the pathological evidence. There were 5 cases
of known terminal azotemia, yet only 3 of them
showed histological evidence of kidney damage. In
fact, 1 animal had a histologically normal kidney
in spite of increased permeability of this organ
for 2 months before death. (15 references)
573 De Rosa, R. (Univ. Naples, Italy):
L'azione dell'alfa-tocoferolo nella in-
tossicazione sperimentale da piombo; corn-
portamento della coproporfirinuria e della
crasi ematica. (ACTION OF a-TOCOPHEROL IN
EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING. COPROPORPHY-
RINURIA AND BLOOD PICTURE.) Acta Vitamin-
ologica (Milan) 8:167-72 (Aug.), 1954.
See Abstract No. 535.
580 Dhar, D.C., and Pradhan, S.N.: ANEMIA.
I. EXPERIMENTAL LEAD ANEMIA IN RATS. J.
Sci. Research (India) 13B:25-30, 1954.
Pb acetate injected into rats ip and iv (6 mg/100
g body weight) reduced erythrocyte and hemoglobin
values 33 and 30% and with repeated doses 60 and
54%. The anemia reached its peak after 7-8 days
and was macronormoblastic in nature. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 49:508, 1955)
581 Elder, W.H.: THE EFFECT OF LEAD POISONING
ON THE FERTILITY AND FECUNDITY OF DOMESTIC
MALLARD DUCKS. J. Wildlife Mgmt. 18:315-
23, 1954.
In an attempt to assess the effect on fertility
following consumption of Pb shot by ducks, experi-
mental birds were given Pb shot in gelatin cap-
sules, sufficient to produce signs of Pb poisoning.
It could not be shown that ingested Pb shot de-
creases fertility or increases early embryonic
mortality. (From Veterinary Bulletin 26:578, 1956)
582 Fisher, L.E. (Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago,
111.): LEAD POISONING IN A GORILLA.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association 125:478-9, 1954.
On May 29, 1954, a 9-yr-old male gorilla in the
Chicago Zoo showed symptoms of a developing neuro-
logical syndrome. It was learned that on April 5
the animal had eaten some red Pb paint from the
bars of his cage, which was being repaired. He
vomited a short time later and some of the red
paint was seen in the vomit. Urine collected on
May 30 was positive for Pb at the level of 0.290
mg/1 of urine. A second specimen collected June 4
contained 1.235 mg/1. After May 30 the gorilla
showed a slight but definite daily improvement.
The vitamin B complex factors in his supplement
feed were greatly increased and liver was given
daily in the diet. By June 13, he seemed entirely
normal and no other symptoms had developed.
Plants and Animals
95
-------
The author points out that while Pb poisoning
has not been commonly recognized in zoo animals,
the possibility should be suspected in cases of
obscure neurological disorders, especially in
those animals that have had access to Pb-contain-
ing paints. The diagnosis is made by combinations
of Pb determinations in urine, basophilic stippling
of the red cells, Pb lines in the gums and in the
radiographs of long bones of young growing animals,
and by the clinical neurological findings, all in
the presence of a clinical history of exposure.
583 Graziani, G., Fusco, M., and Rossi, L.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): Le variazioni del
citocromo c nella intossicazione sperimen-
tale da piombo. (VARIATIONS IN CYTOCHROME
C IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Ab-
stracts of Meeting of the Campana Society
of Legal Medicine, Insurance and Labor,
Naples. Medicina del Lavoro 45:53 (Jan.),
1954; Folia Medica (Naples) 37:73-81
(Feb.), 1954.
The behavior of cytochrome c in the hearts of 8
rabbits poisoned orally on alternate days with
0.20 g of Pb acetate was studied. In preliminary
experiments cytochrome c was determined in the
hearts of 10 normal rabbits. The method used was
that of Fujita with some modifications in order to
adapt to photometry with the Beckmann spectro-
photometer. A distinct and constant increase in
the liver cytochrome c was seen in the poisoned
animals. This increase of cytochrome c can be in-
terpreted to mean a compensation and the diminu-
tion of oxygen transport in the tissues, either by
the anemia caused by the toxic action of Pb or by
the diminished activity of codehydrases that enter
into the cytochrome chain in the oxidation-reduc-
tion reaction of cellular respiration.
534 Gllnther, H. (Veterinary Med. College,
Hanover, Germany): Ftltterungsversuche mit
Flugstaub einer MetallhUtte an Pferden und
einem Schaf. (FEEDING EXPERIMENTS IN
HORSES AND A SHEEP WITH FUME DEPOSITS FROM
A METAL WORKS IN GERMANY.) Inaug. Diss.
Hanover, 1954, 47 pp.
The author investigated the symptoms in livestock
in a region affected by fumes from a metal found-
ry. These included a condition resembling rick-
ets, swelling of the joints leading to stiffness,
and a poor state of nutrition. He reported an ex-
periment in which fume deposits from the foundry
in question or from another foundry were mixed
with the diet of 3 foals. The result suggested
that the Pb content of the fume deposits played an
important role in the poisoning. (From Veterinary
Bulletin 25:4142, 1955)
535 Holm, L..W. (Univ. California, Davis):
THE USE OF CALCIUM DISODIUM SALT OF VER-
SENE IN HEAVY-METAL POISONING OF LIVE-
STOCK. Proceedings of the American Veter-
inary Medicine Association 1954:33-6.
Although intravenous and subcutaneous administra-
tion of CaNa2EDTA was effective in the treatment
of Pb poisoning of cattle and horses, it was of no
value in treating organic Hg poisoning in swine.
The complex formed is probably as toxic to the
animal as the Hg itself.
586 Kaloyanova-Simeonova, F. (Sci. Res, Inst,
Ind. Hyg., uulgaria): Vliyanieto na fi-
zicheskoto natovarvane vurkhu proticha-
neto na otravyaneto s nyakoi olovni
suedineniya. (Sobshchenie I). (EFFECT
OF PHYSICAL EFFORT ON RESISTANCE TO POI-
SONING WITH CERTAIN LEAD COMPOUNDS. I.)
Suvremenna Meditsina (Sofia) 5, No. 6:
12-7, 1954.
In the 1st experiment, animals trained physically
(by swimming) for 16 days responded to Pb poison-
ing induced by oral doses for 60 days of 0.2 ml
20% Pb acetate/100 g body weight and observed for
4 mo by 4 survivals out of 9 (1 drowned), while
only 1 of 4 untrained animals survived. In ex-
periments with rats, TEL was administered sc 0.008
g/kg daily, and the conditioned reflex to light
and sound stimuli was observed in trained and un-
trained rats. The authors conclude that physical
training may have an influence on the response of
the organism to poisons.
587 Kleinsorge, H., Morigerowski, E., and
Rosner, K. (Univ. Jena, Germany):
Bleiana'mie und Vitamin Bi2- (ANEMIA IN
LEAD POISONING AND VITAMIN B12.) Zeit~
schrift fur Innere Medizin und Ihre
Grenzgebiete 9:903-6, 1954.
The authors studied the bone marrow and blood in
rabbits that had been rendered anemic by injection
of an aqueous solution of Pb acetate into the ear
vein on 3 successive days. Since difficulties had
been encountered in obtained marrow specimens from
the vertebral bodies of rabbits, they tried a new
method by puncture of the ilium crest. They ex-
plain that if the rabbit is placed in a certain
sitting posture, the ilium crest is readily acces-
sible. They found that the administration of
vitamin Bi? either simultaneously with or immedi-
ately after the Pb dosage, resulted in a much more
rapid recovery from the anemia. Stimulation of
the regenerative power of the bone marrow was
demonstrated to be the cause of this more rapid
recovery. Vitamin B-^ also prevented deteriora-
tion of the general condition of the rabbits with
Pb poisoning. Furthermore, when Pb was given
simultaneously with vitamin B^2> tne development
of basophilic stippling of the erythrocytes was
prevented. The authors feel that either normal
maturation is stimulated so that supposedly im-
mature erythrocytes with basophil stippling are
not flushed out, or a pathological process of
ripening (perhaps resulting from the inhibition
of the nucleic acid metabolism by Pb) is normal-
ized, because vitamin 812, an important factor in
the nucleic acid metabolism, is present in large
quantities. (14 references)
588 Kocsar, L., Kesztylis, L. , Szalay, S.,
Kertesz, L., and VSlyi-Nagy, T. (Inst.
Pharmacol. Exptl. Pathol. Med. Univ.,
Debrecen, Hungary): STUDIES ON EXPERI-
MENTAL LEAD POISONING. III. THE EFFECTS
OF ALCOHOL IN ACUTE LEAD POISONING. Acta
Physiologica Academiae Scientiarum Hun-
garicae (Budapest) 5:543-7, 1954.
Cats of 1.5-2 kg body weight were used. One group
was pretreated by gastric tube with 3 ml/kg of
alcohol/day over 3 wk. Two days after pretreat-
96
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ment, all cats received 15 mg Pb acetate in aque-
ous solution and labeled with 0.6-1.2 yCi ThB by
stomach tube in ^5 ml fluid, and the activity in
the organs was determined 10-11 hr thereafter.
Blood samples were taken from the external jugular
vein at 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min, re-
spectively, and the cats were killed after the
last sampling. In additional experiments, 2.5 ml/
kg of 20% alcohol was injected intravenously, fol-
lowed by 15 mg Pb in 5 ml iv 5 min later. Controls
were given Pb only. The results on the organs are
shown on the basis of radioactivity measurements
(percentage of activity shown by 1 g of the last
blood sample). In the controls, activity of blood
reached its peak at 30-120 min after administra-
tion of Pb, and was not affected appreciably by
alcohol. The means of Pb contents of 6 poisoned
controls and of 6 alcohol pretreated cats, as tabu-
lated, showed no Pb deposits in the cerebral cortex
and hypothalamus in the controls, but 15 and 37%
activity respectively in these structures in the
alcohol group. This was thought to be due to an
acceleration by alcohol of Pb absorption and in-
crease of cellular permeability. In animals pre-
treated with alcohol and given Pb iv the Pb con-
tent was increased in every organ except the spleen,
kidneys, and bones. The increase amounts to 100%
in the liver and brain. Upon iv injection of Pb
immediately following the iv administration of
alcohol the amount of Pb deposited in various or-
gans was ^-200-400% higher than without previous
alcohol injection. The authors conclude that alco-
hol accelerates the absorption of Pb from the gas-
trointestinal tract and promotes the transfer of
Pb from the blood into the cells.
589 McLean, R. , Calhoun, J.A., and Aub, J.C.
(Harvard Univ., Massachusetts Gen. Hosp.,
Boston): MIGRATION OF INORGANIC SALTS IN
BONE AS MEASURED BY RADIOACTIVE LEAD AND
BY ALIZARIN. A.M.A. Archives of Indus-
trial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine
9:113-21 (Feb.), 1954.
In earlier studies of bone metabolism, considerable
evidence had been obtained demonstrating a differ-
ence in the rate of turnover of Ca between trabec-
ula and cortex in bone and between dentin and enam-
el in teeth. Such studies had been based on the
distribution of dyes (alizarin) or madder which is
selectively deposited with Ca, or on the deposition
of Pb which behaves similarly to Ca. Natural ra-
dioisotopes of Pb and Ra, and suitable products of
the cyclotron have been used more recently.
The dogs used in these experiments came from
those used earlier (Calhoun et al, 1954); 2 had 3
intravenous injections of radio-Fb (r-Pb) over a
period of 6 or 7 days and died in a few days ap-
parently as a result of radiation; the rest re-
ceived r-Pb in 5 or 6 doses over 12 or 18 days; 2
dogs received Pb in 6 doses over 15 days. The
surviving dogs remained on a high Ca intake from
8-51 days after Pb was injected, then received a
meat diet low in Ca. Four dogs and the Pb dogs
were then given parathyroid medication; 10 days
later they were returned to high Ca intake for 10
days. After injection of r-i'b and at the end of
the high Ca intake 1 tooth was removed from each
of 5 dogs; 1 also had a leg amputation, and an-
other, a rib resection. At necropsy bone samples
were taken from all animals as well as teeth cor-
responding to those drawn during life. The amount
of radioactivity given to all dogs was certainly
fatal; all died within 246 days. In addition,
long bones of cats which had been fed madder were
made available for this study.
Soon after administration Pb is deposited in the
trabeculae (5-16 times the deposition in the cor-
tex) from where it is slowly, with varying rapidi-
ty, removed to the cortex. From 1/5 to 1/3 of the
Pb given was found in the skeleton. The way in
which Pb is transferred is shown pictorially by
what happens to madder; immediately after admin-
istration of madder, the dye was found in the tra-
beculae, the shafts of the bone being unstained;
months later the trabeculae were pearly white, and
the cortex was stained a deep pink. The dosage of
radioactivity did not impair the rate of deposi-
tion or transfer of Pb in bone. The amount of
tagged Pb deposited in bone and in the dentin of
teeth varied with the total dosage and with time;
but there was much less in dentin. Alizarin
staining indicated exchange of Ca between trabecu-
lae and circulating blood. (14 references)
590 Morelli, A. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Altera-
zioni elettrocardiografiche nell'intossi-
cazione da piombo tetraetile. (ELECTRO-
CARDIOGRAPHIC CHANGES INDUCED BY POISONING
WITH TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Folia Medica 37:
541-61, 1954.
A 1% TEL solution in 95% alcohol was administered
sc to 12 rabbits of both sexes, ranging in weight
from 1.35-2.40 kg in doses of 1, 10, 50, or 100
mg/kg/day (2-4 rabbits/dose) over 2-10 consecutive
days in order to induce subacute intoxication.
Electrocardiographic alterations were produced
which showed pronounced damage to the coronaries
and myocardium, frequently indicating infarction.
Marked bradycardia was noticed in all cases.
591 Morelli, A. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Mod-
ificazioni elettroforeticne nell'iutossi-
cazione da piombo tetraetile. (ELLCTRO-
PHORETIC CHANGES INDUCED BY POISONING
WITH TriTRAETHYL LEAD.) Folia Medica 37:
562-73, 1954.
Eight rabbits, 1350-2400 g body weight, were in-
jected sc with TEL in doses of 1, 10, 50, or 100
mg/kg, dissolved in 95% alcohol. Two controls re-
ceived the solvent only at a dose of 100 mg/kg,
and 2 received no treatment. Injections were made
daily for 2-4 days at the highest dose, and for
5-10 days at the lower doses. The results showed
changes in the electrophoretic picture of the se-
rum proteins consisting of an inversion of the
ratio albumin/globulin, an increase of cij-globu-
lins, an increase, decrease, or even disappearance
of the c^-globulins, an increase of 3-globulin,
and a decrease of y-globulins. The author inter-
prets the results confirm that TEL causes a dena-
turation and aggregation of blood proteins.
592 Morelli, A. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Consume
di 02 e process! di fosforilazione nel
tessuto epatico, polmonare e celebrale di
animali intossicati con piombo tetraetile.
(OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND PHOSPHORYLATION
PROCESSES IN LUNG, LIVER, AND BRAIN TISSUES
Plants and Animals
97
-------
OF ANIMALS POISONED BY 1ETRAETHYLLEAD.)
Rassegna di Medicina Sperimentale 1:48-50,
1954.
As determined in the tissues of rabbits poisoned
sc with 1-100 mg TEL/day for 2-10 days (acute and
subacute intoxication, as in earlier experiments),
the results showed no differences in the 0 consump-
tion nor in the inorganic P (in tests according to
Warburg in the presence of NaF and succinate and
of ATP), as compared with control animals.
593 Morelli, A.: (CYTOCHROME OXIDASE ACTIVITY
OF MYOCARDIUM IN ANIMALS TREATED WITH LEAD
CHLORIDE.) Rass. med. sper. 1:65-8, 1954.
In experiments with rabbits no change was found in
the cytochrome oxidase activity (method of Boeri,
et al) on treatment with Pb chloride (technique of
Weatherall, Biochem. J. 52:683-90, 1952). (From
Chemical Abstracts 51:8299, 1957)
594 Morelli, A., and Preziosi, P. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): Modificazioni istochimi-
che surrenaliche nell'intossicazione da
piombo tetraetile. (HISTOCHEMICAL CHANGES
IN THE ADRENALS IN POISONING WITH TETRA-
ETHYL LEAD.) Folia Medica (Naples) 37:
654-73, 1954.
Rabbits (1.300-2.400 kg) were subacutely poisoned
sc with varying doses of TEL (1, 10, 50, 100 mg/
kg/day in alcohol solution). Most animals were
sacrificed after 5 and 10 days for histochemical
examination, or so examined shortly before death.
Controls were treated only with the solvent. In
the latter, only slight edema was observed; the
sudanophil band was well preserved, though in
some areas it appeared pale. The changes observed
are described in some detail for each dosage used>
and illustrated in 9 photomicrographs. As a whole,
within certain limits, they were proportional to
the dosage. The adrenals showed variable lesions
mainly in the fascicular zone. The histochemical
examination showed a marked reduction or disappear-
ance of the sudanophil band and decrease, in polar-
ized light, of the birefringent lipid quota.
Minimal doses produced contrariwise an increase
in the sudanophil zone and of the birefringent
lipids. The gland was depleted by the poisoning
of the precursors of hormone formation and of the
reserve lipids which included both cholesterol
fractions.
595 Morelli, A., and Preziosi, P. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): II colesterolo surrenali-
co nell'intossicazione da piombo tetraet-
ile. (ADRENAL CHOLESTEROL IN POISONING
FROM TETRAETHYLLEAD.) Rassegna di
Medicina Sperimentale 1:43-7, 1954.
Rabbits, 1350-2400 g body weight, in groups of 2-
4, received sc TEL daily in doses of 1, 10, 50,
or 100 mg/kg (dissolved in alcohol) for 2-10 days;
controls received the solvent only. The 2 higner
doses caused a considerable drop (to as low as 5%)
of both the free and the esterified fractions of
adrenal cholesterol. The 2 rabbits receiving 10
mg/kg had almost normal levels, and the lowest
dose caused a sharp increase in both fractions.
596
Narpozzi, A. (Univ. Padova, Italy): In-
fluenza di un sale di Pb sulla circola-
zione vasale endorenale. (EFFECT OF A
LEAD SALT ON INTRARENAL CIRCULATION.) Ar-
chivio Italiano di Anatomia e Istologia
Patologica 28:159-63, 1954.
Twelve rabbits received daily iv injections of 1-2
ml 0.5% solution of Pb nitrate; 4 died between
the 7th-9th day of experiment, and the rest were
sacrificed on the 10th. After opening the abdomen,
the kidney was allowed to remain in situ, and dye
was injected into the renal artery to study the
effects on the intrarenal circulation. Histologic
examination showed that the circulation is reduced
or abolished in the superficial area of the cortex
and maintained in the deeper layers.
597 Niederstadt, D. (Univ. GBttingen, Germany):
Harngewinnung, Aufbereitung und quantita-
tive Porphyrinbestimmung an chronisch blei-
vergifteten Ratten. (COLLECTION OF URINE,
PREPARATION AND QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION
OF PORPHYRINS IN RATS WITH CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING.) Zentralblatt fUr Arbeitsroedi-
zin und Arbeitsschutz 4:118-9 (July), 1954.
The author describes a method of collecting urine
from individual male rats. In addition to the
quantitative porphyrin determination, the specific
gravity of the urine is determined by weighing 2
and 5 ml pyknometers against water. Extraction of
porphyrins proceeds according to H. Fischer's
method, and quantitative determination by use of
the Pulfrich-Photometer. The author concludes
that the rat is particularly suited for studies of
chronic Pb poisoning.
ijjg Rossi, L., Vitacca, L., and Pagano, R.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): Azione del citra-
to di sodio nell'intossicazione da piom-
bo. Contribute clinico e Sperimentale.
(ACTION OF SODIUM CITRATE IN LEAD POISON-
ING. CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL CONTRIBU-
TION.) Folia Medica (Naples) 37:967-86,
1954.
Ten rabbits (av 2.5 kg weight) received 200 mg Pb
acetate/day orally; 3 were kept as controls, the
others were treated with 5% Na citrate at doses
of 4 ml/kg orally twice a day, beginning at the
same time as Pb administration. Hematology and
coproporphyrin elimination were followed every 5
or 6 days from the time before Pb administration
until death. The results showed that Na citrate
delayed the appearance of signs of Pb poisoning
and prolonged life of the animals, ie, the con-
trols died between the 20th and 30th day of poi-
soning, and the treated survived up to 50 days.
The authors also administered to 10 hospitalized
Pb poisoning patients 10 ml of a 10% Na citrate
solution iv daily for 15 days. Some of them had
high blood Pb values before treatment, 110-200
yg%, which were reduced after treatment to 100-150
pg%; Pb in urine was negative in all cases before
treatment and positive in 6 after treatment. This
was considered as confirmation of the therapeutic
efficacy of the drug.
599 Pecora, L. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Studio
sul comportamento di varie porfirini
(protoporfirina libera eritrocitaria,
coproporfirine e uroporfirine I e III)
nella intossicazione saturnina sperimen-
98
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
tale. (BEHAVIOR OF VARIOUS PORPHYRINS
(FREE PROTOPORPHYRIN OF THE ERYTHROCYTES,
COPROPORPHYRIN AND UROPORPHYRINS I AND
III) IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.)
Abstracts of Meeting of the Campana Socie-
ty of Legal Medicine, Insurance and Labor,
Naples. Medicina del Lavoro 35:53 (Jan.),
1954; Folia Medica (Naples) 37:82-92, 1954.
The behavior of free protoporphyrin (PP) in eryth-
rocytes and of urinary coproporphyrin (CP) and
uroporphyrin (UP) was studied in rabbits poisoned
chronically with Pb. A noteworthy and early in-
crease in free PP was found as well as a notewor-
thy but more delayed increase in the level of urin-
ary CP. UP III formed in small quantities only in
advanced phases of intoxication, and UP I only in
some cases and in the extreme phases of the intox-
ication.
The author concludes that the results show that
the toxic effects of Pb involve, even though in
varying measure, all the different porphyrins.
This can be explained only by a general inhibitory
action on the enzymatic process of dehydrogenation
and decarboxylation which connect the individual
porphyrins. (19 references)
600 Pecora, L., Piccoli, P., and Calabro, F.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): Analisi elettro-
foretica del siero di sangue nell'intossi-
cazione sperimentale saturnina. (ELECTRO-
PHORETIC ANALYSIS OF BLOOD SERUM IN EXPERI-
uENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 37:709-22 (Sept.), 1954.
Progressive poisoning leading to death on the 40th
day was induced in 12 male rabbits (2.5-3.0 kg
weight) by oral administration on alternate days
of 2 ml 20% Pb acetate. Electrophoretic analyses
of proteins were performed before intoxication and
at 8-10-day intervals during administration. The
results showed that during the first phase of
chronic Pb poisoning in rabbits an increase of the
a- and 3-j,lobulin fractions was observed. In the
advanced stage the total proteins decreased marked-
ly and the a- and B-globulins increased consider-
ably more, while y-globulin was variable. (16
references)
601 Rieders, F. (Jefferson Med. Coll., Phila-
delphia, Pa.): EFFECT OF ORAL Na,Ca
ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRAACETATE ON URINARY AND
FECAL EXCRETION OF LEAD IN RABBITS. Feder-
ation Proceedings 13:Abstract No. 1303
(Mar.), 1954.
Pb poisoning was caused in rabbits by 1 mg Pb/kg/
day given iv for 3 wk as 0.05% Pb acetate in phys-
iologic saline. Subsequently, half of the poisoned
animals and a group of nonpoisoned animals were
force-fed 0.25 g Na2CaEDTA/kg7day for 2 wk. During
this 5-wk period, daily urinary and fecal Pb ex-
cretion was measured in these animals as well as
in a group of animals which had received neither
Pb nor Na2CaEDTA. At the end of this period all
animals were killed. Erythrocytes, plasma, liver,
kidney, brain, spleen, abdomiVai muscle, washed
small intestine, flat bone of the skull and long
bone of the hind limb were analyzed for Pb. In
the rabbits which received Na2CaEDTA the excretion
of Pb shifted markedly from the fecal to the uri-
nary route during the 2 wk of treatment. However,
the total amount of Pb which was excreted (urinary
and fecal) and the amount of Pb which remained in
the tissues did not differ significantly from the
Pb values found for the corresponding group which
was not treated with Na2CaEDTA. (From author's
abstract)
602 Rothlin, E., Taeschler , M. , and Cerletti,
A. (Pharmocol. Lab. Sandoz AG, Basel,
Switzerland): Beitrag zur biologischen
Wirkung von komplexgebundenem Calcium.
(BIOLOGICAL ACTION OF CALCIUM COMPLEXES.)
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
84:1286-9, 1954.
Pharmacological comparison of CaNa2EDTA with dis-
sociable CaCl2 and Ca gluconate demonstrated that
only CaCl2 and Ca gluconate exert physiological Ca
effects, i e, inhibit the elimination of cardio-
vascular reflexes by veratridine in the whole ani-
mal; compensate the hypocalcemic insufficiency of
heart-lung preparations; coagulate oxalated or
citrated plasma. Lack of Ca effects with CaCl2 is
due to its stability in the body, as evidenced by
its hypocalcemic symptoms upon in vivo administra-
tion. Whereas CaCl2 cannot be utilized for speci-
fic Ca therapy, it is valuable as a cation-exchange
agent in heavy-metal (Pb, Fe, Hg) poisoning, as
previously reported. (16 references)
603 Rubino, G.F., and Chiesura, P. (Univ.
Turin, Italy): Effettl del trattamento
con acido etilendiaminotetracetico sulla
tossicita del nitrato di piombo. (EFFECTS
OF TREATMENT WITH ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRA-
ACETIC ACID ON THE TOXICITY OF LEAD NI-
i'RATE.) Minerva Medica 45, No. 69:404-6
(Aug. 29), 1954.
The use of the Na salts of EDTA (Na2 and CaNa2) in
the treatment of Pb intoxication is first discus-
sed, and then compared briefly with other sequest-
ering and chelating agents. The therapeutic co-
efficient, ie, the relation between the minimum
lethal dose and the therapeutic dose, is almost 6.
Experiments performed with rats showed that the
best prophylactic dose of EDTA is the one which is
equimolecular to the Pb content of the salt in
consideration. EDTA doubled the tolerance of the
rats against intoxication with Pb nitrate.
604 " Sano, S. (Kyoto Univ., Japan): STUDIES
ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN ANIMAL TIS-
SUES. Japanese Journal of the Nation's
Health 23:59-72, 1954.
The iv injection of large doses of aqueous solu-
tion of Pb acetate (100-5000 pg Pb) to guinea
pigs and mice gave 50-60% of the Pb depositon in
the liver within 2 hr. The Pb storage was highest
in bones after 24 hr. The injection of the same
dose to mice but different in concentration caused
at the higher concentration of Pb acetate 50-60%
of the Pb deposition in the liver and only a small
amount in bones and very little in kidneys, while
20-25% of the Pb was found in the liver and much
in bones and kidneys of the lower concentration.
A single injection of the Pb caused much deposi-
tion in the liver and a small amount in excreta,
while repeated injections caused a small amount of
deposition in the liver and relatively large
amount in kidneys with no change of deposition in
Plants and Animals
99
-------
bones. The Pb adsorbed on serum protein was de-
posited in the liver, while that adsorbed on eryth-
rocytes gave low deposition of the Pb in the liver
and high in kidneys. (From author's English sum-
mary; 21 references)
605 Sapeika, N. (Univ. Cape Town, South Africa):
LEAD EDTA COMPLEX, A WATER-SOLUBLE CONTRAST
MEDIUM. South African Medical Journal 28:
759-62 (Sept.), 1954.
In tests involving the use of PbEDTA complex as a
contrast medium in diagnostic radiology, 25 and 50%
concentrations were administered to animals. A 25%
solution was applied to rabbit conjunctiva and to
the mouth and skin of human subjects. Rabbits re-
ceived 100 mg/kg iv, rats 1 ml 25% solution (1 g/kg)
sc and iv. The 25 and 50% solutions were also ad-
ministered to numerous animals by mouth through a
stomach tube (2 ml to rats weighing 160-200 g).
In parenteral administration, 0.5 ml of 25% solu-
tion in water and 3.5% solution in polyvinylpyrol-
lidone (PVP) was injected in rats in 2 places sc
on each side of the middle line of the anterior
abdominal wall.
For microradiography, a warmed solution of PbEDTA
50% in 10% gelatin solution was injected into the
renal arteries of a rabbit killed by a blow on the
head and bled from the jugular vessels. No ill
effects or deaths resulted when PbEDTA was admin-
istered by mouth or injected; autopsies on animals
which received large doses by injection showed
kidneys to be paler than normal. No signs of ir-
ritation followed applications of the solutions to
the conjunctiva and the peritoneal membrane, or to
human mouth and skin.
With different concentrations, varying degrees
of contrast were obtained in radiography. By mouth,
the 50% concentration produced dense shadows in the
stomach and intestines; good radiographs were also
obtained with the 25% concentration. All evidence
of the medium had practically disappeared in 24 hr.
With injection sc, the complex was removed almost
completely in 1 hr and was not delayed beyond this
by administration of PVP. However, within 1/2 hr
the kidneys and bladder were demonstrable on the
radiograph and were more clearly shown at the end
of 1 hr, along with the renal pelvis, the ureters,
and the urethrae. Injection into the rabbits' ear
demonstrated the vessels. Sections of kidney in-
jected into the renal artery with Pb complex in
gelatin solution also indicated that the medium
could be used in microradiography.
In conclusion, the investigation of the PbEDTA
complex as a radiopaque medium showed it to have
many useful features which may make it of value in
radiographic diagnosis.
606 Taira, H.: STUDY ON LEAD POISONING. ON
LEAD CONTENT OF BLOOD OF RABBIT ADMINI-
STERED LEAD. J. Kyoto Prefect. Med. Univ.
55:1-3 (English Summary), 1954.
Rabbits received various doses of Pb acetate oral-
ly, percutaneously or intravenously over different
periods of time. The Pb content of blood did not
decrease (sic) regularly, but showed interesting
extreme values which differed somewhat according
to method of administration, and are explained on
the basis of varying absorbability depending upon
the type of administration. (From Deutsche Zeit-
schrift fUr die Gesamte Gerichtliche Medizin 44:
299 G\bstracts} 1955)
607 Valyi-Nagy, T., Kocsar, L., Kelentei, B.,
and Csernyanszky, H. (Inst. Pharmacol.
Exptl. Pathol. Med. Univ., Debrecen,
Hungary): STUDIES ON EXPERIMENTAL LEAD
POISONING. I. EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL-INGES-
TION ON CHRONIC LEAD POISONING IN THE RAT.
Acta Physiologica Academiae Scientlarum
Hungaricae (Budapest) 5:531-6, 1954.
Clinical reports have indicated that by repeated
ingestion of alcohol, persons exposed to Pb be-
come sensitized to the damaging effects of Pb in-
toxication which manifests itself in increased
sensitivity to Pb, decreased tolerance, and ag-
gravation of toxic symptoms. Pb mobilization from
bones is said to be promoted and abusive use of
alcohol may change latent Pb poisoning into acute,
with regard to nervous symptoms and colics. Three
groups of 10 rats each (150-180 g), fed on a uni-
form diet during the experiment were used to test
the validity of these findings. Group 1 received
by stomach tube 300 yg Pb (as nitrate)/100 g body
weight for 2 wk, the dosage then was increased
every 2 wk to 600, 1200 and 2000 yg/day. Group
2 received the same amounts of Pb plus 1 ml of 20%
ethanol. Group 3 received only 1 ml of 20% ethanol
and no Pb. The results showed that a considerable
retention of water occurred in all organs in the
Pb group, varying between 2 and 10%; it was fur-
ther increased by alcohol which by itself decreased
water retention. It was also found that there was
no constancy of the Pb levels in the different
organs (liver, lung, heart, kidney, brain, colon,
spleen, testicles) in relation to the amount of Pb
ingested. In 60% of the organs examined the Pb
level increased due to combined Pb and alcohol
effect. In 31.1% a decrease was observed and in
8.9% no change. However, an increased retention
in the heart and brain after alcohol ingestion,
was seen regularly. The liver Pb content was
strikingly lower than in other organs.
In a 2nd series,rats of 120-160 g weight received
4 mg Pb nitrate/day for 6 wk. All were sacrificed
at the same time and the organs examined as in
series 1. The tabulated results showed that by
simultaneous alcohol ingestion Pb content of all
organs except kidneys increased. This difference,
in comparison with series 1, was attributed to the
higher amount of Pb ingested (140 vs 10-80 mg).
A 3rd experiment of 5 wk duration was set up to
decide whether in consequence of ingested alcohol
storage is increased in the parenchymatous organs
only or whether total Pb retention is enhanced.
Animals were treated with Pb, both with and with-
out alcohol. The results showed that the increase
amounted to 93.6% on the average due to alcohol
ingestion.
In summarizing, the authors conclude that Pb
storage in the organs is increased by alcohol,
most regularly in the heart, brain, adrenals,
testicles, and muscles. There is no demonstrable
connection between Pb storing capacity of the
single organs and the amount of Pb ingested, nor
is there between water and Pb storage.
608 Valyi-Nagy, T., Kelentei, B., and Kocsar,
L. (Inst. Pharmacol. Exptl. Pathol. Med.
100
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Univ., Debrecen, Hungary): STUDIES IN
EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING. II. FURTHER
STUDIES ON THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL INGES-
TION UPON LEAD POISONING. Acta Physiolog-
ica Academlae Scientiarum Hungaricae (Bud-
apest) 5:537-42, 1954.
Guinea pigs of about same weight in 3 groups of 14
each were used as follows: Group 1, controls (un-
treated); Group 2 was exposed 3 times/day for 30
min for 14 wk to a Pb nitrate spray calculated to
give a daily intake of 700 yg Pb; Group 3 prior
to being exposed to Pb was given by stomach tube
2 ml of 20% alcohol daily. From every group 1
animal was sacrificed every week and brain, lungs,
heart, liver, spleen, colon, kidneys, adrenals,
testicles, bones and a sample of striated muscle
were weighed and examined.
As in the experiments with rats alcohol inges-
tion modified and aggravated chronic Pb poisoning
in guinea pigs. Accumulation of Pb was primarily
in organs of high-lipoid content; brain, adrenals,
and testicles were most seriously affected. A
marked hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex was no-
ticed, more so in animals treated with Pb only
than in those that also received alcohol. On
this basis the authors assumed that Pb poisoning
effects some change in the metabolism of cortical
ketosteroid. The marked Pb storage in the tes-
ticles may explain the occurrence of male sterility
reported in chronic Pb poisoning, and confirms the
clinical experience that alcohol abuse aggravates
the symptoms of chronic Pb intoxication.
609 Valyi-Nagy, T., Kocsa'r, L.( Kelentey, B.,
Kesztyus, L., Csernyancky, H., Kertesz, L.,
and 6'krBs, S. (Inst. Pharmacol. Exptl.
Pathol. , Med. Univ., Debrecen, Hungary):
Vizsgalatok az experimentalis olommergezes
targykorebo'l. (EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISON-
ING.) Kiserletes Orvostudomany 6:124-37,
1954.
In the course of experimental chronic Pb poisoning
in rats and guinea pigs, by oral administration
and by inhalation, the water content of the organs
was generally increased; by the administration of
alcohol, it was decreased. When Pb and alcohol
were administered enterally at the same time, the
Pb content of the organs increased in both acute
and chronic poisoning. This increase was particu-
larly pronounced in the adrenals, testes and brain.
In comparison with the controls, a hypertrophy of
the adrenal cortex was apparent. (From German sum-
mary)
610 Van Klaveren, F.W. (Res. Dept., Teddington
Chem. Factory, Andheri, India): THE LEAD-
ANAEMIA IN THE RABBIT AND THE POTENCY OF
LIVER EXTRACTS. Proceedings of Symposium
on Standardization and Therapeutic Use of
Liver Extracts. Indian Journal of Pharma-
cy 16:14-6, 1954.
The total potency of liver extracts can be deter-
mined by administering liver extract and different
doses of vitamin B-^ to rabbits with Pb anemia and
then extrapolating the red blood cell counts re-
sulting from the former on a graph obtained from
the latter. (21 references)
611
Van Klaveren, F.W., and Shrivastava, P.C.
(Teddington Chem. Factory, Ltd., Bombay,
India): LEAD ANEMIA IN THE RABBIT AND THE
POTENCY OF LIVER EXTRACTS. II. Intern. Z.
Vitaminforsch. 25:139-47, 1954.
Whole liver extracts were assayed (1) biological-
ly, by determination of the hemopoietic potency in
Pb anemia of the rat, and (2) photometrically for
vitamin Bi2 content by concentration with
PhOH-CHCl3 and measurement of the purple color de-
veloped by reaction with KCN in aqueous solution.
The results of the 2 methods were in agreement,
and each method apparently measured the whole vi-
tamin B|2 complex. Liver extract, treated with
PhOH-CHCl3, lacked hemopoietic potency; and the
total potency was recovered from the organic sol-
vent. (From Chemical Abstracts 48:5955, 1954)
1955
S12 Ardelean, I., Gontea, I., Sutescu, P.,
Vintila, P., and Vaida, I. (Inst. Hyg.,
RPRAcad., Bucharest, Romania): Cercetari
asupra actiunii trofofilactice a alimen-
tafiei in plumbismul experimental
cronic. II. Rolul vitaminelor. (STUDY
OF THE TROPHOPHYLACTIC EFFECT OF FOOD IN
EXPERIMENTAL CHRONIC LEAD POISONING. II.
ROLE OF VITAMINS.) Buletin Stiintific,
Sectia de Stiinte Medicale 7, No. 4:1339-
49, 1955.
Pb poisoning was induced in 358 rats, injected sc
with 10 mg Pb acetate/kg body weight on alternate
days over 3-4 mo. One group was maintained on
cereals and vegetables but received no milk, while
another group received the same diet with milk.
Others received on alternate days, sc, vitamins
A, D2, %2> PP> and C. Comparison of the results
showed that the administration of vitamins did not
increase the resistance of the rats to Pb poison-
ing, nowever, the addition of milk to the diet
increased resistance to Pb 2-3 times; there was
less loss of weight and anemia was more moderate;
mortality also was greatly reduced. The authors
conclude that the provision of milk to workers
exposed to Pb is justified.
513 Austoni, M. , Ziliotto, D., and Candiani, G.
(Univ. Padua, Italy): II ferro radioat-
tivo nello studio citochimico del midollo.
I. II comportamento del midollo di ratti
normal! (richerche citoautoradiografiche).
II. II comportamento del midollo del
ratti tlroidectomizzati (ricerche cito-
autoradiografiche). III. II comporta-
mento del midollo di ratti intossicati con
piombo. (RADIOACTIVE Fe IN THE CYTOCHEMI-
CAL STUDY OF BONE MARROW. I. THE BONE
MARROW IN NORMAL RATS (CYTOAUTORADIOGRAPHY).
II. THE BONE MARROW IN THYROIDECTOMIZED
RATS. III. THE BONE MARROW IN LEAD-
POISONED RATS. Acta Med. Patav. 15,
No. 3:343-65, 1955.
I. After ip injections of 0.5 yg/g of 59Fe (as
ferrous citrate; specific activity 3.79 yCi/yg of
59Fe) in the rat, radio-Fe content of the red cell
series in bone marrow was followed from hour to
hour by a semiquantitative cytoautoradiographic
method. Erythroblasts showed maximal radioactivity
at ^3 hr and the mature erythrocytes after ^24 hr,
Plants and Animals
101
-------
the activity of the latter, however, being much
less than that of the former. The immature eryth-
rocytes (polychromatophils) showed intermediate
behavior. The significance of the findings is dis-
cussed in connection with the maturation time and
the probable function of accumulated Fe.
II. With the technique described in I it was
shown that in thyroidectomlzed rats the uptake of
Fe in all elements of the red cell line was
smaller and slower than in normal rats.
III. In rats made anemic by administration of
5 mg/100 g of Pb acetate 3 days before the experi-
ment the uptake of 59Fe was earlier, more intense
and more prolonged in the erythroblasts, whereas
the mature erythrocytes showed lower than normal
activity. This points to a retardation of matura-
tion and a limited utilization of Fe for Hb synthe-
sis. (From Excerpta Med. Sect. 2, 10, No. 2:777,
1957)
614 Beccari, E., Bianchi, C., and Felder, E.
(Res. Lab. Cilag Italiana, Milan; Univ.
Turin; Univ. Parma, Italy): Chemisch-
physikalische, pharmakologische und
klinische Untersuchungen liber 6-Mercapto-
aethylamin, besonders im Hinblick auf die
Bleivergiftung. (CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL,
PHARMACOLOGIC AND CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS
ON e-MERCAPTOETHYLAMINE, ESPECIALLY IN
REFERENCE TO LEAD POISONING.) Arzneimit-
tel-i-'orschung 5:421-8, 1955.
The stability constants of various complex com-
pounds which are produced by combining cysteamine
with different metal ions were examined. In ani-
mal experiments, the toxicity and compatibility
of cysteamine was determined. Following these
experiments, the influence of cysteamine on the
distribution of Pb in tissues and on the urinary
excretion of Pb was studied. The results are dis-
cussed in view of the problem of whether the pro-
tective action of cysteamine in poisoning by or-
ganic and inorganic Pb compounds may be explained
by the formation of a complex compound, ie( by a
chelating effect. Comparative investigations per-
formed with EDTA and microrespirometric investiga-
tions of organs isolated from normal and poisoned
animals indicate that the formation of complex
compounds is certainly one important component,
but not the only factor, responsible for the pro-
tective action of cysteamine. (From authors'
summary; 34 references)
615 Beccari, E., and David, I. (Univ. Turin,
Italy) : Azione della 8-mercaptoetilamina
sul consume di ossigeno negli organi di
animali intossicati cronicamente con Pb
(N03)2. (THE EFFECT OF 6-MERCAPTOETHYLA-
MINE ON OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IN THE ORGANS
OF ANIMALS POISONED CHRONICALLY WITH Pb
(N03)2.) Bollettino della Societa Italia-
na di Biologia Sperimentale 31:52-4, 1955.
The stimulation of 0 consumption produced in both
the liver and kidney of the rat is optimum at a
concentration of 10~2 of 2-mercaptoethylamine.
The increase in 0 consumption of both tissues is
decreased in the presence of Pb(N03)2. (From au-
thors' summary)
616
Beck, E., Lanini, G., and Beraud, T.
(Univ. Med. Clinic, Lausanne, Switzer-
land): Le metabolisme du fer dans 1'in-
toxication au plomb. (IRON METABOLISM IN
LEAD POISONING.) Helvetica Medica Acta
22, No. 4/5:442-5, 1955.
Iron metabolism was studied in 7 rabbits intoxi-
cated by Pb, in 6 normal rabbits, and in 6 rabbits
poisoned by Sedormid (compound causing porphyria
of nonmedullary origin}. Fe was administered in
the form of 100-120Y Fe bound to ^-globulin.
The incorporation of Fe into the erythrocytes
was not changed either by Sedormid, nor by Pb.
In the rabbits poisoned by Pb, there was consid-
erable accumulation of Fe in the spleen and very
high fixation of Fe in the bone marrow.
617 Bekes, M.: BeitrHge zur therapeutischen
Beeinflussung der experimentellen Blei-
anHmie. (CONTRIBUTIONS CONCERNING THE
THERAPY OF EXPERIMENTAL LEAD ANEMIA.)
Acta Medica (Budapest) 8:337-46, 1955.
Rabbits were injected with a daily dose of 6 mg/kg
Pb acetate. At the same time, intravenous in-
jections of the following materials were made:
Pernaemon-forte, Neo-Perhepar, vitamin B-^2 (2 and 5
mg/kg), Co citrate, and vitamin Bg. Throughout
the next 14 days, hematological studies were made
and urinary porphyrins determined. Under these
experimental conditions, the liver preparations
and vitamin B-^2 were favorable influences against
the red-cell count and the hemoglobin content.
The efficacy of the liver preparations of Co ace-
tate used compensates for the anemia best. Vita-
min Bg is the best guard against anemia, being as
good as a large dose of Pernaemon-forte and vita-
min B12. (From Chemical Abstracts 50:3650, 1956)
618 Belli, R., Giuliani, V., and Zazo, S.
(Univ. Siena, Italy): Process! immunitari
nell'intossicazione sperimentale da piombo
tetraetile. II. Comportamento delle globu-
line anticorpali in corso di immunizza-
zione attiva. (IMMUNOLOGIC PROCESSES IN
EXPERIMENTAL POISONING WITH TETRAETHYLLEAD.
II. ANTIBODY GLOBULINS DURING ACTIVE IM-
MUNIZATION.) Folia Medica (Naples) 38:
1009-13, 1955.
Rabbits poisoned with TEL (administered as describ-
ed in Part I, in doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg) and treat-
ed with streptococcus vaccine did not show an in-
crease in antibody globulins in contrast to the
controls. Animals poisoned with high doses showed
a drop in globulins as compared with pretreatment
levels. (See Abstract No. 630 for I)
619 Belli, R., Giuliani, V., and Zazo, S.
(Univ. Siena, Italy): Processi immunitari
nell'intossicazione sperimentale de piombo
tetraetile. III. Comportamento elettro-
foretico delle proteine sieriche in corso
di immunizzazione attive. (IMMUNOLOGIC
PROCESSES IN EXPERIMENTAL POISONING WITH
TETRAETHYL LEAD. III. ELECTROPHORESIS OF
THE SERUM PROTEINS DURING ACTIVE IMMUNIZA-
TION.) Folia Medica (Naples) 38:1137-46,
1955.
Rabbits (groups of 3 each) were poisoned with 1
and 10 mg TEL/kg/day by sc injection for 33 days
and then injected with progressively increasing
102
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
doses of streptococcic vaccine. In contrast to the
controls, there was no increase in the antibody
globulins in the poisoned animals. The latter
showed also a slight decrease in total serum pro-
teins, a decrease of albumin, and an increase in
a- and 3-globulins.
620 Belli, R., and Giuliani, V. (Univ. Siena,
Italy): Process! itnmunitarl nell 'intossi-
cazione sperimentale da piombo tetraetile.
IV. Comportamento degli anticorpi antiti-
fici in corso di immunizzazione attiva.
(IMMUNOLOGIC PROCESSES IN EXPERIMENTAL
POISONING WITH TETRAETHYL LEAD. IV. BE-
HAVIOR OF ANTITYPHOID IMMUNE BODIES IN
ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION.) Folia Medica (Nap-
les) 38:1407-12, 1955.
Antityphoid agglutinins were determined in the
serum of rabbits poisoned with TEL and treated with
suspensions of Salmonella typhi. TEL was adminis-
tered sc in doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg, for 24 days
as described in the other articles in this series.
The antibody response to vaccine was definitely
deficient with no trend towards an increase during
the duration of the experiment. The impairment
of immunity was noted even with doses which did
not produce any toxic effects and were- tolerated
for long periods.
621 Belli, R., Giuliani, V., and Zazo, S.
(Univ. Siena, Italy): Rapporto tra 11
tasso delle albumine e dell acetilcolines-
terasi nell'intossicazione sperimentale
da piombo tetraetile. (RELATION BETWEEN
LEVELS OF ALBUMIN AND ACETYLCHOLINESTRASE
IN EXPERIMENTAL POISONING BY LEAD TETRA-
ETHYL.) Rassegna de Mediclna Sperimentale
2:220-4, 1955.
The serum of rabbits subjected in the earlier re-
ported experiments to subacute and chronic poison-
ing by TEL and to simultaneous immunization with
streptoccocus vaccine was used in the tests here
reported. Blood was withdrawn before the experi-
ment and on days 4, 9, 16, 22, and 33 of treat-
ment. While the control rabbits and those treated
only with the solvent showed albumin and acetyl-
cholinesterase (ChE) levels that were within normal
limits, the TEL-poisoned rabbits exhibited a cer-
tain decrease of both albumin and ChE. A parallel-
lism was found in the decrease of these 2 compon-
ents .
The authors suggest that the changes observed
point to liver damage by TEL. (17 references)
622 Belli, R. , Maggio, M., and Arciello, G.
(Univ. Siena, Italy): Comportamento della
temperatura corporea in corso di intossi-
cazione sperimentale con piombo tetraetile.
(BODY TEMPERATURE DURING EXPERIMENTAL
POISONING WITH TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 38:790-7, 1955.
Two series of experiments were carried out with
rabbits of both sexes (1.350-3.100 kg weight); in
the 1st, a total of 17 received sc injections of
TEL (dissolved in alcohol) at doses of 100, 50, 10,
and 1 mg/kg daily; 2 controls received the solvent
in the same manner. Body temperature taken rec-
tally was followed for 10 days after start of ad-
ministration. In the 2nd series, 15 rabbits
received TEL as above in doses of 50, 10 and 1
mg/kg/day and were followed for 35 days. Initial
temperature ranging from 38.7-39.8 dropped abruptly
in rabbits receiving the 100 and 50 mg doses, in
some cases to the middle 30's. At these doses all
but 1 animal died by the 8th day; 1 was sacrificed
on the 9th day. Doses of 1-10 mg/kg did not pro-
duce a change in temperature except immediately
preceding death.
623 Bianchi, C., Ambanelli, U., and Salvi, G.
(Italy): Ricerche sperimentali e cliniche
sull'azione della beta-mercaptoetilamina
nella intossicazione da piombo-tetraetile.
(EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH ON THE
ACTION OF B-MERCAPTOETHYLAMINE IN TETRA-
ETHYL LEAD POISONING.) II Policlinico
(Rome) Sezione Pratica 62, No. 12: 397,
1955.
Rabbits were exposed to TEL vapor to give acute
poisoning; 9 of 10 animals were not poisoned when
100-140 mg 8-mercaptoethylamine had been injected
intravenously daily. In other animals subacute
poisoning was induced, and 100-180 mg/day of the
amine caused more elimination of Pb in urine than
occurred with intravenous urea (1-1.2 cc of 30%
solution). The protective effect was considered
to be due to chelation or to the effect of the SH
group.
624 Biondi, S. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Le fos-
fatasi intraleucocitarie nel sangue peri-
ferico nel corso della intossicazione sub-
acuta sperimentale da piombo. (INTRALEUKO-
CYTIC PHOSPHATASE IN THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD
IN SUBACUTE EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.)
Abstracts of Meeting of the Campana Society
of Legal and Industrial Medicine. Medi-
cina del Lavoro 46:60-1 (Jan.), 1955; Folia
Medica (Naples) 38:133-47 (Feb.), 1955.
Three groups of rabbits were used: 2 consisted of
5 and 1 of 2; in each group 1 rabbit served as
control and the others received 2 ml of 10% Pb
acetate solution on alternate days over 3 wk, then
observed until death (31-46 days) . Before the ex-
periment and every 7 days thereafter, complete
hemochromocytometric examinations were performed.
Intraleukocytic alkaline phosphatase was determined
by Gomori's method on day 7 then every 4 days.
From the results observed, the author concludes
that Pb intoxication causes a diminution in the
phosphatase content of the leukocytes in circulat-
ing blood. This diminution is manifested in the
noteworthy progressive diminution in intensity of
the reaction, and not in the number of positive
cells, which remain constant at 100%. The hypothe-
sis is advanced that this decrease in phosphatase
which parallels the known changes in the blood
picture stems from the disturbances in the develop-
ment of erythrocytes as a consequence of the ef-
fects of Pb on the hematopoietic organs.
625 Burnett, G.W., and Lobene, R.R. (Army Med.
Serv. Grad. School, Washington, D.C.):
THE COMPOSITION OF TEETH. II. SPECTRO-
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF ENAMEL AND DENTINE,
FROM SYRIAN HAMSTERS. Journal of Dental
Research 38:814-9, 1955.
Quantitative spectrochemical analysis was made of
Plants and Animals
103
-------
enamel and dentin from incisors and molars of adult
hamsters. The enamel always contained: Ag, Al, B,
Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Pb, Si,
Sr; all these elements, except Cr and Pb, were al-
ways present in the dentin. The major constituents
were Ca and P; the only other elements exceeding
0.1% were Mn, Na, and Fe. Other elements were
present in some, but not all, samples.
626 Field, J.B., Costa, F., and Boryczka, A.
(Univ. S. California School Med.; Los
Angeles County Hosp.): INHIBITION OF SOME
MOUSE TUMORS BY COMPOUNDS OF HEAVY METALS.
Proceedings of the American Association
for Cancer Research 2, No. 1:15 (Abstracts),
1955.
A consistent and reproducible inhibition of Sarcoma
180 in the mouse was observed with Cu, Pb, Cd, and
rubeanate at doses of 300, 100, and 6 mg/kg/day,
respectively, when the drugs were given ip. The
average diameter of the tumors was 1/2-3/4 the
size of the controls. While the Cu rubeanate was
without effect on leukemia L 4946 in AKR mice, Pb
rubeanate produced some prolongation of life in
leukemia L 4946 and inhibition of the Harding-
Passey melanoma in mice but had no effect on the
RC carcinoma in DBA mice. Neither rubeanic acid
(dithiooxamide) nor a number of analogs had any
antitumor effect. A number of inorganic salts of
univalent and divalent Pb and Cu and salts of Cd
were studied for tumor-inhibitory activity. Pb
chromate (200 mg/kg/day) and Pb nitrate (54 mg/kg/
day) were mildly but consistently effective against
Sarcoma 180 but not on the RC carcinoma. Pb
chloride (75 mg/kg/day), Pb carbonate (50 mg/kg/
day) and CuCN (25 mg/kg/day) gave borderline ef-
fects, while 3 additional Pb salts, 7 Cu salts, and
6 Cd salts had no detectable effect. Although
metallic salts have received attention as anti-
cancer agents in the past, they have not been a
subject of interest in present chemotherapeutic
programs. In part disinterest also stems from the
high toxicity of most heavy metals to the animal
host. Although the rubeanate derivatives of Cu,
Pb, and Cd appear to be somewhat active against
certain mouse tumors it is doubtful that they de-
serve any particular further study or interest.
627 Gajdos, A., Gajdos-TorHk, M., and Pecora,
L. (Hotel Dieu Clinic, Paris, France):
Studio dell'azione del piombo sulla sintesi
della protoporfirina libera nei plobuli
rossi periferici di coniglio. (ACTION OF
LEAD ON FORMATION OF FREE PROTOPORPHYRIN
IN THE PERIPHERAL RED CORPUSCLES OF THE
RABBIT.) Folia Medica (Naples) 38:773-6
(Aug.), 1955.
The protoporphyrin synthesis by erythrocytes of an
anemic rabbit, incubated with glycine was inhibited
by Pb acetate even in minute doses in vitro (con-
centrations as low as 0.0001 mg), but no inhibi-
tion was observed in rabbits previously made anemic
and poisoned with Pb in vivo.
628 Gibson, K.D., Neuberger, A., and Scott,
J.J. (Natl. Inst. Med. Res., London,
England): THE PURIFICATION AND PROPER-
TIES OF 5-AMINOLAEVULIC ACID DEHYDRASE.
Biochemical Journal 61:618-29, 1955.
In the presence of Pb, maximum activity of ALA
dehydrase was 80%. (44 references)
629 Giuliani, V., and Belli, R. (Univ. Siena,
Italy): Comportamento di alcuni tests di
funzionalita epatica nell'intossicazione
sperimentale da piombo tetraetile. (SOME
LIVER FUNCTION TESTS IN EXPERIMENTAL TE-
TRAETHYL LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 36:1286-94, 1955.
Thirteen rabbits (1.800-2.400 kg weight) were
divided into 5 groups, one of which served as con-
trols. Group 2 received the TEL solvent (95% al-
cohol) , and the other 3 groups (3 animals each)
received sc 1, 10 or 50 mg TEL in alcohol solu-
tion/kg/day for 24 consecutive days. The study
consisted of (1) determination of total amount of
bilirubin, (2) the Hanger reaction, (3) the Takata-
Dohmoto reaction, (4) the determination of the
protein quotient, (5) the determination of the
mobilized bilirubinuria. The results are present-
ed in tables showing that rabbits poisoned by TEL
incurred liver damage the severity of which was the
more evident, the more sensitive the test, the
higher the dose, and the longer the period of poi-
soning. The bilirubin test with Na dehydrocholate
showed agreement with other tests and a high sensi-
tivity at an early stage.
630 Giuliani, V., Belli, R., and Zazo, S.
(Univ. Siena, Italy): Process! immunitari
nell'intossicazione sperimentale da piombo
tetraetile. Nota I. Comportamento del
titolo antistreptolisinico del siero in
corso di immunizzazione attiva. (IMMUNITY
IN EXPERIMENTAL POISONING WITH TETRAETHYL
LEAD. I. ANTISTREPTOLYSIN LEVEL IN THE
SERUM DURING ACTIVE IMMUNIZATION.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 38:1001-8 (Sept.), 1955.
Six rabbits poisoned with TEL (by sc injections of
1 or 10 mg/kg/day, as an alcohol solution) were
treated with iv injections of streptococcus vaccine
in increasing doses. The immunizing defense mech-
anism was found to be completely inhibited as far
as streptococcic hemolysins are concerned. The
phenomenon appears even at doses which are prac-
tically innocuous when administered over a long
time.
631 Giuliani, V., and Maggio, M. (Univ. Siena,
Italy): Reattivita' termica in corso di
intossicazione sperimentale con piombo
tetraetile. (THERMIC REACTIVITY IN EXPERI-
MENTAL TETRAETHYLLEAD POISONING.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 38:798-806, 1955.
Rabbits in groups of 3 animals each (1.550-3.100
kg weight) were used. One group served as an un-
treated control; 1 group was injected sc with a 0.1
ml of 95% alcohol solution/kg/day. The test groups
received 50, 10, or 1 mg TEL (alcohol solution)/kg/
day to induce subacute or chronic poisoning. On
the 6th, 12th, 14th, and 19th day, both controls
and poisoned animals received iv a streptococci
suspension, and the body temperature was followed.
Bacterial suspensions which were practically apyro-
genic to normal rabbits or to animals treated with
solvents for TEL, were pyrogenic to rabbits poison-
ed with TEL, provided the bacterial material was
not administered at a time just preceding death.
104
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
632 Graziani, G. , Fusco, M., and Rossi, L.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): Ferro serico e
saturnismo. Nota IV. La frazione insatura
della proteina plasmatica capace di legare
il ferro nella intossicazione sperimentale.
(SERUM IRON AND LEAD POISONING. IV. THE
UNSATURATED FRACTION OF PLASMA PROTEIN
CAPABLE OF BINDING IRON IN EXPERIMENTAL
POISONING.) Folia Medica (Naples) 38:1-10
(Jan.), 1955.
The transferrin-Fe complex was measured colorlmet-
rically at 520 my. The unsaturated Fe-uinding
capacity (UIBC) was determined in 12 rabbits dur-
ing prolonged Pb poisoning as in the authors'
previous experiment. The UIBC values declined for
2 wk and then increased again to attain values
higher than initially. The serum Fe increased as
the intoxication progressed. Intravenous Fe ad-
ministration caused the UIBC to drop to low values.
When on prolonged treatment the Fe administration
was repeated, the UIBC drop was far less marked.
The effect after oral administration was slower.
The authors conclude that the binding power be-
tween Fe and transferrin is profoundly disturbed
by Pb and the transport from the deposits of Fe
to the tissues is impaired.
533 Kubistova, J. (Inst. Occup. Hyg., Dis.,
Prague, Czechoslovakia): Vliv CaEDTA na
experimentalni akutni otravu olovem. (IN-
FLUENCE OF CaEDTA ON EXPERIMENTAL LEAD
POISONING.) Pracovni Lekarstvi 7:329-35,
1955.
See Abstract No. 679.
634 Kuwaki, T. (Kelo Univ., Japan): STUDIES ON
DETOXICATING FACTORS IN LIVER CONCENTRATE
AGAINST LEAD POISONING. I. CORRELATION
BETWEEN SOME KNOWN SUBSTANCES (VITAMIN B12.
GLUCURONIC ACID) AND LIVER CONCENTRATE.
Journal of Science of Labour (Japan) 31:
450-60 (July), 1955.
The author's associates had found earlier that
there was some detoxicating substance in cattle
liver extract against Pb poisoning and the sub-
stance was purified by K. Tsuchiya. However,
whether or not the detoxicating factors in the liv-
er concentrate are some already known substances
(vitamin B.-, glucuronic acid) is not yet decided.
Experiments were done to examine the effect of vi-
tamin B^2 and glucuronic acid on Pb poisoned ani-
mals in comparison with that of liver concentrate.
The following results were obtained: Vitamin B-^
alone in about the same quantity as contained in
the liver concentrate was not so effective on Pb
poisoned animals as the liver concentrate. Glucu-
ronic acid alone in about the same amount as that
contained in the concentrate was also not so effec-
tive as the latter. But a far larger amount of
glucuronic acid was very effective. Some of the
detoxicating factors of the liver concentrate
against Pb poisoning may be either vitamin B-^ or
glucuronic acid contained in the concentrate, but
these 2 factors do not represent the whole activ-
ity of the liver concentrate. Whether detoxication
depends on some unknown factors in the concentrate
or on the cooperative action of some known and un-
known factors is not yet clear. (From author's
English summary)
635 Kuwaki, T., and Tsuchiya, K. (School Med.,
Keio Univ., Japan): A STUDY ON TOLERANCE
OF ANIMALS TO LEAD POISONING. Journal of
Science of Labour (Japan) 31:291-7 (May),
1955.
Pb poisoning, induced by sc injections, with
appearance of stippled cells, was tolerated by 1
group of guinea pigs, whereas another group, re-
ceiving the same injections, died within the
early stages of the poisoning. Resumption of the
injections after a period when animals seemed to
recover to almost normal conditions, produced
signs of poisoning of lesser severity than in the
earlier period of injections; ie, the anemia was
less severe and the number of basophilic cells
was lower. It was concluded that a resistance or
tolerance developed in this group. The individual
differences to Pb poisoning are classified as fol-
lows: (1) the group that is most sensitive to Pb,
with lower adaptation, in which case animals die
after a few injections; (2) the group showing
good adaptation, with increased stippled cells
(considered one of the adaptation processes); (3)
the group that survives for a long period of time
without manifest signs, and that is most resistant
against Pb. (From authors' English summary)
636 Mishima, M. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): HISTO-
CHEMICAL STUDIES ON LEAD POISONING. I.
TISSUE PHOSPHATASE DURING ACUTE LEAD EX-
POSURE. II. TISSUE PHOSPHATASE DURING
CHRONIC LEAD EXPOSURE. III. TISSUE OXI-
DASE DURING ACUTE AND CHRONIC LEAD EXPO-
SURE. Japaa J. Nation's Health 24:68-96,
1955.
Pb(OAc)2 (1.83 mg) was injected intravenously into
a mouse and the effect on alkaline phosphatase
activities was examined. Organs, time in hr to
develop the maximum amount of alkaline phosphatase,
and hr required to return to normal amount of al-
kaline phosphatase, respectively, are: duodenum,
2, 8-48; liver, large intestine, kidney and stom-
ach, 2-4, 24-48; small intestine, spleen, adrenal
gland, heart and urinary bladder, 2-8, 24-48; no
change in alkaline phosphatase was observed in
pancreas, esophagus, trachea, lung, cerebrum, and
cerebellum. Similarly, the effect on acid phos-
phatase activities was examined: adrenal gland
1-4, 24-48; kidney, liver and pancreas, 2-4, 24-
48; stomach and small intestine 2-4, 8-48; duode-
num and large intestine, 4-8, 48; spleen, heart,
cerebrum, cerebellum, and urinary bladder, 2-8,
24-48; no change was observed in the activities
of acid phosphatase in esophagus, trachea, and
lung.
Tissues of mice exposed to air with Pb dust for
3 mo were examined after keeping 30, 40, 50, 60,
70, 80, 90, and 100 days in fresh air. Intensive
activities of alkaline phosphatase were found in
kidney, adrenal gland, and heart throughout the
periods, while lowered activities of alkaline
phosphatase were found in esophagus, large intes-
tine, and cerebellum; the alkaline phosphatase in
liver was increased at 1st, decreased at the mid-
dle stage then increased at the last period; stom-
ach, duodenum, small intestine, trachea, lung,
pancreas, urinary bladder, and cerebrum showed in-
creased activities of alkaline phosphatase then
decreased gradually, while spleen showed an In-
Plants and Animals
105
-------
crease of alkaline phosphatase at the middle per-
iod with the decrease at the initial and last per-
iods; activities of acid phosphatase were observed
in kidney, liver, heart, stomach, small intestine,
adrenal gland, spleen, trachea, urinary bladder,
cerebrum, and cerebellum; pancreas showed a de-
crease of acid phosphatase of the middle period
with the increase in initial and last periods. No
initial increase of alkaline phosphatase was ob-
served in esophagus and lung.
The change in oxidase content in various organs
by the above treatment is given. (From Chemical
Abstracts 50:6667, 1956)
537 Mizuno, M. (School Med., Keio Univ.,
Japan): ON THE CHANGES OF MUSCLE CHRO-
NAXIE OF RABBITS POISONED BY CARBON DI-
SULFIDE, BENZENE, MERCURY AND LEAD. Jour-
nal of Science of Labour (Japan) 31:59-73
(Feb.), 1955.
The correlation between periodic chronaxie mea-
surements and blood findings was studied and the
features of the change in the former in each rab-
bit were also observed in detail. In Pb poisoning,
the chronaxie of posterior extremity muscles of
rabbits is shortened temporarily in the initial
stage, but then gradually it is prolonged. The
grade of change, however, is not so apparent com-
pared with that of decreased hemoglobin (Hb),
appearance of basophilic stippled red cells or loss
of body weight. When the 4 kinds of poisoning are
compared, according to the change of chronaxie and
the decreasing rate of Hb level, the former is more
manifest than the latter in the order of C disul-
fide, benzene, Hg, and Pb. Accordingly, the chro-
naxie measurements would be worth applying for the
diagnosis at least of the 1st 3. The extensor and
flexor ratio of muscle chronaxie becomes nearly 1:1
in the early stage of each poisoning, and no dif-
ference among the 4 kinds of poisoning is recog-
nized. This implies that the 4 poisons may have
some effects upon the central nervous system in
the early stage of poisoning. The shortening of
chronaxie does not appear even in the initial
stage of poisoning except for Pb. As to whether
this is due to the time interval of estimation or
due to other unknown factors, no comment can be
made here. (From author's English summary)
538 Morelli, A., and Loscalzo, B. (Univ. Siena,
Italy): Sulla terapia dell'intossicazione
sperimentale da piombo tetraetile con
ormoni corticosurrenalici. (TREATMENT OF
EXPERIMENTAL POISONING WITH TETRAETHYLLEAD
WITH ADRENOCORTICAL HORMONE.) Folia Medi-
ca (Naples) 38:545-9, 1955.
No protective effect was noted when groups of 5
rabbits each subacutely poisoned with TEL (100 nig/
kg/day in alcohol solution, im) were treated with
desoxycorticosterone acetate, cortisone acetate or
a combination of the 2 hormones. Survival times
for the controls and treated animals were 91 and
70-77 hr, respectively. The authors pointed out
that these results should not be considered con-
clusive with regard to human intoxication.
539 Morelli, A., and Loscalzo, B. (Univ.
Siena, Italy) : II versenato disodico cal-
cico nell'intossicazione da piombo tetra-
etile. (DISODIUM CALCIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE-
TETRAACETATE IN POISONING WITH TETRAETHYL-
LEAD.) Folia Medica (Naples) 38:550-6
(June), 1955.
Two groups of 5 rabbits each (average weight 1.800
kg) were poisoned with TEL (100 mg/kg/day in al-
cohol solution, im). Two other groups of 9 and 10
rabbits received TEL as above and CaNfl2EDTA at 500
and 110 mg/kg/day, respectively. Survival of the
control groups was an average of 91 and 129 hr, and
of the treated groups, 61 and 108 hr, respectively.
EDTA therefore offered no protective action.
The results obtained are briefly discussed for
the purpose of further studies on the distribution
of Pb in the different organs and tissues and on
histologic studies in intoxicated animals and pro-
tected by EDTA, compared to equally intoxicated
but not protected animals.
640 Motouchi, M. (School Med., Keio Univ.,
Japan): A STUDY ON BLOOD FINDINGS, LIVER
FUNCTION TESTS AND HISTOLOGICAL APPEAR-
ANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING AND
RELATIONSHIP AMONG THEM.) Journal of Sci-
ence of Labour (Japan) 31:371-84 (June),
1955.
Pb acetate (30 mg Pb/kg 6 times/wk) was adminis-
tered sc to rabbits. The progress of poisoning
was judged by changes in the blood. Various liver
function tests showed that the total quantity of
serum protein began to decrease in the compara-
tively early stage. Serum albumin began to de-
crease very early. Total quantity of serum glo-
bulin did not show conspicuous changes in spite
of the progress of poisoning. Albumin/globulin
ratio in serum showed a remarkable decrease in the
very early stage. This phenomenon appeared prior
to the various other tests. Fibrinogen decreased
gradually in parallel with the progress of poison-
ing. Hepatosulphalein test, Co reaction and thymol
turbidity test showed a little change in the later
stage. Histopathological changes of the liver
were recognized as degeneration, chiefly in the
form of cloudy swelling, fatty change and congest-
ion. (From author's English summary and conclu-
sion)
641 Preziosi, P., and Loscalzo, B. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): L'Azione della g-mercapto-
etiliamina nelle intossicazione sperimen-
tali da piombo acetato e da piombo tetrae-
tile. (EFFECT OF g-MERCAPTOETHYLAMINE IN
EXPERIMENTAL POISONING WITH LEAD ACETATE
AND TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Folia Medica (Na-
ples) 38:1147-33, 1955.
In the' 1st experiment, 5 rabbits received 25 mg
Pb acetate/kg iv daily, and 5 received Pb as above
and 50 mg/kg B-rnercaptoethylamine (MEA) iv daily
in divided doses. In the 2nd experiment 100 mg
TEL in alcohol/kg/day was given im alone to 1
group of rabbits and in combination with MEA as
above, both im and iv, to another. In neither
case did MEA exert a protective action on the
course of subacute poisoning in spite of the fact
that it was administered at relatively high dos-
age, taking into account the toxicity of the drug
for the rabbit.
642
Remy, R., and Gerlich, N. (City Hosp.,
106
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Bielefeld, Germany): Zur Prophylaxe und
Therapie der Bleivergiftung. I. Leber-
extrakte, Vitamin B,, und FolsSure. (PRO-
PHYLAXIS AND TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING.
I. LIVER EXTRACTS, VITAMIN B12 AND FOLIC
ACID.) Zentralblatt fllr Arbeitsmedizin
und Arbeitsschutz 5:37-40 (Jan.), 1955.
A brief review and discussion of the effects of Pb
on the production of hemoglobin and on the erythro-
cytes introduces an account of some experimental
work with rabbits. The effect on the blood pic-
ture of the iv injection of Pb acetate in doses
ranging from 2.0-6.0 mg/kg was first determined.
When vitamin B-^ in doses ranging between 2.5 and
5.0 ug/kg was injected at the same time as the Pb
solution, the blood changes were delayed in their
appearance and lessened in degree. It was also
found that vitamin 8^2, when given to the animals
10-14 days after being poisoned by Pb, had a pro-
nounced curative action. In some experiments
which are not detailed, it was found that injec-
tions of Co in doses considerably more than 0.02
yg/kg, also had a good effect in neutralizing the
toxic action of Pb. Liver extracts were also test-
ed for their potency in preventing blood changes
induced by Pb. It was found that these had a
much more potent effect than could be explained
by their vitamin B^ content alone. Experiments
with folic acid showed that this had but little
good effect and that only when given in very large
doses could any protective action be demonstrated
and even this was only transitory. (37 references)
543 Rieders, F. (Jefferson Med. Coll., Phil-
adelphia, Pa.): EFFECTS OF ORAL M CA
ETdYLENEDIAMINE TETRAACETATE (EDTA) ON
DISTRIBUTION OF FE, CU, ZN, AND PB IN
RATS. Journal of Pharmacology and Exper-
imental Therapy 113:45 (Abstracts), 1955.
Five male and 5 female weanling Wistar rats were
kept on a diet containing Na2CaEDTA, 0.2% in food
and 0.1% in drinking water for 4 mo. The experi-
mental animals developed no significant differ-
ences from controls during the 4 mo as to appear-
ance, activity, weight gain, erythrocyte count or
Hb values. No gross or histopathology (hematoxy-
lin and eosin stain) was noted at autopsy. Use
of Fe stain revealed slight hemosiderin deposits
in lung and spleen in 2 of 5 control males and in
4 of 5 control females but none in any of the tis-
sues of the experimental animals. Chemical analy-
sis of exsanguinated organs showed the following
mean Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb content in the experimental
animals as compared to controls: (values are ex-
pressed in % of corresponding mean values of con-
trols; they are given in the order Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb;
if they are statistically not significantly differ-
ent from the controls, they are marked (*)) Liver,
males: 67, 131, 215, 200; females: 71, 75, 106*,
175. Kidney, males: 47, 72, 67, 81; females:
39, 76, 77, 131. Spleen, males: 42, 184, 217,
215; females: 83, 204, 139, 80. Heart, males:
39, 90*, 82, 72; females: 59, 138, 132, 133.
Lung, males: 60, 127, 131, 150; females: 73, 148,
164, 132. Gut, males: 133, 159, 146, 109*; fe-
males: 95*. 95*, 455, 106*. Skeletal muscle,
males: 25, 17, 27, 13; females: 29, 36, 50, 67.
B rain, males: 160, 152, 71, 125; females: 80,
191, 100*, 90*. Bone, males: 50, 106*, 35, 75;
females: 33, 80, 31, 63.
544 Sakaguchl, T. (School Med., Keio-Gijuku
Univ., Japan): CHANGE OF SERUM PROTEIN
AND ITS FRACTIONS IN EXPERIMENTALLY IN-
DUCED LEAD POISONING. Journal of Science
of Labour (Japan) 31:385-96 (June), 1955.
Experimental studies were made on the blood find-
ings, liver function tests, microscopic changes
and Pb in organs of dogs with subacute and chronic
Pb poisoning by Pb acetate (15 mg Pb/kg and 3 mg/kg
3 times/wk). The conclusions are as follows: In-
hibition oi albumin synthesis in the liver appeared
particularly in the very early stage. Consequently
albumin/globulin ratio decreased more than any
other liver function. The decrease of total pro-
tein was parallel to the decrease of the albumin/
globulin ratio in serum in the subchronic cases,
but the former did not show itself in the early
stage of chronic cases. Pigment excretion func-
tion of the liver was slightly hindered only in
the later stage. As to the histopathologic appear-
ances, the greatest changes were seen in the liver
and the kidney; there were hardly any changes in
the other organs. In 2 dogs killed in the early
stage (on about the 20th day of experiment) the
liver was histologically damaged, but either only
mild changes were seen in the kidney or none at
all. On the other hand, in the other 3 cases killed
after injection of Pb over a long period of time,
considerable changes both in the liver and in the
kidney occurred. The liver and kidney contained
more Pb than any other soft organ, and this re-
sult seemed to coincide with pathological changes.
In 2 cases killed in the early stage, the liver
tissue contained more Pb compared with that of the
kidney which showed only little Pb. In the other
cases, however, the Pb in the kidney increased
tremendously in the later stage of poisoning.
From these facts, the following results are con-
sidered: the factor which caused the decrease in
albumin/globulin ratio in serum in the early stage
is to be found in the hypofunction of albumin syn-
thesis in the liver, but, in the later stage, in
addition to this, the release of albumin from the
kidney and the decrease of albumin removed have
also an influence. It is difficult to obtain a
correlation between the function and the morphology
of liver, but from the above facts it is consider-
ed that the central part of lobules of the liver
participates mainly in metabolic functions while
the peripheral does so in excretory functions.
(From author's English summary)
645 Salvini, M. , and Scudier, U. (Univ. Padua,
Italy): Sul trattamento dell'intossica-
zione da piombo tetraetlle mediante iniezi-
oni endovenose di Ca-etilendiaminotetrace-
tato Na2. (ON THE TREATMENT OF TETRAETHYL
LEAD POISONING BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTIONS
OF CaNa2EDTA.) Medicina del Lavoro 46:
526-32 (Oct.), 1955.
Rabbits (16) were exposed to the inhalation of TEL
in a concentration of 5 mg/1 air; 8 were treated
with CaNa2EDTA iv 1 hr before exposure, and 8
were so treated immediately after exposure. The
results showed no antidotal effect on TEL poison-
ing. In a 2nd series, 24 rabbits were exposed to
TEL as above; 8 were pretreated with 20 mg EDTA/
Plants and Animals
107
-------
kg for 20 days; 6 received a single injection
before, and 6, an injection after exposure, and
4 received no treatment. The results showed that
EDTA had an antidotal action when given for a
number of days before exposure to TEL. The au-
thors attribute the favorable therapeutic result
to the gradual accumulation of effective doses of
EDTA in those tissues that are rapidly reached by
otherwise fatal quantities of TEL. From their
personal experiences they believe that when the
object of a clinical therapy is to act antidotally
on the TEL by means of chelating agents, the dif-
fusion characteristics of the agent used should not
differ from those of the TEL; otherwise it will be
necessary to follow a route other than the iv.
Preliminary results of experiments carried out with
EDTA administered intraspinally are also reported.
(19 references)
64b Scarinci, V. (Univ. Urbin, Italy): PRE-
LIMINARY STUDIES ON A LEAD TETRAETHYL
ANTIDOTE. Studi Urbinati, Facolta di Far-
macia (C), 29, No. 4:102-4, 1955.
A solution, pH 6.8, sterilized at 100°, of Na tri-
thiolactate (2.88%) and Na thiolactate (3.84%) was
used as an antidote on rabbits that had developed
toxic symptoms by dripping TEL (lethal dose 0.6
ml) on a large shaved portion of the abdominal
area. The animals survived when the intramuscular
or intravenous dose given after 2 hr was 2 ml/kg,
or after 15 min, with 0.5 ml/kg with 3 additional
injections at 30-min intervals. A survival of 50%
was obtained after 2 hr with 1.5 ml dose or after
3 hr with 2 ml dose. Also, the antidote mixed in
any proportion with TEL formed s unionized salt
extremely soluble in water and insoluble in ab-
solute alcohol and chloroform. (From Chemical
Abstracts 51:10736, 1957)
547 Sinitsyn, S.N.: (EVALUATION OF THE TOXIC-
ITY OF SYNTHETIC GASOLINE AND ETHYL GAS-
OLINE WITH A HIGH BENZENE CONTENT.) In-
form.-Metod. Materially Gorsudarst.
Nauch.-Issledovatel. Sanit. Inst. 1955,
No. 2:21-7; Referat. Zhur. , Khim. 1956,
Abstr. No. 49681.
Tbe absolute lethal concentration of the vapors of
synthetic gasoline (SG) (product of synthesis of
CO and H2, initial boiling temperature 42°, maxi-
mum boiling temperature 189°, octane no. 31) for
white mice was 125 mg/1 and that of the synthetic
ethyl gasoline (ESG) (SG 30.3% C6H6+0.5 ml/1 of
ethyl fluid) was 100 mg/1; the minimum lethal con-
centration of SG=95 mg/1, ESG 60 mg/1. The tol-
erated concentration of SG=90 mg/1, ESG 55 mg/1.
Aviation gasoline caused 100% mortality at a con-
centration of 110 mg/1, 14.8% at 70 mg/1, at 60
mg/1 no mortality was observed. The speed of on-
set of rigor mortis was increased in concentration
of ESG of 3 mg/1, SG at 5 mg/1. The index of work
ability decreased, starting with ESG concentration
of 10 mg/1 and SG 50 mg/1. The cholinesterase of
brain decreased when the concentration of ESG was
10 mg/1 or SB at 15 mg/1. In daily 2-hr exposures
of rabbits in the course of 5 mo and 4-hr expo-
sures in 6 mo to ESG in concentration 0.4-0.6 mg/1
there was a decrease of leukocytes, a slight in-
crease of segmented granulocytes, an insignificant
decrease of lymphocytes, and a decrease of blood-
serum cholinesterase. (From Chemical Abstracts
52:21016, 1958)
648 Sobel, A.E., and Burger, M. (Jewish Hosp.,
Brooklyn, N.Y.): CALCIFICATION. XIII.
THE INFLUENCE OF CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS, AND
VITAMIN D ON THE REMOVAL OF LEAD FROM
BLOOD AND BONE. Journal of Biological
Chemistry 212:105-10, 1955.
In rats with experimental Pb poisoning a high Ca-
low P diet produced the most rapid loss of Pb from
the skeleton, accompanied by the highest blood Pb
level. A high P-low Ca diet produced the slowest
loss of Pb in the lowest blood Pb level. The addi-
tion of vitamin D to the diets produced (a) a de-
crease in blood Pb, (b) decreased loss of bone Pb,
(c) a rise in the serum Ca x P product, (d) an
increase in the per cent of ash in bone, and (e)
an increase in weight of all the animals. Vitamin
D during Pb administration enhances Pb absorption,
causing a rise in blood Pb. After Pb administra-
tion has ceased, however, the antirachitic vitamin,
to the degree that it causes a rise in serum phos-
phate, depresses blood Pb. The high Ca-low P diet,
by decreasing serum phosphate, causes a concomi-
tant rise in blood Pb at the expense of bone Pb.
On the other hand, in the high P-low Ca diet the
resulting rise in serum phosphate is paralleled
by a low blood Pb level and decreased loss of bone
Pb. High blood Pb is accompanied by low serum P
and vice versa, but there is no simple reciprocal
relationship. (From authors' summary)
649 Staples, E.L.J. (Wallaceville Animal Res.
Station, Wellington, New Zealand): EXPER-
IMENTAL LEAD POISONING IN DOGS. New Zea-
land Veterinary Journal 3:39-46, 1955.
Nine young mature dogs were used in an experiment
designed to reproduce the clinical picture seen
in the field cases. In series 1, 3 dogs received
basic Pb carbonate equivalent to 1000, 500, and
200 mg Pb/kg body weight 4, 2, and 3 times respec-
tively. All vomited after the 1st dose, and the
blood Pb level was allowed to return to pre-dosing
figure before the next dose. A daily check was
made on the blood Pb level. In series 2, 6 dogs
received daily the carbonate in doses ranging from
50-3 mg Pb/kg body weight. The carbonate, con-
taining 79.25% Pb was administered in gelatin cap-
sules .
In series 1, results were not very conclusive;
listlessness, anorexia, vomiting, and nervousness
were the main signs. In view of the vomiting, it
was concluded that Pb poisoning in dogs is more
likely chronic rather than acute. The liver of
the dogs contained 7.8, 22.1, and 10.5 ppm Pb.
In series 2, all animals, except those receiving
the lowest doses showed a marked drop in weight
and a distemper-like syndrome after 13-63 days,
which preceded convulsions. Jaundice was seen in
some dogs. A normal mean Pb level of 0.7 ppm
in the liver was obtained on 12 control dogs. Two
dogs of series 2 had very high liver Pb levels,
139.0 ppm and 120.0 ppm; this could be explained
by the high total of Pb ingested. The author sug-
gests that values of 5.0-10.0 ppm should be re-
garded with suspicion, and >10.00 ppm are of de-
finite significance in diagnosis. The blood Pb
levels did not drop below 1.0 ppm in any of them
108
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
after 1st symptoms were observed. One dog only
showed basophilic stippling In each of the weekly
examinations. From the histopathologic findings,
the author concludes that in cases of Pb poisoning
lesions of a significant nature cannot always be
expected; however, examinations of the cerebellum,
liver and kidney are recommended. Highly sugges-
tive are the intranuclear acidophilic inclusion
bodies in liver and kidneys and if these are ab-
sent, evidence of Purkinje cells degeneration in
cerebellum plus centrilobular degeneration and
renal tubular and vascular damage support Pb poi-
soning diagnosis.
650 Tolgskaya, M.S. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Dis., Acad. Med. Sci., Moscow, USSR):
Izmenenlya v nervnoi sisteme pri eksperi-
mental'noi intoksikatsii svintsom.
(CHANGES IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IN EXPERI-
MENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Arkhiv Patsvlogii
17, No. 4:20-7, 1955.
Pb acetate was given by gastric tube in gradually
increasing doses from 0.008-0.3 g/kg to rats and
from 0.006-0.077 g/kg to guinea pigs until Pb tox-
icity developed or up to 7.5 mo. The animals were
sacrificed at different time intervals; 4 guinea
pigs died while giving birth to young. After
small doses of Pb early reversible changes appeared
first in the cortex when clinically no symptoms of
intoxication were noted. With the onset of chronic
intoxication, in addition to the cortical, there
appeared changes in the subcortical nodes, in the
thalamohypothalamic region, in the trunk, in the
spinal cord, and later in the peripheral nerves.
In acute and subacute effects of Pb (studied in
rabbits, ,-jiven sc 1% Pb nitrate solution in a
dose of 0.033 g or 0.12 g/kg orally daily) on the
nervous system there is a predominance of diffuse
vascular disturbances and diffuse but not clearly
defined changes in the cells of different regions
of the nervous system without specific localiza-
tion. In chronic Pb intoxication in all sections
of the nervous system there is evidence of pre-
dominant damage to the cells of the anterior horns
of the spinal cord, of the peripheral nerves and
in the conducting motor paths. The effects of
these are reflected in the clinical syndrome. The
destructive changes in the nerve cells and fibers
are accompanied by considerable vascular distur-
bances and prollferative changes on the part of
the glia and in the internal organs. After the
changes in the nerve cells there appear changes in
the walls of the smaller vessels, disturbances in
the circulation, and changes and disturbances in
the general blood picture. The author concludes
that the findings refute the existing opinion re-
ported in the literature that changes in the ner-
vous system in Pb intoxication are secondary and
arise in connection with anemia or vascular dis-
turbances. (13 references)
551 Ursano, F. (Univ. Naples, Italy): L'iden-
tificazione istochimica del piombo nelle
intossicazioni acute e sub-acute. (HISTO-
CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION OF LEAD IN ACUTE
AND SUBACUTE POISONING.) Abstracts of
Meeting of the Campana Society of Legal
and Industrial Medicine. Medicina del
Lavoro 46:60 (Jan.), 1955; Folia Medica
(Naples) 38:807-12 (Aug.), 1955.
Rabbits were poisoned with 10% aqueous solution
of basic Pb acetate, given by stomach tube. Ani-
mals receiving 2 ml/kg twice daily died after 2
days; the same dose given once daily caused death
after 21 days. Pb in tissues was identified with
NH/SH and staining with hemalum-eosin or by treat-
ment with ^C^Oy and staining with toluidine blue
(Frankenberger). Pb was found in the liver cells,
in the kidneys, and in the spleen. In the lungs,
only the parenchyma showed occasional Pb deposits.
652 Wilson, R.H., Poley, G.W., and DeEds, F.
(US Dept. Agric., Albany, Calif.): TOXIC-
ITY STUDIES ON PEAR POMACE CONTAINING MIX-
TURE OF INSECTICIDE RESIDUES. Federation
Proceedings 14:Abstract No. 1275 (Mar.), 1955.
Pear pomaces prepared from fruit of several exper-
imental orchards, each with a known and controlled
spray program, were analyzed separately for Pb, As,
F and DDT and then mixed to obtain the highest pos-
sible level of each residue in a composite. For
controls, pomaces from an unsprayed orchard and
from orchards with uncontrolled spray programs
were used. The control, composite, and run-of-the-
mill pomaces were mixed with diet at 10, 20, and
30% levels and fed to rats for 315 days, when the
supply was exhausted. Growth rate was not signi-
ficantly affected, although food intake increased
progressively with increased concentration of pom-
ace. Presumably, since the fiber of pomace was
not available to the rats, they ate more to
achieve adequate nutritional intake. Hemoglobin,
numbers of red and white cells, and differential
counts were normal, and abnormal red and white
cells were not observed. The incisor teeth did
not bleach, ^o pathological findings were noted
and organ weights were normal. Although the pom-
aces from sprayed fruit contained more than per-
missible amounts of residues, the concentration of
each residual constituent was slightly below the
toxic level after dilution with basal diet. Com-
bination of slightly sub-toxic amounts of these
dissimilar insecticides did not cause toxic symp-
toms in this study, even though Pb and As may both
act on erythrocytes, and both Pb and DDT can pro-
duce neurological disturbances. On the other hand,
it has been reported that combination of subtoxic
amounts of similar insecticides (chlorinated hydro-
carbons) can cause additive toxicity. (From
authors' abstract)
653 Wittgens, H., and Niederstadt, D. (German
Soc. Ind. Safety, Frankfurt, Germany):
Tierexperimentelle Untersuchungen zur
Frage der prophylaktischen Wirksamkeit der
Milch bei chronischer Bleivergiftung.
(ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS ON THE QUESTION OF THE
PROPHYLACTIC EFFICIENCY OF MILK IN CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING.) Archiv fUr Gewerbepath-
ologie und Gewerbehygiene 13, No. 6:544-
72, 1955.
Animal experiments were undertaken with the object
of ascertaining whether there is justification for
the widely held view that milk is a valuable pro-
phylactic and remedial measure in Pb poisoning.
White male rats were given Pb acetate, both orally
and by intraperitoneal injection over a period of
up to 8 mo. One series received milk as their
Plants and Animals
109
-------
beverage, another only water. Comparison with a
series of control animals established the fact
that in white rats the chief diagnostic signs of
chronic Pb poisoning are loss of weight, decrease
of hemoglobin, poor condition of the fur and de-
generative changes in the liver and kidneys. De-
crease in erythrocytes, punctate basophilia and an
increased content of Pb in the bones occurred in
some animals but were not regarded of diagnostic
significance. In assessing the effect of adminis-
tration of milk, the symptoms appeared to be more
severe in the milk-fed animals, and more of these
died in the series receiving intraperitoneal in-
jections of Pb. There was no essential difference
in the blood findings, in the pathological appear-
ances of the internal organs, or in the liver
function tests, and though the levels of copropor-
phyrinuria were not conclusively distinctive, 2
milk-fed animals which were severely affected in
health and in condition of the fur and which had
a high urinary excretion of coproporphyrin re-
covered completely, with an increase of hemoglobin
and a decrease of coproporphyrinuria when milk was
replaced by water.
The data obtained are shown in 13 tables and 9
figures. On these grounds the authors conclude
that milk has not only no protective action but
also possibly increases the risk of Pb intoxica-
tion in white rats, and if these effects can be
considered analogous to those in human beings the
administration of milk to Pb workers is of no
benefit. (20 references)
$54 Zambrano, A., Mangieri, A., and Silves-
troni, A. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Elimi-
nazione urinaria e fecale del piorabo e
comportamento della coproporfirinuria
nell'intossicazione cronica sperimentale
da piombo trattata con calcio E.D.T.A.
(URINARY AND FECAL ELIMINATION OF LEAD AND
THE BEHAVIOR OF COPROPORPHYRINURIA IN
CHRONIC EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING TREATED
WITH CALCIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE.)
Bollettino della Societa Italiana di Bio-
logia Sperimentale 31:611, 1955.
Nine rabbits with chronic Pb poisoning induced by
1 ml of 10% solution/day were given iv 1 ml 20%
solution of CaEDTA for 7 consecutive days; 3 rab-
bits served as controls. The urinary excretion
was increased 10-20-fold and the fecal, 2-3-fold.
The decrease was progressive. The authors note
that Pb is eliminated in both feces and arine,
but much more copiously in urine.
655 Zambrano, A., Mangieri, A., and Silves-
troni, A. (Univ. Naples, Italy): II calcio
EDTA nell'intossicazione sperimentale da
piombo. (Ellminazione fecale ed urinaria
di piombo - Comportamento degli electtro-
liti e della fosfatasi alcalina del siero
di sangue). (CALCIUM SALT OF VERSENE IN
EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING. (URINARY
AND FECAL LEAD EXCRETION. ELECTROLYTES
AND ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IN THE BLOOD).)
Folia Medica (Naples) 38:813-37 (Aug.),
1955.
CaEDTA given to rabbits poisoned with Pb acetate
(25 eg Pb (as acetate) orally and continued for
7 days by which time the animals had absorbed
70 eg Pb) caused an increase of Pb in the urine
and feces and progressively decreased porphyrin-
uria. No changes occurred in the Ca, P, Cl, Na,
and K levels in the blood serum, which might be
a consequence of chelation. The intoxication
caused considerable reduction of the phosphatase
activity in the blood. Treatment brought about
recovery of this enzymic activity.
1956
556 Balmus, G., Marinescu, G., and Nastac, E.:
Resultatele aplicraii tetrationatului de
sodiu in intoxicatia saturnina experi-
mentala". (RESULTS OF THE APPLICATION OF
SODIUM TETRATHIONATE IN THE EXPERIMENTAL
SATURNINE INTOXICATION.) Acad. rep. popu-
lare Romine, Bui. stiint., Secf^. s,tiin{:.
med. 3:937-42, 1956.
The action of Na tetrathionate was studied on
rabbits at different stages of Pb intoxication.
Pb was administered in aqueous solution by stom-
ach tube, or pulverized Pb carbonate was mixed in
the diet. Na tetrathionate was given at concen-
trations of 3, 5, 6, 8, and 10% sc or iv, and had
no effect in advanced stages of intoxication,
while in milder stages the survival was 3 times
that of nontreated animals. The action was com-
parable to that of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol and was
a function of the reserves in glutathione of the
organism. Na tetrathionate is recommended for
use in occupational Pb poisoning, where the de-
gree of intoxication is lower than in experimental
Pb intoxication. (From Chemical Abstracts 51:
16881, 1957)
657 Biesiekierska, J., and Teuchmann, J.K.
(Centralny Inst., Ochrony Pracy, Warsaw,
Poland): (EFFECT OF EXPERIMENTAL LEAD
POISONING ON THE ORGAN OF VISION.) Prace
Centralnego Inst. Ochrony Pracy 6, No. 1
(17):7-10, 1956.
Guinea pigs were poisoned with Pb(N03)2> 100 mg/kg
body weight, given as 5% solution in 2 or 3 por-
tions. Early changes in eye muscles were observ-
ed, particularly in the levator palpebrae superi-
oris muscle. This may be useful in diagnosing a
continued Pb poisoning. (From Chemical Abstracts
53:7434, 1959)
658 Blosser, T.H., Abbitt, W.H., Adams, M.F.,
and Ward, G.M. (State Coll. Washington,
Pullman): TRACE MINERALS IN THE BLOOD AND
EXCRETA OF DAIRY COWS AT PARTURITION.
Proc. 37th Ann. Meeting Western Div. Am.
Dairy Sci. Assoc. 1956, 9 pp.
Cu, Pb, Mn, and Zn levels in the blood, urine, and
feces of dairy cows were determined in 10 dairy
cows from "V30 days antepartum to 30 days postpartum.
Most marked changes in levels of these minerals
occurred between 5 days antepartum and 5 days post-
partum. (From Chemical Abstracts 51:8237, 1957)
659 Buckup, H., BBhm, M., Zimmermann, H.,
Remy, R., Portheine, F., and Voss, C.
(State Inst. Ind. Med., Bochum, Germany):
Nahrungskomponenten und ihre Bedeutung
fllr die Prophylaxe beruflicher Bleiver-
giftungen. (Tell 1) (Experimentelle
110
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Untersuchungen am Kaninchen.) (DIETARY
COMPONENTS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN THE
PROPHYLAXIS OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.
I. (EXPERIMENTS WITH RABBITS).) Zentral-
blatt fUr Arbeitsmedlzin und Arbeitsschutz
6:1-4, 29-34 (Jan.), 1956.
The influence of various dietary components on Pb
poisoning was studied on 6 groups of 25 rabbits
each. The animals were of about the same weight,
and were used in the experiment from Aug. 1953-
Jan. 1954. As far as possible the rabbits were
kept in separate cages and received 50 g oats/day
and fresh cabbage ad lib. The animals received
intraperitoneal injections of Pb acetate twice/wk
at 1 ml of a 0.05% Pb acetate solution (3.2 mg Pb/
kg body weight) in the 15th and 16th wk Pb acetate
was administered intravenously. The Pb acetate
solution was adjusted to pH 5. In addition, Group
I received by esophageal tube daily 2.5 ml of 2%
methionine solution; Group II, 2.5 ml of 2.7%
cysteine HC1 solution; Group III, 1 ml of 5% ascor-
bic acid solution; Group IV, 8 ml whole milk; Group
V, 1 pg vitamin Bj2/kg subcutaneously; Group VI
served as control. Although considerable changes
were seen in the blood pigment, the animals tole-
rated the Pb doses relatively well. The weight
curves in the llth-13th wk showed no significant
variations. However, the groups receiving methio-
nine and cysteine showed a tendency to increase
in weight; ascorbic acid and B-j^ had no effect one
way or the other; animals on milk and the controls
showed tendency to loss in weight. Ascorbic acid,
as well as methionine in some cases, exerted a
protective action on erythropoiesis. In animals
treated with milk, a lower deposition of Pb in
bone was observed.
A diet high in nutrients is recommended for Pb
workers; excessive fat and protein should be avoid-
ed, as should misuse of alcohol. There is no basis
for considering normal ingestion of milk as harm-
ful for Pb workers. The authors, however, doubt
that milk in itself is protective. Technical
safety and preventive measures are believed to be
the most important.
6£Q Calapso, P., and Majorca, G. (Inst. Sci.
Information, Milan, Italy) : Glomeruloan-
giopatia saturnina; ricerche sperimentali.
(GLOMERULOANGIOPATHIA CAUSED BY LEAD; EX-
PERIMENTAL STUDY.) Biologica Latina 9,
No. 4:483-500, 1956.
Of 48 rats, 12 served as controls; 36 received sc
1 ml of a 1/1000 solution of Pb acetate daily for
3 mo. Histologic and histochemical examination of
the initial damage induced in the kidneys showed
that the first and most important damage appears
in the glomerular capillaries while the tubules
are only later involved in the degenerative pro-
cess. Pb blocks the SH group thus inhibiting the
enzymes possessing such groups; these enzymes to-
gether with other factors control the chemical and
physical equilibrium of the glycoproteins of the
glomerular wall, which are the main component of
the ground substance around the loops. The tubu-
lar nephrosis is produced by the exudation of plas-
ma following such damage and possibly by a direct
action of the Pb on the epithelium.
According to modern views on the pathology of
the kidney, the authors consider this kind of renal
damage among the glomerular nephroses of toxic
ethiology. (63 references)
661 Candela, R.R., Candela, J.L.R., and Sanz,
P.: INFLUENCE OF EXERCISE ON LEAD DEPOSIT
IN EXPERIMENTAL INTOXICATION. Med. Seguri-
dad 4:23-4 (Jan.-Mar.), 1956.
Rats of. both sexes, weighing from 200-250 g, were
intoxicated with 1 single dose of 0.5 mg Pb ni-
trate/kg weight. During the following 10 days
they were submitted to physical exercise (running)
2 hr/day. After this, on measuring the Pb deposit
in the muscles and bones of the legs, it was found
that it was much greater in the rats that had been
performing exercise than in those of the control
group. (From Archives of Industrial Health 14:
573, 1956)
562 Desoille, H., Michon, R., and Truffert, L.
(Inst. Ind. Hyg. Med., Paris, France): A
propos de 1'emploi d'une huile de coupe
plombifere et soufree. (THE USE OF LEAD
AND SULFUR CUTTING OILS.) Proceedings of
the Institute of Industrial Hygiene and
Medicine. Archives des Maladies Profes-
sionnelles de Medecine du Travail et de
Securite Sociale 17:582-5 (Nov.), 1956.
The use in some countries of a cutting oil contain-
ing an organic Pb compound, such as Pb naphthenate,
had aroused the fear that it would endanger the
health of workers. Several years earlier one of
the authors had shown that a hazard of Pb absorp-
tion did exist. Since that time it was considered
that not all of these cutting oils would be accom-
panied by the same risks. For this reason, an oil
containing a Pb and a S compound was used in ani-
mal experiments. Application of an oil emulsion
at concentrations which would approach work con-
ditions (5 drops (increasing to 15) of 10, 30,
and 50% emulsion daily, Pb and S contents are not
given) to the skin of guinea pigs for 2 mo, caused
no changes in the blood. Application for 57 days
of 10 drops of 30% emulsion led to blood changes
(increased stippled cells). The Pb content of the
liver and kidney was not increased significantly.
Although the Pb content of fumes and aerosols re-
leased by using a 10% aqueous emulsion of the oil
on a lathe was 0.22 mg and 0.35 mg/m3 of air at a
distance of 0.10-0.20 m from the head of the lathe,
under actual working conditions these concentra-
tions would not occur in the operator's breathing
zone.
663 Dresel, E.I.B., and FaJ.k, J.E. (Univ. Coll.
Hosp. Med. School, London, England): STUD-
IES ON THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF BLOOD PIGMENTS.
2. HAEM AND PORPHYRIN FORMATION IN INTACT
CHICKEN ERYTHROCYTES. 3. HAEM AND POR-
PHYRIN FORMATION FROM S-AMtNOLAEVULINIC
ACID FROM PORPHOBILINOGEN IN HAEMOLYSED
CHICKEN ERYTHROCYTES. Biochemical Jour-
nal 63:72-9; 80-7, 1956.
2. Among the inhibitors studied, Pb inhibited
porphyrin formation from glycine, but did not ap-
parently interfere specifically with the incorpo-
ration of Fe into porphyrin. (37 references)
3. Addition of 10 M Pb acetate caused almost
total,inhibition of heme synthesis from glycine,
scarcely any inhibition of heme and porphyrin for-
Plants and Animals
ill
-------
mation from PEG, and a considerable inhibition of
porphyrin formation from ALA. The step most sen-
sitive to Pb must be among the early steps leading
to the synthesis of ALA. (16 references)
564 Esyutina, O.S. (Acad. Sci., Kazakh SSR):
Vliyanie svintsovoi intoksikatsii na
razvitie eksperimental'nogo raka. (THE
EFFECT OF LEAD INTOXICATION ON THE DE-
VELOPMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL CANCER.) Trudy
Instituta Kraevoi Patologii, Akademiya
Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 4, No. 11:55-63, 1956.
Since much work has been done on the effect of the
functional state of the nervous system on the de-
velopment and course of Pb poisoning, the author
wished to determine the effect of Pb poisoning on
the development and course of skin cancer produced
in white mice by application of coal tar. In both
series, mice (total, 194) received on the skin 1
drop of coal tar 3 times/wk for 30 wk, and were
observed thereafter. Upon death, the animals were
dissected and fixed in neutral formalin, and the
area of the skin to which coal tar had been ap-
plied was cut out together with surrounding sound
skin and followed microscopically. In the 1st
series, control mice received daily by means of a
metal stomach tube 0.5 ml physiologic solution.
In the 2nd, mice received in the same manner daily
0.5 ml Pb acetate solution containing 0.4 mg Pb
acetate. After 2 mo examination of blood showed
basophilic stippling of erythrocytes and a large
number of reticulocytes. The results showed that
the coefficient of survival of control mice 2 mo
and 10 days after start of experiment was 0.90 and
in the experimental, 0.78; after 6 mo 10 days, it
was 0.64 and 0.47 and at the end of experiment, 11
mo from start, it was 0.20 and 0.02, respectively.
The time of the appearance of the 1st papillomas
in the experimental mice was after 3 mo, and in
the controls, after 4 mo. Progression into malig-
nancies was obviously more frequent in the Pb
group: after 6 mo 20 days from start, malignant
tumors were found in 2 controls, and 6 of the Pb
group; by the end of the experiment there were 10
in the controls, and 16 in the experimental.
The author considers that the acceleration and
severity of the cancerous process was due to the
lowering of the resistance of the organism by the
effect of Pb on the central nervous system as well
as by the direct action of the Pb circulating in
blood.
665 Fried, J.F., Rosenthal, M.W., and Schu-
bert, J. (Argonne Natl. Lab., Lemont,
111.): INDUCED ACCUMULATION OF CITRATE IN
THERAPY OF EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.
Proceedings of the Society of Experimental
Biology and Medicine 92:331-3, 1956.
The concept of interference in a metabolic cycle
as a means of modifying metal toxicity was tested.
The accumulation of citric acid in certain soft
tissues of the rat was induced by administration
of small, nonlethal doses of Na fluoroacetate.
This was found to give partial protection to rats
acutely poisoned with Pb nitrate by iv injection.
Of rats given the LDgo of Pb nitrate, 53% survived
when treated with Na fluoroacetate. The LDjQ of
Pb nitrate was increased from 58.2 mg/kg (as Pb)
in saline controls to 67.7 mg/kg in fluoroacetate-
treated rats. (From authors' summary; 12 refer-
ences)
666 Fuse, T. (Univ. Niigata School Med. , Ja-
pan): STUDIES ON THE FLUORESCYTE IN LEAD-
POISONING. PART II. PATTERNS OF FLUORES-
CYTES IN EXPERIMENTALLY LEAD-POISONED
GUINEA-PIGS, (1). Journal of Science of
Labour (Japan) 32:781-90 (Oct.), 1956.
In a previous paper the author has presented the
demonstration of fluorescyte, the appearance of
which is followed by the anemia of Pb poisoning.
This communication deals with the change of fluor-
escyte counts in the circulating blood of experi-
mentally Pb-poisoned guinea pigs. The findings are
as follows: 1. The fluorescyte is found in al-
most all Pb-poisoned animals. 2. The level of
fluorescytes in the circulating blood rose with
increased severity of Pb poisoning. 3. The aver-
age number of fluorescyte^ increased hyperbolically
against the decrease of red cell counts as well as
of hemoglobin level, and also against the increase
of reticulocyte counts. 4. The fluorescyte can-
not be identified as the reticuloctye, and, there-
fore, it has to be considered as another indica-
tion of anemia. 5. The number of basophiiic
stippled red cells added to that of polychromatic
ones and the number of reticulocytes respectively
increased hyperbolically against the decrease of
red cell counts. On this occasion, the rate of
increase in reticulocyte counts grew earlier than
that in basophilic stippled red cell counts added
to polychromatic ones at least in the Pb-poisoned
guinea pig. (From author's English summary)
667 Fuse, T. (Univ. Niigata School Med.,
Japan): STUDIES ON THE FLUORESCYTE IN
LEAD-POISONING. PART II. PATTERNS OF
FLUORESCYTES IN EXPERIMENTALLY LEAD-POI-
SONED GUINEA-PIGS, (2). Journal of Science
of Labour (Japan) 32:933-44 (Nov.), 1956.
In this paper, the implication of the finding,
which has previously been reported is discussed
as follows. An appearance of fluorescytes in the
circulating blood is possibly considered to be in
consequence of the occurrence of excessive free
porphyrins in the red cell, which are the inter-
mediates in hemoglobin synthesis. In Pb-poison-
ing, the increase of polychromatic red cells, baso-
philic stippled ones and reticulocytes may not be
indicative of the regenerative phenomenon in hemo-
poiesls, while they may perhaps be a sign of sup-
pression in the ripening process of the red cells.
The polychromatic red cell would be intrinsically
identified as the basophilic stippled one. It is
supposed, however, that these 2 cells differ from
each other not only in quantity but in the mode
of their occurrence in the basophilic substances
in the red cell. However, it may be reasonable
to assume that the reticulocyte differs in its
formation process from them. (From author's
English summary)
668 Gerlich, N., and Remy, R. (City Hosp.,
Bielefeld, Germany): Zur Prophylaxe und
Therapie der Bleivergiftung. II. Methio-
nin, Cystein, Eiweisshydrolysate. (PROPHY-
LAXIS AND THERAPY OF LEAD POISONING. II.
METHIONINE, CYSTEINE, PROTEIN HYDROLYSATES.)
112
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Zentralblatt fur Arbeitsmedlzin und Arbeits-
schutz 6:101-4 (May), 1956.
In continuation of research on the effects of liver
extracts, vitamin B^2 and folic acid on Pb intoxi-
cation induced in experimental animals, the influ-
ence of S-containing amino acids was studied.
Groups of rabbits (12 males in each group) were
given iv injections of 6.0 mg of Pb acetate/kg on
3 successive days and on each of these days the
amino acids under test were also injected. Hemo-
globin determinations and red cell counts were
carried out daily for a period of 7-10 days. The
findings are recorded and discussed at some length.
A protective effect as judged by a slower and ul-
timately a lesser fall in the number of red cells
was demonstrated by the injection of methionine
(12.08 mg) , cysteine (15.28 mg and 7.64 mg) and
liver hydrolysate (0.4 ml of preparation 1255
Boehringer, Mannheim). Oral administration of 100
mg of methionine was also effective and this in-
fluence was greatly enhanced when ascorbic acid,
100 mg daily, was given at the same time. Cysteine
was only effective when given iv. No good protec-
tion was obtained with cystine. The author con-
cludes that it is quite possible to have a favor-
able influence on Pb poisoning with vitamin B^2>
folic acid and liver extracts as well as with S-
amino acids except for cystine. Favorable results
were generally achieved with combinations, eg
methionine and ascorbic acid.
669 Giuliani, V., and Belli, R. (Univ. Flor-
ence, Italy): Processi immunitari nell'
intossicazione sperimentale da piombo
tetraetile. Nota V. Sulla presenza di
anticorpi bloccanti nel siero in corso di
Immunizzazione attiva antitifica. (TMyUNO-
LOGIC PROCESSES IN EXPERIMENTAL POISONING
WITH TETRAETHYL LEAD. V. PRESENCE OF
BLOCKING ANTIBODIES IN THE SERUM DURING
ACTIVE TYPHOID IMMUNIZATION.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 39:147-53 (Feb.), 1956.
Studies were carried out on the blood serum of
rabbits intoxicated with TEL and subjected to ac-
tive immunization by typhoid bacillus to discover
whether blocking antibodies were present, and to
obtain better information on the deficient immuni-
zation response previously reported by the authors.
Agglutination tests carried out on the serum
portion precipitated in 35% saturated ammonium
sulfate showed a higher antibody titration compar-
ed with that previously found in the total serum.
Wiener's test confirmed the presence of blocking
antibodies. The authors conclude by stating that
the antibody concentration produced in an intoxi-
cated animal under vaccine stimulation must always
be considered as definitely deficient. (From au-
thors ' summary)
670 Giuliani, V., and Belli, R. (Univ. Flor-
ence, Italy): Processi immunitari nell'-
intossicazione sperimentale da piombo
tetraetile. Nota VI. - Comportamento
degli anticorpi antimelitense (completi
ed incompleti) in corso di immunizzazione
attiva. (IMMUNOLOGIC PROCESSES IN EXPERI-
MENTAL POISONING WITH TETRAETHYL LEAD.
VI. BEHAVIOR OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST BRU-
CELLA MELITENSIS DURING ACTIVE IMMUNIZA-
TION.) Folia Medica (Naples) 39:154-61
(Feb.), 1956.
Ten rabbits (1.700-3.000 kg weight) were divided
into 4 groups: Group 1 (2), controls; Group 2
(2) received sc 0.1 mg 95% alcohol/kg/day. Groups
3 and 4 (3 animals each) received sc 1 and 10 mg
TEL in 95% alcohol/kg/day and on the 6th, llth,
16th and 21st day an iv injection of 0.25, 0.50,
0.50 and 1 ml of antimelitensis vaccine, respec-
tively. On days 9, 14, 19, and 24, 1 animal was
sacrificed and the amount of agglutinin and the
presence of incomplete antibodies was studied.
The antibody response to agglutination was found
to be absent in the blood of the poisoned animals.
Wiener's test showed the presence of blocking anti-
bodies which partially explained the negative test
for agglutinins.
671 Goldberg, A., Ashenbrucker, H., Cart-
wright, G.E., and Wintrobe, M.M. (Univ.
Utah, Salt Lake City): STUDIES ON THE
BIOSYNTHESIS OF HEIffi IN VITRO BY AVIAN
ERYTHROCYTES. Blood 11:821-33, 1956.
The synthesis of heme was inhibited by raalonate
and Pb at several levels, particularly the forma-
tion of ALA and incorporation of Fe into proto-
porphyrin. (38 references)
672 Grant, W.M., and Kern, H.L. (Harvard Med.
School; Massachusetts Eye Ear Infirmary,
Boston): CATIONS AND THE CORNEA. TOXI-
CITY OF METALS TO THE STROMA. American
Journal of Ophthalmology 42, Ao. 4, Pt. 2:
167-81 (Oct.), 1956.
Toxicity of salts of the metallic elements to cor-
neal stroma has been examined along with an analy-
sis of certain chemical reactions of cations in-
volved in corneal injury and attempts to reverse
these reactions for therapeutic purposes. An ap-
proximately neutral 0.1M solution of a salt of
each metal (Y, Be, La, Th, Ni, Cu, Ag, Cd, Hg. Pb)
was dropped on the scraped cornea of 1 or more rab-
bits for 10 min. After exposure, the degree and
type of injury was evaluated by periodic examina-
tion during several months. In control eyes re-
moval of the epithelium and exposure to water or
a neutral solution of ammonium chloride caused no
permanent damage. In the case of Pb, solubility
was insufficient to provide a 0.1M solution, but
when tests were carried out employing a more di-
lute solution, this metal was so toxic it caused
complete permanent opacity.
The results are summarized as follows: Toxicity
to the corneal stroma as measured by corneal opac-
ification in rabbits can in most instances be cor-
related with the tendency of the metal to bind to
the tissue and with the denaturing influence of
the metal on the cornea as measured by the decrease
in capacity to absorb water and by loss of solubi-
lity of corneal mucoproteins in water. The cor-
nea exhibits a wide range of selectivity in its
reaction with different metals, quite analogous to
the selectivity of a cation-exchange resin. The
metals which compete most effectively for attach-
ment to the tissue are in general the most toxic.
The majority of toxic metals bind to the same re-
active sites in the tissue as do innocuous metals
such as Ca though with stronger affinity; certain
toxic metals, however, react with the cornea at
Plants and Animals
113
-------
other sites. Most effective reversals of the in-
fluence of toxic metals on corneal hydration and
mucoprotein extractability have been obtained by
using EDTA (Na, pH 8.0) following exposure of the
denuded corneas to salts of Cu and Pb and by treat-
ment with Na sulfosalicylate following exposure
to Be sulfate.
673 Great Britain: THE WEST OF SCOTLAND AGRI-
CULTURAL COLLEGE. REPORT ON THE WORK OF
THE COLLEGE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th SEPTEM-
BER 1956. Stirling, Jamieson and Munroe,
Ltd., 1956, 76 pp.
A case of Pb poisoning in cattle from chewing Pb-
coated electric cable was reported. (From Veteri-
nary Bulletin 28, No. 3:957, 1958)
574 Grishchenko, E.D., and Nikitenko, \^.V.
(Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis., Acad. Med.
Sci., Moscow, USSR): Vklyuchenie metionina
v aktomiosin i v myshechnuyu tkan pri
khronicheskom svintsovom otravlenii. (IN-
CLUSION OF METHIONINE INTO ACTOMYOSIN AND
INTO MUSCLE TISSUE IN CHRONIC LEAD POISON-
ING.) Voprosy Meditsinskoi Khimii 2, No.
5:328-37, 1956.
Experiments were performed with young male rats
(115-260 g weight) to whom 100-200 mg Pb nitrate
was administered daily orally over a 5-mo period.
On days 10, 50, and 125 after start of experiment,
groups of rats (5-11 rats/group) were injected in-
to the stomach 1 ml of -^^S-labeled methionine,
and both experimental and control groups were
sacrificed at each of the above periods designed
to represent the various stages of poisoning.
Body weight, ratio of organ (kidney, liver, thy-
roid, lungs, heart, brain) to body weight, baso-
philic stippling, hemoglobin content of blood,
actomyosin content of heart and skeletal muscle,
and viscosimetric activity of heart and muscle
actomyosin, were followed, and results were tabu-
lated.
The results showed that the process of chronic
Pb intoxication could be divided into 3 distinct
periods: During the 1st relatively short period
(^2 wk), the rate of S incorporation had in all
cases a tendency to decrease; the animals lost
weight, the content and viscosimetric activity of
muscle and heart decreased. During the 2nd period
(within 3 mo) there was a temporary normalization
of vital functions. The rate of protein resyn-
thesis, the content and viscosimetric activity of
actomyosin, the rate of weight increase, and other
values returned to their normal level or exceeded
it. During the last period (3 mo and more of in-
toxication) there was a change for the worse in
nearly all values; this condition was irreversible.
675 Hammond, P.B., Wright, H.N., and Roepke,
M.H. (Univ. Minnesota, Minn.): A METHOD
FOR THE DETECTION OF LEAD IN BOVINE BLOOD
AND LIVER. University of Minnesota, Agri-
cultural Experiment Station Bulletin No.
221, Dec., 1956, 14 pp.
The principal aim of the investigations was to per-
fect a simple method of detecting Pb in blood and
liver of cattle for diagnostic purposes. It is
admitted not to be sufficiently accurate to be con-
sidered a quantitative analytical procedure, so
that for toxicologic investigations, accepted
methods of analysis should be used. The method in-
volves protein precipitation with trichloroacetic
acid, development of a color reaction by treatment
of the supernatant solutions with 2 reagents and
estimation of Pb concentrations by visual compari-
son to a series of standard color blocks which are
appended, showing color reactions for concentra-
tions of 0-1.2 yg Pb/ml blood and 0-32 yg/g liver.
Analyses of the blood of 16 apparently normal,
healthy cows gave Pb values of 0.10 yg/ml (SD ±0.06
Ug/ml). From a comparison with a similar
survey (Allcroft, 1950), showing similar results,
the conclusion is drawn that Pb values of >0.24
yg/ml would be encountered in <5% of normal cattle.
The Pb content in the blood of 15 cattle visibly
ill as a result of Pb ingestion ranged from 0.35-
2.36 yg/ml. Six of the animals died; their blood
Pb was 1.09-2.36 ug/ml. However, 2 animals sur-
vived with Pb values of 1.40 and 1.52 yg/ml re-
spectively. It is suggested that any color re-
action for blood intermediate between 0.2 and 0.5
yg/ml be considered strongly suggestive of Pb poi-
soning and that any color indicating higher con-
centration quite definitive evidence of Pb poison-
ing.
The livers of 14 normal calves and 5 normal cows
were found to contain 0.2-1.9 yg/g fresh substance
(SD ±0.35 yg/g). Pb concentrations in the livers
of 4 experimentally and 13 accidentally poisoned
cattle ranged from 5.0-240 ug/g. The authors con-
clude on the basis of their data that a clear
color differentiation usually is possible between
normal concentrations of blood and liver Pb and
those found in cases of Pb poisoning.
676 Harada, A. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): EFFECT
OF VITAMIN Bl2 AND FOLIC ACID UPON THE
BLOOD PICTURE OF LEAD WORKERS. II. IN-
FLUENCE OF VITAMIN Bi2 AND FOLIC ACID UPON
NUCLEIC ACID METABOLISM. Kokumin Eisei 25:
121-9, 1956.
The nucleic acid content in blood of rabbits,
treated so as to give large reticulocyte counts by
repeated bleeding, is reduced markedly by the ad-
dition of Pb in vitro, but when vitamin B]_2 and
folic acid are administered to the blood in ad-
dition to Pb, the decrease is almost prevented.
The content of nucleic acid in guinea pig bone
marrow of femur and tibia is also reduced marked-
ly by the injection of Pb acetate, but the reduction
is prevented when the guinea pigs are treated with
vitamin Bi2 ancl folic acid, and even the accelera-
tion of its synthesis is apparently noticed. Thus,
the favorable effects of vitamin Bi2 and folic acid
upon the blood pictures affected by the Pb are
assumed to be caused by their favorable effects on
the metabolism of nucleic acid in erythropoiesis.
(From Chemical Abstracts 51:8992, 1957)
J77 Japanese Association of Industrial Medi-
cine: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 29TH GENERAL
MEETING OF THE JAPANESE ASSOCIATION OF IN-
DUSTRIAL MEDICINE. Journal of Science of
Labour (Japan) 32:217-347 (Apr.), 1956.
Among the 229 papers presented, the following con-
cerned Pb (numbers refer to Proceedings):
Tati, M: Determination of Lead in Air with EDTA.
Abstract No. 50.
114
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Watanabe, H., Tomita, K., and Murayama, H.: A
Survey on the Lead Poisoning among Workers in
Newspaper Printing Factories. Abstract No. 64.
See Abstract No. 3137.
Osamura, K., and Nakanishi, Y.: Electrocardio-
graphic Studies on the Worker at a Storage Bat-
tery Manufacturing Plant. Abstract No. 65.
Nisino, S.: Treatment of the Lead Poisoned with
Ca-EDIA by Oral Administration. Abstract No. 66.
Horiuchi, K., Owada, K., Horiguchi, S., Nagao, Y.
Iwataki, H., Ueda, T., Hirayama, A., Wada, N.,
and Yuge, M. : Prevention and Treatment of In-
dustrial Lead Poisoning. (Report V): Effect of
Oral Administration of Ca-EDTA. Abstract No. 67.
Horiuchi, K. , Tamori, E., Okada, A., and Yuge, M. :
Reconsideration on the Distribution of Lead in.
the Body of Healthy Japanese. (Report I). Ab-
stract No. 115.
Horiuchi, K., Horiguchi, S., Nagao, Y., Okada, A.,
Yuge, M., and Wada, N.: Studies on the Fate of
Lead Introduced into the Body. (Report III).
Oral administration of RaD in guinea pigs. Ab-
stract No. 116.
Mori, A.: On Distribution of Lead in Erythrocyte
Constituents and Form of Lead Combination. Ab-
stract No. 117.
Yokohashi, G. : Experimental Studies on the Dis-
tribution of Lead in Blood. Abstract No. 118.
Sano, S., and Inoue, S.: Studies on the Distur-
bance of Hemoglobin Synthesis in Lead Poisoning.
(Report I): Studies on the Porphyrin Metabo-
lism. Abstract No. 119.
Nishio, K.: Effects of Lead Ions upon the Acti-
vity of Muscle Phosphorylase and Phosphoglucomu-
tase. Abstract No. 120.
Orita, Z.( and Harada, A.: Experimental Studies
on the Effect of Ca-EDTA upon Lead Poisoning.
(Report III). Abstract No. 121.
Sano, S., and Harada, A.: Experimental Studies on
the Effect of Vitamin B^2 upon Lead Poisoning.
(Report III). Abstract No. 122.
Fuji, T., Sakakibara, E., and Hisanari, M.: Stud-
ies on the Detoxicating Mechanism of Lead Poi-
soning. (Report IV). Abstract No. 123.
Ichinose, 0.: Studies on the Metabolism of Serum
Iron and Copper In Chronic Lead Poisoning. Ab-
stract No. 124.
Horiuchi, K., Horiguchi, S., Nagao, Y., Okada, A.,
Yuge, M., Wada, N., and Iwataki, N. Initial
Symptoms of Workers Exposed to Lead for the
First Time. (Report I). Abstract No. 125.
Tsuchiya, K., and Nishimura, M.: Effects of Para-
thyroid Function on Lead Poisoning. Abstract
No. 126.
Wakizaka, I.: Lead Poisoning and Pituitary-Adre-
nocortical Function, (Report III): Chronic
Lead Poisoning of Rats. Abstract No. 127.
Wakizaka, I.: Lead Poisoning and Pituitary-Adre-
nocortical Function. (Report IV): Lead Poison-
ing of Adrenalectomized Rats. Abstract No. 128.
Masukubo, M.: Experimental Studies on the Influ-
ence of Chronic Lead Poisoning on the Function
of Genital Organs of Female Albino Rats. Ab-
stract No. 129.
Sudo, Y.: Electrophoretic Studies on the Serum
Proteins of Workers Handling Lead, with Special
Reference to y-Globulin, Abstract No. 130.
Watanabe, G., and Fuse, T.: Behaviour of Fluores-
cyte in the Lead Poisoned. (Report I): On the
Fluorescyte Patterns in Experimentally Lead Poi-
soned Guinea Pigs. Abstract No. 131.
Wakizaka, I., and Nukada, A.: Starvation and Lead
Poisoning. Abstract No. 132.
Nagai, T., and Huse, T.: On the Blood Glutathione
Level in Experimentally Lead Poisoned Rabbits.
abstract No. 133.
Nishlyama, K., Ishizawa, S., Oshima, M., and Miya-
zaki, M.: Experimental Studies on the Lead Con-
tent of Hair. Abstract No. 134.
678 Joardar, S.N.D., and Baetjer, A.M. (Johns
Hopkins School Hyg. Pub. Health, Baltimore,
Md.): EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE
AND DEHYDRATION ON SUSCEPTIBILITY OF MICE
TO LEAD POISONING. Federation Proceedings
15:Abstract No. 326 (Mar.), 1956.
The majority of childhood Pb poisoning cases occur
in summer. In order to determine if high environ-
mental temperature and dehydration are responsible
for this seasonal distribution, mice were exposed
to 60°F, 72°F, and 95°F environmental temperatures
for 3 days before and 2 wk after injection with Pb.
The body temperature did not average more than
±1.5°C from normal. Dehydration was produced by
restricting water intake leading to a 12% loss of
body weight over a 3-day period preceding injection
and was maintained for 3 days after injection.
High temperature increased the mortality signifi-
cantly, hastened the onset of deaths and acceler-
ated the rate of dying when a solution of Pb ace-
tate, Na thiocyanate and Na citrate was injected
ip and when Pb acetate was injected iv. Tempera-
ture exerted no effect on mortality when Pb ace-
tate was administered ip, possibly because this
substance formed a precipitate in the peritoneal
cavity. Dehydration significantly increased mor-
tality at all temperatures and decreased the
latent period at high temperature when either of
the Pb solutions was injected ip. Exposure to
60°F had no significant effect on mortality but
deaths continued over a longer period. The
effects of high temperature cannot be explained
entirely on the basis of increased rate of ab-
sorption from the peritoneal cavity since similar
results followed iv injection; nor do the results
parallel body temperature and expected metabolic
changes. The marked effect of dehydration indi-
cates that rate of urinary excretion may be an
important factor. (From authors' abstract)
679 Kubistova, J. (Dept. Ind. Hyg. Occupation-
al Dis., Prague, Czechoslovakia): EFFECT
OF EDATHAMIL CALCIUM-DISODIUM ON LEAD ACE-
TATE INTOXICATION. OBSERVATIONS OF EFFECT
ON EXPERIMENTAL ACUTE LETHAL INTOXICATION
IN MICE. Archives of Industrial Health 13:
556-60 (June), 1956.
Female white mice, 7-8 wk old, were used in all
experiments. Acute Pb intoxication was induced by
injection of an aqueous solution of Pb acetate
(trihydrate) into the tail vein at a dose of 300
mg/kg. (The author notes that this dose, injected
rapidly, will cause death within a few seconds.
This can be prevented by decreasing the rate of
injection of the total volume of °X),3 ml ovei ^5
min.) The above dose caused an average mortality
of 67% in control animals, the 1st after 12 hr,
most on the 5th and 6th days, and the last after
Plants and Animals
115
-------
2 wk. The mortality varied from 50-91% in various
experiments performed from May 1954-Feb. 1955, and
permitted statistically significant conclusions
concerning the effect of CaNa2EDTA.
The toxicity of EDTA was first determined: LD5Q
was >2375 rag/kg iv and 7125 mg/kg ip. In Expt 1,
EDTA was administered to the mice 5 min after Pb
injection at a dose of 350 mg/kg iv, followed by
4 ip injections of 200 mg/kg at intervals of 3-5
hr. The total mortality rate in both the control
and EDTA mice (17/30 vs 11/30) was not statistic-
ally significant. In Expt 2, EDTA was given at
350 mg/kg 5 min after Pb; 7 injections of 300 mg/
kg were given at intervals of 4-5 hr during the
following night and day, and continued by daily
injection of 200 mg/kg ip for 7 days. A highly
significant improvement was observed: 13.4% mor-
tality among 15 experimental mice, and 81.4% among
20 controls. Expt 3 was similar except that the
1st dose of EDTA (200 mg/kg ip) was given 20 hr
after Pb. The results were also highly signifi-
cant: 5.8% mortality among 17 experimental mice,
and 56% among 16 controls. Two other experiments
were arranged similarly, but instead of ip injec-
tion, EDTA was administered sc; the results were
highly significant. In an additional experiment
according to the scheme recommended by Maison
(1953), 73 mg/kg EDTA given iv daily, and not >360
mg/kg weekly, were not effective.
The author concludes that it is clear that se-
vere Pb intoxication in experimental animals may
be dramatically improved by correct treatment with
EDTA. Failures and successes of variations in the
treatment showed that it is of greater importance
to continue the administration of EDTA than to be-
gin early with the treatment. It seems that the
drug does not exert its beneficial effect by sub-
stantially increasing Pb elimination from those
stores in the body that cause the symptoms and
deaths in acute poisoning, but rather that it is
effective predominantly by blocking the Pb that is
continually released from these stores into the
body fluids and by preventing it from reacting
with some sensitive tissue structures. Some of
the author's observations and those of others
tending to substantiate this hypothesis are dis-
cussed. Other experiments showed that sc admini-
stration is as effective as ip and that the omis-
sion of the massive dose at the beginning of the
medication or a considerable diminishing of the
doses greatly decreases the effectiveness of the
treatment. Experiments with chronic Pb poisoning
are in progress.
680 Kubistova, J. (Ustav Hyg. prace, Prague,
Czechoslovakia): (INFLUENCE OF CALCIUM
VERSENATE ON EXPERIMENTAL CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING IN ANIMALS.) Pracovni Lekarstvi
8:173-5, 1956; Chemical Abstracts 50:
15961, 1956.
See preceding abstract.
631 Loscalzo, B., and Maggio, M. (Univ.
Florence, Italy): Ripartizione del piombo
nei surreni di conigli intossicati con
piombo tetraetile e influenza su tale ri-
partizione di sostanze diverse (ormoni
corticosurrenali, CaEDTA, g-mercaptoetila-
mina). (DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN THE
SUPRARENALS OF RABBITS INTOXICATED WITH
LEAD TETRAETHYL AND THE INFLUENCE OF SOME
SUBSTANCES (CORTICO-SUPRARENAL HORMONES,
CaEDTA, 6-MERCAPTOETHYLAMINE) ON THIS
DISTRIBUTION.) Lavoro Umano 8:324-9,
1956.
The distribution of Pb in the adrenal glands was
investigated both in rabbits poisoned with TEL
(100 mg/kg/day for 2-6 days) and in poisoned rab-
bits treated with the following (in groups of 2-4
rabbits each): (1) cortisone, (2) desoxycorti-
costerone, (3) cortisone + 2, (4) CaEDTA at 500
mg/kg/day, (5) CaEDTA at 100 mg/kg/day, (6) B-
mercaptoethylamine iv and im. There was no re-
lation between TEL dosage used and Pb content of
the adrenals: 12.18-16.16 mg/100 g. Both B-mer-
captoethylamine and CaEDTA (110 mg/kg/day) were
unable to diminish the Pb contents. In rabbits
treated with adrenocortical hormones (especially
cortisone) or with CaEDTA (500 mg/kg/day) however,
the amount of Pb found in the adrenal glands was
less than that found in the organs of the controls
that died after the same periods of time: 3.86-
.10.16 mg/100 g.
682 Mclntosh, I.G. (Animal Res. Stat., Wal-
laceville, New Zealand): LEAD POISONING
IN ANIMALS. Veterinary Reviews and Anno-
tations 2, Pt. 1:57-60 (Apr.), 1956.
The author presents this review because Pb is a
much greater factor in the ill health and death
of a greater number of animals than has been pre-
viously realized. He also states that chemical
examination for Pb in animals having access to
this material or exhibiting cerebral symptoms is
important for furthering knowledge of Pb poison-
ing. (17 references)
683 Merville, R., Tuchmann, H., and Dequidt,
J. (Toxicol. Lab. Coll. Med. and Pharmacy,
Lille, France): Action de 1'Sthylene
diaminote'trace'tate de Ca et Na dans le
saturnisme experimental. (ACTION OF
CALCIUM-SODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE
IN EXPERIMENTAL SATURNISM.) The"rapie 11,
.to. 6:1187-a, 1956.
iwenty rats were injected for 5 days with 20 mg
Pb acetate/day; 10 of them were left alone, and
10 received daily for 5 further days 150 mg EDTA.
In another experiment, to study the protective
action of EDTA, 10 rats were injected daily for
4 days 40 mg Pb acetate, and 10 rats received
daily for 4 days 40 mg Pb acetate plus 2 injec-
tions of 150 mg EDTA. The following organs were
examined upon sacrifice: spleen, liver, adrenals,
kidneys, lymph nodes, hypophysis, muscle, ovaries,
blood, embryos, placenta. The results showed that
in the 1st experiment, Pb content increased by
215 and 43% in the livers and spleen in spite of
EDTA administration, and by 13 and 51% in the
kidneys and liver in the 2nd. In all other organs
the Pb content decreased by 6-84% after EDTA
whether administered therapeutically or simulta-
neously with Pb .
684 Mori, A. (Keio Univ., Japan): DISTRIBU-
TION AND STATE OF COMBINATION OF LEAD IN
BLOOD. Journal of Science of Labour (Ja-
pan) 32, No. 12:971-91, 1956.
116
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
A series of experiments was undertaken on the
binding of Pb in blood, in view of conflicting re-
ports by Behrens (1927), Teisinger (1935) , and
Koizumi (1926) concerning the reversibility of
combination. Particular attention was given to
the distribution and state of Pb in the internal
fluid and in the stroma of red cells. Four nor-
mal dogs were sacrificed, and Pb determinations
were made by the USPHS method. In order to dis-
tinguish the ionic and nonionic Pb, the Ross and
Lucas coprecipitation method was applied. The
chemical property of CaEDTA was utilized for the
estimation of the affinity of Pb for red cells.
The principal results obtained were as follows.
Disparities in the binding capacity of Pb were
evidenced in the blood of normal dogs, that of ex-
perimentally Pb-poisoned dogs, and in blood with
Pb added in vitro. There was much more Pb in the
red cells of normal dogs than in the plasma; also,
the greater proportion of firmly bound Pb that was
not released by hemolysis of the red cells, was
detected in the internal fluid of the red cells.
When Pb was added to the normal blood, it was re-
covered more easily from the red corpuscles than
from the plasma. The added Pb may not penetrate
into the internal fluid of the red cells, and even
if a little of it did invade, the combination was
very feeble and could be easily released by hemol-
ysis. The combination, accordingly, must be a
physical one which takes place on the surface of
the red cells. In the experimentally poisoned
dogs, Pb concentrations increased both in the red
cells and in the plasma, although the former con-
tained more Pb than the latter. The Pb found in
the internal fluid of the red cells indicated
stronger combination than shown in the normal
blood. This implies that the combination of Pb in
the fluid, including hemoglobin and to some extent
in the stroma of red cells, is stronger in the
case of Pb poisoning than when Pb is added to red
cells for a short time in vitro. CaEDTA became
PbEDTA only to a certain degree when the chemical
was added to red cells from Pb poisoned animals.
Of the Pb combined in vivo 40% was retained, but
not chelated even 12 hr after adding CaEDTA. On
the other hand, ^90% of the Pb combined in vitro
was released as PbEDTA 12 hr after adding CaEDTA.
Therefore, when a single injection of CaEDTA is
administered to a patient with Pb poisoning, only
a small proportion of Pb combining with the red
corpuscles would be released and excreted in the
urine. (From author's summary; 23 references)
685 Nagai, T., Huse, T., and Saikawa, S. (Univ.
Niigata School Med., Japan): ON THE CHANGE
OF BLOOD GLUTATHIONE LEVEL IN EXPERIMENTAL-
LY LEAD-POISONED RABBITS. Journal of Sci-
ence of Labour (Japan) 32:390-403 (May),
1956.
The authors investigated the change of blood glu-
tathione (B-GSH) level in rabbits with experimental
Pb poisoning caused by subcutaneous injections of
Pb acetate. As a rule the concentration of B-GSH
was found to be decreased in all poisoned animals.
To describe in detail, some rabbits (the 1st
group) died before B-GSH was thoroughly decreased
in amount, the moderately long surviving ones (2nd
group) showed appreciable decrease in amount of
B-GSH, and the long surviving (3rd group) consider-
able decrease of it. The fall of B-GSH level was
not only manifest, but also B-GSH level of corpus-
cles fell in the Pb anemia. Throughout every group
of rabbits the change of reticulocytes counted
simultaneously was just a mirror image of the change
of B-GSH level, and the correlation between them
was good, r being -0.557 (P <0.001). Liver gluta-
thione appeared to decrease, though different in
grades according to the difference of observation
times in each rabbit. Histopathological pattern
of liver principally represented chronic cholangel-
tis, and, moreover, atrophy and fatty degeneration
of parenchymal cells. As to the mechanism pro-
posed for the fall of B-GSH level, the following
4 circumstances would possibly be considered ! (a)
obstruction of GSH synthesis in liver, (b) in-
fringement on SH group by Pb as a heavy metal, (c)
as a phenomenon incidental to anemia, and (d) fi-
nally formation by the adrenal cortical hormone
of unknown substance, which poisons SH group.
(From authors' English summary)
686 Nakano, M: EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE
PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM WITH RADIOISOTOPE
p32. 2. PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM IN LEAD
POISONING. A. AN EXPERIMENT ON CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING. B. AN EXPERIMENT ON ACUTE
LEAD POISONING. Journal of the Osaka City
Medical Center 5:605-11; 612-24 (Nov.),
1956. In Contributions from the Depart-
ment of Preventive Medicine and Public
Health, Osaka City University Medical
School, Vol. 1, April 1949-March 1959, p.
35.
2A. When "p was injected iv into normal or Pb-
poisoned guinea pigs, urinary and fecal excretion
of 32p decreased less in the Pb-poisoned animals
than in the controls. It appears that the P me-
tabolism in the guinea pigs was somewhat disturbed
by the absorption of Pb.
2B. Na phosphate or physiological saline solu-
tion, containing labeled P, was administered iv to
acutely Pb-poisoned guinea pigs or to Pb-workers.
The affinity of 32P to the blood cells was lower
in the Pb-poisoned guinea pigs than in controls.
After administration of phosphate, the permeability
of 32p increased. In man, the permeability into
the blood cells of 32p administered as phosphate is
higher than that of physiological saline solution.
(From author's English summary)
687 National Academy of Sciences-National Re-
search Council, Division of Biology and
Agriculture: HANDBOOK OF TOXICOLOGY.
VOLUME I. ACUTE TOXICITIES OF SOLIDS,
LIQUIDS AND GASES TO LABORATORY ANIMALS.
Prepared under the Direction of the Com-
mittee on the Handbook of Biological Data,
edited by W.S. Spector. Philadelphia,
Saunders, 1956, 408 pp.
Lethal doses of Pb and its compounds are tabulated
on pp 174-9 under columns showing the species,
route, dose (LD, LD^Q etc), dosage, vehicle, time
of death, and references. The following com-
pounds, aside from Pb ion, are included: Pb ace-
tate, arsenate, carbonate, chloride, chromate,
dioxide, lactate, monoxide, nitrate, oleate, or-
thoarsenate, orthophosphate, oxide, (red) oxide,
silicate, stearate, sulfate, sulfide, tetraethyl.
Plants and Animals
117
-------
688 O'Moore, L.B.: LEAD POISONING IN CATTLE.
Irish Veterinary Journal 10:194-202, 1956.
The more sensitive and rapid methods of Pb estima-
tion have now made possible routine analysis of
postmortem and other specimens. Such analyses
show that the concentration of Pb is very much
greater in the kidney cortex than in other tis-
sues. Experimentally it was found possible to
produce Pb poisoning in 2 calves by administra-
tion of Pb acetate. One calf received 1600 g
over a period of 35 mo when it died without show-
ing typical symptoms of Pb poisoning. The second
calf received a total of 396 g over a period of 10
mo when it died with typical symptoms of acute Pb
poisoning. The intravenous injection of the che-
lating agent "Calcium versenate" (CaMa 2 EDTA) is
recommended as being the best method of treatment.
(From Veterinary Bulletin 27, Ho. 6-1377, 1957)
ggg Orita, J. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): EXPERI-
MENTAL STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF MONOCALCIUM
DISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE UPON
LEAD POISONING. Kokumin Eisei 25:22-55,
1956.
Rats or rabbits with Pb poisoning were treated
with CaNa2 ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA).
Oral administration of EDTA had a favorable effect
on urinary excretion of Pb but sometimes caused
diarrhea. No harmful effects were observed in
continued and prolonged intraperitoneal treatment.
EDTA caused a marked increase of urinary excretion
of Pb but had no influence on fecal excretion. It
had little influence on the mobilization of Pb
stored in bones. EDTA accelerated the increase of
the erythrocyte count and the hemoglobin level, and
the decrease in basophilic, polychromic erythro-
cyte, and reticulocyte counts. These reversals
are caused by a secondary action of EDTA. Admin-
istration of EDTA was followed by increased co-
proporphyrin excretion in urine. This increase
did not coincide with the increase of the hemo-
globin level which accompanied the increase of Pb
excretion. The increase of coproporphyrin excre-
tion was not accompanied by any clinical symptoms.
(From Chemical Abstracts 51:13185, 1957) •
590 Orita, J., Harada, A., and Hamami, T.
(Univ. Kyoto, Japan): VARIATION OF LEAD
LEVEL IN BLOOD AFTER INTRAVENOUS INJECTION
OF MONOCALCIUM-DISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE-
TETRAACETATE. Kokumin Eisei 25:130-2,
1956.
Administration of CaNa2EDTA to Pb-poisoned rabbits
caused high Pb level in blood in 1-2 hr, lower in
3^4 hr, increased again in ^6 hr then decreased
gradually. The mechanism of action of CaNa2EDTA
is explained in that CaNa2EDTA affects first the
Pb more easily liberated from the tissues, then it
works on the Pb more firmly combined with the tis-
sues. (From Chemical Abstracts 51:8992, 1957)
591 Orita, J., Harada, A., and Hamami, T.
(Univ. Kyoto, Japan): EXPERIMENTAL STUD-
IES ON THE EFFECT OF DICALCIUM ETHYLENEDI-
AMINETETRAACETATE UPON LEAD POISONING.
Kokumin Eisei 25:133-7, 1956.
Oral administration of Ca2EDTA or its CaNa2 salt
to Pb-poisoned rats caused an increased excretion
of Pb in urine, although this caused the rat to
develop hypocalcemia. (From Chemical Abstracts
51:8992, 1957)
592 Remy, R. (Inst. Physiol., Vet. Coll.,
Hannover, Germany): Tierexperimentelle
Untersuchungen zur Bleivergiftung. I.
Toxlkologie. II. Therapie und Prophylaxe.
(EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON LEAD POISONING
IN ANIMALS. I. TOXICOLOGY. II. THERAPY
AND PROPHYLAXIS.) Deutsche Tierarztliche
Wochenschrift 63:385-8; 405-8 (Oct. 1; 15),
1956.
Pb poisoning in man and animals is briefly review-
ed with special emphasis on hematological findings
in acute and chronic intoxication. In a study of
acute Pb poisoning in 2-3 kg rabbits, Pb acetate
was given iv on 3 successive days at levels of 2,
4, 6, 7, and 8 rag/kg, respectively. The 7 and 8
mg/kg dose levels of Pb acetate were uniformly
lethal and death occurred before there was pro-
nounced anemia. Anemia occurred at other dosage
levels, but was followed by recovery. It was not-
ed further that pure strain rabbits (Blue Vienna
and Angora) died at a Pb dosage of 5 mg/kg. Very
fat rabbits and growing rabbits also showed a low-
er tolerance to Pb acetate. A series of experi-
ments was also carried out on a large number of
150-g rats, employing ip injection of Pb acetate
after it was found that such injections did not
cause local inflammation. Rats receiving Pb ace-
tate at 150 mg/kg in 1 injection died within 24
hr; of those receiving Pb acetate at 50 mg/kg,
none died. In the last group a repeat dose after
several days produced no deaths, but further in-
jections to a total of 200 mg of Pb produced death
regularly. In another group of rats given Pb ace-
tate injections of 15 mg/kg at regular intervals
for 2 mo, practically all animals were alive after
reaching a total dosage of 360 mg. Further, these
subacutely poisoned rats now uniformly withstood
a 100 mg/kg dose of Pb acetate with no deaths, and
4 days later they again tolerated a further 100
mg/kg but 40% of them died within 10 days. The
remainder outlived the research period and thus
tolerated a total Pb acetate dosage of 560 mg/kg.
These findings are discussed with reference to
hemoglobin and nucleoprotein synthesis and hemo-
poiesis, and the interference of Pb in these sys-
tems is postulated as being mediated through folic-
folinic acid and vitamin B, --containing enzymes.
II. Large doses of Vitamin B-j^» folic acid, or
liver extract helped retard or prevent the appear-
ance of anemia in animals acutely poisoned with Pb,
but had no beneficial effect in chronic Pb poison-
ing. Cysteine, given iv, was beneficial in acute
Pb poisoning but not in subacute poisoning; cystine
was ineffective in either case. Oral methionine
(30-40 mg/kg) effectively retarded or prevented
the onset of anemia, but was ineffective in re-
ducing skeletal deposition of Pb. BAL was com-
pletely ineffective. For animals poisoned acutely
with Pb, a complete protein hydrolyzate plus vi-
tamin Bjo injection gave better protection against
anemia than either material alone. Oral or in-
jected methionine alone was also inferior to the
mixture in its protection against anemia. Ascorbic
acid was an equally effective preventive of Pb-
induced anemia of dogs but was ineffective in rats
for acute and subacute poisoning. As to CaNa2-
118
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
EDTA treatment, 33 rats were poisoned by Ip in-
jections of Pb acetate, 35 mg/kg, every 4 days to
a total of 315 mg. At the same time, EDTA was
given by esophageal tube to 17 of these animals 6
times/wk in doses of 294 mg/kg to a total of 7938
mg/kg. The remaining 16 rats served as controls:
80% died and the remainder showed severe poisoning
symptoms. All the EDTA-treated rats lived', and
seemed well. For the controls, the reticulocyte
curves were from 2-3 times normal, but the treated
rats had essentially normal curves. This may in-
dicate prevention of bone-marrow damage. It is
concluded that the EDTA is effective prophylacti-
cally against Pb poisoning as well as for acute,
subacute, and chronic Pb poisoning. Oral EDTA
and methionine are suggested for chronic Pb poi-
soning. (62 references)
693 Rieders, F., and Copeland, J.E. (Jefferson
Med. Coll., Philadelphia, Pa.): INHIBITION
OF ACCUMULATION OF CHRONICALLY INGESTED
LEAD IN RATS BY SIMULTANEOUS FEEDING OF
EDATHAMIL CALCIUM DISODIUM (Na-CaEDTA).
Federation Proceedings 15:Abstract No. 1541
(Mar.), 1956.
Two groups of weanling Sherman albino rats were
used. Group 1 received a diet containing 2 ppm Pb,
incorporated into food and drinking water as Pb
acetate. The diet of group 2 contained 760 ppm
Na2CaEDTA and 3 ppm Pb, this additional ppm of Pb
originating as an impurity from the Na2CaEDTA. The
animals were maintained on the respective diets for
38 wk with no gross or hematological ill effects.
Then, 10 males and 10 females from each of the 2
groups were killed by chloroforming. Stomach, in-
testine, skin and tail were removed and discarded.
The entire remainder of each animal was digested
and analyzed for its Pb content by a dithizone
method. The Pb contents of the animals were as
follows: (values are given in mg/100 g; means and
standard deviations are reported) Group 1, males,
0.049 + 0.025; females, 0.054 + 0.028; Group 2,
males, 0.020 + 0.008; females, 0.028 + 0.011. Ac-
cumulation of Pb in the course of its ingestion by
rats is significantly diminished by the simulta-
neous ingestion of Na.CaEDTA. (From author's
abstract)
694 Skripnichenko, Z.M. (V.P. Filatov Ukrai-
nian Inst. of Eye diseases, USSR): Eks-
perimental'nye dannye o vliyanii tetra-
etilsvintsa na regulyatsiyu vnutriglazno-
go davleniya. (EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGA-
TIONS ON THE EFFECT OF TETRAETHYL LEAD ON
THE REGULATION OF THE INTRAOCULAR PRES-
SURE.) Oftal'mologicheskii Zhurnal 11:
143-48, 1956.
Rabbits, 6-8 mo old and weighing 2-2.5 kg, were
injected sc daily or every 2 days with TEL, dis-
solved in oil, at the rate of 0.05 ml/kg body
weight. The animals became agitated after the
first few injections, some developed tremors and
convulsions and 17 of 20 rabbits died within 10
days. The intraocular pressure was lowered in 2
and raised in 2 other rabbits. In another test 10
rabbits were injected every 3rd day for 30 times
with 0.02 ml of ethyl fluid/kg body weight and 3
survivors of the 1st series received each 5 in-
jections of 0.05 ml/kg weight and after a rest
period of 19 days 30 injections of 0.02 ml/kg
each. Three of the 13 animals died after 9-18
injections, 4 after 30 injections and the remain-
ing 6 were observed for 3.5 more mo. In 8 of the
13 rabbits the intraocular pressure rose from a
preexperimental range of 15.5-22.3 mm to 33.0-
36.3 mm. The average daily fluctuations of the
intraocular pressure before the experiment was
3.7 mm for either eye. During the period of in-
jections this fluctuation increased to 10.9 and
10.7 mm for the right and left eye, respectively,
while after the test the average fluctuation for
5 surviving rabbits was 3.4 and 2.4 mm, respec-
tively. (13 references)
695 Stevens, C.D., Feldhake, C.J., and Kehoe,
R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): ISOLATION
FROM LIVER OF TETRAETHYLLEAD AFTER ITS
INHALATION. Journal of Pharmacology and
Experimental Therapeutics 117:420-4 (Aug.),
1956.
A qualitative analytical method specific for TEL
was developed and applied to analysis of liver
tissues of rats exposed to TEL, to clarify the
problems of certain potential defects in the ana-
lytical technics of those who assumed to have ob-
tained TEL as a volatile material from certain
tissues of subjects intoxicated with TEL. The
method, based on extraction of TEL by pentane,
concentrated by low temperature vacuum distilla-
tion, and identified by infrared spectra and Pb
analyses, is described and results are discussed
in detail. The possibility that the tissues con-
tained triethyl Pb and diethyl Pb was ruled out.
TEL was shown to be present in liver tissues of
rats which had inhaled TEL vapor. No homologs
containing methyl groups were detected in the
concentrates.
696 Stewart, W.L., and Allcroft, R.: LAMENESJ
AND POOR THRIVING IN LAMBS ON FARMS IN OLD
LEAD MINING AREAS IN THE PENNINES. I.
FIELD INVESTIGATIONS. Vet. Record 68:723-
8, 1956.
The disorder, in young Swaledale lambs, is char-
acterized by a specific locomotor disability and
is confined to flocks grazing near old Pb mines.
The history and symptoms are described. Pb values
for blood, tissues and feces of affected lambs
were abnormally high, as were those of herbage
samples from affected areas, although symptoms
typical of acute Pb poisoning were never observed
and most affected lambs recovered spontaneously.
Breeding ewes on affected farms remained clinical-
ly healthy. Blood Pb concentrations of ewes and
their newborn lambs were similar, but within 3-5
wk those of the lambs were double those of the
ewes. Clinical symptoms, however, were not always
associated with high blood Pb levels . Growth and
development were much poorer in lambs from an af-
fected area than in lambs from a healthy farm.
Although these results suggest that absorption of
abnormal amounts of Pb is associated with the
occurrence of the disorder, other possible factors
cannot be ruled out. (From Veterinary Bulletin
27:Abstr. 236, 1957)
697 Stychinskaya, M.I.: THE THERAPY OF PA-
TIENTS HAVING LEAD POISONING. Trudy Inst.
Plants and Animals
119
-------
Kraevoi Patol., Akad. Nauk Kazakh. SSR
4:128-39, 1956.
Experiments were performed with Pb-poisoned rab-
bits. After anemia developed, pentoxyl was admin-
istered per os in a 10% solution at doses of 0.01-
O.OJ5 g/kg for 20-30 days. The hemoglobin percent
increased, as did the number of erythrocytes;
basophilic stippling vanished from the peripheral
blood, and the number of reticulocytes was re-
duced. The simultaneous administration of pen-
toxyl with the Pb for 20 days changed the blood
picture to a lesser degree. It is suggested that
pentoxyl stimulated and normalized the function-
ing of the bone marrow. (From Chemical Abstracts
51:18315, 1957)
£98 SUmegi, I., Goreczky, L., and Rdth, I.
(3rd Dept. Internal Dis. Hungarian State
Railway's Hosp., Budapest): MORPHOLOGICAL
DATA ON QUANTITATIVE CHANGES IN THE NORMAL
ANTIBODIES OF THE SERUM IN LEAD POISONING.
Acta Morphologica Academiae Scientiarum
Hungaricae 7:183-97, 1956.
In order to establish the possibility of demon-
strating objective morphologic changes in the ner-
vous system in addition to and parallel with the
phenomena presenting themselves under the changed
immunobiological conditions of Pb poisoning, 1 ml/
kg body weight of 2% Pb acetate was injected intra-
veneously into rabbits. This was repeated every
2nd day for 8-10 days. Up to 4000 ug of porphyrin
appeared (largely coproporphyrin III). Animals
also developed anemia and low erythrocyte counts
and hemoglobin levels. Intense porphyrin fluores-
cence was observed in the kidneys, liver, and other
organs. In the experiments with porphyrin, injec-
tion of 2.5 ml of 0.1% hematoporphyrin (2500 yg)/kg
body weight produced similar immunobiologic changes.
(53 references)
599 SUmegi, I., Goreczky, L., and Roth, I.:
(MORPHOLOGICAL DATA ON THE QUANTITATIVE
CHANGES IN PROTECTIVE SUBSTANCES OF THE
SERUM IN LEAD POISONING.) Kiserletes
Orvostudomany 8, No. 4:428-38, 1956.
700 Taddei, I., and Bianchini, M. : (PLASMA
PROTEINS AS CARRIERS OF HEAVY METALS.
ELECTROPHORETIC INVESTIGATIONS WITH LEAD
AND MERCURY SALTS.) Atti accad. fisiocrit.
Siena, Sez. med.-fis. 3:41-6, 1956.
The electrophoretic separation and microchemical
analysis of serum of rabbits injected with Pb ni-
trate or Hg chloride showed that Pb circulates in
vivo bound to albumin and ai- and a2~globulins
and possibly to a lipoprotein fraction; Hg was
bound only to albumins. (From Chemical Abstracts
51:14865, 1957)
701 Teuchmann, J.K. (Centralny Inst. Ochrony
Pracy, Warsaw, Poland): (COMPARATIVE EX-
PERIMENTS ON LEAD POISONING OF ANIMALS
PLACED IN A PRINTING SHOP.) Prace Central-
nego Inst. Ochrony Pracy 6, No. 1(17):l-6,
1956.
Ninety guinea pigs were kept for a year in various
places in a printing shop in which the air con-
tained Pb (0.03-0.22 mg/m3). The weights, Pb con-
tents in blood, roentgenograms of bones, and ana-
tomic histopathological tests were compared with
10 control animals. In general the animals were
in good health. Some changes were found in the
organs of vision. The accepted toxicity level of
0.03 mg% of Pb in blood was concluded to be too
low. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:7434, 1959)
702 Ungher, J., iirosteanu, R. , Nestianu, V.,
Lillis, M. , Moscovici, B., and Pompilian,
V. ("I.P. Pavlov" Inst. Neurol. K.P.R.
Acad., Romania): Cercetari electroencefa-
lografice pe animale intoxicate cu plumb.
(ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC RESEARCH ON ANI-
MALS WITH LEAD POISONING.) Comunicarile
Academiei Republicii Populare Romine 6:
1033-43, 1956.
Dogs were administered 2 mg Pb acetate/kg/day to
produce chronic poisoning; 0.5% solutions were
used. The electroencephalograms (EEC) were regis-
tered once a week, prior to and after the adminis-
tration of Pb. No linear progression was ob-
served, rather a cycle, ie the animals became
worse, then showed improvement, in spite of the
fact that the administration of Pb continued in
the same manner. Four phases could be distin-
guished. In the 1st, during the 1st 2 or 3 wk of
poisoning, slow theta and delta waves were noted.
the biocurrents showed reduced amplitude, inter-
mittent light did not stimulate. The dogs were
excited. In this phase the cerebral matter comes
for the 1st time into contact with Pb. In the 2nd
phase, during the 4th-8th wk, the EEC's improved
but they showed spindles, ie, an inhibition had
set in. After the Pb dose the light stimuli were
much more effective than before. The dogs were
quieter now, they became adapted to Pb. In the
3rd phase the compensation mechanisms were over-
stepped, the EEC's became worse again; epileptic
tracings were noted. The dogs were obviously ill;
they vomited a lot, and showed bloody scars on the
skin. The 4th phase was coma preceding death, the
tracings in the EEG were very flat.
703 Yamaguchi, S., and Katsuya, K.: (METABO-
LISM OF LEAD ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE.
I. METABOLISM OF LEAD ETHYLENEDIAMINE-
TETRAACETATE GIVEN BY INTRAVENOUS INJEC-
TION.) Igaky To Seibutsugaku 40:234-8,
1956.
Rabbits were treated with various amounts of Pb
ethylenediaminetetraacetate by intravenous injec-
tion in a single dose or in multiple doses. Ap-
proximately 88% of Pb administered was excreted in
the urine within 3 hr and 99% in 9 hr. Very
little Pb was found in the feces. A small but
distinct amount of Pb was deposited in the organs
after repeated administration of PbEDTA, amounting
as high as 1250 ug% in the liver and 146 yg% in
the kidney. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:7530,
1958)
1957
704 Ambanelli, U., and Salvi, G. (Univ.
Parma, Italy): Azione comparata della
beta mercaptoetilamina e del sale disodico
calcico dell'acido etilendiaminotetraceti-
co sulla intossicazione sperimentale da
piombo tetraetile. (COMPARISON OF g-MER-
120
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
CAPTOETHYLAMINE AND THE DISODIUM SALT OF
CALCIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE IN
TETRAETHYLLEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 40:350-73, 1957.
g-Mercaptoethylamine showed in rabbits poisoned
acutely with TEL (by inhalation exposure) a pro-
tective action manifested by prevention of death
and increased urinary excretion of Pb. Although
CaNa2EDTA increased the urinary excretion it
failed to protect against death and rather accel-
erated the onset of toxic signs. In subacute
poisoning over a prolonged time the results were
variable and did not permit a definite statement
as to the value of either treatment.
In order to study certain obscurities surround-
ing TEL poisoning, the authors determined the Pb
content of the kidneys, lungs, liver, urain, and
heart of a number of rabbits both by the dithizone
(Bambach and Winter) and the polarographic meth-
ods. Certain differences in results were found,
which were attributed to analytical errors. They
found also that the Pb contents varied as to the
time death occurred. The sooner death occurred,
the greater were Pb contents, regardless of dura-
tion and intensity of exposure. In the organs of
a worker who died 6 days after onset of poisoning
in spite of treatment with the chelating agent,
the following amounts of Pb were found: brain
11.63 mg, liver 20.6, kidneys 1.26, lungs 4.05,
stomach (in 26.2 g of fresh tissue) 248.12 yg.
(19 references)
705 Atchabarov, B.A., and Makashev, K.K.:
(THE FATE OF LEAD IN THE ORGANISM.) Trudy
Inst. Kraevoi Patol., Akad. Nauk Kazakh
SSR 4:5-21, 1956.
The absorption and distribution of Pb by the or-
ganism was tested on 99 white rats using radio-
active isotope of Pb (ThB) which was administered
intravenously, subcutaneously, and intragastrical-
ly in doses of 50-200 x 10^ impulses/min. The
rate of Pb absorption by the organism and its dis-
tribution among the tissue organs varied greatly.
If administered once/os, Pb was completely ab-
sorbed within 2-4 hr; if administered repeatedly
to the point of appearance of chronic poisoning,
Pb absorption became progressively slower. The
same was true of Pb repeatedly administered sub-
cutaneously. Two to 2.5% of the Pb was eliminated
in 24 hr via the urine and 0.3-20% via the feces.
(From Referat. Zhur. Khim., Biol. Khim. 1957, No.
14516; Chemical Abstracts 51:18315, 1957)
706 Bersin, T., MUller, A., and Schwarz, H.
(St. Gallen, Switzerland): Zur pharmakol-
ogischen Wirkung einiger anorganisch-
organischer Komplexverbindungen. (PHARMA-
COLOGICAL ACTION OF SOME INORGANIC-ORGANIC
COMPLEX COMPOUNDS.) Archives of Biochem-
istry and Biophysics 69:507-13, 1957.
A number of EDTA salts were prepared. CaNa2EDTA,
orally administered to growing albino mice, was
somewhat better tolerated than C32EDTA. However,
the author himself took 0.3 g Ca2EDTA/24 hr for 3
mo and tolerated the drug well. Ca2EDTA is used
in the prophylaxis of Pb poisoning. The LDgg'5
(g/kg) for albino mice iv were as follows: CaMg-
EDTA 1.87; MgNa2EDTA 0.124, BiNaEDTA 0.075. Al-
bino mice injected iv with 1.616 CaMgEDTA became
unconscious for some hours but recovered complete-
ly. Piperazine CaEDTA is used as vermicide. Au-
thors conclude that the pharmacological effect is
produced by the entire EDTA molecule.
7Q/ Bessis, M., and Breton-Gorius, J. (Natl.
Blood Transfusion Center, France): Gran-
ules ferrugineux dans les cellules macro-
phages et les erythrocytes au cours du
saturnisme experimental. Examen du micro-
scope electronique. (FERRUGINOUS GRANULES
IN THE HACROPHAGES AND ERYTHROCYTES IN EX-
PERIMENTAL SATURNISM; EXAMINATION WITH THE
ELECTRON MICROSCOPE.) Comptes Rendus des
Seances de la Societe de Biologie et de
ses Filiales 151, No. 2:275-6, 1957.
Adult rats received 3 intraperitoneal injections
of 0.2 ml Pb acetate (8 g%) and were sacrificed 3
wk later. Blood and spleen were prepared for ex-
amination by electron microscope (Hoffman et al,
1956). The erythrocytes contained large numbers
of granules of a nonhemoglobin Fe complex 40-100A
diameter. These granules were also present in
very large amounts in the macrophages of the
spleen.
708 Bessis, M., and Breton-Gorius, J.: (ELEC-
TRON MICROSCOPE STUDY OF THE BLOOD AND
HEMATOPOIETIC ORGANS IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD
POISONING. IRON CYCLE INTERPRETED.) Path-
ol. et biol., Semaine hop. 5:411-28, 1957.
Electron microscopic studies were made on rats in-
jected intraperitoneally with several 0.5-ml doses
of 8% Pb subacetate and sacrificed thereafter at
intervals. Granulations of 20-50 Fe atoms (50 A.
diam.) surrounded by protein of high molecular
weight were found in the erythrocvtes.
The Fe is collected by pinocvtosis during the
erythroblast stage in the bone marroxv. The Fe is
also laid down in cytoplasmic structures without
hemoglobin, producing the basophilic punctations
characteristic of Pb poisoning. The spleen is
overrun with macrophages containing much Fe from
phagocytosis of red cells. The Fe-containing
masses in the macrophages vary greatly in size,
from small to very large. The results show that
the mechanism of Pb poisoning is either an inhibi-
tion or a disruption of synthetic processes in the
red cells. Although the red cells contain much Fe
in an abnormal form, the amounts of hemoglobin
(containing Fe) are much lower than in normal red
cells. (22 references.) (From Chemical Abstracts
54:15717, 1960)
7Q9 Bessis, M., and Breton-Gorius, J.: Etude
au microscope electronique des granula-
tions ferrugineuses des erythrocytes nor-
maux et pathologiques. Anemies hemoly-
tiques, hemoglobinopathies, saturnisme.
(ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDY OF FERRUGINOUS
GRANULATIONS OF NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL
ERYTHROCYTES ; HEMOLYTIC ANF.MIAS ; HEMOGLO-
BIN, DISORDERS; SATURNISM.) Revue d'Hema-
tologie (Paris) 12, No. 1:43-63, 1957.
Erythroblasts and certain normal or pathologic
erythrocytes contain ferruginous granules which
form visible plaques upon staining with Prussian
blue. In the course of cellular maturation the
granules scatter and consolidate as though partic-
Plants and Animals
121
-------
ipating in the genesis of the hemoglobin molecule.
These ferruginous granules arise from the lysis
of reticular cells which in turn have recovered
them from phagocytized red cells, the Fe having
been extracted from hemoglobin. They were seen
in cases of thalassemia and in rats poisoned by
Pb. (From Archives des Maladies Professionnelles
de Medicine du Travail et de Se'curite Sociale 18,
No. 6:812 (Abstracts), 1957)
710 Biondi, S. (Italy): USE OF SERUM-ALBU-
MINS IN KERATINIZED CAPSULES IN THE PRE-
VENTION OF SATURNISM. In XII Internation-
al Congress on Occupational Health, Hel-
sinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. II, Summaries,
pp. 79-80.
See Abstract No. 829.
711 Caccuri, S., Pecora, L., Fati, S., and
Vecchione, C. (Italy): RESEARCHES ON THE
PORPHYRINOGENESIS IN THE LEAD-POISONING.
In XII International Congress on Occupa-
tional Health, Helsinki, Finland, 1957,
Vol. II, Summaries, p. 52.
See Abstract No. 779.
712 Candela, R.R., Dehesa, G., and Candela,
J.L.R.: (TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL ACUTE
INTOXICATION WITH LEAD. II. EFFECT OF
CALCIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE.) Med.
y seguridad trabajo 5, No. 20:24-8, 1957.
Pb excretion in the urine of poisoned white rats
increased three-fold after treatment with CaEDTA
(From Chemical Abstracts 53:2472, 1959)
713 Cordy, D.R. (Univ. California, Davis):
OSTEODYSTROPHIA FIBROSA ACCOMPANIED BY
VISCERAL ACCUMULATION OF LEAD. Cornell
Veterinarian 47:480-90 (Oct.), 1957.
Three cases of osteodystrophia fibrosa in growing
baboons were described and differentiated from
other bone diseases. An abnormal Ca-to-P ratio in
the diet, similar to that observed in horses with
the condition, was found. Low renal levels of Pb
with accompanying inclusion bodies were an inci-
dental finding. It is thought that the accumula-
tion of Pb was not significantly related to the
bone disease since no heavy deposition appeared in
bone radiography, anemia was not observed, and no
disturbances specifically referable to Pb toxico-
sis were seen. The baboons may have obtained the
Pb as paint or as spray on fruit. (19 references)
714 Dhar, D.C. (Central Drug Res. Inst.,
Lucknow, India): STUDIES ON ANAEMIA:
PART V - CHANGES IN PROTEIN COMPOSITION OF
BLOOD IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD ANAEMIA. Jour-
nal of Scientific and Industrial Research
(India) 16C:123-6, 1957.
The results of studies of electrophoretic and
chemical fractionation of the blood proteins of
albino rabbits before and after anemia are re-
ported. Albino rabbits weighing between 1.2 and
1.5 kg and maintained on a diet of water ad lib,
carrots, green leaves, and bran were used in this
investigation. After studying the normal protein
distribution of these rabbits, anemia was produced
in them by the administration of 3 iv injections
of 2% Pb solution (6 mg/kg body weight) given on
successive days. In the Pb-anemic rabbit an in-
crease in plasma protein concentration was obser-
ved. This result was explained on the basis that
a drop in albumin and a corresponding rise in
globulin concentration had occurred.
715 Di Maggio, G. (Inst. Pharmacol. Exptl.
Therap., Univ. Catania, Italy): II metile-
sculetolo quale fattore protettivo nell'-
avvelenamento da piombo. (METHYLESCULETOL
AS A PROTECTIVE FACTOR IN LEAD POISONING.)
Biochimica Applicata 4:149-56, 1957.
In groups of rats (1) controls, (2) given 50 mg Pb
acetate/100 g orally, (3) given 2 mg methylescule-
tol/100 g daily, and (4) treated with both Pb and
methylesculetol, the body weight (within 30 days)
changed by +9.7, -6.6, -2.2, and +5.1%, respec-
tively, and liver weight (fresh) to 5.420, 5.940,
4.980, and 5.110 g (water 63.92, 67.03, 72.55, and
68.13%), with the following contents: free choles-
terol, 0.40, 0.84, 1.44, and 0.56% (dry basis);
esterfied cholesterol, 0.91, 1.16, 0.80, and 0.45%;
cholesterol esters, 1.68, 2.14, 1.48, and 0.84%;
cholesterol ester soaps, 0.77, 0.98, 0.68, and
0.39%; neutral fat soaps,1.11, 1,26, 2.44, and
1.00%; free soaps, 0.92, 0.30, 3.22, and 1.72%;
phosphatide soaps 3.34, 1.93, 1.71, and 1.67%;
phosphatides (as distearinyllecithin), 5.31, 3.07,
2.72, and 2.66%; total lipides, 9.42, /.61, 11.20,
and 7.78 g % (dry basis); glycogen (as glucose),
2.040, 0.840, 0.530, and 1.560 g % (fresh basis).
The author concludes that methylesculetol exerts
a protective action in Pb poisoning.
716 Durbin, P.W., Scott, K.G., and Hamilton,
J.C.: THE DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOISOTOPES
OF SOME HEAVY METALS IN THE RAT. Univer-
sity of California Publications in Pharma-
cology 3, No. 1:1-34, 1957.
A summary is presented of data on the biological
half times and the principal deposition sites of
18 heavy metals in mature rats (Sprague-Dawley,
Curtis-Dunning, and Slonaker strains). Radio-
isotopes were administered orally, im, or iv in
neutral isotonic saline or Na citrate. Data are
included on the following elements: Cd, Hg, In,
Tl, Sn, Pb, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Tc, Re, Ru, Os, Rh,
Ir, Pd, and Pt.
Pb was among the metals that were characterized
by relatively slow absorption from an im site un-
less given with a coinplexing agent, transient re-
tention in liver and kidney, and prolonged re-
tention in the skeleton. In the U.C. studies,
using 203pD iv, on the 1st day, liver, kidney,
blood, and bone contained 55% of the administer-
ed dose; 28% had been excreted in the urine and
feces. By the 6th day most of the Pb in the soft
tissues had been eliminated (in the feces), where-
as the skeletal Pb remained the same as the 1st
day. Given orally, CaEDTA had no effect on the
distribution of radio Pb in either soft tissue or
skeleton, and failed to augment its excretion sig-
nificantly. (103 references)
717 Dutkiewicz, T., Paluch, J., and Neuhorn,
U.: Porownanie toksycznego dziaXania
olowiu zawartego w szkliwach ceramicznych
wysokoi niskooZowiowych. (COMPARISON OF
TOXIC ACTION OF HIGH AND LOW LEAD LEVEL
122
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
CERAMICS.) Medycyna Pracy 8, No. 6:389-98,
1957.
In order to compare the toxicity of Pb compounds
in high level glazes (57% PbO) and in low Pb level
glazes (10% PbO), 2 groups of rabbits were given
equal amounts of both sorts of glaze intratraehe-
ally, 15 and 16 mg Pb/kg of weight respectively.
Lead excretion in urine and its deposition in the
tissues, as well as histopathologic examination,
showed that both the absorption and the toxic ac-
tion of Pb compounds in these 2 kinds of glaze are
identical. The solubility in acids of Pb com-
pounds present in the glazes is no criterion for
evaluation of their toxic action when absorbed by
way of the respiratory tract. (From Excerpta
Medica Sect. XVII, 5, No. 1:226, 1959)
718 Fabre, R., and Girault, M.: Contribution
a 1'etude de 1'action des toxiques sur
1'embryon de poulet. Application au cas
du plomb. (EFFECTS OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES ON
THE CHICK EMBRYO. EFFECTS OF LEAD.)
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Stances
de 1'Academic des Sciences 244:535-8,1957.
The vitellin sacs of chick embryos were injected
with 0.1 ml of Pb acetate and the effect on the
development studied. If injection was performed
before the embryo was 3 days old it died; after
10 days no effects were noted. Injection on the
5th day caused 50% mortality. The survivors were
stunted, had general atrophy of the encephalic
block with necrotic zones occupied by macrophages,
and an abnormal astrocyte density. The cranium
was abnormally distended by a liquid consisting
of protein (6-8 g/1), albumins and a-and g-globu-
lins.
719 Formijne, P., and Lehr, C.F.G., with the
technical assistance of Linschoten, J.
(Univ. Amsterdam, The Netherlands): EF-
FECTS OF COMBINED ADMINISTRATION OF LEAD
CARBONATE AND ALLYLISOPROPYLACETYLCARBA-
fflDE ON PORPHYRIN EXCRETION IN THE RABBIT.
Koninklijke Nederlands e Akademie van Weten-
schappen, Proceedings, Series C 60, No. 4:
531-6, 1957.
Male and female rabbits, 2.5-5 kg weight, pre-
experimentally excreted daily 0-50 yg of copropor-
phyrin (CP); both uroporphyrin (UP) and porphobil-
inogen (PEG), were absent in all animals. Two out
of 14 rabbits were given 200 mg of Pb carbonate/
kg/day, mixed with food; 12 rabbits were given the
same dose of "Sedormid" (allylisopropylacetylcar-
bamide). (Administration of "Sedormid" (allyliso-
propylacetylcarbamide) causes intense excretion of
porphyrins in the rabbit.) After a period of 17-
42 days, 5 of the sedormid rabbits received ad-
ditionally Pb carbonate. Administration of Pb
carbonate alone increased the excretion of CP (even
though it was irregular and slow; the peak was
reached on the 14th-17th day) and caused a slight
excretion of PEG. Sedormid alone produced a mark-
ed excretion of porphyrins and PEG in 5 of 12 rab-
bits. Subsequent combined administration of
sedormid and Pb carbonate in these 5 rabbits de-
creased the excretion of UP and PEG in all, though
in different degrees. Excretion of CP was not
changed significantly by addition of Pb carbonate
in 4 animals while one showed a marked increase.
The results suggested to the authors that Pb can
inhibit to some extent the formation of PEG and UP
in the sedormid rabbit, which could be explained
by an inhibitory effect of Pb on CP formation in
the liver, while the effect of Pb on the bone
marrow is responsible for the main CP excretion
during the administration of Pb + sedormid.
720 Goreczky, L., Roth, I., Stlmegi, I., and
Vajda, G. (Hungarian State Highways, Buda-
pest): IMMUNOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE SERUM
IN ACUTE LEAD POISONING. Schweizerische
Zeitschrift fUr Allgemeine Pathologic und
Bakteriologie 20:459-69, 1957.
Rabbits (2.5-3 kg) were injected intravenously
with 20 mg Pb acetate/kg (2% aqueous solution).
Tests with rat leukocytes, Micrococcus pyogenes
var. aureus, and Salmonella typhosa showed that
the opsonic activity of the serum was increased
36.7 I 16.5 and 59.5 ± 22.8% at 6 and 24 hr, re-
spectively, after the Pb injection. At the same
times, the bactericidal activity against Micro-
coccus pyogenes var. aureus and Salmonella typhosa
of the serum was decreased 27.4 i 16.6 and 52.5 -
21.8%, and the complement titer was 0.40 and 0.38
(normal 0.48). It was assumed that the porphyrin
which formed was involved in the actions of Micro-
coccus pyogenes var. aureus, and 2.5 mg hemopor-
phyrin/kg was injected into another set of ani-
mals. The changes in the above tests were of the
same order of magnitude but slightly less than
with the Pb injections. (37 references.)
721 Gorsheleva, L.S.: THE ULTRAPARADOXICAL
PHASE DURING RESEARCHES ON CONDITIONED
MOTOR REFLEXES IN WHITE RATS UNDER THE
INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS INTOXICATIONS. In
Works of the Institute of Higher Nervous
Activity, Pathological Series, Volume III.
Experimental Investigations Into Disorders
of the Higher Nervous Activity of Animals
Under Intoxications and Infections, and
Search for a Pathogenetically Based Ther-
apy. Moscow Academy of Sciences of the
USSR, 1957. Translated by M. Paenson,
A. Peters, Z. Lothan, and Z.S. Cole.
Washington, D.C., National Science Founda-
tion. U.S. Department of Commerce, Office
of Technical Services, OTS 60-21086,
1960, pp. 76-87.
Eleven white rats were tested for their conditioned
alimentary motor reflexes; 6 were found to be of
the strong balanced type of nervous system and 5
belonged to the weak type. The animals were in-
jected sc with a 0.06 oil solution of TEL/kg body
weight (sic). Responses of 3 individual rats are
singled out and charted in 3 tables. One of them,
after showing completely appropriate motor reac-
tions before TEL injection, changed its behavior
suddenly on the 4th day. The 2nd rat displayed
the same ultraparadoxical phase as the 1st one on
the 14th day and the 3rd rat disclosed on the 22nd
day of intoxication phenomena of completely inhi-
bitory and ultraparadoxical phases. Results of
the experiment thus showed that the period of TEL
intoxication is marked by several features: where-
as the animals rushed to the food box and stub-
bornly looked for food in response to the inhi-
bitory stimulus (differentiation), in response
Plants and Animals
123
-------
to the positive stimulus they not only did not
manifest any positive motor reaction nor run to-
wards the food box but on the contrary turned away
from it and hid. A similar behavior was observed
in most animals of the weak type of nervous system.
(16 references)
122 Granati, A., and Andreani, D. (Univ.
Rome, Italy): Atteggiamenti del ricambio
protidico nelle intossicazioni sperimen-
tali. Nota I. II "turnover" metabolico
dell'albumina marcata nell'intossicazione
da Pb. (PROTEIN TURNOVER IN EXPERIMENTAL
POISONING. I. METABOLIC TURNOVER OF LA-
BELED ALBUMIN IN LEAD POISONING.) Rasseg-
na di Fisiopatologia Clinica e Terapeutica
29, No. 4:387-95, 1957.
Four rabbits (2 kg body weight) were used; 2 of
them were poisoned by oral administration of 6 ml
of a 20% Pb acetate solution every 4 days over a
period of 2 mo. Electrophoretic examination of
the serum at the end of the feeding period showed
hyposerinemia and a hypergamma-globinemia; total
proteins and especially albumin were lower than
normal. No albuminuria was observed throughout
this period. Both poisoned and control rabbits
received then iv
13
poi
;1I-
labeled human albumin, and
24 and 48 hr thereafter blood was collected; this
was repeated every 48 hr over 8 days. Before and
during the experiment, each rabbit received daily
3 drops of 10% K iodide so as to prevent the up-
take of the 131i by the thyroid. The results of
the experiments showed that in the poisoned ani-
mals a decrease of the albumin pool and a slowing
of the metabolic turnover of the protein occur.
This is interpreted by the authors as being due
to a reduced breakdown, and that the intermediate
metabolites resulting from the splitting of the
albumin molecules are utilized to a lesser extent
than in the controls.
y23 Granati, A., Scavo, D., and Peruzy, A.D.
(Univ. Siena, Italy): II comportamento
della protidemia serica nella intossica-
zione sperimentale da piombo. (SERUM PRO-
TEINS IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 40:53-61 (Jan.),
1957.
Eight days after determining the normal protein
fractions in the serum of 14 rats (by paper elec-
trophoresis), Pb poisoning was induced by admini-
stration of 0.15 g Pb acetate in aqueous solution
by stomach tube on alternate days. The proteins
were determined after 30 and 60 days. Between
these periods, 9 rats died, so that only 5 were
available for the last analysis. After 30 days,
there was a slight increase in total blood pro-
teins, low albumins, and an absolute and relative
increase in globulins, especially a- and 3-globu-
lins, S-lipoproteins, and a^- and g-glycoproteins
After 60 days, the total proteins were reduced
with markedly low albumin, and also reduced globu-
lin. A relative increase in a^-globulin, S-lipo-
proteins and a^- and g-glycoproteins was still
present. The changes reflect protein deficiency
in the tissues and reduced mesenchymal reactivity.
724 Grosser, G. (Univ. Padua, Italy): La
terapia dell' awelenamento da piombo
(ricerche sperimentali con Piro-Na).
(THERAPY OF LEAD POISONING (EXPERIMENTAL
STUDY WITH PIRO-Na).) Rivista degli In-
fortuni e delle Malattie Professional!
44:1071-81 (Nov.-Dec.), 1957.
In the 1st experiment, rabbits (av 1900 g weight)
were divided into 3 groups: 1 received for 7 days
iv 1 ml of a 1% Pb nitrate solution/day; Group 2
received Na pyrocatechindisulfate (Plro-i-la) at 5
ml of 10% solution iv from the llth-20th day of
the experiment; Group 3 received for 7 days Piro-
Na followed by Pb nitrate; all rabbits were ob-
served for 28 days. In the 2nd experiment, the
subacute poisoning was obtained in 9 days; 1 day
thereafter the 1st 2 lots were treated as above
for 11 and 18 days and together with the controls
were observed for 37 days. As evidenced by im-
provement of the blood picture, particularly the
stippled cells and reticulocytes, Piro-Na acted
similarly to GaNa2EDTA in its antidotal effect on
the Pb absorbed in the organism. (27 references)
725 Gusev, M.I. (Ryazan I.P. Pavlov Med.
Inst.): EFFECT OF LOW LEAD CONCENTRATION
ON PORPHYRIN METABOLISM. Gigiena i San-
itariya, 1957, No. 8:21-5. In Levine,
B.S.: U.S.S.R. Literature on Air Pollu-
tion and Related Occupational Diseases.
Washington, U.S. Department of Commerce,
Office of Technical Services, 1960, VoL 1,
pp. 105-10.
In order to help determine limits of allowable con-
centrations of Pb in the atmosphere, young male
rabbits (1160-2140 g weight) were exposed to Pb
oxide concentrations of 10 Ug/m3 and 3.9 Ug/m3
daily for 6 hr over a period of 6.5 mo. The high-
er concentration increased the urine-eliminated
coproporphyrin to 5.5-10.59 g/day (twice that of
the control group), but exposure to 3.9 ug/m3
failed to effect any change in the coproporphyrins.
726 Hammond, P.B., Hoyt, H.H., and Nelson,
B.J. (St. Paul, Minn.): RESULTS WITH
NEWER THERAPEUTIC METHODS IN LARGE ANIMAL
PRACTICE. II. THE ROLE OF FLUID AND ELEC-
TROLYTE THERAPY IN LEAD ARSENATE POISON-
ING. Journal of the American Veterinary
Medical Association 131:91-2 (July 15),
1957.
Four cows died and 2 others became sick after
being placed in a new pasture at a state hospital
farm. A can of Pb arsenate found in the pasture
showed evidence of having been disturbed by the
cattle. Analyses of material from one animal that
died revealed >10 ppm As in the rumen contents and
5-10 ppm in the liver. The Pb concentration in
the blood was normal in 1 of the animals surviving
and 0.3 ppm in the other one. Plasma bicarbonate
levels in both animals were below normal, indicat-
ing metabolic acidosis. The signs observed were
characteristic of As poisoning rather than Pb
poisoning. Therapeutic measures for the 2 surviv-
ing cows were described.
727 Hammond, P.B., and Sorenson, O.K. (Univ.
Minnesota, St. Paul): RECENT OBSERVATIONS
ON THE COURSE AND TREATMENT OF BOVINE LEAD
POISONING. Journal of the American Veter-
inary Medical Association 130, No. 1:23-5,
124
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1957.
Approximately equal numbers of dairy and beef cat-
tle from 2 mo to several years old were involved.
Two showed marked excitement and convulsions and
died shortly after onset of signs. The others
were in variable states of depression and weakness,
and the behavior of some suggested varying degrees
of pharyngeal or buccal paralysis. The only diag-
nostically significant hematologic finding was the
presence of basophilic stippling.
Twelve animals were subjected to treatment with
CaNa2EDTA at twice the dosage used for humans,
twice daily on an intermittent basis, intraperito-
neally, intravenously, or subcutaneously. The
blood Pb values determined before and after treat-
ment (American Public Health Association dithizone
method) ranged from 0.25-0.5 yg/ml to 1.0-1.5 and
1.5-2.5; the 4 animals showing the last 2 ranges
died. The remaining 8 required 4-16 days of treat-
ment before discharge. After 8 days of treatment
the blood Pb had dropped to M3.2-0.8 Ug/ml. All
signs, including blindness, were reversible. Only
1 showed residual ataxia.
The authors suggest that the levels of blood Pb
at the time of illness may be of diagnostic signi-
ficance.
728 Hartley, B. (General Hosp., Launceston,
Tasmania): LEAD POISONING IN A DOG. (Let-
ters to the Editor.) Lancet 2:1338 (Dec.
28), 1957.
An Alsatian pup developed Pb poisoning from chew-
ing at the tinfoil lining of his make-shift ken-
nel. Pieces of foil were found in his lower bowel.
Radiographs showed thick white lines proximal to
the epiphysis in his hips. He had a blue line
around his gums and abdominal colics. He recover-
ed after treatment with colloidal Ca.
729 Hsu, Y.-H., Yu, C.-T., and Lou, D.-A.
(Chekiang Med. Coll., Hangchow, China):
(ARTERIOLOSCLEROSIS IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD
POISONING.) Chung Hua I Hstleh Tsa Chih
43:886-74, 1957.
The authors suggested that Pb poisoning would
cause hypertension before arteriolosclerosis.
Thirty rabbits (^2 kg each) were given 5 ml of 0.1%
Pb acetate iv weekly for 10 wk. Only the 17 sur-
vivors were observed for 11 mo. Hypertension was
found in all 10 rabbits in which blood pressure
was measured. Autopsies of 16 rabbits showed con-
tracted kidneys in all. Arteriolosclerosis was
most apparent in heart and brain, then spleen and
adrenal glands. The most likely mechanism of
arteriolosclerosis was given. (From Chemical
Abstracts 53:4539, 1959)
730 Ichikawa, S., Ikeda, Y., Nanjo, M., Omori,
Y., Hayashi, E., Isono, C., Kano, S.,
Yoshimoto, H., and Koyama, T.: (PERCUTANE-
OUS ABSORPTION OF HEAVY METALS.) Eisei
Shikenjo Hokoku 1957, No. 75:373-80.
When rabbits were given 30% Pb nitrate solution
(0.2 ml/day) on the back skin, the blood Pb level
was increased markedly after a week's experimental
period, but neither growth rate nor macroscopic
change in organs was evidenced. (From Chemical
Abstracts 52:17444, 1958)
731 Ivemark, B., and Seldinger, S.I. (Univ.
Upsala; Karolinska Hosp., Stockholm, Swe-
den): RENAL DAMAGE IN RATS FROM THE LEAD
SALT OF EDTA AND FROM UMBRADIL. Acta Radi-
ologica 48:366-75 (Nov.), 1957.
The histological renal changes in rats (170-200 g
weight) following iv and intra-arterial (ia) in-
jections of PbEDTA are briefly described. For iv
injections, 17 rats were given 1.0-3.0 g PbEDTA/kg
body weight; 7 (controls) were injected with 1.0-
214 g Umbradil (contrast medium)/kg body weight
and 3 with 1.0-2.0 g/kg body weight hypertonic Na
chloride solution. For ia injection, 0.3-4.0 g/kg
body weight PbEDTA with 1% CaEDTA was used with
7 rats; for control, 3 rats were injected with
0.4-0.8 g/kg body weight Umbradil and 1 with hyper-
tonic salt solution. After iv injections, tubular
epithelial degeneration with the formation of hya-
line casts and mineral deposits were found. Fol-
lowing ia injection of EDTA, interstitial and peri-
glomerular hemorrhage occurred in addition to
moderate epithelial changes of the tubules. The
lesions were similar to, but more severe than those
appearing after the injection of comparable doses
of Umbradil.
732 Japanese Association of Industrial Medi-
cine: PROCEEDINGS OF THE 30TH GENERAL
MEETING OF JAPAN ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIAL
HYGIENE. Journal of Science of Labour
(Japan) 33:451-588 (July), 1957.
Among the 232 papers presented, the following con-
cerned Pb (numbers refer to Proceedings) :
Tsuchiya, K., and Tanaka, D.: An Electrophoretic
Study of Lead Worker's Sera. Abstract No. 158.
See Abstract No. 1870.
Sano, S., and Inoue, S.: Studies on the Distur-
bances of Hemoglobin Synthesis in Lead Poison-
ing. (Report II). Porphyrin Biosynthesis from
Glycine, S-Amino-Levulinic Acid and Porphobili-
nogen in Lead Poisoning. Abstract No. 160.
Horiuchi, K., Horlguchi, S., Nagao, Y. Hashimoto,
K., and Yuge, M. : Prevention and Treatment of
Lead Poisoning. (Report VI). Administration
Methods of Ca-EDTA. Abstract No. 161.
Horiuchi, K., Okada, A., Tamori, E., and Yuge, M.:
Reconsideration on the Distribution of Lead in
the Body of Healthy Japanese. (Report II). Ab-
stract No. 162.
Yokohashi, G.: Localization of Serum Protein-
bound Radioactive Lead by Filter Paper Electro-
phoresis. Abstract No. 163.
Yoshida, Y., Mukai, T., Ogata, A., and Matsui, K.:
Experimental Studies on the Effect of Allithia-
mine on Lead Poisoning. Abstract No. 164.
Saruta, N., and Yamaguchi, S.: On the Treatment
of the Chronic Lead Poisoning - Especially the
Administration of Parathyroid Hormone together
with Ca-EDTA. Abstract No. 165.
Saruta, N., Yamaguchi, S., Ishinishi, N., Tsutsumi,
T., Asoo, M., Matsumoto, B., and Kotsubo, Y. : A
New Diagnostic Method of Plumbism in Case of
Group Inspection. Abstract No. 166. See Ab-
stract No. 1855.
Nishino, S.: Occupational Hazards of Lead Sul-
fide. (Report I). Experimental Study of the
Toxicity of Lead Sulfide by Oral Administration.
Abstract No. 167.
Niinuma, K.: Experimental Studies on the Effect
Plants and Animals
125
-------
of the EDTA-salts on the Lead or Manganese Poi-
soning. Abstract No. 168.
Suzuki, Y., and Matsuka, Y.: On the Strength and
the Elongation of Hair of the Lead and Manganese
Workers. Abstract No. 169. See Abstract No.
1861.
Nishiyama, K., Ishizawa, M., and Ohshima, M.: On
the Lead Content of Hair of Lead Workers. Ab-
stract No. 188.
733 Kelentey, B., Szazados, I., Takacs, I.,
Halmai, Z., and Valyi-Nagy, T. (Med. Univ.,
Debrecen, Hungary): STUDIES ON EXPERIMEN-
TAL LEAD POISONING. IV. METABOLISM OF RATS
AT REST AND UNDER EXERCISE IN CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING. Acta Physiologica Academiae
Scientiarum Hungaricae 12:277-81, 1957.
Male and female rats (240-400 g weight; 2 groups
of 10 each) were poisoned by administration of
5 rag/kg of Pb nitrate through a gastric tube every
other day for 1-1/2 yr (total Pb administered,
465.6-744.0 mg). One group was sacrificed at the
end of the experiment and organs tested for Pb,
either by dithizone or by polarography. The other
group was subjected to metabolic study, 7 control
rats being compared with the 10 poisoned animals.
Poisoned animals did not lose much weight as com-
pared to the controls. On completion of chronic
Pb poisoning, the metabolic rate at rest in the
poisoned rats was 24% less than that of controls
(9.2 g cal/min/100 g weight and 12.1, respective-
ly). The metabolic rate after exercise (5 min run-
ning) was 19% less in poisoned rats (16.7 g cal/
min/100 g body weight vs 20.6). This is statisti-
cally significant.
734 Kirchgessner, M. (Inst. Animal Husbandry,
Stuttgart-iiohenhelm, Germany) : Der Men-
gen- und Spurenelementgehalt von Rinder-
blut. (THE CONTENT OF MAJOR AND TRACE
ELEMENTS IN THE BLOOD OF CATTLE.) Zeit-
schrlft flir TierenHnrung und Futtermittel-
kunde 12:156-69, 1957.
The contents of major elements (Si, K, Na, Cl, S,
Ca, P, and Mg) and trace elements (Fe, Mn, Al, Zn,
Mo, Cu, Ni, Co, F, I, and Pb) and their interre-
lationships in blood, colostrum and milk of dairy
cattle were investigated. OelschlHger's method
(1956) was used to analyze the samples col-
lected. In healthy cows, the amounts in blood
fluctuated within certain physiologic limits. Ab-
normal values existed in well producing cows 1-2
days post partum (PP): P, Ca, Si, S, Fe, Al, Cu,
Ni and Co in the blood decreased; the last 5 ele-
ments were increased ante partum (AP). Pb values
were, in mg/kg total blood: 0.35 PP (1-2 days)
and 0.42 AP and PP (10 days). The reason for the
marked changes was the great need for these ele-
ments in colostrum formation. The contents of
elements in the blood of 5 1-yr-old heifers showed
in comparison with that of cows an increase es-
pecially in Mg, Ni, Zn and Co. As tabulated, the
average Pb contents in colostrum (6 samples from
2 milkings) were 170 and 67 yg/kg milk; in the
blood serum, 0.14 mg/kg whole blood, as compared
with colostrum, 0.20 mg/kg milk. The total secre-
tion of Pb in colostrum and in normal milk was:
1.4 mg/10.5 kg and 0.4 mg/10.0 kg. The average
Pb contents in blood serum and in corpuscles were
0.27 and 0.22 mg/kg serum and cells, respectively.
The shifts in some major and minor elements in
various disease or deficiency states are also il-
lustrated and discussed. (45 references)
735 Kiryachko, B.A. (Ukrainian Inst. Post-
grad. Med.): yiiyanie khronicheskogo
otravleniya svintsom na Immunobiologi-
cheskuyu reaktivnost organizma zhivotno-
1,0. (EFFECT OF CHRONIC LEAD POISONING ON
THE IMMUNOLOGICAL REACTION OF THE ORGAN-
ISM.) Gigiena i Sanitariya 22, No. 8:
30-4, 1957. In Levine, B.S.: U.S.S.R.
Literature on Air Pollution and Related
Occupational Diseases. Washington, U.S.
Department of Commerce, Office of Techni-
cal Services, 1960, Vol. 1, pp. 137-42.
After a 2-3 wk observation period, 30 rabbits
were divided into 3 equal groups and treated as
follows: (1) received typhoid vaccine alone;
(2) typhoid vaccine together with Pb acetate or-
ally at 10 mg/kg daily for 4.5 mo, followed by 20
mg for 1 mo, and 30 mg/kg thereafter; (3) Pb ace-
tate as in 2, followed by vaccine. AS summarized
by the author, Pb poisoning was accompanied by a
reduction in the production of agglutinins in the
course of immunization with typhoid vaccine.
This was most pronounced in group 3. Blood serum
complement activity was lowered. However, immu-
nization following Pb administration raised the
complement titer to a considerably higher level
than in the controls. During immunization, con-
trol rabbits developed a small amount of acetyl-
choline (ACh) and a simultaneous increase in serum
cholinesterase (ChE) activity, assumed to be in-
dicative of the presence of humoral compensation.
Group 2, and particularly Group 3, accumulated a
considerable amount of ACh with simultaneous re-
duction in ChE activity. Lowered capacity to gen-
erate agglutinins and disturbed interstitial me-
tabolism appeared early in the poisoned rabbits,
and were evident much earlier than the classical
signs of Pb poisoning (blood changes) .
736 Kosaki, T., Ikeda, T., Kotani, Y., Naka-
gawa, S., and Saka, T. (Mie Prefect. Univ.
School Med., Tsu, Japan): (THE AFFINITIES
OF CELLS AND THEIR FORMATIVE ELEMENTS FOR
PORPHYRIN BODIES. XII. THE AFFINITY OF
CELLS AND THEIR FORMATIVE ELEMENTS FOR
COPROPORPHYRIN I AND III.) Mie Medical
Journal 7:305-12, 1957.
Procedures are given for the isolation of tetra-
methyl esters of coproporphyrin III and copropor-
phyrin I from urine of Pb-poisoned rabbits and
normal cattle bile, respectively. (From Chemical
Abstracts 52:13820, 1958)
737 Kramer, W.: Necrotische myelopathie t.g.v.
loodintoxicatie bij een hond. (NECROTIC
MYELOPATHY IN A DOG DUE TO LEAD POISONING.)
Tijdschrift voor Diergeneeskunde 82:411-
21, 1957.
Acute gastrointestinal disturbances developed in a
dog after ingestion of grass contaminated with
red Pb. This was followed by paralysis of all 4
legs with spread from posterior to anterior. Ex-
amination of the nervous system revealed myelitis
and increased number of cells in the cerebrospinal
126
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
fluid, characteristic of subacute necrotic myelo-
pathy. There was an abnormal amount of Pb in the
nervous system (390 ug/100 g of spinal cord, 90
Mg/100 g brain). (From Veterinary Bulletin 28,
No. 7 Abstract No. 2287, 1958)
738 McConnell, W.C.: OIL FIELD PROBLEMS CON-
FRONTING THE VETERINARIAN. Veterinary Med-
icine 52:159-63, 1957.
The legal aspects of pollution of streams and the
tolerance of farm animals for minerals in drinking
water are discussed. Symptoms of salt-water poi-
soning, postmortem findings and treatment are
described. Poisoning by ingredients of crude oil
and by heavy metals, principally Pb, from discarded
containers, paint, pipe joint compound, and similar
products, may also occur in oil fields. (From
Veterinary Bulletin 28, No. 4:1210, 1958)
739 Majorca, G. (Italy): Alterations morpho-
logiques initiales du rein dans le satur-
nisme experimental. (INITIAL MORPHOLOGI-
CAL ALTERATIONS OF THE KIDNEY IN EXPERI-
MENTAL LEAD POISONING.) In XII Interna-
tional Congress on Occupational Health,
Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill, Pro-
ceedings, p. 295.
Listed by title only.
74fl Mokranjac, M.S., and Radmic, S. (Coll.
Pharmacy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia): (EFFECT
OF PENICILLIN ON THE CONTENT OF LEAD IN
BLOOD OF ANIMALS POISONED WITH LEAD.) Acta
Pharm. Jugoslav. 7:143-8, 1957.
Results of the effect of penicillin on the content
of Pb in the blood of sheep chronically poisoned
with Pb are given. A considerable effect of pen-
icillin on the increase of Pb in blood is found,
the increase resulting from the mobilization of
Pb in form of insoluble compounds. (From Chemical
Abstracts 51:18288, 1957)
741 Morelli, A., Giuliani, V., and Serra, C.
(Univ. Florence; Univ. Naples, Italy):
Aspetti elettroencefalografici nell'intos-
sicazione sperimentale da piombo tetraetile.
I. Reperti nell'intossicazione acute.
(ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC ASPECTS IN EXPER-
IMENTAL POISONING BY TETRAETHYL LEAD. I.
FINDINGS IN ACUTE INTOXICATION.) Lavoro
Umano 9:433-40, 1957.
Rabbits (2.25 kg weight, in groups of not <2) were
treated daily as follows: (1) control; (2) 100
mg TEL/kg sc; (3) same, iv; (4) 50 mg/kg iv;
(5) 0.1 ml ethyl alcohol/kg iv; and (6) 40 mg
Pb acetate/kg iv. TEL was injected without sol-
vent. Groups 2, 4 and 6 were observed until
death (Group 3 died between 20 min and 6 hr after
injection). Electroencephalographs (EEG) were
made before exposure and every 24 hr in the sub-
acute poisonings and continuously after treatment
for at least 30 min or other times in the iv
groups. At high doses EEG changes occurred early
(depression in amplitude, slowing of frequency,
increase of the frequency with reduction of ampli-
tude or slowing of frequency with rise of the
amplitude). In spite of these discordant findings
and others which do not make it possible to con-
sider TEL as a synchronizing or unsynchronizing
agent, the authors conclude that TEL alters many
neuronic and polyneuronic circuits and relays be-
tween cortex and reticular substance, thereby dis-
organizing the electric activity. The modifica-
tion of the mode of synchronization is probably
due to the action of TEL on the thermoregulatory
centers.
In the rabbits given alcohol, only a slight
slowing of the rhythm was observed which vanished
1 hr after administration. With a slight increase
in frequency and a tendency to desynchronization
was seen after doses subsequent to the 1st. (20
references)
742 Morelli, A., Giuliani, V., and Serra, C.
(Univ. Florence; Univ. Naples, Italy):
Aspetti elettroencefalografici nell'in-
tossicazione sperimentale da piombo tetra-
etile. Nota II-Repertl nell'intossicazione
cronica. (ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC ASPECTS
IN THE EXPERIMENTAL POISONING WITH TEL.
II. CHRONIC INTOXICATION.) Lavoro umano
9:545-52, 1957.
Two groups of at least 2 rabbits in each (1.850-
2.850 kg) received sc TEL dissolved in 0.1 mg/kg
ethyl alcohol in doses of 10 and 1 mg TEL/kg body
weight/day until death and for 30 days, respective-
ly. Another group was given only 0.1 ml/kg ethyl
alcohol and 1 group served as control. EEC's were
taken pre-experimentally and on the 10th, 20th,
and 30th day of treatment; also for the 10 mg
group on the 70th day (most animals died in 10-20
days, administration to survivors was ceased on
the 20th day), and for the 1 mg group after 60
days. Alterations in the EEG increased with the
dose of TEL and with the duration of administra-
tion. When the treatment was suspended, the EEG
returned to normal in animals poisoned with the
smaller dose; remission was not always obtained
in the rabbits which had been given the larger
dose.
743 Nishimura, M. (Tokyo Dental Coll., Japan):
EFFECTS OF PARATHYROID FUNCTION ON LEAD
POISONING. PART 1. THE IMPEDIMENT OF
CALCIUM METABOLISM BY REMOVAL OF PARATHY-
ROID AND ITS RELATION TO LEAD METABOLISM.
Journal of the Science of Labour (Japan)
33:923-32 (Dec.), 1957.
Parathyroidectomized albino rats were experimental-
ly poisoned with Pb and the relation between Ca
and Pb metabolism was studied. Serum Ca tended to
decrease in acute Pb poisoning and more so in the
parathyroidectomized rats. After ^2 wk a slight
recovery of serum Ca was noted. Urinary Ca excre-
tion decreased after parathyroidectomy but was
temporarily increased after administration of
Pb. Normal rats given Pb showed no change in uri-
nary Ca excretion. The pattern of serum and uri-
nary inorganic P was completely reversed to that
of Ca in both groups of animals. Total retained
Ca decreased in both groups in acute Pb poisoning,
the Ca balance became negative in the parathyroid-
ectomized ones. The connection of the parathyroid
function with the Ca and Pb metabolism in acute Pb
poisoning was confirmed. (From author's English
summary) (34 references)
744
Nishio, K. (Univ. Kagoshima, Japan):
Plants and Animals
127
-------
(PHOSPHORYLATION IN SKELETAL MUSCLE OF THE
ACUTE LEAD-INTOXICATED RABBIT.) Seikagaku
29:313-8, 1957.
Rabbits administered orally a total of 0.6-2.5 g
powdered Pb at doses of 0.1 g/day were anesthe-
tized, and the gastrocnemius was removed. The
ATP content was 1.6 times, phosphocreatine 1.1
times, hexose monophosphate 1.4 times, and in-
organic phosphate 1.6 times as high as normal.
Special 32p activity decreased for phosphocreatine
but increased for ATP, hexose monophosphate, and
for inorganic P. In vitro, Pb increased muscle
phosphorylase activity by 14, 26, 22 and 48% at
4.5x10-3, 5.9x10-4, 5.9x10-6, and 5.9xlO-?M Pb,
respectively. Total inhibition was caused by
4.3x10-% Hg combined with 4.3x10-% Pb. Acute
Pb intoxication produced increase in phosphoryla-
tion by breakdown of glycogen to hexose monophos-
phate. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:4753, 1961)
745 Oliver, W.T., and MacGregor, K.L.: LEAD
ARSENATE POISONING IN DAIRY CATTLE. Cana-
dian Journal of Comparative Medicine and
Veterinary Science 21:248-50, 1957.
An outbreak of poisoning in a dairy herd of 35
animals is described. Fourteen deaths occurred
principally among young cattle. The feed was
found to contain 37% Pb and 11% As in the form of
Pb arsenate. Tissue analysis indicated that tox-
icity was due to the arsenical and not the Pb rad-
ical as has been reported. This is supported by
clinical and pathological findings of acute gastro-
enteritis. The source of the pois'on was a bag of
insecticide found buried in the granary. (From
Veterinary Bulletin 28, No. 2:563, 1958)
745 Remy, R., and Buckup, H. (Bernward Hosp.,
Hildesheim, Germany): Zur kritlschen Beur-
teilung der Symptome experimenteller Blei-
verglftungen. (CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE
SIGNS OF EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.)
Zentralblatt flir Arbeitsmedizin und Ar-
beitsschutz 7:233-7 (Oct.), 1957.
About 170 male albino rats^ (150 g body weight) were
injected intraperitoneally with a solution of Pb
acetate (pH 5) in doses^of 20-100 mg/kg body weight,
every 2-4 days for up to 36 days so that a total
of 300-500 mg Pb acetate/kg was administered. In
some experiments single doses up to 400 mg Pb ace-
tate/kg and a total of 700 mg/kg were given. Hemo-
globin (Hb) and erythrocytes (RBC) decreased more
rapidly and to a lower level as the Pb doses were
increased. When 100 mg Pb acetate/kg was injected
every 4 days for 16 days, the RBC decreased in a
straight line and most of the rats died. At a
dose of 35 mg/kg every 4 days RBC and Hb decreased
in a straight line until the 16th day and irregu-
larly from the 16th to 21st day after which time
no further decrease was noted. When 20 mg/kg/dose
was injected, the RBC after first decreasing in a
straight line, distinctly rose after the 20th day
reaching their initial count at the start of the
2nd mo of the experimental period, while the Hb
values decreased along with the RBC and then re-
mained constant. The reticulocytes strongly in-
creased at the 35 mg dose during the 36-day exper-
imental period whereas at the 20 mg dose the retic-
ulocytes and stippled RBC increased for 20-22 days
and then decreased. The authors concluded from the
experiment that in acute Pb poisoning death may
occur before a distinct anemia is obvious. In
chronic poisoning, however, the RBC and Hb curves
during the 1st 2 wk are indicative of the degree
of the poisoning. Analysis of the bones (shoulder)
of the rats showed that up to a dose of 210 mg Pb
acetate/kg the Pb levels increased in proportion to
the doses. Higher doses resulted only in very
small increases above the level reached at 210 mg/
dose. Thus, the Pb concentration in the bones,
within certain limits of the dose, also is an in-
dication of the degree of intoxication. Histologic
changes of liver, spleen and kidney increased as
the doses increased. Rats, first poisoned and
then given Pb therapy, showed hardly any changes
in the blood or bones but their livers, spleens
and kidneys were always histologically affected.
Analysis of the bones of rats which had received
6 injections of 50 mg Pb acetate, revealed con-
siderable Pb storage for several months while the
RBC count returned to normal after 7 wk and the Hb
value after 10 wk. Experiments to determine the
lethal Pb doses showed that 500 mg Pb acetate/kg
were fatal to all rats and survival after 200-400
mg/kg was only by very robust animals. Single
doses of 100 mg/kg were generally tolerated; when
this dose was repeated every 4 days, most rats
died after the 3d injection and very few survived
a 4th one. However, there appeared to be a certain
adaptation to Pb. Rats which had recovered from
a chronic poisoning by a total of 350 mg Pb ace-
tate/kg over a period of weeks although still
showing a distinct anemia, tolerated 2 additional
doses of 100 mg Pb/kg each without fatalities and
more animals survived 3 and 4 injections than in
the case of unadapted rats.
747 Salvini, M. (Univ. Pavia, Italy): Effica-
cia dell'etilendiamino-tetraacetato-
bisodicomonocalcico sulla eliminazione
urinaria del piombo nel trattamento della
intossicazione con acetato di piombo.
(EFFICACY OF DISODIUM MONOCALCIUM ETHYL-
ENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE IN THE URINARY
ELIMINATION OF LEAD IN THE TREATMENT OF
POISONING WITH LEAD ACETATE.) Bollettino
della Societa Italiana di Biologia Speri-
mentale 33, No. 4:409-10, 1957.
Six rabbits received iv injections of 3 mg/kg/day
Pb (as acetate); half of the group received im-
mediately after Pb, EDTA for 6 days, iv. In the
rabbits that received no EDTA, of the total of
86.25 mg administered, 2.876 mg or 3.325% was
eliminated in the 1st 5 days; 2.113% in the 2nd 5
days, and by the end of observation, 5.438% of the
administered dose was eliminated. In the rabbits
treated with EDTA, of 95.25 mg total Pb injected,
3.28% was eliminated in the 1st 5 days, and by the
end of the experiment, 18.57% was eliminated. The
author concludes that aside from increasing the
elimination of Pb, EDTA furnished indication of
the existence of prior absorption of Pb.
748 Salvini, M. (Univ. Pavia, Italy): Effica-
cia del calcio-etilen-diaminotetraacetato-
disodico sulla eliminazione del piombo con
le urine e con le feci nella intossicazione
saturnina sperimentale del coniglio. (EF-
FICACY OF CALCIUM DISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE
128
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
TETRAACETATE ON ELIMINATION OF LEAD BY
URINE AND FECES IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POI-
SONING IN RABBITS.) Bollettino della
Societa' Italiano di Biologla Sperimentale
33, No. 5:590-3, 1957.
Of 6 rabbits poisoned with Pb acetate (3 mg/kg/24
hr iv), 3 received from the 6th day of poisoning
10 mg EDTA/kg/24 hr over a 6-day period. The re-
sults showed that treatment with EDTA increased the
total excretion of Pb from 18.31-26.5% of the
amount injected. EDTA alters the pattern of excre-
tion of Pb so that almost all of the excretion
takes place through the urine, and the fecal excre-
tion is unchanged or decreases.
749 Salvini, M. (Univ. Pavia, Italy): Bilan-
cio di distribuzione tissutale e di elim-
inazione globale del Pb iniettato in ani-
mali di controllo ed in animali trattati
con etilendiamina-tetraacetato-disodico-
monocalcico endovena. (TISSUE DISTRIBU-
TION AND TOTAL ELIMINATION OF Pb INJECTED
INTO CONTROL ANIMALS AND ANIMALS TREATED
INTRAVENOUSLY WITH DISODIUM-MONOCALCIUM
ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRAACETATE.) Bollettino
della Societa' Italiana di Biologia Speri-
mentale 33, No. 6:711-6, 1957.
In rabbits treated daily with 5 mg Pb/kg for 5
days, ^80% of the Pb was retained as compared with
70% for rabbits which received the same dose of
Pb plus EDTA. Pb was deposited in certain tissues
and later transferred to others. This redistribu-
tion of Pb results from chelation between Pb and
EDTA. (From author's summary)
750 Salvini, M., Vidali, U., and Scudier, U.
(Univ. Pavia, Italy): Efficacia tera-
peutica ed effetto piomburico del Ca-
EDTA-N32 nel saturnismo. Esperienze in
conigli intossicati per via endovenosa,
intramuscolare e sottocutanea.
(Ca-^DTA-Na2 IN SATURNISM: THERAPEUTIC
EFFECT AND EFFECT ON THE URINARY LEAD EX-
CRETION: EXPERIENCE WITH RABBITS INTOXI-
CATED INTRAVENOUSLY, INTRAMUSCULARLY, AND
SUBCUTANEOUSLY.) II Policlinico. (Rome)
Sezione Medica 64:82-99 (Mar.-Apr.), 1957.
Eighteen rabbits, 9-13 mo-old, (av weight 2250 g)
were subdivided into 3 groups of 6 each. Group 1
was given iv injections of 3 mg Pb acetate/kg body
weight for 5 days and then iv injections of 10 mg
EDTA/kg body weight for the next 5 days. Group 2
was given im injections of 4 mg Pb acetate/kg for
6 days; then 3 of these animals were given iv in-
jections of EDTA for the next 6 days. When it was
seen that the extra amount of Pb eliminated as a
result of the treatment was very low, the daily
EDTA dose was increased to 240 mg/kg for 6 days.
Group 3 received sc injections of 24 mg Pb ace-
tate/kg for 6 days; then 3 of the animals were
given daily iv injections of 240 mg EDTA/kg for
the next 6 days. Administration of EDTA caused
increased urinary Pb excretion in all animals.
But the increase represented only a minimal part
of the total Pb excreted by the animals. The
authors believe that EDTA causes decomposition of
Pb in the tissues, a reduction of the toxic effect
of Pb on certain tissues and increased transfer of
chelate to the kidney. (37 references)
751 Selariu, C., and Mihaescu, S.: (ACTIVITY
OF PHOSPHATASES AND CHOLINESTERASE OF THE
SERUM OF DOGS CHRONICALLY POISONED WITH
LEAD NITRATE.) Comun. acad. rep. populare
Romine 7:45-9, 1957.
The action of Pb nitrate given intravenously was
studied. Dogs received 6-10 mg in intervals of 5-
6 days during 2 mo. The blood samples were taken
at the beginning, after 4 days, and later each 14
days. The alkaline phosphatase activity was mea-
sured after Bodansky and the acid phosphatase af-
ter Klemperer and Miller. Immediately after the
first injection, modifications of the phosphatase
activities were noticed. The activity was maximum
after the 4th day. The results indicate the in-
tervention of Pb in the Ca metabolism of the bones
The cholinesterase did not show significant varia-
tions. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:2260, 1958)
752 Sessa, T., Rossi, L., and Apollaro, A.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): La riboflavina nel
sangue e nei tessuti nella intossicazione
sperimentale da piombo. (RIBOFLAVIN IN
THE BLOOD AND TISSUES IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD
POISONING.) Bollettino della Societa
Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale 33:1249-
51, 1957. Biochimica Applicata 4:338-52,
1957.
Rabbits were given orally 100 or 200 mg Pb acetate
daily (6 rabbits/dose). The riboflavin content
of the liver, kidney, and heart decreased; the
values for muscle and brain showed little change.
The decrease for the 200-mg dose (acute) was about
twice that for the 100-mg dose. An additional 5
rabbits were also studied after receiving 100 mg
Pb acetate for 30, 40, and 50 days. After admin-
istration of 1 mg riboflavin im, a reduction in
blood riboflavin was seen which was more intense
in the more severe poisoning.
The paper published in Biochimica Applicata is
given in greater detail and includes a comparison
of the urinary excretion of riboflavin before and
after various days of poisoning. A progressively
higher excretion was observed in poisoning. The
authors conclude that the findings point to a
deficient utilization of vitamin ^2 i-n i-ts role
of enzymic constituent need for oxidation-
reductions processes in cells.
753 Shibata, S.: PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES ON
THE ANTIDOTAL ACTION OF CHELATING AGENTS.
II. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi 53:602-13,
1957. Breviaria 30.
When 1.8 mg Pb acetate/kg rabbit was injected iv,
the urinary excretion was 1.83% in 0-1 hr, 2.75
in 2-4 hr, 0.96 in 4-8 hr, 0.8 in 8-12 hr, and
1.76 in 12-24 hr, and total 10.92% in 24 hr.
Following the iv injection of equivalent amount
of PbEDTA, the excretion of Pb was 17.4% in 0-1
hr, 10.06 in 1-2 hr, 14.2 in 2-4 hr, 3.8 in 4-8
hr, 3.1 in 8-12 hr, and 2.2 in 12-24 hr, and
total 49.8% in 24 hr. When 1.8 mg/kg dose of Pb
acetate and 50 mg/kg dose of CaEDTA were injected
simultaneously, the total urinary excretion of Pb
in 24 hr was 49.5%. An equimolecular dose of
CaEDTA against Pb dose gave the total excretion of
47.6% and half an equimolecular dose of the former
gave 25.0%, Simultaneous injection of 50 mg/kg
dose of 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) gave the
Plants and Animals
129
-------
total excretion of Pb of 20.8%. The equimolecular
dose gave 8.4% excretion. Na citrate on simul-
taneous injection in the dose of 50 mg gave a
total of 12.7% Pb excretion in 24 hr; the equi-
molecular dose gave 10.27,. The Pb contents in
blood 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hr, respectively, af-
ter the injection of 18 mg/kg Pb acetate alone
were: 3.40, 1.80, 1.51, 0.88, 0.82, 0.75 mg%;
equimolecular dose of PbEDTA alone, 1.04, 0.82,
0.54, 0.43, 0.28, 0.25; 50 mg/kg CaEDTA with the
above dose of Pb acetate, 1.05, 0.94, 0.62, 0.46,
0.33, 0.30; equimolecular CaEDTA simultaneously,
1.03, 0.95, 0.45, 0.26, 0.22, 0.19; half an equi-
molecular dose CaEDTA simultaneously, 1.84, 1.45,
1.2, 0.89, 0.72, 0.54; 50 mg/kg BAL simultaneously,
2.80, 1.36, 0.95, 0.92, 0.85, 0.76; equimolecular
BAL simultaneously, 3.46, 2.45, 1.65, 0.86, 0.81,
0.69; 50 mg/kg Na citrate simultaneously, 3.48,
1.76, 1.01, 0.61, 0.40, 0.34; equimolecular Na
citrate simultaneously, 2.86, 1.80, 0.71, 0.63,
0.42, 0.31 mg%s respectively. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 52:15740, 1958)
754 Skripnichenko, Z.M.: (INFLUENCE OF TET-
RAETHYLLEAD (TEL) ON INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE
IN THE EXPERIMENT (SECOND REPORT).)
Oftal'mol. Zhur. 1957, No. 6:372-9.
The influence of parenteral introduction of TEL
solution (in cod liver oil) on the elastotono-
metric curve (EC), ophthalmotonus (0) and the re-
sults of a compressive-tonometric test were
studied in 62 rabbits. Acute experiments were
conducted with doses which killed the animals
(0.05 ml/kg every other day). Dynamic observa-
tions continued for 2 mo to 2 yr. With doses
which induce chronic poisoning (up to 0.5 mg/kg
after 2 days) only some animals perished. In
acute intoxication, attacks of motor excitement
of the rabbit occurred. After the attack, 0 de-
creased, and the EC character changed. Later 0
decreased day by day up to the death of the ani-
mal and EC shortened and decreased. In chronic
poisoning, the amplitude of 0 oscillations in-
creased with a tendency of rise. EC was charac-
terized by breaks, shortening, high start and
level. The data of the compressive-tonometric
test pointed to the prevalence of neurovascular
elements in a disorder of 0. In a number of ani-
mals, the described disturbances of 0 and EC reg-
ulation were preserved for 3 to 4 mo after the
termination of poisoning. (From Referat. Zhur.
Biol. 97976, 1958, transl. OTS-JPRS; Biological
Abstracts 35:Abstr. No. 41481, i960)
755 Smusin, Ya.S. (1st Med. Inst., Leningrad,
USSR): Deistvie nekotorykh veshchestv na
aktivnost kholinesterazy mozga i myshts.
Gistokhimicheskoe opredelenie istinnoi i
lozhnoi kholinesteraz v thanyakh myshei
pri otravlenii tetraetilsvintsom. (THE
EFFECT OF SEVERAL SUBSTANCES ON CHOLINES-
TERASE ACTIVITY OF THE BRAIN AND MUSCLE.
HISTOCHEMICAL DETERMINATION OF TRUE AND
PSEUDO CHOLINESTERASE IN THE TISSUES OF
MICE IN TETRAETHYLLEAD POISONING.) Trudy
Pervogo Leningradskogo Meditsinskogo In-
stituta. Fiziologicheskaya Rol Atsetil-
kholina i Izyskanie Novykh Lekarstvennykh
Veshchestv 1957:143-8.
The experiments were performed with white mice
poisoned sc with 1.07 g TEL/kg body weight; this
dose produced death in 50% of the mice within 1
day. The mice (45) were sacrificed by decapita-
tion at hours 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 after admin-
istration. Acetylthiocholine was used for local-
ization of the true cholinesterase (ChE) and
butyrylthiocholine for the pseudo. The results
showed a sharp depression of the true ChE in the
outer portion of the main brain, the elongated
brain, and in the tissue of the calf muscle, with
about the same degree of intensity. This effect
appeared to a lesser extent in the case of the
pseudo ChE. Depression of the true ChE appeared
already after 1 hr and reached a maximum 4-8 hr
after poisoning. A preliminary workup with ace-
tone in the cold did not influence significantly
the degree of detection. This indirectly indicat-
ed the ability of TEL to penetrate easily into
all the tissue structures, including the lipids.
756 Teuchmann, J.K. (Central Inst. Ind. Hyg.,
Warsaw, Poland): WpXyw zatrucia oZowiem
na odruchy rdzeniowe i nerw bjedny. (EF-
FECT OF LEAD POISONING ON MEDULLARY RE-
FLEXES AND ON THE VAGUS NERVE.) Acta
Physlologica Polonica 8, 3-3a:545-8,
1957.
The spinal reflexes were investigated on decapi-
tated cats. Pb in 0.62 mg/100 ml concentration
gave a decrease of the limb reflexes and at 5 mg/
100 ml lowering of the blood pressure. At ^83
mg/100 ml disturbance of spinal reflexes was
noted. Pb inhibited vagal conduction in a con-
centration of 24 mg/100 ml. (Exerpta Med. Sect.
II, 11:4475, 1958).
757 Teuchmann, J.K.: (INFLUENCE OF LEAD POI-
SONING ON THE REFLEX ACTIONS OF DECAPITA-
TED CATS.) Prace Central Inst. Ochrony
Pracy 7, No. 2(21):3-10, 1957.
Decapitated cats were given intravenously 1% aque-
ous Pb(N03)2 solution, and the reflexes excited by
electric shocks were examined. Reflexes were in-
hibited at 0.62 mg% concentration of Pb, blood
pressure began to drop at 5 mg%; large sublethal
concentrations (up to 100 mg%) caused transient
paradoxical stimulation, a functional dissociation
of spinal nerves, and a complete paralysis of the
whole neuron. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:20682,
1958)
758 Todd, J.R.: NOTES ON THE USE OF CALCIUM
VERSENATE IN ACUTE LEAD POISONING. Veter-
inary Record 69:31-2, 1957.
"Calcium versenate" (NaCa edetate) was used in 2
calves, a bullock, a heifer and a donkey. Symp-
toms included blindness, nervousness, tongue par-
alysis, muscle twitching and depression. Diagno-
sis was confirmed chemically in all cases. Ca
versenate diluted in saline was given intravenous-
ly in single total doses varying from 3-6 g de-
pending on size of animal. Oral Mg sulfate was
not given. All the animals recovered except 1
calf which died shortly after treatment. General
recovery occurred in a matter of hours although
some tongue paralysis persisted over 3 days and
blindness up to 10 days. The author points out
that the efficiency of this treatment is probably
130
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
related to the total amount of Pb absorbed and
stored in the body, and that therefore a 2nd
treatment may sometimes be necessary. (From Vet-
erinary Bulletin 27, No. 6:1879, 1957)
759 Tb'nz, 0. (Cantonal Hosp., St. Gallen,
Switzerland): NierenverSnderungen bei
experimenteller chronischer Bleivergiftung
(Ratten). (KIDNEY CHANGES IN EXPERIMENTAL
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING IN RATS.) Zeit-
schrift fur die Gesamte Experimentelle
Medizin 128, No. 4:361-77, 1957.
Rats (270) injected (route not stated) with 340-
440 mg Pb as phosphate for 4-9 1/2 mo, survived up
to 7 mo. The kidneys gained in size and weight,
cysts formed and in 2 cases there was a light
hydronephrosis. The glomeruli were unchanged while
the tubular system showed significant alterations,
such as enlarged epithelial cells, proliferations
of the center sections with occasional adenoma and
carcinoma and tnetastases (2 rats) , slight lympho-
cytic infiltrations and mild fibrosis of the inter-
stitium. The author found the picture to agree
with that in Pb-poisoned children while in adults
vascular changes prevail over those of the tubular
system. The specific effect of Pb is based on a
disturbance of the cellular and nuclear metabolism,
leading first to enlargement of the cells and
nuclei, cellular atypia and nuclear polymorphy,
and later to pathologic mitoses, proliferations
and tumor formation. The cancerogenic effect of
Pb resembles that of X rays. (56 references)
760 Tolgskaja, M.S. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Dis., Acad. Med. Sci., Moscow, USSR) :
VerHnderungen in den interneuronalen Ver-
bindungen der Grosshirnrinde unter der
Einwirkung von einigen Industriegiften.
(CHANGES PRODUCED IN THE INTERNEURONAL
JUNCTIONS IN THE CEREBRAL CORTEX BY SOME
INDUSTRIAL POISONS.) Archiv fUr Gewerbe-
pathologie und Gewerbehygiene 16, No. 1:
34-44, 1957.
Eleven white rats were given oral doses of 0.008-
0.04 g/kg Pb acetate or sc injections of 0.0004-
0.0012 g/kg As or 0.3-0.5 g/kg aniline. The ani-
mals were observed for 60 days and then killed.
Early changes of the cerebral cortex consisted of
the formation of irregular spherical thickenings
or swellings of the dendrites and a decrease in
the number of the thorny projections which are
seen in normal rats. The changes were reversible.
When 11 other rats were given orally or sc in-
creasing doses of Pb, As or aniline for 1-5 mo
more severe alterations of the dendrites were
noted. Subcutaneous administration of 0.03 g/kg
Pb acetate, 6.0 g/kg aniline or 0.0012 g/kg Na
arsenate caused death in 7-12 days. The damage
to the cerebral cortex was still more intense
than in chronic poisoning. Details are described
and illustrated in 9 figures. (25 references)
761 Tolgskaya, M.S.: Morfologicheskie izmene-
niya v mezhneironnykh svyazyakh kory bol1-
shikh polusharii golovnogo mozga pri neko-
torfykh professional'nykh neirointoksika-
tsiyakh. (MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES IN THE IN-
TERNEURONAL JUNCTIONS OF THE CORTEX OF THE
LARGE HEMISPHERES OF THE BRAIN IN SOME OC-
CUPATIONAL NEUROINTOXICATIONS.) In Trudy
Yubileinoi Nauchnoi Sessii Posvyashchen-
noi 30-Letnei Deyatel'nosti Instituta
1924-1954. Leningrad, Ministerstvo Zdra-
vookhraneniya RSFSR, Institut Gigieny Truda
i Profzabolevanii, 1957, pp. 435-41.
Comparative experiments were carried out by the
administration to white rats, of very small doses
of Pb acetate, aniline or As and in acute intoxi-
cation by the same substances. It was observed
that the morphologic changes in the interneuronal
junctions are first reversible and disappear when
intoxication is discontinued; therefore, they ap-
pear to be functional. With continued intoxica-
tion, these changes progress to the point that ir-
reversible changes appear leading to destruction
of all neurons.
762 Ungher, I., Lillis, M., Moscovici, B., and
Pompilian, V. : Cercetari experimental
asupra unor reactii compensatoare in
intoxica£ia cu plumb. (EXPERIMENTS ON
COMPENSATION REACTIONS IN LEAD POISONING.)
Igiena 6:115, 1957.
After producing a dynamic stereotype in 2 dogs the
animals were given repeated parenteral injections
of 2 mg Pb acetate/kg body weight. One of the
dogs was a strong type, the other one was a ner-
vous animal. By testing the nervous activity the
cyclic course of the manifestations was studied.
The manifestations were characterized by a pro-
longation of the latent period after positive
stimuli, elimination of the inhibitions of differ-
entiation, followed by improvement until a normal
state was reached. The results explain the com-
pensatory role of the cerebral cortex in Pb poi-
soning. (From Zentralblatt fur Arbeitsmedizin und
Arbeitsschutz 7, No. 10:258 (Abstracts), 1957)
763 Ungher, J., Nestiano, and Lillis, M.
(Neurol. Inst. "I.P. Pavlov," Acad. Rep.
Pop. Romania): Richerche sperimentali sul
saturnismo cronico. (EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES
ON CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Minerva Medi-
ca 48, No. 31:1361-4, 1957.
To determine whether adaptation to Pb poisoning
occurs, dogs were prepared by weekly iv injection
of 2 mg Pb acetate and the effect on conditJoned
reflexes was followed by the method of Kupalov.
After the 3rd injection, a dog with a strong ner-
vous system by Pavlov's classification showed
difficulty in distinguishing between different
stimuli and an increased latent period in response
to stimuli. This increased to the 7th injection,
then decreased until the dog appeared normal after
the 13th with respect to conditioned reflex, but
agitation and dietary crisis forced suspension of
treatment. A dog with a weak nervous system
showed increasing latenl period and difficulty in
distinguishing between stimuli after the 1st in-
jection, with convulsive crises after the 4th and
did not survive beyond the 10th. EEC study showed
between the 2nd and 3rd injections a 1st phase
characterized by slow waves (theta and delta),
regular with rapid rhythm, and diminution of the
amplitude of the biocurrent of 25-75 pv. A 2nd
was characterized by inhibitory processes and very
regular, rapid waves (2-5 wk), The 3rd phase,
lasting 3-4 wk, showed rapid regular rhythm with
Plants and Animals
131
-------
slow waves and spikes. The 4th and final phase
showed irregular delta waves, and no effect from
stimulation by light. These experiments show
that adaptation to Ph poisoning occurs, but on
continued exposure, the various compensatory
mechanisms are damaged, and more intense nervous
activity results leading to death.
764 Vallejo-Freire, A., and Brunner, A., Jr.
(Butantan Inst., Sao Paulo, Brazil):
Eritrocitos na reticulocitose do saturnis-
mo experimental. Estrutura mitocondrial.
(ERYTHROCYTES IN RETICULOCYTOSIS OF EXPERI-
MENTAL SATURNISM. MITOCHONDRIAL STRUC-
TURE.) Memories do Institute Butantan
(Sao Paulo) 28:245-65, 1957-58.
Erythrocytes of guinea pigs, poisoned with sc in-
jections of 1 ml of a 1% aqueous solution of Pb
acetate/day for 3-9 days, were examined by electron
microscope. The identity of the so-called "sub-
stantia granulo-filamentosa" with mitochondria in
the reticulocytes was confirmed. The increase of
volume or tumefaction of mitochondria was found to
be on an average 3 times greater than that observed
in reticulocytes in hemorrhagic anemia. Similar
changes were obtained by means of osmotic varia-
tions in vitro in reticulocytes from guinea pigs
with reticulocytosis provoked by successive bleed-
ings. In some reticulocytes the progressive dis-
integration of the mitochondrial structure could
be observed beginning with the loss of the external
membrane followed by successive dissolution of the
other constituents of the mitochondria. The au-
thors interpret this to represent the natural
mechanism of the disintegration of mitochondria in
erythrocytes from the stage of the erythroblast to
the adult red cell. (16 references)
765 Veiling, E.I., and Piskunova, V.V.:
(THE DISTRIBUTION OF TETRAETHYL LEAD IN
THE ORGANS OF ANIMALS.) Materialy po
Voprosam Prom. Toksikol. i Klin. Pro-
fessional. Boleznei (Gorky) 1957:27-
35.
Rabbits were injected subcutaneously with 0.1 ml/
kg of TEL. TEL became deposited in the organs as
organic Pb, most of it having become deposited in
the brain tissue: the Pb content in the cerebral
hemispheres was 2.9 mg% and in the medulla ob-
longata 2.8 mg%. The liver contained 0.91 mg%,
the heart muscles 0.87 mg%, and the lungs 0.61
mg%. Most of the blood Pb was deposited in the
formed elements. (From Referat. Zhur. Khim.,
Biol. Khim. 1959, Abstr. No. 12C52; Chemical
Abstracts 53:20543, 1959)
766 Veiling, E.I., and Preobrazhenskaya, A.A.:
(THE EFFECT OF TETRAETHYL LEAD ON THE AC-
TIVITY OF ENZYME SYSTEMS.) Materialy po
Voprosam Prom. Toksikol. i Klin. Profes-
sional. Boleznei (Gorky) 1957:36-44.
Rabbits were injected subcutaneously with 0.05-0.1
mg/kg of TEL. The activity of blood carboxylase
and cholinesterase was depressed. One-3 hr later
the concentration of blood acetylcholine (ACh) in-
creased to a maximum of 0.13-0.15 mg% on the 3rd-
5th day of intoxication; it then abated some, but
on the 20-40th day rose again; however, at the end
of the 3rd mo only traces of ACh could be found.
All organs of the TEL injected animals showed the
presence of increased ACh. It reached 29.9 mg% in
the tissue of the medulla oblongata as against 8.4
mg% in the control and 5.5 mg% in the cerebral
tissue as against 1.33 mg% in the control. The
content of ACh showed no detectable change in the
spinal cord. ACh accumulated to 8 times its nor-
mal amount in the liver and heart muscles; it ap-
peared to be reduced in the tissue of the adre-
nals. (From Referat. Zhur. Khim., Biol. Khim.
1959, Abstr. No. 12053; Chemical Abstracts 53:
20543, 1959)
767 Vincent, J. with the assistance of Nguete,
M. (Leopoldville, Belgian Congo): Les
remaniements de 1'os compact marque a
1'aide de plomb. (CHANGES OF COMPACT
BONE LABELED WITH LEAD.) Revue Beige
de Pathologie et de Medecine Experimen-
tale 26, No. 3:161-8, 1957.
In order to determine whether Pb introduced into
the organism is distributed according to the same
plan as radio-Ca 7 adult dogs and a 3-mo-old cat
were given, for 1 wk, a 4% solution of basic Pb
acetate mixed into their ration so that each ani-
mal received 50 mg acetate/day/kg body weight.
After 1 wk intermission 3 of the dogs were given
the same dose again for another week. A 2nd cat
of the same age was intoxicated with the same
daily dose for 7 consecutive weeks. An additional
dog and cat served as controls. The long bones of
the animals were studied histochemically and micro-
radiographically from 1 day to 3 mo after the end
of the experiment. Pb seemed to behave exactly
like radio-Ca. It was deposited mainly in the re-
cently formed osseous lamellae and to a lesser
degree in the older bone tissue which was not yet
saturated with Ca.
It is suggested that Pb may be used in deter-
mining the rate of osteogenesis: a deposit occurs
in M> wk and calcification is complete after 3.5
mo. The thickness of a pre-osseous layer is ^10
U/wk. The use of Pb for the study of the Haversian
change is compared with that of radio-Ca and radio-
S. Pb is in fact a convenient instrument for the
study of changes in bone tissue and it confirms the
results obtained from autoradiography. (25 ref-
erences)
768 Von Backstrom, U.: SOME UNUSUAL CASES.
ATYPICAL LEAD POISONING—BULL. SPECIFIC
THERAPY WITH CALCIUM DISODIUM VERSENATE.
Journal of the South African Veterinary
Medical Association 28:213-5, 1957.
A bull stopped eating and developed lacrimation,
salivation, severe colic, bronchitis, paralysis of
the bladder and weakness of the hindquarters.
Rapid recovery followed single intravenous injec-
tion of a solution containing 24 g calcium diso-
dium edetate. Pb was identified in the feces.
It was believed to have been ingested from a pool
of rainwater in the exercise pen which had drained
off painted roofs. (From Veterinary Bulletin 28,
No. 9:3000, 1958")
759 Wada, N.: STUDIES ON THE INDUSTRIAL LEAD
POISONING. I. ABSORPTION, TRANSPORTATION,
DEPOSITION AND EXCRETION OF LEAD. 4. AN
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF LEAD INTAKE IN DOGS.
132
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Osaka City Medical Journal 4:113-33 (June),
1957. In Contributions from the Depart-
ment of Preventive Medicine and Public
Health, Osaka City University Medical
School, Vol. 1, April 1949-March 1959, pp.
159-79.
Two female dogs were fed 2.73 mg Pb/kg (as solu-
tion of Pb acetate) for 61 and 99 days respective-
ly; a 3rd dog served as control. The experimental
dogs lost 20% of their weight. Variations in the
count of reticulocytes and punctate basophils in-
dicated that the degree of Pb poisoning could not
be assessed by the counting of abnormal erythro-
cytes; the increase of coproporphyrin constituted
a more reliable test of Pb absorption. Fecal and
urinary Pb excretion, accounting for some 90% of
Pb ingested, rose sharply within 24 hr and then
remained fairly steady. The remaining 10% Pb was
stored mainly in the teeth and bones, other organs
contained small quantities, liver, kidney, spleen,
and lungs had the highest content. Other organs
examined for the Pb content were: pancreas, stom-
ach, intestine, trachea, brain, heart, bile, blood.
(63 references)
770 Wassermann, M., Mihail, G.B., and Cojocaru,
V. (Romania): Recherches hematologiques
dans 1'intoxication saturnine expe'rimen-
tale des animaux home'othermes, a I1aide du
microscope a contraste de phases. (HEMA-
TOLOGIC STUDIES IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POI-
SONING OF HOMOTHERMIC ANIMALS USING THE
PHASE-CONTRAST MICROSCOPE.) In XII Inter-
national Congress on Occupational Health,
Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill, Pro-
ceedings, pp. 185-9.
See Abstract No. 824
771 Westermarck, H.: Lyijymyrkytysten hoito
kalsiumi-EDTA eli kalsiumiverzenaatilla ja
BAL eli dimerkaptopropanolilla. (CALCIUM-
EDTA AND BAL (DIMERCAPROL) IN THE TREAT-
MENT OF LEAD POISONING.) Finska Vet.
Tidsskr. 63:417-22, 1957.
Pb poisoning in cattle has occurred when the drink-
ing water contained 0.15 ppm Pb; in the blood 0.128
rag/1000 ml is found in cases of Pb poisoning. Pb
oxide is the main cause of this poisoning in Fin-
land. BAL has been given, 4-6 mg/kg; but EDTA is
preferred, in doses of 1-2 g/100 kg, repeated 2-3
times with 2-3 day intervals. The intravenous in-
jection must be given slowly, otherwise shock oc-
curs. Sheep were killed with 0.4-0.5 g/kg of
Na edetate. (From Veterinary Bulletin 28, No. 5:
1562, 1958)
1958
772 Afonova, V.N. (Pavlov Med, Inst., Ryazan,
USSR): Izmenenie nekotorykh reaktivnykh
grupp syvorotochnykh belkov pri khroni-
cheskoi svintsovoi intoksikatsii. (CHANGES
IN SOME REACTIVE GROUPS OF SERUM PROTEINS
IN CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Farmakologiya
i Toksikologiya 21:64-9 (Nov.-Dec.), 1958.
In tests lasting 53-189 days, 14 rabbits were
given orally Pb acetate (aqueous solution) in
doses starting at 10 mg/kg and increasing every 2
wk by 10 mg/kg to a maximum of 80 mg/kg; 8 rabbits
served as controls. The animals were killed after
manifest poisoning had been established. The
serum proteins were examined everv week. Sulfhy-
dryl groups (SH) were determined by Anson's iodo-
metric method; the amine groups, colorimetrically;
the carboxyl, by formol titration (Zerensen),
Analysis showed active amine groups to decrease
by 16.3-42.6%, av 30%; active SH groups by 14.3-
42.9%, av 27,7%; active carboxyl groups by 11.6-
43.8%, av 29.3%. The author concludes that in
chronic Pb poisoning, one of the causes for the
decrease in the above protein groups is a blocking
action by Pb. She does not, however, exclude the
possibility that certain biochemical and physio-
logic processes occurring in prolonged poisoning
depress the synthesis of proteins containing the
free reactive groups.
773 Agresti, A,, Biondi, S., and Catellani, G.:
Di un raro caso di saturnismo del cane
sovrapponibile a quello professionale
dell'uomo. (LEAD POISONING IN A DOG.)
Acta Med. Vet., Napoli 4:169-92, 1958.
An account of chronic Pb poisoning in a dog which
had been a watch dog in a printer's workshop for
7 yr is given. The findings were in general
similar to those of the condition in man. (From
Veterinary Bulletin 29:1548 (May), 1959)
774 Baier, H. (Med. Clin. Inst. Ferdinand-
Sauerbruch, Wuppertal-Elberfeld, Germany):
Uber d:e> Wirkung von Blei auf die Fer-
mentsynthese in vivo. (EFFECTS OF LEAD ON
ENZYME SYNTHESIS IN VIVO.) Klinische
Wochenschrift 36:970-2, 1958.
Rats were given Pb^Oj^ in their drinking water
at an approximate level of 50 mg/day. When toxic
syrr.ptons were noted, the livers were analyzed for
arginase activity. Values were 50% less than
those in untreated animals. In vitro, 10~% Pb
resulted in 60-70% inhibition of the arginase
activity of human red cell hemolyzates.
775 Baikie, A.G., and Pirrie, R. (Roy. In-
firmary, Glasgow, Scotland): THE EFFECTS
OF ACTH AND CORTISONE IN EXPERIMENTAL
HAEMOLYTIC ANAEMIAS IN GUINEA PIGS; STUD-
IES ON ANAEMIAS DUE TO HETEROLOGOUS ANTI-
RED-CELL-SERUM AND ON THE ANAEMIS OF
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING. Scottish Medical
Journal 3, No. 6:264-73, 1958.
Anemia of chronic Pb poisoning was induced in 18
adult male guinea pigs by pipetting into the mouth
of each animal a daily dose of 50-300 mg Pb ni-
trate in solution. On the 48th day when hypo-
chromic anemia had developed, they were paired and
1 of each pair was given a daily intramuscular
(im) dose of 20 mg corticotrophin (ACTH) for 15
days. The reticulocyte and stipple-cell count in
the treated animals rose to about twice that of
the controls by the 10th day of treatment with
ACTH and declined slowly when ACTH was stopped,
reaching normal values about 16 days after its
discontinuance. No concomitant rise in hemoglobin
(Hb) or red cell levels was noted. Fecal excre-
tion of urobilinogen between the 54th and 65th
day of poisoning was 0.46 mg/day in treated ani-
mals and 0.53 mg/day in controls. When 3 Pb-poi-
soned guinea pigs were given 12 mg cortisone ace-
Plants and Animals
133
-------
tate im twice/day for 28 days, mean Hb value and
red cell values in test and control animals did
not differ whereas the mean reticulocyte count
from the 4th-20th day of cortisone treatment was
twice as high in experimental as in control ani-
mals. Three guinea pigs injected each with 0.2
ml of a potent liver extract between the 70th and
85th day of Pb poisoning showed no alteration in
reticulocyte counts. Administration of a gelatin
and propylene-glycol vehicle with or without 20 mg
ACTH/day to 12 Pb-poisoned animals for 16 days,
while Pb doses were stopped from the 2nd-9th day,
produced a reticulocytosis similar in trend and
magnitude in both groups. The discontinuance of
Pb doses caused a striking fall in reticulocyte
levels within 3 days which was followed by an
equally striking rise 4 days after Pb was recom-
menced. In splenectomized Pb poisoned guinea pigs
ACTH administration was not associated with any
consistent change in reticulocyte and stipple cell
counts. In normal (not Pb poisoned) guinea pigs
ACTH produced a 2-3-fold increase of reticulocytes
compared with non-ACTH-treated animals, without
marked difference in fecal urobilinogen excretion.
This led to the conclusion that this increase in
reticulocyte count does not indicate a proportion-
ate increase in erythropoiesis. Similar results
were obtained after administration of gelatin and
propylene-glycol vehicle with or without ACTH.
The direct Coombs test was not applied in any of
the experiments. It was concluded that ACTH and
cortisone had no beneficial effect on anemias
of chronic Pb poisoning. (30 references)
776 BSnard, H., Gajdos, A., and Gajdos-Torb'k,
M. (Natl. Inst. Health, France): Biogenese
de 1'hemoglobine par le sang peripherique
du lapin; action du plomb, du fluorure de
sodium et de 1'oxyde de carbone. (SYNTHE-
SIS OF HEMOGLOBIN BY THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD
OF RABBITS; EFFECT OF LEAD, SODIUM FLUORIDE
AND CARBON MONOXIDE.) Exposes Annuels de
Biochimie Medicale 1958, No. 20:41-54.
See Gajdos, A., and Gajdos-Tb'r&'k, M.
777 Borbely, F. (Univ. Zurich, Switzerland):
(TOXIC PROPERTIES OF LEAD ARSENATE.)
Schweiz. Z. Obst-u. Weinbau 67:333-5, 1958.
Toxicity of Pb arsenates to warm-blooded animals
is discussed. (From Chemical Abstracts 54:14455,
1960)
778 Bunyan, J., Edwin, E.E., and Green, J.,
(Walton Oaks Exptl. Sta., Tadworth, Surrey,
England): PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF TRACE ELE-
MENTS OTHER THAN SELENIUM AGAINST DIETARY
NECROTIC LIVER DEGENERATION. Nature 181:
1801 (June 28), 1958.
Rats wt:re fed necrogenic diets containing trace
elements at levels below their toxicity (where
they were known); Pb (alone, fed as Pb acetate at
0.5 ppm to 10 rats) and Ce, Hg, Ti, and V (to-
gether) were inactive. Mo, Os, and Co (together
and separately) delayed deaths by necrosis beyond
130 days in 3 out of 7. Se, cystine, and a-toco-
pherol prevented necrosis. Of the Pb rats, only
1 survived 88 days, and died on the 89th day.
779
Caccuri, S., Pecora, L., Fati, S., and
Vecchione, C. (Inst. Ind. Med. Univ. Na-
ples, Italy): Recherches sur la porphy-
rinogenese dans le saturnisme. (STUDIES
CONCERNING PORPHYRINOGENESIS IN LEAD POI-
SONING.) Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles de Medecine du Travail et de Secur-
ite^Sociale 19:341-6 (July-Aug.), 1958.
Young rabbits were made anemic by bleeding them for
3 days. On the 4th day, a suspension of red blood
corpuscles from blood taken from their ear vein
was prepared and reacted at 37° for 6 hr with a
homogenate obtained from fresh tissue of different
organs of these animals, in the presence of gly-
cocoll. Synthesis of protoporphyrln (PP) in this
system was slightly inhibited compared with a con-
trol system of red blood corpuscles and glycocoll.
In another test, rabbits were fed daily 4 ml of a
20% solution of Pb acetate for 5 days and sacri-
ficed on the 6th day. Addition of a homogenate of
tissues from these Pb-poisoned rabbits markedly
stimulated the synthesis of free PP in the system
of red cells-glycocoll. The greatest activation
was observed with lung tissue where the synthe-
sized amount of free PP was more than double of
that in the control tests. Liver, bone marrow and
spleen, in this order, were the next active stimu-
lants. Homogenates of tissues from Pb-poisoned
rabbits also promoted the synthesis of erythro-
cytic coproporphyrin in the above system. The
stimulating action of Pb on the synthesis of por-
phyrin in the organism was thus directly proved.
(28 references)
780 Calapso, P., and Maiorca, G. (Inst. Sci.
Information, Milan, Italy): Glomerulojal-
inosi da piombo; ricerche sperimentali.
(GLOMERULAR HYALINOSIS OF LEAD; EXPERIMEN-
TAL STUDIES.) Biologica Latina 11, No.
3:445-56, 1958.
A group of 30 albino rats of both sexes (180 g
weight) were injected sc 10 mg Pb acetate/day for
9 mo. Mortality was 20% in the 1st 3 mo and 30%
from 4th-7th mo. The histochemical studies were
made only on those that survived from 7-9 mo. The
findings indicated that prolonged treatment with Pb
causes glomerular hyalinosis. A primary alteration
of the glycoproteins in the glomerular mesangium
followed by mucosclerosis was assumed. This change
of the mesangium limits the activity of the glomer-
ular endothelium which favors the accumulation of
plasma proteins in the capillary loops. The ab-
sense of vascular lesions which in man are charac-
teristic for Pb-induced atrophy of the kidney, may
be due to too short an experimental period or to
peculiarities of the test animals towards Pb. (36
references)
7gl Di Maggio, G. (Univ. Catania, Italy):
Fattori vitaminici P ed attivlta epatica.
(VITAMIN P FACTORS AND HEPATIC ACTIVITY.)
Minerva Medica 1958:1701-14.
In this discussion and review of the effect of 4-
methylesculetin (ME) and quercetin in protein,
lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, graphs are
shown of the efficacy of ME in lowering free, es-
terified and total cholesterol in the liver of rats
subjected to subchronic Pb poisoning. Neutral fats
and total lipids were also reduced (Di Maggio, in
press). (107 references)
134
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
782 Fabre, R., Truhaut, R., Girault, M.
(Pharmacy Coll. Paris, France): Utilisa-
tion de 1'embryon de poulet en toxicologie
experimentale. Application a 1'etude des
effets toxiques du plomb. (CHICKEN EMBRYO
IN EXPERIMENTAL TOXICOLOGY. APPLICATION
TO THE STUDY OF LEAD.) Annales Pharma-
ceutiques Franchises 16:545-57 (Sept.-
Oct.), 1958.
The technique of injecting substances to be tested
in the fertilized egg and incubation precautions
are described. Neutral Pb acetate was injected
in doses of 200-4000 ug/egg at various periods of
incubation. At a dose of 1000 pg injected on the
5th day, development of the embryo was rather good,
but there was 50% mortality and brain injury which
could be observed macroscopically and microscopic-
ally. The severity of lesions was not in propor-
tion to the dose employed. Injections on the 10th
day had the. same effect as injection made on the
5th day. Large doses (4000 pg Pb/egg) given on
the 10th day occasionally caused only a minimum
inhibition of growth. In 2 eggs that received
2000 ug each, 1015 and 990 yg Pb were found in the
embryo, 860 and 900 in the vitellin sac, and 90
and 110 in the shell.
733 Fusco, M., Fati, S., and Vecchione, C.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): II comportamento
del ferro nei tessuti nell'intossicazione
sperimentale da piombo. (BEHAVIOR OF TIS-
SUE IRON IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.)
Bolletino della Societa Italiana di Bio-
logia Sperimentale 34, No. 8:382-5, 1958.
Eight rabbits were intoxicated by a daily oral
dose of 0.20 g Pb acetate and sacrificed after
^20 days. The Pb and Fe contents were determined
in the lungs, liver, brachial and sciatic plexus
and bone marrow and compared with those in 8 con-
trol animals. In a group of 4 Pb-intoxicated rab-
bits the Pb and Fe content in blood, urinary Pb,
protoporphyrin and coproporphyrin were determined
besides the Pb and Fe contents in the above men-
tioned tissues. Two rabbits were intoxicated with
daily doses of 0.10 g Pb acetate for ^1 mo and
lungs, liver, brachial and sciatic plexus and bone
marrow were analyzed for Pb and Fe. All experimen-
tal results pointed to the fact that Pb poisoning
causes a decrease of Fe in the tissues. The re-
action of catalase, peroxidase, myoglobin was not
studied.
784 Gajdos, A. and Gajdos-TBrBk, M. (Hotel
Dieu, Paris, France): Modifications du
taux de la protoporphyrine libre et de
1'activite catalasique dans les globules
rouges du lapin intoxique par le plomb ou
par la phenylhydrazine. (CHANGES IN FREE
PROTOPORPHYRIN LEVELS AND CATALASE ACTI-
VITY IN ERYTHROCYTES OF RABBITS POISONED
WITH LEAD OR PHENYLHYDRAZINE.) Sang, Bi-
ologie et Pathologie 29, No. 1:27-33,
1958.
Six adult rabbits were injected im with 250 mg Pb
acetate/kg body weight every 3 days for 6 wk. The
catalase activity of the red blood cells was de-
termined at regular intervals in the above rabbits
and in 17 controls. Activity in the controls var-
ied from 2500-4150 units/ml red blood cells, out
was practically constant for each individual ani-
mal. The Pb-poisoned rabbits exhibited a signifi-
cant progressive increase of catalase activity,
red-cell protoporphyrin (PP) and urinary CP. In
order to compare the rate of globular PP and
erythrocyte catalase activity, 6 rabbits were in-
jected sc with 50 mg phenylhydrazine chlorhydrate/
kg every 5 days. Determinations made every 2 wk
showed a development of excessive amounts of glob-
ular hyper-PP parallel to the degree of phenyl-
hydrazinic catalase activity. The mechanism of
the increased catalase activity is discussed.
(13 references)
785 Gajdos, A., and Gajdos-TBrBk, M. (Natl.
Inst. Hyg., France): Anemie hypochrome,
hypersideremique experimentale par intoxi-
cation saturnine, fluoree ou oxycarbonee
du lapin. Mecanisme pathogenique. (EX-
PERIMENTAL HYPOCHROMIC HYPERSIDEREMIC ANE-
MIA IN THE RABBIT IN LEAD, FLUORIDE, OR
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. PATHOGENETIC
MECHANISM.) Sang, Biologie et Pathologie
29, No. 6:444-60, 1958.
Two experimental methods were used as follows:
Rabbit blood was incubated, in the presence and
absence of the toxic substances (Pb acetate, NaF
and CO), with glycocoll marked with -^C or with
59pe. The rabbits had been intoxicated by phenyl-
hydrazine prior to the experiment. In vitro, the
addition of Pb (30 mg) to the blood of these rab-
bits, incubated with 59pe> caused almost complete
inhibition of heme synthesis. In the 2nd experi-
ment, rabbits were rendered anemic by giving the
toxic test substances. In the case of Pb, the
anemia was produced by giving 100 mg of Pb (as
subacetate)/kg by gastric tube several times every
5 days. NaF was given by the same route every 2
days at a dose of 60 mg/kg. For CO anemia, the
animals were kept for 2-3 hr/day in a metal cage
which was hermetically sealed but conveyed 0 and
CO by 2 rubber tubes. When a distinct hypersider-
emic anemia was achieved with 20% reticulocytosis,
the rabbits were bled and the blood (25 ml) was
incubated with labeled glycocoll and in 1 sample
with 150 mg NaF (known to cause large increases in
free erythrocyte protoporphyrin). After incuba-
tion for 4 hr at 37°, free erythrocyte protoporphy-
rin (PP), Hb-PP or heme were isolated and radio-
activity was measured. The results showed that
the blood was practically incapable of synthesizing
heme; Hb-PP was practically nil. In the experiment
where NaF was used alone, there was no accumulation
of PP; in the phenylhydrazine-anemic blood, after
addition of NaF, the content of PP rose from 1400
pg/100 ml red cells to an av 6300 ug. In the Pb-
poisoned blood, PP content remained practically
the same in the presence or absence of NaF (430
and 500 yg) . When the blood of the Pb rabbits was
incubated with 59pe> it was evident that the ab-
sence of heme synthesis was due to a lack of Fe
incorporation. Both in this case and in the phe-
nylhydrazine-poisoned rabbits the percentage of
reticulocytes was about the same.
The authors summarize their experiments as fol-
lows: In rabbits poisoned with Pb, NaF and CO, a
hypochromic and hypersideremic anemia was observed.
These characteristics of the anemia can be explain-
ed by the inhibition of the combination of Fe with
Plants and Animals
135
-------
PP. Hb synthesis thus inhibited causes a decrease
in the globular level and Fe accumulates causing
hypersideremia. There is also an increase in the
free PP level in the red cells. PP, the synthesis
of which is maintained, accumulates due to the
small utilization in the hematopoiesis. The inhi-
bition of heme synthesis seems to be the factor
responsible for the coexistence of hypochromia and
hypersideremia. (24 references)
786 Gentile, G. (Univ. Messina, Italy): Ri-
cerche sperimentali sull'intossicazione
saturnina: Risultati finora ottenuti e
piano di nuove rlcerche. (EXPERIMENTAL
STUDIES ON LEAD POISONING: RESULTS OB-
TAINED AND PLANS FOR NEW RESEARCH.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 41:902-10 (Sept.), 1958.
After a brief review of the occupations in which
workers are most exposed to the hazards of Pb
poisoning, the author reviews the various efforts
made since 1910 (by Simon) to obtain a compound
which, when administered to a Pb poisoned person,
is capable of forming an insoluble Pb compound by
binding the Pb cation. Although at present vari-
ous antidotes are available, including the most
modern Na pyrocatecholdisulfonate, BAL, and EDTA,
the search is far from finished and many points
need resolution. The author has been engaged in
such research, which he intends to publish in the
future. (19 references)
787 Grezaffi, A.J. (Texas A. and M. Coll.,
College Station): AN ACUTE CASE OF LEAD
POISONING IN A COW. Southwestern Vet.
11:140, 1958.
Poisoning in a cow by accidental ingestion of Pb
arsenate powder could not be counteracted with
CaEDTA, Na thiosulfate, DCM (composition not given),
or Havidote (composition not given). (From Chemical
Abstracts 52:18867, 1958)
788 Grishchenko, E.D., and Nikltenko, V.V.
(Inst. Hyg Occup. Dis., USSR): A STUDY
OF CERTAIN INDICES, BIOCHEMICAL AND OTHER-
WISE, IN ACUTE EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.
Pharmacology and Toxicology 21, No. 1:88,
1958. Translation of Farmakoligiya i
Toksikologiya 21, No. 1:81, 1958.
Acute Pb poisoning was induced by injecting 1.4 ml
of a 1% Pb acetate solution (9 me. Pb) ip into rats
weighing 192-291 g (av 224 g) . One-1.5 hr after
the Pb was injected, the animals were given by
mouth 1 ml of a solution of 35g methionine, in a
dose of 10 uCi/rat. The control and experimental
rats were killed after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 days.
The poisoning did not greatly change the distribu-
tion of the 35g methionine in the organs. It was
significantly absent only in the muscle tissue and
the myosin B of the muscles and heart. However,
there was no noticeable change in the myosin B con-
tent during the 8-day period after the poisoning.
After the 1st day, the viscosimetric activity
decreased noticeably. The heart action was accel-
erated, but returned to normal on the 2nd day,
while in the muscles, the process of neutralizing
the harmful effect of Pb was much retarded, and
the viscosimetric activity was just as low on the
8th day as on the 1st day. A weight loss was ob-
served on the 2nd day, reaching 10% on the 4th
day. In acute poisoning, the weight loss seems to
primarily occur in the lAuscle and fat tissues,
since the other organs were found to be their nor-
mal size or even larger during the period of maxi-
mal weight loss. Some tendency of the dry matter
content of the organs to decrease was observed in
the poisoned rats.
Some of the symptoms of acute poisoning are simi-
lar to those appearing in the 1st stage of chronic
poisoning. Some of these symptoms are more pro-
nounced in acute poisoning (eg, the decrease in the
viscosimetric activity of actomyosin), while others
are not as pronounced. (From authors' abstract)
789 Harashima, S., Tsuchiya, K., Kondo, H.,
Motouchi, M.., Sakaguchi, T. , and Mori, A.
(Keio Univ., Tokyo, Japan): THERAPY AND
PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING WITH CALCIUM
VERSENATE. Keio Journal of Medicine 7:93-
105 (Nov.), 1958.
The study was divided into 3 parts. (1) Dogs
were injected sc with 3 mg Pb/kg body weight (as
Pb acetate) 3 times/wk for ^3 wk; on the days when
Pb was not administered, 2.5 ml of 20% CaEDTA in
glucose solution was given by iv drip for 1 hr;
controls were given glucose only. Hemoglobin, red
and white cells, basophilic stippled cells and
reticulocytes were determined in experimental and
control dogs. In these dogs, CaEDTA was very use-
ful in preventing the onset of poisoning as well as
in recovery from poisoning symptoms. Liver func-
tion as determined by A/G ratio of serum and total
protein showed both criteria to be decreased in
the control, but returned to nearly normal in the
treated dog. No significant difference was seen
in protein fractions, although y~globulin was
raised gradually in both dogs. In the experimental
dogs, Pb distribution differed from that of the
control, ie, on 36th day of experiment, in poisoned
animals Pb content of plasma increased to 60 and
in red cells to 100 Mg/100 ml; controls: Pb in
plasma 25 and red cells 40 ug/100 ml. Pb in urine
was: experimental dog: 0.01 and 0.48 mg, through-
out the experiment; control dog: 2.0 mg (22nd
experimental day). Content of Pb in liver of the
treated dog was 'uL/2 that in liver of control ani-
mal; Pb in kidney of treated dog was 1/3 that in
kidney of control dog. (2) Pb workers suffering
from chronic Pb poisoning were treated iv with
EDTA. This therapy did not increase the Pb level
in the blood while the urinary Pb level was highest
after 3 hr administration. (3) Oral therapy with
EDTA in workers with chronic Pb poisoning increased
urinary Pb excretion in only a few patients. When
oral therapy was extended over more than 6 mo, both
blood and urinary Pb decreased and anemia was im-
proved. (14 references)
790 Heggen, G.E., Olsen, K.B., Edwards, C.F.,
Clark, L.B., and Maisel, M. (Saratoga
Springs Comm. Res. Lab.; Albany Med. Coll.;
Union Coll., Schenectady, N.Y.): EFFECTS
OF X-IRRADIATION ON TRACE ELEMENT LEVELS
IN RAT TISSUES. Radiation Research 9:285-
90 (Aug.), 1958.
Fourteen trace elements, including Pb, were studied
in the pooled samples of liver, spleen, kidney,
and lungs of male Sherman rats (140-200 g weight)
after they had received 600 r total-body irradia-
136
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
tlon (200 kv, 20 ma) at a target distance of 53 cm
at a rate of 81.5 r/min. In experiment 1 (46 rats),
the animals were killed at 4, 8, and 12 days after
irradiation; in experiment 2 (54 rats) at 2, 4, 6,
and 8 days after exposure. Fe, Zn, Cu, Mo, and Mn
were found consistently in all organs analyzed; Cr
in most samples; and Al in all lung samples. Ni
and Pb were found sporadically.
791 Horiuchi, K., and Horlguchi, S.: STUDIES
ON THE INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING. I. AB-
SORPTION, TRANSPORTATION, DEPOSITION AND
EXCRETION OF LEAD. 5. AN EXPERIMENTAL
STUDY WITH RADIOACTIVE LEAD (RADIUM D).
Osaka City Medical Journal 4:159-70 (Jan.),
1958. In Contributions from the Depart-
ment of Preventive Medicine and Public
Health, Osaka City University Medical
School, Vol. 1, April 1949-March 1959, pp.
194-205.
Guinea pigs (400-500 g) given Pb acetate (in solu-
tion of 16.38 mg Pb/ml) at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg
subcutaneously or orally for about 1 mo until Pb-
poisoned, were subsequently given a solution con-
taining some Pb acetate and a radioactive Pb trac-
er (RaD) either sc or orally or intratracheally.
Serial RaD measurements were made for 20 days.
Blood RaD levels reached maximum quickly (lowest
in oral group, highest in sc group) and fell rap-
idly after the 2nd day. Red cells contained most,
plasma and serum very little. RaD concentrations
in tissues were as follows: sc group, bones high-
est in early and late specimens; liver, spleen,
kidney high early, low by 10th day; lungs low, in-
creasing later. Oral group, bones and teeth high-
est; next liver and spleen; kidney low, gradually
increasing. Intratracheal group, kidney highest;
bones and teeth next; liver and spleen high, de-
creasing gradually; cecum relatively high and re-
maining so. Fecal excretion was greater than the
urinary except in the sc group. Figures are given
for excreted and absorbed RaD. (21 references)
792 Hosaka, Y. (Sewaga Children's Hosp., Tokyo,
Japan): IRON METABOLISM IN ANEMIAS IN THE
GROWING STAGE. II. THE NONHEMIN IRON CON-
TENTS OF THE ORGANS OF RATS IN RONTGEN-
IRRADIATION ANEMIA, LEAD-POISONING ANEMIA,
AND MALARIAL ANEMIA. Nippon Shonlka Gaku-
kai Zasshi 62:334-9, 1958.
In the cases of Rbntgen-irradiation anemia, Fe com-
pounds in the liver, spleen, kidney, and pancreas
increased. However, in the bone marrow, ferrltin
decreased and all other fractions increased. This
suggested that the reserve Fe was not utilized due
to the obstruction in the hematopoietic functions.
In Pb-poisoning anemia, a similar imperfect utili-
zation of the reserve Fe was noted as due to the
obstruction in the hematopoietic function and to
the increases in the hemosiderin content of the
liver, spleen, kidney, and small intestine. (From
Chemical Abstracts 52:14831, 1958)
793 Ising, U. , and Voigt, G.E. (Univ. Lund,
Sweden) : Histochemische Untersuchungen
Uber die Verteilung des Bleies bei experi-
mentellen Bleivergiftungen. (HISTOCHEMICAL
STUDIES ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN EX-
PERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Acta Histo-
chemica 6:44-54, 1958.
Several methods for demonstrating Pb were tested;
the most satisfactory were the Ag sulfide and the
dithizone methods. Although the sulfide method
was considered preferable because the smallest Pb
deposits which could not be demonstrated by the
dithizone method could be made visible by it, the
dithizone method was considerably easier to exe-
cute. Acute Pb intoxication was produced in 2
hamsters given Pb acetate in water solution at a
dose of ^500 mg/100 g of body weight either orally
or subcutaneously, and killed. To produce chronic
poisoning, 8 hamsters were given 20 mg Pb phos-
phate/100 g each, intramuscularly twice a week for
4-12 wk. Survival ranged from 2-105 days. Ne-
cropsy showed no macroscopic changes. At the in-
jection site and in the mesenteric fatty tissue,
peculiar grayish white formations, Pb granulomas,
were found. Histochemical examination showed in
acute poisoning in the kidneys the presence of Pb
in the interstitial tubules, in ascending branches
of Henle's loop, and in epithelial cells of the
glomeruli as well as in the basal membrane; in
chronic poisoning, it occurred chiefly in the parts
of the proximal epithelia and in the fuchsinophile
nuclear inclusions in tubular epithelia in a
streak-like region of the cortex along the boundary
of cortex and medulla. The nuclei of these cells
were substantially enlarged and swollen. In the
liver, Pb was found in the Kupffer cells; in
chronic poisoning it appeared to be replaced by
deposits of Fe.
794 JHtten, K.W., and KlosterkHtter, W. (West-
phalia Wilhelms Univ., Munster, Germany):
Untersuchungen mit dem Rostschutzgrundan-
strichprMparat "Graubleimennige-Arcanol."
(INVESTIGATIONS ON THE RUST PREVENTIVE
PAINT "GRAY MINIUM ARCANOL.") Zentral-
blatt f{lr Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz
8:140-2 (June), 1958.
Experiments were carried out to determine whether
occupational hazards in the use of "Gray minium"
are less severe than in the use of common red mini-
um. Gray minium contains ^50% metallic Pb, red
minium 77-80% Pbs04; 0.1N-HC1, within 30-120 rain,
dissplves 6-7 times as much Pb from red minium as
from gray minium. When rabbits were exposed to
the inhalation of sprayed fumes of gray and red
minium, respectively, the latter proved to be more
toxic, causing a greater number of stippled cells
in 1 test and a higher mortality in a 2nd. Howev-
er, the Pb content in the organs was often higher
with gray than with red minium which led to the
conclusion that Pb in this case was stored in the
organism in a less reactive form. The authors
point out that although gray minium seems to be
less toxic than red minium, unprotected rabbits
exposed to its fumes develop distinct symptoms of
Pb poisoning. Thus, gray minium should be used
.only with careful protective measures.
795 Klein, J.R. (Brookhaven Natl. Lab., Up-
ton, N.Y.): DEPRESSION OF HEME FORMATION
AND PRODUCTION OF FREE PORPHYRIN IN DUCK
ERYTHROCYTES. American Journal of Physi-
ology 203:971-4, 1958.
Incorporation of labeled glycine and acetate into
heme and free porphyrin formation in the presence
Plants and Animals
137
-------
of added glycine were depressed by Pb. All stages
of heme formation by broken cells were Inhibited,
but early stages were most sensitive. (18 refer-
ences)
796 Klimova, L.K. (Ukrainian Scientific-Res.
Chem.-Sanit. Inst., USSR): PHARMACOLOGY
OF THE NEW ANTIDOTE UNITHIOL. Pharma-
cology and Toxicology 21, No. 3:264-9,
1958. Translation of Farmakologiya i
Toksikologiya 21, No. 3:53-8, 1958.
As determined in animals, unithiol (sodium 2,3-
dimercaptopropanesulfonate) is a substance of low
toxicity. Toxic manifestations become apparent
in animals only after administration of unithiol
in amounts >10 times the therapeutic dose. It has
a wide range of therapeutic action and lower tox-
icity than BAL. The ratio of therapeutic dose to
toxic (LDso) is 1:2° on average. When 35S-labeled
unithiol was given in a single sc injection to
animals, it was rapidly absorbed to give the maxi-
mal concentration in the blood possible with the
given dose within 30 min; the blood was free of
*5S after 24 hr. 35S disappeared from the peri-
pheral blood after repeated sc injection, at the
same intervals of time as those following single
injections. Unithiol (or metabolic products) was
eliminated from the body chiefly by the kidneys
(within the range of 70-80% of the administered
amount) within the first 5-6 hr. It possesses no
cumulative properties. Intravenous injection uni-
thiol to rabbits or dogs in therapeutic doses or
10 times greater exert no marked effect on the
circulatory system. Hypotensive action became
manifest only when it is administered in doses
considerably >10 times the therapeutic dose
(500 mg/kg to rabbits or 150-200 mg/kg to dogs.)
797 Lang, H., and Fingerhut, M. (Univ. Mainz,
Germany): Verteilung von i.v. injiziertem
Pb 210 in Kaninchenorganen. (INTRACELLU-
LAR DISTRIBUTION OF INTRAVENOUSLY INJECTED
LEAD-210 IN THE ORGANS OF THE RABBIT.)
Archiv fur Experimentelle Pathologie und
Pharmakologie 235:41-50, 1958.
^lOpb as Pb acetate was used in equilibrium with
the products formed from the210Pb, and the in-
soluble part was rendered soluble by treatment
with HNOj and neutralization. Doses of 0.14 to
0.19 mg Pb were injected iv into rabbits. In the
liver there was a marked and lasting accumulation
of Pb in the mitochondria and a dilution of the
activity in the microsomes and cytoplasma. Be-
tween 2 and 5 wk after th(- injection the specific
activity in the mitochondria was about 8 times
higher than that of the cytoplasm. Other organs
did not show a special trend to accumulate Pb.
798 Matthews, J.J., and Walpole, A.L. (Imperi-
al Chem. Ind. Ltd., Pharmaceuticals Div.,
Cheshire, England): TUMOURS OF THE LIVER
AND KIDNEY INDUCED IN WISTAR RATS WITH
4'-FLUORO-4-AMINODIPHENYL. British Jour-
nal of Cancer 12:234-41 (June), 1958.
Mention is made of tumors found by Zollinger in
rats following repeated subcutaneous injection of
Pb phosphate. These were similar to spontaneous
renal adenomas described by Ecker. Walpole con-
firmed Zollinger's findings (unpublished). The
appearance of the tumors in his rats, however, was
preceded by severe pathological changes in the
kidney cortex, occurrence of numerous cysts in-
volving mainly the proximal convoluted tubules,
and of bizarre nuclear abnormalities in the tubu-
lar epithelium.
799 Miani, N., and Viterbo, B. (Univ. Padua,
Italy): Studio istoautoradiografico sulla
localizzazione del piombo (RaD) in vari
organi di cane. (HISTOAUTORADIOGRAPHIC
STUDY OF THE LOCALIZATION OF LEAD (RaD) IN
VARIOUS ORGANS OF THE DOG.) Zeitschrift
fUr Zellforschung und Mikroskopische
Anatomie 49, No. 2:188-208, 1958.
The histological localization of Pb (RaD) in var-
ious organs of dogs that were killed 10 hr, 3 or
10 days, after intravenous administration of the
RaD, was examined autoradiographically. In the
kidneys RaD accumulated mainly in the rod epithe-
lium. In the central nervous system (cerebellum,
telencephalon, hypophyseal process, and neurohy-
pophysis) it was found in the structures forming
the capillaries and pyrenophores of the nerve
cells and their dendrites while the nerve fibers
of the white brain substance did not store the
metal. In the spleen RaD was present mainly in
the sinoendothelial and reticular cells. In the
lungs it was bound to the histiocytic elements and
in the liver to the liver cells and to Kupffer's
cells. On the basis of the histoautoradiograms
the conclusion was drawn that Pb accumulates prin-
cipally in the following structures which are
common to all organs: mitochondria, cells of
histiocytic macrophagic nature and structural
elements of the capillaries.
800 Miki, M.: STUDIES ON THE LEAD CONTENT IN
THE BODIES OF TEST ANIMALS. 1. LEAD IN
BLOOD, URINE AND FECES OF THE RABBITS.
Osaka City Medical Journal 4:135-48 (Jan.),
1958. In Contributions from the Depart-
ment of Preventive Medicine and Public
Health, Osaka City University Medical
School. Vol. 1, April 1949-March 1959,
pp. 180-93.
Xhe Pb content in blood, urine, and feces of ^300-
400 healthy, male adult rabbits was measured by
spectrochemical analysis (Horiuchi et al, 1952).
Statistical evaluation showed distribution of Pb
to follow a log-normal relationship with a mean of
34.6 yg/100 g, and an upper limit of 104.4 in
whole blood; in urine, the mean value was 21.13
ug/100 g, and upper limit, 66.3; in the feces, the
mean was 163.66 Mg/10 g, and upper limit, 268.5.
The author suggests that these representative val-
ues and their upper limits may be applicable to a
larger population, since each measured value fol-
lows statistical laws of distribution. (From
author's summary)
801 Mokranjac, M.S., Radmic, S., and Soldatov-
ic, D. (Fac. Pharm., Belgrade, Yugoslavia):
(ACTION OF CERTAIN DRUGS ON GUINEA PIGS IN-
TOXICATED WITH LETHAL DOSES OF LEAD.) Acta
Pharm. Jugoslav. 8:197-204, 1958.
The action of penicillin, p-aminosalicylic acid,
BAL, Ca ethylenediaminetetraacetate and of Na
138
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
citrate on guinea pigs intoxicated with lethal
doses of Pb was studied. Of all substances test-
ed, only Na citrate acted as a real antidote; all
other substances increased the mortality of in-
toxicated animals. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:
15330, 1959)
802 Mokranjac, M., and Soldatovic, D. (Toxicol.
Lab., Pharmacy Coll., Belgrade, Yugoslav-
ia): Effet de certains antibiotiques sur
la mobilisation du plomb chez 1'animal
soumis aux conditions d'intoxication par
de petites quantltes de plomb. (EFFECT OF
VARIOUS ANTIBIOTICS ON THE MOBILIZATION OF
LEAD IN ANIMALS SUBJECTED TO POISONING
WITH SMALL QUANTITIES OF LEAD.) Comptes
Rendus des Stances de I'Acade'mie des Sci-
ences 246, No. 24:3386-7, 1958.
The experiments were carried out with sheep which
had first been treated with penicillin, then sub-
jected to chronic poisoning. When, after some
months their Pb level in blood and urine had return-
ed to normal (15-18 yg/100 ml blood and 22-27 yg/1
urine), they were again poisoned by daily oral ad-
ministration of 25 mg Pb as nitrate until the Pb
concentration in the blood reached 200 yg/100 ml.
Then streptomycin in a daily dose of 4 g was in-
jected for 6 days, or 5 g/day terramycin or 20 g/
day aminosalicylic acid (PAS) were given orally
for 6 days. Blood and urine analyses showed a
marked increase of Pb in both fluids, starting on
the 2nd day of treatment; a maximum was reached
some days after cessation of the treatment and the
values returned to normal within 10-15 days. The
greatest increase in blood Pb was observed after
terramycin, and the greatest increase in urine
following PAS. Streptomycin produced the smallest
changes. With all 3 antibiotics the relative in-
crease of Pb concentration was greater in the
blood than in the urine. It is concluded that
treatment of Pb poisoned patients with antibiotics
for any disease will produce a mobilization of Pb
with all possible undesirable consequences.
803 Nakade, R. (Kanazawa Univ. Med. School,
Japan): (THE CONTENT OF THE FLUOROGENIC
CORTICOIDS IN PLASMA AND ADRENAL GLAND OF
THE RATS INTOXICATED WITH VARIOUS METALS.)
Nippon Naibumpi Gakkai Shi 34:131-47,
1958.
For the determination of fluorescent corticoster-
oids the specimens are extracted with CHClg, then
with 70% alcohol, followed by silica gel column
chromatography according to Takeda's modification
of Swent's method. The compound B fraction (main-
ly corticosterone), eluted with alcohol-CHClj mix-
ture (1:99), in plasma and adrenal gland of the
rats is markedly lowered after injection of Hg, Fe,
Ag, Pt, Zn, Bi, Mn, Mg, Sb, Ca, salt solutions,
and greatly increased by the Au salt injection,
while the compound F-like substance, eluted with
alcohol-CHC!3 mixture (5:95), is increased in all
cases of the tnetal intoxication. Pb salt causes
no definite tendency as to the amounts of both
fractions. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:18832,
1958)
804 Nishinura, M. (Tokyo Dental Coll., Japan):
EFFECTS OF PARATHYROID FUNCTION ON LEAD
POISONING. PART 2. OBSERVATIONS ON LEAD
METABOLISM AND SYMPTOMS OF THE INTOXICATION
WHEN PARATHYROID GLANDS ARE REMOVED. Jour-
nal of Science of Labour (Japan) 34:8-16
(Jan.), 1958.
Pb poisoning was induced in normal and parathy-
roidectomized albino rats. The following obser-
vations were made: (1) Pb anemia was more appar-
ent in the normal group than in the parathyroid-
ectomized one. (2) The amount of Pb in blood
and urine was smaller in the parathyroidectomized
rats than in the normals, but Pb retained in the
body (mostly in the bones) was higher in the para-
thyroidectomized animals. (3) It was concluded
that Pb poisoning becomes more chronic in the
hypo-functional state of the parathyroid. (4)
Both serum Ca and Pb in the bones do not merely
depend on the Ca intake but on the hormonal func-
tion of the parathyroid. (5) The importance of
parathyroid function in acute and chronic Pb poi-
soning is pointed out. (From author's English
summary; 35 references)
805 Noda, E. (Kyushu Univ., Japan): (AN EXPER-
IMENTAL STUDY OF TETRAETHYL-LEAD POISONING.)
Fukuoka Igaku Zasshi 49:2779-89, 1958.
The toxic action of TEL was studied in dd mice by
giving them sc TEL in solution in olive oil. Also
the action of certain drugs to prevent and cure TEL
poisoning were also examined in dd mice by giving
them the drugs by injection repeatedly at regular
intervals before and after sc administration
of TEL. Results showed that the sc LD50 of TEL
was 13.02 mg/kg body weight. CaNa2EDTA was most
effective in acute and subacute TEL poisoning,
followed by Na citrate. BAL was effective when
the poisoning was acute but not statistically, in
subacute. Glutathione, glucuronic acid, Na thio-
sulfate, mercaptan and "yakriton" had no observ-
able effect on the poisoning. (From author's sum-
mary; 61 references)
806 Odescalchi, C.P. (Univ. Pavia, Italy):
Ricerche sull'attivita spontanea e sulla
reattivita dell'intestino isolate di ratto
e di coniglio nell'-intossicazione speri-
mentale de piombo. (THE SPONTANEOUS AC-
TIVITY AND THE REACTIVITY OF THE ISOLATED
INTESTINE IN EXPERIMENTALLY POISONED RATS
AND RABBITS.) Lavoro umano 10:351, 1958.
As compared to controls, no changes in reactions
to certain substances were observed in the isola-
ted intestine of rats and rabbits poisoned with Pb
at various modes of administration when compared
with controls. The author suggests that the in-
testinal structure possesses a complete anatomic
integrity, and concludes that colics appearing in
Pb poisoning are a local manifestation of the gen-
eral morbid condition of the patient. (From
Zentralblatt fUr Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz
10:289 (Abstracts), 1960.)
8Q7 Okada, M., and Asoda, A. (Tokyo Med. &
Dental Univ., Japan): STUDIES ON DEPOSI-
TION MECHANISM OF HEAVY METAL SALTS IN
HARD TISSUES. I. ON THE OCCURRENCE OF
ACTIVE INTERMEDIATE COMPOUNDS IN THE BLOOD
WHICH LEAD TO DEPOSIT METAL IN HARD TIS-
SUES. Proceedings of the Japanese Academy
Plants and Animals
139
-------
34, No. 10:730-5, 1958.
Vital staining of hard tissues by Pb acetate, de-
vised by Okada and Mimura (1938) is accomplished
by injecting a microquantity into an animal, and
the deposited Pb is demonstrated histochemically
as a distinct fine line. This enables marking
passage of time in hard tissue and thus examining
growth and various responses of hard tissues under
experimental conditions. In this study, a solution
of Pb acetate was injected into an ear vein of a
rabbit; the animal was sacrificed a few days later
and the teeth fixed in formaldehyde solution. Af-
ter decalcification in 0.2N HC1 saturated with H2S,
frozen sections of the tooth were prepared to de-
termine Pb lines on dentin. With a series of me-
tal acetates, Pb, with the minimum solubility prod-
uct was superior to other metals. The degree of
deposition was Ag>Cu>Zn. Ni, Cr, and Al were not
detected. Thus, the deposition of the metal was
pc'"allel to the solubility product of the phosphate.
A mixed solution of Ca and Pb salts produced a
lighter Pb line in dentin than that from Pb salt
alone. The data further indicated that Pb added
to the serum is bound by serum protein, but in
the presence of excess Ca salt Pb is not bound.
The Pb present in the blood after intravenous in-
jection is apparently a labile type that easily
dissociates into Pb ion, while that in the blood
after intraarterial injection is a stable type
such as Pb phosphate.
The authors conclude that Pb and other metals
entering the blood stream take transiently a form
that combines with some substance (receptor) in
competition with Ca, and then deposit in hard tis-
sues.
808 Reva, A.D., Tsikora, I.L., and Gribnikova,
A.M. (Dnepropetrovsk State Univ., Ukraine,
USSR): DISTRIBUTION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN
THE LUMBAR ENLARGEMENT OF THE SPINAL CORD
FROM THE RESULTS OF SPECTRAL ANALYSIS.
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medi-
cine (English translation) 46:824-6, 1958.
Spinal cords were obtained from cows 7-12 min af-
ter killing by severing carotid arteries and anal-
yzed for their content of Pb, Cr, Ni, Al, Mn, Si,
Ti, Cu, and Ag, in various areas of the lumbar
part. While generally, the trace elements were
found to be distributed unevenly, by examination of
the numerical results Pb was among those uniformly
distributed in all areas tested in an amount of
10~^% except for the white matter and the posterior
roots where it reached a 10~^% concentration as ash.
The concentrations of Pb in the individual areas
were in %: whole area, 0.003; white matter, 0.0019;
gray matter, 0.0004; some of anterior horn, 0.0002;
some of posterior horn, 0.0006; anterior root,
0.0009; posterior root, 0.001.
809 Sacca., A., Aragona, F., and Ceruso, D.
(Univ. Messina, Italy): L'acido tioctico
nell'intossicazione sperimentale acuta da
acetato di piombo. (THIOCTIC ACID IN EX-
PERIMENTAL ACUTE LEAD ACETATE POISONING.)
Gazzetta Internazionale di Medicina e
Chirurgia 63:1284-91, 1958.
One of 2 groups of 10 rats (150 g mean weight)
each was treated intraperitoneally with 10 mg Pb
acetate dissolved in 1 ml distilled water/day.
Group 2 received in addition to Pb 2 mg/day of
thioctic acid in 2 daily doses of 1 mg. Treatment
was over a period of 10 days, whereafter the ani-
mals were sacrificed by exsanguination. Histo-
logic changes in the various organs (lungs, liver,
spleen, kidney and endocrine glands) are described,
and illustrated in microphotographs.
Thioctic acid was able to counteract the carbo-
hydrate disturbances (liver glycogen) caused by
Pb. However, the pathologic changes in the vari-
ous organs examined were not modified. The auth-
ors conclude that on the basis of the failure by
the drug to protect against Pb poisoning, Pb acts
not only on enzymes with thiol function but also
on other enzyme systems.
81Q Sacca, A., Aragona, F., and Ceruso, D.
(Univ. Messina, Sicily): (THE SODIUM CAL-
CIUM SALT OF ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC
ACID (Na2Ca-EDTA) IN EXPERIMENTAL SATURN-
ISM.) Gazz. intern, med. e chir. 63:1427-
38, 1958.
Ka2CaEDTA was shown to be able to repair the
visceral lesions of Pb acetate (rats) but had ef-
fects on the kidney ascribed chiefly to its Na
content. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:9486, 1959)
811 Salisbury, R.M., Staples, E.L.J., and
Sutton, M. (Animal Res. Div., Dept. Agr. ,
Wellington, New Zealand): LEAD POISONING
OF CHICKENS. New Zealand Veterinary Jour-
nal 6:2-7, 1958.
Attempts to induce Pb poisoning in adult fowl failed
to produce any evidence of Pb poisoning by giving
single massive doses of Pb as red Pb and white Pb
in capsules (maximum doses, 1000 and 200 mg/kg body
weight, respectively). The highest liver Pb content
was 15.1 ppm with 1000 mg Pb/kg, the lowest, 0.3
ppm at 200 mg/kg red Pb. The birds remained normal.
In several episodes of Pb poisoning in fowl spent
Pb shot was found in chicken gizzards and grit con-
taining a high Pb content fed to chickens had pro-
duced a severe mortality in chickens, with the find-
ing of necrosis of the gizzard lining and elevated
liver Pb levels of 15-18 ppm. This led to experi-
ments with 45 1-day-old white Leghorn chickens
which were fed the same grit ad lib experimentally
for 66 days. After killing all surviving chickens
(20), identical gizzard lesions were found on post-
mortem examination. Liver Pb levels ranged from
0.4 (body condition, good) to 34.6 ppm wet tissue
(in 15 not surviving to the 66th day). There ap-
peared to be a high correlation between the gizzard
lesions and the liver Pb levels.
Adult birds were tested with the same grit fed
ad lib to 14 2-yr white Leghorns and 1 white Leg-
horn cockerel. The experiment lasted 116 days when
the remaining birds (6) were visibly affected and
expected to succumb eventually. Liver Pb levels
ranged from 2.9 ppm (in a bird surviving to the
116th day) to 53.6 ppm (in the 1st to die on the
56th day). There was a marked loss in weight in
all birds, and in the hens that were in lay, even-
tual cessation of egg production. Other signs
were: severe anemia (no stippling), necrosis of
gizzard lining, greenish discoloration of the liver
and greenish scour. The grit, shown to be toxic,
was examined by a porcelain enamelling firm and
found to be "frit," an ingredient used in the man-
140
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ufacture of enamelware. Ingredients were: Pb
oxide 32%, Si dioxide 30%, the rest, Si, B, Na, Fe,
Al, Zn, and Ca compounds.
The authors conclude that the susceptibility to
Pb intoxication in poultry decreases with age. If
massive, high doses of basic Pb carbonate and red
Pb are given, the compounds are not toxic to poul~
try if given in a state in which they will not be
retained in the gizzard.
812 Sano, S.: STUDIES ON THE NATURE OF THE
BASOPHILIC STIPPLED CELLS IN LEAD POISON-
ING. 1. STUDIES ON THE CYTOLOGICAL INVES-
TIGATION OF BASOPHILIC STIPPLED CELLS. 2.
STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF GRANULE-FORMA-
TION OF BASOPHILIC STIPPLED CELLS IN LEAD
POISONING. Acta Scholae Med., Univ. in
Kioto 35, No. 2:149-57; 158-63, 1958.
1. The following results were found: (1) The
basophilic granule contains ribonucleic acid, sug-
gesting it to be the residue of a cytoplasmic com-
ponent of the erythroblast. (2) As the granule
is devoid of desoxyribonucleic acid it is probably
not derived from the nucleus of the erythroblast.
(3) The basophilic stippled cell, polychromatophil-
ic cell and the reticulocytes all contain ribonu-
cleic acid, and in this respect the substances
which characterize these cells may be considered
to be identical.
2. Using the phase constant microscope, obser-
vations were made on the basophilic granule of the
bone marrow and the peripheral blood cells in Pb-
poisoned mice. It was found that: (1) The mito-
chondria were seen in the red blood cell of both
the bone marrow and the peripheral blood in Pb
poisoning. (2) The number of red blood cells
containing mitochondria nearly approximated that
of basophilic stippled cells. (3) The vacuoles
were observed in the cytoplasma of the erythro-
blast and red blood cell with basophilic stippling.
(4) The stippling is due to a vital aggregation of
ribonucleic acid around mitochondria in the cyto-
plasma of red blood cell. (From Bulletin of Hy-
giene 34:1138, 1959)
813 Schoberl, A. (Veterinary College, Hannover,
Germany): Moderne Methoden flir den Nach-
weiss von Bleivergiftungen. (MODERN METH-
ODS FOR THE DETECTION OF LEAD POISONING.)
Deutsche Tierarztliche Wochenschrift 65:
235-9, 1958.
Two modern micromethods for the determination of
Pb in biological material, ie, the photometric
method using dithizone and a polarographic method,
are described and recommended to take the place of
the classical method based on precipitation of Pb
as sulfide. Pb determinations were made on some
cattle and deer. The Pb content in the liver (mg/
100 g) of a normal animal was found to be 0.05, in
an animal acutely poisoned with Pb^O^ 0.36-0.39;
for 4 cows and 2 deer chronically poisoned near a
Pb smelter the following figures were found: 0.72,
0.63, 0.27, 0.23, 0.60, 0.71. The bones of 2 old-
er deer in the neighborhood of a Pb smelter con-
tained 4.34 and 7.9 mg Pb/100 g, respectively, a
marrow-containing shank 5.6. These animals showed
paralysis of the legs.
814 Shibuya, T.: (NUCLEIC ACID CHANGES IN
LEAD POISONING.) Fukuoka-Iagku-Zasshi 49:
972-90, 1958.
Subcutaneous injection of Pb acetate (20 rag/kg
body weight, every other day, 5 times) to rabbits
decreased the content of deoxyribonucleic acid in
the brain and of deoxyribonucleic acid and ribo-
nucleic acid in the spleen. Ribonucleic acid in
the brain and both deoxyribonucleic acid and ri-
bonucleic acid in the liver, kidney, and bone mar-
row showed little or no change. (From Chemical
Abstracts 52:16617, 1958)
815 Shimooku, M. (Kobe Med. Coll., Japan):
THE AMOUNT OF VITAMIN A IN THE LIVER OF
MICE FED A VITAMIN A AND Bj^ DEFICIENT DIET.
I. THE AMOUNT OF VITAMIN A IN THE LIVER
OF NORMAL MICE SUBJECTED TO VITAMIN A AND
B1 DEFICIENCY. II. THE AMOUNT OF VITAMIN
A AND THE PATHOHISTOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN
MOUSE LIVER IN VITAMIN A AND BI DEFICIENCY
WITH ACETIC LEAD POISONING. Acta Soc.
Ophthal. Jap. 62, No. 3:67-73; 74-82, 1958.
I. The amounts of vitamin A in the liver of mice
fed a normal, vitamin A-deficient and vitamin B-^-
deficient diet were calculated by the glycerol di-
chlorhydrin method. The liver showed 2833 IU
vitamin A/g in the normal mice fed a control diet
containing 464 IU of vitamin A for 40 days. Ani-
mals maintained on a vitamin A-deficient diet or
Bi-deficient diet showed a vitamin A content in
the liver of 216 and 1179 lU/g, respectively.
II. The relationship was discussed between the
amount of vitamin A and the pathologic findings in
the liver of mice subjected to experimental Pb in-
toxication and maintained on a normal vitamin A-
and B-^-def icient diet. It is concluded that Pb
intoxication may easily promote liver degeneration
in the vitamin B.-deficient mice as well as in the
vitamin A-deficient animals. (From Excerpta Med-
ica Section XII, 12:Abstr. No. 1563, 1958)
816 Stover, C.N., ed.: SEMI-ANNUAL PROGRESS
REPORT. US Atomic Energy Comm. Doc. No.
COO-217, 1958, 184 pp.
Progress is reported in long-term studies on the
toxic effects of radioactive heavy metals in dogs.
Data are included on the pathological effects and
clinical symptoms in dogs receiving Pu, Ra,
228Ra, and 9f)Sr. Metabolism of 2l2Pb was studied
in dogs following intravenous injection and after
transfusion of
212
Pb labeled blood cells. (From
Nuclear Science Abstracts 13:4392, 1959)
817 Tarabaeva, G.I. (Acad. Sci. Kasakh SSR):
Gonadotropnaya aktivnost gipofiza pri
svintsovom otravlenii. (GONADOTROPIC AC-
TIVITY OF THE HYPOPHYSIS IN LEAD POISON-
ING.) Izvestiya Akademii Nauk Kazakhskoi
SSR, Seriya Meditsiny i Fiziologii 1958,
No. 2:108-13.
Groups of 7 rats each were treated as follows:
(1) was subjected to chronic Pb poisoning by the
intragastric administration of 0.2-0.3 ml 1% solu-
tion of Pb acetate daily for 4 mo; (2) treatment
as above with a 5% solution to induce acute poi-
soning; (3) served as controls. Upon sacrifice or
death, the hypophysis was removed, and an emulsion
in physiologic saline was prepared to be injected
sc to infant female mice twice daily for 3 days.
Plants and Animals
141
-------
The mice were sacrificed 100 hr after the 1st in-
jection. The results showed that the gonadotrop-
ic activity of the hypophysis of mice that re-
ceived the hypophyseal emulsion from rats poisoned
with the 5% solution was disturbed, while mice
that received the rat hormone from the 1% Pb ace-
tate group and mice injected the experimental
hormone from rats that received no Pb exhibited
normal gonadotropic function of the hypophysis
and in all cases the ovaries and other parts of
the genital organs showed typical reactions of
sexual development.
818 Teisinger, J., Lustinec, K., and Srbova,
J. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis., Prague,
Czechoslovakia): EFFECT OF EDATHAMIL CAL-
CIUM-DISODIUM ON RETENTION OF LEAD IN THE
LIVER. A.M.A. Archives of Industrial
Health 17:302-6 (Apr.), 1958.
In the first experiments livers of normal cats
were removed, perfused with defibrinated ox blood
with Tyrode's solution and Pb nitrate solution at
different concentrations. During perfusion, blood
was withdrawn at hourly intervals, and analyzed
for Pb. In the 2nd series, 24 hr before perfusion
in vitro, 2 cats received intravenously (iv) 10 ml
0.5% solution of Pb nitrate solution, and 1 re-
ceived 6 ml. In the 3rd series, 24 and 48 hr be-
fore perfusion, 8 cats received iv 10 ml 0.5% Pb
nitrate. After 1 hr of perfusion, a solution of
EDTA was added to the blood.
Within 1-2 hr the livers of normal cats had ab-
sorbed about 50% of the circulating Pb from the
blood. After this period an equilibrium between
liver and blood was reached and the Pb content in
the liver did not increase further. Experiments
with cats poisoned with Pb showed that the mechan-
ism of binding Pb to liver cells is reversible but
the process of release of Pb into blood is very
slow. When a solution of EDTA was added to the
blood after perfusion this release action was ac-
celerated 2-4-fold. It is assumed that EDTA rap-
idly forms complexes with the Pb ions which are
released from the liver cells, thereby speeding up
this reaction. Probably, neither EDTA nor PbEDTA
penetrate into liver cells as these cells are
practically unable to bind PbEDTA. (3 references)
819 Teramoto, K. (Kyoto Prefectural Med. Univ.,
Japan): (LEAD POISONING. THE CONTENT OF
LEAD IN ORGANS OF RABBITS ADMINISTERED
LEAD, DETERMINED BY THE MOBILIZING PRO-
CEDURE.) Kyoto Furitsu Ikadaigaku Zasshi
64:221-37, 1958.
Polarographic determinations of the Pb content in
various organs of rabbits administered Pb acetate
showed that BAL, EDTA, and KI did not mobilize Pb
but merely changed the Pb distribution between the
organs. (From Chemical Abstracts 54:25314, 1960)
820 Timm, F., and Arnold, M. (Max-Planck-Inst.
Exptl. Med., GHttingen, Germany): Histo-
chemische Studien zur Ausscheidung des
Bleisalzes der Sthylendiamintetraessig-
saure durch die Rattenniere. (HISTOCHEMI-
CAL STUDIES OF THE EXCRETION OF LEAD SALT
OF ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID BY THE
RAT KIDNEY.) Archiv filr Experimentelle
Pathologie und Pharmakologie 233:422-30,
1958.
The preparation of the Pb, Cd, Cu, Hg and Zn salts
of N32EDTA is described. Albino rats were injected
intraperitoneally or subcutaneously with aqueous
solutions of these salts. PbNa2EDTA was tolerated
without untoward effects in a single dose of 450 mg/
kg body weight or in daily doses of 140 mg/kg over
a period of weeks. About 68% Pb of the injected
dose was excreted in the urine during 24 hr.
Histochemical examination showed that Pb was stored
in the bones and teeth. A rat which had received
140 mg/kg/day for 17 days showed rings around the
incisors corresponding to the number of injections;
the rings were spaced corresponding to the time
intervals between administrations. Pb was also
stored in the kidneys: in the glomeruli; their
lumina, and basal membranes of capillary loops;
in the lumina of the convoluted tubules and brush
border; particularly in the canaliculi. The Cd and
Zn salts were tolerated equally well as the Pb-
salts while the Cu and Hg salt was much more toxic.
The authors conclude that with an EDTA administra-
tion a reduction of Pb concentration may be achieved
but not a complete removal of Pb because the ratio
Ca:Pb is always more in favor of the Ca. (32 ref-
erences)
821 Tokovoi, N.A., Zolotoukhin, G.E., and
Voloshina, V.V.: (DISTRIBUTION OF MINERAL
ELEMENTS IN TISSUES OF FARM ANIMALS.)
Trudy Krasnoyarsk. Sel'skokhoz, Inst. 2:
156-61, 1958.
Determinations of numerous trace elements in var-
ious animal species showed no Pb in cattle, sheep,
hogs, and no Mn in hogs and horses. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 55:7590, 1961)
822 Ungher, J., and Voinescu, S. (Inst. Neu-
rology "I.P. Pavlov," Academy RPR, Roma-
nia) : Contributii histopatologice la
studiul encefalopatiei saturnine experi-
mentale. (HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
TO THE STUDY OF EXPERIMENTAL LEAD ENCEPH-
ALOPATHY.) Neurologia Psihiatria Neuro-
chirurgia 3:425-33 (Sept.-Oct.) , 1958.
Four dogs were injected iv 2 mg Pb acetate/kg
body weight every 2-3 days up to a total amount of
180-600 mg over a period of 20 days to 2 mo. His-
tological examination revealed serious degenera-
tive changes of the gangliar cells, particularly
in the 3d and 4th cortical layer of the cerebrum
and the 2d and 5th layer of the cerebellum, and
also of the subcortical formations, the neuro-
fibrils, the myelin sheath and the glia. In the
vascular system only hemodynamic changes (edema,
hemorrhages, dilations) were noted. The authors
maintain (in contrast to other authors) that Pb
does not react through the vascular system but
that it directly damages the parenchyma of the
brain and other organs (liver, kidney). (13 ref-
erences)
823 Washburn, R.G., Gilmore, L.O., and Fech-
heimer, N.S. (Ohio Agric. Expt. Station,
Wooster): THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF
142
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
CATTLE HAIR. I. FAT, ASH, AND NITROGEN
CONTENT. Ohio Journal of Science 58:150-
2, 1958.
Analysis of hair from 177 different cattle showed
the average fat, ash, and N content to be 1.49,
2.04 and 13.46%, respectively. The following ele-
ments were identified from ash: B, Ba, Ca, Cu,
Fe, Pb, K, Mg, Mn, P, Si, Ag, Na and Zn. K was
not found in the ash from some of the samples of
white hair. (From authors' summary)
(J24 Wassermann, M., Mihail, G. , and Cojocaru,
V. (Inst. Med. lassy, Romania): Recher-
ches he'matologiques dans 1' intoxication
saturnine experimentale des animaux ho-
meothermes, "a 1'alde du microscope ^a con-
traste de phases. (HEMATOLOGIC STUDIES IN
EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING OF HOMOTHERMIC
ANIMALS USING THE PHASE-CONTRAST MICRO-
SCOPE.) Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles de Medecine du Travail et de Se'cur-
ite' Sociale 19:233-42 (May-June), 1958.
According to the authors, the 3 fundamental bio-
logical signs of Pb poisoning, ie, number of
erythrocytes with basophilic stippling, copropor-
phyrinuria and Pb in blood and urine, vary indi-
vidually and taken separately do not give a real
picture of the degree of poisoning. A hematologic
test using the phase-contrast microscope, is de-
scribed by which stippled erythrocytes and other
changes of the blood cells can be determined. As
to the mechanism of Pb poisoning, the authors
point out that Pb absorption interferes with the
cytoplasmic process of oxidoreduction by inhibi-
ting the complete utilization of acid proteins.
The small portion of nonutilized proteins con-
stitutes the basophil granulations.
Ten adult rabbits, 2000-2500 g weight, were
studied; 6 of them were poisoned by daily intra-
venous injection of 5 mg/kg of Pb acetate in a 1%
solution to a total of 25-30 mg. Blood findings
were compared with those of Pb-poisoned pigeons,
in order to determine the origin of the granula-
tions. Basophil granulations could easily be dif-
ferentiated from other alterations of the erythro-
cytes .
Important alterations were also found in the
white cells. In the cytoplasm of granulocytes
numerous vacuoles were seen, which were irregular
in shape, and probably many of them were toxic
granulations. The cytoplasm of the lymphocytes
showed large vacuoles and granulations with changes
other than seen in erythrocytes. In the erythro-
cytes, a series of black, round, irregularly dis-
tributed granulations were seen. When their num-
ber was reduced (5-6) , it was hard to distinguish
the erythrocyte from the reticulocyte. The small
granulations were easy to distinguish from the
spinous erythrocyte, because micrometrically it
could be seen that these remained dark and en-
closed in the body of the erythrocytes. In an
advanced stage their number was great and filled
the entire erythrocyte. There was also dimensional
change and appearance of luminescent vacuoles of
various dimensions against the dark background.
The monocytes were irregular in shape, with many
vacuoles. Thus, in experimental Pb poisoning the
phase-contrast microscope permits the identifica-
tion of stippled erythrocytes without vital or
postvital staining. The fact that, as seen in the
erythrocytes of the pigeon, basophilic granulations
develop while the integrity of the nucleus is pre-
served, vouches in favor of the cytoplasmic origin
of the granulations.
825 Wisotzky, J., and Hein, J.W. (Colgate-
Palmolive Co.; Rutgers State Univ., New
Brunswick, N.J.): EFFECT OF DRINKING SO-
LUTIONS CONTAINING METALLIC IONS ABOVE AND
BELOW HYDROGEN IN THE ELECTROMOTIVE SERIES
ON DENTAL CARIES IN THE SYRIAN HAMSTER.
Journal of the American Dental Association
57:796-800, 1958.
Hamsters 25-35 days old were fed a cariogenic ra-
tion and given ad libitum for drinking distilled
water which had also been passed through an ion-
exchange column. The water for each group con-
tained a metallic salt; the concentration was
1 meq/1 except Au and Pb (0.5 meq/1) and Cd
(0.25-0.5 meq/1); Pb and K were used as acetates,
other metals as chlorides or sulfates. Experi-
mental caries was not influenced by position of
the cation in the electromotive series. Caries
incidence was not affected by Li sulfate, K manga-
nate, Pb chloride and K acetate, was markedly in-
hibited by Au bichloride, markedly accelerated by
Pt chloride, and accelerated in males by Mg sul-
fate or Pb acetate. Cd sulfate could not be eval-
uated because of its toxicity and severe systemic
effect. Cu sulfate definitely inhibited caries.
The authors conclude that, on the basis of their
findings, strong caries inhibition is not a common
property of metallic ions but may be confined to
certain groups of elements, eg, the Cu-Hg-Au group.
Also that metallic ions can accelerate caries and
therefore, any analysis of mineral content in
diets in relation to dental caries must include
the possibility of a trace element accelerating
as well as inhibiting caries.
1959
g26 Akulov, K.I., Zaitseva, A.F., and Yundzel,
N.K. (First Inst. Med.; Dept. Communal
Hyg., Moscow, USSR): Gigienicheskoe norm-
irovanie dopustimogo soderzhaniya rastvor-
imykh soedinenil mysh'yaka, svintsa i rtuti
v vode vodoema. (SANITARY STANDARDS CON-
CERNING THE PERMISSIBLE LEVELS OF SOLUBLE
COMPOUNDS OF ARSENIC, LEAD, AND MERCURY
IN WATER SUPPLIES.) Trudy Pervogo Muskov-
skogo Meditsinskogo Instituta imeni I.M.
Sechenova 5:143-7, 1959.
A study was made to determine the effects of vari^
ous salts of As, Pb, and Hg on the self-purifica-
tion of water, on the waterorganoleptic properties,
and the toxicity of water containing these elements
for rats and rabbits. Soluble Pb salts, even in
concentrations as high as 0.1 mg/1 had no signi-
ficant inhibitory effect on the BOD of water and
the development of saprophytic microflora. The
threshold organoleptic concentrations for Pb salts
were 100-200 mg/1. Oral administration of 0.5 mg
Pb/kg as solutions of Pb salts produced in animals
disturbances in conditioned reflexes. Animals
Plants and Animals
143
-------
receiving repeatedly 5 mg Pb/kg showed changes in
blood and impairment of kidney function. As a re-
sult of these findings, 0.1 mg/1 is recommended as
the MAC for Pb.
827 Baetjer, A.M. (Johns Hopkins Univ., Bal-
timore, Md.): EFFECTS OF SEASON AND TEM-
PERATURE ON CHILDHOOD PLUMBISM. Industrial
Medicine and Surgery 28:137-40; discussion,
140-3 (Mar.), 1959.
Pb poisoning in children has a marked seasonal
distribution with almost all cases occurring be-
tween the months of May and October. Since the
ultraviolet radiation theory did not seem an ade-
quate explanation of this seasonal distribution,
the effects of environmental temperature and humid-
ity on the susceptibility of laboratory animals to
Pb poisoning was studied.
The author reviews these experiments which were
performed by S. Joardar and were the subject of
her thesis submitted to the Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity in 1957.
Experiments are currently in progress to test
various other theories which might account for the
increase in susceptibility of mice to Pb poisoning
at high temperature. (21 references)
828 Bellrose, F.C.: LEAD POISONING AS A MOR-
TALITY FACTOR IN WATERFOWL POPULATIONS.
Illinois Nat. Hist. Survey, Bull. 27:235-
88, 1959.
Author concludes on the basis of his study that at
present Pb poisoning in waterfowl is not of suffi-
cient magnitude as to warrant the prohibition of
Pb shot in waterfowl hunting. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 54:1727, 1960)
829 Biondi, S. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Sull1-
impiego delle sieroalbumine per la pre-
venzione del saturnismo. (Ricerche
sperimentali). (USE OF SERUM ALBUMIN
FOR THE PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING; EX-
PERIMENTAL RESEARCH.) Folia Medica (Na-
ples) 42:62-76 (Jan.), 1959.
The principle of the use of serum albumin in Pb
poisoning is the same as that which was held for
milk, ie, the formation in the intestine of Pb
albuminates which are insoluble and not absorb-
able, but are eliminated in feces. The prepara-
tion, in addition to animal albumin, consisted of
Na phosphate, Ca carbonate, anhydrous Na carbonate,
vitamin PP and keratin in order to render it in-
digestible in the stomach so that the albumin
would be liberated in the intestine. Twenty male
rabbits were given orally 1 ml of a 10% solution
of Pb acetate, or 54 mg/day; directly after Pb,
10 of them received the albumin capsule. After 12
days, the Pb in blood, urine and feces, and CP in
urine were determined; the determinations were
repeated every 7 days until day 54 after start of
treatment by which time all of the rabbits that
had not received albumin had died, while of the
treated group, 3 died on days 42-44. As judged
by the analytical findings, the preparation ex-
erted a protective action; fecal excretion was
considerably higher than in rabbits given Pb
alone. (23 references)
830 Bonati, F. (Bracco Lab. Ind. Chem. Res.,
Milan, Italy) : Rapporti tra constituzione
chimica e tossicata di derivati cistea-
minicl e loro complessi metallic!. (RELA-
TION BETWEEN CHEMICAL CONSTITUTION AND
TOXICITY OF CYSTEAMINE DERIVATIVES AND
THEIR METALLIC COMPLEXES.) Archivio Itali-
ano di Scienze Farmacologiche 9:125-7,
1959.
Cysteamines were investigated because of their ra-
dioprotective properties. In this study the
LD5Qis of the Pb, Hg, and Bi derivatives were
determined. Those for Pb, in male albino rats,
intraperitoneally, were (mg/kg); cysteamine-Pb
(2:1) 32; Pb cysteaminemonoacetic acid 70;
Pb-cysteaminediacetic acid 1960, Pb acetate 145.
831 Boyadzhiev, V. (Univ. Sofia, Bulgaria):
(EFFECT OF DIETARY FACTORS ON THE DEVELOP-
MENT AND COURSE OF EXPERIMENTAL AND PRO-
FESSIONAL LEAD INTOXICATION.) Ceskoslov.
gastroenterol. vyziva 13:328-34, 1959.
Rats on a low protein and high fat diet showed the
most marked changes after Pb poisoning. The
changes were the smallest on a high protein diet.
Diets are recommended for persons exposed to Pb.
(From Chemical Abstracts 54:10158, 1960)
832 BrUschke, G. (Univ. Jena, Germany): Ber-
merkungen zur Pathogervese der Bleiankmie.
(COMMENTS ON THE PATHOGENESIS OF LEAD ANE-
MIA.) Deutsche Gesundheitswesen 14:1059-
62 (June 4), 1959.
Symptoms of Pb poisoning were reviewed and experi-
ments with guinea pigs described. Normal and
splenectomized guinea pigs were poisoned orally
with 100 mg Pb/kg body weight as Pb acetate; sider-
ocytes, erythrocytes and hemoglobin were deter-
mined. Siderocytes were found to increase after
splenectomy alone and also after Pb poisoning. The
results of the experiment did not indicate that
the spleen, by eliminating siderocytes, might pro-
mote the anemia and that after splenectomy a less
intense anemia would occur.
833 Carminati, G.M. (Univ. Milan, Italy): II
comportamento dell'eritrocitemia e dell'
indice emoglobinico nell'intossicazione
saturnina cronica. (BEHAVIOR OF THE ERYTH-
ROCYTE COUNT AND HEMOGLOBIN INDEX IN CHRON-
IC LEAD POISONING.) Bollettino della So-
cieta Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
37:426-9 (Apr. 15), 1959.
Male rabbits, about 2.5 kg body weight, were in-
jected iv every 2-3 days with 2-5.5 mg Pb/kg as
neutral Pb acetate, for 8-12 times. Erythrocytes
and hemoglobin were determined 1 wk before the
treatment was started and counts were continued to
about 20 days after termination of the treatment.
In normal rabbits the erythrocyte and hemoglobin
values were 5.84 million/ml and 13.9 g/100 ml, re-
spectively. The experimental rabbits first devel-
oped a hypochromic anemia which was followed by a
stabilization of the red blood cell count at about
2-3 million below the initial value, and a pro-
gressive increase of the hemoglobin value which
finally was above the initial one, or a state of
144
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
hyperchromic anemia. While the hypochromic anemia
was due to the destructive action of Pb on the red
blood cells, the subsequent hyperchromic anemia was
a consequence of the reduced production of erythro-
cytes by the bone marrow.
834 Carminati, G.M. (Univ. Milan, Italy):
L'Effeto antagonista degli estratti epati-
ci e della vitamina 6^2 sullo sviluppo
dell'anemia da piombo nel coniglio. (THE
ANTAGONISTIC EFFECT OF LIVER EXTRACTS AND
VITAMIN Bi2 UPON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEAD-
INDUCED ANEMIA IN RABBITS.) Farmaco Edi-
zione Scientifica 14:3-14 (Jan.), 1959.
Male adult rabbits, 2.5 kg weight, were subjected
to the development of anemia by iv injection of
5.5 mg/kg Pb acetate/day for 3 days. Groups of
rabbits were treated with the following: crystal-
line vitamin B-j^, and 4 preparations of liver ex-
tract of various strengths of vitamin B-^- The re-
sults showed that both liver extract and vitamin
Bio exerted a protective action in acute Pb-induced
anemia; this action was proportional to the amount
of the solution administered.
of Industrial Health 20:473-6 (Dec.), 1959.
Three chelating agents, Ca ethylenediaminetetra-
acetic acid (EDTA), Ca diethylenetriaminepenta-
acetic acid (DTPA), and 2:2'-bis (dicarboxymethyl)
amino diethyl ether (BAETA), were compared for
their protective action against acute Pb poisoning
in rats. Pb (as the nitrate) was injected intra-
venously (iv) at 70 mg/kg (LD5o), and 1 hr later,
EDTA and DTPA were given iv at 118 and 158 mg/kg.
In addition, Pb BAETA, Pb DTPA and Pb EDTA were
prepared and injected in doses from 110-1260 mg/kg
as Pb. Sprague-Dawley female rats, 3-6 mo old
(225-285 g) were used. Controls received saline
solutions. As determined by survival times, nei-
ther EDTA nor DTPA were effective. Pb DTPA was
more toxic than Pb EDTA, but both were consider-
ably less toxic than unchelated Pb (LD^g's were
1260 mg/kg for Pb DTPA and 55 mg/kg for Pb).
Pb BAETA was about as toxic as Pb. The explana-
tion for these results is discussed in terms of
the relative affinities of these 3 chelating
agents for Pb^ and Ca++ and of Pb4"1" for the tis-
sue proteins, which were demonstrated in in vitro
experiments. (22 references)
835 Cenacchi, G.C., Tucci, G., and Lodi, A.
(Univ. Bologna, Italy): Comportamento di
alcuni enzimi sierici ed aspetti istologici
in ratti intossicati sperimentalmente.
Nota I. Azione dell'acetato di piombo.
(THE BEHAVIOR OF SOME SERUM ENZYMES IN EX-
PERIMENTALLY POISONED RATS. I. THE ACTION
OF LEAD ACETATE.) Rivista Medica di
Bologna 5:519-36, 1959.
Serum transarainases, aldolase, lactic and malic
dehydrogenases were studied in 50 rats injected ip
with Pb acetate (6 mg/kg/day) for 30 days; 30 rats
served as controls. Determinations made on the
1st, 10th, 20th and 30th days of the experiment
were compared with the histological findings on
liver, kidney, myocardium and spleen. Liver-cell
degeneration and swelling of the kidney tubular
cells were observed only on the 30th day. The
other organs showed no changes. No significant
changes of transaminases were observed. Aldolases,
lactic and malic dehydrogenases increased slightly
on the 1st day and demonstrated a marked but con-
stant increase on the other days of the experiment.
A modification of the serum values of these enzymes
in Pb intoxication was observed before the estab-
lishment of pathological changes. A direct action
of Pb on the mitochondrial enzymic system is dis-
cussed. (64 References).
836 Dmitriev, V.F., Gazarkh, L.A., and Ship-
itsyn, S.A.: .(CONTENT OF TRACE ELEMENTS
IN THE PROTEINS OF BRAIN.) Izvest. Irkutsk.
Sel'skokhoz. Inst. 1959, No. 14:10-6.
Analysis of minced brain tissue for trace elements
yielded 0.25-0.56 mg% Pb and 0.95-1.8 mg% Mn (in
dry protein). (From Chemical Abstracts 55:24979,
1961)
838 Gentile, G. (Univ. Messina, Italy): Ri-
cerche sperimentali sull'intossicazione
saturnina. II. Esperienze di orientamen-
to sulle dosi di nitrato di piombo da
usare nelle esperienze di antidotismo.
(EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON LEAD POISONING.
II. EXPERIMENT ON TRENDS IN DOSAGE OF
LEAD NITRATE TO BE USED IN EXPERIMENTS ON
ANTIDOTES.) Folia Medica (Naples) 42:138-
50 (Feb.) , 1959.
Doses of as high as 9 times the intravenous MLD,
(as established by Oliva in 1949: 0.0007 g/kg
rabbit) given by mouth to rabbits failed to pro-
duce considerable damage. Administration of
0.001058 g/day/kg body weight for 13 days caused
the death of animals soon after the end of the
13th day. (From author's English summary)
839 Gentile, G. (Univ. Messina, Italy): Ri-
cerche sperimentali sull 'intossicazione
saturnina. III. Avvelenamento da nitrato
di piombo e Ca EDTA Na2. (EXPERIMENTAL
STUDIES ON LEAD POISONING. III. POISONING
WITH LEAD NITRATE AND CaNa2EDTA) . Folia
Medica (Naples) 42:427-36 (Apr.), 1959.
Two rabbits were given daily by gastric tube 0.175
g/kg body weight of a 5% solution of Pb nitrate.
One of them received at the same time an intra-
venous injection of 2 mg CaNa2EDTA and died after
19 days. The 2nd animal which received a 4 mg
dose of CaNa2EDTA starting on the 7th day of Pb
administration, died after 15 days while controls
receiving no antidote, died after an average of
11.5 days. Blood counts (Hb, red and white cells,
lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, basophils,
eosinophils) did not show fundamental differences
in the 2 experimental animals.
837 Fried, J.F., Schubert, J., and Lindenbaum,
A. (Argonne Natl. Lab., Lemont, 111.):
ACTION OF EDATHAMIL (EDTA) ANALOGS ON EX-
PERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING. A.M.A. Archives
Gentile, G. (Univ. Messina, Italy): Ri-
cerche sperimentali sull'intossicazione
saturnina. IV. Avvelenamento da nitrato
di piombo e B.A.L. (LEAD POISONING. IV.
Plants and Animals
145
-------
LEAD NITRATE POISONING AND BAL.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 42:580-90 (May), 1959.
Rabbits,poisoned with daily oral doses of 0.175 g
Pb nitrate for 16 days and treated im either over
the same time with 0.1 g BAL or with 0.2 g BAL be-
ginning on the 7th day of poisonings showed no life-
saving effect of the antidote. Death occurred on
the last day of poisoning, except that death was
somewhat delayed. Two rabbits survived an average
of 4 days longer than those that did not receive
the antidote.
841 Haumont, S., and Vincent, J. (Univ. Lovan-
ium, Leopoldville, Belgian Congo): Action
du versenate de calcium sur le plomb fixe
in vivo dans 1'os compact. (ACTION OF
CALCIUM VERSENATE ON LEAD FIXED IN VIVO
IN COMPACT BONE.) Experimental Cell Re-
search 18:404-6 (Oct.), 1959.
Pb was administered to dogs in the form of neutral
or basic acetate, either in gelatin capsules or in
solution mixed with food, in a dose of 50-100 mg/
kg/day for 3-6 days. After varying intervals, the
long bones were fixed in ethanol at 96°. The cen-
ter portion of the diaphysis was sawed in trans-
verse sections and the bone calcifications recorded
microradiographically. Some of them were then im-
mersed in distilled water for 3 days to serve as
controls. The others were placed in a 5% CaEDTA
solution for the same length of time.
To visualize the Pb, the sections were treated
with aqueous Na sulfide and formic acid solutions.
The Pb deposits were of a deep brown color. As
shown in a figure of a section removed from a dog
sacrificed 1 day after cessation of a 3-day Pb
treatment, comparison of histologic and microradi-
ographic images of the same bone section not treated
with EDTA by superimposing one on the other, traces
'of Pb were found to correspond to the most interior
calcifications of the osteons in bone formation.
Bone sections obtained from the same animal treated
with EDTA showed less traces of Pb and it was evi-
dent that EDTA had extracted the major portion of
the Pb. However, in cases where Pb was incorpor-
ated over a 6-wk period, EDTA did not seem to liber-
ate any Pb detectable by the authors' histological
techniques.
In a case in which 600 mg/kg EDTA was given 3
times at 2-day intervals to a Pb-intoxicated dog,
no evidence of in vivo mobilization of Pb from
bones was observed. EDTA cannot remove Pb in
significant amounts except in animals with recent
intoxication. Later on, Pb is inaccessible to the
chelate.
842 Hayashi, Y., Kondo, H., and Iwai, S.
(School Med., Keio Univ., Tokyo, Japan):
A PAPER ELECTROPHOTETIC STUDY ON SERUM
PROTEINS IN LEAD POISONED RABBITS. Japa-
nese Journal of Industrial Health 1:678-82
(Nov.), 1959.
Pb poisoning was induced by oral,sc, and inhala-
tion exposure, the latter in a chamber equipped
with Wright's British-made dust feed mechanism
designed for long-term inhalation. Paper electro-
phoresis showed that the Y~gl°bulin level was
elevated in the course of poisoning by sc injec-
tion or inhalation. No change was found in the
rabbits poisoned by oral administration. With
all 3 techniques of exposure the a2~globu:1-in
level was slightly increased while the albumin
level was significantly decreased especially in
the inhalation experiment. It was also noted
that the value of serum protein fractions could
be affected by foods, ie, commercial rabbit chow
and fresh greens. (From authors' English sum-
mary; 15 references)
843 Inoue, S. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): (PORPHY-
RIN METABOLISM IN LEAD POISONING. I. POR-
PHYRIN METABOLISM IN LEAD-POISONED RABBITS.
II. PORPHYRIN METABOLISM IN LEAD-EXPOSED
WORKERS. III. PORPHYRIN BIOSYNTHESIS
FROM GLYCINE, a-AMINO-g-KETOADIPIC ACID,
AND PORPHYRINOGEN.) Kokumin Eisei 28:180-
4; 185-8; 189-94, 1959.
In acute Pb poisoning in rabbits, porphyrin forma-
tion was highly increased even in the early stage.
Red blood cells and bone marrow showed remarkable
increases of coproporphyrin counts in acute and of
protoporphyrin values in chronic Pb poisoning. In
determining the porphyrin content of the blood and
urine of 31 Pb workers, it was found that the pro-
toporphyrin in the blood cells always increased
markedly in chronic Pb poisoning. The importance
of porphyrin metabolism in Pb poisoning was dis-
cussed. In Pb-poisoned rabbits, protoporphyrin
formation from glycine, a-amino-S-ketoadipic acid,
and porphyrinogen was highly promoted; the red
blood cells and bone marrow were rich in porphyrin
precursors. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:2933,
1961)
844 Ishikawa, I.: STUDIES ON THE LEAD CONTENT
IN THE BODIES OF TEST ANIMALS. 3. LEAD IN
BLOOD, URINE AND FECES OF RATS. Osaka City
Medical Journal 5:109-16 (Mar.), 1959.
In: Contributions from the Department of
Preventive Medicine and Public Health,
Osaka City University Medical School, Vol.
1, April 1949-March 1959, pp. 287-94.
Male adult rats were used throughout. For the de-
termination of Pb in blood, 69 rats were availa-
ble; for Pb in urine and feces, groups 50 each.
A spectrochemical method was used. The Pb values
in blood and urine followed a logarithmic normal
distribution curve with upper limits of 62 and 78
yg/100 g, and means of 25.88 and 21.18 ug/100 g,
respectively. The arithmetic mean of Pb in feces
was 65 pg/10 g.
845 Ishikawa, I.: STUDIES ON THE LEAD CONTENT
IN THE BODIES OF TEST ANIMALS. 2. LEAD IN
BLOOD, URINE, AND FECES OF THE GUINEA
PIGS. Osaka City Medical Journal 5:99-107
(Mar.), 1959. In: Contributions from the
Department of Preventive Medicine and Pub-
lic Health, Osaka City University Medical
School, Vol. 1, April 1949-March 1959, pp.
278-86.
The Pb values in blood and urine of 68 normal
adult male guinea pigs followed a logarithmic nor-
mal distribution curve with upper limits 79 and 83
yg/100 g, respectively. Pb in feces had a wide
distribution range with the arithmetic mean of 83
146
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
yg/10 g. (The analytical method used was develop-
ed by Horiuchi et al in 1953.)
846 Ishikawa, I.: STUDIES ON THE LEAD CONTENT
IN THE BODIES OF TEST ANIMALS. 4. LEAD CON-
TENT IN THE ORGAN-TISSUES OF RATS. Osaka
City Medical Journal 5:117-9 (Mar.), 1959.
In: Contributions from the Department of
Preventive Medicine and Public Health,
Osaka City University Medical School, Vol.
1, April 1949-March 1959, pp. 295-7.
About 10 specimens per organ of rats were analyzed.
The Pb values per 10 g fresh weight were the fol-
lowing: Brain, <10-280 yg; lungs, trace-62 yg;
heart, trace-320 pg; liver, trace-240 yg; pancreas,
trace-29 yg; stomach, trace-25 yg; spleen, trace-
10 yg; kidneys, trace-180 yg; intestines, trace-
250 yg; muscle, 10-110 yg; bone, 18-2400 yg.
847 Iwai, S. (Kelo Univ., Japan): AN EXPERI-
MENTAL STUDY CONCERNING DIAGNOSTIC VALUE
OF SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING. Japan
Journal of Industrial Health (Tokyo) 1:
746-55 (Nov.), 1959.
Rabbits were exposed to various concentrations of
Pb oxide dusts over a 1 1/2-yr period for a maxi-
mum of 4 hr/day, 3 days/wk. Symptoms such as
stippled cells (SC) , polychromasia, reticulocyto-
sis, hemoglobin (Hb) decrease and urinary copro-
porphyrin (CP) increase were estimated and serum
protein fractions were analyzed by paper electro-
phoresis. To observe disappearance of signs after
cessation of exposure, a 2-mo period free of ex-
posure was inserted. It was found that urinary
CP level and the SC counts were increased before
anemia developed. The increase of SC did not
occur until 4-5 mo after the urinary CP became
positive. The decrease of Hb occurred immediately
after the rise of SC counts. From these facts the
author considers it doubtful that the increased
excretion of urinary CP is merely due to the block-
ing by Pb of Fe incorporation into protoporphyrin.
Urinary CP, SC counts and reduction of Hb were
increased parallel with the amount of Pb inhaled.
However, the reticulocyte counts, polychromasia as
well as changes of serum protein, ie, elevation of
02 and Y~gl°bulin levels and decrease of the al-
bumin level had no relation with the degree of Pb
absorption. Reduced Hb and increased SC returned
rapidly to the normal value after cessation of in-
halation, but urinary CP recovered with delay.
848 Kerr, S.H., and Brogdon, J.E. (Agr. Exp.
Station, Gainesville, Fla.): RELATIVE
TOXICITY TO MAMMALS OF 40 PESTICIDES.
Agricultural Chemicals 14:44-5, 135-6
(Sept.), 1959.
Pb arsenate is included in the tabulation of lethal
doses. According to data found in the literature,
(Lehman, 1956) the acute LDcQ of Pb arsenate given
orally to rats is 100 mg/kg. This varies consider-
ably with different mammals, and as far as humans
are concerned, this can only be used as an indica-
tion of relative toxicity.
849 Koelsch, F. (Erlangen, Germany): Bleiver-
giftung und Zahnausfall. (LEAD POISONING
AND LOSS OF TEETH.) Zentralblatt fUr Ar-
beitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 9:114-7
(May), 1959.
The literature concerning the effect of Pb poison-
ing on the teeth of men or experimental animals
(cats) is reviewed. The author reports then his
own experiments with 2 rabbits and 2 cats which
were poisoned by feeding Pb carbonate along with
their food. The first symptoms of poisoning, such
as anorexia, loss of weight, Pb line, polychromasia
and stippled cells occurred within 1 wk. The gums
had become pale and atrophic and the teeth in the
rabbits (but not in the cats) became loose and fell
out. Necropsy showed grains of Pb in the jaw bones,
the gingival mucosa and the dental pulp. Osteo-
clasia and bone atrophy ensued producing loosening
and falling out of the teeth. The possible mecha-
nism of these reactions is discussed. The author
points out that loss of teeth due to Pb poisoning
must be considered as an occupational hazard and
dentures should be provided in such cases. (17
references)
850 Koike, S. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): (ACTIVITY
OF 6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID DEHYDRASE (ALAD)
IN LEAD POISONING.) Kokumin Eisei 28:612-
6, 1959.
The activity of ALAD is decreased in the bone-
marrow of Pb-poisoned rabbits, but it is increased
in the spleen and blood of phenylhydrazine-admin-
istered rabbits. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:
2934, 1961)
851 Kosmider, S., and Petelenz, T. (Silesian
Acad. Med., Zabrze, Poland): Badania
electrokardiograficzne w dosViadczalnej
ojowicy u krdlikow. (ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH-
IC STUDIES IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING
IN RABBITS.) Postepy Higleny i Medycyny
Doswiadczalnej 13:765-75 (Nov.-Dec.),
1959.
The patterns of the EKG were studied in 17 rab-
bits (2.5-3.5 kg weight) by means of 59 record-
ings. A drawing is presented of the various
leads used on the rabbit. Changes were then fol-
lowed in 13 rabbits in 71 EKG's after induction
of acute Pb poisoning by the administration of
5.9 mg Pb acetate/kg iv. The pathologic changes
are described and illustrated in 3 tracings. (18
references)
852 Kosmider, S., Szczurek, Z., and Petelenz,
T. (Silesian Acad. Med., Zabrze, Poland):
Histopolatologia ukZadu sercowo-naczyni-
owego w ojowicy u krolikdw. (HISTOPA-
THOLOGY OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM IN
LEAD POISONING IN RABBITS.) Postepy Hi-
gieny i Medycyny Doswiadczalnej 13:777-80
(Nov.-Dec.), 1959.
Twenty-nine rabbits (2.5-4.5 kg weight) were in-
jected iv with Pb acetate in doses of 5.9 mg/kg
body weight daily for 24 days. EKG's were per-
formed on 13 rabbits, the results of which are
tabulated in detail and related to histopathologic
findings.
853
Kubota, K. (Univ. Kyushu, Japan): EFFECT
Plants and Animals
147
-------
OF PARATHION, TETRAETHYLLEAD, CARBONDISUL-
FIDE, AND HEAVY METALS ON TISSUE METABOL-
ISM. Igaku Kenkyu 29, No. 11:4223-47,
1959.
Parathion, tetraethyllead (TEL), Hg, carbon disul-
fide, or Pb was administered to male mice, weigh-
ing ^20 g for ^3 mo, and the respiratory metabol-
ism of their kidney, brain, spleen, and liver was
determined by Warburg's first method. The effect
of glutathione administration on the tissue metab-
olism of mice which had been acutely poisoned with
parathion, carbondisulfide, or TEL was also in-
vestigated. The Qo2 of the kidney, brain, spleen,
and liver of normal mice were -16.37, -10.78,
-7.70, and -8.34 yl/mg, respectively. In the ex-
periment with TEL, 1 hr after injection of 0.1 cc
of 60% aqueous solution, Qo2 values for the kidney,
brain, spleen, and liver were -13.25, -7.13, -6.3
and -6.92 ul/mg, respectively. When the animals
lay on their side in a critical state, the Qo2
values were -13.54 ul/mg for the kidney, -6.24 for
the brain, -6.7 for the spleen, and -6.0 for the
liver, and while dying the figures were -11.46,
-6.14, -6.24, and -4.46 yl/mg, respectively. Two
mg of gluthathione were sc injected to a group of
mice and 1 hr later another 2 mg of glutathione
and 0.1 cc of 60% TEL solution were similary in-
jected. The Qo2 values for the kidney, brain,
spleen, and liver, 1 hr after the last injection
were -14.67, -7.55, -5.78, and -7.23 ul/mg, re-
spectively. The slight improvement of Qo2 in the
brain was significant.
Mice were sc injected each with 0.1-0.5 cc Pb
acetate solution (equivalent to 0.1-0.5 mg of the
solute) every day or every other day, 52 times in
all, for ^90 days, and a total of 14.6-21.45 mg.
The Qo2 values at the end of the treatment averaged
-9.95 ul/mg for the kidney, -8.48 for the brain,
-6.35 for the spleen, and -6.45 for the liver.
854 Link, R.P.: CHEMICAL POISONINGS IN ANI-
MALS. Mod. Vet. Practice 40, No. 1:36-43,
1959.
A review of the sources, toxic action, clinical
signs, diagnosis, post mortem findings and treat-
ment of poisoning by Pb, As, Hg, nitrate, coumarin,
chlorinated hydrocarbon and organic phosphorus
parasiticides, and sodium fluoroacetate. (From
Veterinary Bulletin 29:Abstr. No. 3614, 1959)
855 Masuda, Y. (Nippon Univ., Tokyo, Japan):
(THE EFFECTS OF POTASSIUM SODIUM CITRATE
ON LEAD INTOXICATION.) Nichidai Igaku
Zasshi 18:2983-94, 1959.
Male rabbits (12) ranging in weight from 2-2.6 kg
were divided into 4 groups: (1) control, (2) given
KNa citrate (KNaC) sc (1.5 ml/kg body weight), (3)
given Pb orally (0.02 g/kg), (4) Pb in conjunction
with KNaC. The experiments were conducted for 7
consecutive days. The effects of KNaC on Pb in-
toxication were studied, chiefly from the viewpoint
of the blood picture. During the period of injec-
tion blood was taken for examination from each
group every other day, and after injection was fin-
ished the blood was collected at intervals of 5-7
days. The rabbits were weighed daily. An increase
in the stippled cell count was inhibited in Groups
3 and 4, but to a greater degree in Group 4. An
increase in the lymphocyte and monocyte counts
which took place in Group 3 was inhibited in Group
4. No difference in changes in the eosinophil
polymorphonuclear leukocyte count was noted between
Groups 3 and 4. The basic polymorphonuclear leuko-
cyte count was increased by KNaC in Groups 2 and 4.
A decrease in the pseudoeosinophil polymorphonu-
clear leukocyte count was also produced by the ad-
ministration of KNaC. The most striking increase
in the erythrocyte count developed in Group 4. Pb
and KNaC may act jointly. Group 4 showed the most
significant increase in the leukocyte and reticulo-
cyte counts. Body weight was decreased after the
various drug injections were stopped. KNaC had an
antagonistic effect on Pb intoxication in part, but
its therapeutic effects were small. (From Chemical
Abstracts 61:13796, 1964)
856 Matsukubo, M.: (BINDING OF LEAD WITH SE-
RUM PROTEINS.) Tokyo Jikeikai Ika Diagaku
Zasshi 74:2484-94, 1959.
210Pb-containing solution was incubated with human
serum in an ice-box for 33 hr. The mixture was
fractionated by paper electrophoresis. Radioac-
tivity was observed in the albumin and c^-globulin
fractions of the serum of rats injected with
/1UPb. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:23642, 1961)
857 Mentesana, G.: L'azione dell'acido tioc-
tico nell'intossicazione sperimentale da
piombo. (EFFECT OF THIOCTIC ACID IN EXPER-
IMENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 42:399-409 (Apr.), 1959.
After a short survey of the information available
on thioctic acid and its possible therapeutical
uses the author describes results obtained by
treating Pb-poisoned guinea pigs with thioctic
acid. The same dosages produce different effects
in healthy and Pb-poisoned guinea pigs. While 10
mg/kg of body weight/day of thioctic acid had a
eutrophic effect on healthy animals, a dose of 25-
50 mg induced a diseased condition. In guinea
pigs poisoned with neutral Pb acetate 10 mg doses
of thioctic acid failed to produce any protective
action, 25 mg had a moderately beneficial action
and doses of 50 mg had a very obvious beneficial
effect. (From author's summary).
858 Miyazaki, M. (Shinshu Univ., Matsumsto,
Japan): (EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS ON COM-
PLEMENT ACTIVITY.) Med. J. Shinshu Univ.
4:335-43, 1959.
The hemolytic action of the complement from guinea
pig serum was tested on bovine red cells. Chlor-
ides of heavy metals, including Pb chloride, at
concentrations of 0.0005-0.02M, depending on the
metal, inhibited the hemolytic action of the com-
plement. Its activity, however, was restored when
the inhibitory salt was removed by dialysis. There
was no evidence that the heavy metals had a de-
structive action on any factor necessary for the
hemolytic reaction. (From Chemical Abstracts 56:
J y / 9, 1962)
859 Mokranjac, M.S., and Radmic', S. (Inst.
Chim. Toxicol., Belgrade, Yugoslavia):
(ACTION OF LEAD AND COBALT ON THE NUMBER
148
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
OF ERYTHROCYTES AND ON THE PROPORTION OF
THESE ELEMENTS IN THE BLOOD OF RATS PAR-
TIALLY POISONED BY LEAD.) Glasnik Shumar-
skog Fak. 22:499-507, 1959.
The normal Pb level in the blood of rats was 12
yg%. Daily intraperitoneal treatment with 0.5-4
rag Pb/kg body wt reduced the erythrocyte count
sharply. The effect of simultaneous administra-
tion of Pb and Co was also studied. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 54:13426, 1960)
860 Mokranjac, M.S., and Soldatovic, D. (Fac.
Pharm., Beograd, Yugoslavia): (EFFECT OF
SOME ANTIBIOTICS AND SOME SULFONAMIDES ON
THE MOBILIZATION OF LEAD BY ANIMALS POI-
SONED WITH SMALL QUANTITIES OF LEAD.) Acta
Pharm. Jugoslav. 9:19-26, 1959.
The activity of streptomycin, p-aminosalicylate,
terramycin, tetracycline, gantrisin, and sulfadia-
zine on the Pb mobilization in sheep poisoned with
small amounts of Pb was examined. The antibiotics
caused a stronger mobilization, visible in an in-
creased Pb level in blood and in urine, while on
the contrary the sulfonamides were without influ-
ence on the mobilization of Pb. (From Chemical
Abstracts 53:14312, 1959)
861 Nishino, S. (Gifu Prefectural Med. School,
Japan): EFFECTS OF Ca-EDTA AND PARATHY-
ROID HORMONE UPON THE EXPERIMENTAL ACUTE
LEAD POISONING. Japanese Journal of In-
dustrial Health 1:607-14 (Nov.), 1959.
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and CaEDTA were admin-
istered iv, independently or combined, to rabbits
at an extremely early stage of acute Pb poison-
ing, and the effect of these drugs in removing Pb
from the body was observed. It was found that
with PTH injection, the quantity of Pb in the
urine did not increase remarkably; however, PTH
had the effect of mobilizing Pb deposited within
the bone tissue and thus the combined administra-
tion of PTH and CaEDTA accelerated removal of Pb
from the body. No ill effect developed from PTH
injection. (From author's English summary; 12
references)
862 Odescalchi, C.P., and Andreuzzi, P. (Univ.
Pavia, Italy): Comportamento della resis-
tenza capillare nell'intosslcazione sub-
acuta da piombo; ricerche sperimentali sul
ratto. (CAPILLARY RESISTANCE IN SUBACUTE
LEAD POISONING. EXPERIMENTS IN RATS.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 42:111-31 (Feb.),
1959.
Rats were injected ip and iv daily for 4 days with
30 mg Pb acetate/kg to induce subacute poisoning;
capillary resistance was measured daily from the
day before experiment to the 8th day from the
start, and 5 days after termination of treatment.
In the 2nd series, the rats received at the same
time as Pb as above, ascorbic acid, methylescutol,
cortisone, and 5-hydroxytryptamine. The results
showed that the reduction in capillary resistance
observed in subacute poisoning must be considered
to be due to functional disturbance, since under
the action of the above substances, this reduction
was rapidly reversed to normal. The changes are
attributed to a relative deficiency in cortico-
adrenal secretions. (26 references)
863 Oliver, W.T., Geib, L.W., and Sorrell, B.:
LEAD POISONING IN A DOG. Can. J. Comp.
Med. 23:21-2, 1959.
Pb poisoning in a dog is described which resulted
from eating linoleum. Symptoms included listless-
ness, inappetence, vomiting, constipation followed
by diarrhea, muscular spasms and convulsions.
Acidophilic, acid-fast inclusion bodies in the
nuclei of renal parenchymal cells, degenerative
changes in the Purkinje cells, together with de-
generative changes in the parenchymal organs, and
cerebral edema, are regarded as characteristic of
Pb poisoning in this species. (From Veterinary
Bulletin 29:Abstr. 2637, 1959)
864 Oshima, M.: (STUDIES ON THE LEAD POISON-
ING. PART 3. EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE
URINARY CALCIUM AND LEAD EXCRETION IN LEAD
POISONING.) Shikoku Acta Med. 15:701-10
(Sept.), 1959.
Rabbits were injected subcutaneously with Pb ace-
tate. No significant changes in the level of se-
rum and urinary Ca were noted between the experi-
mental and control animals. After EDTA admini-
stration insignificant transitory changes of the
serum Ca level occurred which increased with the
size of the EDTA dose. There was a remarkable
transitory increase of urinary Pb. No significant
differences of Pb concentration were noted in liv-
er and bone. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 35:347-8,
1960)
865 Pernis, B,, Bairati, A., Jr., and Giubileo,
M. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Alterazioni delle
emazie nel saturnismo sperimentale visibili
al microscopio elettronico. (ALTERATIONS
OF THE RED BLOOD CELLS IN EXPERIMENTAL
SATURNISM, AS OBSERVED WITH THE ELECTRON
MICROSCOPE.) Medicina del Lavoro 50:358-
67 (May), 1959.
Guinea pigs, intoxicated by daily oral administra-
tion of 2-3 ml of 10% Pb acetate for 15 days, de-
veloped a syndrome of Pb anemia with stippled
erythrocytes varying from 35,000-50,000/million.
Examination of ultrathin sections of erythrocytes
and erythroblasts by electron microscope showed
the presence of swollen and altered mitochondria
and/or clusters of dense granules with high elec-
tron scattering power (ferritin molecules).
Since it is known that Pb interferes with the
synthesis of heme and that several stages of this
synthesis take place in the mitochondria, it is
assumed that the morphological changes in the
mitochondria are caused by biochemical alterations
due to Pb. Also, the accumulation of ferritin
might be related to the reduced utilization of Fe
for heme formation. (28 references)
866 Savay, G., and Csillik, B. (Univ. Szeged,
Hungary): LEAD-REACTIVE SUBSTANCES IN
PERIPHERAL SYNAPSES. Experimentia 15:396-7
(Oct. 15), 1959.
Plants and Animals
149
-------
Under urethane anesthesia, rats were injected
percutaneously into the short flexor muscle of
the hind pad with a solution of 1 g Pb nitrate,
urea and formalin, and killed 15 min later.
Frozen sections showed the characteristic micro-
scopic pattern of the subneural apparatus of the
striated muscles and the synaptic structures of
the ganglia. The authors discuss the question
whether the Pb reactive material ,is identical
with SH groups or with cholinesterase. (14 ref-
erences)
857 Sroczynski, J.: Uklad krwiotworczy kroli-
kow w ostrym zatruciu o^owiem. (HEMOPO-
IETIC SYSTEM IN ACUTE LEAD POISONING.)
Postepy Hig. i Med. Doswiadczalnej 13, No.
6:741-53, 1959.
Intravenous injection of Pb oxide in doses of 4-7
mg/kg led to acute intoxication ending in death.
Anemia accompanied by erythroblastemia occurred
rapidly. The increase in sideroblasts indicates
weakening of the ability of erythrocytes to use
Fe. The pseudoeosinophils displayed considerable
hypoplasia in conjunction with considerable dis-
turbance of erythrocytopoiesis. The clinical pic-
ture is similar to Fe-deficiency anemia. Pb acts
first on the bone marrow, and then produces apla-
sia. Pb poisoning basically produces the same
hematological changes in rabbits as it does in
man. (From Biological Abstracts 35:59541, 1960)
868 Sroczynski, J., and Jonderko, G. (Silesian
Acad. Sci., Zabrze, Poland): Poziom gluta-
tionu we krwi w przebiegu ostrej oZowicy u
krolikow. (BLOOD GLUTATHIONE LEVEL DURING
THE COURSE OF ACUTE PLUMBISM IN RABBITS.)
Postepy Higieny I Medycyny Doswiadczalnej
13:755-8 (Nov.-Dec.), 1959.
Pb acetate (4 mg/kg) was injected iv into 12 rab-
bits, and the glutathione (GT) level of the blood
was determined by Rausch's method. The longest
survival was observed in animals with the least
decrease in GT or with its higher concentration be-
fore poisoning. (As determined in all rabbits,
31-44 mg% before, to levels as low as 10 mg% after
poisoning.)
These observations suggested to the authors that
GT was a protective factor in Pb poisoning in rab-
bits.
869 Sroczynski, J., and Piekarski, B.: Obraz
blatek surowicy krwi krolikow w ostrym
zatruciu ojowie. (SERUM PROTEIN PICTURE IN
THE BLOOD OF RABBITS IN ACUTE LEAD POISON-
ING.) Postepy Hig. i Med. Doswiadczalnej
13, No. 6:781-5, 1959.
Quantitative measurements of blood plasma proteins
and their fractions were taken at the start of the
series, at onset of anemia, and subsequently. On
the average albumin decreased, and globulin in-
creased, but not in the same absolute amounts, so
that total protein decreased. The most clearcut
increase was in B-globulin, while a^ and 0.2 also
increased. "y-Globulin was variable. (From Bio-
logical Abstracts 35:59542, 1960)
870
Sroczynski, J., and Wieczorek, M.: Bada-
nia anatomopatologiczne u krolikow w
ostrym zatruciu olowiem. (ANATOMIC AND
PATHOLOGIC STUDIES IN RABBITS IN ACUTE
LEAD POISONING.) Postepy Hig. i Med.
Doswiadczalnej 13, No. 6:759-63, 1959.
Autopsies were performed on 20 rabbits who died
from experimental Pb poisoning and changes in the
liver, kidneys, heart muscles, lungs, intestinal
tract, and adrenals were described. The results
are similar to those obtained by other investiga-
tors of the results of Pb poisoning. (From Bio-
logical Abstracts 35:59543, 1960)
871 Stover, B.J. (Univ. Utah, Salt Lake City):
Pb212 (ThB) TRACER STUDIES IN ADULT BEAGLE
DOGS. Proceedings of the Society of Exper-
imental Biology and Medicine 100, No. 2:
269-72, 1959.
Metabolism of shortlived 212pb was studied in the
beagle following intravenous (iv) injection, and
after transfusion of blood cells tagged with 2l2Pb
in vitro. The latter proved to be a satisfactory
method to determine blood volume. When 2J-2Pb was
given iv, in vivo tagging of blood cells occurred.
A maximum of 65% of the activity in cells was
reached at 2-3 hr after injection, then 212Pb in
blood cells decreased with a biological t i = 37
hr and an effective t, = 8.2 hr. The same de-
crease occurred after injection of in vitro tagged
cells. In both experiments essentially all 212Pb
decayed inside the dog. Half decayed in blood in
the in vivo tagging experiment; 4/5 decayed in
blood when tagging was done in vitro. (From
author's summary)
872 Sumiya, C. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): (A FOL-
LOW-UP STUDY OF PORPHYRIN METABOLISM IN
LEAD POISONING. I. RELATION BETWEEN GLY-
CINE AND REDUCED GLUTATHIONE (GSH)). Ko-
kumin Eisei 28:617-26, 1959.
In rabbits, Pb poisoning causes an increase in
glycine in red blood cells and bone marrow. (From
Chemical Abstracts 55:1752, 1961)
873 Sumiya, C. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): (A FOL-
LOW-UP STUDY OF PORPHYRIN METABOLISM IN
LEAD POISONING. II. IRON INCORPORATION
INTO THE PORPHYRIN RING IN LEAD POISON-
ING.) Kokumin Eisei 28:627-35, 1959.
The biosynthesis of protoporphyrin, coproporphy-
rin, and uroporphyrin in chicken red blood cells
is markedly inhibited by Pb acetate, while Fe in-
corporation into porphyrin is not inhibited as
much, and both Fe""" and Fe can be incorporated.
In Pb poisoning hene synthesis proceeds markedly in
the peripheral blood, which may be ascribed to the
enzyme system in the mitochondria existing in the
basophilic stippled cells and reticulocytes. The
activity of carboxylase in converting coproporphy-
rin to protoporphyrin seen in the mitochondria of
liver and bone marrow is not reduced even in Pb
poisoning. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:1752,1961)
Sykora, J., Kocher, Z., and Eybl, V.:
874 (EFFECT OF CaNaaEDTA ON THE EXCRETION OF
LEAD IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.)
150
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Cesk. Fysiol. 8:325 (July), 1959. (From
Cumulative Index Medicus 1:A-1247, 1960)
875 Tanabe, Y. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): (METAB-
OLISM OF 6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID (ALA) AND
PORPHOBILINOGEN (PEG) IN LEAD POISONING.
I. AMOUNTS OF ALA AND PEG IN THE URINE AND
BLOOD.) Kokumin Eisei 28:386-97, 1959.
In rabbits, Pb poisoning caused an increase of ALA
and PBG in urine and blood, and increased copro-
porphyrin in urine. In porphyrinuria of the he-
patic type, caused by allylisopropylacetamide or
allylisopropylacetylcarbamide (Sedormid), PBG is
excreted in a larger amount than ALA, as contrast-
ed with Pb poisoning. (From Chemical Abstracts
55:2933, 1961)
876 Tanabe, Y. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): (METAB-
OLISM OF 5-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID (ALA) AND
PORPHOBILINOGEN (PBG) IN LEAD POISONING.
II. INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM OF PORPHYRIN
WITH ALA ADMINISTRATION.) Kokumin Eisei
28:552-9, 1959.
Intravenous injection of ALA into Pb poisoned,
normal, and allylisopropylacetamide-administered
rabbits, respectively, caused excretion of large
amounts of ALA, PBG, uroporphyrin and coproporphy-
rin converted from ALA. In Pb poisoning, urinary
coproporphyrin was twice as high as that of normal
rabbit, and excretion of PBG and uroporphyrin was
significantly reduced. With allylisopropylaceta-
mide, all 3 were increased. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 55:2934, 1961)
877 Tanabe, Y. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): (METAB-
OLISM OF 6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID (ALA) AND
PORPHOBILINOGEN (PBG) IN LEAD POISONING.
III. EFFECTS OF Ca ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRA-
ACETATE (EDTA) UPON THE INTERMEDIARY ME-
TABOLISM OF PORPHYRINS.) Kokumin Eisei 28:
560-7, 1959.
In normal rabbits, urinary excretion of ALA, PBG,
coproporphyrin or uroporphyrin is not affected by
the administration of CaEDTA, but in poisoned
rabbits, small doses of it cause excretion of ALA
and PBG in large amounts, while no increase is ob-
served at large doses. (From Chemical Abstracts
55:2934,1961)
878 Tarabaeva, G.I.: (DISTRIBUTION OF RADIO-
ACTIVE LEAD IN THE SEXUAL ORGANS OF ANI-
MALS.) Izvest. Akad. Nauk Kazakh. SSR Ser.
Med. i Fiziol. 1959, No. 2:95-101.
In guinea pigs, orally administered radioactive Pb
was found in highest concentrations in the chorion,
placenta, liver, and spleen. Animals previously
administered 2 ml/kg of 2% Pb acetate for 5-6 mo,
showed lower values in the tissues after 1 day,
but greater than normal values after 5 days.
(From Chemical Abstracts 54:23059, 1960)
879 Timm, F., and Neth, R. (Max-Planck-Inst.
Exptl. Med., GHttingen, Germany): Die
normalen Schwermetalle der Niere. (NORMAL
OCCURRENCE OF HEAVY METALS IN THE KIDNEY.)
Histochemie 1, No. 6:403-19, 1959.
In histochemical examination of frozen sections of
kidneys from various animals (horse, cattle, sheep,
goat, dog, cat, pigs, rabbit, guinea pig, rat,
mouse) small quantities of Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb could
be detected by means of the sulfide reaction. (The
method used is described in detail.) The detecta-
ble fractions of the trace elements were present
predominantly in the cell plasma, and found to be
mobile; only very seldom were they seen in the
nuclei of normal kidneys. Fe, Zn, Pb and Hg were
found to be absorbed and emitted by the epithelial
cells of the glomerulus. They were also detected
in the basement membrane, in the tubular cells and
lumina. A narrow ridge below the brush border of
the cells was found to bind metals with an affinity
to S, Zn, Cu, Pb, Hg.
880 Van Esch, G.J., and Van Genderen, H.;
Walpole, A.L., and Williams, M.H.C.:
Personal Communication (on Lead-induced
Tumors), 1959.
See Abstract No. 891.
881 Voigt, G.E., and Larsson, L.E. (Univ.
Lund, Sweden): DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD AND
MERCURY IN FEMUR OF ACUTELY POISONED RATS.
Acta Pathologica et Microbiologia Scandi-
navica 47:256-8, 1959.
When rats were given Pb acetate im and killed
after 15 min-4 hr, the Ag sulfide method showed
the presence of Pb around and in Haversian canals.
882 Yokohashi, G. (Inst. Publ. Health, Tokyo,
Japan) : ABSORPTION AND EXCRETION OF LEAD
THROUGH WALLS OF DIGESTIVE CANALS. ESPE-
CIALLY ON THEIR RELATIVE EASE BY SEGMENTS
OF CANALS. Bulletin of the Institute of
Public Health (Tokyo) 8:14-21, 1959.
Experiments with rabbits showed, by use of ^Pb,
that absorption of Pb occurred mostly in the small
intestine, while the stomach and colon were very
inactive, and the cecum was the most inactive. In
the excretion of Pb, the small intestines with
the duodenum were the most active, followed by the
colon, while the stomach and the cecum were very
inactive. It is concluded that Pb passes freely
in either direction through the membrane cells of
the digestive canals which show their own resis-
tance to the passage of Pb. (From author's Eng-
lish summary)
883 Yokohashi, G. (Inst. Pub. Health, Tokyo,
Japan) : IONIC AND NON-IONIC LEAD IN
BLOOD PLASMA AND CELLS OF RABBITS. Bul-
letin of the Institute of Public Health
(Tokyo) 8:22-8, 1959.
Rabbits were injected for 5 days with doses of 1.5
mg/Pb as chloride daily, to estimate the relative
amount of ionic and non-ionic Pb in blood compon-
ents of the animals. For Pb in blood plasma, ex-
traction with Na diethyldithiocarbamate and dial-
ysis with cellophane membrane and adsorption by
cation-exchange resin were applied. Pb was also
determined by measuring the added 21%b as a tracer.
Although ionic Pb could be estimated satisfactorily
in blood plasma, by the above methods, its ratio
to non-ionic Pb varied so widely that no definite
value could be established. Using fractionation
Plants and Animals
151
-------
of blood cells into endoplasm and stroma, using
toluene, showed 80% of the Pb to be present in the
latter and 20% in the former. The relative amounts
of Pb in the endoplasm were 10-20% for the ionic,
and the non-ionic which were bound by hemoglobin
constituted 80-90%. Endoplasm was fractionated
into heme and globin by hydrolysis with acetone-
HC1 mixture; about 90% of the Pb was in the heme
fraction and only 10% in the globin fraction; how-
ever, >90% was found to be absorbed on cation-ex-
change resin for the 1.5% HC1 hydrolyzate of endo-
plasm. Therefore, the whole amount of Pb in the
heme fraction cannot be interpreted to be of metal-
porphyrin form, for Pb that was dissociated from
the globin moiety by acid may have been transfer-
red into the acid-acetone layer (heme fraction).
(From author's English abstract.)
1960
884 Abramova, Zh.I., and Kuz'minskaya, G.N.:
(THE SPECIFIC FEATURES IN THE PICTURE OF
LEAD POISONING IN RATS WHO HAD SUSTAINED
RADIATION INJURY.) Radiol. 5:80-1 (Dec.),
1960.
Compensatory hematopoietic reactions to Pb poison-
ing were studied in 123 male rats 1-3 mo after
whole-body irradiation with 300 r and exposure for
24 days to Pb poisoning (daily doses of 0.3 ml of
40% solution/100 g weight). The irradiated animals
exhibited a higher resistance to toxic anemia and
a much more rapid development of young cells in
the peripheral blood. However, along with increas-
ed erythropoiesis were observed increased disturb-
ances in the bone marrow and greater degenerative
dystrophic changes in the spleen and liver. (From
Nuclear Science Abstracts 15:Abstract No. 12784,
1961)
885 Afonova, V.N.: THE METABOLISM OF PROTEINS
AND PROTEIN NITROGEN IN THE BLOOD SERUM IN
EXPERIMENTAL LEAD-POISONING. Sb. Nauchn.
Tr. Ryazansk. Med. Inst. 12, No. 2:129-32,
1960.
Administration per os of an aqueous solution of Pb
acetate (at the rate of 10 mg/kg) to rabbits elic-
ited a shift of the blood proteins. Total proteins
were reduced by an average of 17.64%; globulins
were increased by an average of 21.66%. In cases
of chronic Pb poisoning the blood non-protein N
rose to 64.18-157.77 mg%. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 59:10683, 1963)
886 Aldanazarov, A.T., and Sabdenova, Sh.S.:
(EFFECT OF VITAMIN B;L2 AND FOLIC ACID ON
THE APPEARANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF LEAD-
POISONING SYMPTOMS IN EXPERIMENTAL ANI-
MALS.) Trudy Inst. Kraevoi Patol. Akad.
Nauk Kazakh. SSR 8:62-8, 1960.
Simultaneous administration of vitamin B -^ with
toxic doses of Pb (1 ml/kg body wt of 1% Pb ace-
tate daily for 3-7 mo) to rabbits delayed the ap-
pearance and reduced the severity of Pb intoxica-
tion symptoms. Better results were obtained when
both vitamin Bl2 and folic acid were administered.
No reduction of hemoglobin level was observed in
animals receiving both vitamins, and in some cases
basophilic stippling was completely absent. (From
Chemical Abstracts 55:26264, 1961)
887 Baetjer, A.M., Joardar, S.N.D. and McQuary,
W.A. (John Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, Md.):
EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE AND
HUMIDITY ON LEAD POISONING IN ANIMALS.
Archives of Environmental Health 1:463-77
(Dec.), 1960.
Swiss strain male mice were used in most of the
experiments. Groups of mice, injected ip or iv
with approximate LD^Q doses of Pb acetate or
nitrate and exposed to various temperatures, showed
a higher mortality rate and shorter average sur-
vival time at 95°F than at 72°F. This effect of
'high temperature on acute Pb poisoning was more
marked when the exposure followed immediately
after the injection of Pb than when exposure to
heat also preceded the Pb poisoning. The results
were similar whether a high or low humidity accom-
panied the high temperature. Prolonged exposure
to heat preceding the injection of Pb did not re-
duce the harmful effect of heat exposure. Removal
from heat at nights alleviated the effect to some
extent. Exposure of rats to high temperature
similarly increased their mortality following the
iv injection of Pb. Mice exposed to an environ-
mental temperature of 60°F had a higher mortality
and longer average survival time than those exposed
to 72 °F temperature when injected ip with Pb, but
no significant differences were found when the Pb
was injected iv. Mice with chronic Pb poisoning
produced by repeated injections of Pb, began to die
sooner and had a higher mortality when exposed to
a high temperature following cessation of Pb in-
jections.
Severe dehydration produced by restricting water
consumption increased the mortality of mice from
acute Pb poisoning at all temperatures. The ef-
fect was much more marked when the Pb was injected
ip than when injected iv. An increase in basal
metabolism at normal temperature, produced by thy-
roxine, increased the susceptibility of female
mice to Pb poisoning comparable to that produced
by heat but did not significantly affect male mice.
The influence of food and water restriction on
mortality was also studied. Food restriction and
isolation at normal temperature did not increase
susceptibility to Pb. (24 references)
888 Bezzubov, A.D. Vasil'eva, O.G., and
Khatina, A.I. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis.,
Acad. Med. Sci., USSR): Vliyanie pektina
na vyvedenie svintsa iz organisma. (IN-
FLUENCE OF PECTIN ON THE ELIMINATION OF
LEAD FROM THE BODY.) Gigiena Truda i
Professional'nye Zabolevaniya 4, No. 3:
32-7, 1960.
In in-vitro experiments, the authors had found
that in an aqueous medium at pH 3.76, pectin bound
91-92% of Pb, and in a gastric acid medium, 52-
69%. Mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits received
various oral doses of Pb acetate and pectin; in
some experiments, CaNa2EDTA was also administered
with the pectin. Although in acute poisoning at
high dosage of Pb (500 mg/kg) full protection was
not obtained (of the Pb group 5 of 10 animals
died, and of the Pb + pectin + EDTA group, 2 of
152
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
10 died), in chronic poisoning the drugs produced
marked increases in the elimination of Pb. With
pectin, the largest amounts were eliminated in the
5th-6th wk after start of Pb dosage. The adminis-
tration of pectin and EDTA greatly ameliorated the
signs of Pb poisoning.
889 Boyadzhiev, V. (Dept. Health, Ind. Hyg.,
Clin. Occup. Dis., Sofia, Bulgaria):
Vliyanie na nyakoi beltuchinni i mastni
rezhimi za vuznikvaneto i protichaneto
na olovnoto otravyane. (EFFECT OF CERTAIN
PROTEIN AND FAT DIETS ON THE APPEARANCE
AND COURSE OF LEAD POISONING.) Nauchni
Trudove na Visshiya Meditsinski Institut,
Sofia 39, No. 3:171-88, 1960.
The effect of 4 different diets, low and high fat,
and low and high protein, respectively, on the
higher nervous system was studied in white rats
given orally 213 mg Pb acetate/kg body weight/day
for 3 mo. The results showed that the variables
in the diets did not prevent the appearance of Pb
poisoning, but influenced the severity of its
course according to the criteria studied. Between
the 1st and the 9th day of poisoning, alterations
in the conditioned reflex activity of rats on
diets 1, 2, 3, and 4 (independently of the diet)
were observed which corresponded to changes in the
regulatory reaction of the cortex under the in-
fluence of the poisoning. These changes had a
cyclic course and in passing through the different
phases, especially of the narcotic and paradoxical
phases, were marked by an inhibition of the con-
ditioned reflex activity of the cortex. Following
repeated poisoning, alterations of the conditioned
reflex activity quickly set in (from 1-4 days af-
ter beginning of the poisoning). The most severe
disturbances appeared in animals fed the high-fat
diet, followed by those on low-protein, low-fat
and high protein diets. Changes in conditioned
reflex activity under the influence of low fat and
high protein content in the diet were, to a. certain
extent, similar. The author considers that changes
in conditioned reflex activity can serve as an
early sign of Pb poisoning.
890 Boyadzhiev, V., and Tyutyulkov, N.: (MODI-
FICATION OF LEAD CONCENTRATION IN THE
BLOOD OF EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS BY VITAMIN C
AND SODIUM THIOSULFATE.) Gigiena, Epi-
demiol. i Mikrobiol. 4, No. 1:7-15, 1960.
The effect of vitamin C (50 mg/kg) or Na2S20.j (2.5
ml 20% solution/kg) on Pb concentration in blood
of guinea pigs was studied during chronic Pb in-
toxication induced by oral administration of 2 ml/
kg of 5% Pb acetate solution, up to 55 mg Pb/kg
body weight. The degree of intoxication was de-
termined from the number of erythrocytes, leuko-
cytes, stippled cells, reticulocytes, and concen-
tration of hemoglobin in blood. Administration of
Na2S20j and vitamin C did not prevent the develop-
ment of Pb poisoning. The concentration of Pb in
the blood was lowest in the animals treated with
Na2S20-j and the changes of the blood components
investigated paralleled Pb concentration. (From
Chemical Abstracts 56:7951, 1962)
J91 Boyland, E.: RECENT PROGRESS IN CARCINO-
GENESIS. BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS. Progress in
Experimental Tumor Research 1:162-78, 1960.
The review (55 references) contains the following
concerning Pb: "The induction of tumor of the
kidney with Pb phosphate first described by Zol-
linger (1953) and confirmed by Van Esch and Van
Genderen (1959) and by Walpole and Williams (1959)
remains remarkable. In the first place it is sur-
prising that rats should live for as long as 1 yr
on diets containing 17, of Pb phosphate or Pb ace-
tate. Treatment with Pb salts disturbs hemoglobin
metabolism leading to excretion of coproporphyrin
in the urine. The immediate carcinogen might
therefore be the excreted porphyrln. Ingested Pb
is usually deposited in bone, so that if the Pb
itself were the carcinogenic agent, bone tumors
would have been expected." (Van Esch, and Walpole:
Personal communications to author.)
892 De Nicola, P., Petronio, L., Nespoli, M.,
and Caraccia, G.C. (Univ. Pavia, Italy) :
Ulterior! osservazioni sulle attivita'
enzimatiche nel siero in alcune intossi-
cazioni sperimentali. (ENZYMATIC ACTIVI-
TIES IN SERUM IN SOME EXPERIMENTAL INTOX-
ICATIONS .) Bollettino della Societa Itali-
ana di Biologia Sperimentale 36, No. 21:
1145-8, 1960.
The experiments reported deal with the behavior of
several enzymes in the blood of rabbits poisoned
by Pb, As, C, sulfide and Ca. Pb poisoning was
obtained in 4 rabbits, average weight 2.5 kg, by
daily treatment with 6 mg Pb acetate/kg body
weight for 30 days. Enzymatic activities in the
serum were determined before, and on the 15th and
30th days of the experiment. The animals survived
treatment, but died shortly thereafter. Aldolase
had increased from a normal of 17.1 units/ml serum
to 44.2 at 15 and 38.6 at 30 days. The increases
in activity of other enzymes were more moderate:
glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, from 27.6 to
33.2 and 46,7; glutamic pyruvic transaminase, from
22.6 to 24 and 28.2; lactic dehydrogenase, from
410 to 495 and 444; malic dehydrogenase, from 180
to 208 and 292, respectively. The authors con-
clude that no relation exists between the histo-
logic alterations caused by Pb and the increases
in the activity of enzymes.
893 Dhar, D.C., and Ghatak, S. (Central Drug
Research Inst., Lucknow, India): STUDIES
ON EXPERIMENTAL LEAD ANAEMIA: PART VI.
CHANGES IN ASCORBIC ACID METABOLISM DURING
LEAD ANAEMIA AND THE ROLE OF VARIOUS HAEMO-
POIETIC SUBSTANCES. Journal of Scientific
and Industrial Research (India) 19C, No.
11:259-63, 1960.
Anemia induced in rats (VL50 g weight) by intra-
venous injection of Pb acetate (6 mg/100 g body
weight) caused a marked decrease in the level of
ascorbic acid in blood, urine, adrenal gland,
liver, spleen, testes, kidney, heart, and muscle,
but not in brain and lung tissue. The adrenal
gland was affected most. Hemopoietic agents (vi-
tamin 6^2, liver extract, folic acid, and leuco-
vorin) alleviated the deficiency of ascorbic acid
in most of the tissues but none of the supplements
raised its level in heart tissue.
894
Foreman, H.: THE PHARMACOLOGY OF SOME
Plants and Animals
153
-------
USEFUL CHELATING AGENTS. In Seven, M.J.,
and Johnson, L.A., ed.: Metal-Binding in
Medicine. Philadelphia, Lippincott,
1960, pp. 82-94.
The tissue distribution and excretion of
in experimental animals is first discussed and
illustrated in tables. This is followed by simi-
lar studies in humans; kidney toxicity by EDTA in
animals, as well as by CaNa2DTPA; behavior of other
metal chelates in the body; N32EDTA and N32DTPA
chelated with Pb, Co, Fe, Zn, Cr, and Y and whole
body retention of ions subsequent to chelation.
In closing, the natural binding capacity of the
body for the various injected ions is: Fe > Zn
> Pb > Cr > Co > Y; the order of effectiveness of
EDTA for mobilization is about equal for Zn, Cr,
Y, followed by Co, Pb, Fe; with DTPA, Y > Co > Cr
> Pb > Zn > Fe.
895 Gajdos-TBrBk, M., Gajdos, A., and Benard,
H.: Localisation de 1'inhibition de la
synthese de 1'he'me par le plomb. (LOCALI-
ZATION OF THE INHIBITION OF THE SYNTHESIS
OF HEME BY LEAD.) Comptes Rendus de Sean-
ces de la Socie'te de Biologie et de ses
Filiales 154:508-9, 1960.
For the study of the anemia of Pb poisoning, be-
lieved to be due to the inhibition of heme forma-
tion beginning with the protoporphyrins, the au-
thors gave a daily dose of 200-400 mg of Pb ace-
tate to adult rabbits by gastric tube and bled the
animals on the 8th day. Blood was incubated with
radioactive Fe and glycocoll in order to measure
the heme formation in vitro. The remainder of the
blood was used to extract the hemesynthetase (ac-
cording to Goldberg) whose activity was measured
by incubation with pure protoporphyrins and radio-
active Fe. Immediately before being bled, 1 of the
rabbits showed signs of a Pb-induced anemia. The
rabbit showed 3,460,000 red cells; 73% hemoglobin;
1.9% reticulocytes stippled cells 4/100 white
cells; 9 mg ALA, 103 mg porphobilinogen, 767 ug
uroporphyrin, and 2640 yg coproporphyrin/1 urine;
in 3 other Pb poisoned rabbits, the same results
were seen. Measurement of heme formation showed
a weak incorporation of Fe into the protoporphy-
rins. Measurement of the hemesynthetase activity
showed it to be elevated.
For an explanation of this contradiction, ie,
weak Fe incorporation into protoporphyrins and an
elevated hemesynthetase activity, the observations
by Allen and Jandl are cited. Using radioactive
Fe, these authors had noted that Fe passes through
3 steps in order to combine with the siderophilins
of plasma in the Hb stage in the rabbit reticulo-
cytes. The conclusions of these authors are taken
for an explanation of the apparent contradiction
of the observations in this report, namely, the
inhibition of heme synthesis at the time of incu-
bation with radioactive Fe in the red cells of Pb-
intoxicated rabbits which contain an abundance of
active hemesynthetase. In this sense, their ex-
periments confirm those of Allen and Jandl and
demonstrate the extreme biochemical complexity of
hemoglobinogenesis.
89J Gorby, C.K., and Rieders, F. (Jefferson
Med. Coll. of Philadelphia, Pa): THE EF-
FECT OF SIMULTANEOUS ORAL EDATHAMIL CAL-
CIUM DISODIUM AND LEAD ACETATE ON LEAD
ACCUMULATION IN TISSUES OF RATS. Archives
Internationales de Pharmacodynamie 125:
153-60 (Apr. 1), 1960.
The Pb uptake by susceptible tissues from the
chelate in the interval between intestinal absorp-
tion and urinary excretion was studied in male and
female Sherman albino rats. One group of 50 rats
(25 males, 25 females) served as controls. The
food and drinking water of the other groups con-
tained the following amounts of drugs: Group A,
2 ppm Pb as acetate; Group B, 760 ppm
Na2CaEDTA-2H20; Group C, 3 ppm Pb and 760 ppm
Na2CaEDTA-2H20; chemical analysis showed for C, 3
ppm Pb, with 1 ppm introduced by EDTA. Pb analyses
of kidney, small intestine, brain, skeletal mus-
cle, blood, and food were done by a dithizone tech-
nique. Incorporation of the EDTA into Pb-contain-
ing diets retarded Pb accumulation mainly in brain
and renal tissues of male rats. Food and water
consumption and growth of the rats were not af-
fected by 2 ppm Pb or 3 ppm Pb + 760 ppm EDTA in
the diet. Hematologic studies, including red
blood cell counts, white blood cell counts, and
hemoglobin determinations did not show significant
differences between the Pb and Pb-EDTA groups.
Breeding studies showed that the Pb group had
least ability to raise its young to weaning age.
The EDTA group showed some reduction, and the Pb-
EDTA, though having the lowest mean litter numbers,
showed no reduction in raising litters. A pro-
tective effect of EDTA is suggested. There was an
unexplained increase in infection incidence in
males on diets containing Pb + EDTA.
397 Gorham, J.R., Farrell, R.K., and Burger,
D.: DISEASES AND PARASITES OF MINK. Vet-
erinary Scope (Upjohn Company) 5, No. 3:2-
12, 1960.
Paints containing Pb should not be used on wire
netting and the interior of pens or nest boxes for
minks. Acute Pb poisoning in minks is character-
ized by stupor, weakness, convulsions, coma and
sudden death. In chronic Pb poisoning no charac-
teristic signs develop, but the animals gradually
lose weight and die within 2-4 mo. Microcytic
hypochromic anemia and basophilic stippling has
been observed; there is increased Pb in liver and
blood. Treatment with CaEDTA is suggested but
has not yet been tried.
898 Gusev, M.I.: LIMITS OF ALLOWABLE LEAD
CONCENTRATION IN THE AIR OF INHABITED LO-
CALITIES. In Ryazanov, V.A., ed.: Limits
of Allowable Concentrations of Atmospheric
Pollutants, Book 4, Moskow, Medgiz, 1960,
translated by B.S. Levine. Washington,
US Department of Commerce, Office of Tech-
nical Services, 1961, pp. 5-31.
Since Pb is used extensively in the national econ-
omy of the USSR, a study of the effects of Pb in
air on the higher nervous activity was made to de-
termine the limit of allowable concentration with
the aid of physiological and biological methods of
application. Using changes in the motor condi-
tioned reflex as the vital index, 14 young male
white rats ("x-lOO g weight) were divided into 3
groups for exposure 6 hr/day for 6 mo (total of
148-150 days) to average Pb concentrations in air:
154
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1st group, 6 rats, 11 yg/m^; 2nd group, 6 rats,
1.13 ug/m3; 3rd group, 2 rats, control. At the
higher concentration, functional shifts in the
higher nervous activity of the rats were noted;
pathologic and histologic changes were observed In
the organs and tissues, especially in the brain
and spinal cord; the content of Pb in the bone was
10 times greater than that in the bone of the con-
trol animals. The lower exposure (1.13 yg/m3)
produced no changes in the activity of cerebral
cortex. An additional 9 rats were exposed to the
same concentrations of Pb oxide for supplemental
blood studies. No differences were noted between
the blood composition of control and test animals.
To study the effect of low Pb concentrations on
porphyrin metabolism, 2 groups of 3 rabbits each
(weight 1160-2140 g each) were exposed 6 hr/day
for 6.5 mo to 10 ug Pb/m3 air or 3.9 yg/m^ air
respectively. Rabbits exposed to the higher con-
centration eliminated twice as much coproporphyrin
as did a control group. No changes in porphyrin
metabolism were discernible in the animals exposed
to the lower concentration. Pathohistological
changes in the nervous system and microscopic
changes of tissues and organs were found in the
rabbits exposed to 10 yg. The accumulation of Pb
in the bones of these rabbits was 8 times as great
as that in the control animals.
The author concluded that his studies confirmed
the USSR limit of allowable 24-hr average concen-
tration of 0.7 vig/m^ in ambient air, and 10 ug/m-^
of single concentration for workroom air. (29
references)
899 Hammond, P.B., and Aronson, A.L. (Div.
Physiol. Pharmacol., Univ. Minnesota, St.
Paul) : THE MOBILIZATION AND EXCRETION OF
LEAD IN CATTLE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF
VARIOUS CHELATING AGENTS. Annals of the
New York Academy of Sciences 88, Art. 2:
498-511 (Aug. 18), 1960.
The authors studied the following chelating agents
to determine their effect in the treatment of Pb
poisoning: Ca ethylenediaminetetraacetate (CaEDTA),
ethylenediaminediacetic acid (EDDA) , N,N 'dihydroxy-
ethylenediaminediacetic acid (HEDDA), diethylene-
triaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), cyclohexanediamine-
tetraacetic acid (CDTA), 2,3-dimercaptopropanol
(BAL), 2,3-dimercaptopropionic acid (BAL acid),
ethane-l,2-dithiol, propane-1,3-dithiol, 2,5-di-
thiohexane, penicillamine, 2-aminoethanethiol, Na
citrate, di-Na catechol-l,3-disulfonate. Pb ni-
trate was administered orally in doses of 0.25-1.0
g at 1-3-day intervals to female Holstein-Friesian
calves, age 2-4 mo, until a concentration of 0.3-
1.0 ppm Pb in the blood was reached. Experimental
studies were begun 3-5 days after the last dose of
Pb. Signs of Pb poisoning were found in only 1
case. In the 24-hr period before administration
of chelating agents, the base line rate of Pb ex-
cretion in urine and feces and the rate of de-
crease of Pb in blood were established. Chelating
agents were administered intravenously in a 10-min
period. Pb analyses were done with acid oxidizers
to digest biomaterials and a standard dithizone
spectrophotometric procedure. Eight calves were
given 110 mg CaEDTA/kg, the dosage found to give
maximal response. Results showed increased Pb ex-
cretion in the urine lasting for 48 hr, increased
Pb concentration in blood plasma, and decreased Pb
concentration in erythrocytes. The authors infer-
red that there was a steady state relationship be-
tween the concentration of Pb in erythrocytes and
the amount which can be mobilized and excreted in
the urine by CaEDTA. Around 10% of Pb excreted in
urine could be accounted for by a decrease in
erythrocyte Pb. The remaining 90% was shown to
originate in other tissues, eg, liver. CaEDTA
could only remove part of the Pb from soft tissue.
The kidney was found to be the major route of
PbEDTA excretion. Unless otherwise noted, in all
the following studies, the dose administered was
equivalent to 110 mg/kg CaEDTA. Of the polyamino-
acetic acids studied, CaEDDA was inferior to
CaEDTA, while CaHEDDA, CaCDTA, and CaDTPA acted
similarly to CaEDTA.
The authors conclude that in spite of the dis-
tinct possibility that permeability factors may
impose serious limitations upon the activity of
polyaminoacetic acids, it remains to be demonstra-
ted that there exists a "stability constant
plateau" that exhausts the possibility of improving
upon detoxification by increasing the stability of
the metal-ligand bond. BAL (dose equivalent to 55
mg/kg CaEDTA), administered to 4 calves, produced
an increased urinary Pb excretion, but less than
that with CaEDTA. Blood Pb decreased and then
showed a partial rebound after BAL administration.
Of the other dithiols studied (dose equivalent to
55 mg/kg), 2,5-dithiohexane and propane-1,3-dithiol
showed no effect, ethane-l,2-dithiol caused a de-
crease of erythrocyte Pb and a complete rebound,
and BAL acid seemed to be as active as CaEDTA.
BAL acid is toxic unless administered together
with Ca chloride. DL-Penicillamine acted similar-
ly to CaEDTA; 2-aminoethanethiol, Na citrate, and
di-Na catechol-l,3-disulfonate had no effect. (14
references)
900 Hashimoto, K.: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON
THE BILIARY EXCRETION OF LEAD IN DOGS.
Journal of Osaka City Medical Center 9:
2317-39 (July), 1960. In Contributions
from the Department of Preventive Medicine
and Public Health, Osaka City University
Medical School, Vol. 2, April 1959-March
1961, pp. 27-31.
Thirty mg Pb acetate (16.38 mg Pb/kg of body
weight) was administered orally, intravenously (iv),
and intratracheally to adult male dogs in order to
elucidate a Pb excretion in the bile. The biliary
Pb excretion was compared with blood concentrations,
urinary excretion, and distribution of Pb thus
introduced into the animals' bodies. It was found
that the blood levels of Pb after iv injection
were higher than those of cases administered by
other routes. Following the oral administration,
the biliary excretion of Pb reached the maximum
within about 10 hr, and then decreased rapidly.
For 30 hr after the administration, a small por-
tion (1/1000-1/4000) of the Pb absorbed into the
body was excreted into the bile. A total dose of
the Pb eliminated in the urine was 2-7 times that
in the bile. Following intratracheal administra-
tion, the appearance of Pb in the bile was diverse
in time among the animals. The amount of Pb ex-
creted in the bile was 1/400-1/2700 portion of the
absorbed Pb. A total dose of Pb eliminated in
Plants and Animals
155
-------
the urine was 3 times that in the bile during the
experiment. Following iv administration, the
biliary excretion of Pb showed a sharp increase
with the peak at about 3 hr. About 1/4500 portion
of administered Pb was excreted in the bile and
the Pb excreted in the bile was 1/15-1/21 portion
of the Pb in urine. Little relation was found
between biliary pH values and Pb concentrations.
Concentrations of Pb in the liver were higher than
in the bile for all cases.
901 lordanidis, P. (Inst. Ind. Med. Hyg.,
Paris, France): Etude comparative de 1'-
hematie ponctuee, du siderocyte et du
reticulocyte dans le saturnisme experimen-
tal. (A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF STIPPLED
ERYTHROCYTES, SIDEROCYTES, AND RETICULO-
CYTES IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.)
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite' Sociale
21:719-26 (Dec.), 1960.
Nineteen guinea pigs (age ranging from 7-14 mo;
weight, 580-720 g) which had never been used in
other studies, and the females among whom had never
been pregnant, were placed into 3 groups: (1) 3
males and 2 females; (2) 2 males, 2 females; (3)
6 males, 4 females. After an observation period
of 20 days, each animal received intraperitoneally
1 mg Pb acetate (aqueous 0.5% solution)/100 g body
weight every 2 days. As soon as stippled cells
exceeded 100 ± 10/100 white cells, the dose was
doubled and administered twice/wk until the counts
reached 200 ± 10 stippled cells. The results of
the control tests showed no stippled cells, nor
siderocytes in the blood and bone marrow. Stip-
pled cells appeared first in the bone marrow, 3 ±
1 days after the 1st injection and 8 ± 2 days in
the peripheral blood. Siderocytes appeared in the
bone marrow around day 16 ± 2, and in the blood,
on day 19 ± 4 after injection. Their evolution
was transient and they disappeared before the
stippled cells did (av 112 ± 3 days vs 124 ± 3
days in blood; bone marrow stippled cells dis-
appeared after an av 142 ± 5 days). There appeared
to be no correlation between these 2 constituents.
Reticulocytes, however, increased in number before
stippled cells did; however reticulocytosis is a
commonplace finding and for this reason is of no
true interest in the diagnosis of occupational Pb
poisoning. An increase in the bone marrow retic-
ulocytes was seen from day 5 ± 1 after the 1st in-
jection, and on day 6 ± 1 in the blood. In this
case also there was no close correlation to stip-
pled erythrocytes. No Heinz bodies were found.
(56 references)
902 Ishii, Y.: A STUDY ON THE EXCRETION OF
LEAD ADMINISTERED INTO THE INTESTINAL CA-
NAL. Journal of Osaka City Medical Center
12:5001-14 (Dec.), 1960. In Contribu-
tions from the Department of Preventive
Medicine and Public Health, Osaka City
University Medical School, Vol. 2, April
1959-March 1961, pp. 38-9.
Vella-Like fistulae were made in the ileocecol re-
gion of 30 adult dogs to obtain samples of intest-
inal fluid continuously. Normal intestinal fluid
contained ^ 1 pg Pb/hr excretion. There was a
slight increase of Pb in the fluid after intra-
venous administration of 300 mg Pb acetate and a
marked increase after administration of 600 mg
(15-26 mg/hr, and a total of 50-90 ug 24 hr after
administration) .
903 Kar, A.B., and Sarkar, S.L. (Central Drug
Research Inst., Lucknow, India): EFFECT
OF SOME METALS ON THE ACTION OF MALE AND
FEMALE SEX HORMONES. J. Sci. Ind. Res.
(India) 19C:241-3, 1960,
Gonadectomized albino rats received 0.04 mM/kg
body weight of aqueous metal salts sc for 4 days
and, concurrently, intramuscular injections of
testosterone propionate and estradiol dipropionate
(62.5 mg/day/rat) and were sacrificed 1 day later.
Studies of the seminal vesicles, ventral prostate,
levator ani muscle, and uterus showed that Pb was
among the elements which depressed androgenic,
myotropic and estrogenic activity of the hormones.
(From Chemical Abstracts 55:8633, 1961)
904 Klimmer, O.R., and Nebel, I.U. (Univ. Bonn,
Germany): Experimentelle Untersuchungen
zur Frage der ToxizitHt einiger Stabili-
satoren in Kunststoffen aus Polyvinyl-
chlorid. (EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES CONCERNING
THE TOXICITY OF SOME STABILIZERS IN POLY-
VINYLCHLORIDE PLASTICS.) Arzneimittel-
Forschung 10:44-8, 1960.
The aim of the investigation was to examine the
extent to which stabilizers used for the manufac-
ture of PVC packaging materials and pipes can
escape into foods, beverages and water and the mag-
nitude of their toxicity.
Examined were 10 types of PVC foils and 3 powders
containing 1 or more of the following: S-contain-
ing di-n-octyl and dibutyl Sn compounds; dibasic
Pb phosphite and stearate; Cd stearate; 2-phenyl
indol + Sr stearate. The stabilizers, softeners
and (emulsifiers) were tested in amounts used
commercially.
The PVC foils were cut Into 5 X 1 cm strips of
0.2 mm thickness, folded and 5 g of each type of
foil suspended in flasks containing 75 ml each of
tap water, Mosel wine, olive oil, synthetic wine,
synthetic fruit and marmalade juices, and com-
mercial herring brine. After extraction, 14 days
(336 hr) at 32° C, the extracts were analyzed,
either by the colorimetric dithizone method or by
paper chromatography.
From the "hard" PVC foils (without softener),
only small amounts of stabilizer were extracted
into the non-fatty liquids (dibasic Pb phosphide =
0, or <1 ppm (yg/ml) for water, wine and olive
oil). The amounts of stabilizers extracted from
the foils increased as the pH value decreased and
the fat-soluble properties of the solutions in-
creased. From the "soft" PVC foils (with soften-
er) , the stabilizers escaped into the extracts in
much greater amounts (dibasic Pb stearate = 0, or
<1 ppm for water and wine, 8 ppm for olive oil).
The toxicity of stabilizers was tested in male
rats. The largely water-insoluble substances were
given orally in peanut oil with alcohol or emulsi-
fied with "Tween 80." Due to the considerable
scatter of values, the LD5Q range was established
as well as the LD5Q values. In the case of the Pb
compounds the acute oral toxicity was very low.
The oral LD50 range for dibasic Pb phosphite and
156
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Pb stearate was >6000 mg/kg (0% lethality at 6000).
All animals tested remained well, gained weight,
showed normal behavior and survived. Necropsy
showed no pathological changes in the organs.
PVC powders were also tested in rats. Of 26
male white rats that received 3 ppm Pb stearate/
rat/day orally for 7 calendar months, 2 died of
intercurrent bronchopneumonia. All other rats,
including controls (fed PVC powder without addi-
tives) survived and showed normal behavior.
Blood and urine analyses were normal. No patho-
logical changes were seen at necropsy.
It is assumed that the absence of pathological
changes is due to the poor absorption of the
largely insoluble PVC stabilizers from the gastro-
intestinal tract.
905 K°8a> T- (Kyush Univ. School Med., Japan):
(RELATIONS BETWEEN CALCIUM AND LEAD METAB-
OLISM.) Igaku Kenkyu 30:1860-9, 1960.
Experiments on rabbits and rats demonstrated a
probable relation between Ca and Pb metabolism,
and the possibility was suggested that Pb excre-
tion in chronic Pb intoxication could be enhanced
by altering the Ca metabolism. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 55:26179, 1961)
906 Kornakova, A.L. (Kazakh Acad. Sci., USSR):
Vliyanie dzhusalinskoi mineral'noi vody na
krovetvornuyu funktsiyu organizma pri
eksperimental'noi svintsovoi anemii. (EF-
FECT OF DZHUSALY MINERAL WATER ON THE HEMA-
TOPOIETIC FUNCTION OF THE ORGANISM IN EX-
PERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Izvestiya
Akademii Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR, Seriya Medit-
siny i Fiziologii 1960, No. 2:85-90.
The Dzhusaly mineral spring water (near Karkaral-
insk) was investigated in rabbits for their cura-
tive properties in Pb-induced anemia. This water
has a high Fe content (Fe++ + Fe4^, 157.75 mg/1,
in organic form and predominantly as ferrous oxide)
and in addition, many trace elements, I, Br, Zn,
traces of As. The rabbits were made anemic by the
administration of a 0.5% solution of Pb acetate in
doses of 2 mg/kg, which produced in 3 days an ane-
mia evident In smears of peripheral blood. Groups
of 10 rabbits each received the mineral water as
such, bottled mineral water or ordinary water. The
results as described and shown in 3 graphs confirm-
ed the beneficial effect on hematopoietic function
of the organism in experimental anemia. The stimu-
lating action of this water is attributed to the
high content in Fe in its ferrous form. The use
of bottled water after long storage (2-3 mo) caused
loss in its beneficial action on the blood picture,
probably because of lower content of its ferrous
compounds. The physiologic activity of the water
remains preserved when stored in bottled water for
a month or less, and can be used in medical prac-
tice in Fe-deficiency anemias.
907 Lescinskaite, A.: VITAMIN B12, SAPROPEL,
AND COBALT CHLORIDE INFLUENCE IN EXPERI-
MENTAL ANILINE AND LEAD POISONING. Lietu-
vos TSR Mokslu Akad. Darbai, Ser. C 1960,
No. 2:163-74. '
In white rats (no data), injections of Pb acetate
at doses of 150 mg/kg body weight caused decrease
in body weight, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, and
carbonic anhydrase activity while changes in pro-
tein were insignificant. Animals receiving sapro-
pel (50 units of vitamin B-j^/kg food) and a Co
equivalent, 00010.6^0 supplemented diet calculated
4.5% Co in vitamin Bio, showed the least changes
in erythrocytes and in carbonic anhydrase activity,
the fastest hemoglobin recovery, and a decreasing
leukocyte count. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:
10618, 1961)
908 Mambeeva, A.A. (Acad. Sci. Kazak SSR):
Izmenenie interotseptivnykh refleksov pri
svintsovoi intoksikatsii. (CHANGES OF
INTEROCEPTIVE REFLEXES IN LEAD POISON-
ING.) Izvestiya Akademii Nauk Kazakhskoi
SSR, Seriya Meditsiny i Fiziologii 1960,
No. 2:59-65.
In 26 experiments with cats under urethane nar-
coses, the effects of acute Pb poisoning on the
interoceptive reflexes were studied on the iso-
lated intestine which was perfused with Ringer-
Locke solution; stimuli on the chemoreceptors
were produced by addition of nicotine solutions at
various concentrations. Acute poisoning was pro-
duced in cats by iv injection of 1 or 2 ml of 3 or
5% Pb acetate solution/kg. The results showed
that small doses stimulated, but large doses sup-
pressed nervous reflexes, as demonstrated by
changes in breathing and blood pressure.
909 Mambeeva, A.A. (Acad. Sci., Kazakh SSR):
Izmeneniya intramural'nogo nervnogo appa-
rata zheludka i kishechnika pri eksperi-
mental'noi svintsovoi intoksikatsii.
(CHANGES IN THE INTRAMURAL NERVOUS APPA-
RATUS OF THE STOMACH AND INTESTINE IN EX-
PERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Izvestiya
Akademii Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR, Seriya
Meditsiny i Fiziologii I960, No. 2:66-74.
Acute, subacute and chronic poisoning was induced
in 20 animals (dogs and cats) by daily oral doses
of 2 ml of a 5% Pb acetate solution/kg (sacrificed
in 7-10 days), with 2 ml 2.5% solution/kg for
1.5-2 mo, and 1 ml of 2.5% solution/kg for 3-6 mo,
respectively. In acute poisoning, microscopic
findings in the intramural nerves of the stomach
and intestine pointed to marked changes which were
of diffuse dystrophic nature. In summary, the
intramural ganglia showed in the milder stages of
poisoning a large number of nonmedullary and med-
ullary fibers to be unchanged. Changes appeared
in the form of argentophil reaction and destruc-
tion of fibers with varicose distention or com-
pression. In the more severe types of poisoning,
there was also vacuolization and fragmentation of
medullary and nonmedullary fibers in various seg-
ment s.
910 Massei, G., Villani, C., and Guidicini, F.
(Univ. Pisa, Italy): Indagini sull'atteg-
giamento dinamico della eritropoiesi e
sulla sopravvivenzi eritrocitaria nella
disemia saturnina sperimentale. (INVESTIGA-
TIONS OF THE DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF ERYTHRO-
POIESIS AND OF THE ERYTHROCYTE SURVIVAL IN
EXPERIMENTAL SATURNINE BLOOD DISORDERS.)
Haematologica 45:1169-80, 1960.
Pb poisoning was induced in 12 of a total of 20
male rabbits used, weight 1500 g, by oral admin-
Plants and Animals
157
-------
istratlon of 200 mg Pb acetate, on alternate days
for 1 mo. The remaining 8 rabbits served as con-
trols in the 2 experiments, one of which was to
follow erythropoiesis in Pb poisoning, and the
other to determine the survival of red cells,
using radioactive Cr. The rate of removal
of Fe from the plasma of the experimental animals
increased from 0.69%-0.86% per min, the coeffi-
cient of Fe utilization was 44% in both poisoned
and control animals, and the rate of emission, of
erythrocytes into the circulation decreased from
5.3%-2.5% per hr. The survival time of erythro-
cytes' from poisoned rabbits, when transfused into
normal rabbits, was 12.3 days compared to 23.3
days when erythrocytes from normal rabbits were
transfused into poisoned ones.
The hypothesis was advanced that the anemia in
Pb poisoning is due either to an inhibition by Pb
of the enzymatic mechanisms which regulate the
utilization of Fe in the synthesis of hemoglobin or
to an increased erythrocytolysis caused by an in-
creased fragility of the erythrocytes. (21 refer-
ences)
911 Morita, Z. (Univ. Tottori, Japan): (STUD-
IES ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE HAIR
COLOR AND THE METALLIC ELEMENTS IN DOMES-
TIC ANIMALS.) Transactions of the Tottori
Society of Agricultural Science 12:112-16
(Mar.), 1960.
Al, Ba, C, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, Pb, Si, Ti,
and Zn were found in the ashes of hairs and feath-
ers of several domestic animals. Remarkable dif-
ferences were noted among animals in the content
of Al, Ba, Cu, P, Pb, and Zn. These elements
seemed to have no relation to the color of hairs
and feathers. (From author's English summary)
912 Mozgovaya, E.N., and Arnautov, N.V.: (THE
TRACE ELEMENT CONTENTS OF THE LIVER AND
PANCREAS OF CATTLE.) Izvest. Sibir. Otdel.
Akad. Nauk SSSR. 1960, No. 2:104-10.
The ash of liver and pancreas of young adult cat-
tle from various locations contained 0.005-0.3 and
0.003-0.1% Mn, respectively, and 0.001-0.006 and
0.001-0.01% Pb, respectively. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 55:1845, 1961)
913 Pecora, L., Vecchione, C., and Fati, S.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): Rapporti tra ferro
e piombo nell'intossicazione saturnina.
(THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IRON AND LEAD
IN CASES OF LEAD INTOXICATION.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 43:776-84 (Aug.), 1960.
Pb acetate (2 ml/day of 20% solution) was admin-
istered by gastric tube to 24 rabbits for 15 days,
and 12 of these animals received concurrently in-
tramuscular injections of Fe saccharate at doses
of 15 mg/kg/day. These rabbits showed no Fe re-
auction in tissues, and average Pb accumulation
in lungs, liver, bone marrow, brachial and sciatic
plexus was 600, 620, 520, 650, and 350 Pg%, re-
spectively. The corresponding Pb values for the
group not receiving Fe supplements were 950, 1130,
450, 1250 and 708 yg%, and these animals showed
also marked reduction of Fe in tissues which was
in direct proportion to Pb accumulation. In an-
other experiment, 16 rabbits received similarly
Pb acetate for 15 days, and 8 of these animals
were treated with Fe saccharate for 15 days there-
after. At the end of this period, the animals
receiving Fe showed Pb values in blood and urine
and coproporphyrin levels close to normal, even
though protoporphyrin values remained at pathologi-
cal levels; the untreated rabbits showed the same
values in blood and urine as at the end of the
poisoning period.
914 Rubanovskaya, A.A. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Dis., Acad. Sci. USSR): Effektivnost
kompletsina i CaNa2 EDTA pri ostrom otrav-
lenii solyami svintsa. (EFFECTIVENESS OF
COMPLEXON AND CaNa2EDTA DURING ACUTE POI-
SONING BY LEAD SALTS.) Gigiena Truda i
Professional'nye Zabolevaniya, 4, No 3:
37-41, 1960.
Three groups of 40, 36 and 30 mice received ip in-
jections of 8 mg Pb nitrate to produce acute poi-
soning; half of 1 group received ip 10 mg Complex-
on IV (CaNa2 cyclohexylenediaminetetraacetate)
1-2 min and 30 min after poisoning. The survival
rate was 80-100% while mortality in controls was
100%. A sharply increased elimination of Pb by
the title chelators was evident also when 30 mg
was injected ip immediately after administration
of Pb nitrate and 15 min later to half another
group. Pb elimination increased 176-216-fold.
They were also effective in the 3rd lot of mice
when injected 3 days after poisoning. The author
assumes that the 2 preparations, which were com-
parable in effectiveness, will be also effective
in chronic poisoning.
915 Sano, S., Tanabe, Y., Sumiya, C. (Univ.
Kyoto, Japan): THE METABOLISM OF 6-AMINO-
LAEVULINIC ACID, PORPHOBILINOGEN, UROPRO-
PHYRIN AND COPROPORPHYRIN IN LEAD POISON-
ING. Acta Scholae Medicinalis, Universita-
tis in Kyoto 36, No. 3:186-90, 1960.
Rabbits were poisoned by subcutaneous injection
with a solution of Pb acetate containing 20 mg Pb/
kg of body weight for 5 days or by oral admini-
stration of 200 mg/kg of allylisopropylacetamide
or sedormid for 10 days. 6-Aminolevulinic acid
(ALA) and porphobilinogen (PEG) in urine and blood
and copro- and uroporphyrin were determined in
both experimental groups. ALA and PEG increased
in the blood of the Pb-poisoned animals and their
urinary excretion increased parallel with the in-
crease of coproporphyrin. The excretion of ALA
increased 2 or 3 times as much as that of PEG. An
increase of basophllic stippled cells was seen af-
ter the appearance of ALA and PEG, but maximum
values occurred at almost the same time. The
levels of ALA, PEG and porphyrin in allylisopro-
pylacetamide intoxication were much higher than in
Pb poisoning.
To study the mechanism of the changes, 50 mg
ALA, in 5 ml saline was administered intravenously
to normal.and Pb-poisoned rabbits. The controls
excreted much PEG and uroporphyrin, and the Pb-
poisoned, much less. However, coproporphyrin ex-
cretion in the latter was twice as high as in the
controls. The authors consider that in Pb poison-
ing ALA dehydrase and conversion of PEG into uro-
porphyrin might be inhibited, but ALA and PEG are
changed at some step to coproporphyrin.
158
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
916 Scarinci, V. (Inst. Pharm. Univ., Urbino,
Italy): Su un antidoto del piombotetrae-
tile. (AN ANTIDOTE FOR TETRAETHYLLEAD.)
Archivio di Scienze Biologiche (Bologna)
44:153-65 (Apr.-June), 1960.
An antidote for TEL "Thiopan," composed of an
aqueous solution of Na-trlthlodilactate (2.88%)
and Na-thiolactate (3.34%) in 1:3 molecular rela-
tion, x»as tested in vitro and in vivo. In vitro
tests showed that TEL formed a water-soluble Pb
salt with the antidote, in which the metal was not
in ionic form. TEL was applied directly to the
shaved and partly abraded abdominal skin of rab-
Dits at doses up to 1.2 ml/kg (MLD 0.6 ml/kg) and
was absorbed rapidly. The animals became excit-
able after 4-6 hr, then convulsive, and died after
10-12 hr. When the antidote was injected im or
iv at 2 ml/kg within 2 hr after toxic signs appear-
ed or in 4 doses of 0.5 ml/kg, the 1st given 15
min after intoxication and the others 30-iiiin in-
tervals, 100% of the rabbits survived. Only 50%
of the rabbits survived when treated with 1.5 ml/
kg 2 hr after intoxication or with 2 ml/kg later
than 2 hr after signs appeared. All animals treat-
ed with lower doses or else after 3 hr of intoxi-
cation with any dose, died. Pb excretion in
urine, tested before and after treatment showed an
impressive elimination of Pb, which decreased
after the 2nd day of treatment until it reached
its normal value (0.3-0.4 mg/1).
In reviewing the occurrence of TEL intoxication,
the author states in a footnote that he had seen
a fatal case of poisoning (unpublished), referred
to him by "Societa SLOI" of Trento in 1952. A
worker engaged in mixing operations was inundated
with TEL when a drum burst. Although he was
promptly hospitalized, acute, characteristic signs
appeared after a few hours and terminated in death
from bulbar paralysis after 7 days. (21 refer-
ences)
917 Schubert, J., and Lindenbaum, A.: THE
MECHANISM OF ACTION OF CHELATING AGENTS
ON METALLIC ELEMENTS IN THE INTACT ANIMAL.
In Seven, J.J., and Johnson, L.A., ed.:
Metal-Binding In Medicine. Philadelphia,
Lippincott, I960, pp. 68-74.
As summarized by the authors, some of the factors
involved in the use of chelating agents in the
treatment of poisoning by metals (including Pb)
have been described by giving specific examples:
practical importance of the net binding of the
chelate with the toxic metal as a reflection of
the reactivity of the chelate with omnipresent Ca,
proteins and other interfering substances in the
tissues; the ability of the chelate to come in
contact with the toxic metal in situ; possibili-
ties for the induction of naturally produced che-
lating agents in effective concentrations within
the tissues; the feasibility of in situ inactiva-
tlon of difficultly removed nonradioactive toxic
metals; the usefulness of chelates in introducing
effective forms of other types of therapeutic
substances into the tissues. Specific mention of
Pb is in connection with the difficulty to get a
chelating agent in contact with the metal in the
body. In such cases, it is possible to induce
the body to form its own chelating or complexing
agents by injecting small amounts of metabolic
inhibitors. This was done by injecting small
amounts of fluoroacetic acid to form citric acid
accumulation in the body of rats with Pb poison-
ing; subsequent injection of Na citrate provided
the animals with protection against Pb poisoning,
whereas no significant protection was observed
when massive doses of Na citrate were injected
because of rapid destruction of citric acid.
In connection with the concept of relative bind-
ing constants: in contrast to Mn poisoning where
N33DTPA is more effective than N33EDTA, in Pb
poisoning there is almost no difference in effect
of the 2 chelates; the reason for this is the
high order of Pb binding with proteins, offering
additional competition to the chelate. Pb is
also given in an illustration of the ability of
a chelate to render a radioelement diffusible in
the presence of plasma proteins.
918 Shapiro, R. : CHELATES IN CONTRAST ROENT-
GENOGRAPHY. In Seven, M.K., and Johnson,
L.A., ed. : Metal-Binding in Medicine.
Philadelphia, Lippincott, 1960, pp. 249-
54.
The preparation, toxicity, and use of PbNa2EDTA in
radiology are reviewed, and preliminary findings
of the author's studies with mono-Pb-trisodium
diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) and mono-
Pb-disodium 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N'-tetra-
acetate (CDTA) are described. The acute iv LD50
of 34% PbNa2EDTA in guinea pigs and rabbits was
found to be 800 mg/kg. Single, large (>LD5Q),
rapid iv injections caused increased irritability,
generalized convulsions, respiratory failure and
rapid death. Therefore, no significant findings
were noted at necropsy, but suggested central
nervous system irritation with respiratory center
depression. Gross hematuria was found in rabbits
given smaller doses (300-500 mg/kg). In the rab-
bits that died or were sacrificed, hepatorenal
damage was found. The acute ip LD5Q for rabbits
was similar to that found by Bauer (1952), 350
mg/kg; im, 2 g/kg 34% solution brought death of
rabbits in 18 hr, preceded by hematuria. Orally,
1 g/kg was not evidently toxic to cats. No sig-
nificant diminution in toxicity was noted when rab-
bits received iv 500 mg/kg of CaNa2EDTA before
PbNa2EDTA. Contrary to some reports, PbNa2EDTA is
toxic in spite of considerable species variability;
also, although it contains little "free" ionic Pb
in vitro, in vivo it dissociates with release of
Pb. The studies with PbDTPA and CDTA are incom-
plete, but it does not appear that they are sig-
nificantly less toxic, and radiopacification from
the 25% solution is less satisfactory than that of
the EDTA. The latter produced excellent contrast
visualization of numerous organs upon iv or oral
administration to animals. Unfortunately, it is
too toxic for clinical applicability. (12 ref-
erences)
919 Stevens, C.D. , Feldhake, C.J., and Kehoe,
R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): ISOLATION OF
TRIETHYLLEAD ION FROM LIVER AFTER INHALA-
TION OF TETRAETHYLLEAD. Journal of Phar-
macology and Experimental Therapeutics
128:90-4 (Jan.), 1960.
Among possible metabolites of TEL, 2 organic ions,
triethyl lead (TrEL) and diethyl lead (DiEL) are
Plants and Animals
159
-------
of interest. Two qualitative methods for the
isolation of TrEL from livers are described. The
similar findings confirmed the recognized insta-
bility of the organic Pb ions, which makes their
interconversion possible in various mild circum-
stances.
Method I was applied in an experiment in which
male rats in groups of 5 were exposed to TEL vapor
for 2 hr with 0.02-0.03 ml vaporized in 4-5 1.
air. Rats were killed 15-23 hr after end of expo-
sure. These rats (Hamilton strain) did not show
the typical tremors and red tears shown by rats
of the Charles River strain used in an experiment
in which Method II was applied. In this, a rat
was exposed for 4 hr to 16 mg TEL vapor and killed
20 hr later. In both cases, TrEL was extracted
from liver a day after termination of experiment.
The materials isolated from liver were character-
ized by infrared spectra, Pb analyses and melting
points as impure TrEL benzoate. The isolation of
the TrEL ion from the liver suggests that an appre-
ciable part of the inhaled TEL is converted to the
TrEL ion which then persists for some time in the
body. This is at variance with Harnack's view
(1878) that the rapidity with which the animals re-
covered was evidence that the TrEL ion had decom-
posed. The authors consider that their findings
carry implications for the treatment of TEL in-
toxication. Apart from being concerned with TEL
molecule, therapy must also take into account the
TrEL ion, a monovalent electrolyte that probably
cannot be chelated but does react with thiol and
other groups.
920 StBber, M. : Zur Behandlung der Bleiver-
giftung beim Rind. (TREATMENT OF LEAD POI-
SONING IN CATTLE.) Deut. tierSrztl. Woch-
schr. 67:85-8, 1960.
Of 31 cattle with Pb poisoning, 28 recovered after
daily intravenous infusion, for 3-5 days, of 20-80
ml of 24% aqueous solution of CaNa2EDTA in saline
or glucose solution. (From Veterinary Bulletin
30:Ahstr. No. 1950 (June), 1960)
921 Uzbekov, G.A. (Ryazansk Med. Inst., USSR):
Serovodorod kak antidot protiv otravlenii
soedineniyami tyazhelykh metallov i bi-
okhimicheskii mekhanism ego desintoksikat-
sionnoga deistviya. (HYDROGEN SULFIDE AS
AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST HEAVY METAL POISONING,
AND THE MECHANISM OF ITS PROPHYLACTIC AC-
TION.) Sbornik Nauchnykh Trudov, Ryazan-
skii Meditsinskii Instit 12, No. 2:122-9,
1960.
White rats and rabbits were subjected in 3 series
of experiments to poisoning by Hg and Cd chlo-
rides, Ag nitrate and Pb acetate solutions by sc
injections for 6 or 8 days (concentrations of 1.84
x 10'^M for Hg, Cd, and_Ag, and 1.23 x 10~4 for Pb
in rats, and 1.54 x 10~->M/kg in rabbits) alone or
together with oral administration of H2S solution.
The results of the experiments showed that the
administration of H2S prevented the decrease in
the amino, carboxyl and sulfhydryl groups of the
tissue proteins which occurred in the animals not
protected by H2S. The biocatalytic activity of
the enzymes dehydrase and cytochrome oxidase
which was sharply inhibited during poisoning was
restored by repeated administration of H2S. H2S
also freed the metals from the proteins and has-
tened their elimination from the organism. The
author recommends the systematic administration of
H2S, after clinical trials, for the prevention
and/or therapy of heavy metal poisoning.
922 Vermande-Van Eck, G.J., and Meigs, J.W.
(Yale Univ. School Med., New Haven, Conn.):
CHANGES IN THE OVARY OF THE RHESUS MONKEY
AFTER CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICATION. Fertili-
ty and Sterility 11:223-34, 1960.
Eleven female Rhesus monkeys received 20 mg Pb
chloride/wk as an iv injection for 6-8 mo, which
resulted in clinical Pb intoxication with signs of
anemia, basophilic stippling of erythrocytes, in-
creased urinary Pb excretion and albuminuria and a
Pb line on the gums. A marked depression of the
estrogenic activity was noticed, evidenced by the
cessation of the menstrual periods and the dis-
appearance of the sex skin color. Microscopically
the ovaries showed damage to the primordial ovo-
cytes and a marked inhibition of follicle growth,
failure of ovulation and increase of connective
tissue. Reversal to normal ovarian function and
structure was obtained ^8 mo after Pb administra-
tion was discontinued. It is suggested that pre-
vious clinical observations on menstrual abnormal-
ities and infertility in women following exposure
to Pb can be explained by the same mechanism.
(From authors' summary)
923 Yagihara, T. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): (PHOS-
PHATASE ACTIVITY IN YOUNG RABBITS ADMIN-
ISTERED LEAD.) Ann. Paediat. Japon. 6:489-
94, 1960.
Pb intoxication was produced in immature rabbits
by feeding 0.03 or 0.05 g/kg/day Pb acetate.
There was no significant change in serum inorganic
P, Ca, alkaline and acid phosphatase, but, both
phosphatase activities decreased in kidney, liver,
small intestine, and bone marrow. After prolonged
administration of large amounts of Pb these activ-
ities rose slightly. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:
27642, 1961)
924 Yamaguchi, S., and Koga, T. (Kyushu Univ.,
Fukuoka, Japan): (AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
ON THE RELATION BETWEEN LEAD AND CALCIUM
METABOLISM.) Kyushu J. Med. Sci. 11:137-
46, 1960.
A rabbit which had been injected with Pb salts
over a 5-mo period, and was treated 2.5 yr later
with CaEDTA for 10 days, showed additional rapid
increase in Pb and Ca excretion after receiving an
injection of parathyroid hormone on the 4th day of
treatment. In another study, 15 rats were used as
follows: group I received 41.8 mg of Pb acetate
subcutaneously, group II received additional paro-
tin, and group III received both, and a CaCl2 so-
lution. Reticulocyte counts were increased in all
animals but were highest in group II which also
showed a slight reduction in hemoglobin. The Pb
content of various organs was determined; the
highest Pb deposition in bone was found in group
II, but differences between the groups were not
statistically significant. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 55:5759, 1961)
160
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1961
925 Aldanazarov, A.T., and Bul'vakhter, Ya.L.:
(DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOACTIVE LEAD IN THE
FRACTIONS OF THE BLOOD AND IN SOME OTHER
ORGANS.) Izvest. Akad. Nauk Kazakh. SSR,
Ser. Med. i Flziol. 1961, No. 2:18-26.
RaD was administered orally in aqueous solution to
white rats and rabbits. The maximum concentration
in the various blood fractions occurred during the
1st 6 hr, in the internal organs from the 6th to
the 24th hr, and in the bones from the 2nd to the
15th day. The majority was excreted in the feces,
but large amounts were excreted in the urine also.
There is a constant exchange of Pb between the
various tissues, blood, and excretory organs.
(From Chemical Abstracts 56:6328, 1962)
926 Arkhipova, O.G., Bezzubov, A.D., and
Khatina, A.I. (Sci. Res. Inst. Confec-
tionery Ind., USSR): Svyazyvanie i
vyvedenie svintsa iz organizma pod
vliyaniem pektina. (BINDING AND EXCRE-
TION OF LEAD AS INFLUENCED BY PECTIN.)
Toksikologiya Novykh Promyshlennykh
Khimicheskikh Veshchestv 1961, No. 2:
148-65.
After the binding capacity of pectin with Pb had
been determined in vitro, experiments were per-
formed with Pb-poisoned guinea pigs. It was found
that pectin increased the excretion of Pb by the
intestinal tract, decreased the degree of Pb in-
toxication, and maintained the normal content of
Pb in bones and liver. The advantage of pectin is
discussed in comparison with other prophylactic
agents which may not be added to the diet.
927 Atchavarov, B.A., Makashev, K.K., and
Shestakova, N.P.: (DESTINY OF THE LEAD
INTRODUCED INTO THE ORGANISM.) Vestnlk
Akad. Kazakh. SSR 17, No. 5:48-55, 1961.
A single dose of 1000 ]'mpulses/min Pb was fed
to 23 rats with induced chronic Pb poisoning and
to 23 healthy rats and the radioactivity of the
tissues and excretions was measured. Pb appeared
in blood during the 1st hr and reached its maximum
during the 1st 24 hr in all tissues and excreta.
Highest counts were in blood, kidneys, pituitary,
bone, and liver and minimum counts in the central
nervous system, muscles, and skin. In chronically
poisoned animals the absorption was diminished.
The excretion was maximum during the 1st 5 days
and was 2-3 times larger through the kidneys than
the bowel. The bones did not retain more Pb than
other tissues but they did exchange it more slow-
ly. Pb blood level remained high for 1 mo. (From
Chemical Abstracts 56:6335, 1962)
928 Beaver, D.L. (Wash. Univ., School of Med.,
St. Louis, Mo.): THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF
THE KIDNEY IN LEAD INTOXICATION WITH PAR-
TICULAR REFERENCE TO INTRANUCLEAR INCLU-
SIONS. American Journal of Pathology 39:
195-208 (Aug.), 1961.
Twenty albino rats, divided into groups, were
given drinking water (ad lib) containing concen-
trations of Pb acetate at 0.05%, 0.1%, and for a
limited time, 1%. Animals were sacrificed at in-
tervals of 1-2 mo and the experiment was termina-
ted at the end of 7 mo. Five rats served as con-
trols. Rats receiving 1% Pb acetate for 2 mo were
given an additional 10 g% of Pb mixed in their food
for 6 wk to induce acute poisoning and killed at
the end of that period. None of the animals de-
veloped overt symptoms of Pb intoxication, and none
died spontaneously. Rats receiving the highest
dose of Pb exhibited only pallor and severe emacia-
tion.
Upon sacrifice, specimens were taken from the
renal cortex and medulla, and prepared for electron
and light microscopy. Intranuclear inclusions in
the kidney were observed in rats receiving 0.1%
or more Pb acetate after 1 mo. Inclusion-bearing
cells occurred focally and in groups but were
limited to the proximal convoluted tubules. With
chrome-osmium fixation the inclusion ultrastruc-
turally consisted of 3 portions: a compact core;
a looser, filamentous periphery; and scattered
electron-dense particles. Metallic or ionic Pb
could not be demonstrated, and the inclusion de-
veloped independently of the nucleolus. Electron
microscopically the inclusions produced by Pb dif-
fered from intracellular inclusions of viral ori-
gin. (51 references)
929 Binns, W., Lynn, F.J., Beeson, K.C., and
Holly, R.W.: A CONGENITAL DEFORMITY EX-
PERIMENTALLY PRODUCED IN CALVES BY FEEDING
LUPINE AND LEAD. Proceedings of the Amer-
ican College of Veterinary Toxicologists
1961:29-30.
Calves born to heifers, 18-24 mo old, which had
been fed Lupinus sericeus and Pb acetate (5 mg/kg
daily for 56-120 days), suffered from a congenital
deformity typical of "crooked calf disease." No
effect on the fetus was noted in a heifer which
died of Pb poisoning when 128 days in gestation.
A possible interaction between a mineral and a
plant may be the cause of the disease.
930 Black, S.C. (St. Mary's Hosp., Grand
Junction, Colo.): LOW-LEVEL POLONIUM AND
RADIOLEAD ANALYSIS. Health Physics 7:87-
91 (Dec.), 1961.
Methods of analysis of urine volumes up to 1 1. ,
10-20 g bone and 50-60 g tissues for their con-
tents of 210p0 and 210pb in the yyCi range are
described. By using test animals (such as rats,
mice or bats) exposed to Rn, it was shown that
210pb accumulates in the animals, particularly in
the skeleton, and that it has a relatively long
effective half-life in mice. Po content of the
animals investigated was about 40% of the Pb con-
tent. Since both Po and Pb decrease with time
after exposure, a measurement of excreted Po may
be an indicator of stored 210pt which in turn is
related to the Rn exposure of the animals. (From
author's summary)
931 Buck, W.B., James L., and Binns, W.
(Agric. Res. Serv., Logan, Utah): CHANGES
IN SERUM TRANSAMINASE ACTIVITIES ASSOCI-
ATED WITH PLANT AND MINERAL TOXICITY IN
.SHEEP AND CATTLE. Cornell Veterinarian
51:568-85, 1961.
Three ewes in early pregnancy were fed Pb acetate
daily for 44-108 days. A dose of 5 mg/kg/day for
44 days produced no objective symptoms while 9 ing/
Plants and Animals
161
-------
kg/day fed for 60 days caused severe toxicity and
death. The 3rd ewe, fed 5 mg/kg/day for 48 days,
followed by 9 mg/kg/day for 30 days and 2.5 mg/kg/
day for 30 additional days, aborted and was sacri-
ficed. An 18-mo-old pregnant heifer, fed 9 mg/kg/
day Pb acetate together with Lupinus sericeus,
showed severe toxicity on the 25th day but recover-
ed when Pb administration was discontinued for 8
days and then continued at 1/2 the original dosage.
Another 18-mo-old heifer, fed 9 mg/kg/day Pb ace-
tate died after 75 days. Necropsy of the animals
that had died or had been sacrificed showed gross
liver and kidney damage. No appreciable elevations
of serum transaminase activity were found in any
of the animals. (From Proceedings of the American
College of Veterinary Toxicologists; 53 references)
932 Cremer, J.E. (MRC Lab., Carshalton, Sur-
rey, England): THE TOXICITY OF TETRA-
ETHYL LEAD AND RELATED ALKYL METALLIC COM-
POUNDS . Annals of Occupational Hygiene
3:226-30 (June), 1961.
This is a summary of experiments with rats which
have already been published. The main purpose
here was to show how biochemical studies can con-
tribute towards understanding of the mechanism in
TEL poisoning.
In rats, the injected LD5Q of TEL (I) and tri-
ethyllead (II) was 15.4 and 11.2 mg/kg,respective-
ly. Onset and development of poisoning appeared
to be identical for both compounds, with high ex-
citability within 24-48 hr followed by tremors
with intermittent convulsions leading to death.
Rats which did not develop severe tremors recov-
ered within a few days. Diethyllead (III) or Pb
acetate (IV) injections caused loss in body weight,
but recovery was complete within 2 wk. In vitro
studies on slices of rat cerebral cortex showed
that II at concentrations of 7 x 10~? - 2 x 10-%
inhibited the combustion of glucose, while TEL,
even at 100 times higher concentrations, showed no
effect on glucose metabolism. Ill, at the same
concentration as II, had virtually no effect, but
at higher concentrations, it inhibited 0 consump-
tion and caused a small increase in lactic acid.
IV, at lO'^M had practically no effect. Brain
slices from rats injected with 20 mg TEL/kg or 10
mg/kg of II chloride, and killed 4 hr later,
showed identical lowered 0 consumption and in-
creased lactic acid values. After 40 mg/kg of III
chloride or 100 mg IV/kg, no changes were observed
as compared to controls. In the rats administered
TEL, the II content of blood, liver, kidney, and
brain was (ug/g wet weight) 76, 45, 23, and 2.4,
respectively, after 4 hr, and 62, 29, 25, and 19.0,
respectively, after 24 hr. The values were very
similar in the animals injected with II. Approx-
imate LDjQ values for tetra- and trimethyllead
were 105 and 25-30 mg/kg, respectively, and for
tetra- and tripropyllead they were 200 and 20-30
mg/kg, respectively.
In discussing the findings, the anomalous re-
sults with TEL point to the conversion in the body
to II. The site of conversion is the liver whence
it is carried by the blood to the brain. Although
the amount of II in the brain was low, it was cal-
culated to be sufficient to account for the al-
tered metabolism of glucose in brain slices from
poisoned rats.
933 Cremer, J.E., and Callaway, S. (Med. Res.
Council Lab., Carshalton; War Office Chem.
Defence Exptl. Establ., Porton Down, Sal-
isbury, England): FURTHER STUDIES ON THE
TOXICITY OF SOME TETRA AND TRIALKYL LEAD
COMPOUNDS. British Journal of Industrial
Medicine 18:277-82 (Oct.), 1961.
In experiments with rats, the following approxi-
mate LD5Q values were established (mg/kg) : tri-
methyl Pb chloride Ip, 25.5; TML orally, 109.3;
tripropyl Pb chloride orally, 26.67; tetrapropyl
Pb produced no effects at doses of 40 mg/kg iv, but
395 mg/kg orally killed 4/4 animals within 3-4 days.
Inhalation experiments with rats showed that the
LC50 was 0.85 mg/1 of TEL or 8.87 mg/1 of TML.
One adult rabbit receiving ip 15 mg/kg of tri-
methyl Pb chloride died after 12 hr, and another
receiving 7.5 mg/kg first seemed hyperesthetic
when handled by the head, but appeared normal af-
ter 2 wk. Two rabbits receiving iv 20 and 40 tng
TML/kg showed no effects within a 3-wk period,
but 1 rabbit given iv 31 mg TEL/kg immediately
showed signs of poisoning and died after 16 hr.
In rats poisoned by 15 mg/kg trimethyl Pb and
killed 4 or 24 hr later, the compound was found
mostly in the blood (160 and 180 yg/g wet weight),
liver (40 and 28.5), and kidney (23 and 25.5); in
brain, 2.25 and 43 Ug/g. In rats poisoned with
tripropyl Pb, only traces of the compound were
found in the blood. (When the same compounds were
added to whole rat blood in vitro, over 90% of
each was recovered in the red cells.) A slow con-
version of the tetra to the trialkyl Pb forms was
observed in the rats in vivo. Glucose metabolism
was markedly inhibited in brain slices from rats
given tripropyl Pb, but no such inhibition was
observed in slices from rats given trimethyl or
tetrapropyl Pb.
The findings are discussed as supporting the
hypothesis that TEL itself is nontoxic, but that
it is converted enzymatically by the liver to tri-
ethyl Pb which is toxic and to which the metabolic
processes of brain tissue are particularly sensi-
tive. Referring to the relatively low toxicity of
TML as demonstrated in rats and rabbits, the au-
thor points out that the effects might be differ-
ent in man, and recommends that the precautions
taken in handling TEL should be applied equally to
TML.
934 Dhar, D.C. (Central Drug Research Inst.,
Lucknow, India): INFLUENCE OF ADRENAL
CORTEX ON LEAD ANAEMIA AND THE EFFECT OF
ACTH AND CORTISONE. Indian Journal of
Medical Research 49:33-41 (Jan.), 1961.
Male albino rats (150-160 g weight), made anemic
by intravenous injections of 6 mg Pb acetate/100
g body weight, were divided into 3 groups to study
the effects of removal of adrenal, of substitution
of cortisone, and of substitution of adrenocorti-
cotropin (ACTH). ACTH and cortisone in single
and repeated doses increased regeneration of red
blood cells and hemoglobin in the anemic rats:
ACTH was comparatively more effective than corti-
sone. The doses were fatal to adrenalectomized
rats with or without ACTH treatment. (20 refer-
ences)
935
Dukes, C.E. (St. Mark's Hosp., London,
162
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
England): CLUES TO THE CAUSES OF CANCER
OF THE KIDNEY. Lancet 2:1157-60 (Nov. 25),
1961.
The carcinogenic activity of Pb acetate was in-
vestigated in 20 male rats, fed a diet containing
1% Pb acetate for >1 yr. Fifteen of them developed
renal tumors. The first tumor was discovered in
a rat that had received Pb acetate for 11 mo and
necropsy of the animal revealed an early focus of
carcinoma in the right kidney. Mostly adenomas,
some of them malignant, with their histology
closely resembling that of renal adenocarcinoma as
seen in man, were found in 3 of 4 other rats killed
and examined. Neoplasms (some adenomas and other
carcinomas) were found in all 11 rats which sur-
vived for >12 mo. All rats fed Pb acetate develop-
ed chronic cystic nephritis within 6 mo, tumors
developing later. (40 references)
936 Edwards, C., Olson, K.B., Heggen, G., and
Glenn, J. (Albany Med. Coll., N.Y.): IN-
TRACELLULAR DISTRIBUTION OF TRACE ELEMENTS
IN LIVER TISSUE. Proceedings of the Socie-
ty for Experimental Biology and Medicine
107:94-7 (May), 1961.
Determination of metals in whole liver tissue re-
vealed a general pattern of concentrations. In
this study, an attempt was made to determine the
intracellular distribution of selected metals found
in liver tissue fractionated by differential cen-
trifugation. The fractionation procedure followed
was essentially that of Hogeboom, Schneider and
Pallade (1948) . The mean values for normal liver
(Wistar rats, and humans) are presented in a table.
Metals sought but not found in determinable quanti-
ties were Ag, Co, Ni, Pb, Sn, Ti, and V.
937 Fati, S. (Univ. Naples, Italy): (THE
METABOLISM OF TRYPTOPHAN IN EXPERIMENTAL
LEAD TOXICITY.) Biochim. Appl. 8:280-93,
1961.
Rabbits treated with Pb acetate excreted more
xanthurenic acid in the urine after test loads of
tryptophan than did control rabbits. They also
showed high concentrations of free protoporphyrin
in red blood cells and of coproporphyrin in urine,
which decreased after large intramuscular doses of
vitamin B,-. (From Chemical Abstracts 57:17002,
1962)
938 Federov, V.A. (Kiev Distr. Agr. Station,
USSR): Otravlenie krupnogo rogatogo
skota soedineiyami svintsa. (THE POISON-
ING OF CATTLE WITH LEAD COMPOUNDS.)
Veterinariya 11:56-8, 1961.
On a collective farm 42% of the cattle were poi-
soned after eating sugar-beet pulp containing Pb
compounds. The course of the illness was fulmi-
nating (<0.5 hr), acute (2-3 days) or more pro-
longed (3-6 days). Treatment with drugs had no
effect in the fulminating form and very little
in the acute form. Three cattle died and 6 had
to be killed. The presence of 0.1-0.5 mg Pb/kg
was established spectroscopically in 106 samples
of meat. The meat was classified as usable with
restrictions, and the secondary products were re-
jected.
939
Gajdos, A., Gajdos-TBrbk, M. , and Benard,
H. (Hotel Dieu, Paris, France): Quelques
donnees nouvelles sur 1'utilisation du fer
pour la synthese de 1'hemoglobine au cours
du saturnisme experimental. (SOME NEW
DATA ON THE UTILIZATION OF IRON IN THE
COURSE OF EXPERIMENTAL SATURNISM.) Nou-
velle Revue Franchise d'He'matologie 1:263-
9 (Mar.-Apr.), 1961.
Pb intoxication was induced in rabbits by daily
administration by gastric tube of Pb acetate in
doses,increasing from 200-800 mg. On the 8th day
of intoxication blood was withdrawn from the ani-
mals and incubated with Fe. A decrease in the
synthesis of heme and protoporphyrin was observed
which was attributed to inhibition of the heme
synthetase. Along with this phenomenon there was
a decrease in the transfer of plasma Fe into the
red blood cells and a fixation in the stroma of a
large part of the Fe which had penetrated the cel-
lular membranes.
940 Gajdos, A., Gajdos-TBrBk, M. , and Danieli,
G. (Hotel Dieu, Paris, France): Traitement
du saturnisme experimental du lapin par
1'acide adenosine-5-monophosphorique. Ac-
tion sur les troubles metaboliques des por-
phyrines et sur 1'anemle. (TREATMENT OF
EXPERIMENTAL SATURNISM IN RABBITS BY ADEN-
OS INE-5-MONOPHOSPHORIC ACID. ACTION ON THE
METABOLIC DISORDERS OF PORPHYRINS AND ON
THE ANEMIA.) Revue Francaise d'Etudes
Cliniques et Blologiques*6:888-96 (Nov.),
1961.
Sixteen rabbits, weighing ^3 kg each, were injected
sc with 100 mg/kg of neutral Pb acetate. Starting
on the following day 8 of these rabbits were in-
jected daily with 100 mg adenosine-5-monophosphoric
acid (AMP) for 25 days. In the untreated animals
ALA in urine and blood plasma, porphobilinogen,
coproporphyrin, uroporphyrin and free protoporphy-
rin (PP) in the erythrocytes increased and the lev-
el of hemoglobin decreased significantly while in
the rabbits treated with AMP excretion of urinary
porphyrins and their precursors decreased rapidly.
AMP also inhibited the occurrence of anemia but
did not influence the level of ALA in the plasma
and of free PP in the erythrocytes. The mechanism
of the action of AMP on the porphyrin synthesis and
on Pb anemia was discussed.
941 Gherardi, M. , and Salvi, G. (Univ. Parma,
Italv): Azione di alcuni inibitori en-
zimatici sull'intossicazione acuta speri-
mentale da compost! tetra-alchilicl di
piombo. (ACTION OF SOME ENZYMATIC INHI-
BITORS ON ACUTE EXPERIMENTAL POISONING BY
TETRAALKYLLEAD COMPOUNDS.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 44:987-97 (Nov.), 1961.
TEL or TML in a dose of 54.5 mg/kg was injected sc
Into 255 adult Swiss albino mice (av 22 g body
weight) SKF 525-A (g-diethylaminoethyl-diphenyl-
propylacetate-HCl), Marsilid (l-isonicotinyl-2-
isopropyl-hydrazine), at 25-50 mg/kg, or Marplan
(l-benzyl-2-(5-methyl-3-isoxazolyl-carbonyl)hydra-
zine) , at 2.5-5 mg/kg, were injected ip in single
or repeated doses on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day of
the intoxication. SKF 525-A and Marplan did not
exert any protective action on TML poisoning,
whereas a single injection of Marsilid gave a slg-
Plants and Animals
163
-------
nificant prolongation of the interval between TML
exposure and the onset of symptoms. Repeated ad-
ministration of Marsilid prevented the appearance
of toxic symptoms. All compounds were ineffective
in protecting mice from TEL poisoning.
The authors conclude that the action of Marsilid
in TML poisoning might be explained through its
inhibitory action on the demethylating enzymic
systems contained in liver microsomes, thus pre-
venting the formation of such degradation products
as the trimethyllead ion. This also proves that
the toxicity of TML is mainly due to its decompo-
sition in the body.
942 Grishchenko, E.D. (Academy of Medical
Sciences, Moscow, USSR): THE BLOOD:
ORGAN RATIOS OF RADIOACTIVITY IN NORMAL
AND LEAD-POISONED RATS AFTER INJECTION OF
METHIONINE 35S. Acta Physiologica Acad-
emiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 20, No. 1:
77-80, 1961.
Two groups of rats, one previously given orally
100-200 mg of Pb nitrate/day for 50 days, were
injected intraperitoneally with 10 Ci of methio-
nine 35g. Controls were sacrificed after 1, 2,
3, 8, or 16 days and the Pb rats after 22 days and
the radioactivity of the blood and tissues was de-
termined. The Pb-intoxicated animals showed no
signs of dysfunction on all tests except baso-
phillc granulation of erythrocytes, and were thus
considered to be in the 2nd period of intoxication,
as classified by the author (ie, after 3 mo, when
temporary normalization of vital functions occurs,
the 1st being when rate of methionine -"S incor-
poration decreases, and the 3rd when irreversible
aggravation in nearly all values occurs). Changes
in the blood/organ ratio of radioactivity with
passage of time differed in the normal and Pb in-
toxicated rats. The increase of blood/organ ratio
of radioactivity was not as great in the Pb in-
toxicated animals as in the normal ones, indica-
ting a disturbance in the metabolic activity of
the tissues. This method has therefore a diag-
nostic value in detecting metabolic disturbances
not detected by other tests.
043 Harashlma, S., Kondo, H., Satowa, S., and
Sakurai, H. (Keio Univ., Japan): GLU-
CURONIC ACID EXCRETION IN URINE OF RAB-
BITS BY EXPOSURE TO CARBON DISULFIDE,
BENZOL, 'AND LEAD. Japanese Journal of
Hygiene 16:423-9 (Dec.), 1961.
The importance of glucuronic, acid'in the detoxi-
cation mechanisms has been widely recognized. The
present experiments were made with rabbits which
were exposed to C disulfide, benzene and Pb which
are usually used in the today's Japanese industry.
An exposure chamber for C disulfide was designed
so as to regulate its concentration as high as
500 ppm. The animals were divided into 3 groups
and each group was exposed twice with a single ex-
posure duration of 3, 6.5 and 12 hr. In order to
induce Pb and benzene absorption, the animals were
injected sc twice with Pb acetate solution, cor-
responding to 10 mg/kg for Pb and once with 176
rag/kg of benzene, respectively.
Analyses of urinary glucuronic acid and ether
glucuronide were carried out by the naphthoresor-
cin picrate method. The concentration of urinary
glucuronic acid was corrected by the concentration
of urinary creatinine. Thus the concentration of
glucuronic acid was expressed as G/C ratio in
urine.
Principal results obtained were as follows: The
decrease in G/C ratio and little change in plasma
cholesterol, A/G ratio and serum GPT after exposure
to C disulfide suggested that the decreased excre-
tion of urinary glucuronic acid was not due to im-
pairment of the liver but to other, perhaps neur-
ologic or endocrinologic mechanisms. Benzene ad-
ministration caused an increase in G/C ratio in
urine. As to Pb, no change was found in the ex-
cretion of urinary glucuronic acid.
944 Hausman, R., Sturtevant, R.A., and Wilson,
W.J., Jr. (Office of Med. Examiner, Bexar
County, Texas; San Antonio Zoo): LEAD IN-
TOXICATION IN PRIMATES. Journal of Foren-
sic Sciences 6:180-95 (Apr.), 1961.
A rapidly progressing fatal paralysis over a per-
iod of 24 days in an orangutan of the San Antonio,
Texas, Zoo was found to be caused by Pb arsenate
intoxication. The gross and microscopic findings
included changes in the heart, liver, kidneys, in-
testine, brain, and spinal cord, the most striking
being found in the spinal cord. Combined pieces
of kidney and liver contained 0.189 mg Pb/100 g
wet tissue (dithizone method). The source of the
poison was about a dozen roach hives containing
1.85-g wafers of 16.2% Pb arsenate, located in a
recess at the top of the cage within reach of the
animal.
Another unpublished case of fatal Pb intoxica-
tion in a mandrill is also described. The signs
were convulsions and wrist drop which were first
cured but then reappeared accompanied by complete
blindness, leading to a coma after ^5 mo. Autopsy
showed, among other findings, tubular degeneration
and scattered hyperchromatic and enlarged nuclei
with inclusions of eosinophilic globules or ir-
regular eosinophilic or basophilic masses. The Pb
content in mg/100 g wet tissue was: liver 1.16;
kidney 0.840. Scrapings of paint from the cage
contained 5.05% Pb as PbO.
945 Horande, M., and Perez Castrillo, R. (Inst.
Med. Exptl., Caracas, Venezuela): Influ-
ence de 1'intoxication saturnine subaigue
sur la captation de 1'iode 131 par la thy-
roid e du rat. (INFLUENCE OF SUBACUTE LEAD
POISONING ON IODINE-131 UPTAKE BY THE RAT
THYROID.) Annales d'Endocrinologie (Paris)
22:898-901 (Nov.-Dec.), 1961.
Four groups of Sprague-Dawley male rats, composed
of 15, 10, 20, and 25 rats, respectively (av 300
g weight), were injected ip with 0.2 ml of 18% ba-
sic Pb acetate/250 g of body weight daily, for 4
days. All surviving animals, except those in group
II, were also injected ip with 10 mm3 of 131I. The
uptake of ^3-'-I by the thyroid gland, measured 1,
2, and 3 wk after the 1st Pb acetate injection in
group I, III, and IV, respectively, was 19, 11.2
and 11% respectively, as compared to 6.4 in con-
trols. Histologic examination of the thyroid gland
of rats in group II, performed 1, 2, and 3 wk after
the 1st injection of Pb acetate, failed to show
significant differences between the normal and in-
toxicated rats. The increase in 13^I uptake is
164
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
considered to be a nonspecific type of thyroid re-
sponse forming a part of the general syndrome of
adaptation to Pb.
946 Horiuchi, I., and Horiuchi, S.: THE FATE
OF LEAD IN THE BODY — EXPERIMENT WITH RaD.
In Proceedings of the Second Japan Con-
ference on Radioisotopes, February 1958.
Translated from a publication of the Japan
Atomic Industrial Forum, Inc., Tokyo, 1958.
US Atomic Energy Commission Document No.
AEC-tr-4482, 1961, pp. 751-67.
To a rat which had already been given Pb poisoning
by the administration of Pb acetate, 210pb was
given as a tracer by means of sc injection, parent-
eral administration, and inhalatory administration.
Subsequently the level of 210pb in the urine and
feces was measured daily. The 210pb ^n the organs
and tissues of rats which were bled to death 3-20
days after administration of the 210pb was also
measured. The isotope concentration was determined
in the whole blood, cerebral cortex, lung, liver,
and spleen, gastro-intestinal tract, kidneys, mus-
cle, and bones and teeth. It was found that on the
20th day after administration, 5% of the 210pb was
absorbed within the body after parenteral adminis-
tration and 32 and 24% respectively after inhala-
tory administration and sc injection. It was ob-
served that most of the absorbed 210pb was accumu-
lated in the firm tissue such as bones and teeth,
and very little was found in the soft tissue.
(From Nuclear Science Abstracts 15:Abstract No.
25821, 1961)
947 Horiuchi, K., and Horiguchi, S.: APPLICA-
TION OF RADIO-ISOTOPES IN THE RESEARCH
FIELD OF TOXICITY OF HEAVY METALS: A RE-
VIEW. Saishin Igaku 14, No. 4:972-5, 1960.
In Contributions from the Department of
Preventive Medicine and Public Health,
Osaka City University Medical School. Vol.
2, April 1959-March 1961, p. 112.
948 lordanidis, P. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Med., Paris, France): Influence du B.A.L.
et du Ca EDTA Na2 sur le taux des hematies
ponctuees apres 1'intoxication plombique
subaigue du cobaye. (THE EFFECT OF BAL AND
CaNa2EDTA ON THE PUNCTATE ERYTHROCYTE
COUNT FOLLOWING SUBACUTE LEAD POISONING IN
THE GUINEA PIG.) Archives des Maladies
Professionnelles de Medecine du Travail et
de Securite Sociale 16:208-16 (Apr.-May),
1961.
Ten groups of 4 guinea pigs each (2 male, 2 fe-
male), 6-8 mo old, 410-715 g weight, were first
maintained under quarantine for 25 days; the stan-
dard ration was regulated so as to maintain the
weight of the animals almost constant during the
experimental period. The weekly ration contained
0.8785 mg Pb. Two groups served as controls. All
animals received a total of 13 ip injections of
6 mg Pb (metal)/kg body weight in a 1% aqueous
solution every 2 days. Two days after the last
dose, groups 3, 4 and 5 started receiving 20 mg/
100 g of CaNa2EDTA in 8 intramuscular injections
at 2-day intervals; groups 6, 7 and 8 received 1.5
mg/100 g weight of BAL in the same manner. Groups
9 and 10 received EDTA and BAL, respectively, in
a single dose. Blood smears were examined
throughout the experimental period: 25 days of
quarantine, 25 of intoxication, 16 of detoxica-
tion, and 18 additional days of observation. In
groups 1 and 2, the stippled cell count increased
steadily within 20-24 days following the last Pb
injection and then started downward, but in all
cases at the end of the 2nd stage of observation
(the 34th day), the counts were still much higher
than those observed at the time of the last in-
jection. In the guinea pigs receiving EDTA or BAL,
no statistically significant increases in stippled
cell counts appeared within 36 days; the animals
receiving the chelates in single doses showed a
slight decrease in these values within the follow-
ing 48 hr.
949 Klinger, W., and Kersten, L. (Pharmacol.
Inst., Friedrich-Schiller-Univ., Jena,
Germany) : Untersuchungen tlber die Wirkung
von Calciumthiosulfat und Dicalcium- und
Dinatriumcalcium-Versenat. II. Die
Schutzwirkung gegen die Blei- und Oxalat-
vergiftung und Beeinflussung der Membran-
permeabilitat. (STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF
CALCIUM THIOSULFATE AND DICALCIUM- AND
DISODIUMCALCIUM VERSENATE. II. PROTEC-
TIVE ACTION AGAINST LEAD AND OXALATE POI-
SONING AND ALTERATION OF MEMBRANE PERMEA-
BILITY.) Acta Biologica et Medica Ger-
manica 6:498-508, 1961.
A study was conducted on the comparative effec-
tiveness of Ca thiosulfate and CaEDTA in treatment
of induced Pb intoxication in mice. The LDjg of
ip administered Pb acetate, as determined in 77
mice was 8 mg/20 g of body weight. When simulta-
neous ip injections of 8 or 13 mg Pb acetate and
0.02 ml Ca thiosulfate or 0.03 ml CaEDTA, respec-
tively, were given to mice, better protection was
obtained with the thiosulfate. In prophylactic
treatment, however, when 0.06 ml Ca thiosulfate
or 0.1 ml CaEDTA was administered ip 20 min prior
to a 13 mg dose of Pb acetate, CaEDTA proved more
effective. In further experiments with rabbits,
rats, and in vitro, both drugs caused a drop in
serum Ca; the thiosulfate effected a greater rise
in blood pressure than did EDTA, but it rendered
the membrane impermeable (in vivo: inflamed ear
of mouse; in vitro: guinea pig ileum), while EDTA
had either no effect or caused loosening of the
membrane.
950 Kosmider, S., and Sroczyfiski, J. (Sile-
sian Clinic Int. Dis., Zabrze, Poland):
Zmiany elektrokardiograficzne w przew-
lek^ej, doswiadczalnej oZowicy u kroli-
kdw. (ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN
CHRONIC EXPERIMENTAL PLUMBISM IN RABBITS.)
Postepy Higieny i Medycyny Dosweadczalnej
15:353-7 (May-June), 1961.
Chronic Pb poisoning was induced in 10 rabbits
(2.5-3.5 kg weight) by the iv injection of 5 mg Pb
acetate/kg every 7 days; the animals were observed
for 83-180 days. EKG examinations were conducted
from the 3rd mo of poisoning. The results are
described and illustrated in 3 figures and com-
pared in a table with histopathologic findings.
The authors conclude that in Pb poisoning abnormal
EKG's reflect changes in the heart muscle.
Plants and Animals
165
-------
951 Kulagina, N.K.: (THE USE OF FOLIC ACID IN
THE TREATMENT OF Pb INTOXICATION.) Toksi-
kol. Novykh Prom. Khim. Veshchestv 1961,
No. 2:172-82.
The treatment with 0.2 mg folic acid/kg/day in-
fluenced favorably the Pb intoxication in guinea
pigs. The onset of anemia and other symptoms was
slower and the survival of treated animals was
higher than that of controls. The use of folic
acid in the diet as a prophylactic measure for
humans is discussed. (From Chemical Abstracts 57:
12824, 1962)
952 Lawford, D.J. (Med. Res. Council, London
Hosp., England): AN ABNORMAL SERUM COM-
PONENT IN EXPERIMENTAL POISONING BY CAD-
MIUM AND OTHER METALS. Biochemical Phar-
macology 7:109-22, 1961.
The production of an abnormal serum component,
which was observed 24 hr after an ip injection of
a single dose of 1 mg/kg Cd to albino rats, was
also tested with Pb. A pair of Chester-Beatty
adult male rats were injected ip with 1 mg/kg Pb
acetate. After 24 hr the animals were bled and
the sera examined by starch gel electrophoresis,
using the continuous buffer system. No reaction
comparable to that caused by Cd was produced with
Pb.
953 Lie'gois, F., Derivaux, J., and Depelchin,
A. (Brussels, Belgium): L'Intoxication
Saturnine chez les animaux. (LEAD POISON-
ING IN ANIMALS.) Annales de Medeclne
Veterinaire 105, No. 2:57-81, 1961.
The etiology and toxic doses for domestic animals
are reviewed and the metabolism of Pb in the or-
ganism and the damage it may cause to the tissues
are described together with the action on cells as
well as symptoms of Pb poisoning. When sheep and
dogs were given 1 g Pb acetate, no basophilic
granulations were noted in the sheep and in 1 dog
they were present only in the early stages. Al-
though these granulations in animals may consti-
tute a means of diagnosis, their absence does not
exclude Pb poisoning. Administration of 1 g Pb
acetate daily for 5 days with or without EDTA to
sheep and dogs did not affect significantly the
blood content of Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, protein, glu-
cose, urea, sugar, hemoglobin. Urinary Pb excre-
tion >85-100 mg/1/24 hr is indicative of Pb poison-
ing. Pb retention was higher in the liver than in
bone in all experimental animals, except in 1 dog,
and EDTA mobilized Pb better from the liver than
from bones. Methods of treatment were reviewed
and intravenous doses of EDTA were recommended.
954 Lyubetskii, Kh.Z., Kazakov, K.S., and
Kazakova, T.S. : (TRANSAMINATION IN LEAD
POISONING AND THERAPY WITH ETHYLENEDIA-
MINETETRAACETATE (EDTA).) Sb. Nauchn. Tr.
Tashkentsk. Gos. Med. Inst. 20:151-5,
1961.
Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity of the
heart, liver, kidneys and muscles was studied in
rabbits which were injected iv with 10 mg/kg Pb
acetate. The glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activ-
ities in the organs tested were seriously affected
in the rabbits which developed acute Pb intoxica-
tion. Iv administration of 150-200 mg EDTA/kg en-
hanced the concentration of the enzyme in the or-
gans and prevented the onset of the pathological
conditions. (From Chemical Abstracts 58:7287,
1963)
955 Makashev, K.K., and Shestakova, N.P.:
(DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN THE TISSUES AND
ORGANS AND ITS ELIMINATION IN NORMAL ANI-
MALS AND IN ANIMALS POISONED WITH LEAD.)
Tr. Inst. Kraevoi Patol., Akad. Nauk Kaz.
SSR 9:129-35, 1961.
Normal rats and rats poisoned by feeding non-radio-
active Pb for 4-6 mo, received a single dose of
910
Pb per os. Radioactivity determinations were
made after 1-10 hr and 1-30 days in all tissues
and organs of the animals, and in urine and feces
collected daily. One hr after the administration
of 210pb to normal rats all tissues and organs
were radioactive, the radioactivity decreasing in
the order: kidney, gastrointestinal tract, bones,
liver, blood, spleen, thyroid gland, hypophysis,
lung, brain tissue, muscles. After 24 hr the
highest concentrations of -"-"Pb were found in kid-
ney, bones, and blood, and after 30 days, only
bones, kidney, and blood (in that order of accumu-
?1 0
latlon) contained appreciable quantities of Pb.
The maximum excretion of 10Pb was observed during
the first 6 days (31.4% with the feces, and 5%
with the urine). Subsequently, the rate of excre-
tion diminished, Pb being eliminated mainly
with the urine. The distribution pattern and the
/M n
excretion of xuPb in Pb-poisoned rats were essen-
tially the same as in normal animals, but ^-*-uPb
was absorbed more slowly from the intestinal tract,
accumulated in tissues and organs in smaller quan-
tities, and its rate of excretion was lower.
(From Chemical Abstracts 57:4977, 1962)
956 Nurmaganbetov, E.K. : (FUNCTIONAL STATE
OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX IN CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING. A PRELIMINARY REPORT.) Iz-
vest. Akad. Nauk Kazakh. SSR, Ser. Med.
i Fiziol. 1961, No. 2:41-50.
Rabbits, given 1 ml/kg of body weight of a 2%
solution of Pb acetate, after 7-8 mo showed adre-
nals 2-3 times larger than those of controls.
Histologic studies revealed hypertrophy of some
cells with increased formation of keto steroids
and necrosis in other portions. Chronic Pb poi-
soning leads to suppression of the activity of
the adrenal cortex. (From Chemical Abstracts 56:
5071, 1962)
957 Ogawa, E., Fukuda, R., and Suzuki, S.
(Gunma Univ., Maebashi, Japan): EXPERI-
MENTAL STUDIES ON THE EXCRETION OF RADIO-
ACTIVE STRONTIUM. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi
57, No. 2:29, 1961.
The effect of some drugs on urinary and fecal ex-
cretion of "^Sr was studied in male mice, weighing
20 g, which had been injected daily for 3 days
with 1 11 Ci of 90Sr. The animals were then killed
and "^Sr in bone was determined with a G-M counter.
Administration of Mg and ammonium chlorides, Na
thiosulfate and sulfate increased the excretion of
Sr, that of a number of chelates, including NaPb
citrate (Pb acetate/Na citrate = 0.2) at doses of
40 and 20 mg/kg did not change excretion of 90gr
or its storage in bone. (From Nuclear Science Ab-
166
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
stracts 20:Abstract No. 32922, 1966)
958 Otsuka, I.: (LEAD POISONING-METALLIC ELE-
MENT DISTRIBUTION IN ORGANS OF RABBITS AD-
MINISTERED LEAD ACETATE.) Kyoto Firitsu
Ika Daigaku Zasshi 69:149-63, 1961.
Rabbits were injected with 3 mg/kg of body weight
Pb acetate on alternate days for 60 days. Na, Mg,
Al, Si, P, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ag, and
Pb were detected by emission spectral analysis in
the organs of both normal and Pb-intoxicated rab-
bits. Ti, Cr, Ag, and Pb were not detected
throughout every organ or individual. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 57:12823, 1962)
959 Popovic, S.N., Stankovic, M., and Popovic,
S.V. (Yugoslavia): Prilog prouchavanu
blastoftornog dejstva olova. (CONTRIBU-
TION TO THE BLASTOPHTHORIC EFFECT OF LEAD.)
Glasnik Higijenskog Institute 9:97-103
(July-Dec.), 1961.
Two groups of rats were given daily doses of 1 ml
of 25% solution of Pb acetate for 16 and 19 days,
respectively. One testis from each animal was
taken for histological examination and the other
one for Pb determination. The testes of rats poi-
soned for a period of 16 days contained less Pb
and showed less pronounced histopathological
changes than those of rats poisoned for 19 days.
A correlation of the Pb content in the testes
(0.6077-0.9020 mg% in 7 rats treated 16 days;
0.275-2.874 mg% in 9 treated 19 days; 0.0389-
0.0428 in 2 controls), and their histopathological
changes were not noted.
960 Porte, A., and Batzenschlager, A. (Inst.
d'Histologie, Strasbourg, France): Sur
la formation d'inclusions intranucleaires,
provoquees par les sels de plomb dans les
cellules des tubes contournes du rein.
Ultrastructure et histochimie. (ON THE
FORMATION OF INTRANUCLEAR INCLUSIONS IN-
DUCED BY LEAD SALTS IN THE CELLS OF THE
DISTORTED KIDNEY TUBES. ULTRASTRUCTURE
AND HISTOCHEMISTRY.) Comptes Rendus des
Seances la Societe de Biologie et de ses
Filiales 155:125-7, 1961.
Nuclear modifications of liver and kidney cells
were studied in mice fed with basic Pb acetate (no
data). Renal and liver fragments were examined at
weekly intervals. After 3 wk of ingesting Pb
acetate a large number of nuclei in the cells of
the renal tubes contained basophllic, osmiophilic,
Feulgen-positive material; under the electron
microscope it appeared to be quite heterogeneous,
composed of coarse fibrous material which was con-
sidered to be derived from chromatin and consisting
of desoxyribonucleic acid. The signs of cytoplas-
matic degeneration followed the formation of these
bodies. The mode of action of Pb on the nucleus
remained obscure, since the histochemical re-
actions of Pb in the nucleus were negative. The
Feulgen-positive characteristics of the intra-
nuclear bodies were considered to be a major argu-
ment in favor of their viral origin. However,
the lesions caused by Pb showed that the inclusion
bodies may result from nuclear changes other than
viral in origin.
961 Quatrini, U., and Caiola, G. (Univ. Paler-
mo, Italy): Intossicazione acuta speri-
uientale da Pb acetato ed attivita'latti-
codeidrogenasica nel ratto albino. (ACUTE
EXPERIMENTAL POISONING BY LEAD ACETATE AND
LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY IN THE WHITE
RAT.) Societa Italiana di Biologia Speri-
mentale 37:341-3 (Apr. 30), 1961.
Albino rats were injected intraperitoneally with
30 mg of Pb acetate, daily, for 3-4 days. After
a few days all animals developed signs of acute
intoxication (diarrhea, cutaneous hemorrhages,
etc). The lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in
the serum was measured on the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th
days after intoxication and compared with results
obtained in a control group. During the first 3
days, the enzymatic activity did not differ from
that in the control group, but increased after the
4th day (av 80%), and the 5th day (av 123%) . All
animals were sacrificed and fragments of heart and
liver tissues were tested for enzymatic activity.
Macroscopic examination revealed degeneration and
necrosis, especially in the liver. LDH activity
increased both in the liver (av 49.9%) and in the
heart (34.6%).
962 Sakai, G. : (EFFECTS OF ANEMIA AND MER-
CURY AND LEAD POISONINGS UPON METHEMO-
GLOBIN REDUCTION.) Tokyo Jikeikai Ika-
daigaku Zasshi 76, No. 11:2463-7, 1961.
The time needed for methemoglobin reduction was
followed by measuring the oxidation-reduction po-
tential of methemoglobin-containing rabbit red
cells suspended in rabbit serum. Methemoglobin
was produced by adding NaN02- A marked retarda-
tion of the reduction was observed in red cells of
rabbits with hemorrhagic anemia and Hg (0.5 mg
Hg as HgCl2/kg body weight daily, for 40 days) and
Pb poisoning (20 mg Pb as Pb acetate/kg body
weight, twice/wk, for 7 wk). (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 61:7593, 1964)
953 Salvi, G. , and Gherardi, M. (Univ. Parma,
Italy): Azione di nuovi composti sulfi-
drilici sull'intossicazione sperimentale
da cloruro di piombo trietile. (ACTION
OF NEW SULFHYDRYL COMPOUNDS ON EXPERI-
MENTAL POISONING BY LEAD TRIETHYL CHLO-
RIDE.) Folia Medica (Naples) 44:13-20
(Jan.), 1961.
Four groups of adult male mice (average weight
22 g), were injected sc with 0.3 mg of triethyl-
lead chloride (13.635 mg/kg causing 95% fatality).
The animals developed neurological symptoms (hy-
perexcitability, tremors, first localized then
generalized, tonic-clonic convulsions, etc) after
a 12-16 hr latency period, identical with TEL in-
toxication. Three groups (20 animals in each
group), were injected on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days
of the experiment intraperitoneally with 1.6 mg of
g-mercaptoethylamine, 1.6 mg of g-mercaptoguani-
dine, and 22 mg of cysteamineacetic acid, re-
spectively, corresponding to 1/3 of LD5Q. After
6 days 25% of the animals of the g-mercaptoethyla-
mine group, 35% of the 6-mercaptoguanidine and
65% of the cysteamineacetic acid group survived.
In the control group (39 animals), survival was
practically zero. The Pb content between 24 and
48 hr after intoxication was highest in the brain
Plants and Animals
167
-------
(93 yg/g dry weight, decreasing after 5 days to
17.3), intermediate in the kidneys (72 yg/g dry
weight), and lowest in the liver (28 yg/g dry
weight). The Pb content of tissues 30 days after
intoxication was negligible.
964 Salvi, G., and Gherardi, M. (Univ. Parma,
Italy): Influenza della g-mercaptoguani-
dina sulla intossicazione da tetraetile e
tetrametile di piombo. (INFLUENCE OF g-
MERCAPTOGUANIDINE ON INTOXICATION BY TET-
RAETHYL AND TETRAMETHYL LEAD.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 44:983-6 (Nov.), 1961.
Swiss albino mice (weight ^22 g each), poisoned by
sc injection of 49.9 mg/kg of body weight of TEL
or 45.4-D4.5 mg/kg of TML, were treated intraperi-
toneally with 1.6 mg g-mercaptoguanidine in physi-
ologic solution at pH 7. The drug was adminis-
tered on day 1,2,3 or 2,3,4 or 3,4,5, respective-
ly. Neurologic symptoms appeared in the mice
within 28-30 hr after poisoning with either TEL
or TML and, in the case of TML, led to paralysis
of the hind limbs. g-Mercaptoguanidlne had no
protective effect on either intoxication. Sub-
acute poisoning by TML was aggravated by treatment
with the drug.
965 Sanderson, G.C., and Thomas, R.M. (Illi-
nois State Natural History Surv.; Univ.
Illinois Coll. Vet. Med., Urbana): INCI-
DENCE OF LEAD IN LIVERS OF ILLINOIS RAC-
COONS. Journal of Wildlife Management 25:
160-8, 1961.
Concentrations of Pb ranging from 1-32 yg/g of
liver were found in 100 wild raccoons killed in Il-
linois by hunters and trappers during late fall of
1958 and January 1959. Only 1 liver was negative
for Pb. Livers collected from raccoons during
July-September had significantly less Fb than did
those collected during the fall. Adrenal weights
of raccoons with lower levels of Pb were signifi-
cantly heavier than those from raccoons with
higher levels of Pb. In the absence of other ob-
vious causes of stress, levels of Pb up to 32 yg/g
of liver caused no obvious symptoms of Pb intoxi-
cation in the raccoon, which appears to be resis-
tant to high levels. However, Pb intoxication,
along with other factors, may be a cause of mor-
tality in wild raccoons. (From authors' summary;
21 references)
966 Sato, T. : (EFFECTS OF POISONING WITH NI-
TROBENZENE, ANILINE, AND HEAVY METALS ON
THE SYNTHESIS OF ACETYLCHOLINE IN THE
BRAIN.) Tokyo Jikeikai Ika Daigaku Zasshi
76, No. 8:1911-6, 1961.
Whereas a significant decrease of acetylcholine
synthesis was observed in the cortex, thalamus and
nucleus caudatus of the brain of rabbits with
chronic Hg poisoning, no such change was found in
chronic poisoning with Pb and Mn. (From Chemical
Abstracts 60:7355, 1964)
967 Shipochliev, T. (Bulgaria): Deistvie na
preparatite ot breznishkata mineralna voda
pri venozno prilagane na zaitsi s eksperi-
mentalno poluchena olovnointoksikatsionna
anemiya. (THE EFFECT OF PREPARATIONS FROM
BREZNIK MINERAL WATERS ON SOME BLOOD IN-
DICES FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION
TO RABBITS WITH EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISON-
ING.) Suvremenna Meditsina (Sofia) 12,
No. 2:43-6, 1961.
Ferro Breznik (Ca glyc), Ferro Breznik gluconatum
(CaNa) and Ferro Breznik (Na) prepared by the au-
thor from Breznik mineral water were well toler-
ated iv by rabbits made anemic by administration
of Pb, and showed a moderate hematopoietic effect.
(From author's summary)
968 Shone, O.K.: CHEMICAL POISONING OF DO-
MESTIC ANIMALS, Rhodesia Agr. J. 58:223-9,
1961.
Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and postmortem
findings are given for poisoning with Pb and other
chemicals. (From Chemical Abstracts 56:15775,
1962)
969 Solomina, V.F.: (EFFECT OF LEAD ACETATE
AND SILICA ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXPERI-
MENTAL CANCER OF THE SKIN.) Izvest. Akad.
Nauk Kazakh. S.S.R., Serv. Med. i Fiziol.
1961, No. 2:55-67.
If 0.2 ml of 0.1% Pb acetate solution is introduced
into the stomach of white mice every 5th day, for
4 mo, the development of cancer on application of
9,10-dimethyl-l,2-benzanthracene to the skin is
accelerated. (From Chemical Abstracts 56:5285,
1962)
970 Srocznynski, J.: (BASOPHILIC PUNCTATE
ERYTHROCYTES AND RETICULOCYTES IN EXPERI-
MENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Postepy Hig. i.
Med. Doswiadczalnej 15:185-99, 1961.
Pb intoxication was produced in rabbits by injec-
tion of 4-6 mg/kg 0.9% solution of Pb acetate every
7th day during 6 mo. In all animals the amount of
basophilic erythrocytes and retlculocytes was de-
termined weekly. Basophilic erythrocytes were ob-
served 24-48 hr after Pb injection and increased
up to 88%. The amount of reticulocytes increased
up to 218%. Ribonucleic acid was found in the
basophilic erythrocytes, but no deoxyribonucleic
acid, Pb, lipids, SH, S-S groups, proteins, poly-
saccharides, mucopolysaccharides, muco- and glyco-
proteins, or glycolipids were found. (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 55:27650, 1961)
971 Tara, S. (France): Saturnisme animal.
(LEAD INTOXICATION IN ANIMALS.) Revue de
Pathologie Gene'rale et Comparee 61:757-60,
1961.
A case of Pb intoxication in a 4-yr-old cow,
caused by Pb pollution of the drinking water, is
presented. The cow suffered from continuous diar-
rhea, difficulty of moving anterior limbs and
a decrease in lactation. The amount of Pb in the
milk was 80 yg/1. Analysis of the drinking water
showed 1.8 mm Pb/1 (sic) which originated from Pb-
containing paint on the water pipe. Following
treatment with 10 g CaEDTA over a period of 3 days,
the cow became free of symptoms.
972 Tarmas, J., and Sroczyhski, J. (Silesian
Acad. Med., Zabre, Poland): Zmiany w
komdrkach nerwowych rdzenia kregowego
krdlikdw pod wpXywem dozylnie podanego
ostanu otowiu. (CHANGES IN NERVE CELLS OF
168
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
THE SPINAL COED IN RABBITS UNDER THE IN-
FLUENCE OF INTRAVENOUS LEAD ACETATE.)
Archiwum Immunologii 1 Terapil Doswiadczal-
nej 9:45-50, 1961.
Rabbits (2.2-3.4 kg) were injected iv with a Pb
acetate solution in doses of 4 mg/kg body weight 1
or 2 times/wk over a period of 11-24 wk. Serial
sections of the spinal cord were stained with hema-
toxylineosin, according to Mallory and Parker's
or Nissl's techniques. Pb acetate was demonstrable
in the spinal cord, mostly in the nerve cells.
Histologic changes, found mostly in the cells of
motor and autonomic nuclei exhibited tigrolysis,
vacuolization, and pyknosis.
973 Teuchmann, J.K. (Central Inst. Ind. Hyg.,
Warsaw, Poland): Ve*gleichsuntersuchungen
von Bleivergiftung bei in verschiedenen
Druckereiabteilungen (in verschiedenartiger
HUhe) untergebrachten Tieren. (COMPARATIVE
INVESTIGATIONS OF LEAD POISONING IN ANIMALS
MAINTAINED IN DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OF A
PRINTING INDUSTRY (OF VARYING LEVELS OF
EXPOSURE).) Proceedings of the Interna-
tional Symposium on Maximum Allowable Con-
centrations of Toxic Substances in Indus-
try, Prague, Czechoslovakia, April, 1959.
Pure and Applied Chemistry 3, Nos. 1-2:
307-12, 1961.
Guinea pigs were kept for 1 yr in Pb-contaminated
atmospheres in 2 departments of a printing firm
(10/cage) in 10 cages, 1 of them, a control, placed
outside the building; those inside the plant were
placed at 3 different height levels in the lino-
type room (LR) and the Pb casting room (CR)).
The results showed that body weight was not af-
fected in the LR animals, in fact was higher than
in controls. In the CR animals some insignificant
decreases were observed. Pb content in blood also
gave generally negative findings. There were
large periodic variations from 0.07-0.33 mg%.
However, animals closest to the floor had a higher
blood Pb content, and higher basophilic red cell
counts, especially those in the CR. No marked
differences compared with controls were observed
in general appearance, radiologic findings on
growth of bone, anatomic and histopathologic ex-
amination. Only the Pb content of bones showed
distinct elevation in the CR room in animals
housed at the floor level (up to 3.8 mg% in the
CR vs 2.5 mg% in the LR animals).
The author concludes that the generally accepted
threshold limit of 0.03 mg% Pb in blood is too low.
974 Tolgskaya, M.S. (USSR): Soderzhanie sul'-
fgidril'nykh grupp v nervnoi sisteme eks-
perimental'nykh zhivotnykh pri intoksi-
Katsiyakh svintsom i mysh'yakom. (THE SH-
GROUP CONTENT IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM OF EX-
PERIMENTAL ANIMALS AFTER LEAD AND ARSENIC
INTOXICATION.) Toksikologiya Novykh
Promyshlennykh Khimicheskikh Veshchestv
1961, Jo. 2:115-25.
In the experiments with Pb, 39 white rats were
given sc or orally from 0.008-0.14 g/kg; As was
given to 33 rats in sc doses of 0.0025-0.024 g/kg.
The results showed a decrease in SH-groups in all
tissues of the brain of intoxicated animals. The
decrease was greater with a single application of
a lethal dose than with the chronic one, beginning
sooner and more marked in the nerve cells than in
brain tunic, glia, and ependymal cells. The his-
tochemical changes in the nervous system point to
disorder of enzyme exchange caused by small doses:
of Pb. (22 references)
975 Toya, T., Harada, ll. , and Tamura, Y. (To-
kyo Eisei Kenkyusho, Japan): SYSTEMATIC
STUDIES ON THE METABOLISM OF METALS. IV.
DISTRIBUTION OF ORALLY ADMINISTERED LEAD,
THALLIUM, AND CADMIUM IN RATS AND ITS EF-
FECT ON THE ENDOGENOUS COPPER AND ZINC.
Tokyo-to Ritsu Eisei Kenkyusho Nempo 1961,
No. 13:178-94.
Pb, Tl and Cd acetates, 800 ug/dl each, were given
separately in drinking water for 80 days. Pb and
Tl were most accumulated in the adrenal, low in
the brain, spinal cord, and bone and Cd was high-
est in the pancreas. Endogenous Cu and Zn were
generally decreased by the administration of the
above metals. Cu dropped to below 30% of the
control, especially in the heart, liver, testis,
and blood in the Pb-administered group, in the
cerebrum, lung, liver, muscle, and blood in the
Tl-administered group, and in the spleen in the
Cd-administered group. Zn decreased, but less
than Cu, especially in the spinal cord, muscle,
and testis in the Pb-administered group, in the
cerebellum in the Tl-administered group, and in
the spinal cord in the Cd-administered group.
(From authors' English summary)
976 Umegaki, E. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): LEAD
POISONING. BLOOD PICTURE OF THE RABBIT
AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF LEAD. Kyoto Furit-
su Ika Daigaku Zasshi 69, No. 4:1239-56,
1961.
Mature male rabbits were given 3 mg Pb/kg (as Pb
acetate) orally or sc for 60 days. The erythrocyte
count decreased from the 1st to the 16th day, then
remained unchanged to the 32nd day and thereafter
decreased again. After oral administration the
count returned to normal after treatment was dis-
continued, while after sc injection it continued
to decrease. The amount of hemochrome decreased
during Pb injection and did not return to normal
after injections were discontinued. When Pb was
given orally, hemochrome did not decrease markedly
until the 56th day of administration; after admin-
istration was stopped, it increased considerably
but did not recover its initial value. Hemoglobin
increased during both methods of administration.
When Pb injections were discontinued, it kept on
increasing greatly; after oral administration, how-
ever, it decreased almost to normal. Serum pro-
teins decreased markedly in both cases, reaching
a minimum between the 24th and 40th day. Heinz
bodies increased in both cases without returning
to normal after the end of administration. Leuco-
cytes increased also in both cases, and returned
to normal after administration of Pb was stopped.
Basophilic leucocytes decreased during injection
and increased with oral administration. The num-
ber of eosinophils did not change. Lymphocytes de-
creased slightly only when Pb was injected, while
monocytes decreased strongly; the latter increased
slightly with oral administration. The author be-
lieves that the blood picture is a better criter-
Plants and Animals
169
-------
ion of the degree of poisoning than the amount of
Pb in the blood, although the blood changes caused
by Pb are not specific. (From author's English
summary; 38 references)
977 Umegaki, E. (Kyoto Prefect. Med. Univ.,
Japan): (ACCUMULATION RATE OF LEAD IN AN-
IMAL BODY.) Kyoto Furitsu Ika Daigaku
Zasshi 69:1308-10, 1961.
Mice were given each 10 subcutaneous injections of
3 mg Pb/kg as Pb acetate on alternate days and the
total Pb content of the body was determined polar-
ographically. Of the amount of Pb administered
45.1-50.8% was found to accumulate in the body and
0.025-0.037 mg Pb was found in the body of control
mice. (From Chemical Abstracts 57:2535, 1962)
978 Vardanis, A., and Quastel J.H. (McGlll-
Montreal Gen. Hosp. Res. Inst., Quebec):
THE EFFECTS OF LEAD AND TIN ORGANOMETALLIC
COMPOUNDS ON THE METABOLISM OF RAT BRAIN
CORTEX SLICES. Canadian Journal of Bio-
chemistry and Physiology 39:1811-27 (Dec.),
1961.
The effects of TEL, tetraethyl tin (TESn), tri-
ethyl Pb (TrEL) and triethyl tin (TrESn) on the
metabolism of rat brain cortex slices were studied.
TEL (S.lxlO-^M) inhibited the oxygen uptake of
brain slices when glutamic acid was the sole sub-
strate. Inhibition was found to be even greater
when glucose as well as glutamic acid were present.
The transport of glycine, serine or alanine into
the brain cortex tissues decreased considerably in
the presence of glucose, and TEL (10~^M) inhibited
the glucose-dependent uptake of these amino acids
by brain slices. TEL also abolished K-stimulated
brain slice respiration in presence of glucose,
but had little or no effect on unstimulated brain
slice respiration. The respiration of rat brain
cortex slices previously treated with phospholi-
pase A (30 min) became highly sensitive to TEL.
In comparing the effect of TEL and TrEL on brain
slices, it was noted that although TEL showed a
definite effect on amino acid metabolism, it
showed none on glucose breakdown, while TrEL, at
concentrations affecting amino acid metabolism,
(10~4-10~()M) also affected glucose metabolism.
Rats were injected intraperitoneally daily with
10 mg TEL/kg body weight. After 3-4 injections, a
decrease in body weight, difficulty in breathing
and partial paralysis of the posterior extremities
were noted. Animals were sacrificed after a def-
inite number of injections and brain cortex slices
were prepared. After 2 injections of TEL (before
signs appeared), the brain activity was no dif-
ferent than in the control group aside from the
partial inability of the brain slices to concen-
trate glutamic acid. After 4 injections results
were similar to the ones obtained in vitro in the
presence of TEL (10"%) .
It is assumed that some of the neurological
symptoms of TEL intoxication may result from the
failure of the brain cell to transport amino acid
across the neuronal membrane.
979 Vasil'eva, O.G. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Dis., Acad. Med. Sci., USSR): 0 nekotorykh
storonakh deistviya CaNa2 EDTA pri svintso-
voi intoksikatsii v eksperimente. (SIDE
EFFECTS OF CaNa2 ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACE-
TATE IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD INTOXICATION.)
Gigiena i Sanitariya 26:22-5 (Mar.), 1961.
Ten of 30 guinea pigs received daily oral doses of
Pb (as Pb nitrate) of 45 mg/kg; 10 received in
addition 2 ml 10% CaNa2EDTA orally; 10 served as
controls. Urinary and fecal Pb was followed, us-
ing the chromate method. Pb content in bone was
also determined. The duration of treatment was
apparently 4 wk. Orally administered EDTA result-
ed in increased urinary and decreased fecal ex-
cretion of Pb; Pb concentration in bones increased,
causing aggravation of Pb poisoning. Of 10 anim-
als in the EDTA group, 6 died during the experi-
ment. Upon necropsy, aside from other findings,
fatty degeneration of the liver was seen.
In another experiment, the effect of EDTA on Cu
metabolism was studied by ip injection of CaNa2EDTA
(2 ml 10% solution) to rats given sc 64Cu-labeled
CuSO^. After 3 days, the Cu content of the blood,
liver, kidney and intestines sharply decreased.
The author concludes that prolonged use of EDTA
would tend to deplete the body of Cu, and that pre-
vention of Pb poisoning with EDTA is undesirable.
98Q Watanabe, K. (Kyoto Univ., Japan): IM-
MUNOLOGICAL STUDY ON EXPERIMENTAL HEMOLYTIC
ANEMIA INDUCED BY LEAD ACETATE. 2. IMMU-
NOLOGICAL STUDIES ON COOMBS POSITIVE ERYTH-
ROCYTES IN VITRO AND INFLUENCES OF VARIOUS
TREATMENTS GIVEN TO THE EXPERIMENTAL ANI-
MALS ON THE INCIDENCE OF COOMBS POSITIVE
ERYTHROCYTES. Japanese Archives of In-
ternal Medicine 8:568-79 (July), 1961.
Results of this research were as follows: (1) The
erythrocyte-coating substance of Coombs positive
erythrocytes is species-specific since Coombs posi-
tive erythrocytes were agglutinated only by the
species-specific antiglobulin serum to the experi-
mental animals, but were not agglutinated by other
kinds of antiglobulin serum which is specific for
other animals and humans. The precipitation test
on the eluate with the Coombs serum, which had
been obtained from the Coombs positive erythro-
cytes, was positive. (2) The eluate was inactive
in sensitizing the erythrocytes. The iiranunoelectro-
phoretic analysis of the eluate was carried out un-
successfully. (3) It was impossible to elaborate
the Coombs positive erythrocytes in vitro by dam-
aging them with Pb acetate and adding their host's
serum under various conditions. (4) Injection
of rabbit erythrocytes into a dog before Pb ace-
tate administration seemed to enhance the appear-
ance of Coombs positive erythrocytes, but injection
of the previous dog's erythrocytes into a rabbit
was not effective. (5) Administration of synthe-
tic glucocorticoid delayed the appearance of Coombs
positive erythrocytes in a dog subjected to Pb
acetate injection. (6) X-ray irradiation did not
give any influence upon the Coombs test on rabbits
given Pb acetate injection. (From author's English
summary; 24 references, 13 in English, 11 in Ja-
panese)
1962
981 Afonova, V.N., and Moshchenko, A.I. (Med.
Inst. Ryazan, SSSR): (BLOOD SERUM AMINO-
NITROGEN IN LEAD INTOXICATION.) Sb.
170
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Nauchn. Tr., Ryazansk. Med. Inst. 15:3-5,
1962.
The decrease (av 33%) in blood serum amino-nitro-
gen and of proteins, as found in 5 rabbits from
the 5th day after treatment with 5 mg Pb acetate
daily, is recommended as a means for early diagno-
sis of Pb intoxication. (From Chemical Abstracts
61:15251, 1964)
982 Aldanazarov, A.T. (Kazakh Akad. Sciences,
USSR): Izmenenie nekotorykh geometriches-
kikh parametrov eritrotsitov pri anemii,
obuslovennoi svintsovi intoksikatsiei, v
eksperimente u sobak. (Predvaritel'noe
soobshchenie). (THE CHANGES OF SOME GEO-
METRICAL INDEXES OF ERYTHROCYTES UNDER EX-
PERIMENTAL LEAD INTOXICATION ANEMIA IN
DOGS. PRELIMINARY REPORT.) Trudy Insti-
tuta Kraevoi Patologii, Akademiya Nauk
Kazakhskoi SSR 10:108-15, 1962.
Of 41 adult dogs, 8-25 kg weight, after quarantine
and a 3-day observation period, 32 received 1 mg/
kg/24 hr of a 2.5% Pb acetate solution in food,
and 9 received the same dose of a 5% solution;
throughout the experiment, the dogs had ingested
23 and 115 g Pb respectively. Signs of intoxica-
tion in the 2.5% group appeared in 100-170 days,
and in the 5% group, in 210-340 days. The diameter
of erythrocytes increased from an av 6.2 y (5.82-
6.95) before poisoning, by 0.8 y (0.4-1.74); the
volume increased by 2-12 y3 (av 6.3) to 85.1 y-';
the thickness (before poisoning 2.54 u (2-3)) de-
creased in 28 dogs by 0.2-0.8 v (av 0.4), in 2 it
increased, and in 11 was unchanged; the spherical
index, before poisoning 2.44 (2-3.57), in the
course of poisoning in 75% of the dogs was in-
creased by an av 0.85 (0.24-2.19).
On the basis of these results which the authors
consider insufficient, they do not attempt to ex-
plain the reason for, and mechanism of, the changes
observed.
983 Arkhipova, O.G. : (INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS
CHELATING AGENTS DURING INTOXICATIONS WITH
INDUSTRIAL POISONS.) Prom. Toksikol. i
Klinika Prof. Zabolevanii, Khimika Etiol.
(Moscow:Goz. Izd. Med. Lit.) Sb. 1962,
203.
Calcium disodium edetate, calcium trisodium pente-
tate, aminopolyphosphinic acids, and pectin were
injected into animals during intoxications with
Pb, Mn, and Hg to study their effectiveness as
prophylactic substances. Pectin was an effective
chelating agent for a number of metals and was
completely harmless. It can be used in pectin-
containing food products for workers who come in
contact with Pb, Mn and other metals. (From Ref-
erativnyi Zhurnal, Khimiya 1963:Abstr. No. 151242;
Chemical Abstracts 60:15045, 1964)
984 Black, B.C. (Univ. Rochester Atomic Energy
Project, N.Y.): STORAGE AND EXCRETION OF
LEAD 210 IN DOGS. Archives of Environmen-
tal Health 5:423-9 (Nov.), 1962.
It has been suggested that the cumulative lung
dose of an individual exposed to Rn and its daugh-
ters in mining and processing of U may be estima-
ted by measurement of the Rn daughters 210pb or
excreted in the urine. To study what frac-
tion of bone-stored 21Qpb is excreted/day and what
fraction of 210pb formed in the lung is deposited
in bone, experiments were made with female beagle
dogs, 4-6 yr old, weighing 9.1-11.8 kg. Two dogs
were placed in an exposure chamber in which a
relatively constant Rn concentration was maintain-
ed;, a number of other dogs were placed in U mines.
Urinary 210pb excretion and its content in liver,
kidney, lung, muscle and skeleton were determined
and the data obtained were statistically interpre-
ted. The results showed that initial urinary Pb
excretion did not correlate with either the 210 pb
deposited in lung or that in the whole body for
the 2 types of exposure. Based on fecal elimina-
tion at 21, 100, and 630 days, the average fecal
to urinary output ratios calculated for each peri-
od were found to be 2.0, 5.8, and 8.7, respective-
ly. As based on these values and the urinary ex-
cretion data together with the results of tissue
analysis, the total initial burden of Pb was cal-
culated for each group of dogs. From the curve
obtained, representing late postexposure excre-
tion, an effective half-time of 330 days was de-
termined which was postulated to represent loss
from the skeletal compartment. The integration of
the excretion equations from 840 days to infinity
predicted a remaining Pb burden for the mine dogs
of 306 yyCi, whereas the tissue analysis at 840
days yielded a body content of 300 yyCi. The same
calculations for the chamber dogs gave 1200 yyCi
and 1575 yyCi, respectively.
In commenting on the results on dogs, the author
states that the skeleton contained ^90% of the body
content of 210pb, whereas for man the skeleton was
reported also to contain 90% of the body content
of stable Pb (Aub, et al, 1949). While the ratio
of daily fecal to urinary excretion in dogs varied
from 2.0-8.7 (av 5.1), for stable Pb in man this
ratio was reported to be 2.5-6.7 (Aub, et al,
1949; Cholak, et al, 1943). The biological half-
time for loss of Pb from the skeleton of the dogs
was 346 days; that for the whole body of man could
be set on the basis of the loss of experimentally
produced Pb burdens (Kehoe, et al, 1943) at 670-
840 days, the precise number depending on inter-
pretation. Since the mine dogs were exposed to
the same type of atmosphere as a U miner would be,
it is probable that 5% of the 21^Pb measured in a
urine sample obtained from a working miner would
come from the bone store of Pb. This would repre-
sent 0.005% of the skeletal 210Pb which, in turn,
represents 64% of the Pb deposited in the lungs.
Thus, an estimated lung dose for a miner breathing
Rn and its daughters could be calculated by
measuring the average 210pb content of several
urine samples, spaced about a week apart. (11
references)
985 Boyadzhiev, V.: (INFLUENCE OF SOME PRO-
TEIN AND FAT DIETS ON THE APPEARANCE AND
EVOLUTION OF LEAD INTOXICATIONS.) Nauchni
Tr. Vissh. Med. Inst. Sofia 41, No. 5:83-
98, 1962.
The author reports the changes observed in test
animals poisoned with Pb acetate and then fed on
4 different diets : protein-rich and protein-de-
ficient and fat-rich and fat-deficient diets. By
repeated blood analyses it was found that follow-
ing Pb intoxication, the protein-poor diet favored
Plants and Animals
171
-------
the appearance of pronounced changes in the blood
picture. The hematologic changes were least in
animals fed on a protein-rich diet. With the fat-
rich diet the blood changes were almost as pro-
nounced as with the protein-poor diet. With the
fat-poor diet, the effect of Pb poisoning on the
red blood picture resembled that with the protein-
poor diet. Also in the white blood picture there
were effects noted from the protein-rich diet and
the fat-rich diet. It was concluded that fat-rich
diets, following Pb poisoning, led to greater
changes than did protein-deficient diets but that
in the majority of cases the changes were within
physiological limits. This was unlike the protein-
deficient diets where pathological changes were
often observed. (From APCA Abstracts 8:5160, 1963)
986 Boyland, E., Dukes, C.E., Grover, P.L.,
and Mitchley, B.C.V. (Chester Beatty Res.
Inst., Inst. Cancer Res.; Royal Cancer
Hosp., London, England): THE INDUCTION OF
RENAL TUMOURS BY FEEDING LEAD ACETATE TO
RATS. British Journal of Cancer 16:283-88
(June), 1962.
Twenty male 10-wk-old Wistar rats were fed a diet
containing 1% Pb acetate for 1 yr. Four rats died
within 6 mo and showed degenerative changes in
kidneys but no neoplasms. Renal tumors were first
discovered in 4 out of 5 rats examined after 11 mo
of Pb acetate feeding. All 11 surviving rats de-
veloped renal tumors which were often bilateral
and associated with small adenomas, hyperplastic
foci, and nodules of regenerating tubular epithel-
ium. The small neoplastic lesions were usually
solid collections of cuboidal cells, but the larger
tumors tended to develop a tubular or papillary
pattern with vacuolated cells similar to those of
human carcinomas. The excretion of coproporphyrin
in urine collected from pairs of adult rats when
fed 1% Pb acetate and 16 days after cessation of
the Pb diet was 93 and 33 yg/2 rats/day, respec-
tively. The authors point out that the question
whether porphyrin or Pb derivative of the latter
is the carcinogen causing renal tumors remains
presently open and that further tests should be
carried out.
9J7 Brown, J.R., and Mastromatteo, E. (Univ.
Toronto, Canada): ACUTE ORAL AND PARENTE-
RAL TOXICITY OF FOUR TITANATE COMPOUNDS IN
THE RAT. Industrial Medicine and Surgery
31:302-4 (July), 1962.
The acute oral and ip toxicity of Pb titanate was
studied in Wistar rats, weighing ^250 g each. The
other titanates investigated were the Ba, Bi, and
Ca. Rats survived oral dosages exceeding 10 g/kg
of body weight; the minimum lethal dose by the
oral route exceeded 12 g/kg. The ip LD50 was 2
g/kg. Rats that survived appeared normal at the
end of 1 mo. Histologic study of the rats that
died from ip injection showed evidence of inflam-
matory changes in the liver, kidney, spleen and
lung and hemorrhagic areas in the kidneys. Re-
peated daily administration of 100 mg Pb titanate
to rats, weighing 100 g, by oral and ip routes,
did not produce any evidence of a cumulative ef-
fect during a 2-wk period. It is concluded that
in ordinary handling Pb titanate would present
little hazard in industrial exposure.
gjjg Caccuri, S., and Pecora, L. (Univ. Na-
ples, Italy): THE CHELATING ACTION OF
PORPHYRINS IN LEAD POISONING. Panminerva
Medica 4:367-8 (Sept.), 1962.
Rabbits were poisoned by 10% Pb acetate (2 ml
orally/day for 10 days) to determine whether and
to what extent CaEDTA interferes with the che-
lating action of porphyrins. Before poisoning,
the free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) levels
were determined 5 and 10 days from poisoning,
and 5 days after poisoning was suspended. Pb
levels were also determined in all the hydro-
chloric extracts (HC1E) on which protoporphyrin
levels had been determined. Although initially
Pb was absent from the HC1E, it subsequently
appeared and increased as poisoning progressed
and the protoporphyrins accumulated in the red
cells. Means for FEP and Pb in HC1E respec-
tively were: before poisoning, 0.46 yg, —;
after 5 days' poisoning, 1.63, 1.05 yg; after
10 days' poisoning, 2.47, 1.41; 1 day after
termination of Pb poisoning, 2.44, 1.36. Even
after 5 days' interval, the same levels as
those found at the completion of poisoning were
noted. A 2nd series of rabbits treated with
Pb for 10 days and receiving a daily iv dose
of 0.20 ml of 10% CaEDTA solution for 10 days
after discontinuance of the poisoning showed
the same results as the 1st series of rabbits;
FEP and Pb in HC1E respectively: before poi-
soning, 0.48 yg, —; after 5 days' poisoning,
1.81, 1.37 yg; after 10 days' poisoning, 1.90,
1.48; after 10 days' CaEDTA treatment, 2.23,
1.21.
The authors feel that these results confirm
the independent action (including the chelating
action) of erythrocyte free protoporphyrin and
CaEDTA.
989 Camerada, P., Congiu, M., and Leo, P.
(Univ. Cagliari, Italy): Comportamento
dell'acido neuraminico e del seromucoide
in ratti intossicati con piotnbo. (BEHAV-
IOR OF NEURAMINIC ACID AND SEROMUCOID IN
RATS INTOXICATED WITH LEAD.) Bollettino
della Societa Italiana di Biologia Speri-
mentale 38:1027-8, 1962.
Workers exposed to Pb and showing no obvious signs
of intoxication in spite of uptake of the metal,
showed an increase in serum mucoid and a decrease
in serum neuraminic acid. Ten adult male rats
were injected ip with Pb acetate equivalent to 5
mg Pb/100 g body weight. Ten similar untreated
rats were used as controls. The rats were decapi-
tated 8 hr after the injection and the serum mucoid
and neuraminic acid were determined. The mean con-
tent (mg%) for treated and controls was, respective-
ly: seromucoid, 226, 243; neuraminic acid, 67,
111. The difference in the means of neuraminic
acid was highly significant (P <0.001). While the
seromucoid results do not confirm those obtained
on human subjects, the neuraminic acid results do,
which suggests that this acid plays an important
role in Pb poisoning.
990 Camerada, P., Congiu, M., and Leo, P.
(Univ. Cagliari, Italy): L'acido neura-
minico nel tessuto nervoso di ratti intos-
sicati con Pb. (NEURAMINIC ACID IN THE
172
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
NERVOUS TISSUES OF RATS INTOXICATED WITH
Pb.) Bollettino della Societa Italiana
di Biologia Sperimentale 38, No. 20:1029-
39, 1962.
The hypothesis that neuraminic acid possesses Pb-
oinding properties was tested by determining the
acid in the brains of 9 rats (av 380 g weight)
given Pb acetate equivalent to 5 mg Pb/100 g ip.
Ten rats served as controls. The mean content
(mg/100 ml of tissue) of neuraminic acid for treat-
ed and untreated animals was, respectively, 111.5
and 126.2. The difference was statistically sig-
nificant (P <0.01). The authors conclude that this
reduction agrees with previous results obtained in
blood of human subjects. It is suggested that
neuraminic acid combines with Pb and is either
eliminated from the organism or becomes indeter-
minable by the methods used.
991 Catsch, A. (Nuclear Energy Res. Center,
Karlsruhe, Germany): (INFLUENCE OF CHE-
LATE-FORMING COMPOUNDS ON THE REACTIONS OF
LEAD IN RATS.) Arzneimittelforsch. 12:924-
30, 1962.
The influence of various chelate-forming compounds
on the distribution of radio-Pb in the organism
was studied in rats. 2:2'-Bis-(di-(carboxymethyl)-
amino)-diethyldisulfide and 2-mercaptoethylimino-
diacetic acid showed the most potent activity,
resulting in reduced deposition of radio-Pb. The
2 compounds were found superior in effect to all
other substances including EDTA. (From Nuclear
Science Abstracts 17:Abstract No. 13893, 1963)
992 Cherednichenko, L.K. (Inst. Hygiene Occup.
Diseases, Leningrad, USSR): Vliyanie
svintsovoi intoksikatsii na razvitie
eksperimental'nogo ateroskleroza. (THE
EFFECT OF LEAD POISONING ON DEVELOPMENT
OF EXPERIMENTAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS.) Gigicna
i Sanitariya 27:18-21 (Mar.), 1962.
Atherosclerosis was produced in 75 male rabbits
(2-2.5 kg weight) by administration of 0.6 g
cholesterol in their daily feed for 3-1/2 mo. Pb
poisoning was achieved by daily administration
(presumably orally) over 2-1/2 mo of 0.025 g Pb
acetate/kg with 3-4-wk intervals. The progress
of poisoning was followed by counts of basophilic
red cells and reticulocytes. The experimental
animals were divided into 4 groups: (1) received
only cholesterol; (2) cholesterol and Fb; (3) only
Pb; (4) no treatment. The extent of atherosclero-
sis was estimated from the amount of lipids de-
posited in the blood vessels. The findings showed
that during experimental atherosclerosis, Pb poi-
soning tended to increase hypercholesteremia; it
acted on blood pressure by increasing hypertensive
reactions. It also accelerated the development of
the atherosclerotic process by causing a consider-
able increase of the total amount of lipids in the
aortic wall. (15 references)
993 Cremer, J.E. (Med. Res. Council Lab.,
Carshalton, England): TETRAETHYL LEAD
TOXICITY IN RATS. Nature 195:607-8 (Aug.),
1962.
Daily intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg TEL
(in propanol and water) into 200-g-male rats
caused the death of 3 out of 4 rats on the 4th
day of injection. The surviving rat showed pro-
nounced excitation and body tremors. Analysis of
brain slices of rats killed 2 hr after receiving
3 daily injections of TEL showed that oxidation of
glucose was profoundly inhibited although the up-
take of l^C-glucose was not affected. The follow-
ing amounts of triethyl lead (TrEL) (yg/g) were
found in tissues: brain 19.5; kidney 22; liver 36;
blood 103. The amount of TrEL present in the
brain was sufficient to obscure any effects due to
TEL alone.
Discrepancies between the results obtained by
the author and by A. Vardanis (1961) in regard to
the rate of 02 consumption by brain slices are
discussed.
994 De Franciscis, P., and Boccalatte, F.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): LEAD ACETATE AND
DEVELOPMENT OF CHICK EMBRYO. Nature 193:
989-90 (Mar. 10), 1962.
When, after 8 days of incubation, 10, 20, and 30
mg Pb acetate were injected into the yolk sacs of
3 groups of 40 eggs respectively from White Leg-
horn fowls, the mortality rate of the embryos was
directly proportional to the dosage used, reaching
100% at 30 mg. In the groups treated with 10 and
20 mg Pb acetate there was practically no differ-
ence in growth-retarding effect or incidence of
malformations. A notable decrease in body weight
occurred in the living embryos of the eggs that
survived; mean body weights in relation to dose of
Pb acetate given were, respectively: 12.40 g,
10 mg; 12.60 g, 20 mg; 19.25, controls.
995 Dhar, D.C. (Central Drug Research Inst.,
Lucknow, India): STUDIES ON ANAEMIA:
PART VII. NUCLEIC ACID METABOLISM OF BONE
MARROW, SPLEEN AND LIVER DURING EXPERIMEN-
TAL LEAD ANAEMIA. Journal of Scientific
and Industrial Research 21C, No. 1:7-9,
1962.
Anemia was produced in albino adult male rats (140-
160 g weight) by intravenous injection of Pb ace-
tate (6 mg/100 g body weight) for 8 days. Deter-
mination of the ribonucleic acid phosphorus (RNAP)
and desoxyribonucleic acid phosphorus (DNAP) re-
vealed that the content of RNAP and DNAP in bone
marrow and spleen increased considerably in the
anemic rats. The DNAP content of the liver was
also enhanced in the anemic rats but there was
little change in RNAP content. RNAP values in
normal and anemic rats, respectively, were: bone
marrow: 77.66 mg/100 g, 89.86; spleen: 69.33,
80.01; liver: 71.05, 68.30. DNAP values were:
bone marrow: 64.87, 99.12; spleen: 82.05, 118.06;
liver: 25.45, 37.73. (17 references)
995 Fukutsuji, S. (Kyoto Prefect. Med. Univ.,
Japan): (LEAD POISONING. I. LEAD QUAN-
TITY EXCRETED INTO THE PAROTID AND SUB-
MAXILLARY-SUBLINGUAL SALIVAS AND THE FUNC-
TION OF THESE GLANDS.) Kyoto Furitsu Ika
Daigaku Zasshi 70:31-46, 1962.
The function of the salivary secretion and the
quantity of excreta were studied in 2 groups of
Pb-poisoned dogs with permanent fistula. One
group received 6 mg Pb/kg, intravenously, and the
other group received, subcutaneously, 3 mg Pb/kg
10 times on alternate days. For 20 days following
Plants and Animals
173
-------
the Pb administration, parotid and submaxillary-
sublingual salivas were collected at intervals by
taste stimulation with tartaric acid. In acute
poisoning the secretion rate decreased 5 hr after
administration, and dropped to a great extent in
the 1st day and then gradually returned to normal.
In chronic poisoning, the secretion rate decreased
on the 10th day after the 1st administration and
showed a marked decrease on the 18 or 19th day.
In poisoning, the concentration of Na+ and Cl~
decreased with secretion rate, while that of K+
showed no significant change. The viscosity of
the parotid saliva decreased slightly, but that of
submaxillary-sublingual saliva showed a marked rise
at the beginning and then fell correspondingly
with secretion rate. The specific gravity of paro-
tid saliva decreased with poisoning, but that of
submaxillary-sublingual saliva showed no definite
correlation. In acute poisoning, 10-15 vg Pb/ml
was found in the parotid saliva 1 hr after adminis-
tration, while 0.5-2.5 Mg/ml was found in submax-
illary-sublingual saliva. In chronic poisoning,
the amount of Pb increased in parotid and decreased
in submaxillary-sublingual salivas with poisoning.
In mixed saliva no significant difference was ob-
served in Pb content between normal and poisoning.
(From Chemical Abstracts 58:1844, 1963)
997 Fukutsuji, S. (Kyoto Prefect Med. Univ.,
Japan): (LEAD POISONING. II. METHOD FOR
COLLECTING PAROTID AND SUBMAXILLARY-SUB-
LINGUAL SALIVA OF DOG AND SECRETORY FUNC-
TION OF SALIVARY GLAND OF THE DOG POISONED
WITH LEAD.) Kyoto Furitsu Ika Daigaku
Zasshi 70:47-55, 1962.
Saliva was stimulated by pilocarpine in adult dogs
after intravenous administration of 6mg Pb/kg body
weight. The total amount of saliva secreted after
Pb administration was lower compared with the nor-
mal. Submaxillary-sublingual saliva showed a
marked increase in viscosity and specific gravity
while the specific gravity of parotid saliva was
decreased. The Pb concentration in normal parotid
saliva varied in direct proportion to the secre-
tion rate while after Pb administration it varied
inversely with the secretion rate. (From Chemical
Abstracts 58:10649, 1963)
998 Gajdos, A., Gajdos-Torok, M. , and Daniel!,
G. (Med. Clin., H3tel-Dieu, Paris, France):
TREATMENT BY ADENOSINE-5-MONOPHOSPHORIC
ACID OF EXPERIMENTAL SATURNISM IN RABBITS.
Nature 193:183-4 (Jan. 13), 1962.
Eight of 16 rabbits, poisoned by a single itu in-
jection of 100 mg/kg of Pb acetate, were treated
with a daily im dose of 100 mg of adenoslne-5-
monophosphoric acid (AMA), starting the day fol-
lowing intoxication, for 25 days. After the 2nd
day of treatment, urinary excretion of ALA, por-
phobilinogen and coproporphyrin diminished; uro-
porphyrin appeared in decreased amounts only to-
ward the 20th day. No effect was noticed on the
serum-level of ALA or free protoporphyrin contents
of erythrocytes while a clearly beneficial effect
was observed on Pb anemia. The bone marrow,
studied on the 18th day in 4 rabbits treated with
AMA showed an erythropoietic hyperplasia, absent
in the controls, and a normal curve of maturation
of erythroblasts.
999 Gasparini, P. (Univ. Padua, Italy): Studio
istoautoradiografico sulla localizzazione
del plombo radioattivo nel tessuto osseo.
(AUTORADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE LOCALIZATION
OF RADIOACTIVE LEAD IN BONE.) Acta Isotop-
ica 2, No. 1:91-9, 1962.
A study of the localization of 210pb in the bones
of dogs revealed that the highest uptake was in
the primitive osteones while in the ripe osteones
no or only a small amount of radioactivity was
observed. External and internal limitant laminae
usually did not take up Pb except in one case in
which the most internal lamina of the internal
limitant showed an intense radioactivity. (From
Nuclear Science 17:Abstract No. 27016, 1963)
1000 Gherardi, M. , and Salvi, G. (Univ. Parma,
Italy): Tossicita' sperimentale del piombo
tetrametile e del cloruro di piombo tri-
metile. (TOXICITY OF TETRAMETHYLLEAD AND
TRIMETHYLLEAD CHLORIDE.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 45:1254-62 (Dec.), 1962.
Repurified TML in 95% alcohol in doses varying
from 0.30-5.0 mg or 13.6-227.5 mg/kg was injected
sc in 8 groups of 6 adult Swiss albino mice each.
Six groups of 5 mice each were injected with tri-
methyllead (TrML) chloride in physiologic solution
in doses of 0.10-0.80 mg or 4.5-36.5 mg/kg. In
addition, 12 mice were injected with 1 mg TML in
order to follow the distribution of Pb in the
brain, liver and kidney upon sacrifice at 12, 24,
48, and 72 hr after injection. (Bambach and Bur-
key's dithizone method was used.)
With TML doses of 0.30-0.60 mg no signs of poi-
soning were seen. With 1 mg and higher, the typi-
cal signs appeared after a latent period of 30-40
hr, and death was preceded by convulsions. The
LDcQ of TML was 36.4 mg/kg (considerably lower
than was found by Buck and Kumro (1930) in rats).
The Pb recovered from mice after 12, 24, 48, and
72 hr was as follows, in pg: brain, 3, 7, 7.5,
24.5; liver, 30, 24, 15.6, 16.5; kidney, 11, 7.5,
10, 8.25. No difference was observed in the ef-
fects of poisoning by the 2 compounds. While the
initial effects were similar to those produced by
acute TEL or TrEL poisoning, the further develop-
ment of the clinical pattern was characterized by
the appearance of a paresis of the hind legs. TML
appeared almost as toxic as TEL while TrML chlo-
ride was much more toxic and its latent period
shorter (15-25 hr). The LD50 of TrML was 7 mg/kg,
lower than was earlier calculated by the authors.
They conclude that the toxicity of TML is mainly
due to the production of water-soluble TrML salts
during its metabolism.
1001 Hauschild, F. (Univ. Leipzig, Germany):
PHARMACOLOGY OF PEST-CONTROL AGENTS.
Ernaehrungsforschung 7:457-64, 1962.
Acute and chronic rat toxicity data for Pb arsenate
and other pesticides are given. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 58:1867, 1963)
1002 Hemingway, R.G., Brown, N.A., and Inglis,
J.S.S. (Univ. Glasgow, Scotland): THE
EFFECTS OF CALCIUM CARBONATE, LEAD ACETATE
AND COPPER SUPPLEMENTS ON BLOOD AND LIVER
COPPER CONCENTRATIONS OF YOUNG SHEEP. Re-
search in Veterinary Science 3, No. 4:348-
174
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
56, 1962.
The experiments were undertaken because of con-
flicting reports on the relationship of Pb to
swayback disease in sheep and because of lack of
information concerning effects of supplementary
Cu on blood and liver levels of normal sheep at
pasture. Forty sheep, 5 mo old, average initial
weight of 80 Ib were divided at random into 5
groups of 8. They were allowed to free-graze on
herbage containing 17.3 ppm Cu (dry matter). They
had been reared on a farm with no history of sway-
back and were assumed to be free of Cu deficiency.
Group 1 received a daily drench of 35 g Ca carbon-
ate, representing on the basis of Cu content of
herbage, 0.35%, an additional 1.40-1.75% Ca; Group
2, 100 mg Pb acetate/day drench supplying ^100 ppm
of the total dry matter; the herbage contained 15
ppm Pb; Group 3, a single injection of Cu glycine
at the start, supplying 45 mg Cu; Group 4 a drench
of 0.5 g CuS04-5H20 every 14 days; Group 5, con-
trol with no treatment. Seven weeks after the
start of the experiment 4 sheep of each group were
killed and the remainder slaughtered 13 wk after
the start. Blood samples were taken at the start
and every 14 days thereafter. Cu was determined
on all the blood and liver samples, Pb was deter-
mined in the blood, liver and kidney of the con-
trol group and Group 2. Fe was determined in all
liver samples. Cu was determined by the Brown
and Hemingway method, Pb by modification of the
dithizone method of Baxter and Allcroft (1950) , Fe
by method of Bothwell and Mallett (1955).
As summarized, the results showed that the
drenching with 100 mg Pb/day reduced both blood
and liver Cu concentrations of young sheep when
given for periods of 7-13 wk. Ca carbonate (35 g/
day for the same period) did not reduce liver Cu
contents but slightly depressed blood Cu concen-
trations. Of a single injection of Cu glycine 58%
was stored in the liver. Cu sulfate (0.5 g every
14 days) significantly increased liver Cu contents,
but only 2.4% of this additional Cu was stored in
the liver. Cu glycine given parenterally was more
effective than drenching with Cu sulfate.
There was a good correlation between liver Cu
values and blood Cu concentrations at the time of
slaughter when the liver Cu contents were <50 ppm
in the dry matter.
1003 Kilham, L., Low, R.J., Conti, S.F., and
Dallenbach, F.D. (Dartmouth Med. School,
Hanover, N.H.): INTRANUCLEAR INCLUSIONS
AND NEOPLASMS IN THE KIDNEYS OF WILD RATS.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
29:863-5 (Nov.), 1962.
Nuclear inclusions were found in kidneys of nearly
all of 62 seemingly healthy, adult wild rats cap-
tured on refuse dumps in Hanover, New Hampshire,
whereas 10 juvenile or younger rats of the same
locality had none. Adult albino rats (36) raised
under laboratory conditions had no renal inclu-
sions. The nuclear inclusions appeared to be as-
sociated with the development of renal neoplasms
ranging from circumscribed tumors to invasive,
metastasizing carcinoma, and resembled those in-
duced in control albino rats which were fed 1%
solutions of Pb acetate and later Pb subacetate
in drinking water. Assays of tissues of the wild
rats showed abnormal content of Pb, suggesting
chronic Pb poisoning. The source of the Pb was not
determined, but rats living and feeding on burning
refuse dumps are exposed constantly to Pb-contain-
ing fumes.
1004 Konikova, G.S. (Leningrad Res. Inst. Occup.
Hyg. Occup. Dis., USSR): CHOLESTEROL ME-
TABOLISM IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.
Byulleten Eksperimental'noi Biologii i
Meditsiny 54, No. 11:65-7, 1962; English
Translation: Bulletin of Experimental
Biology and Medicine 53/54:1246-8, 1962-
63.
The total and protein-bound cholesterol, as well
as the stability of the bond, were investigated in
the following groups of rabbits: (1) 5 were fed
daily 0.6 g cholesterol for 14 wk; (2) 5 received
daily 0.026 g/kg Pb acetate by stomach tube route,
for 1 mo, and again for 15 days after a 3-day in-
terruption; (3) 6 were administered both compounds;
(4) 10 served as controls. Rabbits receiving Pb
acetate alone exhibited reduced stability of pro-
tein-cholesterol bond, and a slight tendency to a
rise in the total cholesterol. Total unbound and
loosely bound cholesterol were higher in rabbits
receiving cholesterol + Pb acetate than in those
on cholesterol alone. The author concludes that
loss of stability of protein-cholesterol bonds ap-
pears as the 1st stage of Pb intoxication.
1005 Kosmiders S. (Silesian Med. Acad., Zabrze,
Poland): WpXyw jonow oXowiu na aktywnosc
fosfatazy zasadowej surowicy krwi w ostrym
doswiadczalnym zatruciu oraz in vitro.
(EFFECT OF LEAD IONS ON THE ACTIVITY OF
SERUM ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IN EXPERIMENTAL
ACUTE POISONING AND IN VITRO.) Polskie
Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej 32:1253-6,
1962.
Experiments with rabbits showed that in acute ex-
perimental Pb poisoning the fall of alkaline phos-
phatase activity in the blood serum depended on
the dose of intravenously administered Pb (ace-
tate). In vitro studies revealed that Pb has a
direct effect on the alkaline phosphatase complex
in the serum. The Pb ions depress alkaline phos-
phatase activity probably by inactivating the
sulfhydryl, amino, and carboxyl groups in the
protein part of the phosphatase.
1006 Lyubetskii, Kh.Z,, Shraiber, L.B., Kazakov,
K.S., Adamyan, R.I., and Abramova, L.I.
(Uzbek Res. Inst. Sanitation, Hyg., Occup.
Dis., Tashkent, USSR): Vliyanie Etilen-
diamintetrauksusnoi kisloty i vitaminov BI
i B^2 na techenie svintsovoi intoksikatsii
(eksperimental'nye issledovaniya). (EF-
FECT OF ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID
AND OF VITAMIN B^^ AND B12 ON THE COURSE OF
LEAD POISONING. (EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES.))
Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabole-
vaniya 6:45-6 (Dec.), 1962.
Acute and chronic Pb poisoning was induced in rab-
bits by Pb acetate, given either sc or iv in doses
of 10 or 5 mg/kg, respectively. The results of 7
series of experiments with 21 rabbits showed that
the administration of EDTA after manifest signs of
Pb poisoning, was reversed by EDTA; remission was
more rapid in combination with vitamin B-^ and Bjo.
Plants and Animals
175
-------
Pb, given in 1-3 iv doses of 10 mg/kg, caused a
decrease in hemoglobin, total protein and albumin
and globulin fractions, but 6-globulin was raised.
Blood cholinesterase and catalase activities were
also decreased. At 3-4 doses acute cachexia and
death followed. EDTA, administered iv and sc in
doses of 150 mg/kg twice daily, produced no toxic
signs after 30 days of treatment. After pretreat-
ment with 5 mg Pb/kg/day, sc, for 10-15 days,
treatment with EDTA reversed the harmful effects
of Pb in 10 days. Results were the same when 0.1
ml/kg of vitamins B-^ and B-j^ in 0.5% solution were
added. When Fe, Cu, and Co were added to EDTA, no
greater improvement was obtained than by EDTA
alone.
10Q7 Magnanelli, P., Zecca, I., d'Avino, R.,
Andreucci, G., and Salera, U. (Univ. Rome,
Italy) : La dinamica del ferro nelle
frazioni ferroprotidiche midollari in con-
dizioni patologiche. IV. Intossicazione
da piombo. (THE DYNAMICS OF IRON IN THE
FERROPROTEIN FRACTIONS OF BONE MARROW IN
PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS. IV. LEAD IN-
TOXICATION.) Bollettino della Societa
Italians di Biologia Sperimentale 38, No.
7:334-7, 1962.
Rabbits, average weight 2.2 kg, were poisoned by
feeding daily for 2 mo an aqueous solution of 200
mg Pb acetate with their morning ration. At the
end of 2 mo the rabbits were injected iv with 30
yCi 59FeCl3 and killed 30 min, 3 hr or 24 hr later.
For in-vitro studies, bone marrow pieces were
placed in isotonic solution of pH 7.2 and reacted
with 2.5 mg Pb acetate. After 1 hr's incubation
at 37°, 10 pCi 59FeCl3 was added and the incuba-
tion continued for 3 hr. Hemoglobin showed almost
no radioactivity in vitro. In the in vivo experi-
ment, in comparison with the normal values, all
fractions (ferritin and unidentified) showed a sig-
nificantly elevated radioactivity at hr 1/2, while
at hr 24 the values were much lower except for the
precipitate which remained somewhat elevated. The
increase of radioactivity in the precipitate and
the faster electrophoretic fraction is explained
by a lack of utilization of Fe in hemoglobin syn-
thesis.
1008 Makashev, K.K. (Kazakh Acad. Sci., USSR):
Vliyanie kal'tsievoi i dvunatrievoi soli
etilendiamintetrauksusnoi kisloty na vsasy-
vanie, nakoplenie i vyvedenie svintsa iz
organizma pri svintsovoi intoksikatsii.
(EFFECT OF CALCIUM AND DISODIUM SALTS OF
ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID ON LEAD
ABSORPTION, ACCUMULATION, AND EXCRETION
FROM THE SYSTEM AFTER LEAD INTOXICATION.)
Trudy Instituta Kraevoi Patologii, Akademi-
ya Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 10:180-9, 1962.
The preparations used in these experiments were
CaNa2EDTA (CaNaE) and Na2H2EDTA (NaHE). White rats
(200-300 g weight) were divided into 3 groups to
receive the following orally: (1) 18 controls,
21°Pb; (2) 10, 210pb + CaNaE; (3) 10, 210pb + NaHE.
All animals were first subjected to Pb intoxication
by the administration of 1 ml 2.5% solution of Pb
acetate/kg/day for 4-5 mo, until signs of poisoning
developed. 210pj, was then administered at 2000
counts/g tissue. Groups 2 and 3, after this admin-
istration received by stomach tube 1 ml 10% solu-
tions/kg of CaNaE and NaHE, respectively, over a
period of 30 days. The elimination of 210pb was
followed daily in urine and feces and the radioac-
tivity of 10 organs and tissues was measured on
days 5, 15 and 30 of the experiment. The results
showed that both EDTA salts decreased Pb absorption
in the digestive tract, and increased the excretion
of Pb, primarily in the feces, but NaHE was
approximately twice as effective as CaNaE. The
accumulation of 210pb in organs of rats given NaHE
was significantly smaller than in controls, and
the latter caused higher accumulation of Pb in
bones than CaNaE.
1Q09 Makashev, K.K., and Akhmedova, A.S.
(Kazakh Acad. Sci., USSR): Vliyanie
CaNa2 EDTA i kortizona na raspredelenie
fosfora i kal'tsiya v organakh i tkanyakh
i vydelenie ikh iz organizma pri svintso-
voi intoksikatsii. (THE EFFECT OF ETHYL-
ENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE (EDTA) AND CORTI-
SONE ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF PHOSPHORUS AND
CALCIUM IN ORGANS AND TISSUES AND THEIR
EXCRETION FROM THE SYSTEM AFTER LEAD IN-
TOXICATION.) Trudy Instituta Kraevoi
Patologii, Akademiya Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR
10:190-7, 1962.
Three groups of white rats (250-300 g weight) were
used: 16 were given 1 ml/kg of a 2.5% solution of
Pb acetate daily for 4-5 mo. The other 2 groups
of 16 each were treated as above and received cor-
tisone or CaNa2EDTA. After symptoms of Pb intox-
ication appeared, the animals were given once 1000
counts/g tissue of 32p aiwj 45ca and then daily
intramuscular injections of 10-25 mg cortisone or
oral doses of CaNa2EDTA. Cortisone caused an in-
crease of excreted P while Ca excretion was un-
affected, and an increase of accumulation of 32p
and 45ca in the bone tissue. CaNa2EDTA decreased
32p and ^Ca. accumulation in bone tissue and blood
and increased their urinary excretion. CaNa2EDTA
was more effective than cortisone for excretion
of Pb from the system.
1010 Minden, H. (German Central Inst. Ind. Med.,
Berlin-Lichtenberg): Die Beteiligung des
GefUsssystems bei der Bleivergiftung. (THE
PARTICIPATION OF THE VASCULAR SYSTEM IN
LEAD INTOXICATION.) Archiv fllr Gewerbe-
pathologie und Gewerbehygiene 19, No. 6:
581-8, 1962.
Fifteen rabbits were injected over a period of 1
yr with intravenous doses of 0.3% Pb acetate.
Doses and frequency of injection were adjusted to
the hematologic findings in such a way that the
animals showed clear signs of Pb exposure but no
distinct symptoms of Pb intoxication. Six of the
experimental animals died during the test and the
remaining ones, which were injected with doses of
Pb acetate reaching a total of 352-1273 mg showed
a Pb accumulation of 486-1470 yg% in the liver and
570-1388 yg% in the kidney. Loss in body weight
ranged from maxima of 220-1370 g. Histologic ex-
amination included the liver, kidney, heart, mus-
cle, aorta, brain, and some sections of the adre-
nal and lung. The most pronounced changes were
seen in the kidneys; however, the intensity varied
with the animals. One that had received the low-
176
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
est dose, showed highest Pb values in liver and
kidney. Histologic examination showed patholog-
ical changes in the kidney and heart, including
kidney cell enlargement, cell-wall thickening,
damage of the glomeruli, myocardial cell infiltra-
tion, and hypertrophy of the intima. Cholesterol
values determined in some instances and phospha-
tides in serum were within normal limits. (15
references)
1011 Mokranjac, M.S., Radmic, S., and Solda-
tovic, D. (Univ. Belgrade, Yugoslavia):
Delovanje vitamina c kao antidota pri tro-
vanju letalnim dozama olova. (ACTION OF
VITAMIN C AS AN ANTIDOTE IN INTOXICATIONS
BY LETHAL DOSES OF LEAD.) Acta Pharmaceu-
tica Jugoslavica 12, No. 1:3-6, 1962.
Guinea pigs were poisoned by intraperitoneal ad-
ministration of Pb acetate solutions (120 mg Pb/kg
body weight on the 1st day, 60 mg/kg on the 5th
and 8th day). According to the experience of oth-
er authors, these doses always proved to be leth-
al. Control guinea pigs received only the Pb ace-
tate solution while the experimental animals were
given simultaneously daily doses of 0.1 and 0.2 g
vitamin C. All controls died within the first 12
days. The mortality in the experimental group was
greatly diminished: 50% of the guinea pigs died
by the 14th day while the other 50% survived and
completely recovered. These results confirm the
efficacy of vitamin C as an antidote to lethal
doses of Pb. (From authors' French summary)
1Q12 Nurmaganbetov, E.K. (Kazakh Acad. Sci.,
USSR): Raspredelenie lipoidov i ketoster-
oidov v kory nadpochechnikov pri svint-
sovoi intoksikatsii. (DISTRIBUTION OF
LIPIDS AND KETO STEROIDS IM THE ADRENAL
CORTEX IN THE COURSE OF LEAD INTOXICATION.)
Trudy Instituta Kraevoi Patologii, Akade-
miya Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 10:121-7, 1962.
Two groups of rabbits (12 and 10 respectively)
received a dose of 1 ml/kg/24 hr of 5% or 2%
solution of Pb acetate, respectively, over a per-
iod of 2.5-3 or 7-8 mo; 5 in each group served as
controls. The hemoglobin level decreased to 15-
25%, the number of erythrocytes to 2 x 10"/mm-'.
The weight of the adrenal glands in the 5%, 2%,
and control groups was 300-400, 300-830 and 250-
350 mg, respectively. After the acute intoxica-
tion hypertrophia and hyperplasia of the cells,
rise of functional activity and decrease of keto-
steroids and lipids was found. Chronic intoxica-
tion caused necrotic cell changes, a considerable
decrease of steroids and lipids and failure of
secretion activity.
1013 Nurmaganbetov, E.K. (Acad. Sci. Kazakh
SSR): Funktsional'noe sostoyanie kory
nadpochechnikov pri ostrom svintsovom
otravlenii. (CHANGES IN THE ADRENAL COR-
TEX IN ACUTE LEAD POISONING.) Vestnik
Akademii Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 18, No. 1:88-
95, 1962.
Experiments were performed with 17 rabbits (2.5-
3.0 kg weight), 6 of which received 1 mg/kg of a
5% Pb acetate solution for 2-1/2 mo; 6 others re-
ceived the same oral dose for 3-1/2 mo; 5 served
as controls. Sections of the adrenal glands were
examined histologically. In the early stages of
poisoning, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the.
fascicular zone were observed, and adenomatous
cells (functionally active) were found in the
glomerular zone. Lipid staining and ketosteroid
determination suggested that there was increased
secretory activity. The later stages of poisoning
produced extensive necrosis, with depletion of
lipid and ketosteroids.
1014 Odynets, R.N.: (METHODS OF DETERMINATION
OF TRACE-ELEMENT REQUIREMENTS IN DOMESTIC
ANIMALS.) Mikroelementi v Zhivotnovodstve
i Rastenievodstve, Akad. Nauk. Kirg. SSR
1962, No. 1:47-53.
Requirements of such trace elements as Co, I, Zn,
Mn, Cu, Sr, Be, Ba, Mo, Pb, in water and pasture
by domestic animals are discussed. Increased as
well as decreased intake results in impaired
health. The balance of some elements during an
experimental period of 6-12 mo was determined from
their content in water and feed ingested and in
excreted feces. Weight, fertility, production of
milk and flesh and health of the animals were in-
vestigated. The organs of dead animals were exam-
ined histologically. (From Chemical Abstracts
59:5559, 1963)
1015 Orlando, E., and Matassoni, G. (Univ.
Bologna, Italy): Comportamento della
piombemia nell'intossicazione acuta speri-
mentale. (BLOOD LEVEL OF LEAD DURING
ACUTE EXPERIMENTAL INTOXICATION.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 45:1270-80 (Dec.), 1962.
The Pb level in the blood was determined in 9 rab-
bits at 1, 5, 20, 40, and 60 days after a single
sc injection of 200 mg Pb acetate. On the aver-
age, the Pb concentration in the rabbits rapidly
increased to 10 times its normal value in control
animals; then after a temporary decrease, it slow-
ly increased to a peak 30 times the normal value
over a period of 40 days. Iv administration of
200 mg/kg of CaNa2EDTA to a 2nd group of 6 rabbits,
5 days following similar Pb intoxication, resulted
in an initial rapid increase, followed by a rapid
decrease of the Pb content in the blood so that
the control value was reached only 20 days after
intoxication. In a 3rd group of 6 rabbits, simi-
larly poisoned, the concentration of ALA in the
serum was determined. The values obtained corre-
sponded exactly with those in the 1st group. From
these results it appears that CaNa2EDTA produces
an efficient elimination of Pb from blood. A
close relation between Pb in the blood and metabol-
ic changes resulting in increased levels of ALA
in the blood and urine was confirmed. (From
authors' summary; 15 references)
1016 Pigulevskaya, M.L. (Kazakh Acad. Sci.,
USSR): K voprosu pnevmokonioza na svints-
ovo-baritovylch rudnikakh Kazakhstana,
(PNEUMOCONIOSIS IN LEAD-BARITE MINES OF
KAZAKHSTAN.) Trudy Instituta Kraevoi Pa-
tologii, Akademiya Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 10:
13-5, 1962.
The free silica content was determined in 12 ore
samples and found to range from 0.66-0.22%; Ba con-
tent was >5%, while in the Pb-Zn layer, Ba was
present only in traces, 0.01%. Intratracheal ad-
Plants and Animals
177
-------
ministration of the dust to albino rats produced a
lung disease typical of fibrosis.
1017 Reuber, M.D., and Schmieler, G.C. (Har-
vard Med. School, Boston, Mass.): EDE1ATE
KIDNEY LESIONS IN RATS. Archives of En-
vironmental Health 5:430-6 (Nov.), 1962.
Sprague-Dawley male rats, each weighing ^200 g,
were injected intraperitoneally, daily, with 500
mg/kg Pb edetate or 250-500 mg/kg Na or Ca edetate,
up to 21 days, and sacrificed at different time
intervals. Na edetate was the most toxic of the
drugs; in 400- and 500-mg doses it produced se-
vere hydropic degeneration of the proximal convo-
luted tubules of the kidney in all rats. The ad-
ministration of 500 mg Ca edetate to the rats
caused only minimal changes in the kidney even
though the dose employed was much larger than that
used to treat Pb intoxication in man. Pb edetate
was found to be also only mildly nephrotoxic to
rats. The degeneration in this group was followed
by regeneration of cells lining the proximal con-
voluted tubules.
Since the kidney changes produced in rats by Ca
or Pb edetate were hardly comparable to the nephro-
sis in human cases of Pb intoxication, it would
seem that some other factor may be necessary for
these compounds to cause acute renal failure. (23
references)
1Q18 Rotta, C., Parigi, A., Brusca, A., and
Margaglia, F. (Univ. Turin, Italy): Im-
portanza della percentuale di piombo nelle
leghe Pb-Sn sul suo assorbimento. Nota I.
Dati sperimentali. (THE EFFECT OF THE LEAD
CONTENT OF LEAD-TIN ALLOYS ON THEIR ABSORP-
TION. I. EXPERIMENTAL DATA.) Lavoro Umano
14, No. 12:736-48, 1962.
This study was performed in the aim of lowering the
Pb poisoning risk in workers employed in the filing
of Pb-Sn alloys. In-vitro tests on the solubility
in HC1 (pH 1.2) at 37° of Pb-Sn alloys, reduced to
dust such as might be generated by high-speed
abrasive wheels commonly used in the repair of au-
tomobile bodies, revealed that ^17% of the Pb dis-
solved from a 97% Pb alloy and only 3.6 and 2.2%,
respectively, from a 75% or 50% alloy. Oral ab-
sorption in vivo was studied in dogs by introduc-
ing dust filings into animals with the Heidenhain
pouch. Pb analysis of blood from the femoral
artery showed a 57% reduction in absorption with
a change from the 97% to the 75% alloy and a 46%
reduction when going from the 75% to the 50% Pb
alloy. The results were similar when the dogs
were fed the various alloys mixed with meat. In
tracheal intubation, absorption from 75% Pb alloy
dust was ^50% that found from the 97% Pb alloy.
(18 references)
1019 Ryazanov, V.A.: INVESTIGATIONS IN THE
FIELD OF LIMITS OF ALLOWABLE CONCENTRA-
TIONS OF ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTANTS DURING
1958-1959. In Ryazanov, V.A., ed.: Limits
of Allowable Concentrations of Atmospheric
Pollutants, Book 5, translated by B.S.
Levine, Washington, US Department of Com-
merce, Office of Technical Services, 1962,
pp. 1-18.
Experimental studies conducted by M.I. Gusev and
O.P. Shalamberidze on the comparative toxicity of
Pb sulfide and Pb oxide, and on the MAC for Pb
compounds in the air are reviewed. The presently
adopted limit in the USSR of allowable Pb concen-
trations in air of 0.7 yg/m3/24 hr is considered
to be adequately founded. However, since Pb oxide
is i^5 times as toxic as Pb sulfide (calculated
for Pb), Gusev recommends that a MAC of 1.7 ug/ir\3
for Pb as Pb sulfide be established.
1020 Schroeder, H.A., Vinton, W.H., Jr., and
Balassa, J.J. (Darmouth Med. School, Han-
over, N.H.; Brattleboro Retreat, Vt.):
EFFECT OF CHROMIUM, CADMIUM AND LEAD ON
SERUM CHOLESTEROL OF RATS. Proceedings
of the Society for Experimental Biology
and Medicine 109:859-60 (Apr.), 1962.
Three groups of 20 male Long-Evans rats, maintained
on a controlled diet and environment as to trace
metals, were given 5 ppm Pb acetate, Cd chloride,
or Cr acetate in their drinking water for 10-20 mo.
One group of 20 rats served as controls. The mean
level of serum cholesterol in the Pb-fed group was
71.3 mg/100 ml (p <0.01) as compared to 101.7 in
the controls. The average level of hepatic choles-
terol in the Pb-fed group measured in pairs of
animals matched for age was (mg/100 g wet tissue)
325 as compared to 335 in the controls. Pb con-
centrations in the liver were 0-0.33 yg/g in the
controls, 0-0.49 in the Cd-fed and 2.0-3.1 in the
Pb-fed groups. In conclusion Pb and Cd appeared
to lower serum cholestrol levels significantly;
Cr was without demonstrable effect. Hepatic lev-
els were apparently unchanged.
1021 Selye, H., Tuchweber, B., and Gabbiani, G.
(Univ. Montreal, Canada): CALCINOSIS IN-
DUCED BY LEAD ACETATE. Journal of Phar-
macology and Experimental Therapeutics
138:131-8 (Oct.), 1962.
Among many others,PbCl2 is mentioned as a "direct
calcifier," capable of producing calcification at
the site of injection without sensitization.
Though most of them are highly toxic and thus un-
suitable for iv administration, at high dose lev-
els, it was observed that rats tolerate Pb acetate
iv in amounts which produce heavy Ca deposits in
certain internal organs. Female Holtzman albino
rats, weighing 90-110 g, were used in a 6-day ex-
periment. Visceral and topical calcinoses were
produced by iv injections of 5 mg Pb acetate in a
1.0 ml aqueous solution twice with a 5-hr inter-
val; for the 1st, as much as 10 mg/injection was
used in repeat experiments; for the topical, in-
jection was followed by trauma. Mortality was 30%
or higher, but in all rats calcified masses were
found at the portal vein, pancreas, spleen, cecum
near the ileocecal valve and along mucosa folds in
adjacent parts of the colon. Topical calcinosis
was only achieved when trauma was applied immedi-
ately after the 2nd injection. Cutaneous calcino-
sis was produced by 1 iv injection of 7.5 mg Pb
acetate followed by trauma, and local calcinosis,
by 7.5 mg iv, with subsequent sc injection of
blood removed from the jugular vein into the same
group, into a 2nd group 1 hr later, and into a 3rd
group, 1 day later. For control, skin on the
contralateral flank was crushed.
This calcinosis is attributed to extravasation
178
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
of blood and plasma. Topical application of me- •
chanical trauma or chemical irritants, Polymyxin,
etc, immediately following a single iv injection
of Pb acetate induces local calcinosis presumably
again as a consequence of extravasation of Pb-
containing fluid from the circulation.
The reported experiments show that a high enough
Pb concentration in blood can be built up to in-
duce Ca deposition in the portal territory. Pre-
sumably Pb acetate causes minute hemorrhages here.
Local trauma induces topical calcinosis when the
metal concentration in the blood is still very
high; both spontaneous calcifications and those
purposely induced by trauma after iv Pb acetate
injections are the result of tissue imbibition
with extravasated whole blood or serum. It remains
questionable whether Pb itself or some calcifiable
substrate produced under influence of Pb gives rise
to calcinosis.
1022 Semenov, D.I., and Tregubenko, I.P. (Inst.
Biol., Svedlovsk, USSR): (MOBILIZATION OF
Ce144 AND Pb210 FROM TISSUE OF THE ORGAN-
ISM BY LATE APPLICATION OF DIETHYLENETRI-
AMINOPENTAACETATE.) Biokhimiya 27:317-21,
1962.
Diethylenetriaminopentaacetate as a Na salt and a
Ca complex were tested for their capacity to mo-
bilize !44ce and 210Pb in male and female rats
which had been injected intravenously with
1^l4CeCl3 and 210Pb nitrate. Na-diethylenetriamino-
pentaacetate was slightly more effective in male
rats and less effective in female rats than the
Ca-diethylenetriaminopentaacetate. ^10p^ mobili-
zation by both forms of diethylenetriaminopenta-
acetate was less efficient than that of
(From Chemical Abstracts 57:2809, 1962)
144
Ce.
1023 Shlopak, T,V. (Stanislavsk Med. Inst.,
USSR): Nekotorye osobennosti khimizma
khrustalika v norme i patologii. (Soobsh-
chenie 1-e. Soderzhanie ryada khimiches-
kikh elementov v prozrachnykh khrustalikakh
zhivotnykh i cheloveka). (CERTAIN CHARAC-
TERISTICS OF CRYSTALLINE LENS CHEMISTRY,
NORMAL AND PATHOLOGIC. (I. THE CONTENT
OF A SERIES OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS IN THE
TRANSPARENT CRYSTALLINE LENS OF ANIMALS
AND MAN.)) Oftal'mologicheskii Zhurnal 17,
No. 5:273-6, 1962.
Eye lenses of fish, frogs, birds, and mammals were
analyzed spectrographically and colorimetrically
for Pb and other trace elements; the material con-
sisted of 552 animal and 160 human specimens.
Aside from a relationship with age, one between
the content of trace elements and the disturbance
of enzymic activity and metabolism in relation to
cataract was also noted. (No quantitative infor-
mation is given for Pb.)
1024 Skripnichenko, Z.M., and Zholnerovich, L.S.
(V.P. Filatov Ukranian Res. Inst. Eye Dis.,
USSR): Aktivnost kholinesterazy i regu-
lyatsiya oftal'motonusa u krolikov pri TES
intoksikatsii. (CHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY
AND INTRAOCULAR TENSION IN TETRAETHYLLEAD-
POISONED RABBITS.) Oftal'mologicheskii
Zhurnal 17, No. 8:484-90, 1962.
After establishing the norms of cholinesterase
(ChE) activity in the blood, one of 2 groups of 1-
yr-old rabbits (2.5-3.0 kg) received TEL solutions
(ethyl fluid) in fish oil in sc doses of 0.02 mg/
kg body weight every 3 days. ChE activity was
determined after 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 injections,
by the method of Zubkova and Plavdich-Heminska
(1945). Controls (17) showed ChE activity of av
45.5, and the test animals (16) before injection,
42.0+0.9. On the basis of these tests, extend-
ing over 30-60 days, only slight fluctuations were
observed; and intraocular pressure in either eye
did not exceed 24.0 mm. TEL poisoning depressed
the activity of blood serum ChE and affected seri-
ously the ophthalmotonal regulation. After 10-15
injections of TEL, ChE activity was reduced by
27-40%. Intraocular pressure increased to 32-34
mm and there were greater differences between max-
imum and minimum tension and more greater fluctu-
ations than in normal animals. No functional con-
nection was found between ChE activity and the
degree of intraophthalmic pressure regulation.
ChE activity returned to normal within 1 mo after
TEL injections were discontinued while ophthalmo-
tonal regulation was disturbed even 2 mo after
TEL administration had been discontinued. (30
references)
1025 Sortino, G., and Rasa, R. (Univ. Catania,
Sicily): (EFFECT OF EXPERIMENTAL INTOXI-
CATION BY LEAD ACETATE ON THE ORAL MUCOSA
OF THE RAT.) Gazz . Sanit. 33, No. 10-11:
605-8, 1962.
Rats poisoned with Pb acetate developed only a
small gingival edge, but histologic examination of
the oral mucosa showed marked congestion and lymph-
ocytic infiltration in almost all cases. The Pb is
probably fixed to the tissues as a colloidal Pb
phosphate. (From Chemical Abstracts 59:13255,
1963)
1026 Sortino, G. , and Terranova, P. (Univ. Degli
Studi, Catania, Italy): (ACTION OF VITAMIN
B COMPLEX ON VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE ORAL
MUCOSA OF RATS INTOXICATED WITH LEAD ACE-
TATE.) Gazz. Sanit. 33:418-9, 1962.
In young rats receiving 2 cc of a 1.5% solution of
Pb acetate gastrically, injection of a vitamin B
preparation intramuscularly protected the buccal
mucosa against the chronic inflammation resulting
from the Pb acetate alone. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 58:7285, 1963)
1027 Sroczynski, J. (Silesian Med. Acad., Zab-
rze, Poland): Badania nad mechanizmem
niedokrwistosci olowiczej. (STUDIES ON THE
MECHANISM OF ANEMIA IN LEAD POISONING.)
Polskie Archivum Medycyny Wewnetrzne 32,
No. 7:673-81, 1962.
Two groups of rabbits were poisoned by intravenous
injections with alkaline Pb acetate. Acute Pb poi-
soning was produced in one group and chronic poi-
soning in the second one. Cytochemical examination
of erythrocytes was performed to determine the
chemical composition of the granulations occurring
in Pb poisoning. It was found that the mechanism
of Pb-induced anemia depends on the hemolytic pro-
cesses and the inhibition of Fe incorporation into
the porphyrin molecule, both of which exist simul-
taneously, and eventually lead to a decrease of
Plants and Animals
179
-------
hemoglobin. In the anemia of acute Pb poisoning,
the heraolytic processes predominate while in chron-
ic Pb poisoning the impairment of Fe incorporation
is the main factor. Pb induces not only hemolysis
of mature erythrocytes but damages also the eryth-
roblasts by inhibiting hemoglobin production and
probably by inactivating mitochondrial ribonuclea-
ses. (From author's English summary; 20 references)
1028 Suzutani, T., and Taira, H. (Wakayama Med.
Coll., Japan): BIOCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF
LEAD. I. LEAD CONTENT IN BLOOD OF RABBIT
ADMINISTERED WITH LEAD. Wakayama Medical
Reports 7:29-36 (Mar.), 1962.
Male mature rabbits, weighing 1.9-2.3 kg, were di-
vided into groups of 4 animals each and fed a diet
in which the daily Pb content was always below 92
yg which is the lowest amount of Pb determinable
by polarography. A solution of 0.55 g Pb acetate/
100 ml was administered to the animals sc, iv or
orally, at the rate of 6 or 3 mg Pb/kg body weight.
Blood samples taken from the ear vein were analyzed
by the method of Suzutani, which is described in
detail and in which Pb is completely liberated
from the proteins, then determined polarographical-
ly. The error of the method is within 5%. The Pb
level in 10 of 38 normal rabbits was <20 yg/100
ml; 82% of those having a Pb concentration >20 yg/
100 ml, had <50 pg/100 ml; the highest concentra-
tion found was 87 yg/100 ml. Daily analysis of
the Pb concentration in the blood of 4 normal rab-
bits revealed that (1) the greatest daily varia-
tion in an individual rabbit was 26 yg/100 ml and
(2) that every rabbit had a blood Pb concentration
characteristic for this individual. Data of the
Pb content in blood of rabbits over a period of 60
days after oral or sc administration of a single
dose of 6 mg Pb/kg are presented in graphs. The
2 curves obtained are almost identical; the Pb
level begins to decrease on the 2nd day after ad-
ministration; on the 4th or 5th day a slight tran-
sient rise occurs which is followed by a continu-
ous drop to nearly normal levels by the 10th-25th
day and to complete recovery of the normal level
on the 45th day. Other graphs demonstrate data
obtained after repeated oral, sc and iv admini-
stration of Pb. When 3 mg Pb/kg was administered
once in 3 days for 30 days, the patterns of the Pb
content in blood were almost the same, regardless
of route: Pb began to increase very acutely
toward a peak on days 9-10, fell to a minimum on
days 15-18 and then started another acute rise.
When 3 mg Pb/kg was administered orally once every
other day for 20 days, a peak was reached on the
4th day which was followed by a decrease to day
20. The periodical increase and decrease of the
blood Pb after repeated Pb administration over a
period of time was explained as follows: In the
initial stage of poisoning, the tissues cannot ab-
sorb the whole amount of Pb entering the blood
circulation, and consequently, a remarkable in-
crease of the blood Pb level occurs. As the Pb-
combining power of the tissues increases, they
absorb more Pb than enters the circulation and the
blood Pb level decreases. However, the Pb-combin-
ing power of the tissues reaches a threshold after
which the blood Pb level rises again.
1029
Todd, J.R.: A KNACKERY SURVEY OF LEAD POI-
SONING INCIDENCE IN CATTLE IN NORTHERN
IRELAND. Vet. Record 74:116-8, 1962.
A survey of the Pb content of the cortical tissue
of kidneys of animals at a knackery receiving car-
casses from all over Northern Ireland, showed Pb
poisoning to be responsible for deaths of 1.7% of
adult cattle and for 4.5% of calves. (From Vet-
erinary Bulletin 32:Abstr. No. 2024, 1962)
1030 Tregubenko, I.P., Podgornaya, I.V., Postov-
skii, I.Ya., and Semenov, D.I. (Biophys.
Lab., Inst. Chem., Ural Acad. Sci., Sverd-
lovsk, USSR): Uskorenie vydeleniya ittri-
ya, tseriya i svintsa iz organisma pri po-
moshchi uramildiatsetata, 1,2-diamintsiklo-
geksantetraatsetata i polietilenpoliamino-
poliatsetata. (ACCELERATION OF THE EXCRE-
TION FROM THE ORGANISM OF YTTRIUM, CERIUM
AND LEAD WITH THE AID OF URAMIL DIACETATE,
1,2-DIAMINECYCLOHEXANETETRAACETATE AND
POLYETHYLENEPOLYAMINOPOLYACETATE.) Radio-
biologiya 2:200-6, 1962.
As determined in rats, polyethylene polyamine
polyacetate (PEPAPA) had a marked effect on the
deposition in tissues and on the elimination from
the organism of ^ Ce and ^lOpb, greater than that
of all complexons tested to date. On Yb this
complexon had the same effect as uramildiacetate
(UDA) but greater than diaminocyclohexanetetra-
acetate (DCHTA). When used long after radioisotope
treatment, PEPAPA increased the rate of elimination
of Yb, Ce and Pb to a considerably higher degree
than UDA and DCHTA. UDA was very effective when
administered early but was ineffective on the
elimination of Yb, Ce, and Pb from the organism if
administered at a later time.
1Q31 Van Esch, G.J., Van Genderen, H., and
Vink, H.H. (Natl. Inst. Pub. Health,
Utrecht, Netherlands): THE INDUCTION OF
RENAL TUMOURS BY FEEDING OF BASIC LEAD
ACETATE TO RATS. British Journal of Can-
cer 16:289-97 (June), 1962.
Two groups of Wistar rats (24-30 each) were given
from weanling age, a diet containing 0.1 (Group 1)
and 1% (Group 2) basic Pb acetate, for 29 and 24
mo, respectively. The rate of growth was lower in
both groups as compared to that of their respective
controls, and the life span of group 2 was short-
ened. Blood tests performed in the 2 groups after
14 and 37 wk of feeding, respectively, showed the
presence of anemia, increase in number of leuko-
cytes, and basophilic stippling in Group 2, while
Group 1 showed normal blood values. Renal tumors
were observed after 1 yr in the 1% group (in 13 of
24 rats) and after 1.5 yr in the 0.1% group (in 11
of 32) occurring in equal number among males and
females. Carcinomas were found in 3 rats of Group
1. Histologic examination showed an enlarged
kidney which was granular to cystic in appearance,
chronic interstitial nephritis, deposits of Pb
salts, epithelial cells with enlarged nuclei con-
taining inclusion bodies. The mean concentrations
of Pb and Fe in the kidneys after 14-21 days of
feeding Pb acetate and of coproporphyrin in urine
after 14 days of feeding, were, respectively:
75 and 71 yg/g and 19 yg/24 hr in Group 1, and 192
and 55 yg/g and 38 yg/24 hr in Group 2. Observa-
tions made on virus activation by the Pb-contain-
180
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ing food and on the radioactivity of the Pb prepa-
ration did not support the possibility of attribu-
ting the carcinogenic effect to one of these fac-
tors.
In the discussion, the authors compared the dose
level used in the experiments with amounts of
human exposure considered to be poisonous. As the
caloric value of the food was 3700 K cal/kg, a man
ingesting 3000 K cal of the same food would ingest
0.81 kg, or 810 mg of Pb acetate, or 550 mg Pb/
day, which is far in excess of doses tolerated by
man. This could explain the fact that in chronic
poisoning, renal tumors have not been seen, and
that the occurrence of other symptoms would limit
the dose or duration of exposure to levels that
are insufficient for tumor production.
1032 Von Studnitz, W., and Haeger-Aronsen, B.
(Univ. Lund, Malmb, Sweden): URINARY EX-
CRETION OF AMINO ACIDS IN LEAD-POISONED
RABBITS. Acta Pharmacologica et Toxicolog-
ica 19:36-42, 1962.
a-Amino N and glycine were determined in the urine
of 10 adult rabbits. Seven of these rabbits (4
males, 3 females) weighing 2.5-3.5 kg, then receiv-
ed a sc injection of 125 mg of 4% Pb acetate/kg.
The rate of creatinine excretion in the urine
ranged from 52-98 mg%, mean 71 mg%, never exceed-
ing the upper normal limit. The excretion of gly-
cine and ALA increased 3-10 times during the l-4th
days, declined towards normal during the following
week and then increased again slowly. The initial
ascent of the curves of excretion was attributed
to a prerenal disorder, and the 2nd rise was as-
cribed to tubular injury which decreased the reab-
sorption of amino acids. The excretion of serine
fell initially, but rose again on the 20-25th days
after the administration of Pb. It is suggested
that the decreased excretion of serine combined
with the increased excretion of ALA in acute Pb
poisoning may be explained by a blockage of ALA
transaminase. No conspicuous changes were seen in
the excretions of lysine, alanine, glutamic acid
or tyrosine in the acute stage of the poisoning.
(18 references)
1033 Wanov, X., Prodanov, P., Chelibonova, K.,
and Bozhkov, S.: (LEAD CONTENT OF HAIR
FROM CATTLE, SHEEP AND HUMAN BEINGS IN
AREAS WHERE HUMAN NEPHRITIS IS ENDEMIC.)
Izv. Inst. Pat. Zhivotni (Sofia) 9:275-83,
1962.
(This reference was given erroneously in Veteri-
nary Bulletin 33:Abstract Wo. 2130, 1963. The
first author's name is Ivanov, K. See Abstract
No. 2415.)
1034 Watrach, A.M., and Vatter, A.E., Jr. (Univ.
Illinois, Urbana; Univ. Colorado, Den-
ver): THE NATURE OF INCLUSION BODIES IN
LEAD POISONING. In Electron Microscopy,
Vol. 2, New York, Academic Press, 1962,
pp. VV-11.
A study was made of the ultrastructural and chem-
ical characteristics of inclusion bodies found in
the liver of pigs fed with Pb acetate. Acidophilic
nuclear inclusion bodies were found in the liver
and kidney, and they contain a small amount of DNA
and large amounts of protein with a high content
of sulfhydryl groups. Electron microscopic stud-
ies showed that the essential unit of the bodies
was osmiophilic fibrils which are densely packed
in the larger bodies. Numerous ferritin granules
were dispersed throughout the bodies, and small
chromatin aggregates were present at the edges of
the bodies, (From Nuclear Science Abstracts 16:
Abstract No. 31421, 1962)
1035 Zel'tser, M.E. (Kazakh Acad. Sci., USSR):
K voprosu o funktsional'nom sostoyanii
shchitovidnoi zhelezy pri saturnizme.
(THE FUNCTIONAL STATE OF THYROID GLAND IN
LEAD POISONING.) Trudy Instituta Kraevoi
Patologii, Akademiya Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR
10:116-20, 1962.
Two groups of rats were given 1 ml/kg/24 hr of 2
or 5% solution of Pb acetate, respectively, over
a period of 2.5-3 mo. Then 0.5-0.59 uCi of 131I
was administered subcutaneously. •"•'•I absorption
in the thyroid gland and thyroid hormone formation
and secretion into blood was slowed down. There
was a relation between the intensity of these
changes and the doses of Pb administered.
1963
1Q36 Aldanazarov, A.T., Aitbaev, T.Kh., and
Kutyrkina, N.A. (Acad. Sci. Kazak SSR):
Ob izmeneniyakh belkovogo sostava syvoro-
tki krovi pri svintsovom otravlenii v eks-
perimente. (CHANGES IN THE PROTEIN COMPO-
SITION OF THE BLOOD SERUM IN EXPERIMENTAL
LEAD POISONING.) Izvestiya Akademii Nauk
Kazakhskoi SSR, Seriya Meditsiny Nauk 2:
48-53, 1963.
Following analysis of the serum proteins of 30 dogs
(10-28 kg weight), the animals received orally Pb
acetate as a 1.5% solution on alternate days for 6
mo and as a 2.5% solution for 2 additional mo, both
in a volume of 2 ml. Determination of total pro-
tein (refractometric method) and of the fractions
(paper electrophoresis) was performed after 2, 4,
6, 7, and 8 mo. The results showed that there was
no great change in the total protein of the serum.
The albumin concentrations decreased somewhat, but
the y-globulin fraction decreased significantly
and the a- and $-globulins significantly increased.
These changes parallelled the severity of the poi-
soning.
1037 Anonymous: EFFECT OF "ABNORMAL" TRACE
METALS ON SURVIVAL OF MICE AND RATS. Nu-
trition Reviews 21:340-1 (Nov.), 1963.
This review concerns the work by Tipton (1960) on
accumulation of trace metals in man with age, and
of Schroeder et al (1962, 1963) with mice and rats,
reporting shortened survival of male mice and both
male and female rats administered Cd and Pb in
amounts sufficient to cause tissue levels similar
to those of adult man.
The reviewer wonders why only male mice were af-
fected. Since no significant differences were ob-
served in survival between the various groups of
female mice, he deems it desirable to know if
these male mice are particularly susceptible to
degenerative disease(s) and whether this explains
the increased mortality caused by Pb and Cd in this
Plants and Animals
181
-------
group. The increased mortality in both male and
female rats was explained by the peculiar occur-
rence of hypertension. The mechanism of it, how-
ever, was not explained though the reviewer be-
lieves it could be related to renal damage since
chronic Cd poisoning causes renal tubular damage
in man.
The review closes with the statement that al-
though the relationship of the accumulation of
metals to disease in man is speculative, tissue
levels similar to those of adult man have been
shown to be associated with reduced survival in
mice and rats. Autopsy findings in these animals
should reveal whether small amounts of Cd or other
"abnormal" trace metals accentuate chronic disease
or cause the pathologic changes that result from
excessive amounts of the same metals. These stud-
ies of the effects of "abnormal" trace metals in
animals may eventually lead to a better under-
standing of disease in man.
1038 Arkhipova, O.G., Medved, T.Ya., Rudomino,
M.V., and Kabachnik, M.I. (Inst. of Occup.
Hyg. and Prof. Dis., Moscow, USSR):
Vliyanie dvunatrievoi soli etilendiamino-
bisizopropilfosfinovoi kisloty na vyve-
denie svintsa i techenie svintsovoi in-
toksikatsii v eksperimente. (EFFECT OF
DISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE-BIS-ISOPROPYL-
PHOSPHINATE ON LEAD EXCRETION.) Gigiena
Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya 7,
No. 12:33-7, 1963.
The disodium salt of ethylenediamine-bis-isopro-
pylphosphoric acid (phosphicin), used by the auth-
ors as a complexing agent in intoxications by
heavy metals and rare earth elements, proved to be
nontoxic when used in single and repeated dosage.
Its minimum lethal dose was 6 g/kg, while that of
Ca disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) was
3 g/kg. Repeated administration of phosphicin in
doses of 1.5-0.5 g/kg produced no demonstrable
changes in animals.
In vitro experiments showed it to form stable
nonionizable complexes with Pb.
The action of phosphicin in subacute Pb poison-
ing was investigated on 40 white mice, divided
into 4 groups of 10 mice each, with one serving as
control, the other 3 groups receiving 250 mg/kg Pb
nitrate; of these, one group was treated with 1500
mg phosphicin/kg orally, and another, intraperi-
toneally. By the 5th day, 8 mice of Group 2 (re-
ceiving Pb only) were dead, while the phosphicin-
treated mice remained alive. Upon necropsy, fatty
degeneration of the liver and intestinal spasm
were seen in the mice of Group 2; the other mice
showed no changes when sacrificed.
Chronic intoxication was induced in white rats
by oral administration of 1 ml of 4% solution of
Pb acetate daily for 2 mo. Two wk thereafter the
rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 each, the
first of which served as control; of the other
groups, one received for 12 days orally 1 ml of 5%
solution of phosphicin daily, and another, intra-
peritoneally; Group 4, the same dosage of EDTA.
The results showed that elimination of Pb by both
chelating agents was about the same. However,
most of the Pb after phosphicin was eliminated in
the feces whereas after EDTA, most of the Pb ap-
peared in the urine.
In the next series, Pb (as nitrate, at 45 mg/kg)
and the chelates (either EDTA at 0.5 ml 10% solu-
tion, or phosphicin at 1 ml 5% solution) were ad-
ministered daily orally, at the same time as Pb
to guinea pigs for 3 wk. Severe intoxication was
obtained in the untreated animals, with increased
number of stippled cells, reticulocytosis, de-
creased hemoglobin. In the EDTA group not much
change was seen, but in the phosphicin-treated
animals the effects of Pb were less pronounced.
By the end of the experiment, the phosphicin-
treated animals had eliminated twice as much Pb as
the controls mainly in the feces; EDTA caused
greater elimination in the urine, particularly in
the 1st wk. Phosphicin also prevented the deposi-
tion of Pb in bones, for after treatment, the Pb
level in bone was almost the same as in the con-
trol animals.
It is concluded that phosphicin is an effective
therapeutic agent in Pb poisoning, which can be
used both orally and parenterally.
1039 Aronson, A.L. (Univ. Minnesota, Minneapo-
lis) : FACTORS DETERMINING THE EFFICIENCY
AND DEGREE OF LEAD MOBILIZATION FROM SOFT
TISSUE BY A CHELATING AGENT. Dissertation,
University of Minnesota, 1963 (Diss. No.
63-7905), University Microfilms, Inc.,
Ann Arbor, Mich., 141 pp.
The ability of calcium ethylenediaminetetraacetate
(CaEDTA) to mobilize Pb from the soft tissues in
rats and calves was studied. Calves were given Pb
orally in divided doses sufficient to elevate the
Pb concentration in the erythrocytes to a range of
1-2.5 ug/cc within 5 days after the last dose of
Pb. Rats were given a single iv injection con-
taining 7 mg Pb (as the citrate)/kg and 50 yc of
Ra D/dose; the infusion was administered rapidly
in 5 sec or slowly over a period of 12 min. Four
rats were fed Pb at a dose of 500 mg/kg.
Comparison of the Pb distribution after the dif-
ferent ways of administration showed that at the
rapid iv administration the liver contained more
Pb than the kidney, whereas after oral and slow iv
infusion the Pb distribution in liver and kidney
was similar, with the kidney containing the larger
proportion. Concentrations of EDTA and disappear-
ance curves in the plasma were determined follow-
ing rapid or 6-hr iv infusion of EDTA in both rats -
and calves. The effect of CaEDTA infusions on
urinary Pb excretion in calves 5 days following the
last Pb dose was determined. Also, the effect of
both rapid and continuous infusion of CaEDTA, 4
days after Pb administration, on the residual Pb
concentration in kidney, liver, brain, total soft
tissue and bone was measured in rats that had been
sacrificed 3 days following CaEDTA treatment.
In parallel experiments the ability of CaEDTA to
unbind Pb from tissues in vitro, using livers and
kidneys of rats, was studied. Pb could be removed
more readily by CaEDTA from subcellular fractions
of kidney and liver than from whole cells, the
latter requiring a continuous exchange of the
fluid surrounding the cells. Correlations between
in-vivo and in-vitro data indicated that the molar
ratio EDTA/Pb was far less important than the
turnover of an extracellular fluid containing the
chelating agent. It is postulated that the turn-
over of extracellular fluid effects removal of Pb
182
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
from cells by creating a constant removal of the
PbEDTA chelate from the chelation sites.
1Q4Q Bienvenu, P., Nofre, C., and Cier, A.
(Lyon, France): Toxicite generale com-
paree des ions metalliques. Relation avec
la classification periodique. (COMPARA-
TIVE GENERAL TOXICITY OF METAL IONS. RE-
LATION TO THE PERIODIC SYSTEM.) Comptes
Rendus Hebdomaires des Stances de 1'Aca-
demic des Sciences 256:1043-4 (Jan.),
1963.
Swiss albino mice received ip injections of an
aqueous solution of Pb acetate. The LDjQ, when
death occurred within 30 days (expressed as
LD5Q/3o)> °f the bivalent Pb ion was calculated
statistically as 0.370 ± 0.010 mg/kg body weight;
its relative toxicity, compared to the LD5Q/30 °f
numerous other metal ions, with that of Na ion
taken as 1, was 120.3.
1041 Boyadzhiev, V. (Med. Inst. Sofia', Bulgar-
ia) : Predpazno khranene pri eksperimental-
no olovno otravyane. (PREVENTIVE NUTRITION
IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Nauchni
Trudove na Visshiya Meditsinski Institut,
Sofia 42:169-88, 1963.
In previous papers the author pointed out the role
of protective diets in the evolution of Pb poison-
ing. By a method described in these articles he
investigated the effect of some protein and fat-
containing diets on the conditioned reflexes and
hematologlc indices in Pb poisoning.
In this paper the changes in weight, Pb concen-
tration and histopathologic alterations in the or-
gans were followed after administration of 4 kinds
of diets (high and low protein and high and low
fat) to animals (species are not indicated) with
chronic intoxication by Pb nitrate.
The changes of the conditioned reflex activity,
the hematologic criteria, the weight, the biochemi-
cal and histopathologic findings showed, in con-
formity with the observations of other authors,
that the toxic direct and neuroreflex effect of Pb
was very strong. It caused alterations which could
not be prevented by changing the functional state
of the cerebral cortex by means of a given nutri-
tional regimen. However, the food ratios could
influence the character and the degree of the al-
terations of the above criteria. Poisoning is most
serious in animals fed a protein-poor diet, follow-
ed by a diet rich in fats. Animals fed a high pro-
tein diet showed the mildest clinical picture.
The author recommends that workers exposed to
Pb be placed on a diet rich in proteins and poor
in fats. (From author's summary)
1042 Brugnone, F., and Galzigna, L. (Univ.
Padua, Italy): Effetto del piridossal
fosfato sull'inibizione della porfirinuria
indotta dall'acido adenosin-mono-fosforico
in vivo e in vitro. (EFFECT OF PYRIDOXAL
PHOSPHATE ON THE INHIBITION OF PORPHYRIN-
URIA INDUCED BY ADENOSINE-MONOPHOSPHORIC
ACID IN VIVO AND IN VITRO.) Lavoro Umano
15, No. 11:502-7, 1963.
The possibility of a deficiency of phosphorylated
derivatives of adenine, such as adenosine mono-
phosphoric acid (AMP), in porphyria has been con-
sidered. As such a deficiency could lead to in-
adequate synthesis of some essential metabolites
or to the accumulation of intermediate toxic metab-
olites, the authors explored the reversal of this
condition by pyridoxal phosphate in porphyria in-
duced by Pb.
For the in-vitro experiments, blood collected
from rabbits which had been intoxicated with neu-
tral Pb acetate, was incubated with 5 jjM of AMP,
adenosine-diphosphoric acid (ADP), adenosine-tri-
phosphoric acid (ATP), or pyridoxal phosphate
(PLP). For the in-vivo experiments, 12 male rab-
bits, weighing 2-3 kg, were given 1st a subcutan-
eous injection of 50 mg neutral Pb acetate and
then 4 intravenous injections of 7.5 mg each on 4
successive days in order to induce first an acute,
then a more moderate state of intoxication by Pb.
The experimental animals were divided into 3
groups of 4 rabbits each. Group 1 was treated
from the beginning of the intoxication with intra-
muscular injections of 30 mg AMP alternating with
10 mg PLP. Administration of AMP was discontinued
after 20 days while that of PLP was continued for
10 more days. Group 2 was treated intravenously
with 30 mg AMP on alternate days for 30 days, and
Group 3 received no treatment. At regular inter-
vals, estimations were made of hemoglobin content,
red blood cell counts, hematocrit, and urinary 5—
aminolevulinic acid (ALA), porphobilinogen and
coproporphyrin.
In vitro, both ATP and ADP increased the produc-
tion of free erythrocytic protoporphyrin by 160%;
PLP by itself caused an increase of 40%, while AMP
produced a 24% inhibition and AMP plus PLP a 72%
inhibition.
In the in-vivo experiments, none of the animals
died. Urinary elimination of ALA, porphobilinogen
and coproporphyrin decreased in the experimental
rabbits. The decrease of urinary ALA and porpho-
bilinogen was more pronounced in the animals treat-
ed with AMP plus PLP than in those treated with AMP
alone. ALA in the blood followed the same pattern
as urinary ALA, though to a lesser degree. Free
erythrocytic protoporphyrin increased slightly
upon treatment with AMP and rapidly upon treatment
with AMP plus PLP, but returned rapidly to its nor-
mal values. Treatment with AMP plus PLP also in-
creased the values of hemoglobin, hematocrit and
red cell counts.
The authors conclude that, both in vitro and in
vivo, PLP enhances the effect of AMP on the metabo-
lism of porphyrins in Pb-poisoned rabbits and ex-
erts a favorable influence on the blood picture.
1043 Brykalski, D., and Depczyk, D. (Inst. Med.
Pracy, Lodz, Poland): WpXyw EDTA, BAETA
i DTPA na retencje Pb-210 w ustroju myszy.
(EFFECT OF EDTA, BAETA AND DTPA ON THE RE-
TENTION OF Pb-210 IN MICE.) Medycyna
Pracy 14, No. 6:439-47, 1963.
The effect of early and late administration of
ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), bis(2-(bis(car-
boxymethyl)amino)ethyl) ether (BAETA) and diethyl-
enetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) on the distri-
bution and retention of Pb in the organism was
studied in 58 white mice. The animals were given
a single intravenous injection of 210pb. xhe che-
lates were administered intraperitoneally as fol-
lows: (1) single injection simultaneously with
Plants and Animals
183
-------
Pb; (2) repeated injections with 2-day intervals
starting 24 hr after the Pb administration; (3)
repeated daily injections starting 5 days after Pb
administration. All 3 chelates decreased the 210pb
content in the organism of the mice significantly.
Their effectiveness was in the order of DTPA >
EDTA > BAETA. These results agree with those ob-
tained by Tregubenko (1961) on rats.
1044 Brykalski, D., and Wronowa, B. (Inst. Med.
Pracy, Lodz, Poland): WpXyw doustnie
podanego EDTA na wch^anianie i wydalanie
z ustroju oXowiu wprowadzonego ta sama
droga. (THE EFFECT OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION
OF EDTA ON THE ABSORPTION AND ELIMINATION
OF LEAD ADMINISTERED IN THE SAME MANNER.)
Medycyna Pracy 14, No. 4:313-20, 1963.
Seventeen albino rats were given a single oral dose
of ^Pb. One group of these rats then received
an aqueous solution of ethylenediaminetetraacetate
(EDTA), the remainder serving as controls. All
animals were killed 48 hr after the administration
91 n
of uPb and the radioactivity was determined in
some of the organs. The results showed that the
Pb content was smaller in the organs of those
animals that had been given EDTA, than in the con-
trols, amounting to 45% in the liver, 26% in the
kidney and 21% in the bones. At the same time,
910
^ uPb excretion in the urine of the EDTA rats in-
creased, exceeding that of the controls fivefold
within 48 hr. The experiments demonstrated that
the animals receiving EDTA absorbed 2-3 times as
much ^-^Pb as the control group. However, the
rate of -^Pb excretion increased more than the
rate of absorption so that the Pb content in
the body became smaller. (Frotr. authors' English
summary)
1045 Camba, R., Dianzani, M.A., and Montaldo,
S. (Univ. Cagliari, Italy): Lesioni mito-
condriali e lisosomiali nell'intossica-
zione sperimentale da piombo nel ratto.
(LESIONS OF THE MITOCHONDRIA AND THE LYSO-
SOMES IN RATS FOLLOWING EXPERIMENTAL LEAD
INTOXICATION.) Rassegna Medica Sarda 65:
591-600 (Sept.-Oct.), 1963.
The enzymatic activity of mitochondria and lyso-
somes in the liver was studied in Wistar albino
rats, weighing 120-130 g each, which were poisoned
by oral administration or inhalation of Pb acetate
for 3 mo. Group 1 was given by stomach tube a
daily dose of 0.4 ml of a 10% solution of neutral
Pb acetate, Group 2 was subjected, daily for 30
min, to an aerosol formed by 2 ml of a 10% solu-
tion of Pb acetate. The aerosol treatment simu-
lates best the conditions of occupational chronic
Pb poisoning in man. The animals were sacrificed
24 hr after the last treatment. Homogenates were
prepared for determination of oxidative phosphory-
lation, activities of adenosinetriphosphatase
(ATPase), B-glucuronidase and cathepsin, and of
enzyme N (to express activity). The liver of each
animal was examined histologically.
In the orally poisoned rats, the ratio of phos-
phorus to oxygen decreased significantly as early
as in the first 48 hr and the liver was greatly
enlarged. The rats poisoned by Pb aerosol reached
this stage only after 2-4 wk of exposure. In
these aerosol-treated animals, there was also a
relative decrease of dinitrophenol (DNP)-stimu-
lated ATPase and an absolute decrease of the ratio
of DNP-activated to magnesium-activated ATPase,
while the activity of ATPase in the absence of the
activators was increased. On the other hand,
ATPase activity both in the absence and presence
of activators was markedly below normal in the
orally poisoned rats. The action of cathepsin and
6-glucuronidase was studied only in the aerosol-
treated rats. The activity of cathepsin in the
absence of Triton X-100 was definitely increased
but there was no difference of B-glucuronidase
activity in normal or treated rats. This behavior
points to the existence of a change in permeabil-
ity of the membrane of lysosomes.
The results of the experiments indicate that the
effects of Pb as aerosol are much less severe than
those of orally administered Pb. The mechanism
and the implication of the changes are discussed.
1046 Castellino, N. (Univ. Naples, Italy):
Acquisitions recentes en toxicologie in-
dustrielle au moyen de radio-isotopes.
Contribution a l'6tude du metabolism du
Pb 210. (RECENT STUDIES IN INDUSTRIAL
TOXICOLOGY BY MEANS OF RADIOISOTOPES.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF THE METABO-
LISM OF Pb 210.) Internationales Archiv
fdr Gewerbepathologie und Gewerbehygiene
20:237-52 (Aug.), 1963.
Rats received intravenous injections of 210pt
acetate containing 100 ug 210pt/animal. The ani-
mals were kept in metabolism cages and then sac-
rificed at certain time intervals. About 96% of
the injected Pb was retained in the cellular ele-
ments of the blood and 4% was found in the plasma.
The plasma Pb was carried rapidly to the tissues,
the highest concentrations appearing in the kid-
neys , liver and bones. The Pb concentration in
the blood and the tissues decreased first rapidly
and then more gradually with exception of the
bones where it increased slowly during the first
few hours and then decreased slowly. Pb was ex-
creted in the feces and urine. During 14 days of
observation, 51.6% of the injected dose was ex-
creted, 35.74% in the feces and 15.90% in the
urine. Fecal and urinary excretion started very
soon, reached a maximum between 12-48 hr after in-
jection and then decreased asymptotically.
1047 Castellino, N., and Colicchio, G. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): Ricerche sperimentali
sulla tossicita dl una miscela antideton-
ante al piombo tetrametlle. (EXPERIMENTAL
STUDIES OF THE TOXICITY OF AN ANTI-KNOCK
MIXTURE CONTAINING TETRAMETHYLLEAD.)
Folia Medica 46, No. 9:715-33, 1963.
See Abstract No. 1117.
1048 Castellino, N., Colicchio, G., and Piccoli,
P. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Studio della
funzione epatica nell'intossicazione
sperimentale con una miscela antidetonante
al piombo tetrametile. (LIVER FUNCTION IN
EXPERIMENTAL INTOXICATION WITH AN ANTIKNOCK
MIXTURE CONTAINING TETRAMETHYLLEAD.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 46:825-34 (Oct.), 1963.
Two groups of male rabbits, weighing 2.1-2.9 kg
each, were subcutaneously injected daily, 5 times/
184
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
wk, with an antiknock mixture containing 33.7%
tetramethyllead (TML), 10.8% ethylenedibromide,
19.9% ethylenedichloride and 35.6% toluene, dye
and impurities. Group 1 (9 rabbits) was given 15
mg/kg body weight of the mixture dissolved in
aqueous alcohol; Group 2, 5 mg/kg. Four rabbits,
serving as controls, were injected with 0.18 cc/kg
of an aqueous alcohol solution. The content in
the blood of proteins, lipoproteins and lipids,
total cholesterol and cholesterol esters was de-
termined before the start of the experiment, after
10 injections in Group 1 and after 30, 60, 90, 120,
150, 180 injections in Group 2 and the controls.
The liver was histologically examined at death or
at the end of the treatment. The slight changes
occurring in Group 1 after 10 injections of 15 mg/
kg each were not significant statistically. As
previously reported, after 12-18 injections of 15
mg/kg the animals revealed severe nervous signs
followed by death due to damage of the brain. Rab-
bits of Group 2, treated with 5 mg/kg, also did not
show any statistically significant changes up to
90 injections. One animal died after 96 treat-
ments, showing a marked increase of y~globulin and
congestion and hemorrhages in the liver. After 120
injections, decreases of albumin and a^-globulin
and increases of an~, 3- and y-globulin were noted
in some animals; these changes also were not sig-
nificant statistically. Similar changes developed
after 150 and 180 treatments; one animal died af-
ter 162 injections with degenerative hepatic
lesions and signs of fatty liver.
From the results the authors conclude that the
antiknock mixture containing TML does not exert any
toxic action on the liver.
1049 Castellino, N., Colicchio, G., and Rossi,
A. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Studio della
funzione renale nella intossicazione
sperimentale con una miscela antidetonante
al piombo tetrametile. (RENAL FUNCTION IN
EXPERIMENTAL INTOXICATION WITH AN ANTI-
KNOCK MIXTURE CONTAINING TETRAMETHYLLEAD.)
Folia Medica 46:850-7 (Oct.), 1963.
Two groups of male rabbits were poisoned by sub-
cutaneous injection of an antiknock mixture con-
taining 33.7% tetramethyllead (TML), 10.8% ethyl-
enedibromide, 19.9% ethylenedichloride and 35.6%
toluene. Group 1 of 9 rabbits, weighing 2.1-2.9
kg each, received 15 mg/kg/day/rabbit of the mix-
ture dissolved in aqueous ethyl alcohol, for 5
days/wk. Group 2 of 10 animals, weighing 2.3-2.9
kg each, were given 5 mg/kg/day/rabbit, for 5
days/wk. A group of 4 rabbits of the same weight,
serving as controls, were injected with aqueous
ethyl alcohol. Time of survival, toxic symptom-
atology and renal function were studied; at the
time of death or at the end of the treatment the
kidneys were histologically investigated. Glomer-
ular filtration was determined by means of the
clearance of endogenous creatinine, and the renal
plasma flow and the maximal tubular excretion ca-
pacity, by the clearance of sodium para-aminohip-
purate. All tests were carried out before and
after the start of injections (10 in Group 1, and
60, 90, 150, and 180 injections in Group 2).
There were no statistically significant altera-
tions of the renal function in Group 1. After 12-
18 injections, motor irritability and tremors be-
gan, followed by spastic paralysis of the front
and hind limbs and finally death. Histologically,
the kidneys showed some congestion in the rabbits
in Group 2. Two rabbits died at the 96th and
162nd injection, respectively. This group showed
statistically significant alterations of the re-
nal function and slight histological changes of
the kidneys; however, none of the animals of this
group displayed a neurotoxic syndrome. The auth-
ors conclude the experimental results did not
demonstrate any significant alterations of the re-
nal function as being caused by the TML-containing
mixture.
1050 Castellino, N., Colicchio, G., and Rossi,
A. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Comportamento
della crasi ematica nell'intossicazione
sperimentale con una miscela antidetonante
al piombo tetrametile. (THE BLOOD PICTURE
IN EXPERIMENTAL INTOXICATION WITH AN ANTI-
KNOCK MIXTURE OF TETRAMETHYLLEAD.) Folia
Medica 46:980-6 (Nov.), 1963.
An antiknock mixture containing 33.7 vol % tetra-
methyllead (TML) was injected subcutaneously to 2
groups of male rabbits. Group 1 of 9 rabbits,
weighing 2.1-2.9 kg, received daily 15 mg/kg of
the mixture dissolved in aqueous ethyl alcohol,
on 5 days/wk; Group 2, 10 rabbits of 2.3-2.9 kg
weight, received 5 mg/kg/day. Four control rab-
bits, weighing 2.3-2.9 kg, were injected with
aqueous ethyl alcohol. Blood counts were done at
the beginning and after 10 injections in Group 1
and after 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 injections in
Group 2 and the controls. The data obtained for
red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, cellular
volume, Fe content, granulocytes, lymphocytes and
monocytes were tabulated. Myelograms, taken at
the beginning and at death or end of treatment,
showed no significant alterations in Group 1; how-
ever, after 12-18 doses the animals died with
neurotoxic manifestations. In Group 2, after 90
injections, a statistically significant decrease
of the red cells and hemoglobin was noted. The
level of Fe in the blood did not vary significant-
ly and variations in the leukocyte count were
within physiological limits. After 120 injections,
the cellular volume was significantly decreased
and the blood Fe significantly increased. Exami-
nation of the bone marrow at the beginning and end
of the treatment revealed no variations in the
rhythm of proliferation and maturation of erythro-
blasts and granuloblasts. The occurrence of a
hypochromic, hypersideremic anemia was attributed
to the action of toluene and Pb which formed in
the metabolic decomposition of TML.
1051 Castellino, N., Rossi, A., and Mole, R.
(Inst. Ind. Med. Naples Univ., Italy):
TOXICITY OF TETRAMETHYL LEAD SOLUTIONS TO
MICE AND RABBITS. British Journal of In-
dustrial Medicine 20:63-5 (Jan.), 1963.
Swiss albino mice (19-23 g weight) were administered
TML sc in doses ranging from 20-1200 mg/kg; others
were exposed to inhalation of air containing 1.2-40
g TML/m^; 2 groups of 4 rabbits each received sc in-
jections of 400 or 800 mg/kg. Mice showed no signs
of poisoning at sc doses <300 mg/kg; at higher doses.
hyperexcitability and muscular quivering was noted.
Inhalation of concentrations of 36-40 g/nP caused
Plants and Animals
185
-------
severe drowsiness; lower concentrations produced
only excitation. LD^Q'S during the 1st 6 hr, 3 and
10 days were 1173, 224, and 31.11 mg/kg respective-
ly; by inhalation, the LCtjg's were 40.8 and 8.51
g/m3 on days 1 and 10, respectively. Rabbits at
the lower dose died in 3-6 days; those on 800 mg,
in 18-24 hr. It was concluded that TML has a low
toxicity. The toxicities of ethylenes dibromide
and dichloride, and of toluene were also determined.
1052 Cier, A., Tine, J., and Nofre, C. (Re-
search Center Army, Lyons, France):
Etude comparee chez la souris des effets
radioprotecteurs de quelques cations.
(COMPARATIVE STUDY IN THE MOUSE OF THE
RADIOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF SOME CATIONS.)
Comptes Rendus des Stances de la Societe'
de Biologie 157, No. 8-9:1596-9, 1963.
The potential radJoprotective and radiosensitizing
effect of 42 cations (among them Pb) and 12 of
their chelates with ethylenediaminetetraacetic
acid was studied, using male Swiss albino mice,
weighing 21 i 2 grams. The mice were exposed to
343 rads of gamma radiation 15-20 min after intra-
peritoneal injection with 0.5 m^ of a solution of
Pb acetate in such a concentration that the in-
jected dose was equal to one fifth of the LD50 for
30 days (0.074 mg Pb/kg). The radioprotective ef-
fect of Pb, as determined by Cart's technique, was
found to be 0, none of the mice surviving 30 days.
1053 Davis, R.K., Horton, A.M., Larson. E.E.,
and Stemmer, K.L. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.):
INHALATION OF TETRAMETHYLLEAD AND TETRA-
ETHYLLEAD. A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS IN
RATS AND DOGS. Archives of Environmental
Health 6:473-9 (Apr.), 1963.
The experimental design, maintenance of the de-
termined concentrations of the alkyls in the
chambers and the analytical techniques used, the
source and handling of animals are described in
detail. In the preexposure period, the blood and
urine of the animals were sampled for the deter-
mination of base Pb values. The concentrations to
which the animals were exposed are shown in tables
together with mortality, interval between exposure
and death, and metabolic data.
Groups of 10 rats each (5 male, 5 female), ex-
posed to 63, 49, 22, and 12 mg TML/m3 for 10, 18,
35, and 150 x 7 hr, respectively, showed a mortal-
ity of 9, 9, 8, and 4;of similar groups exposed
to 46, 22, and 12 mg TEL/m3 for 5, 14, and 150 x
7 hr, 8, 9, and 0 died. The average interval be-
tween last exposure and death was 0.25->40 days
(40 days being the longest period when some of the
survivors were killed for further examination).
Exposure of dogs (a single dog/exposure, ini-
tial weight 5.4-13.2 kg) was to 44, 23, 12, 12, 4,
and 4 mg TML/m3 for 8, 9, 15, 14, 107, and 84 x 7
hr, with an average survival time of 1, 0, 1, 2,
0, and 0 days; exposure to 42, 22, 12, and 12 mg
TEL/m3 for 7, 30, 29, and 24 x 7 hr resulted in
death at 0.25, 0, 3, and 0 days after last expo-
sure.
The first signs in rats were irritable behavior
increasing through combativeness to convulsions.
When the experiment was discontinued before or at
this stage, the rats recovered completely in 3-4
wk. In dogs, tremors and muscle twitching de-
veloped gradually. At the peak of hyperactivity,
a chorea-type picture developed, followed by con-
vulsions and death. The overall results indicated
that both TML and TEL proved to be more toxic for
dogs than for rats, TEL being somewhat more toxic
for rats than TML, while TML was considerably more
toxic for dogs than TEL. Urinary Pb concentrations
were higher with TEL than with TML and regardless
of the compound, they were higher in rats than in
dogs. In discussing the metabolism of TML and
TEL, the authors point to the results of some tis-
sue aialyses performed to help explain the species
differences in response: the highest concentra-
tions of Pb from the inhalation of TML were found
in lungs, liver, and kidney (rats, 13, 10, and 8
mg/g, and 3, 3, 3 from TEL; dogs, 0.2, 2, and 1
from TML, and 0.2, 3, and 1 from TEL). The rats
died with about the same level of Pb in their
brains (1 mg/100 g) regardless of the compound in-
haled (in dogs, 0.7 from TML and 0.2 from TEL).
They also note that concentrations of Pb in these
tissues in fatal TEL intoxication in man were not
remarkably different from those of dogs exposed to
both compounds. In addition, the concentrations
of Pb in the kidney and urine of rats exposed to
TML as compared to those inhaling TEL, suggest
that the metabolites of TML may accumulate or be
retained in the kidney reminiscent of the be-
havior of certain compounds of Hg.
The authors point out that the early illness and
death of the dogs subjected to inhalation of TML
is a warning that low urinary Pb levels in workers
exposed to this compound may not, in themselves,
give assurance as to their safety. The occurrence
of any suggestive symptom in a workman so exposed
should be the signal for the termination of his
exposure to TML for a time.
1054 Dooley, A.E. (Texaco Inc., New York, N.Y.):
TOXICITY OF PETROLEUM PRODUCT ADDITIVES.
Archives of Environmental Health 6:324-8
(Mar.), 1963.
Toxicity data for the more commonly used additives
in the petroleum industry are given. The oral
toxicity of Pb naphthenate is in the order of 3.5-
5.1 g/kg. Repeated application to the skin of
rabbits showed that some skin absorption occurs.
The calculated median lethal time for daily doses
of Pb naphthenate containing 24% Pb, when applied
daily to rabbits under impervious sleeves for 90
days was 55 days for 1 ml/kg/day, 40 days for 2
ml/kg/day, and 22 days for 4 ml/kg/day. Anemia
was observed in the 1- and 2 ml/kg groups; baso-
philic stippling was absent. Death was usually
due to pneumonia. Pb-containing fish oils and Pb
soaps have physiological properties of the same
order as those of Pb naphthenate.
1055 Gajdos, A., Dantchev, D., and Bdnard, H.
(Hotel Dieu, Paris, France): Action de
1'acide adSnosine-5'-monophosphorique sur
la survie des globules rouges chez le
lapin intoxique1 par le plomb ou la phe'nyl-
hydrazine. (ACTION OF ADENOSINE-5'-MONO-
PHOSPHORIC ACID ON THE SURVIVAL OF ERYTH-
ROCYTES IN RABBITS POISONED WITH LEAD OR
WITH PHENYLHYDRAZINE.) Revue Francaise
d'Etudes Cliniques et Biologiques 8:62-6
(Jan.), 1963.
186
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Anemia in experimental Pb poisoning was studied in
adult rabbits weighing 3 kg each. Red blood cell
survival was measured with -^Cr. pb was given 15
days after administration of ^3-Cr, as follows:
(1) 6 rabbits received an im injection of 100
mg/kg Pb acetate to produce a mild intoxication;
(2) 6 rabbits received daily injections of the
same dose for 4 days for a more severe intoxica-
tion; (3) 3 of each of these 2 groups of 6 rabbits
were treated with daily im injections of 50 mg
AMP, the remainder were left untreated. Phenyl-
hydrazine intoxication (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg in-
jected subcutaneously with AMP treatment as above)
was produced for comparison of red blood cell sur-
vival in both types of intoxication.
In Group 1, the 3 rabbits treated with AMP had a
red cell survival of 60 days, in the 3 not treated
with AMP, 57 days (both normal for the rabbit).
The curve of radioactivity in the AMP-treated ani-
mals was normal, but that of the untreated rabbits
fell sharply. This evidenced slight but definite
hemolysis. In the 3 untreated rabbits of Group 2,
red blood cell survival was reduced to 40 days
and the radioactivity curve for the erythrocytes
fell sharply. The curve for the AMP-treated ani-
mals showed some deviation, but the erythrocytes
had a normal 60-day survival time.
Similar results were obtained in the experiment
with phenylhydrazine. The authors conclude that
the antihemolytic action of AMP is quite general.
After discussing the biochemical mechanism of AMP,
they propose further studies of this property es-
pecially as AMP may affect certain hemolytic ane-
mias in the human.
1056 Gajdos, A., and Gajdos-TBrBk (Med. Clinic,
Hotel-Dieu, Paris, France): Action des
nucleosides et des nucleotides ade'nyliques
sur la biosynthese des porphyrines. (AC-
TION OF NUCLEOSIDES AND ADENINE NUCLEO-
TIDES ON THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF PORPHYRINS.)
Bulletin de la Socie'te' de Chimie Biolo-
gique 45:1227-46, 1963.
The authors review the title subject, mainly on
the basis of their experiments in vivo and in
vitro, by first considering the inhibitory effect
of adenosine mono-, di-, and triphosphates on por-
jjhyria induced by hexachlorobenzene, Pb, and other
substances; then, the biochemical localization of
the inhibitory effect of adenylic nucleosides and
nucleotides on the biosynthesis of porphyrins;
mechanism of inhibitory action of adenylic nucleo-
sides and nucleotides on porphyrin synthesis; the
regulatory role of adenylic nucleosides and nu-
cleotides in the in vivo biosynthesis of porphy-
rins. Their conclusion is that a physiologic
equilibrium takes place between the synthesis of
porphyrins and the synthesis, or turnover, of
adenylic nucleosides and nucleotides. (25 refer-
ences)
1057 Gajdos, A., and Gajdos-TbrBk, M. (Hotel
Dieu, Paris, France): EFFECT OF ADENO-
SINE-5'-MONOPHOSPHORIC ACID AND INOSINE ON
PORPHYRIN METABOLISM, ANEMIA AND RED CELL
SURVIVAL IN LEAD POISONING OF RABBITS.
In Haemoglobin Metabolism, Lisbon, Por-
tugal, 1963. Proceedings of the Congress
of the European Society of Haematology 9,
No. 2:875-84, 1963.
See Abstract No. 1132
1058 Haase, H.B. (Coll. Med. Ribeirao Preto,
Sao Paulo, Brazil): Tempo de trSnsito
gastrintestinal em ratos. Padronizacao de
urn metodo. (RATE OF GASTROINTESTINAL
TRANSIT IN RATS. STANDARDIZATION OF A
METHOD.) Hospital 64:737-56 (Sept.),
1963.
The importance of the determination gastrointesti-
nal transit time in laboratory animals is justi-
fied and stressed. The X-ray method was initially
tried but considered inefficient for several
reasons. The author describes a procedure in
which a small radio-opaque solid spheric body (Pb
spherule) is introduced with liquid food directly
into the esophagus and stomach of albino rats.
1059 Tskakova, R.G. (Acad. Sci. Kazakh SSR):
K ismeneniyu pochechnogo krovotoka pri
khronicheskoi svintsovoi intoksikatsii.
(Eksperimental'noe issledovanie).
(CHANGES IN RENAL BLOOD FLOW IN CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING. (EXPERIMENTAL STUDY.))
Izvestiya Akademii Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR
1963, No. 2:58-61.
Dogs were subjected to Pavlov-Orbel's operation
(displacement of ureter to the skin) and to
chronic Pb poisoning by the administration of 1.5%
solution of Pb acetate at 1 ml/kg every other day
for 1 yr. Renal blood flow was followed accord-
ing to Ratner's method by injecting phenol-red im.
Phenol-red content in the blood increased, while
in the urine it decreased. The coefficient of
phenol-red clearance decreased. The author con-
cludes that in Pb poisoning the renal blood flow
is retarded.
1060 Iskakova, R.G. (Acad. Sci. Kazakh SSR):
K izmeneniyu f11'tratsionno-reabsorbtsion-
noi funktsii pochek pri saturnizme.
(Eksperimental'noe issledovanie.)
(CHANGES IN THE FILTRATION-REABSORPTION
FUNCTION OF KIDNEYS IN LEAD POISONING.
(EXPERIMENTAL STUDY.)) Izvestiya Akademii
Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 1963, No. 2:62-7.
Experiments were performed with 16 male dogs that
were subjected to Pavlov's technique of surgical
displacement of the ureter to the skin for the
study of normal and pathologic kidney function.
The test animals were poisoned by administration
of l.J% Pb acetate solution at 1 ml/kg daily doses
for 1 yr. The results showed that in chronic Pb
poisoning the content of creatinine in blood in-
creased. At the height of poisoning (6-8 mo),
glomerular filtration decreased in most of the
test animals. At the same time, tubular reabsorp-
tion was decreased. The author concludes that
disorders of kidney function are caused by vascu-
lar-tubular deficiency and nephrosclerosis. (16
references)
1061 Jonderko, G., and Sroczyriski, J. (Sile-
sian Clinic for Internal Dis., Zabrze,
Poland): Zachowanie sie poziomu zreduko-
wanego glutationu we krwi w przewleklej
dosViadczalnej ojowicy u krdlikdw. (BE-
tiAVIOR OF REDUCED GLUTATHIONE CONCENTRA-
Plants and Animals
187
-------
£ION IN BLOOD IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POI-
SONING IN RABBITS.) Postepy Higieny i
Medycyny Doswiadczalnej 17:615-8 (Sept.-
Oct.), 1963.
Tne findings in 10 rabbits poisoned with 4 mg/kg
iv Pb acetate every 7 days for 6 mo, confirmed
that the glutathione content of the blood was de-
creased.
1062 Jonek, J., Kosmider, S., and Grzybek, H.
(Silesian School of Med., Zabrze, Poland):
HISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON ALKALINE PHOS-
PHATASE, ACID PHOSPHATASE, ADENOSINETRI-
PHOSPHATASE AND DIAPHORASE IN STRIATED
MUSCLES AND HEART MUSCLE IN EXPERIMENTAL
ACUTE LEAD POISONING. Archivum Iramuno-
logiae et Therapiae Experimentalis 11, No.
4:652-63, 1963.
The experiments reported were designed to eluci-
date the mechanism of disorders of some of the
intracellular processes in the muscle caused by Pb
ions. Five adult female chinchilla rabbits,
weighing ^2000 g each, were given daily intrave-
nous injections of 6 mg of Pb acetate/kg body
weight for 12 days; 3 rabbits were kept as con-
trols. Histochemical tests were performed for al-
kaline and acid phosphatase by the method of
Gomori, for adenosinetriphosphatase (ATP-ase) by
the method of Wachstein and Meisel, and for di-
aphorase (DPNH) by the method of Novikoff. The
results showed that in the Pb-treated animals the
activity of ATP-ase, DPNH and alkaline phosphatase
was diminished in the skeletal and heart muscle
while that of acid phosphatase was increased. The
activities of ATP-ase and alkaline phosphatase in
the walls of small blood vessels were distinctly
diminished. As the author interprets the results,
the active transport of phosphates from the blood
to the muscle fibers becomes impaired. In the
skeletal muscle the activity of ATP-ase, DPNH and
alkaline phosphatase was diminished less and that
of acid phosphatase was increased more than in the
heart muscle; this was due to the incessant action
of the latter, making it more liable to Pb. In-
creased activity of acid phosphatase reflected
degenerative changes in the sarcoplasm. The
changes in the striated muscle fibers, because of
greater blood flow there, may explain why in Pb
poisoning atrophy develops earliest in the most
active muscles. A direct action of Pb on the
muscle is thus confirmed.
1063 Khlebnikova, M.I. (Novosibirsk Inst. Hyg.,
USSR): DUST FROM THE PRODUCTION OF TIN.
In Izrael'son, Z.I., ed: Toksikologiya
Redkikh Metallov. (Toxicology of the Rare
Metals.) Moscow, Gosudarstvennoe Izdatel'
stvo Meditsinskoi Literatury, 1963, pp.
278-88. Translated by Y. Halperin, edited
by E. Lieber. U.S. Department of Com-
merce, Clearinghouse for Federal Scientif-
ic and Technical Information, 1967, pp.
192-9.
Dust (a) settled near Sn smelting units, the dis-
perse phase of the condensation aerosol formed
during the release of Sn metal or slag (b), Sn02
dust (c), or SiO^ dust (d) were introduced into
the lungs of white rats and rabbits. The percent-
age content of (a) was 34.8 Sn, 21.6 total Si02
(4.2 free Si02) , 7.04 A1203, 13.9 Fe203, 4.28 CaO,
3.43 MgO, 1.00 Pb, 0.07 Mn, and 0.02 As; (b), 31-
61 Sn (mostly Sn02), 0.72-3.96 free Si02, and
0.5-0.8 Fe203. The internal organs of rats were
examined within 3.0-10 mo, those of rabbits within
6-12 mo and within 1.5-2 yr. The effects were
confined to the lungs; these are described and il-
lustrated in microphotographs. On the basis of
the findings, tentatively the MFC in the air of
Sn dust containing other components can be set at
5-6 mg/m , ie, it may be higher than that of S102,
but should be lower than that of relatively non-
irritant metals like Ti.
1064 Kinoshita, Y., and Muraoka, K. (Nissan
Chem. Ind., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan): TOXICITY
OF POLY (VINYL CHLORIDE) (PVC) FILM.
Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi 4:78-85, 1963.
The extractability of metals contained as stabi-
lizers in polyvinylchloride (PVC) films was meas-
ured by dipping in various solutions. The LD50
values of the stabilizers used for the processing
of PVC film were determined by acute toxicity tests
on animals and the safety limits of films stabi-
lized by various stabilizer systems were calculat-
ed. The safety limit of the PVC films stabilized
by various stabilizer systems were calculated.
The extractability of metals in H20 aqueous 6% HC1,
50% ethyl alcohol, 3% lactic acid, soybean oil, 3%
acetic acid, and 3% Na chloride solutions were as
follows: Ca-Zn complt.t < Pb stearate < Cd-Ba com-
plex. For Pb stearate it was found to be 5 mg/m^.
(From Chemical Abstracts 59:9232, 1963)
1065 Kosmider, S., Grabski, J., and Stradowski,
J. (Silesian School of Med., Zabrze, Po-
land): PLASMA SODIUM, CALCIUM AND POTAS-
SIUM LEVELS IN RABBITS DURING EXPERIMENTAL
ACUTE LEAD POISONING. Archivum Immuno-
logiae et Therapiae Experimentalis 11:303-
6, 1963.
Twenty rabbits of mixed breeds, weighing 1500-2700
g, maintained on a normal diet, were divided into
2 groups. The 10 rabbits of the 1st group re-
ceived daily injections into the marginal ear vein
of 6 mg Pb acetate/kg body weight, and the 10 rab-
bits of the 2nd group doses of 10 mg/kg. The de-
gree of poisoning was assessed on the basis of
erythrocyte counts, percentages of erythrocytes
showing basophilic stippling, hemoglobin levels
and body weight. Plasma electrolyte levels were
determined before poisoning and in the 1st group
12 days and in the 2nd group 8 days after the
start of the injections, by using the technique of
the photometric assays. Poisoning with massive
doses of Pb resulted in decreases in hemoglobin
levels to 40-60% and erythrocyte counts to 3-3.5
millions. The proportion of erythrocytes with
basophilic stippling reached 70/thousand; the
animals lost weight. Mean levels of electrolytes
found in the plasma of rabbits before poisoning,
12 days after injection of 6 mg Pb acetate/kg/day
and 8 days after injection of 10 mg Pb acetate/kg/
day, respectively, were, in mg %: Na, 372, 342,
351; K, 20.5, 22.6, 23.5; Ca, 11.2, 10.9, 13.8.
The conclusion was drawn that high concentrations
of Pb ions in the living body lead to disturbances
in the electrolyte balance. The drop in Na levels
may be the consequence of disordered renal filtra-
188
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
tlon or reabsorption and loss of fluids. The ele-
vated serum K levels may be explained by the loss
of K ions from body cells in acute Pb poisoning, a
phenomenon which has also been observed by other
investigators. The serum Ca levels showed signifi-
cant changes only at the 10 mg/kg Pb acetate dose.
Probably, high Pb concentrations deposited in the
bones displace part of the Ca ions, leading to
raised serum Ca levels.
1066 Lothe, K., and Falbe-Hansen, I. (Finsen
Inst., Copenhagen, Denmark): INCORPORA-
TION OF 5%e INTO ERYTHROCYTE NONHAEM
IRON AND HAEMOGLOBIN IN ANAEMIC AND LEAD-
POISONED RABBITS. Clinical Science
24:47-54 (Feb.), 1963.
Female rabbits were injected iv with 5 ml of a
solution of neutral Pb acetate containing 2 mg
Pb/ml; 1 hr later the animals received ^10 yCi of
^Fe iv. The radioactivity of nonhem Fe and hemo-
globin Fe in these rabbits was compared electro-
phoretically with that of anemic rabbits. In the
Pb-poisoned rabbits there was an accumulation of
radioactivity in the nonhem Fe while no radio-
activity was found in the fast moving anodic
fraction. This suggests that the accumulation
may be due to a blocking in the Fe transfer from
ferritin to this fraction or it may be the result
of hyperhemolysis leading to a loss of nonhem Fe
during the preparation of "ghosts" (red cells with
a very small content of hemoglobin). (20 refer-
ences)
1067 McLaughlin, J., Jr., Marliac, J.-P.,
Verrett, M.J., Mutchler, M.K., and Fitz-
hugh, O.G. (U.S. Food and Drug Admin.,
Washington, D.C.): THE INJECTION OF CHEM-
ICALS INTO THE YOLK SAC OF FERTILE EGGS
PRIOR TO INCUBATION AS A TOXICITY TEST.
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 5,
No. 6:760-71, 1963.
A technique is described for the evaluation of
chemical toxicity and teratogenic effect by injec-
tion of the test compound into the yolk sac of
fertile eggs prior to incubation. The method has
been applied to >100 compounds over a 3-yr period.
Nontoxic chemicals injected at an appropriate lev-
el allowed the embryo to develop and hatch normal-
ly, whereas toxic compounds produced effects at
dose levels comparable to those producing effects
in feeding experiments with animals. The tech-
nique often supplied information not shown by con-
ventional methods. Pb acetate was among the chem-
icals that showed a high order of toxicity and/or
teratogenic effects. Injections of 0.05 ml of 10%
aqueous solution prevented hatching; a 2% solution
(in same volume) produced hydrocephalus in embryos
that failed to hatch; 0.5% solution prevented
hatching of 80%. (18 references)
1068 Magistretti, M., Zurlo, N., Scollo, F.,
and Pacillo, D. (Univ. Milan, Italy):
Tossicita' comparata del piombo tetra-
etile e del piombo tetra-metile. (A COM-
PARATIVE STUDY OF THE TOXICITY OF TETRA-
ETHYLLEAD AND TETRAMETHYLLEAD.) Medicina
del Lavoro 54:486-95 (June-July), 1963.
TEL and TML toluene (80.33% TML + 19.67% toluene),
respectively, was administered to Sprague-Dawl^ey
rats (av weight 250 g) iv, ip or orally; LD^Q'S
were, in mg/kg, as follows: TEL, iv, 14.40; ip,
15.05; oral, 35.00. TML, iv, 88.20; ip, 90.15;
oral, 105. Toluene, iv, 1960. The data obtained
demonstrated that iv or ip administered TEL is
2-4 times more toxic than TML, and orally admin-
istered TEL 2-3 times more toxic than TML. In
subacute intoxication, when rats were treated
with sc doses of TEL (30 and 65 mg/kg) or TML
(65 and 150 mg/kg), 100% mortality was reached
more rapidly with TEL than with TML. The distri-
bution of Pb, 6 and 24 hr after ip injection of
nonlethal doses, was similar for TEL and TML, re-
spectively, in Mg/g for the 2 time periods: blood,
19 and 44, 41 and 122; liver, 21 and 20, 22 and
25; brain, 0.8 and 1.0, 4.0 and 6.0; spleen, 6 and
7, 25 and 26. No significant histologic altera-
tions were noted after iv (15 mg/kg), ip (15 mg/
kg) or oral (40 mg/kg) doses of TEL or TML (100,
100, 110 mg/kg, respectively). Some congestion
was observed in the lungs, kidneys, brain and
liver, and hemorrhages in the lungs and brain. Ef-
fects on the cardiovascular system were studied in
male rabbits after iv administration of TEL and
TML. At doses of 30-50 mg/kg the toxic effects,
as expressed in the EKG and blood pressure, were
more marked in the case of TEL than in that of
TML, while at 200 mg/kg the effects of TEL and TML
were similar.
Since TML is more volatile than TEL, the concen-
tration of Pb in the air was determined at service
stations where alternately gasoline containing
added TEL or added TML was distributed. The data
obtained (4 samples over 7-9 hr showed with TML
4.1-8.6 pg/m , and with TEL, 3.9-16.5; control
zone, 2.3-5.8 pg/m^) did not reveal any appreci-
able differences. Urinary Pb of 10 workers in a
refinery, loading tank trucks with TML gasoline
ranged from 35-85 yg/1; thus, normal. The con-
clusion was drawn that there is no reason to con-
sider gasoline containing TML to be more toxic than
gasoline containing TEL. (46 references)
1069 Mambeeva, A.A. (Inst. Reg. Pathol., Acad.
Sci. Kazakh SSR, Alma-Ata, Kazakh USSR):
Motorno-evakuatornaya funktsiya pishchev-
aritel'nogo trakta pri eksperimental'noi
svinstsovoi intoksikatsii. (MOTOR-EVACU-
ATORY FUNCTION OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT DUR-
ING EXPERIMENTAL LEAD INTOXICATION.
Byulleten Eksperimental'noi Biologii i
Meditsiny 55, No. 4:41-4, 1963.
Acute, subacute and chronic Pb intoxication was
induced in 8 dogs by feeding 1%, 2%, or 3% Pb
acetete in milk at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight.
The state of the motor-evacuatory function of the
digestive tract was studied by X rays. Pb poison-
ing depressed the motor-evacuatory function. The
earliest changes manifested themselves in a delay
of primary evacuation from the stomach. Evacua-
tion of food from the small intestine was also
delayed. (From author's English summary)
1070 Marshall, S.P., Hayward, F.W., and Meagher,
W.R. (Florida Agric. Exp. Sta., Gaines-
ville): EFFECTS OF FEEDING ARSENIC AND
LEAD UPON THEIR SECRETION IN MILK. Jour-
nal of Dairy Science 46:580-1 (June), 1963.
Eight lactating Jersey cows, weighing 820-1040 Ib,
Plants and Animals
189
-------
were assigned to 4 groups of 2 animals each and
either grazed on millet pasture or fed chopped mil-
let forage; in both cases, a concentrate mixture
was added. As and Pb as Pb arsenate were incor-
porated into the concentrate and fed daily to the
cows, for 126 days in mg/100 Ib body weight as
follows: Group 1, 0.00; Group 2, 1.17 and 3.23;
Group 3, 2.34 and 6.47; Group 4, 4.68 and 12.95,
respectively. Milk samples were taken 5 days be-
fore and at the start of the experiment and 1, 3,
14 days and subsequently at 14-day intervals there-
after. In all milk samples analyzed, including
those from control cows, concentrations of As and
Pb were <0.05 mg/1.
1Q71 Mokranjac, M.S., and Soldatovic, D. (Univ.
Belgrade, Yugoslavia): Promene sadrzaja
gvozda, bakra i kobalta u krvi zfivotinja
izlozenih hronicnoj intoksikaciji olovom.
(CHANGES IN THE CONTENT OF IRON, COPPER
AND COBALT IN THE BLOOD OF ANIMALS WITH
CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICATION.) Acta Pharma-
ceutica Jugoslavica 13, No. 1:43-50, 1963.
Lambs were poisoned by feeding them, with their
daily diet, 25 mg Pb as nitrate. The content of
Fe, Cu, and Co in the blood was determined every
4 days. The results of the study showed that the
Fe and Cu levels decreased as the Pb concentration
increased, reaching a minimum of 8-10 mg and 22-26
yg/100 ml blood, respectively, at a Pb concentra-
tion of -V200 yg/100 ml. Further elevation of the
Pb concentration did not produce any more de-
creases of either Fe or Cu. The Co level decreased
until the Pb concentration in the blood reached
170-180 ug/100 ml; no Co could be detected at high-
er Pb concentrations. The Fe, Cu, and Co concen-
tration in the blood of control lambs was, re-
spectively, 25-28 mg, 42-50 tig, and 1.5-2 yg.
Thus, chronic Pb intoxication reduces the Fe and
Cu levels in the blood by ^50%. The mechanism of
the displacement of Fe, Cu, and Co by Pb is not
known. The physiological implications of the
changes of the metal equilibrium on the process of
hematopoiesis are pointed out.
1072 Mrozikiewicz, A., and Widy, W. (Med. Acad.,
Poznam, Poland): THE INFLUENCE OF SALTS
OF SOME HEAVY METALS ON OCCURRENCE OF PIG-
MENTARY CHANGES IN THE HAIR OF ANIMALS FED
BY POISONED MOTHERS. Bulletin de la Socie/te/
des Amis des Sciences et des Lettres de
Poznan, Series C, 12:71-3, 1963.
After previous experiments (1960) had shown that
the offspring of female rats poisoned with Tl
developed dark brown or black pigmentary deposits
at the root of growing hair, the authors investigat-
ed whether similar pigmentary changes occurred in
young nursing mothers poisoned with salts of Bi,
Hg, U, Au, or Pb. White rats, weighing 180-260 g
and feeding 3 young ones each, were used. Groups
of 4 females each were poisoned by 1 of the above
salts administered once in close to lethal doses
when the young were 4-10 days old; in the case of
Pb, the acetate was administered sc. Bi and U
caused pronounced changes, while Hg, Au, and Pb
caused only slightly visible and indistinct alter-
ations. The author believes that darkening of the
roots will also occur in the hair of poisoned human
mothers and in that of children fed by her.
1073 MUller, H.A., and von Ramin, D. (Univ.
Wllrzburg, West Germany): Morphologie und
Morphogenese der durch Schwermetalle (Pb,
Bi) hervorgerufenen KerneinschlUsse in den
HauptstUckepithelien der Rattenniere.
(MORPHOLOGY AND MORPHOGENESIS OF THE NU-
CLEAR INCLUSIONS INDUCED BY HEAVY METALS
(Pb, Bi) ,IN THE PROXIMAL TUBULAR EPITHEL-
IUM OF THE RAT KIDNEY.) BeitrSge zur
Pathologischen Anatomie und zur Allgemeinen
Pathologie 128, No. 3:445-67, 1963.
Eighteen white rats, 1.5-2 mo old, were given a 1%
solution of Pb acetate ad lib instead of drinking
water. Some of the rats were sacrificed after
0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4.5, 8.5, and 9 mo. One rat died
spontaneously after 14 mo of Pb administration.
In a 2nd series, rats received the Pb acetate so-
lution for 3, 8 or 10 mo, and subsequently were
given normal drinking water for 1, 2, 4 and 10 wk
before sacrifice. In each case, the occurrence of
corpuscular nuclear inclusions containing protein
was observed in the cells of the convoluted por-
tions of the proximal tubules of the kidney. The
inclusions developed from cloudy intranuclear pre-
cipitates and at times finally filled the whole
nucleus. The changes in the straight part dif-
fered from those occurring in the convoluted part
by polymorphism of the nuclear structure and by a
different appearance of inclusion. The develop-
ment of renal tumors during chronic Pb intoxica-
tion was confirmed. The most frequent site of
their origin was the corticomedullary border.
1074 Nofre, C., Clement, J.M., and Cier, A.
(Dept^. Public^ Health, Lyons, France): Tox-
icite comparee de quelques ions metalliques
et de leur cheiate a 1'acide e'thylenedi-
aminetetracetique. (COMPARATIVE TOXICITY
OF SOME METALLIC IONS AND THEIR ETHYLENE-
DIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID CHELATES.) Path-
ologie-Biologie 11:853-65 (Aug.-Sept.),
1963.
The toxlcity of 13 metallic ions (Al, Cd, Ca, Cr,
Co, Cu, bi- and trivalent Fe, Mn, Hg, Ni, Pb', Zr) and
of their chelates (1:1) with ethylenediaminetetra—
acetic acid (EDTA) was studied in 3000 male albino
Swiss mice, ^2 mo old and weighing 20 ± 2 g. The
mice were injected intraperitoneally with identi-
cal volumes (0.40 ml/20 g body weight). The cri-
terion of toxicity was the dose which proved le-
thal in 50% of the cases by 30 days (LD5Q/30).
The LDCJQ/-JQ of the mouse for bivalent Pb (as Pb
acetate) was, in mg/kg body weight, 76.6 i 2.0,
for EDTA alone 297.6 ± 14.8, and for the Pb-EDTA
cheiate 642.3 i 14.5. Comparison of the values
obtained for the 13 metallic ions shows that a
linear relation exists between the degree of de-
toxication and the stability of the cheiate, and
that the toxicity of the cheiate is a function of
the toxicity of the metallic ion. The results ob-
tained by the authors were compared with experi-
mental and clinical data cited in the literature.
1075 Pecora, L., Mole, R., Balletta, A., Dan-
iele, E., and Pesaresi, C. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): Azione dell'ac. adenosln-5-mono-
fosforico e dell'inosina sul metabolismo
porfirinico nel saturnismo sperimentale.
(ACTION OF ADENOSINE-5-MONOPHOSPHATE AND
190
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
INOSINE ON THE PORPHYRIN METABOLISM IN EX-
PERIMENTAL SATURNISM.) Folia Medlca (Na-
ples) 46, No. 5:349-60, 1963.
In a study of the effect of Pb on the metabolism
of porphyrlns 20 rabbits were poisoned by gastric
administration with 2 cc of a 20% solution of Pb
acetate/day. Two other groups of 12 rabbits each
were treated in the same manner and subsequently
daily with 100 mg adenosine-5-monophosphate (AMP)
intramuscularly and 100 mg inosine intravenously,
respectively. In all animals, determinations of
the urinary 6-amlnolevulinic acid (ALA), porpho-
bilinogen, uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin, and of
protoporphyrin in the blood were made every 4 days
for the first 12 days and thereafter every 8 days
for a total of 28 days. The results are shown in
tables. In the nontreated group, ALA increased
for 8-12 days, then dropped slightly and after
that increased again; porphobilinogen followed a
similar course at a lesser degree; uroporphyrins
were initially absent but occurred after 8 days
and then increased progressively and protoporphy-
rins increased throughout the experimental period.
In the treated animals the increase of ALA and cop-
roporphyrin during the first period of intoxica-
tion was smaller and the increase of porphobilino-
gen greater. These phenomena were more pronounced
with inosine than with AMP. While the results of
these tests confirm those of other authors that AMP
and inosine exert an effective action on porphyrin
metabolism, they are considered to be still too in-
complete to permit an exact interpretation of the
mechanism of their action.
1076 Pernis, B., Vigliani, B.C., de Petris, S.,
Beard, R. , and Karlsbad, G. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF RED CELLS
IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD-POISONING. In
XlVth International Congress of Occupa-
tional Health, Madrid, Spain, Sept. 16-
21, 1963. International Congress Series
No. 62, Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica Founda-
tion, 1964, vol. II, pp. 798-802.
See Pernis, B., de Petris, S., Beard, R.R., and
Karlsbad, G.: Medicina del Lavoro 55:81-101
(Feb.), 1964.
1077 Pigulevskaya, M.L.: Deistvie pyli svint-
sovo-baritovogo i svintsovo-tsinkovogo
rudnikov na legkie zhivotnykh v eksperi-
mente. (AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE AC-
TION OF DUST FROM LEAD-BARYTA AND LEAD-
ZINC MINES ON THE LUNGS OF ANIMALS.)
Izvestiya Akademii Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR,
Seriya Meditsiny Nauk 3:30-7, 1963.
Eighty rats in 4 series of experiments were ex-
posed intratracheally once to dust from Pb and
baryta concentrates. Dusts from both Pb-baryta
and Pb-Zn mines caused proliferation of the con-
nective tissue in the lungs of the rats but marked
fibrosis did not occur within 12 mo. (From Refera-
tivnyi Zhurnal Otd. Vypusk Farmakol. Toksikol.
1964, No. 21:499; Biological Abstracts 46:Abstract
No. 52645, 1965)
1078 Puhac, I., Hrgovic, N. , Stankovic', M., and
Popovicf, S. (Inst. Hyg., Belgrade, Yugo-
slavia): Laboratorijska ispitivan'a
mogucnosti primene olovnikh jedin'en'a kao
ratitsidnog sredstva putem sraan'ivan'a
reproduktsionikh sposobnosti patsova.
(LABORATORY INVESTIGATION OF THE POSSIBIL-
ITY OF EMPLOYING LEAD COMPOUNDS AS RATI-
CIDES BY DECREASING THE REPRODUCTIVE CAPA-
BILITY OF RATS.) Acta Veterinaria (Bel-
grade) 13, No. 1:3-9, 1963.
Eight groups of 40 male and female rats each, 4-6
mo old, were fed 80-8000 mg Pb nitrate/100 g of
their rations for 30 days; a 9th group served as
controls. Every other day, 3 male rats were kill-
ed and their organs were examined for pathologic
and histologic changes, and the amount of Pb de-
posited in the testes was determined. The results
showed that the amount of Pb deposited was not
proportional to the amount of Pb ingested. The Pb
content of the testes in the experimental rats
ranged from 0.0021-0.0188 mg% compared with
0.0013-0,0776 mg% in the controls. None of the
animals showed pathologic changes, while histo-
logic changes occurred when the Intake of Pb ni-
trate exceeded 800 mg/100 g food. The intensity
of the changes was influenced by the amount of Pb
taken into the organism. After 30 days of feeding
of Pb nitrate, the rats were paired with untreat-
ed females. No reproduction took place for 45
days. The same phenomenon was observed when the
treated males were paired with treated females.
1079 Rombola, G., and Magnanelli, P. (Natl.
Inst. Assurance Against Ind. Accidents,
Rome, Italy): Sulla patogenesi dell'-
anemia saturnina. (THE PATHOGENESIS OF
ANEMIA IN LEAD INTOXICATION.) Medicina
del Lavoro 54:106-17 (Feb.), 1963.
The movement of Fe in the Fe-protein fractions of
the bone marrow was studied in vivo and in vitro.
Rabbits received orally 200 mg Pb acetate for 2
mo, then were sacrificed following an intravenous
administration of 50 yCi 59peCl3. Bone marrow of
normal rabbits was incubated with 10~^M Pb ace-
tate for 1 hr, and following addition of 10 uCi
59peCl3 for 3 more hr. The determination of the
radioactivity of the single fractions as a func-
tion of time, especially in the case of the stro-
mal fraction and of Hb, showed that the synthesis
of Hb was inhibited in vitro but considerably ac-
celerated in vivo . Both in vitro and in vivo there
was a marked accumulation of Fe in the stromal
fraction. This was explained by assuming that
this accumulation is not in fact related to the
synthesis of Hb or that in addition to these hyper-
functioning cells in a state of greatly accelerated
maturation there is another quota of cells incapa-
ble of completing Hb synthesis in which, therefore,
the stromal Fe remains. (57 references)
1080 Rosati, G. (Italy): Action des medicaments
du systeme nerveux sur la syndrome toxique
de plomb-tetraethyl (PbT). (ACTION OF
DRUGS FOR THE NERVOUS SYSTEM ON THE TOXIC
SYNDROME OF TETRAETHYLLEAD.) In 2nd
International Pharmacological Meeting,
Prague, 1962. Biochemical Pharmacology
12 (Suppl.): 157-8 (Abstracts of Papers),
1963.
Rats and white mice, administered tetraethyllead
(TEL), develop a syndrome of hyperkinesia, char-
acterized by trembling, increased fear and aggres-
Plants and Animals
191
-------
siveness. The syndrome lasts for several hours
and is terminated by the death of the animal.
White mice, subcutaneously injected with TEL dis-
solved in absolute alcohol, were used to determine
which drugs might have an influence on the effects
of TEL. Preliminary tests showed that male mice
were more sensitive to TEL than females; the
for males was 39.8 mg/kg. Pretreatment with
iproniazid did not influence the toxic syndrome
while reserpine prolonged the time lapse between
injection of TEL and the occurrence of the charac-
teristic phenomena. Atropine, thiopental and per-
phenazine had no influence at all on the trembling;
procalmadiol and mephenesin caused complete dis-
appearance of the trembling and hydroxyzine in-
creased it. The possibility of using the toxic
syndrome of TEL for the screening of drugs acting
on the nervous system, is discussed.
1081 Schroeder, H.A., Vinton, W.H., Jr., and
Balassa, J.J. (Dartmouth Med. School,
Hanover, N.H.): EFFECT OF CHROMIUM, CAD-
MIUM AND OTHER TRACE METALS ON THE GROWTH
AND SURVIVAL OF MICE. Journal of Nutri-
tion 80:39-47 (May), 1963.
In order to study the effects on growth and sur-
vival of 5 "abnormal" trace metals, groups of 100
or more weanling white mice, housed in acrylic
plastic cages with stainless steel covers, in
quarters removed from airborne contamination and
maintained on a diet of rye, corn oil and dried
skim milk, containing small amounts of Cr, Ti, Cd,
Pb (0.19 yg/g) and Ni, were given drinking water
containing 5 ppm of 1 of these metals. This con-
centration was used to reproduce insofar as pos-
sible the tissue concentrations found in man. Cr
inhibited mortality and increased growth. Divalent
Pb (used as the acetate) had no marked effect on
growth, mature weights nor mortalities up to 18 mo
of age, but after that significantly increased
death rates in males. Pb concentrations in the
kidneys and the liver of mice given Pb were com-
parable (0.67-3.3 yg/g of wet weight of liver) to
those of adult man (0.5-3.2 Ug/g of liver); those
of controls were lower (0.05-0.71 yg/g of liver).
It is concluded that Cr resembled an "essential"
trace element, whereas Cd and Pb exhibited an in-
nate toxicity.
1082 Schroeder, H.A., Vinton, W.H., Jr., and
Balassa, J.J. (Dartmouth Med. School,
Hanover, N.H.): EFFECTS OF CHROMIUM, CAD-
MIUM AND LEAD ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF
RATS. Journal of Nutrition 80:48-54 (May),
1963.
Extending the experiments with mice as described
in the preceding article, groups of >100 male and
female hooded rats were each given, beginning at
28 days of age, 5 ppm of Cd, trivalent Cr or Pb
(as acetate) in drinking water; the Pb content of
their diet was 0.19 yg/g. Rats given Pb grew nor-
mally but their survival rate at 21 mo was consid-
erably reduced when their tissue Pb concentrations
were approximately similar to those of adult human
beings (0.7-1.5 yg/g wet kidney weight of rats fed
Pb (0.3-0.8 pg/g in controls) vs 0.28-2.53 yg/g
of kidney of man). Rats with low tissue Pb and Cr
levels and those given Cr had very low mortalities
under the conditions of the experiment.
1083 Selye, H., Gabbiani, G., and Tuchweber, B.
(Univ. Montreal, Canada): (AN EXPERIMEN-
TAL MODEL OF OSTEOMYELOSCLEROSIS.) Acta
Haematologica 29:51-62, 1963.
Research on the etiology and pathogenesis of os-
teomyelosclerosis in man has been handicapped by
the impossibility of reproducing typical osteo-
myelosclerosis in laboratory animals. The object
of the present communication is to show that, in
the rat, repeated intravenous administration of Pb
acetate at certain intervals reliably induces an
osteomyelosclerosis which is structurally similar
to that seen in man.
Female Holtzman rats, having a mean initial
weight of either 100 or 200 g, were lightly anes-
thetized and injected slowly into the jugular vein
with 5 mg/100 g body weight of Pb acetate in 1 ml
distilled water. Great care was taken not to
spill any Pb acetate to avoid local calcification.
After the injection, the skin incision was closed
with a stitch or a clip. The procedure was re-
peated on the 3rd and 5th day to produce mild
osteomyelosclerosis, and on the 3rd, 5th and 7th
day for the development of maximal lesions. The
animals were killed on the 12th day after the 1st
injection at which time osteomyelosclerosis was
evident even macroscopically. Although the rats
appeared normal after recovery from each injection,
they had lost about 10% of their body weight
toward the end of the observation period and oc-
casionally showed signs of jaundice and anemia.
The bones presented the classic picture of osteo-
myelosclerosis with the entire marrow cavity fill-
ed out by spongy bone. Apart from the skeletal
lesions, the only noteworthy effects were calci-
fication and enlargement of the spleen and liver,
which are stated to be characteristic of severe
intoxication by intravenously administered Pb com-
pounds.
1Q84 Selye, H., Gabbiani, G., and Tuchweber, B.
(Univ. Montreal, Canada): FACTORS INFLU-
ENCING TOPICAL CALCINOSIS INDUCED BY
TRAUMA FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS INJECTION OF
LEAD ACETATE. Archives Internationales de
Pharmacodynamie et de Therapie 145:254-63
(Sept.), 1963.
A study was carried out whether a direct calcifier
such as Pb acetate produces calcification uncon-
ditionally wherever it comes in contact with the
tissues, or whether this effect depends upon
systemic conditioning factors such as drugs, etc.
Female albino rats were given each a single intra-
venous injection of 7.5 mg neutral Pb acetate,
Pb(C~H,0,,)~ -3H20 in aqueous solution and im-
mediately after the injection topical trauma, re-
quired to induce local calcinosis, was applied by
compressing the root of the right external ear
with a curved hemostat for 20 sec. In addition,
the influence of various agents on this form of
hematogenic direct calcinosis was tested. It was
found that subcutaneous injections of formaldehyde,
histamine liberators, serotonin creatinine sulfate,
and desoxycorticosterone prevented the effect,
whereas some local and systemic stressors, reser-
pine, cyproheptadine and triamcinolone failed to
do so. It was assumed that the inhibitory agents
may act by preventing the exudation of Pb through
the capillary wall and not by interfering with the
192
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
action of Pb upon the connective tissue itself.
1085 Selye, H., Tuchweber, B., and Gabbiani, G.
(Univ. Montreal, Canada): ROLE OF THE
PARATHYROIDS IN THE PRODUCTION OF OSTEITIS
FIBROSA AND SOFT TISSUE CALCIFICATION BY
LEAD ACETATE. Endocrinology 72:782-6
(May), 1963.
Recent findings have suggested that the parathy-
roids are not indispensable in the production of
typical osteitis fibrosa, the causes of which in-
clude heavy metal salts, among them Pb.
Six groups of 10 rats each, 90-110 g initial
body weight, maintained on Purina Chow and tap wa-
ter, were injected into the jugular vein with
basic Pb acetate at a dose of 7.5 mg in 1 ml dis-
tilled water/rat. Group 1 served as controls,
Group 2 was subjected to parathyroidectomy, Group
3 was injected subcutaneously with 500 ug of the
histamine liberator 48/80, Group 4 was subjected
to the treatments of Group 2 and 3 at 11 days' in-
terval, Group 5 received subcutaneous injections
of 5% NaCl solution, and Group 6 was subjected to
parathyroidectomy and 11 days later to the NaCl
injections. The Pb treatment in each case was
given just before the infiltration with 48/80 or
NaCl. All rats, which had been injected with NaCl
or 48/80, developed massive cutaneous calcifica-
tion with severe osteitis fibrosa, both in the
presence and absence of the parathyroids. None of
the animals showed any evident sign of acute Pb
intoxication. Pb acetate alone in Groups 1 and 1
caused no cutaneous calcinosis, and histologically,
just detectable traces of osteitis fibrosa in
Group 1.
1086 Senczuk, W., and Zegarska, S.: (THE EF-
FECT OF PREVENTIVE TREATMENT WITH SULFIDE-
CONTAINING MINERAL WATER ON CHANGES IN
PARENCHYMATOUS ORGANS IN CASES OF PRO-
TRACTED SATURNISM.) Bulletin of the In-
stitute of Marine Medicine in Gdansk 14,
No. 1-2:57-64, 1963.
To test the suggestion that mineral water contain-
ing sulfide might be effective in the treatment of
Pb poisoning, rats were first experimentally poi-
soned with Pb, either orally or by inhalation for
6 mo. They then received artificially prepared
mineral water containing 3.9 or 7.8 mg hydrogen
sulfide/kg. Control rats received ordinary drink-
ing water. In animals poisoned orally, the liver
contained 5.9 vg Pb/100 g when sulfide-containing
water was given, compared with 11.4 ug Pb/100 g
when plain water was given. In rats exposed to Pb
by the respiratory route the corresponding values
were 8.1 and 9.6, respectively. Histologic changes
were shown in 16 photomicrographs. The authors
conclude that in poisoned rats given the sulfide
water, the pathologic changes in the parenchymatous
organs were much smaller. Further studies are in
progress. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 39:21, 1964)
1087 Shakhbazyan, G.Kh., and Savitskii, I.V.
(Kiev Med. Inst., USSR): Kombinirovannoe
deistvie tiolovykh yadov i vysokoi tempera-
tury vosdushnoi sredy na organism. (EFFECT
OF COMBINED ACTION ON ANIMALS OF SULFHYDRYL
POISONS AND HIGH AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE.)
Vestnik Akademii Nauk SSSR 18, No. 2:38-42,
1963
Three series of experiments were performed to de-
termine the effect of high temperature on the ac-
tion of Pb and Hg. Altogether, 35 rats were used
as controls, and in the exposure experiments, 45
rats and 22 rabbits. Criteria of poisoning were
the blood picture, protein fractions (by electro-
phoresis and chromatography), thermoregulatory bal-
ance, etc, and serum SH as an early sign of disor-
der. In the 1st series, rabbits were exposed for
4 hr/day over 10 or 50 days to 0.0001 mg Pb/1 air
at usual temperature. No signs of intoxication
were seen, but certain functional changes were
evident, ie, decrease of serum SH groups which by
the 10th day amounted to 30.9%; some changes in the
proteins were also seen. In the 2nd experiment,
rabbits were exposed for 10 days to 39-40° tempera-
ture, and rats for 30 days to 40°. Respiratory
rate rose rapidly in the 1st days to 180-240/min,
irritation of the upper respiratory tract and
adynamia were observed. With longer stay in the
chamber, the manifestations became less marked.
Functional changes were not noted, only an increase
in SH groups, and some loss in weight of the ani-
mals. Neither changes were significant.
In the 3rd series, combined exposure to Pb at
0.00004 mg/1 and 39-40° temperature resulted in
much greater effect than did separate exposures.
Under these conditions the animals found it signifi-
cantly more difficult to tolerate heat; respiration
rose to 280-300/min, the liver SH groups of the
rats decreased by 26% vs 11.4% at ordinary tempera-
ture; serum SH also was affected.
In the experiments with Hg, exposure to high con-
centrations (0.00010-0.00012 mg/1) at high tempera-
ture produced as marked an effect as at ordinary
temperature; however, low concentrations (0.00004
mg/1) which at ordinary temperature produced no
effect, were extremely toxic at high temperature.
The authors conclude that the potentiating effect
of the combination of toxic substances and high
temperature dictates the need for differential hy-
gienic standards in relation to environmental
temperature.
1088 Shraiber, L.B., and Mosevich, P.N. (Uzbek
Sci. Res. Inst. Sanit., Hyg., Occup. Dis.,
USSR): Ob isbiratel'nom porazhenii otdel'-
nykh perifericheskikh nervov ruk pri svin-
tsovoi intoksikatsil. (SELECTIVE DISORDERS
OF REMOTE PERIPHERAL NERVES OF THE HAND IN
LEAD POISONING.) Meditsinskii Zhurnal
Uzbekistana (Tashkent) 7:35-9 (July), 1963.
The authors had noted that workers exposed for a
long time (5-10 yr) to Pb present even in minimal
concentrations (0.02-0.05 ug/1 air (expressed in
original as 100,000th mg)) are not infrequently
affected by Pb polyneuritis which develops slowly
and involves mainly the sensory nerves. For this
reason they undertook experiments with 6 dogs which
they subjected to chronic poisoning by Pb nitrate
(white Pb (dose and route not indicated)). They
found that in dogs, paralysis of the hind legs oc-
curs first, and in the more advance stages of poi-
soning, the fore legs are involved; thus, function-
al involvement of the extremities differs in dogs
and in man. Chronaximetric and histologic findings
showed that the radial nerve is affected first,
followed by the ulnar, and the median is least af-
Plants and Animals
193
-------
fected. This was confirmed by the demonstration
of the deposition of Pb in these nerves. In an
attempt to demonstrate deposition of Pb in human
nerves, preparations from autopsy cases of individ-
uals who had suffered accidental deaths, showed no
Pb. When Pb was added to these specimens and
allowed to remain for up to 10 days, a differential
affinity for Pb was observed, with the radial nerve
having the greatest, and the median the least.
The authors consider this as confirmation of the
typical forms of sensory polyneuritis seen by them
in workers. They state also that other factors
may hasten the process, such as excessive muscular
strain.
1089 Soldatovic, D., and Petrovic'j C. (Univ.
Belgrade, Yugoslavia): Uticaj olova na
aktivnost fermenata-holinesterazu i
katalazu-kod zivotinja trovanih malim
kolicinama olova. (INFLUENCE OF LEAD ON
ENZYME ACTIVITY - CHOLINESTERASE AND CATA-
LASE - IN ANIMALS POISONED WITH SMALL
AMOUNTS OF LEAD.) Arhiva za Farmaciju 13,
No. 4:253-8, 1963.
Sheep were poisoned with daily doses of 25 mg Pb
as Pb nitrate administered with the feed. Cholin-
esterase activity as measured by the change in
color of bromothymol blue within a given time
(Davis-Nicholls' method), decreased from a normal
of 46-50 min to 100 min when the Pb concentration
in the blood reached 280-320 ug%. In contrast to
the inhibitory Influence of Pb on cholinesterase,
catalase activity increased as the Pb level in
the blood increased and reached a maximum of 10-
11 units/ml of plasma at a blood Pb content of
230-250 pg%, compared to 3.8-5.8 units in control
animals. (From authors' French summary)
1090 Sporn, A., and Schobesch, 0. (Inst. Hyg.,
Bucharest, Romania): Influenta asupra
organismului animal a administra"rii con-
comitent a unor substance chimice care
impurities' sau se adauga' la alimente.
(EFFECT OF SIMULTANEOUS ADMINISTRATION OF
FOOD ADDITIVES AND FOOD CONTAMINANTS TO
ANIMALS.) Igiena 12, No. 4:315-25, 1963.
When rats were fed a diet containing a mixture of
maximum permissible amounts of 15 compounds (4
coloring agents, 1 flavoring agent, 1 antioxidant,
3 preservatives, 2 insecticides, and 4 contami-
nants (Pb, Cu, Sn and As), signs of intoxication,
such as a decrease of adrenal vitamin C and liver
protein developed. Addition of 0.1 mg Pb nitrate,
100 mg Cu sulfate, 200 mg Sn chloride and 0.05 mg
As trichloride to 1 kg of diet induced toxic symp-
toms; however, a mixture of 3 of the above com-
pounds caused no toxicity.
1091 Springman, F., Bingham, E., and Stemmer,
K.L. (Lloyd Brothers, Inc.; Univ. Cincin-
nati, 0.): THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF LEAD ALKYLS.
ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF TETRAMETHYLLEAD,
TETRAETHYLLEAD, TRIMETHYLLEAD CHLORIDE,
TRIETHYLLEAD CHLORIDE, AND DIETHYLLEAD DI-
CHLORIDE TO RATS. Archives of Environmen-
tal Health 6:469-72 (Apr.), 1963.
Among the title compounds, it is known that tri-
ethyllead (TrEL) is a major metabolic product of
TEL, and there is evidence that trimethyllead
(TrML) forms in the body from TML. Although not
yet demonstrated, it is possible that the dialkyls
are also formed in vivo. In this report, earlier
work is extended by showing body weight changes
after administration of these compounds and by de-
scribing briefly the pathologic findings.
Cesarean-derived rats (Charles River strain)
weighing ^290 g were administered the compounds in
a single dose by stomach tube in separate groups of
rats, nearly equal in numbers of male and female.
Survivors were killed ^1 mo after administration.
TML and TEL (99.8 and 98.8%, respectively), were
administered as a 5% and a 1% solution, respective-
ly, in peanut oil at 24-280 mg/kg and 10-55 mg/kg;
TrML, and TrEL chlorides and diethyllead dichlorlde
(DiEL) as a 1% solution in water at 36-280, 10-55,
and 55-180 mg/kg, respectively.
The data on mortality, survival time, and onset
of tremors showed that all compounds acted similar-
ly, and except for TrEL which killed all rats
within 3 days, survival ranged from a few hours to
1 or 2 wk, depending upon dosage. All compounds
produced loss in weight (10-15%) that reached its
maximum at ^1 wk, except for TML where weight loss
continued into the 2nd wk. This response was also
dependent on dose. TEL, TrEL and TrML were about
equally toxic at comparable doses and several times
more so than TML and DiEL. Signs of illness by
TML, TEL and the tri-alkyls were similar and typi-
cal of those usually observed; DiEL produced no
hypersensitivity, tremors, convulsions, or lack of
coordination, only increasing weakness and death.
Pathologic changes (brain, kidney, lung) varied in
intensity and extent and were those of a nonspe-
cific acute intoxication. These were summarized
by Davis, et al (Abstr. No. 1053).
The authors' conclusions are that although limi-
ted in scope, the observations point to the fairly
rapid conversion of TEL to TrEL; in part, the toxic
effect is that of the Pb content, but the total
structure seems to exact a modifying influence.
The lesser neurologic effect of DiEL may be due to
the probability that the divalent ion would be
bonded more securely to the polar sites on proteins
than monovalent or nonionic forms and thus not
readily available to neurons; also its low solu-
bility in lipids would prevent its being taken up
as rapidly as TrEL into the nervous system. As to
TrML, while similar to TrEL in producing toxic re-
sponse and mortality, it differed from it by longer
intervals between administration of lethal dosage
and death. It is inferred that some factor re-
tards the building up of an effective concentra-
tion in the susceptible areas of the nervous sys-
tem.
1092 Sroczyrfski, J. (Silesian Clinic Int. Dis.
Zabrze, Poland): UkXad krwiotwfirczy
krolikdw w przewlekjym zatruciu oZowiem.
(THE HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM OF RABBITS IN
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Postepy Higieny
i Medycyny Dolwiadczalnej 17:585-94 (Sept.-
Oct.) , 1963.
Twelve rabbits were poisoned by iv injections of
0.9% Pb acetate solution in doses of 4 mg/kg every
7 days over 7 mo. The changes observed in the
blood picture throughout this period are shown in
6 graphs. The author concludes that the anemia
developing in Pb poisoning is both hemolytic and
194
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
achrestic. (18 references)
1093 Sroczynski, J., and Jonderko, G. (Clinic
of Internal Diseases, Zabrze, Poland):
Katalaza krwinek czerwonych w przewlek]!ej
ojowicy krolikow. (ERYTHROCYTIC CATALASE
IN CHRONIC PLUMBISM IN RABBITS.) Postepy
Higieny i Medycyny Doswiadczalnej 17:609-
14 (Sept.-Oct.), 1963.
Chronic Pb poisoning was established in 11 rabbits
of both sexes by intravenous injections of 4 mg Pb
acetate/kg, 7 days a wk over a period of 6 mo.
Catalase activity in the erythrocytes was deter-
mined by Jolles' method as modified by Gepner-
Wozniewska before the injections had begun and af-
ter signs of intoxication, such as anemia and the
presence of stippled erythrocytes, were observed.
The results showed a definite increase in cata-
lase activity ranging up to 170% above those found
before exposure, although the constancy of progress
of the activity reported by Gajdos and Gajdos-
THrilk (1958) was not observed. Therefore, it was
not possible to correlate the increase with the
manifestations of the poisoning. The effect of
hemolysis on catalase activity was also investiga-
ted on the blood of poisoned rabbits and of humans
as controls. The results, however, were inconclu-
sive.
In discussing the mechanisms involved in the in-
crease of blood catalase activity the authors con-
sider it unlikely that a possible liver injury in
Pb poisoning could be held responsible. In exper-
imentally induced injury of the liver, which is
the site of synthesis of catalase, they had ob-
served a decrease in activity of this enzyme.
1094 Sroczynski, J., and Piekarski, B. (Sile-
sian Clinic Int. Dis., Zabrze, Poland):
Obraz bia^ek surowicy krwi krolikow w
przewlekiym zatruciu oj!owiem. (SERUM
PROTEIN PICTURE IN RABBITS WITH CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING.) Postepy Higieny i Medy-
cyny Doswiadczalnej 17:603-8 (Sept.-Oct.),
1963.
The electrophoretic serum protein patterns were
examined in 10 rabbits subjected to chronic Pb
poisoning (4 mg Pb acetate solution/kg iv every
7 days for 7 mo) and compared with histologic
changes in the liver and kidney.
1Q95 Starcich, R., Chizzola, A., and Rastelli,
G. (Univ. Parma, Italy): La reazione
stromale fibrosclerotica provocata nel
midollo osseo da somministrazione endoven-
osa di acetato di piombo. (THE FIBROSCLER-
OTIC STROMAL REACTION INDUCED IN THE BONE
MARROW BY INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF
LEAD ACETATE.) Rivista di Anatomia Pato-
logica e di Oncologia 24:1247-54 (Dec.),
1963.
Selye et al reported in 1963 that osteomyeloscler-
osis could be induced in the rat by Pb acetate.
Starcich and his associates wished to investigate
this action and its mechanism in another species
in order to clarify the anemia occurring in Pb
poisoning.
Fifteen rabbits were injected intravenously on
alternate days with a daily dose of 5-2.5 mg/kg
body weight of Pb acetate in a 1% aqueous solution.
The higher doses caused acute intoxication, with
death after a few treatments. For the purpose of
this experiment, it was deemed best to administer
the lower doses for 2 cycles of 15 days each,
separated by an interval of 130 days. Animals
were killed following the 1st and 2nd cycle. A
constant increase of the circulating nucleated
cells up to 50,000/nm3 was noted. Leukocytes
reached a maximum after 5 days and then returned
slowly to the normal level. Shortly after the in-
crease of leukocytes, great numbers of erythro-
blasts were emitted into the circulation, while
leukocytes decreased. Hemoglobin and the number
of erythrocytes decreased; hypochromia and baso-
philia developed. Values tended to normalize dur-
ing the 2nd wk of treatment. The histologic
changes of the parenchyma of the bone marrow were
mainly of aplastic type, followed by stromal re-
actions in the form of hyperplasia of the reticular
fibers. None of these alterations were reversible.
In discussing the findings, the authors point out
that the process observed is similar to the second-
ary myelosclerosis produced experimentally by sev-
eral organic compounds and drugs.
1095 Tarmas, J. (Silesian Inst. Anatomy,
Zabrze, Poland) : ^Jplyw dozylnie podawa-
nego octanu oj!owiu na zwoje rdzeniowe
krolikow. (EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS LEAD
ACETATE ON THE SPINAL GANGLIA IN RAB-
BITS.) Postepy Higieny i Medycyny Dos-
wiadczalnej 17:771-6 (Nov.-Dec.), 1963.
The title subject was investigated on rabbits in-
jected iv Pb acetate in doses of 4 mg/kg accord-
ing to a schedule given in a table. The findings
are described and shown in 2 microphotographs.
(36 references)
1097 Tikhonov, N.N., and Semenova, V.A. (Acad.
Sci. Kazakh SSR): Soderzhanie mediatorov
v krovi pri svintosovoi intoksikatsii.
Soobshchenie I. (0 soderzhanii adrenalina
v dinamike otravleniya svintsom v eksperi-
mente.) (CONTENT OF MEDIATORS IN THE
BLOOD DURING LEAD POISONING. I. CONTENT
OF ADRENALINE IN THE DYNAMICS OF EXPERI-
MENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Izvestiya Akad-
emii Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 1963, No. 2:42-7.
When dogs (medium weight) were given orally 1 ml
of either a 5% or 2.3% solution of Pb acetate/kg/
day, the adrenaline content rose from a normal
av 0.275 ug/ml to an av 0.430 by the 25th-30th
day, then dropped to 0.08 by the 170th-180th day.
This phenomenon was attributed to changes in the
metabolism of vitamins and proteins. (20 refer-
ences)
1098 Vincent, J. (Lovanium Univ., Leopoldville,
Congo): MICROSCOPIC ASPECTS OF MINERAL
METABOLISM IN BONE TISSUE WITH SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO CALCIUM, LEAD AND ZINC.
Clinical Orthopaedics 26:161-75, 1963.
The skeleton is involved in general metabolic in-
teractions and is recognized as the key tissue in
various vital controls. Histochemical, micro-
radiographic and autoradiographic observation of
the deposition in the bone tissue of several ele-
ments, among them Pb, as a new approach to a bet-
ter understanding of bone physiology, is described.
Plants and Animals
195
-------
When Pb was used as a substitute for Ca, and fed
to dogs for 3 days, it proved to be useful in the
study of adult bone remodeling. Pb yielded valu-
able estimates of the growth rate of osteons and
demonstrated that remodeling activity is much more
active in the metaphysis than in the epiphysis.
1099 Wagenaar, G. (Univ. Utrecht, Holland):
Een geval van chronische loodvergiftiging
bij kalveren. (CHRONIC LEAD POISONING IN
CALVES.) Tijdschrift voor Diergeneeskunde
88, No. 13:826-34, 1963.
Four calves on a farm died after a sickness of ^6
wk; another calf had died the year before under
the same symptoms. Necropsy of 3 of these animals
showed chronic interstitial nephritis and uremic
endocarditis of the left auricle. When the last
calf died, the possibility of poisoning was con-
sidered. The liver of this calf was found to con-
tain 2 mg Pb/kg, the cortex of the kidney 25 mg/
kg. The liver of the calf that had died previous-
ly contained 49.7 mg Pb/kg. Meanwhile it was
learned that the farmer had put an old painted
door in the calf shed and the calves constantly
licked at this door. The paint of the door con-
tained 18.6% Pb.
1100 Wieczorek, M., and Sroczynski, J. (Sile-
sian Inst. Pathol. Anatomy, Zabrze, Po-
land) : Badania anatomopatologiczne w
doswiadczalnym przewlekjym zatruciu
oXowiem krdlikdw. (ANATOMICAL AND PATHO-
LOGIC STUDIES IN EXPERIMENTAL CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING IN RABBITS.) Postepy Higieny i
Medycyny Doswiadczalnej 17:595-601 (Sept.-
Oct.), 1963.
Ten rabbits were subjected to chronic Pb poisoning
by the iv injection of 4 mg/kg body weight daily
for 4-7 mo. Histopathology was performed on the
lung, liver, kidneys, adrenals, spleen, stomach
and intestine. The changes are described and il-
lustrated In 4 microphotographs. (12 references)
1101 Wilson, M.R., and Lewis, G. (Univ. Bris-
tol, England): LEAD POISONING IN DOGS.
Veterinary Record 75:787-91 (Aug. 3),
1963.
The literature on Pb poisoning in dogs is reviewed
and 5 out of 14 field cases that had been submit-
ted to the Department of Veterinary Medicine at
the University of Bristol are described. All the
animals were <11 mo old. The main signs were an-
orexia, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, loss
of weight and epileptiform convulsions; the ner-
vous signs consisted of sudden paralysis with ex-
cessive salivation and clamping of the jaws. Two
of the 5 cases ended in death. The source of Pb
in most cases was paint. The clinical picture of
Pb poisoning in the dog is not specific; other
disease conditions have been shown to cause mobil-
ization of Pb from the bones and to produce a con-
current Pb intoxication. In positive cases of Pb
poisoning, treatment with calcium ethylenediamine-
tetraacetate has been successful. (19 references)
1102 Yagi, R., Nishikawa, M., and Nakajima, M.
(Tokyo Med. Dental Univ., Japan): DEPOSI-
TION OF LEAD ACETATE AND TETRACYCLINE ON
THE TEETH OF FUR SEAL. Sci. Rept. Whales
Res. Inst. 1963, No. 17:191-5.
Pb acetate was given to a female fur seal
intramuscularly (5 mg/kg body weight). After ^23
wk of rearing in an aquarium, the Pb line was de-
tected histochemically in the dentin tissue under
ultraviolet light. This administration method may
be used as a technique for age determination of
the animal. (From Chemical Abstracts 59:10553,
1963)
1103 Zel'tser, M.E. (Acad. Sci., Kazak SSR) :
Raspredelenie ioda-131 v shchitovidnoi
zhelese, plazme krovi i slyunnoi zhelese
pri eksperimental'nom svintsovom otrav-
lenii u krys. (DISTRIBUTION OF IODINE-
131 IN THE THYROID, BLOOD PLASMA, AND
SALIVARY GLANDS IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POI-
SONING IN RATS.) Izvestiya Akademii Nauk
Kazakhskoi SSR, Seriya Meditsinskikh Nauk
1963, No. 1:66-70.
Male rats were poisoned with 2 and 5% Pb acetate
solutions (1 ml/kg/day by gastric tube) over a
period of 2.5-3 mo in order to produce typical
chronic poisoning. At the end of this period they
were injected with I and the I uptake was fol-
lowed 1, 24, and 48 hr after poisoning. The re-
sults showed that the thyroid absorbed less in-
organic I, and that there was a slower synthesis
of thyroid hormone. (15 references)
1104 Zel'tser, M.E. (Acad. Sci. Kazak SSR):
Reaktsiya shchitovidnoi zhelezyi v nachal'-
noi stadii eksperimental'noi svintsovoi
intoksikatsii. (REACTION OF THE THYROID
IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF EXPERIMENTAL LEAD
POISONING.) Izvestiya Akademii Nauk
Kazakhskoi SSR, Seriya Meditsiny Nauk
1963, No. 2:54-7.
The I uptake by the thyroid gland was studied
in male rats poisoned with 1 ml/kg of 2% Pb ace-
tate solution/day for 20-25 days. This dosage was
well tolerated and no significant changes occurred
in the blood picture. At the end of this period,
the rats received 131I sc. In another series, in
order to study the distribution of inorganic and
organic fractions in the thyroid and plasma, tri-
chloroacetic acid was used according to Taurog,
Chaikoff and Feller's method. The results showed
that a characteristic acceleration of thyroid
function took place which was demonstrable prin-
cipally by increased I uptake. The author con-
cludes that activation of thyroid function must be
considered as one of the pathogenic factors in in-
cipient Pb poisoning. (14 references)
1964
H05 Aronson, A.L., and Hammond, P.B. (Univ.
Minn., St. Paul): EFFECT OF TWO CHELATING
AGENTS ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND EXCRETION
OF LEAD. Journal of Pharmacology and Ex-
perimental Therapeutics 146:241-51 (Nov.),
1964.
The pattern of mobilization of Pb with regard to
removal from selected organs and tissues of rats
by chelating agents, the importance of the inten-
sity and duration of exposure of tissues to ethyl-
enediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and dimercaptopro-
panol (BAL) was e-valuated and their metal-mobiliz-
196
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ing effects were compared. Male Sprague-Dawley
rats, weighing 240-260 g, were used throughout the
study. Pb was administered (solution of Pb ci-
trate to which ^lOpj, had t,een added) by slow iv
infusion in order to achieve a pattern of Pb dis-
tribution in the body that would be reasonably
similar to that following oral intake which is the
most common route in Pb poisoning of children and
domestic animals. In a comparative experiment,
infused Pb was distributed to kidney, liver and
brain in amounts approximating those following
oral administration, while the Pb deposition in
spleen and lungs was appreciably greater than in
oral administration. (The rats in this test had
been killed 30 hr following oral and 24 hr follow-
ing iv administration.) Distribution of Pb on the
1st, 4th and 7th days following infusion of 7 mg
Pb/kg body weight was next studied in 9, 11 and 10
rats, respectively. In the soft tissues, the
levels of Pb decreased with time while they con-
comitantly increased in the bones. A tabulation
of daily excretion of Pb in urine and feces shows
that until day 4, excretion via feces was more
important than that via the urine.
The concentration of EDTA in the plasma water
was determined in 6 rats under conditions of rapid
iv injection and in 4 rats, given iv infusion over
a 6-hr period. The dose of EDTA was in each case
1.073 mM/kg of body weight. EDTA concentration
in the plasma water varied from 200-420 nM/ml
during infusion, fell rapidly upon cessation of
infusion, but concentrations of 10-12 nM EDTA
persisted for as long as 18 hr following infusion.
When therapy, using 1.073 mM EDTA/kg, was
started on the 4th day following Pb administration
and the rats killed on the 7th day, continuous iv
infusion over 6 hr proved superior to rapid in-
jection in mobilizing Pb from soft tissue; also
this dose was superior to lower doses. Most mo-
bilized Pb came from the kidney except in the case
of slow infusion of 0.107 mM EDTA/kg, when EDTA
acted almost exclusively on the muscle. Accelera-
tion of urinary Pb excretion following treatment
with EDTA was essentially completed in 24 hr,
which is in contrast to man and cattle where uri-
nary Pb excretion is enhanced for several days.
In the experiments with BAL, 0.573 mM/kg were
used for rapid injection and 1.073 mM/kg for 6-
hr infusion. These doses were toxic and caused
convulsions in the rats, but none died. At
equimolecular doses, BAL was superior to EDTA in
mobilizing Pb from the body, but less effective
than EDTA in removing Pb from nonosseous organs
and tissues, such as kidney, muscle and brain.
BAL enhanced both urinary and fecal excretion of
Pb. Accelerated urinary Pb excretion was largely
completed within 24 hr, the same as when EDTA was
used.
When rats were treated with 1.073 mM EDTA/kg on
the 1st day (early treatment) and sacrificed on
the 4th day following Pb administration, less Pb
was mobilized from soft tissue than by treatment
with the same dose of EDTA on the 4th day (late
treatment) following Pb administration. Signifi-
cant reduction of Pb content only of brain and
muscle resulted. Urinary Pb excretion was marked-
ly increased and fecal Pb excretion decreased.
In summary, both intensity and duration of the
chelating process influenced the mobilization of
Pb, notably the kidney and liver; intensity in-
fluenced more the removal from brain and from
muscle; late treatment was more effective in mobi-
lization of Pb; BAL was less effective than EDTA
at equimolar doses in removal from soft tissues,
but more so in mobilizing Pb from the body.
1106 Baetjer, A.M., and Horiguchi, S. (Johns
Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, Md.): EFFECTS
OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE AND DEHYDRA-
TION ON LEAD POISONING IN LABORATORY ANI-
MALS . In XlVth International Congress
of Occupational Health, Madrid, Spain,
Sept. 16-21, 1963. International Congress
Series No. 62, Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica
Foundation, 1964, Vol. II, pp. 795-7.
In a total of 12 experiments, mice were injected
intravenously with 1 mg Pb/20 g mouse as nitrate
to which 1 uCi 210Pb was added. Half of the mice
were kept at 35°C, the other half at 22°C, for
4, 24, or 48 hr. At the higher temperature, mice
excreted less Pb in feces and urine than did those
kept at normal temperature. The 210pt concentra-
tion in the blood did not vary significantly at
the 2 levels of temperature. At 4 hr, the Pb con-
tent in lungs, spleen, brain, heart and bladder
plus testes was higher in the heat-exposed mice,
that in kidney and liver was lower. By 24 hr, Pb
in lungs, spleen and kidney was greater in the
heat-exposed mice and by 48 hr, that in the liver
also exceeded the levels in mice at normal temper-
ature.
Intracellular fluid loss was produced in rats by
replacing the drinking water with 2% Na chloride
solution for 2 wk preceding and following intra-
venous injection of 1 mg Pb/100 g body weight as
nitrate. Mortality from acute Pb poisoning was
greater in the dehydrated than in the control rats
and deaths continued over a longer time. The dif-
ferences were statistically significant. Fatality
was not related to weight loss. Before Pb injec-
tion, food consumption and fecal excretion were
less, fluid intake and urine output greater in the
dehydrated animals than in the controls. Immedi-
ately following Pb injection, fluid and food in-
take and feces and urine output decreased sharply
in all rats but soon returned to the pre-injection
pattern. The saline rats excreted less Pb in the
urine and more Pb in the feces. Fecal Pb excre-
tion reached a maximum during the 1st day after Pb
injection in the normal rats and on the 3rd or 4th
day in the dehydrated ones. Pb concentration was
greater in the kidneys of saline rats but lower in
their liver. Pb in the red cells, 14 days after
injection, was higher in normal than in saline
rats, that in plasma did not differ appreciably.
The experiments show that high temperature and
dehydration may be important factors in Pb poison-
ing in man.
1107 Baldwin, R.W., Cunningham, G.J., and Pratt,
D. (Univ. Nottingham, England): CARCINO-
GENIC ACTION OF MOTOR ENGINE OIL ADDITIVES.
British Journal of Cancer 18:503-7 (Sept.),
1964.
Various components of a proprietary engine oil ad-
ditive, consisting mainly of Pb naphthenate to-
gether with small amounts of chlorinated hydrocar-
bons, were assessed for carcinogenic activity.
Plants and Animals
197
-------
The shaved skin of young adult male albino mice
was painted once or twice weekly for up to 12 mo
with the whole additive I or with one of its 3
components, ie base oil, additive concentrate and
Pb naphthenate, or with a proprietary additive II
used as an upper cylinder lubricant. The carcino-
genic substances were contained almost exclusively
iu the base oil. Neither the whole additive for-
mulation nor the Pb naphthenate fraction produced
any significant carcinogenic response in the skin
of the mouse. Skin papillomata were observed in
only 2 of 59 mice (4%) following skin painting
with Pb naphthenate, and only a single papilloma
developed in mice treated with the additive con-
centrate. However, skin painting with the Pb naph-
thenate fraction induced marked kidney damage and
tubular adenomata were observed in 4 mice while
1 had a renal carcinoma. Additive II also proved
to be carcinogenic for the skin of the mouse.
1108 Bolanowska, W., Piotrowski, J., and Tro-
janowska, B. (Inst. Med. Pracy, Lodz, Po-
land) : THE KINETICS OF DISTRIBUTION AND
EXCRETION OF LEAD (Pb210) IN RATS. In:
XlVth International Congress of Occupa-
tional Health, Madrid, Spain, Sept. 16-21,
1963. International Congress Series No.
62, Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica Foundation,
1964, Vol. II, pp. 420-2.
Thirty-four adult male albino rats, mean weight
260 g, received each, intravenously, a single dose
of 200 ue Pb, as Pb acetate solution labeled with
2 yCi iJ-Upb, calculated to be 1 mg Pb/kg. Pb ex-
cretion in feces and urine was observed foi 98
days in 8 rats and distribution curves of Pb in
the body were obtained for 12 different periods
from 0.5 hr up to 98 days after the injection.
The determination of Pb was based on the measure-
ment of the 6-radiation of the ^^Zi which is in
equilibrium with 210Pb. The distribution data ob-
tained allowed the division of the organs into 3
basic compartments differing in Pb exchange rate:
(1) the rapid exchange pool consisting of blood,
heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen and gastro-
intestinal tract, with a Pb content of 100% of the
dose in the first moment to 7% after 1 wk after
which time the Pb content in these organs remained
constant; (2) the intermediate pool of muscles and
skin with a Pb maximum of 11% of the dose after 1
day, dropping to 8% after 1 wk; (3) the slow ex-
change pool including the bones and whole tail
with a maximum Pb content of 40% of the dose after
1 wk which decreased very slowly to ^30% in 3 mo.
After 1 wk, 50% of the Pb introduced was excreted
in urine and feces with "~4/5 of this amount in the
feces. Since turnover of Pb in muscles and skin
is very slow, this may explain why absorption of
Pb given subcutaneously is very slow and incom-
plete, as later experiments showed. The excretion
coefficient of these tissues against the rapid
exchange pool is only "x-O.Ol/hr. Whole of body
processes of the Pb metabolism may be fairly
well described by simple power functions, the
coefficients of which are of the same order as
those found for radioactive boneseekers. How-
ever, before practical application of these func-
tions they must be proved by experimental re-
peated exposure in animals and in man under field
conditions.
1109 Brugnone, F., Corsi, G.C., and Galzigna,
L. (Univ. Padua, Italy): Carico di sero-
tonina e di 5-idrossitriptofano in conigli
intossicati da piombo tetraetile. (SERO-
TONIN AND 5-HYDROXYTRYPTOPHAN LOADS IN
RABBITS INTOXICATED WITH TETRAETHYLLEAD.)
Medicina del Lavoro 55:184-7 (Mar.), 1964.
Since earlier experiments had shown that tetra-
ethyllead (TEL) alters the urinary elimination of
5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (HIAA), the principal
metabolite of serotonin, the authors wished to
continue the study of the mechanism of action of
TEL by observing the behavior of this metabolite
after loading animals with serotonin and 5-hydrox-
ytryptophan (HTP).
Eight male rabbits, weighing 2-3 kg, received
intramuscular injections of 50 mg/kg/day of TEL,
dissolved in ethyl alcohol; controls were given
only the alcohol. Both TEL-treated and control
rabbits then received daily for 4 days 8 mg HTP
and 20 mg serotonin. Daily determinations of HIAA
in the urine showed excretion to remain unchanged
in the TEL-poisoned rabbits treated with HTP,
while it increased markedly in TEL-poisoned rab-
bits treated with serotonin and in controls treat-
ed with serotonin. The experiments confirmed the
previous hypothesis that TEL inhibits the catabo-
lism of HIAA in the brain and that HTP is the only
hydroxyl metabolite of tryptophan which can pass
the blood-brain barrier.
The experiments were continued while this paper
was being printed. After injecting rabbits daily
for 8 days with 15 mg HTP, a group of untreated
rabbits serving as controls, oxalic acid and HIAA
were determined in the urine. The results showed
that 94% of the administered dose of HTP was
eliminated or metabolized by a pathway other than
that of HIAA. Excretion of oxalic acid did not
increase significantly.
1110 Brugnone, F., Galzigna, L., and Corsi, G.C.
(Univ. Padua, Italy): Contenuto di sero-
tonina nei polmoni di conigli intossicati
con piombo tetraetile. (CONTENT OF SERO-
TONIN IN THE LUNGS OF RABBITS INTOXICATED
WITH TETRAETHYLLEAD.) Medicina del Lavoro,
55:411-13 (June-July), 1964.
The effect of tetraethyllead (TEL), of the solvent
used, and of Pb as Pb acetate on the serotonin
content in the lungs was studied in 36 male rab-
bits, weighing 2-3 kg each. Thirteen rabbits were
treated intramuscularly as follows: 4 with TEL
dissolved in ethanol, 2 with ethanol only, 3 with
Pb acetate and 4 with Pb acetate plus ethanol.
Ten rabbits were subjected to inhalation of TEL at
a concentration of 1 mg/1 of air, 4 of them for 1
hr/day for 2 days (acute poisoning) and 3 for 30
min on alternate days for 44 days (subacute poi-
soning) . Seven animals were kept as controls and
3 each received 10 mg/kg/day of l-benzyl-2-(5-
methyl-3-isoxazolylcarbonyl) hydrazine (Marplan)
for 20 days and 50 mg/kg/day of iproniazid (Mar-
silid), respectively. The 3 Marsilid-treated ani-
mals were sacrificed after 24, 48 and 72 hr, re-
spectively; all other animals were killed before
death from poisoning was imminent. The sensitiv-
ity of the method used for the determination of
serotonin did not go beyond 4 pg/g of fresh tis-
sue, so that in some cases the levels were indica-
198
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ted as being nondeterminable (nd). In acute poi-
soning with TEL by inhalation, serotonin was de-
creased to nd levels in 6 of the 7 cases studied
and after intramuscular administration of TEL plus
ethanol in all cases. In subacute poisoning with
TEL by inhalation, it was nd in 1 of 3 instances.
Treatment with ethanol or with Pb acetate plus
ethanol had no particular effect; Pb acetate alone
seemed to increase the serotonin level and Marplan
and Marsilid produced no changes.
Two interpretations of the above findings were
proposed: (1) the effect of TEL is not limited to
the inhibition of monoamine oxidase; (2) the de-
crease of serotonin is due to a reaction not con-
nected with monoamine oxidase. The author con-
siders the first of these hypotheses as the more
convincing one because TEL acts as a general poi-
son rather than as a specific inhibitor.
1111 Brykalski, D., and Bolanowska, W. (Inst.
Occup. Med., Lodz, Poland): Dalsze badan-
ia nad wpjywem doustnie podanego EDTA na
wchjanianie i wydalanie oXowiu. (FURTHER
STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF ORALLY ADMINI-
STERED EDTA ON LEAD ABSORPTION AND EXCRE-
TION.) Medycyna Pracy 15, No. 3:133-8,
1964.
Each of a group of 16 albino rats were fed 300 yg
Pb ion labeled with 210Pb; 8 of them were then
given 5 mg ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) in
aqueous solution in 5 portions over 2 days. Ex-
creta and urine were collected separately for 48
hr, when the animals were killed. Total body re-
91 n
tention of uPb was found to be similar in both
groups, amounting to 0.095% of the administered
dose in the EDTA-treated rats and 0.092% in the
controls. Urinary '^Pb excretion for the 1st and
2nd day together was 4.296 and 0.806% of the dose
in the 2 groups, respectively. The conclusion was
drawn that EDTA increases Pb absorption from the
alimentary tract, but this increased absorption is
compensated by a relatively high excretion while
the total body retention is not raised. (From
authors' English summary).
1112 Camerada, P., Congiu, M., and Leo, P.
(Univ. Cagliari, Italy): Comportamento
del seromucoide e dell'acido sialico
(sangue e tessuto nervoso) nell'intossica-
zione sperimentale da piombo nel ratto.
(BEHAVIOR OF SEROMUCOID AND SIALIC ACID
(BLOOD AND NERVOUS TISSUE) IN EXPERIMENTAL
LEAD POISONING IN RATS.) Rassegna Medica
Sarda 66:253-63 (Jan.-Dec.), 1964.
Previous studies by the author (1959) have shown
that in individuals exposed to the risk of Pb poi-
soning a significant increase of seromucoid cor-
responding to a significant decrease of neuraminic
acid in the blood occurs. He then sought to de-
termine whether the same phenomenon occurs in ex-
perimental Pb poisoning and the nature of these
constituents in the blood and nerve tissue.
Forty male albino Wistar rats, average weight
380 g, were divided at random into 4 groups of 10
each and given the following treatments: Group A
served as controls; rats in Group B received a
single intraperitoneal dose of 5 mg Pb/100 g body
weight, as Pb acetate, to produce acute poisoning
and were killed 8 hr later; rats of Group C re-
ceived intraperitoneal injections of 1 mg Pb/100 g
body weight as Pb acetate on the 1st, 2nd, 4th and
5th day and were killed on the 6th day (1 rat died
spontaneously on the 5th day); the animals in
Group D were fed 2 mg Pb/day for 10 consecutive
days and sacrificed on the llth day. Neuraminic
acid in blood and cerebral tissue was determined
by the method of Hess et al (1957) and seromucoid
in blood by the method of Hurga et al (1956). The
neuraminic acid in blood and nerve behaved simi-
larly in Groups B and D; the reduction of neura-
minic acid in both these groups (means in plasma,
67 ± 14 and 100 ± 12.12 mg/100 ml; nerve, 111.5 ±
10.44 and 91.9 ± 12.9) was statistically signifi-
cant with respect to the controls (plasma, 111 -
23.66; nerve, 126.2 t 10.7). Seromucoid decreased
slightly in Group B and increased moderately in
Group D (226 ± 70 and 270 ± 74 vs 243 ± 32), but
both changes were not significant statistically.
In Group C, neuraminic acid in plasma (124 -
10.33) and nerve (124.66 t 17.7) showed only
slight changes, but seromucoid increased conspic-
uously and significantly to ^2-fold (498 i 95)
compared with controls (243 ± 32). The latter re-
sults were not attributed to Pb poisoning but to
peritoneal inflammation observed in all animals of
Group C, which always produces an increase of ser-
omucoid in the blood.
Based on the results from Group B and D it was
concluded that Pb introduced into the organism
forms an organometallic complex which binds neura-
minic acid to a chelate and that thereby Pb is
prevented to develop its toxic effect. The find-
ings are similar to those observed in man.
1113 Castellino, N., and Aloj, S. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): KINETICS OF THE DISTRIBUTION AND
EXCRETION OF LEAD IN THE RAT. British
Journal of Industrial Medicine 21:308-14
(Oct.), 1964.
Wistar male rats, weighing 180-225 g, were given a
single intravenous injection of 100 yg Pb as Pb
acetate and enough DPb to record about 10^
counts/min. Groups of 5 rats were killed at in-
tervals up to 14 days after injection. Two groups
of 3 rats were given only 0.7 yg Pb each; these
rats were killed after 1 and 24 hr. The percent-
ages of the injected 210pb fixed and excreted as
well as those recovered in fresh tissues and their
variation with time were tabulated and the total
210pb contents of whole organs were calculated.
In the blood, 96% of the Pb was bound to the cell-
ular elements and 4% was in the plasma; the ratio
was constant during the whole period of observa-
tion. 210pb was rapidly distributed in the tis-
sues, the highest concentrations being in kidney,
liver and bones. The kinetics of disappearance
of 210pb from the organs and tissues followed the
pattern of first order reactions. The disappear-
ance curves in the blood, plasma, hematic cells
and some other tissues can be expressed as sums
of exponential functions. In contrast, the removal
of metal from the bone tissue occurred at a con-
stant and extremely slow rate. Excretion by the
feces and urine reached its maximum within 24 hr
and decreased asymptotically thereafter. About
35.7% 210Pb was excreted in the feces and 15.9% in
the urine.
Plants and Animals
199
-------
1114 Castellino, N., and Aloj, S. (Univ. Na-
ples, Italy): (DISTRIBUTION AND EXCRETION
OF LEAD-210 ACETATE IN THE RAT.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 47, No. 2:138-56, 1964.
See preceding abstract.
1115 Castellino, N., and Aloj, S. (Univ. Na-
ples, Italy): Azione del CaNa2EDTA sulla
cinetica della distribuzione ed escrezione
dell'acetato di piombo (Pb210) nel ratto.
(ACTION OF CaNa2EDTA ON THE DISTRIBUTION
AND EXCRETION OF LEAD (210Pb) IN THE RAT.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 47:381-403 (April),
1964.
EDTA, given iv to rats injected 100 yg 210Pb iv,
greatly increased urine excretion but reduced the
fecal, with greatest effect occurring shortly af-
ter Pb injection. When given £7 days after Pb, the
increase was negligible. Mobilization was from
every tissue; Pb ions bound weakly to cells were
removed rapidly while Pb fixed to intracellular
constituents was removed slowly. Bone Pb was not
mobilized. Of 500 yg Pb/rat given orally, ^18%
was absorbed through intestine. Oral EDTA in-
creased urinary Pb and reduced Pb retention. (Al-
so in XlVth International Congress Series No. 62,
Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica Foundation, 1964, vol.
II, pp. 910-2; British Journal of Industrial Medi-
cine 22:172-80 (July), 1965)
HIS Castellino, N., Had Aloj, S. (Univ. Na-
ples, Italy): Determinazione delle cos-
tanti di allontanamento del Pb2lO dai
different! tessuti del ratto. (DETERMINA-
TION OF THE ELIMINATION CONSTANTS OF Pb210
FROM VARIOUS RAT TISSUES.) Folia Medica
47:238-48 (Mar.), 1964.
Ten groups of 5 male Wistar rats each (av 190 g)
were given iv 100 yg Pb/rat (as acetate) and
were killed after 1, 12, 24, 72, 144, 192, 216,
264, 288, and 336 hr. 210Pb was found in all tis-
sues. It diffused rapidly into extravascular and
intracellular fluids and a few hr after injection
was scarcely detectable in the plasma. From the
findings, it is concluded that the bond of Pb with
individual tissues is reversible but that its
elimination occurs in different phases: 2 ini-
tial, of rapid elimination, followed by a slow
phase in the blood, plasma, blood cells, lung and
heart, and only 1 rapid and 1 slow in liver and
kidney. Elimination from bone tissue was slow and
constant with a biological decay time of ^70 days.
In interpreting results, the authors suggest that
the rapid phases portray elimination of Pb in ion-
ic form, present in the intracellular spaces or
lightly bound to the cells, while the slow phase
expresses the elimination of Pb transformed into
an organic compound.
1117 Castellino, N., Colicchio, G., Grieco, B.,
Piccoli, P., and Rossi, A. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): Toxicite d'un melange antideton-
ant au plomb tetramethyle. Recherches
experimentales et controle du risque de
contamination chez des ouvriers exposes.
(TOXICITY OF AN ANTIKNOCK MIXTURE CONTAIN-
ING TETRAMETHYLLEAD. EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES
AND PREVENTION OF HAZARDS TO EXPOSED WORK-
ERS.) Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles de Medecine du Travail et de
Se'curite Sociale 25:203-18 (Apr.-May),
1964.
A mixture of the following composition was used, in
volume %: TML, 33.7; ethylene dibromide, 10.8;
ethylene dichlorlde, 19.9; toluene, coloring mat-
ter, impurities, 35.6. Five groups of male rabbits
were injected sc as follows: Group 1 (4 animals,
av 2.375 kg), single dose of 400 mg/kg body weight
of the mixture; Group 2 (9 rabbits, av weight
2.700 kg), 0.1 ml (corresponding to 50 mg)/kg of
an alcoholic solution of the mixture, daily, 5
days/wk for a total of 4-15 injections; Group 3
(9 rabbits, av weight 2.450 kg), 0.10 ml (equal to
15 mg)/kg of an alcoholic aqueous (78:22) solu-
tion of the mixture, daily, 5 days/wk for a total
of 12-18 administrations; Group 4 (10 animals, av
weight 2.600 kg), 0.18 ml (equal to 5 mg)/kg of an
alcoholic aqueous (63:37) solution of the mixture,
daily, 5 days/wk for a total of 180 injections;
Group 5, controls (4 rabbits, av weight 2.570 kg),
0.18 ml/kg of a mixture of alcohol and water (63:
37). Survival time, weight changes and toxic
signs before death were studied and data concern-
ing hepatic and renal function and blood composi-
tion were tabulated.
The rabbits in Group 1 died within 5-12 days,
those in Group 2, 1-2 days after injections were
discontinued, having lost 16% of their body weight.
All 4 experimental groups developed a comparable
nervous syndrome but they did not show any sta-
tistically significant manifestations of hepatic,
renal or hemopoietic alterations. The neurotoxic
symptoms did not attenuate as the dose decreased
from 400-15 mg/kg, but disappeared at doses of 5
mg/kg. On the other hand, animals treated with 5
mg/kg of the mixture showed a statistically sig-
nificant hypochromic hypersideremic anemia and
some variable changes in hepatic function.
In discussing the results, the authors consider
the contribution of the individual constituents of
the mixture to the neurotoxic manifestations, to
be a synergistic action exerted by each. The fact
that only neurotoxic effects were seen in all but
the chronic intoxication (at 5 mg/kg) is attribu-
ted to the early deaths of the animals. The ane-
mia seen in chronic exposure is attributed to the
double action of toluene and TML.
In addition, the hazard of TML poisoning was
studied over a period of 10 mo in 10 workers of a
gasoline refinery in Southern Italy. All men were
trained to wear masks and gloves during work and
to observe hygienic precautions; the work place
was suitably ventilated. Results of tests for the
Pb content in blood and urine, azotemia, choles-
terol, coproporphyrins, protoporphyrins, and hema-
topoiesis in these subjects were tabulated. None
of the men showed any evidence of intoxication
which demonstrates that the hazard of intoxication
by TML can be excluded by adequate precautionary
measures.
H18 Chaika, P.A.: Profilakticheskaya rol'
pektinov pri zatravke zhivotnykh aerozoly-
ami svintsa. (THE PROPHYLACTIC ROLE OF
PECTINS WHEN ANIMALS ARE POISONED BY LEAD
AEROSOLS.) In Materialy XV Nauchnoi
sessii Institute Pitaniya Akademii medit-
sinskikh nauk SSSR, 1964. Moscow 2:114,
200
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1964. (From Referativnyi Zhurnal, Otd.
Vypusk. Farmakol. Toksikol, 1964, No. 23:
54-467; Biological Abstracts 46:Abstr. No.
66352, 1965)
U19 Cimasoni, G. , and Collet, R.A. (Univ.
Geneva, Switzerland): INORGANIC PHOSPHORUS
AND LEAD POISONING: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
USING P32. Helvetica Odontologica Acta 8:
142-7 (Oct.), 1964.
A study was carried out on rats in order to estab-
lish whether inorganic P is removed from bone in
the presence of Pb, and in a preliminary investi-
gation, a method for labeling inorganic P in bone
is described.
Seven female Wistar strain rats, weighing 200-
230 g, were given intraperitoneally 2 yCi-' P as
phosphate in physiological saline at time zero and
sacrificed after 0.25, 0.5, 1.5, 3.5, 5.5, 8 and
24 hr, respectively. Inorganic P was determined
in blood serum and bone powder by the colorimetric
method of Fiske and Subbarow (1925) and 32P was
counted with an end window Geiger-Miller tube.
Specific activity of inorganic P was expressed in
counts/min (cpm)/mg of serum or bone inorganic P.
Forty-nine female Wistar strain rats, weighing
180-320 g, were divided into 3 groups of 22, 16
and 11 animals. All groups received at time zero
2 yCi of 32P; 4 hr later 11 rats of Group 1 were
given an intraperitoneal injection of 4 ml of a 1%
solution of Pb acetate (pH 6) in distilled water
and all rats were killed after 6 hr; in Group 2,
after 15 days 8 rats received Pb acetate as above,
and all 16 rats were killed 2 hr thereafter; in
Group 3, 6 rats were injected after 4 hr with a
solution of Na acetate buffered to pH 6.
Average P specific activity of bone was 25 cpm
mg /15 min after injection of the radioisotope, 35
after 30 min and 100 after 3 hr, while in the
blood it decreased from 34,000 at 15 min to 3000
at 3-4 hr after administration. At 3-4 hr, P
specific activity of bone and blood remained con-
stant for a few hr, one at its maximum and the
other at its minimum level. The experiments in
Group 1 were performed in 3 replications, using 8,
6 and 8 animals; variability between the 3 repli-
cations was significant at least at the 0.01 level.
Pb-intoxicated rats had a significantly higher P
specific activity of blood and a significantly
lower one of bone. The average ratio of blood-to-
bone specific activity was 117 for the Pb-poisoned
rats and 68 for the controls which is a difference
of borderline significance. In the rats of Group
2, Pb administration did not produce any differ-
ence in P specific activity of bone, as compared
with their controls, and in Group 3 no differences
were evident in respect to both blood- and bone-P
specific activity as compared to 5 controls.
It is concluded that the administration of Pb
causes an interference in the mobilization or de-
position of P in the exchangeable fraction of
bone. This would in part explain the etiology of
the developmental bone lesions produced by Pb.
1120 Colicchio, G., Rossi, A., and Grieco, B.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): Ricerche speri-
mentali sulla tossicita' di una miscela al
piombo tretametile. (EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES
ON THE TOXICITY OF A MIXTURE CONTAINING
TETRAMETHYLLEAD.) In XlVth International
Congress of Occupational Health, Madrid,
Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963. International
Congress Series No. 62, Amsterdam, Ex-
cerpta Medica Foundation, 1964, Vol. II,
pp. 915-6.
Since tetramethyllead (TML), because of its great-
er volatility and more uniform distribution in the
motor cylinders, is now being used as antiknock
agent instead of tetraethyllead, a study was un-
dertaken to determine the LD5Q in subcutaneous ex-
posure and the LC5Q by inhalation of an antiknock
mixture containing the following components, in a
volume %: TML, 33.7; ethylene dibromide, 10.8,
ethylene dichloride, 19.9; toluene, impurities,
35.6. A water and alcohol solution of this mix-
ture was administered subcutaneously to 5 groups
of rabbits as follows: Groups 1 and 2, single
dose of 800 and 400 mg/kg, respectively; Groups 3,
4 and 5, 50, 15 and 5 mg/kg, respectively, daily,
5 days/wk. Animals of Group 1 died within 18-24
hr, showing effects on the central nervous system.
Rabbits of Group 2 died after 5-16 days with symp-
toms of irritability, diffuse tremor, followed by
paresis of the backside and muscle contractions of
the neck. Rabbits of Group 3 died after the 4th-
15th injection with signs of agitation, irritabil-
ity, diffuse tremors, muscular contractions of
the neck, and spastic paralysis of the hind limbs
with inability to remain erect. Animals of Groups
4 and 5 survived longer. Examination of blood and
liver and kidney functions revealed no alterations
in Group 4 until the 10th injection. Between the
12th and 18th injection, nervous symptoms appeared.
Administration of the mixture was discontinued and
the animals died 1 and 2 days thereafter. Rabbits
of Group 5 survived beyond the 180th injection
with the exception of 2 animals that died after
the 96th and 162nd dose, respectively, probably
due to toxic effects on the nervous system and
liver. All animals of Group 5 showed a slight
hypochromic anemia which was statistically signi-
ficant, and alterations of the liver functions
which were statistically not significant. Control
animals treated with the water and alcohol solu-
tion (5:5) showed no neurologic symptoms or other
changes.
The experiments show that doses of TML producing
acute or subacute intoxication affect predominant-
ly the nervous system. With lower doses, the
neurotoxic effects are not constant or evident,
but blood changes and alterations of liver and
kidney function are produced.
1121 Combrisson, A., Desollle, H., and Albahary,
C. (Inst. Occup. Health, Paris, France):
Duree de vie des hematies et incorporation
du fer radioactif dans le saturnisme ex-
perimental du lapin. (LIFESPAN OF RED
BLOOD CELLS AND INCORPORATION OF RADIO-
ACTIVE IRON IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING
IN THE RABBIT.) In XlVth International Con-
gress of Occupational Health, Madrid,
Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963. International
Congress Series No. 62, Vol.11:755-60,1964.
Subacute Pb intoxication was induced in 24 male
rabbits by intraperitoneal injection of 6 mg Pb/kg
body weight as Pb acetate for 19-23 days, while 12
other rabbits were subjected to chronic Pb poison-
Plants and Animals
201
-------
ing by gastric administration of Pb acetate 3
times/wk for 3 mo so that each animal absorbed
^•500 mg Pb. Both groups showed only slight blood
changes compared with controls. The lifespan of
red blood cells was moderately but significantly
shortened in the intoxicated animals. In chronic
Pb poisoning, utilization of Fe for the hemoglobin
synthesis was slightly but significantly diminish-
ed.
1122 Corsi, G.C., Galzigna, L., and Brugnone,
F. (Univ. Padua, Italy): Sul metabolismo
del triptofano nell'intossicazione speri-
mentale da piombo tetraetile. (TRYPTOPHAN
METABOLISM IN EXPERIMENTAL TETRAETHYLLEAD
INTOXICATION.) Medicina del Lavoro 55:
665-78 (Nov.), 1964.
This study is a continuation of previous investi-
gations by Galzigna and Brugnone on TEL poisoning
in rabbits (1964) .
One of the points needing clarification was
whether ethanol as the solvent used earlier for
TEL had any influence on the urinary elimination
of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (HIAA). TEL was
therefore administered by inhalation; otherwise,
the same experimental conditions were repeated.
A larger number of determinations of kynurenic
and xanthurenic acid were made in order to verify
whether TEL had a significant influence on the
metabolism of tryptophan to nicotinic acid. A
statistical correlation was established between
the volume of excreted urine and the amount of
excreted HIAA in order to find out whether the
decrease of HIAA in the urine reflects only a
smaller quantity of urine. Histoenzymatic methods
were applied to elucidate whether monoamine oxi-
aase (MAO) is inhibited by TEL in vivo (its in-
vitro inhibition by TEL had been shown by Magis-
tretti et al in 1962) by comparing the effects
of TEL and a known MAO-inhibitor (Marplan).
Groups of 4 adult male rabbits, weighing 2.5
kg each, were subjected to one of the following
treatments: (1) inhalation of 1 mg TEL/1 air for
30 min/day for 12 days (subacute intoxication);
(2) intramuscular administration of 5 ml ethanol/
rabbit/day for 12 days; (3) oral administration of
25 mg l-benzyl-2-(5 methylisoxazolycarbonyl)-
hydrazine (Marplan)/rabbit/day for 20 days; (4)
im doses of 20 mg 5-hydroxytryptophan (HTP)/rab-
bit/day following inhalation of 1 mg TEL/1 for 30
min daily; (5) im injection of 2.5 mg Serpasil to
each of 4 normal rabbits, 4 rabbits exposed to 1
mg TEL/1 for 1 hr/day for 3 days, and to 4 rabbits
given orally 100 mg Marplan, twice/day for 4 days.
hach group was paired with a control group. The
metabolites of tryptophan were determined and the
organs of normal, TEL- and Marplan-treated animals
were examined histochemically.
On the basis of 485 determinations on 84 rab-
bits, a statistically significant correlation was
found by covariance analysis between the amount of
HIAA excreted in the urine and the volume of urine
passed by the rabbit. Inhalation of TEL did not
seem to influence significantly the elimination of
HIAA whereas ethanol and Marplan caused a signifi-
cant decrease. However, a significant decrease in
urinary HIAA was observed in 11 TEL-poisoned rab-
bits when only the first 2 days following TEL in-
halation were considered. TEL also caused a re-
duction in the volume of urine. Treatment with
HTP or Serpasil caused no significant differences
in elimination of HIAA when TEL-poisoned and con-
trol rabbits were compared. No significant dif-
ference was found in the urinary excretion of
kynurenic and xanthurenic acid in rabbits sub-
jected to TEL inhalation and in normal animals.
Histochemical examination of MAO activity in the
liver, lung, kidney, brain and intestine of nor-
mal, TEL- and Marplan-treated rabbits revealed no
differences between the control and TEL-poisoned
rabbits while an inhibition was evident in the
Marplan-treated animals.
The conclusion was drawn that TEL does not af-
fect the metabolism of tryptophan to nicotinic
acid by inhibiting MAO in vivo, but that it prob-
ably blocks the pathway of HIAA at a step below
that regulated by MAO. Further, the determination
of HIAA is therefore not suitable for an evalua-
tion of the effects of TEL poisoning.
1123 Cremer, J.E. (Med. Res. Council Lab.,
Carshalton, Surrey, England): AMINO ACID
METABOLISM IN RAT BRAIN STUDIED WITH 14C-
LABELLED GLUCOSE. Journal of Neurochem-
istry 11:165-85 (March), 1964.
In addition to measuring specific activity of
amino acids which quickly become labelled from l^C
glucose in normal animals, the effect of 2 neuro-
toxic compounds (triethyl-Sn and triethyl-Pb) on
this labelling was studied. Male Porton albino
rats weighing 195-210 g were used and given either
triethyl-Sn sulfate (TrESn) (7.5 mg/kg body weight)
or triethyl-Pb chloride (TrEPb) (15 mg/kg body
weight) as 0.9% (w/v) saline solutions by intra-
peritoneal injection. In each set of experiments
in vivo, control rats were isolated at the same
time as these experimental animals. Animals were
sacrificed, brain removed and prepared for analy-
sis. Each rat received 10 yCi (U-llfC) glucose in
either 0.1 or 0.2 ml saline by intravenous injec-
tion and were sacrificed at selecCed time inter-
vals.
In the labelling of amino acids in brain using
(U- C)glucose as the isotopic precursor, good
agreement was found between the 2 systems, brain
cortex in vitro and brain of rats in vivo. In
both, y-aminobutyric acid had the highest specific
activity (^1.1 relative to that of glutamic acid,
glutamine and aspartic acid VJ./2), This pattern
of labelling was quite different from that obtain-
ed using glutamate as the radioactive source.
Both TrESn and TrEPb altered amino acid metabo-
lism of brain slices in an identical manner.
Their effects in vivo were distinct for each com-
pound. Since one is a depressant and the other an
excitant biochemical changes observed in vivo were
probably related to behavorial changes. Brain
slices prepared from animals given either neuro-
toxic agent showed an abnormal amino acid metabo-
lism but there was no longer agreement between the
results of in vivo and in vitro type experiments.
(46 references)
1124 Cuccurullo, L. (Univ. Padua, Italy):
Contribute allo studio della tubulo-nefro-
si da piombo. II. Osservazioni al micro-
scopic elettronico sulla nefrosi sperimen-
tale da acetato di piombo dopo quattro
202
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
settimane di trattamento. (CONTRIBUTION
TO THE STUDY OF TUBULONEPHROSIS DUE TO
LEAD. II. ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC OBSERVA-
TIONS ON EXPERIMENTAL NEPHROSIS DUE TO
LEAD ACETATE AFTER 4 WEEKS OF TREATMENT.)
Rivista di Anatomia Patologica e di On-
cologia (Padova) 26:127-42 (Aug.), 1964.
Alterations of the epithelial cells in the renal
tubules were studied by electron microscopy in 20
adult rats, injected intraperitoneally with 20 mg/
kg body weight of Pb acetate daily for 4 wk. The
results obtained indicated that the alterations
caused by Pb were not induced by spasms of the
arterioles but were due to a typical tubular neph-
rosis, without the characteristics of an unspecif-
ic toxic nephrosis. The changes are illustrated
in 10 photomicrographs.
1125 Cuccurullo, L., and Covelli, V. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): Primi rilievl ultrastrut-
turali sulle modificazioni del sistema
mitocondriale dell'epitelio renale provo-
cate sperimentalmente da un sale di metal-
lo pesante (acetato di piombo) . (PRELIM-
INARY ULTRASTRUCTURAL DATA ON THE CHANGES
IN THE MITOCHONDRIAL SYSTEM OF THE RENAL
EPITHELIUM INDUCED EXPERIMENTALLY BY A
HEAVY METAL SALT (LEAD ACETATE).) Bollet-
tino della Societk Italiana di Biologia
Sperimentale 40, Suppl.:1851-3 (Dec. 31),
1964.
In investigations of the ultrastructure of the nu-
clear inclusions encountered in the kidney in Pb
poisoning, the cytoplasmic changes have been
scarcely studied. By some they have been consid-
ered to be of secondary importance and the result
of the nuclear alterations. For these reasons,
the authors undertook preliminary studies on the
cytoplasmic changes.
Adult rats were given intraperitoneal injections
of Pb acetate in physiologic solution at a dose of
20 mg/kg body weight/day. The animals were killed
after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd injection, respective-
ly, and kidney sections were prepared for examina-
tion under the electron microscope. The archi-
tectural structure of the cells was preserved;
there were some dilatations and vacuoles at the
basal part, but the formations at the apex appear-
ed to be normal. At a greater magnification,
marked alterations in the mitochondrial structure
were seen. At the perinuclear zone, ovoid forma-
tions were noted which contained fibrous material,
granules and droplets of osmophilic material.
These formations which were surrounded by clear
cytoplasmic matrix that was vacuolized in many
places, were often found next to the Golgi appara-
tus, the vesicles of which were dilated. The
ergastoplasmia apparatus consisted essentially of
a structure with a smooth membrane which in many
places was so dilated that it gave the appearance
of vesicles, many of which contained granular and
strongly electropaque material. The nuclei were
surrounded by a fine but distinct nuclear membrane
and contained little chromatin which was distribu-
ted irregularly in small amounts. Not all the
sections tested contained nuclear inclusions.
The conclusion was drawn that the nuclear inclu-
sions are not the cause of the cytoplasmatic
changes and that the vacuoles at the basal portion
constitute an aspecific alteration which is caused
by the endocellular osmotic disequilibrium which
occurs in numerous paraphysiologic and clearly
pathologic conditions. The mitochondrial altera-
tions are similar to formations occurring in path-
ologic kidneys and livers and those in initial
cytolysis. (The electron microscopic findings are
shown in 4 figures.)
1126 Dallenbach, F.D. (Dartmouth Med. School,
Hanover, N.H.): Phenolrotausscheidung und
Trypanblauspeicherung bei der Blei-Nephro-
pathie der Ratte. (EXCRETION OF PHENOL
RED AND UPTAKE OF TRYPAN BLUE IN LEAD
NEPHROPATHY OF THE RAT.) Virchows Archiv
fUr Pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie
und fUr Klinische Medizin 338, No. 2:91-
110, 1964.
In the nuclear inclusions, described to occur in
the renal tubules of man and animal after chronic
Pb poisoning, the presence of ribonucleic acids,
proteins, lipids and occasionally some carbohy-
drates has been demonstrated by numerous authors.
As the Pb content of these inclusions is apparent-
ly very small, direct histochemical determination
of Pb has so far been unsuccessful, although the
author has recently detected it by use of ^lOp^
(to be published). The experiments now reported
were done to determine a possible functional dis-
turbance of the tubular epithelial cells contain-
ing these inclusions.
Six male and 4 female Sprague-Dawley rats,
weighing 211-451 g, were given a 1% aqueous solu-
tion of Pb acetate as drinking water for 20.5-25
mo (the total quantity of Pb ingested by the rats
is not stated). Three male and 2 female rats as
controls were given normal drinking water. A
sterile physiologic saline (1 ml/200 g) containing
6 mg phenol red/ml was injected into the tongue
and femoral veins of the animals during 5-10 sec,
and after 45-50 sec the left kidney was removed,
and the right, after 4-5 rain. A 2nd series of 7
male and 9 female rats were given the Pb acetate-
containing drinking water for 19-23 mo, and 48 and
24 hr before sacrifice, were injected intraperi-
toneally with saline containing 10 mg trypan blue/
ml, while 3 male controls received normal drinking
water.
The kidneys were studied with a magnifying glass
and light microscope. The degree of pathologic
changes observed in the kidneys varied from animal
to animal as well as within any one kidney. The
changes were more or less pronounced dilatation of
the tubules up to cyst formation, hyperplasia of
the eplthelia and development of adenoma, deposi-
tion of blood pigment in the cytoplasm of the tu-
bular epithelia, interstitial fibrosis, chronic
inflammation, vascular changes and formation of
crystals and calculi in the tubule. The presence
of nuclear inclusions in many of the cells of the
proximal tubule was a prominent feature. From the
histologic findings, which are described in detail,
the conclusion was drawn that the nuclear inclu-
sions had not changed the cytoplasm either mor-
phologically or functionally to a degree suffi-
cient to hinder the active transport of phenol red
by the cells of the renal tubules. The tests with
trypan blue indicated that the largest and coarsest
dyestuff particles occurred in the proximal tubules
Plants and Animals
203
-------
and the fewest and finest In the distal tubules.
The accumulation of particles of trypan blue in
some epithelia was so large that it appeared as if
these cells had phagocytosed beyond their capacity,
resulting in cell destruction and necrosis.
Whether this accumulation of trypan blue particles
in the cells was due to the aging of the cell or
to the effect of Pb or trypan blue on the kidney
could not be decided. The controls did not show
any necrotic tubules.
In summary, only the cells with large nuclear
inclusions and swollen granular cytoplasm trans-
ported the dyes poorly or not at all. In discuss-
ing the origin and significance of the Pb-contain-
ing inclusions, the hypothesis was advanced that
they represent the interaction of Pb with nucleo-
lar material and ribosomal precursors. The possi-
bility of a correlation between chronic Pb poison-
ing and the development of renal tumors was point-
ed out.
U27 Dantchev, D. , Gajdos, A., and Be'nard, H.
(Natl. Acad. Med., Paris, France): Action
protectrice de 1'inosine a 1'egard de
1'hemolyse realisee chez le lapin par
1'intoxication saturnine ou phenylhydra-
zinique. (PROTECTIVE ACTION OF INOSINE
AGAINST HEMOLYSIS IN THE RABBIT DUE TO
LEAD OR PHENYLHYDRAZINE POISONING.)
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances
de 1'Acade'mie des Sciences 259, No. 2:433-
6, 1964.
In an earlier communication the authors had shown
that adenosine-5'-monophosphoric acid retarded the
destruction of erythrocytes in Pb-induced anemia
or in that caused by phenylhydrazine. The exper-
iments now reported indicate that a similar action
is obtained by inosine.
Rabbits, weighing ^3 kg each, were injected in-
travenously with 150 )jCi radioactive chromium
( Cr) as neutral sodium chromate in an isotonic
solution in order to label erythrocytes in vivo.
The following day and every 5 days thereafter 1.5
ml blood was collected from the ear vein and hep-
arinized; 0.5 ml was centrifuged, washed with phys-
iologic serum, suspended in 1 ml distilled water
and measured with a scintillation counter. The
suspension was then diluted to 100 ml with dis-
tilled water and hemoglobin was determined spec-
trophotometrically. Twelve to 15 days after Cr
injection the animals were given 3 or 4 daily in-
tramuscular injections of 100 nig neutral Pb ace-
tate (or 5 or 15 mg phenylhydrazine subcutaneous-
ly) /kg. Half of the groups were treated with
daily intramuscular injections of 30 mg inosine.
In the animals not treated with inosine, the sur-
vival time of red blood cells dropped from 60-51
days while it remained at the normal level of 60
days in those so treated. Similar results were
obtained in the phenylhydrazine-treated animals.
The conclusion was drawn that inosine protects
red blood cells against destruction by Pb and
phenylhydrazine.
1128 Dorfman, R.I. (Worcester Foundation for
Exptl. Biology, Shrewsbury, Mass.): ANTI-
ANDROGENIC ACTIVITY OF TETRA-N-BUTYLLEAD
IN A MOUSE ASSAY. Proceedings of the So-
ciety for Experimental Biology and Medi-
cine 116:1055-7 (Aug.-Sept.), 1964.
The comparative antiandrogenic activity of pro-
gesterone and tetra-n-butyllead in testosterone-
stimulated castrated Swiss albino mice was studied
in 4 experiments. The test material was injected
subcutaneously, in aqueous suspension, once daily
for 7 days starting on the day of the operation.
Tetra-n-butyllead was inactive at total dose lev-
els of from 0.1-2.5 mg, but was active in one of
2 trials at 5 mg; significant inhibition of andro-
genic activity was found in each of 2 trials at
10 mg and in a single trial at 20 mg. Tetra-n-
butyllead was studied also for other possible hor-
monal activities. It was not estrogenic when ad-
ministered at doses up to 100 yg in the immature
mouse and it was inactive as an antiestrogen at a
dose level of 3 mg in the estrone stimulated im-
mature mouse. It is concluded that the compound
is neither an estrogen nor an antiestrogen under
the conditions of the experiments.
1129 Ferencik, M. (Vet. Res. Inst., Bratislava,
Czechoslovakia): (DETERMINATION OF IN-
ORGANIC POISONS BY PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHY
AND HIGH-VOLTAGE PAPER ELECTROPHORESIS.)
Ustav Vedeckotech. Inform. Min. Zemedel.
Lesniho Vodniho Hospodarstvi, Veterinary
Medicine 9, No. 1:43-54, 1964.
Guinea pigs were used in the determination of tox-
icity of individual inorganic compounds. Salts of
As, Hg, Ba, Cu, Pb, Zn, Al, and Tl were used in
concentrations to kill the animals within 3-4 hr.
The solutions were administered through a tube into
the stomach. Various solvent systems and detection
reagents were examined in determining toxicologic-
ally important cations in the stomach contents and
in the organs of experimentally poisoned guinea
pigs. Some of the reagents were also used in di-
rect estimation of inorganic substances by drop-
tests on paper. (From Chemical Abstracts 61:2383,
1964)
1130 Gabbiani, G. , Caruso, P.L. , and Tuchweber,
B. (Univ. Montreal, Canada): Trombosis de
la auricula izquierda producida en la rata
por el acetato de plomo y la metoxamina.
(LEFT AURICLE THROMBOSIS PRODUCED IN THE
RAT WITH LEAD ACETATE AND METHOXAMINE.)
Prensa Medica Argentina 51:849-52 (Oct. 9),
1964.
Thirty albino Holtzman rats, initial weight 94-105
g, were divided into 3 equal groups. Animals in
Group 1 received an intravenous injection of 5 mg
Pb acetate in 1 ml distilled water; rats in Group
2 were injected subcutaneously with 3 mg/rat of
methoxamine in 0.5 ml water, and Group 3 received
the Pb acetate dose, directly followed by methox-
amine. The animals were killed on the 6th day.
Neither Pb acetate alone nor methoxamine alone
produced thrombosis in the auricle. Pb acetate
alone caused no renal lesions while 60% of the
rats treated with methoxamine had renal lesions of
grade 1.0. Mortality in these 2 groups was 10%.
The combined treatment caused thrombosis of the
auricle in 80%, renal lesions in 100%, and the
mortality rate was 30%. Thrombosis of the left
ventricle also occurred, but with less frequency.
Histologically, the thrombus consisted of a fibrin-
ous plaque with calcium deposits and frequently
204
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
adhered to the wall of the auricular appendage.
The calcium deposits occurred in erythrocytes and
granulocytes; a mucopolysaccharide material was
also noted. Histologic examination of the kidneys
revealed necrosis of the tubules and calcification
at the periphery.
In discussing the results, the authors state
that the mechanism of thrombus formation in the
heart is unknown. Neither Pb nor methoxamine ap-
pear to act on the coagulation of blood. Stasis
could be a factor favoring the precipitation of
Ca phosphate.
1131 Gajdos, A., and Gajdos-T8r8k, M. (Hotel-
Dieu Hosp., Paris, France): Etudes de
1'activite' de 1'acide A-aminolevulinique-
synthe'tase dans les mitochondries des
he'patocytes de lapin et de rat blanc in-
toxiques par l'ace*tate de plomb. (ACTIV-
ITY OF 6-AMINOLEVULINIC SYNTHETASE IN
HEPATIC-CELL MITOCHONDRIA OF RABBITS AND
WHITE RATS POISONED WITH LEAD ACETATE.)
Revue Francaise d'Etudes Cliniques et
Biologiques 9, No. 6:629-32, 1964.
The activity of 6-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-syn-
thetase was studied quantitatively in mitochondria
isolated from hepatic tissue of Pb-poisoned rab-
bits and rats, using the technique of Granick and
Urata. Adult rabbits and white rats were given a
single intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg Pb ace-
tate/kg body weight and sacrificed within 1-18
days after administration. Urinary excretion of
ALA, porphobilinogen (PEG) and coproporphyrin
(CP) , protoporphyrin content in the red blood
cells, Pb content in several samples of mitochon-
dria and ALA-synthetase activity were determined
in experimental and normal rabbits and rats, and
in rats intoxicated by gastric tube with 300 mg/
kg of 3,5-dicarbethoxy-l,4-dihydrocollidine/day.
The activity of ALA synthetase was expressed as
ymM ALA formed/mg protein of the mitochondrial
preparation. It was not measurable in the Pb-
poisoned rabbits and rats nor in the controls (5
rabbits and 12 rats), with the exception of 2 nor-
mal rabbits where a faint activity, amounting to
2.1 and 3.1 tirnM, respectively, was found. In con-
trast, ALA-synthetase activity in collidine-poi-
soned rats was 16.6 after 5 days and 12.0 after 7
days. Urinary ALA, PEG and CP and erythrocytic
protoporphyrin were distinctly increased in all
Pb-poisoned animals as was the Pb content of mito-
chondria as determined in 2 Pb-intoxicated rab-
bits.
The results confirm the authors' earlier find-
ings that the accumulation of porphyrins and their
precursors in Pb poisoning is not due to an accel-
eration of their synthesis. The only possible
present explanation of this accumulation is that
Pb inhibits the utilization of protoporphyrin for
heme synthesis.
1132 Gajdos, A., Gajdos-T8rBk, M. , Dantchev,
D., and Benard, H. (Hotel-Dieu, Paris,
France): Effet de 1'inosine et de 1'acide
aderiosine-S'-monophosphorique sur 1'an^mie
et les facteurs qui la de'terminent chez le
lapin intoxique par le plomb. (EFFECT OF
INOSINE AND OF ADENOSINE 5'-MONOPHOSPHORIC
ACID ON ANEMIA AND THE FACTORS THAT CON-
TROL IT IN THE RABBIT POISONED WITH LEAD.)
Nouvelle Revue Francaise d'Hematologie 4,
No. 3:383-94, 1964.'
Anemia induced in experimental Pb poisoning is de-
fined by the authors as being due to (1) inhibi-
tion of hemesynthetase, an enzyme that catalyzes
incorporation of Fe into protoporphyrin, (2) in-
hibition of erythropoiesis and (3) partial hemoly-
sis of the red blood cells which shortens their
survival time. These 3 factors were favorably in-
fluenced by the administration of adenosine 5'-
monophosphoric acid (AMP) or inosine, as demon-
strated in the Pb-poisoned rabbit.
Sixteen adult rabbits, weight ^3 kg each, were
given a single intramuscular injection of 100 mg
Pb acetate/kg body weight. Starting on the fol-
lowing day, 8 of these animals received daily in-
tramuscular doses of 100 mg AMP for 1 mo. Exami-
nation of the blood of the 7th, 12th and 25th day
showed that no anemia had developed in the AMP-
treated rabbits, while in the untreated (controls)
the number of red blood cells and the content of
hemoglobin was decreased. Likewise, the myelogram
on the 8th day showed an erythropoietic hypoplasia
in 2 controls, but no alterations in the 2 given
AMP. In addition, in the controls the curve of
maturing erythroblasts showed a shift to the left
while in AMP-treated rabbits the curve was iden-
tical with that of normal rabbits.
The survival time of the red blood cells was de-
termined, by means of intravenously injected
radioactive Cr, in 11 Pb-poisoned rabbits of which
4 had been treated with AMP. While the survival
time of the red blood cells in the untreated Pb-
poisoned rabbits was markedly reduced, it was nor-
mal in those treated with AMP or inosine.
The effect of AMP and inosine on the activity of
hemesynthetase, which had previously been studied
by the author in vitro (1959), was examined in 16
adult rabbits poisoned by Pb as above. When 8 of
these animals were subsequently given daily intra-
muscular injections of 100 mg AMP for 1 mo, their
urinary content of 6-aminolevulinic acid, porpho-
bilinogen and coproporphyrin significantly de-
creased after the 3rd day. Uroporphyrin did not
appear in the urine until the 25th day after in-
toxication with Pb and its excretion was also sig-
nificantly less in the AMP-treated rabbits com-
pared with the untreated ones. The results were
confirmed in another series of tests using 10 rab-
bits. The mechanism of these reactions is dis-
cussed.
1133 Galzigna, L., Brugnone, F., and Corsi, G.
C. (Univ. Padua, Italy): Escrezione di
acido 5-idrossindolacetico nell'intossica-
zione sperimentale da piombo tetraetile.
(EXCRETION OF 5-HYDROXYINDOLEACETIC ACID
IN EXPERIMENTAL INTOXICATION WITH TETRA-
ETHYLLEAD.) Medicina del Lavoro 55:102-6
(Feb.), 1964.
Abnormalities in the urinary excretion of indole
derivatives occur in various disorders of the cen-
tral nervous system. Since tetraethyllead (TEL)
is one of the substances inhibiting monoamine ox-
idase which breaks down serotonin to 5-hydroxyin-
doleacetic acid (HIAA), the rate of urinary ex-
cretion of this acid was deemed of interest from
the point of view of diagnosis of TEL poisoning.
Plants and Animals
205
-------
Twelve adult male rabbits, weighing 2-3 kg were
used in the experiments. Intoxication was effect-
ed by daily injections of 50 mg/kg TEL, dissolved
in absolute ethyl alcohol; controls were injected
only with the solvent. The mean (20 analyses per
animal) urinary excretion of HIAA in normal rab-
bits, ethanol-administered controls and intoxica-
ted animals, of 714 * 160, 552 * 108 and 288 ± 87
yg/24 hr, respectively, demonstrated a significant
difference only between the control and TEL-poi-
soned animals. The urinary excretion of Pb, co-
proporphyrin, xanthurenic and kynurenic acids was
also determined (the last 2 on 2 rabbits). By
considering the relative values in individual ani-
mals, in the TEL-intoxicated rabbits showing a
statistically significant decrease in the elimina-
tion of HIAA, only a slight increase in copropor-
phyrin and a moderate one of Pb was observed. On
the other hand, a less marked decrease in the
elimination of HIAA was accompanied by noteworthy
increases in urinary porphyrin and Pb. Elimina-
tion of kynurenic and xanthurenic acids was mark-
edly increased in both cases.
The conclusion was drawn that in general TEL
alters the metabolism of tryptophan, since a block
in the pathway of the hydroxyindoles involves in-
creased elimination of the amino acid by another
pathway, ie, kynurenine. The increased elimina-
tion of xanthurenic acid could also reflect a
block at some stage of this other pathway such as
occurs in vitamin Bg deficiency. The authors sug-
gest that the block is probably connected with the
inhibition by TEL of monoamine oxidase which ca-
tabolizes serotonin in the brain, and that the
determination of one of the above metabolites may
be useful in the clinical diagnosis of TEL poison-
ing.
1134 Gontzea, I., Sutzesco, P., Cocora, D., and
Lungu, D. (Inst. Med. Pharm., Bucharest,
Romania): Importance de 1'apport de pro-
teines sur la resistance de 1'organisme a
1'intoxication par le plomb. (IMPORTANCE
OF DIETARY PROTEINS ON THE RESISTANCE OF
THE ORGANISM TO LEAD POISONING.) Archives
des Sciences Physiologiques (Paris) 18:
211-24, 1964.
Experiments were carried out on male white rats,
weighing ^200 g each. Two series of tests were
made, 1 during January to April, the 2nd during
May to July. In each series, 4 groups of 10 rats
each were fed for 2 wk an adequate diet containing
"VL8 g protein/100 g feed. Groups 1 and 2 were con-
tinued on this diet throughout the experiment
while Groups 3 and 4 received a diet containing 9 g
protein/100 g feed. Simultaneously, the rats of
Groups 1 and 3 were subjected to Pb poisoning, by
injecting them subcutaneously, every other day for
3 mo, with 10 mg/kg body weight of a 1% solution
of basic Pb acetate. All animals gained weight
during the first 2 wk of intoxication but the rats
on the protein-deficient diet gained only half as
much as those on the adequate protein diet. After
1 mo of intoxication the weight of the rats on the
protein-deficient diet was below their initial
weight while that of the rats on the adequate pro-
tein diet had increased by 5%. The weight differ-
ences in the 2 groups became more pronounced as
the intoxication progressed. At the end of 3 mo,
the weight of the rats on the adequate protein
diet had increased 6% and that of the rats fed the
protein-deficient diet had decreased 14%. On the
other hand, the weight differences between the
control and experimental groups, fed the adequate
protein diet, were not significant, even after 12
wk of Pb administration. The conclusion was drawn,
therefore, that the toxicity of Pb is much greater
under conditions of a protein-poor diet than under
those of a diet adequate in proteins.
There were significant decreases of erythrocyte
count and hemoglobin content on both the adequate
and reduced-protein diets. After a period of 1 mo,
the erythrocyte count had decreased by 6 and 14%,
respectively, and the hemoglobin content by 10 and
19%, respectively. After 3 mo, the corresponding
figures were 16 and 30%, and 29 and 39%, respec-
tively. In all cases, the decrease of hemoglobin
was greater than that of the erythrocyte number.
Determination of the amount of Pb retained by
liver, kidney, spleen and tibia showed that rats
fed the protein-deficient diet, retained 40-73%
more Pb in liver, spleen and tibia than rats re-
ceiving the adequate protein diet, whereas no sig-
nificant differences of retained Pb were found for
the kidneys. The fact that the Pb concentration
in the kidneys in pg/g was about twice as high as
in the tibia and ^7-8 times as high as in the liv-
er, demonstrates that Pb is eliminated from the
body by the kidneys. Therefore, the most frequent
and most intensive damage in Pb poisoning occurred
in the kidneys and the damage was greater under a
regime poor in proteins.
The results of the experiments indicate that Pb
affects the metabolism of the amino acids and that
the severity of the poisoning is determined to a
large part by the availability of proteins.
1135 Gontea, I., Sutescu, P., Stanciu, V., and
Lungu, D. (Inst. Igiena, Bucharest, Roman-
ia) : Vitamina C in intoxicatia cu plumb
la cobai. (VITAMIN C IN LEAD POISONING IN
THE GUINEA PIG.) Igiena (Bucharest) 13,
No. 6:501-9, 1964.
Based on the finding that in man Pb exposure in-
creases the requirements for ascorbic acid by 2-3
times, the effect of Pb poisoning on body weight,
vitamin C content of the adrenal glands, erythro-
poiesis and accumulation of Pb in the liver, kid-
neys and tibia was studied in 88 young guinea
pigs. The animals were divided into 4 groups; 2
groups received daily 0.5 mg and the other 2, 5 mg
ascorbic acid. One group of each pair of groups
was then poisoned by oral administration of 20 mg
Pb acetate daily for 9 wk, the other groups serv-
ing as controls. In the poisoned guinea pigs, the
0.5-mg-dose of ascorbic acid was not sufficient.
The animals lost 19.2% of their initial body
weight while the controls maintained their weight,
and vitamin C content of the adrenals was 37% low-
er in Pb-poisoned guinea pigs than in controls.
Pb-poisoned animals fed 5 mg ascorbic acid/day in-
creased their initial body weight by 6% but showed
indications of Pb anemia. Pb accumulation in kid-
ney and tibia was not affected by the high vitamin
C intake while Pb contents in the liver were 54%
higher than in the low-vitamin group. (From auth-
ors' English summary)
206
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1136 Haeger-Aronsen, B. (Univ. Lund, Sweden):
EXPERIMENTAL DISTURBANCE OF PORPHYRIN
METABOLISM AND OF LIVER CATALASE ACTIVITY
IN GUINEA PIGS AND RABBITS. Acta Pharma-
cologica et Toxicologica 21, No. 2:105-15,
1964.
The excretion of porphyrin and their precursors
and the activity of liver catalase was studied in
the following groups of animals: (1) 8 apparently
healthy guinea pigs; (2) 9 guinea pigs poisoned
with hexachlorobenzene; (3) 10 rabbits, weighing
2.6-3.8 kg, that had been given a single subcutan-
eous injection of a 4% aqueous solution of Pb ace-
tate at a dose of 125 mg Pb acetate/kg body weight;
(4) 5 rabbits given sulphonal, and (5) 5 rabbits
given 3-amino-l,2,4-triazole. The animals were
killed the day after the injection and the livers
were removed for measurement of catalase activity
which was expressed as mM of sodium borate decom-
posed by 0.5 ml of homogenate. Hepatic catalase
activity was not affected in the Pb-poisoned rab-
bits; urinary levels of 6-aminolevulinic acid and
of coproporphyrin were markedly raised.
A table shows the excretion of porphyrins and
their precursors, as well as the concentration of
protoporphyrin in the erythrocytes and the activ-
ity of liver catalase in patients with acute in-
termittent porphyria and in animals with different
types of experimental porphyria (including Pb-
caused porphyria). Pb caused an increase in the
concentration of erythrocytic protoporphyrin, the
same as it occurs in congenital porphyria and
erythropoietic protoporphyria.
H37 Hass, G.M., Brown, D.V.L., and Shakerin,
M. (Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hosp., Chicago,
111.): THE PRODUCTION OF RETINOPATHY IN
RABBITS BY DIETARY INORGANIC LEAD. Fed-
eration Proceedings 23, Part 1:Abstract
No. 2039 (Mar.-Apr.), 1964.
When 60 New Zealand male albino rabbits were fed
a normal diet supplemented with 500 mg% of Pb
acetate in water or linseed oil for 1-52 wk, a
mild retinopathy developed within 8 wk which in-
creased to a maximum within 30-40 wk. The retin-
opathy was characterized by a progressive manyfold
enlargement of retinal epithelial cells by an in-
tracytoplasmic accumulation of closely-packed
spherical yellowish brown bodies. They persisted
for many months after the animals had been re-
stored to a normal diet but were not accompanied
by other lesions detectable by light microscopy.
No specific relation was noted between the reti-
nopathy and lesions produced elsewhere by inges-
tion of Pb. Male Wistar rats were refractory to
its production. A group of >300 control rabbits,
kept for several months on various toxic debili-
tating regimes, rarely developed retinopathy of a
similar type and then only to a mild degree.
1138 Hass, G.M., Brown, D.V.L., Eisenstein, R. ,
and Hemmens, A. (Presbyterian-St. Luke's
Hosp., Chicago, 111.): RELATIONS BETWEEN
LEAD POISONING IN RABBIT AND MAN. Ameri-
can Journal of Pathology 45:691-728 (Nov.),
1964.
Having found much speculation, but little experi-
mental evidence of a relationship between Pb poi-
soning and various diseases as reported in the
literature, the authors undertook a comparison of
the pathologic effects produced in the rabbit by
prolonged ingestion of Pb with those attributed
to Pb poisoning in man.
Male rabbits of the New Zealand albino, German
Checker and Belgian Hare strains, 3 mo old, 5-6
Ib weight, divided into 6 groups, were fed a basal
diet of Purina rabbit chow with the following sup-
plements: 1-16 rabbits received 500 mgZ Pb
subacetate (C.P.); II - 8, 10 g% boiled commercial
linseed oil containing the standard "Pb drier"
(0.20% Pb, 0.35% Mn, 0.30% Co naphthenates); III -
15, the same as Group I plus that of Group II;
IV - 8, the same as Group III plus 300 mg% cho-
lesterol; V-20, no supplement; VI - 14, 300 mg%
cholesterol. The rabbits were killed after 3-55
wk at intervals of 4-8 wk. Complete necropsies
were done with special attention to various struc-
tures of the nervous system, retina, bone, muscle,
kidney, and arterial system.
The results, as summarized and, at the same time,
discussed in relation to findings in man were as
follows. Hematologic studies: The most severe
changes occurred during the first few mo in rab-
bits fed Pb acetate with or without linseed oil.
There was a self-limited progressive anemia, char-
acterized mainly by decreased hemoglobin and
changes in various hematopoietic components. The
white cell count did not change significantly, ex-
cept in infections which were usually in the lungs
though encephalitis and a generalized mild system-
ic inflammatory disease of unknown cause were com-
mon. This was seen in control animals with about
the same frequency. The blood changes, except for
those of infectious origin last described, were
similar to those found in human cases in which,
as a rule, VLOO pg% Pb in the blood is indicative
of toxicity, with manifestations increasing with
increasing blood levels. As Pb accumulates in
blood, hematologic changes include increased blood
protoporphyrin with increased urinary coproporphy-
rin, as well as basophilic stippling, hypochromia
and reduced number of red cells. In Pb poisoning,
the rabbit and man are among the few species that
exhibit interference with porphyrin metabolism and
stippled erythrocytes.
Nephropathy: As seen in rabbits, it was remark-
able only in the group on the basal diet plus Pb
subacetate and was similar to that in man. The
first signs appeared at 8-12 wk and a near maximum
was reached after 28-36 wk. The changes consisted
principally in an accumulation, first in the
straight tubules and later in the convoluted tu-
bules, of an intracytoplasmic brown granular pig-
ment followed by the appearance of giant "anaplas-
tic" tubular lining cells and eosinophilic intra-
nuclear inclusion bodies. As the nephropathy be-
came chronic, cortical subcapsular and radial
scars developed in fairly direct proportion to the
amount of Pb ingested and in inverse proportion to
the amount of cholesterol in the diet. The latter
observation is considered to require further study.
Osteopathy: There was no resemblance between
the findings in young rabbits and rachitic changes
in Pb-poisoned children nor was there any "Pb line"
demonstrated microscopically or by X ray in the
bones of the animals. There was, however, a re-
tardation of formation of osteoid tissue and an
increase of osteoclastic lacunar resorption of
Plants and Animals
207
-------
bone. This was detected most easily in young ani-
mals and progressed over a period of 6 mo as the
severity of nephropathy increased. Bone changes
were insignificant in animals fed the basal diet
plus the linseed oil mixture alone. The addition
of linseed oil mixture to the Pb-subacetate-sup-
plemented diet did not modify the Pb effects, but
addition of cholesterol reduced the severity of
the osteopathy.
Encephalopathy, myopathy, and neuropathy: The
animals did not display any form of these diseases
as they occur in infants and adults, respectively.
Manifestations referable to these entities oc-
curred also with frequency in control rabbits. It
was concluded that Pb poisoning was responsible
only for an increase in the severity and incidence
of intercurrent myopathic disorders.
Retinopathy and other disorders: None of the
visual and neuroretinal changes attributed to Pb
poisoning occurred in the rabbit. The retinopathy
observed reached a maximum after ^8 mo and was
characterized by an accumulation of closely packed
brown granules in the greatly expanded cytoplasmic
volume of retinal epithelial cells. It occurred
regularly at low levels of Pb ingestion and once
developed, was either permanent or very slowly re-
versible upon return to a normal diet. Experi-
ments in progress indicate that retinopathy is not
necessarily specific for Pb poisoning and not re-
producible in all species.
No specific arterial lesions attributable to Pb,
alone, or with cholesterol were seen. Pb favored
accumulation of Ca in areas of medial degeneration
in the arch of the aorta; linseed oil and choles-
terol added to Pb produced no aortic calcification.
Atheromatous plaques were not conspicuous in any
animal. As chronic Pb poisoning in man is report-
ed to be related to renal and vascular changes,
these aspects should be investigated more fully.
These effects are considered to be related through
some fundamental displacement by the Pb ion of one
or more other ions governing normal metabolism.
Among other changes, the excessive splenic hemo-
siderosis encountered was occasionally complicated
by accumulation of material assumed to be a ferric
or Ca phosphate or both. Hyperplasia of the thy-
mus and thyroid was seen in many animals on the Pb
regime for many mo, and one developed a large thy-
moma. However, there was no tendency to renal
neoplasms such as have been reported in rats. (63
references)
1139 Hemingway, R.G., Brown, N.A., and Inglis,
J.S.S. (Univ. Glasgow, Scotland): EF-
FECTS OF DAILY ADMINISTRATION OF LEAD ACE-
TATE AND ZINC SULFATE DURING PREGNANCY ON
THE COPPER, LEAD, AND ZINC STATUS OF EWES
AND THEIR LAMBS. Research in Veterinary
Science 5:7-16, 1964.
In extension of their earlier study of the Cu me-
tabolism in lambs (see Abstr. No. 1002) as affected
by Pb, and other factors, the experiments here
described were performed with 24 5-yr-old Blackface
ewes (weight 96-107 Ib), from a flock in which
swayback occurred to the extent of 3-4 cases per
1200 sheep/yr. As based on the liver and blood Cu
contents of dead ewes of the flock (5-20 ppm dry
basis, and 0.4 ppm, respectively), their Cu status
was relatively low. After mating, they were di-
vided into 3 groups and continued to graze togeth-
er throughout the experiment. (Cu content in pas-
ture, 13.5 ppm.) Group I received orally 250 mg
Pb (as acetate)/day; Group 2, 2 g Zn (as sulfate)/
day; Group 3, no treatment. Dosage was 6 days/wk
for 5 mo, except for a 5-day lambing period. By
the end of the experiment, a total of 30 g Pb or
240 g Zn had been given/ewe. The ewes were at-
tacked by dogs in the 3rd mo of pregnancy; 2
aborted, and 3 failed to lamb; 3 of the Zn group
died and 1 was slaughtered before lambing.
The Pb ewes gave birth to 9 lambs, 3 of which
were stillborn, 1 aborted, and 2 bore no lambs.
In the Zn group, 3 ewes died before lambing (1
with 2 and 1 with 1 fetus), 2 had no lambs, 3 bore
7 (1 aborted, 1 stillborn). All controls had
lambs (15) of which only 1 was stillborn. All
lambs were killed within 19 days of birth. Blood
samples were taken from the ewes 11 times during
pregnancy, and kidney, liver, brains were removed
at death or sacrifice, and from all lambs.
The results showed that although the ewes were
initially of low Cu status, Pb administration did
not induce swayback in the lambs. However, the
total Cu content of the liver and kidneys of both
ewes and their lambs was reduced significantly.
While Pb reduced the concentration of Cu in these
tissues it also reduced the liver and kidney dry
weights and this was an important factor in deter-
mining their total Cu contents. Zn sulfate did
not alter the Cu content of the livers of the ewes.
Significant correlations were found between the
concentrations of Cu in the whole blood of the
ewes and in the livers of ewes and lambs. Signifi-
cant correlations were also obtained between both
the concentrations and the total contents of Cu
in the livers of ewes and their respective lambs.
In discussing the results, the authors note that
although clinical swayback was not induced in
lambs of ewes given Pb, this does not rule out the
possibility that consumption of abnormal amounts
of Pb by ewes over much longer periods might re-
duce the Cu in their bodies to the extent that
swayback might occur. In addition, an abnormal Pb
intake could be of greater importance when combined
with a much lower concentration of Cu in herbage
than that which was present in the herbage of
these animals.
1140 Jensen, W.N., and Moreno, G. (Natl. Blood
Transfusion Center, Paris, France) : Les
ribosomes et les ponctuations basophiles
des erythrocytes dans 1'intoxication par
le plomb. (THE RIBOSOMES AND BASOPHILIC
GRANULATIONS OF ERYTHROCYTES IN LEAD POI-
SONING.) Comptes Rendus de 1'Acade'mie des
Sciences (Paris) 258:3596-7 (Apr. 1), 1964.
Rats, guinea pigs and rabbits were poisoned with
200-300 mg Pb acetate/kg body weight, over a per-
iod of 3 wk. The basophilic granulations were
studied under the electron microscope in unstained
blood smears and in those stained with methylene
blue. In the non-stained erythrocytes of Pb-poi-
soned animals a much higher than normal proportion
of monoribosomes was found. In the stained eryth-
rocytes basophilic granulations consisting of ag-
glomerations of ribosomes were seen.
The results suggest to the authors a special
change in these structures as the number of mono-
208
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ribosomes increases considerably at the expense of
the polyribosomes.
1141 Jordanidis, P.J. (Natl. Tech. Univ.,
Athens, Greece): Melete tes apekkriseos
toy 6-aminolevoylikoy oeeos kata ten peira-
matiken dia molybdoy deaeteriasin epi
koniklon. (EXCRETION OF 6-AMINOLEVULINIC
ACID IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING IN THE
RABBIT.) Archeion latrikon Epistimon 20:
325-34, 1964.
The excretion of 6-aminolevulinlc acid (ALA) was
studied in 40 normal rabbits for 45 days and in
24 rabbits, poisoned with a 5% aqueous solution of
Pb acetate for 181 days. Urinary ALA, as deter-
mined by the method of Mauzerall and Granick, in-
creased in the course of Pb poisoning. The diur-
nal graphic curve showed peaks to occur on the 6th
and 48th days.
The author proposes a change of legislation for
occupational Pb poisoning by including a study of
the biosynthesis of hemoglobin as a sign of early
trouble.
1142 Kewitz, H., and Wermund, K. (Freie Univ.,
Berlin, Germany): Hemmung der Acetylie-
rung von Sulfanilamid durch Schwermetalle
und Arsen bei der Ratte. (THE INHIBITION
OF ACETYLATION OF SULFANILAMIDE BY HEAVY
METALS AND ARSENIC IN THE RAT.) Archiv
fur Experimentelle Pathologie und Pharma-
kologie 247, No. 2:180-6, 1964.
The effect of Hg, Pb or As on the acetylation of
sulfanilamide in vivo was studied in rats, weigh-
ing 120-200 g. The animals were injected intra-
peritoneally with 2, 3, 12, 24 or 48 mg sulfanil-
amide and the urine excreted in the following 24
hr was analyzed. Acetylation at 2 mg sulfanil-
amide was found to be 66%/rat and only 32% at 48
mg. Twenty rats injected with 24 mg sulfanilamide
were fed simultaneously Pb nitrate at a dose of
M. g/animal/day. After 23 days, 9 rats had died;
the remaining 11 excreted an average of 27% ^ 11.4
of the sulfanilamide in acetylated form. The con-
clusion was drawn that acetylation was inhibited
also in the presence of Pb. The reduced acetyla-
tion of sulfanilamide was explained as due to im-
paired synthesis of coenzyme A.
1143 Kosmider, S., Enek, Ya., and Gzhybek, G.
(Med. Acad., Zabrze, Poland): Gistokhimi-
cheskie issledovaniya shchelochnoi fosfat-
azy, kislot fosfatazy, adenozintrifosfat-
azy i diaforazy operechno-polosatykh my-
shtsakh i myshtse serdtsa pri ostrom otrav-
lenii svintsom. (HISTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGA-
TION OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE, ACID PHOS-
PHATASE, ADENOSINETRIPHOSPHATASE, AND DI-
APHORASE IN STRIATED MUSCLES AND IN MYO-
CARDIUM DURING ACUTE LEAD POISONING.)
Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabolev-
aniya 8, No. 11:29-35, 1964.
Of 8 adult chinchilla rabbits, 2000 g weight, 3
were used as controls, and 5 were subjected to
acute Pb poisoning by intravenous injections of
6 mg Pb acetate/kg/day for 12 days, then killed by
decapitation. Histochemical examination showed
diaphorase activity to be reduced, the reduction
being greater in the myocardium than in the skel-
etal muscle. Adenosinetriphosphatase and alkaline
phosphatase were also decreased in the walls of the
small muscular vessels. This phenomenon was re-
lated to disturbances in the active transfer of
the phosphate ion from the blood to the muscle fi-
bers, thus explaining the disorder in resynthesis
of phosphocreatinine in skeletal muscle. The ob-
served increased activity of acid phosphatase was
held to be the result of degenerative changes in
the sarcoplasm.
The authors conclude that the enzymatic changes
taking place may explain the mechanism of the
muscular adynamia occurring in Pb poisoning. The
less marked reduction in enzymatic activity in the
skeletal muscle than in the myocardium is explain-
ed by the greater activity of the heart muscle
which is therefore exposed to a greater effect of
the Pb ion.
1144 Kotlyarevskaya, V.A.: Vliyanie uksusno-
kislogo svintsa i dvukhloristoi rtuti na
soderzhanie otedel'nkh fraktsii vodorast-
vorimykh belkov nekotorykh tkanei krolikov.
(THE EFFECT OF LEAD ACETATE AND BICHLORIDE
OF MERCURY ON THE CONCENTRATION OF THE IN-
DIVIDUAL FRACTIONS OF THE WATER-SOLUBLE
PROTEINS OF SOME TISSUES OF THE RABBIT.)
In Farmakologiya i toksikologiya
(Pharmacology and toxicology) Zdorov'ya:
Kiev. 1:222-7, 1964.
Rabbits were given a single administration of 100
mg/kg Pb acetate or 2 rag/kg of mercuric chloride
(HgCl2). After Pb acetate administration, the
amount of albumin in the protein of the liver and
kidney decreased and that in the serum remained
unchanged. Following Hgd2, the content of albu-
min in liver and kidney increased and that in the
serum decreased. The fractional composition of
the muscle proteins was not affected in either
case. (From Referativnyi Zhurnal, Otd. Vypusk
Farmakol. Khimioterap. Sredstva Toksikol. 1966,
No. 1.54.805; Biological Abstracts 48:Abstr. No.
49203, 1967)
1145 Kulik, G.I.: (EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF
THE EFFECT OF Pb and Hg ON VARIOUS AGE
GROUPS.) Voprosy Prom, i Sel'skokhoz.
Toksikol., Kievsk. Med., Inst. 1964:122-
31.
In the experiments with Pb, 3 groups of rats, aged
1 mo, 5-6 mo and 20 mo, respectively, were inject-
ed subcutaneously (sc), every other day for 18
days, with 50 mg/kg body weight of Pb as aqueous
Pb nitrate solution. All the young rats died
within 9 days, the old ones within 18 days, while
some of the middle group survived for 26 days. In
another series of tests, groups of rabbits, aged
2 mo, 12 mo and 30-36 mo, respectively, were in-
jected daily for 10 days with 40 mg Pb/kg. Total
blood proteins decreased in all age groups; the
decline of the albumin to globulin ratio was of
practically the same magnitude since the g-globulin
subfraction in the old animals was 10% higher and
the y-subfraction in the 2 other age groups 2%
higher. A similar effect was observed in 2 groups
of old and middle-aged rabbits, administered a
single sc dose of 200 mg/kg of Pb. (From Chemical
Abstracts 63:7553, 1966)
Plants and Animals
209
-------
1146 Kuz'minskaya, G.N. (Leningrad Res. Inst.
Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis., USSR): Eksperi-
mental'nyi ateroskleroz na fone svintsvoi
intoksikatsii. (EFFECT OF LEAD POISONING
ON EXPERIMENTAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS.) Arkhiv
Patologii 26, No. 9:21-4, 1964. Federa-
tion Proceedings, Translation Supplement
24, Part 11:833-5 (Sept.-Oct.), 1965.
Four groups of adult male rabbits (2.5-3 kg weight)
were treated as follows: I received orally a 10%
Pb acetate solution in a dose of 0.025 g/kg body
weight every day for 2 mo, and after a. 3-wk inter-
val, for an additional 2 wk; II received orally
600 mg cholesterol/day for 3.5 mo; III received Pb
as in I together with the cholesterol as in II; IV
served as controls (normal). The dose of Pb used
produced a moderate degree of Pb poisoning; none
of the rabbits died during the experiment and
erythrocyte counts changed little in groups I and
II; those in III developed a slight anemia, and
stippled cells and reticulocytes increased. I
showed no changes in the weights of various organs;
in II and III a slight tendency to increase in
liver weight was noted, kidney and thyroid weights
remained unchanged, but spleen and especially
adrenal gland weights increased. The aorta and
heart and coronary artery in I was not changed,
out typical atherosclerotic changes were seen in
groups II and III. Planimetric evaluation of the
affected area of the aortic intima showed the
atherosclerotic process to be more extensive and
severe in III. uistiocytic infiltrates were ob-
served in addition to atherosclerosis of the coro-
nary arteries and fatty degeneration of the myo-
cardium; lipidosis of arterial walls in the kidney
was promoted as was development of nephrosclerosis.
In the spleen atrophy of lymphoid follicles and
proliferation of reticular stromal cells were ob-
served; the severity of fatty degeneration in the
liver and adrenal glands was increased. It is
concluded that Pb poisoning promotes the athero-
sclerotic processes. (12 references)
1147 Makashev, K.K., and Kazachenko, L.V.
(Acad. Sciences, Kazak, USSR): (DISTRIBU-
TION AND EXCRETION OF RADIOACTIVE CALCIUM
IN HEALTHY AND Pb-POISONED ANIMALS.)
Izvestiya Akademii Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR,
Seriya Meditsiny Nauk 1:50-5, 1964.
Pb poisoning was induced in rats by the daily ad-
ministration of 1 ml of a 2.5% solution of Pb
acetate/kg body weight over a period of 4-5 mo.
After the appearance of signs of intoxication,
the experimental and control animals received
orally radioactive ^-"Ca. The poisoned rats ex-
creted less Ca in their feces than the controls,
while urinary excretion of Ca was the same in both
experimental and control rats. Considerably more
Ca was deposited in the bones of the experimental
rats.
1148 Makashev, K.K., and Rakhimova, Z.P.
(USSR): Raspredelenie i vydelenle P-" iz
organizma zdorovykh i otravlennykh svint-
som zhivotnykh. (DISTRIBUTION AND EXCRE-
TION OF PHOSPHORUS-32 IN HEALTHY AND LEAD-
POISONED ANIMALS.) Izvestiya Akademii
Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR, Seriya Meditsinskikh
Nauk 1964, No. 2:44-9.
The authors considered it of interest to investi-
gate the effect of Pb on the metabolism of P in
view of the importance of P in metabolic processes
and of the contradictory reports on the subject.
In their experiments, 24 adult white rats, weigh-
ing 200-250 g were divided into 2 groups, one of
which received daily for 4-5 mo 1 ml/kg of a 2.5%
solution of Pb acetate. Both groups then received
orally P. Radioactivity was measured daily for
5 days in urine, feces, as well as in the organs
and tissues upon sacrifice of the animals.
The results showed that in the Pb-poisoned rats,
less 32p was eliminated (22.31% of the administer-
ed dose) than in the controls (33.72%). The dif-
ference was obvious in the feces, since elimina-
tion of P in the urine was almost the same in both
groups. Most of the -"P was eliminated in the
first 2 days. In the organs and tissues, -"p was
distributed irregularly, with bones showing great-
est activity, followed by the liver, thyroid and
kidney, with least amounts being shown in blood
and brain. In comparing the % of 32p found, the
only significant difference was a higher deposi-
tion in the bone of the Pb-poisoned rats. As PD
also deposits in bone, the authors conclude that
there is a close relationship between the content
of the Pb in bone and the metabolism of P in poi-
soning by Pb.
1149 Matioli, G.T., and Eylar, E.H. (Univ. S.
California, School Med., Los Angeles):
THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF APOFERRITIN BY RETIC-
uLOCYTES. Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences of the USA 52:508-16
(Aug.), 1964.
The attempt to give direct proof of the synthesis
of apoferritin within hemoglobin (Hb) forming
cells was studied in male albino rabbits (7-8 Ib
weight), 1 group of which was injected sc with Pb
subacetate 60 mg/lb every 2 days over a period of
15-20 days; some received in addition 30 mg Fe
sulfate iv 3 times/wk for 2 mo. At the end of Pb
treatment, acetylphenylhydrazine (APH) was in-
jected to promote intense reticulocytosis. In
other experiments, rabbits received turpentine to
promote local aseptic inflammations; Fe followed
by APH; controls were injected only with APH. Af-
ter APH injection, blood was collected, reticulo-
cytes separated and incubated with ^C-DL-leucine.
Following digestion by ribonuclease, the Hb and
ferritin were separated from the incubation mix-
ture by centrifugal ion. As noted in the discus-
sion, the results clearly established the ability
of reticulocytes to synthesize apoferritin. The
incorporation of leucine into apoferritin was
markedly stimulated in Pb intoxication and turpen-
tine treatment, whereas Hb biosynthesis was dimin-
ished, particularly at 30 min. (19 references)
H50 Matsushita, H. (Natl. Inst. Ind. Health,
Kizuki-Sumiyoshi, Kawasaki, Japan): RE-
LATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROP-
ERTIES OF METAL CATIONS AND THEIR ACUTE
LETHAL DOSES TO RABBIT, RAT AND MOUSE.
Industrial Health (Pub. Natl. Inst. Ind.
Health, Kawasaki) 2:1-10 (Mar.), 1964
The relationships between some physico-chemical
properties and the acute lethal doses of various
metal cations including Pb for rabbits, rats and
210
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
mice were studied. Data on the acute lethal doses
of the chlorides and nitrates of the metals were
taken from Specter's Handbook of Toxicology (1956).
It was found that the acute lethal doses of the
metal cations decreased linearly with increase of
the logarithm of the stability constant of their
chelates with ethylenediaminetetraacetate, the
product of electronegativity and ionic charge of
the metal cation and its standard electrode poten-
tial.
These results suggest to the authors that acute
severe toxic action by most metal cations seems to
be independent of the specific cation. This non-
agreement with the generally accepted view that
metal toxicity is rather specific for the kind of
cation is explained as follows: in chronic poi-
soning the metal ions administered accumulate in
the specific organs (thus demonstrating specific
toxicity). In the determination of acute lethal
doses, large amounts of the cation come in contact
with all of the body tissues after entrance into
the general circulation, forming in the tissues
metal complexes with biologically important sub-
stances. Caution is expressed in attempting to
define the toxicity of new substances on the basis
of
1151 Mileshin, P. Ya. : (A STUDY OF THE CONCEN-
TRATION OF SOME TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE
BLOOD AND URINE OF ANIMALS UNDER EXPERI-
MENTAL CONDITIONS.) Nekotorye Voprosy
Kardiologii, Mikroelementy, Voronezh,
Sbornik 1964:96-8.
Rabbits, given a single intravenous injection of a
mixture of Cu, sulfate and Ni, Pb and Zn nitrates
in amounts 25 times in excess of these trace ele-
ments in the blood, tolerated this load very well.
A 24-hr urine sample was taken on the 1st day of
injection and a blood sample at the end of the 1st
24 hr. Zn, Pb and Ag concentrations were increased
in blood and urine; Cu content in the blood was
increased and decreased in the urine, and Mn and
Ni were unchanged. (From Referativnyi Zhurnal,
Biologiya Khimiya 1964, Abstr. No. 22F822; Chemi-
cal Abstracts 62:15298, 1965)
1152 Minden, H. , Zegarski, W. , and Rothe, R.
(German Inst. Occupational Med. , Berlin,
Germany) : Fermentuntersuchungen bei ex-
perimenteller Bleivergif tung. (ENZYME
STUDIES IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.)
Internationales Archiv fllr Gewerbepatho-
logie und Gewerbehygiene 20, No. 5:461-70,
1964.
The reaction of various enzymes in blood serum and
liver was studied in 10 rabbits (5 males, 5 fe-
males) which had been administered intravenously
4 mg Pb /kg/day as Pb acetate, on 6 consecutive
days. One animal died inter currently . Before the
start of the experiment and on the 8th day, 1.5 g
of liver tissue was removed under anesthesia from
the left and right part of the liver, respective-
ly; a 3rd sample was taken from the center of the
liver on the 15th day, after the animals had been
sacrificed. In each case, blood was collected
simultaneously. Five male rabbits, as controls,
were subjected to the same treatment but did not
receive Pb injections.
Data of the average activity in the 3 liver sam-
ples and in serum of experimental and control rab-
bits were tabulated for acid and alkaline phos-
phatase, glutamic oxaloacetic and pyruvic trans-
aminase, hexokinase, creatinephosphokinase, cata-
lase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as well
as data of hemoglobin, erythrocytes, reticulocytes,
stippled basophils, siderocytes and body weight.
Acid phosphatase increased appreciably both in
liver and serum; alkaline phosphatase in the serum
decreased to 1/10 of normal but remained practi-
cally unchanged in the liver. Serum glutamic oxal-
oacetic and pyruvic transaminase and glutamic
pyruvic transaminase in the liver increased con-
siderably during the acute stage of intoxication.
Hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,
6-diphosphatase did not show a definite trend;
catalase was probably specifically inhibited.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the erythro-
cytes increased. All values rapidly returned to
normal after discontinuation of Pb administration.
The conclusion was drawn that no irreversible liv-
er injury was caused by subacute Pb poisoning.
(35 references)
1153 Molnar, J.J., and Gueft, B. (New York,
N.Y.): OBSERVATION ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE
AND HISTOCHEMISTRY OF LEAD INDUCED INCLU-
SION BODY. In Forsensic Immunology, Medi-
cine, Pathology and Toxicology, Report of
the Third International Meeting, April 16-
24, 1963. Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica
Foundation, 1964, pp. 136-7.
Rats were poisoned by iv and im injections of
basic Pb acetate. Following iv Pb injections,
electron microscopy studies showed a stippling in
the red cells which was not ferritin, and accumu-
lations of dense granules and an increase of ferri-
tin in the Kupffer cells of the liver. Droplets
of eosinophilic fat in the cytoplasm of the liver
cells appeared <1 wk after Pb administration, and
a well-formed intranuclear inclusion body with
definite structural layers appeared 4 wk after Pb
poisoning. Contact X-ray microscopy revealed no
Pb in the inclusions. The findings were confirmed
by histochemical tests and electron diffraction
studies.
1154 Moskalev, Yu. I.: (DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD
(THORIUM B) AFTER INTRA-ARTERIAL AND IN-
TRAVENOUS INJECTION.) In Raspredelenie,
Biologicheskoe Deistvie, Uskorenie Vyve-
deniya Radioaktivnykh Izotopov. Moscow,
Meditsina, 1964, pp. 161-4.
Experiments carried out with 11 rabbits showed
that the distribution of 212Pb varied with the
method of its administration. Relatively more of
it was found in the kidneys, liver, spleen, and
blood after intravenous (iv) injection than after
subcutaneous (sc) or intra-arterial. After iv
injection it was most abundant in the kidneys, and
after intra-arterial, in the kidneys and bone mar-
row on the side of the injection site. After in-
tra-arterial injection, bone, bone marrow, and
muscular tissue on the side of the injection site
contained 10-18 times more activity than after iv
or sc injection. The liver, kidneys, lungs, and
spleen contained almost half as much 2l2Pb after
sc injection as after iv or intra-arterial injec-
tion, showing that absorption of the isotope from
Plants and Animals
211
-------
sc tissue was comparatively slow and incomplete.
The results of experiments on 15 rats show that
the distribution of 212Pb differs markedly, de-
pending on whether it is injected into the mesen-
teric or tail vein. A day after injection into
the mesenteric vein, the liver contained 3.3 times
more 212pb than after injection into the tail
vein. The author considers that his findings are
significant not only because they indicate the
nature of isotope distribution in relation to the
route of entry into the body, but also because
they may throw light on several problems in phy-
siology pertaining to the mechanism of action of
stimulants following iv and intra-arterial injec-
tion. (From Nuclear Science Abstracts 19:Abstr.
No. 40333, 1965)
1155 Mllller, H.A. , and StBcker, E. (Univ. Wllrz-
burg, West Germany): Autoradiographische
Befunde an den "dlrekten" Kerneinschltlssen
im Hauptstllckepithel der Rattenniere nach
experimenteller Bleivergiftung. (AUTO-
RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS WITH RESPECT TO THE
DIRECT INTRANUCLEAR INCLUSIONS IN THE CON-
VOLUTED TUBULES OF RAT KIDNEY AFTER EXPER-
IMENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Experientia 20:
379-80 (July), 1964.
The "direct" nuclear inclusions are defined as
those occurring in the earlier stages of Pb poi-
soning, which, depending on age and size, lie
freely and directly within the nucleus in the form
of flocculent, vacuolar or cellular structures.
In order to explore the relationship of these
bodies to ribonucleic acid (RNA) and proteins,
poisoning was induced in female albino rats by a
1% solution of Pb acetate given ad lib as drinking
water for 170 or 142 days. The animals were sac-
rificed 20 min and 1 hr, respectively, after in-
traperitoneal injection of H-^-1-phenylalanine.
The kidneys were fixed in 10% formalin for 48 hr
and autoradiographed (using the stripping film).
Both after cytidine and phenylalanine, the auto-
radiograms showed the cellular nuclear inclusions
to be practically free of radioactivity. The same
condition prevailed in the early stages of the in-
clusions, ie, the flocculent-vacuolar precipitates.
This is interpreted as an indication that in Pb
poisoning no synthesis of RNA or protein occurs in
the direct intranuclear inclusions; they must thus
be considered as artificially inactive structures
within the nucleus. However, radioactivity was
seen in the nucleoli which shows that here synthe-
sis occurs.
115J Murphy, G.P., Sharp, J.C., Lawson, N.L.,
Greer, R.B., and Johnston, G.S. (Walter
Reed Army Med. Center, Washington, D.C.):
THE CHRONIC FUNCTIONAL AND MORPHOLOGIC AL-
TERATIONS CAUSED BY PROLONGED EXPERIMENTAL
NEPHROTOXIC STATES IN THE RAT. Investiga-
tive Urology 1:529-51 (May), 1964.
A long-term experiment, using 117 male Sprague-
Dawley rats, was designed to study the renal and
systemic responses to chronic Pb ingestion and to
an exposure to radiation, and to their possible
interaction. The Pb group received a solution of
2% Pb acetate in their drinking water, ad lib for
as long as 12 mo, the radiation group a single
total body dose of 430 rads/rat and a 3rd group
received both the oral Pb and the radiation dosage.
All 3 groups and their appropriate controls were
sacrificed at 4, 5, 7, and 12 mo. Two initial
pilot studies were carried out for 2 and 3 mo.
Nuclear-inclusion bodies and deposits of yellowish-
orange material were seen in the Pb group rarely
after 2-3 mo, but they became more frequent and
larger in size over the 12-mo period. Tubular
dilatation and an apparent medullary pleomorphism
appeared at 4 mo. In some instances, large cystic
changes developed in the cortical-medullary areas.
At 7 mo, an apparent metaplasia of the individual
cells of the parietal layer of Bowman's capsule
was noted. Renal adenomas formed under the com-
bined influence of Pb and radiation in some ani-
mals. In this group a vascular fibrosarcoma with
metastatic lung lesions was also formed. Two of
6 animals treated with Pb had pulmonary tumors at
12 mo. A significant decrease in renal uptake of
-"•"'Hg-neohydrin, which was not related to struc-
tural deformities, was seen in the Pb rats. Two-
way analysis of variance showed an increase, with
age as a significant interactive factor, of body
weight, kidney weights, plasma total solids and
urine-plasma osmolar ratios, and a decrease in
plasma osmolality; balance studies were made dur-
ing rest and periods of dehydration and increased-
fluid intake.
The conclusion was drawn that in chronic nephro-
toxic states, a variety of retrogressive and re-
parative renal morphologic processes occur in the
absence of azotemia. (28 references)
1157 Najean, Y., Ardaillou, N., Mulmann, M.,
and Bernard^ J. (St. Louis Hospital, Paris,
France): Etude des compartiments non
heminiques du fer. III. Cine'tique du fer
et syntheses heminique 'in vitro' dans le
reticulocyte pathologique. (STUDY OF NON-
HEMIN IRON COMPARTMENTS. III. KINETICS
OF 'IN VITRO' IRON AND HEMIN SYNTHESIS IN
THE PATHOLOGICAL RETICULOCYTE.) Nouvelle
Revue Franpaise d'Hematologie 4:55-68
(Jan.-Feb.), 1964.
Reticulocytes of blood from thalassemic patients,
from rabbits and rats with hemolytic anemias, and
rats with aplastic anemia were incubated in the
presence of 59pe an(j glycine-2-l^C. The reticulo-
cyte in hypochromic anemia fixes a large amount of
Fe which is 1st used to build up the Fe reserves
without increasing heme synthesis above normal.
The cells in aplastic anemia behave like young
reticulocytes with rapid changes in Fe and a nor-
mal rate of crude synthesis of heme. The same
phenomenon was noted in Pb poisoning in rats,
where there was also a decrease in de novo heme
synthesis. In the in vivo studies, 3 groups of
rats were given 1 intramuscular injection of 100,
200 or 250 mg/kg Pb acetate and 59pe) and were
killed at varying intervals of 2-20 days after in-
jection. The blood findings were compared with
those of controls killed on the same days. (55
references)
1158 Nigmatullina, N.K., and Odynets, R.N. :
EFFECT OF Pb ON Cu METABOLISM IN GROWING
WETHERS. Obmen Veshchestv u Zhivotn. i
Rast., Akad. Nauk Kirg. SSR 1964:69-72.
Wethers, 5-6 mo old, maintained on a ration con-
212
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
talning 6.8-7.0 mg Cu/kg dry substance, were
treated as follows: Group 1 were given daily 30
mg and Group 2, 60 mg Pb acetate; Group 3, 60 mg
Pb acetate + 40 mg Cu sulfate. The Cu balance,
determined after 180-210 and 360-390 days, was
negative in Groups 1 and 2, and in controls in the
1st experimental period which was probably due to
poor consumption of hay; negative only in Group 2,
and positive in the remaining animals at the end
of the 2nd period. Red and white blood eel]
counts and hemoglobin were within normal limits.
(From Chemical Abstracts 63:3384, 1965)
1159 Odynets, R.N., and Nigmatullina, N.K.:
(EFFECT OF LEAD ON THE METABOLISM OF CAL-
CIUM AND PHOSPHORUS IN YOUNG GROWING
WETHERS.) Mikroelementy v Zhivotnovodstve
± Rastenievodstve, Akad. Nauk Kirg. SSR
1964:33-6.
Forty wethers, 5-6 mo of age, were divided into 4
groups and fed rations containing hay, crushed
barley, mashed oats, wheat bran and NaCl. Group 1
served as controls; Group 2 received with their
food 30 mg Pb acetate daily; Group 3, 60 mg Pb
acetate, and Group 4, 60 mg Pb acetate and 40 mg
Cu sulfate. Groups 3 and 4 had a very high loss of
reserve Ca: 0.88-1.06 g/day, and their fecal elim-
ination of Ca was 4.5-11.1% higher than in the
controls. Fecal P in the 3 experimental groups
was 104.3, 111.9 and 121.3% of that in the con-
trols. The strength of the bones decreased most
in animals fed 60 mg Pb acetate/day; blood-Ca was
reduced in all experimental groups; blood sugar
increased somewhat in Groups 1, 2 and 3 but re-
mained unchanged in the 4th group. Inorganic P
did not change in the 1st 3 groups and increased
a little in the 4th. The concentration of total P
increased in the 1st and 4th group, did not change
in the 2nd and decreased considerably in the 3rd
group. (From Chemical Abstracts 63:1139, 1965)
1160 Pecora, L., Pesaresi, C., and Lamanna, P.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): AttivitS dell ALA-
sintetasi di mitocondri del fegato nell
intossicazione sperimentale da piombo.
(ACTIVITY OF AMINOLEVULINIC ACID SYNTHE-
TASE OF LIVER MITOCHONDRIA IN EXPERIMENTAL
LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica (Naples)
47:985-91 (Oct.), 1964.
The activity of 6-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) syn-
thetase of liver mitochondria was studied in guin-
ea pigs and rabbits intoxicated with Pb acetate or
3,5-dicarbethoxy-l,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC). The
rabbits were given orally 2 ml/day of a 20% solu-
tion of Pb acetate for 1-10 days; the guinea pigs
were injected subcutaneously with 1 ml of this
solution daily for 2 days. The progress of the
intoxication was followed by urinary elimination
of ALA and Pb. DDC poisoning was achieved in
guinea pigs by oral administration of 2 g DDC
daily for 2 days for acute intoxication and 0.5 g
for 2 days for subacute intoxication. Liver mito-
chondria of normal guinea pig and rabbit did not
synthesize ALA from a substrate containing glycine,
succinyl-CoA and pyridoxal phosphate. This syn-
thesis did take place in guinea pig liver mito-
chondria, but only in acute intoxication by DDC.
In Pb poisoning, only in some cases was ALA syn-
thetase activity noted, and then but an extremely
weak one was found.
As in Pb poisoning the liver mitochondria be-
haved the same as those from normal animals, it
could be excluded that disturbances of porphyrin
metabolism induced by Pb are linked to a stimula-
tion of ALA synthetase activity as was found to
occur in acute DDC poisoning. In the latter case,
the increase in ALA synthetase was due to a de
novo synthesis of the enzyme or to an activation
of a protein already present. In any event, DDC
acts only on ALA synthetase and on no other en-
zymes that enter into synthesis of porphyrins.
Therefore DDC stimulates the activity of ALA syn-
thetase of liver mitochondria, produces a porphy-
ria of hepatic type and has no action on blood
cells and on bone marrow. On the other hand, the
opposite is true of Pb: it exerts no action on
liver mitochondria, but stimulates those of the
cells of the hemopoietic system in the synthesis
of porphyrins.
1161 Pernis, B., de Petris, S., Beard, R.R.,
and Karlsbad, G. (Univ. Milan, Italy):
THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF RED CELLS IN EXPERI-
MENTAL LEAD-POISONING. Medicina del La-
voro 55:81-101 (Feb.), 1964.
Guinea pigs, weighing 300-400 g each, were given
daily 50-60 mg Pb as nitrate dissolved in saline
by esophageal catheter. After 3-4 wk on this
treatment, the animals showed 2000-30,000 stippled
erythrocytes/million red cells. Those with the
higher counts were bled from the heart and upon
centrifugation a suspension of red cells including
as many as 50% stippled cells was obtained, which
was prepared for phase-contrast and electron mi-
croscopy. In another experiment, 2 adult male
Leghorn chickens were poisoned by 2 weekly sub-
cutaneous injections containing 50 mg Pb chloride/
kg body weight, for 2 mo, and then bled from the
wing vein. No stippled erythrocytes were found in
their blood, although they had become anemic and
one had developed paralysis of both sciatic nerves.
The blood was processed for electron microscopy
without prior centrifugation. Blood from 2
healthy control chickens was treated correspond-
ingly.
Phase-contrast microscopy of a suspension of
erythrocytes from guinea pigs showed many cells
larger than normal, some of which had vacuoles in
their cytoplasm, while electron microscopy of thin
sections of erythrocytes from the same cell sus-
pension showed some remarkable structures in the
cytoplasm, such as vacuoles of large or medium
size, clusters of small vesicles, ferritln mole-
cules and other formations of bizarre shape. Re-
ticulocytes prepared from the blood in normal
guinea pigs failed to show the abundance of vac-
uoles as in the Pb-poisoned animals, but many nor-
mal mitochondria were seen, which was seldom
found in the cells of Pb-poisoned animals. No dif-
ferences at the submicroscopical level were seen
in leukocytes of intoxicated and normal guinea
pigs. In chicken erythrocytes, mitochondria, nor-
mal or transformed in vacuoles, were considerably
less abundant than in guinea pigs; when present,
they were in the vicinity of the nucleus. However,
similar formations were seen in the controls . Al-
though the suspension of red cells rich in stip-
pled erythrocytes was also rich in cells with de-
Plants and Animals
213
-------
generated mitochondria, the authors do not believe
that the degenerated mitochondria represent the
morphological basis of the stippled erythrocytes
but rather assume that the latter are composed of
ribonucleic acid (RNA) or ribonucleoproteins.
Their reasoning against the 1st and for the 2nd
assumption is given in detail. Furthermore, the
hypothesis is advanced that, in Pb poisoning, the
presence of soluble RNA in some young red cells in
abnormal amounts is not due to any direct action
of Pb on the metabolism of nucleic acids or pro-
teins, but that it is an indirect consequence of
the blockade by Pb of the heme synthesis. The
stage of potential stippled elements is traversed
in mammals by each red cell for a very brief peri-
od of its life. Pb prolongs this period and
thereby increases the number of cells which at a
given time will show this phenomenon. Species,
such as chickens, in whose nucleated erythrocytes
soluble RNA is never produced in excessive amounts,
will not produce stippled cells even in the most
severe Pb poisoning. Thus, the formation of vac-
uoles and the stippling of erythrocytes are 2 dif-
ferent consequences of the same biochemical damage
induced by Pb, namely the blockade of heme synthe-
sis, one being the direct morphological consequence
of the alteration of the mitochondria where heme
is synthesized, the other being the consequence of
an abnormal persistence of soluble RNA due to the
slowing down of globin synthesis, which itself is
a consequence of the heme blockade. (The findings
are illustrated by 12 microphotographs.)
H62 Pernis, B. , Vigliani, E.G., de Petris, S. ,
and Karlsbad, G. (Milan, Italy): THE RED
CELLS IN LEAD POISONING (A STUDY WITH THE
ELECTRON MICROSCOPE). The XIV Interna-
tional Congress of Occupational Health,
Madrid, Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963. Indus-
trial Medicine and Surgery 33:147 (Mar.),
1964.
Pb-poisoned guinea pigs and chickens were bled and
the pathological cells concentrated by differen-
tial centrifugation. Blood from control animals
was treated similarly. The enriched suspensions
were examined by phase contrast, light microscopy
and electron microscopy. While dried smears of
treated guinea pigs showed up to 30% stippled
cells, only up to 5% showed alterations by phase
contrast. In thin sections, intracytoplasmic
structures were visible in many red cells. In
chickens, stippled cells were absent from blood
smears and no ultrastructural differences were
detected between cells from control and treated
animals. The mitochondrial alterations probably
reflect the Pb-induced blockage in the synthesis
of the heme which normally takes place largely in
these organelles. Since basophilic punctations
are known to consist of ribonucleic acid or ribo-
nucleic proteins, it is suggested that the type of
ribonucleic acid responsible for stippling is the
nonribosomal one, persisting in abnormal amounts
or conditions in these cells. Considerations are
advanced to explain how such a situation might
arise.
1163 Pokotilenko, G.M. (Inst. Med., Luga,
USSR): Bg-vitaminoterapiya pri eksperi-
mental'nykh intoksikatsiyakh svintsom i
benzolom. (VITAMIN B6 THERAPY IN EXPERI-
MENTAL LEAD AND BENZENE INTOXICATIONS.)
Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 27, No. 1:
88-9, 1964.
The experiments described were carried out in or-
der to define the hemopoietic action of pyridoxine
in poisoning by benzene and Pb. In the experi-
ments with Pb, 15 rabbits of 1.8-2.5 kg weight re-
ceived on 3 successive days intravenous injections
of a 0.5% solution of Pb acetate at a dose of 2
mg/kg body weight. Beginning with the 8th day af-
ter injections were discontinued, 8 of the rabbits
received daily intramuscular injections of pyri-
doxine at 1.5-2 mg/kg; 7 rabbits served as con-
trols. The number of erythrocytes increased by
25% already by the 8th day of treatment; the in-
crease in the number of polychromatophils and re-
ticulocytes in the first few days was even great-
er, and hemoglobin rose by 10%. By the 24th day
of treatment, the blood picture of the treated
rabbits returned to normal. In contrast, in 3 of
the controls the anemia progressed, 1 rabbit show-
ed a somewhat better picture, in 2 there was no
change, and 1 rabbit died. Bone marrow biopsy at
2 and 3 wk after treatment was initiated showed
diminished normoblastic reaction and a growing
number of mature cells of the erythroblast series.
The myelogram, however, did not return to normal.
In the controls the bone marrow disorders persist-
ed.
By the end of the experiment, 2 deaths had oc-
curred in the control group, and 1 in the treated.
Both experiments vouch for the benefits of pyri-
doxine treatment in poisoning by Ph and benzene.
1164 Raddi, R., D'Angelo, V., and Cassandro, M.
(Univ. Florence, Italy): II cotaportamento
delle prove di funzionalita epatica nella
intossicazione sperimentale da piombo.
Contribute sperimentale e considerazioni
patogenetiche. (THE BEHAVIOR OF LIVER
FUNCTION IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.
EXPERIMENTAL PATHOGENESIS.) Lavoro Umano
16, No. 9:413-29, 1964.
Twenty-five rabbits, av weight 2 kg, were divided
into 5 groups of 5 animals each. Two rabbits in
each group, serving as controls, received daily by
stomach tube physiologic saline at a dose of 0.5
ml/kg body weight. The other 3 rabbits of each
group received in the same manner a 10% aqueous
solution of Pb acetate at 0.5 ml/kg body weight.
Blood was collected from each rabbit by cardiac
puncture before and on the 8th, 16th, 24th, 32nd
and 40th day of intoxication. The detailed find-
ings on the various reactions and components in-
dicative of liver damage were tabulated. A eu-
colloid state became obvious after the 32nd day of
intoxication. With the marked anemia which de-
veloped, together with involvement of liver func-
tion, the bilirubin level in the blood increased
after the 24th day. Total proteins decreased.
Total cholesterol was changed only slightly al-
though a moderate decrease of the esterified and
an increase of the free fraction were found. More
evident was an increase in percentage of (3-lipo-
proteins.
The following conclusions were drawn: the de-
crease in albumin and the increase of the globulin
fractions which are not accompanied by particular
214
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
modifications of the total blood proteins are due
to a changed ability of the liver to synthesize
albumin. The increase of B-globulln is related to
the increase of the lipoprotein fraction, whereas
the increase of y-globulin, which occurs always
when the mesenchyma is in a reactive stage, is re-
lated to the formation of antibodies. The blood
changes and the histopathologic findings point to
the possibility that Pb attacks all organs and
systems and in particular the liver, thereby im-
pairing those hepatic functions which are impor-
tant to the whole organism.
H65 Raddi, R. , D'Angelo, V., and Marras, 0.
(Univ. Florence, Italy): Sulle modifica-
zioni del numero e dell'agglutinabilita
delle piastrine in corso di intossicazioni
sperimentali. Nota III - II comportamento
delle piastrine in corso di intossicazione
sperimentale da piombo. (THE CHANGES OF
THE NUMBER AND THE AGGLUTINABILITY OF
BLOOD PLATELETS IN EXPERIMENTAL INTOXICA-
TIONS. III. THE BEHAVIOR OF BLOOD PLATE-
LETS IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.)
Lavoro Umano 16, No. 11:626-9, 1964.
Twenty-five rabbits, av weight 2 kg/animal, were
divided into 5 groups of 5 each. Two out of each
group, serving as controls, were given daily by
stomach tube a physiological solution while the 3
remaining of each group were given in the same man-
ner 0.5 ml/kg/day of a 10% aqueous solution of Pb
acetate. Blood samples for platelet counts were
taken before the start of the experiment and on
the 8th, 16th, 24th, 32nd and 40th day of poison-
ing, and the data obtained were tabulated. A
slight decrease in the number of platelets, with-
out morphological changes, and an insignificant
reduction in agglutinability were noted only in
the terminal period of the experiment. The authors
conclude that these phenomena cannot be considered
as responsible for the alterations in blood clot-
ting observed in experimental Pb poisoning.
1166 Raddi, R., D'Angelo, V., and Pengue, L.
(Univ. Florence, Italy): II comportamento
della coagulazione del sangue nella intos-
sicazione sperimentale da piombo. Contri-
bute sperimentale e considerazioni pato-
genetiche. (BLOOD COAGULATION IN EXPERI-
MENTAL LEAD INTOXICATION. EXPERIMENTAL
DATA AND CONSIDERATION OF PATHOGENESIS.)
Lavoro Umano 16, No. 11:578-88, 1964.
Twenty-five rabbits, av weight 2 kg each, were di-
vided into 5 groups of 5 animals each. Two ani-
mals in each group, serving as controls, were
given daily by stomach tube a physiologic solution
at 0.5 ml/kg weight; the other 3 animals of each
group received in the same manner 0.5 ml/kg of a
10% aqueous solution of Pb acetate. Blood samples
were collected before and after 8, 16, 24, 32 and
40 days of poisoning. Coagulation tests included
a thromboelastogram according to Hartert, recal-
ciflcation time, prothrombin activity, fibrinogen
and platelet measurement. The data obtained were
tabulated. The results indicated impairment of
the coagulation of the blood from the 24th day on.
The hypothesis was advanced that this phenomenon
might be related to a disturbed liver function.
H67 Roe, F.J.C., and Lancaster, M. C. (Royal
Cancer Hosp., London, England): NATURAL,
METALLIC AND OTHER SUBSTANCES, AS CARCINO-
GENS. British Medical Bulletin 20:127-33
(May), 1964.
A review of fungal and plant toxins, metals, phar-
maceuticals and agricultural chemicals as carcino-
gens is presented. Pb acetate and phosphate as
having caused renal cancer in experiments perform-
ed with rats by Zollinger (1953) , TUnz (1957),
Matthews and Walpole (1958), Boyland et al (1962)
and Esch et al (1962) are covered in the brief
section on Pb. The authors state that no special
association between exposure to Pb and renal can-
cer has been noted in man, but follows this by
saying that "Boyland points out that the mortality
from renal cancer in males in England and Wales
has increased during the past decades (Case, 1956)
and, at the same time, so has the amount of Pb in
road dust especially since Pb tetraethyl has been
added to petrol." (166 references)
H68 Rosenblum, W.I. (New York Univ. Bellevue
Med. Center, N.Y.): THE CONTRACTILE RE-
SPONSE OF PIAL ARTERIES TO TOPICAL BaCl2
AND THE INHIBITION OF THEIR RESPONSE BY
OTHER AGENTS. Bulletin of the New York
Academy of Medicine 40, No. 12:988, 1964.
The pia of anesthetized mice were exposed by cra-
niotomy, then continuously irrigated. When ap-
plied topically to the pial arteries, BaCl2 0.5
or 5.0%, caused marked, reversible, reproducible,
and atraumatic constriction of the arteries. These
effects were not reproduced by solutions of Ca,
Mg, Sr, Zn, or Pb of similar pH tonicity, and mo-
larity. At 10~^M or less, Pb dilated pial arte-
ries and inhibited the response to BaCl2- These
data contradict theories pertaining to Pb enceph-
alopathy that ascribe symptoms to a hypothesized
ability of Pb to constrict cerebral arteries.
H69 Rtlssel, H., and SchBberl, A. (Vet. Coll.,
Hannover, Germany): Abnorme Bleigehalte
in tlerischen Lebern. (ABNORMAL LEAD CON-
TENTS IN THE LIVER OF ANIMALS.) Deutsche
TierHrztliche Wochenschrift 71:537-8 (Oct.
15), 1964
In the period from March 1962-May 1964, 180 deter-
minations of Pb in animal organs (mainly liver)
were made, including Pb in feeds, etc. About 40%
were above suspicion, 60% had increased Pb con-
tent. In most cattle, in the liver Pb ranged from
2-5 ppm; 10 samples showed 5-10, 6, 10-20, 1, 36
and 1, 78 ppm. Of the 18 cattle, 14 came from
regions of Pb smelters or Pb mines. Of the cases
with Pb poisoning, many showed high Pb content in
the liver. However, not in every case should the
severity of poisoning be judged on the basis of Pb
content in the liver. Since Pb stored in the
liver is inactive, the animals could appear to be
healthy until the stores become activated and pro-
duce signs of poisoning. Storage in the liver may
be assumed as a defense mechanism. The success
of such detoxication depends upon amounts of Pb
ingested and absorbed as well as on solubility of
Pb compounds. By deposition of the circulating Pb
in the liver, Pb cannot be eliminated fast enough,
thus giving rise to acute poisoning. This may ex-
plain the relatively low Pb concentrations in the
Plants and Animals
215
-------
liver in spite of a higher intake of Pb. In these
cases, the Pb content in blood must be determined.
Analytical procedures are discussed.
1170 Scheiman-Tagger, E., and Brodie, A.G.
(Univ. Illinois, Chicago): LEAD ACETATE
AS A MARKER OF GROWING CALCIFIED TISSUES.
Journal of Dental Research 43, Supplement:
Abstract No. 74 (Sept.-Oct.), 1964.
Bone growth patterns in decalcified sections were
demonstrated by using Pb acetate vital staining.
Growing Rhesus and Cebus monkeys and New Zealand
white rabbits were given 4-7 intravenous injec-
tions of 4 mg Pb acetate/kg body weight at various
time intervals. Skull, mandible and femurs were
fixed, decalcified in 1% HC1 through which H sul-
fide was constantly bubbled and imbedded in gel-
atin; frozen sections were cut at 15-20 \i. The
contrast of the lines was increased by toning with
Na bisulfate. The rate of growth was measured
from the spacing of the lines. The lines were
lanceolated in areas of fast growth and straight
in those of slower apposition. Growth along the
lower border was faster than that along the later-
al surface.
1171 Schepers, G.W.H. (Office Med. Examiner,
Delaware, Wilmington): TETRAETHYLLEAD AND
TETRAMETHYLLEAD. COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTAL
PATHOLOGY: PART I. LEAD ABSORPTION AND
PATHOLOGY. Archives of Environmental
Health 8:277-95 (Feb.), 1964.
In preliminary experiments with rats, the approxi-
mate oral lethal dose of tetraethyllead (TEL) was
found to be 17 rag/kg (11 rag Pb/kg) and for
tetramethyllead (TML) 108 mg/kg (83 mg Pb/kg).
Differences in responses to the 2 alkyls were
noted in that rats exposed to TEL displayed en-
hanced sensorimotor neurological activity and rats
ingesting TML showed an opposite neurologic trend.
Virtually identical effects were induced by inha-
lation or cutaneous exposure. Although occupa-
tional contact would be by the latter 2 routes,
the experiments with rats to gauge the long-term
effects were conducted by oral administration as
this method is appreciably less complicated.
Groups of 6 male and 6 female Charles River
cesarean-derived albino rats each, 22 days old,
were fed Purina Laboratory Chow (containing
0.0012% Pb) and given Pb-free water for 9 days.
Then, a single dose of 17 or 1.7 mg/kg TEL or 108
or 10.8 mg/kg TML, dissolved in peanut oil with
toluene as stabilizer, was administered by intra-
gastric intubation to each rat. These animals
were sacrificed after observation for 144 days.
Other groups of rats were dosed repetitively over
a period of 21 wk as follows: peanut oil with
toluene only (controls); daily, 5 times/wk for a
total of 100 doses, 0.17 or 0.0017 mg/kg TEL, or
1.08 or 0.001 mg/kg TML, so that at the smaller
amounts, the cumulative doses equaled the doses
administered singly. These animals were sacrifi-
ced during the 1st or 2nd day after administration
of the last dose. The results of each series of
experiments are described in detail and these
findings tabulated. These include signs, delayed
and cumulative effects and mortality; terminal
body and organ weights; water and ash contents of
tissues; distribution of Pb in tissues; gross
patholog^ ; and histopathology.
A proportion of the rats receiving the single
high doses died within a few days. The low single
doses produced no detectable abnormalities and all
rats survived until sacrificed. Multiple doses
caused no initial abnormalities. Later, signs of
toxicity were observed but a degree of tolerance
developed in some rats. Peripheral hyperemia was
noted at the higher doses; it was more pronounced
in the male TML rats that also showed greater
irritability, while hypermotility was more pro-
nounced in the female rats on low doses of TML.
The differential pathogenic action of the 2 com-
pounds is expressed generally in a schema that
shows ranges of 2 maximums caused by TML, then TEL
at high levels of multiple dosage to a minimum
caused by TEL at low multiple doses. In discus-
sing the findings generally, the histologic exam-
ination revealed that the administration of mul-
tiple doses, equivalent cumulatively to a single
dose, was more injurious, which might be of signi-
ficance for human exposure as it is more likely to
be repetitive than massive. The apparent contra-
diction between general condition of the rats and
the severity and prevalence of organic lesions in-
dicates that lack of weight loss and absence of
symptoms are no guarantee that Pb had not caused
damage in vital organs. Female rats were somewhat
less prone to severe injury, perhaps due to tempo-
rary storage of Pb in the more abundant adipose
tissue. Both alkyls had severe effects on the
nervous system with TML showing greater destruc-
tiveness of the neurones. This may explain the
lack of hyperstimulatory signs and the insidious
onset of coma by that compound. Severe reactions
were observed in the liver, pancreas, endocrine
and renal systems, and a hypertrophy of the left
ventricle of the heart was noted. Assuming similar
action of Pb alkyls in man, metabolic investiga-
tions of the hepatic, pancreatic, endocrine and
renal systems may furnish clinical clues concern-
ing the severity of the intoxication. The evident
lack of accumulation or retention of Pb in the
nervous system in the presence of marked neurologic
signs and evidence of neuronal and neurogliar in-
jury poses the question whether the damage was
caused directly by TEL or TML or by any of their
metabolites or whether other neurotoxic mechanisms
may be involved. The severe hepatic and pancreatic
damage observed is considered relevant in this con-
nection. It is also considered that interference
with carbohydrate metabolism and enzyme function-
ing incident to severe injury to liver and pancre-
as may induce significant neurological changes,
suggesting that glucose therapy may be beneficial.
The demonstrable hypertrophy of parathyroids found
in some rats may have resulted in an imbalance of
Ca metabolism. Pb was distributed in the
tissues unequally and selectively. A correlation
seemed to exist between Pb levels in certain organs
(such as liver and pancreas) and the histologic
damage. A discrepancy between Pb levels in the
blood and the variable severity of damage in many
organs, particularly after TML absorption, was
noteworthy. Other findings included: no specific
effects on the intestine, although duodenitis was
seen in a few rats; only dose-related changes in
the stomach; emphysema and edema in the lung
(although almost all rats had a low-grade enzootic
216
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
pneumonitis and tracheobronchltis); hypoplasia of
the thymus; hyperplasia of the thyroid and pitui-
tary; depression of the adrenal cortex; no signif-
icant abnormalities in the sex organs and urinary
bladder, and of the reticuloendothelial system.
1172 Schmidt, R., and Rautschke, R. (Martin
Luther Univ., Halle-Wittenberg, Germany):
Schwermetallkationen im tierischen Organ-
ismus; spektrographische Untersuchungen an
Organen normaler und alloxanbehandelter
weisser Ratten. (HEAVY METAL CATIONS IN
THE ANIMAL ORGANISM: SPECTROGRAPHIC STUD-
IES OF ORGANS OF NORMAL AND ALLOXAN-TREAT-
ED WHITE RATS.) Acta Histochemica 17, No.
5-8:302-13, 1964.
Trace elements were determined spectrographically
in 300 specimens of the following organs of normal
and alloxan-treated white rats: salivary glands,
stomach, small and large intestines, liver, spleen,
pancreas, kidneys, adrenals, uterus and tubes,
testicles and epididymis, brain, thyroid, pitui-
tary, heart, lungs. Special emphasis was laid on
the heavy metals reacting with dithizone. Pb was
found in all organs tested with the exception of
testicles and epididymis. An extensive bibliog-
raphy is included.
U73 Schroeder, H.A. , Balassa, J.J. , and Vinton,
W.H., Jr. (Dartmouth Med. School, Hanover,
N.H.): CHROMIUM, LEAD, CADMIUM, NICKEL
AND TITANIUM IN MICE: EFFECT ON MORTALITY,
TUMORS AND TISSUE LEVELS. Journal of Nu-
trition 83:239-50 (July), 1964.
The authors had reported earlier the effects of
small doses of several metals including Pb on
growth and survival of mice up to 21 mo of age in
experiments attempting to duplicate accumulation
of these metals in man. Observations over the
lifetime of mice are now reported. About 700 white
Swiss mice of the Charles River strain, in groups
of 50 or more, were fed a diet deficient in Cd and
low in other metals. One of the following as ace-
tate or oxalate was added to the drinking water at
5 ppm/metal: Cd, divalent Pb, trivalent Cr, di-
valent Ni or tetravalent Ti. The total elapsed
time until all animals had died was 36 mo. Tis-
sue concentrations comparable to those of man were
observed. Sex differences appeared. Mortality of
females was unaffected; mortality of males on Cd,
Pb and Ni was increased compared with that of the
Cr group, and of those on Cd and Pb compared with
the controls. Longevity of the oldest 10% of both
sexes was less in Pb and Ti groups, and of males
in the Cd group, compared with controls. Body
weights at death were greater in Ti, Cr and Pb
groups. No metal was carcinogenic; incidence of
tumors in males on Cd and Pb, and in females given
Ni was decreased. Mean concentrations of the var-
ious metals in kidney, liver, heart, lung and
spleen are tabulated. No metal accumulated mark-
edly with age. Large increments of Ti, moderate
increments of Cd and Ni and lesser increments of
Cr and Pb, compared with controls, were observed.
Analysis of the whole carcasses of 5 stillborn mice
gave no Pb while it was present in the mother's
tissues. Eight of 10 tumors of control females
contained 0.08-2.1 pg Pb/g. All metals except Cr
exhibited one or more signs of innate toxicity.
H74 Selye, H. , Gabbiani, G. , and Serafimov, N.
(Univ. Montreal, Canada): HISTOCHEMICAL
STUDIES ON THE ROLE OF THE MAST CELL IN
CALCERGY. Journal of Histochemistry and
Cytochemistry 12:563-9 (Aug.), 1964.
Experiments were performed on rats, using special
histochemical stains for the demonstration of me-
tachromatic materials, Pb, Ca, phosphate, and car-
bonate, to study calcergy, the induction of soft-
tissue calcification by topical treatment with
certain compounds such as Pb acetate. In 1 exper-
iment, 25 Sprague-Dawley rats (weight, 97 g) re-
ceived 100 pg Pb acetate in 0.2 ml water subcuta-
neously (sc) at 2 points under the dorsal and the
ventral skin respectively. In a 2nd experiment,
another 25 rats received 5 mg Pb acetate in 1 ml
water intravenously (iv) and immediately after-
wards 10 yg polymyxin-B sulfate in 0.2 ml water,
both under the dorsal and ventral skin.
In simple calcergy, when Pb acetate was directly
injected sc, it was seen to impregnate the collagen
fibers in the injection site without noteworthy
participation of the mast cells. The Pb-treated
area secondarily attracted Ca, phosphate, and
possibly carbonate. In mastocalcergy, the Pb ace-
tate was injected iv and local calcification was
produced by the simultaneous injection of a mast-
cell discharger such as polymyxin. Here, the mast
cells in the treated area first showed degranula-
tion without any mineralization, but this was soon
followed by Pb uptake on the mast-cell granules.
Finally, the discharged and calcified mast-cell
granules disintegrated into a dust-like, fine pre-
cipitate which was transferred to the circumjacent
collagen fibers where it initiated an intense pro-
cess of mineralization, eventually leading to com-
plete petrification of the polymyxin-injected area.
It was concluded that even if the uptake of Pb,
Fe, or Ca by mast-cell granules were a secondary
phenomenon, the mast-cell granule is highly capable
of metal binding.
H75 Selye, H. , Gabbiani, G. , and Tuchweber, B.
(Univ. Montreal, Canada): NEUROTROPIC
CALCERGY. Neurology 14:1084-90 (Dec.),
1964.
After a brief definition of the new concepts of
calcergy and calciphylaxis (Abstract No. 1178),
a recently observed neurotropic form of calciphy-
laxis is described in which the vagus nerves
undergo massive calcification in the absence of
similar changes elsewhere in the nervous system.
Such a selective calcification of autonomic nerves
was produced in rats given an intravenous (iv) in-
jection of Pb acetate simultaneously with a sub-
cutaneous (sc) injection of histamine.
One hundred sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats of
the Holtzman strain, initial weight 95-104 g,
were divided into 16 equal groups to perform 3 ex-
periments. All animals were injected iv with 3 mg
Pb acetate in I ml water on the 1st day. In the
1st experiment, 20 mg histamine, 3 mg serotonin-
creatinine sulfate or 5 mg acetylcholine chloride
were administered sc to different groups of rats
immediately after the Pb acetate injection. In
the 2nd experiment, the histamine injection was
given 1 hr or 30 min before, at the same time, or
30 min and 1 hr after the Pb injection. In the
3rd experiment, histamine was always administered
Plants and Animals
217
-------
simultaneously with the Pb injection, but at var-
ious dosages and by various routes (5, 10, 20 and
40 mg sc; 20 mg intraperitoneally (ip) and iv).
On the 6th day after the injections, survivors
were killed and the tissues examined for possible
Ca deposits.
In the 1st experiment, neither histamine nor Pb
acetate given alone produced any detectable calci-
fication in the autonomic nervous system, whereas
combined treatment with histamine and Pb acetate
induced a 87-88% incidence of Ca deposition in the
vagi and sympathetic nerves, but not in any other
organs. The histologic findings were reported in
detail. Rats given serotonin-creatlnine sulfate
or acetylcholine in addition to Pb acetate, showed
no calcification in the nervous system or other
organs except in the renal infarcts which are
usually produced by high doses of serotonin-cre-
atinine sulfate. In the 2nd experiment, the most
pronounced vagus and sympathetic calcification was
obtained when histamine was injected simultaneous-
ly with or 30 min after Pb acetate. In the 3rd
experiment, a 100% incidence of vagus and sympa-
thetic nerve calcification was obtained at 40 mg
histamine, injected sc at the same time as Pb ace-
tate. The mortality in this case was only 10%, so
that this procedure appeared as the most satis-
factory one for consistent production of these
lesions. Subcutaneous injection of histamine just
after iv injection of Pb acetate will cause topi-
cal calcification, and in the event of ip injec-
tion of histamine, topical Ca deposits were some-
times seen in the peritoneum. If incidental cal-
cifications are to be avoided, the iv route for
histamine may have its merits although it produces
only a 70% incidence of calcification.
The highly specific action of histamine, both
with regard to the chemical nature of the compound
required to produce autonomic nerve calcification
and the selectivity of the effect which singles
out only certain portions of the nervous system,
was emphasized. Although calcification of periph-
eral nerves is rarely, if ever, seen in man, the
authors wonder whether certain types of polyneuri-
tis as caused by various toxic compounds, includ-
ing Pb, might not be related to mild forms of
neurotropic calcergy that are unaccompanied by
manifest mineralization.
1176 Selye, H. , Tuchweber, B., and Caruso, P.L.
(Univ. Montreal, Canada): PROTECTION
AGAINST NEUROTKOPIC MASTOCALCERGY. Experi-
mental Neurology 10:451-61 (Nov.), 1964.
Experiments were reported to show that rats can be
made resistant to topical calcification and the
associated neurotropic mastocalcergy, produced by
Pb acetate and histamine, if they are pretreated
with certain mast-cell dischargers, mast-cell con-
stituents or substances known to have an antihist-
amine effect.
Two hundred and twenty female Sprague-Dawley rats
of the Holtzman strain, mean initial body weight
102 g, were divided into 22 groups of 10 and given
1st a single intravenous injection of 5 mg of neu-
tral Pb acetate, followed immediately afterwards
by a subcutaneous injection of 40 mg histamine
phosphate. One of these groups served as control;
the remaining 21 groups were given prophylactic
treatment with numerous agents or procedures to
test their possible ability to prevent neurotropic
mastocalcergy. In the control rats, calcification
in the autonomic nervous system was obvious. The
most striking calcification occurred in the vagi,
celiac plexus and sympathetic nerve trunks, while
the ganglia showed no or only occasional traces of
Ca deposits. No calcification was seen in the
brain, spinal cord, sciatic, femoral and cranial
nerves. Rats pretreated with mast-cell dis-
chargers (compound 48/80, polymyxin, chlorproma-
zine) or certain mast-cell products (histamine,
serotonin) showed little or no calcification ei-
ther in the vagus or sympathetic system; heparin
had no prophylactic value, neo-antergan and cypro-
heptadine offered good protection. No conclusions
could be drawn from the mortality rates because of
the small groups of rats used and of the toxicity
of histamine itself to Pb acetate-pretreated rats,
which caused 20% mortality. Additional treatment
with prophylactic agents further increased this
mortality rate.
U77 Selye, H. , Tuchweber, B., and Caruso, P.L.
(Univ. Montreal, Canada): TOPICAL RESIS-
TANCE TO MASTOCALCERGY. Journal of Phar-
macology and Experimental Therapeutics
146:252-7 (Nov.), 1964.
Following a brief definition of the new concept of
calcergy and calciphylaxis, experiments are re-
ported which show that, in rats prepared by a
single intravenous (iv) injection of Pb acetate,
topical connective tissue calcification can be
produced by minute doses of various mast cell com-
ponents (histamine, 5-HT) or mast cell dischargers
(48/80 polymyxin). This form of calcergy can be
inhibited by topical pretreatment with any one
among the substances just mentioned. Here both the
production of cutaneous calcinosis and its pre-
vention appear to depend on compounds that can be
liberated by mast cells, which accounts for the
term mastocalcergy. In rats similarly prepared by
an iv injection of Pb acetate, the subcutaneous
injection of formalin or crushing of the skin with
a hemostat produces topical calcification. How-
ever, this form of calcinosis cannot be prevented
by pretreatment with mast cell dischargers, mast
cell products, formalin or trauma. Apparently
this is not mastocalcergy, but an essentially dif-
ferent mechanism dependent on the localization of
blood-borne Pb and subsequently of Ca salts owing
to severe vascular leakage. (From authors' sum-
mary; 15 references)
117J Selye, H. , Tuchweber, B., and Gabbiani, G.
(Univ. Montreal, Canada): THE PASSIVE
TRANSFER OF CALCERGY. Growth 28:213-9
(Sept.), 1964.
In this study, continuing the elucidation of the
mechanism of soft-tissue calcification, the au-
thors first define the terms for 2 newly observed
biologic reactions: Calciphylaxis is the induc-
tion of selective calcification in various organs
by pretreatment with a systemic calcifier (para-
thyroid hormone, vitamin D (the "sensitizers"),
followed after an interval ("critical period") by
an eliciting agent ("challenger")). Calcergy is
produced, without previous sensitization, by par-
enteral administration of direct calcifiers (in
this case Pb acetate). Most challengers and cal-
218
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
cergens are metallic compounds. Histamine libera-
tors play an important role in the mechanism of
some calciphylactic syndromes and calcergic phe-
nomena through their mast-cell discharging effect,
which are designated "mastocalciphylaxis" and
"mastocalcergy," respectively.
The experiments here reported were designed to
determine whether cutaneous calcification, once
initiated by a subcutaneous injection of polymyxin
in a rat given Pb acetate intravenously, will con-
tinue to develop if the treated area is trans-
planted onto an unpretreated host.
Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats of the Holtz-
man strain with an initial body weight of 96 g,
acting as donors, were subdivided into 3 groups.
Animals of Group 1 were injected into the jugular
vein with 5 mg neutral Pb acetate in 1 ml water
and immediately afterwards received 50 pg poly-
myxin B-sulfate subcutaneously under the shaved
skin of the back. In half of these rats, a skin
flap was excised 4 hr and in the other half 8 hr
after the topical application of the mastocyte
discharger. Part of the skin was taken for histo-
logic study and the rest transplanted into unpre-
treated recipients, Group 2 receiving the 4 hr and
Group 3 the 8 hr specimens. The hosts were sacri-
ficed on the 8th day after transplantation.
The results show that the discharged mast-cell
granules at the subcutaneous injection site under-
went calcification followed by disintegration and
transfer of the Ca to collagen fibers. When the
polymyxin-treated skin region of the donor was
removed after 4 or 8 hr (when virtually only the
mast-cell granules were calcified) and transferred
to an unpretreated donor, the development of cal-
cinosis in the graft proceeded essentially as if
the skin had remained in the donor.
It is concluded that, under these conditions,
the entire complex physicochemical mechanism nec-
essary for the development of a massive collagen
calcinosis is fully determined at the injection
site within a few hr. Then it runs its normal
course although the treated skin area is trans-
ferred to an unpretreated host at a stage when
mast-cell calcification has barely begun.
1179 Senczuk, W. (Med. Acad., Gdansk, Poland):
(ACCUMULATION AND EXCRETION OF LEAD IN RATS
CHRONICALLY POISONED WITH LEAD.) Gdanskie
Towarzyst. Nauk., Wydzial Nauk. Mat.-Przy-
rodniczych, Rozprawy Wydzialu III No. 1:15-
23, 1964.
Wistar rats, weighing 150-200 g, were divided into
groups of 15 each. Group 1 was fed daily 20 ug Pb
as aqueous solution of Pb nitrate; Group 2 was ex-
posed 8 hr/day to an aerosol containing 0.42 mg Pb/
m3 air. The rats were killed after 2, 4 and 6 mo.
Urinary and fecal Pb values were 0.8 yg/100 ml and
9.8 pg/100 g, respectively, in Group 1, and 0.6 and
7.6, respectively, in Group 2. The total amount of
Pb excreted by the orally poisoned rats increased
with time but never matched the daily intake of Pb.
The Pb content in the liver in the 2 groups was
11.4 and 9.6 yg/100 g, respectively. The Pb level
in the lungs could not be compared because, in
Group 2, it was too low to be measured. In the
bones, Pb accumulation amounted to 19.6 and 13.3
Ug/g, respectively. Pathologic and histochemical
examination revealed damage in the liver, kidneys
and lungs of all poisoned animals. It was pointed
out that if the accumulated Pb would become sudden-
ly released by some metabolic changes, symptoms of
acute poisoning might appear. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 64:14847, 1966)
H80 Shakhbazyan, G.Kh., and Savitskii, I.V. :
Osobennosti toksicheskogo vliyaniya
svintsa i rtuti na organizm pri deistvii
ikh na fone vysokoi temperatury vozdushnoi
sredy. (THE TOXICITY OF LEAD AND MERCURY
IN A HOT-AIR ENVIRONMENT.) In Shakhbazyan,
G.L., ed.: Voprosy Promyshlennoi i Sel'-
skokhozyaistvennoi Toksikologii. (Problems
of Industrial and Agricultural Toxicol-
ogy.) Kiev, Medychnyi Instytut, 1964,
pp. 84-95.
In the experiments described, 98 rats and 40 rab-
bits were exposed to Pb dusts and Hg vapor at room
temperature, 16-18°, and at 40°. The animals were
examined as to cardiac and respiratory function,
body temperature, ratio of blood serum protein
fractions (determined by paper electrophoresis) ,
and serum and liver sulfhydryl (SH) groups (by
amperometric titration). In the 1st series, the
animals were exposed to finely dispersed Pb dusts
(as oxide) in a concentration of 0.00010 mg/1 of
air. The animals exhibited no signs of disorder
throughout the experimental period. However, on
the 3rd day, the first changes were observed in
rabbits in the form of a 22.7% decrease in serum
SH groups; by the 10th day, the decrease amounted
to 30.9%. No changes in body weight were found.
The serum y-globulin fraction showed a 35.8% in-
crease, while the serum albumin decreased 15.5%.
After 20 days, the serum SH groups dropped by
41.3%, and those of liver albumin, by 16%. No
changes were observed in rabbits exposed to
0.00003 mg/1 for 10 days, and statistically in-
significant changes in serum and liver homogenate
SH groups occurred in rats after a 50-day exposure.
In experiments with Hg, similar changes were seen
following exposure to 0.00010-0.00012 mg/1.
In the 2nd series, to determine the effects of
high temperature as such, the animals were exposed
to an air temperature of 40° for 5 hr a day, over
periods of 30 or 10 days; water was made available
to them in the hot chamber. No changes in serum
proteins or SH groups were observed. Rabbits lost
9.6% weight by the end of the experiment; and there
was inhibition of growth among rats. There were
marked changes in behavior. The animals were rest-
less during the first few days, the respiratory
rate increased. Some habituation was observed,
but no hyperthermia.
In the 3rd series, the animals were exposed to
38-40° atmospheric temperature and Pb dust in con-
centrations of 0.00003-0.00004 mg/1. A much
greater effect was seen, as the animals tolerated
this temperature with difficulty; they were as-
thenic, the fur of the rats became moist, and res-
piratory rate rose to 280-300/min. There was a
lowering in the serum and liver protein SH groups
by 8.6 and 26% respectively in rats, and a similar
decrease in the blood SH groups in rabbits (15.4%).
Exposure to 0.00010 mg Pb/1 of air at 39-40°
caused a 36.7% drop in serum SH groups in rabbits,
21.3% in rats, and liver proteins decreased 11.3%.
The serum protein fractions showed no essential
Plants and Animals
219
-------
changes. y^lobulin increased 12% and albumin de-
creased.
Exposure to Hg at 0.00003 mg/1 at 40° lowered
serum SH groups by 31.1% and in liver homogenates
by 21.5% in comparison with controls. In rabbits,
serum SH groups dropped 30%. There was a sharp
loss in the weight of rats. At 0.00010-0.00012
mg/1, the serum SH groups fell 33.4%, and SH
groups in liver homogenates decreased 26.7% in
rats; in rabbits the values dropped 29% in serum
SH, 12.3% in serum albumin fraction, and the -y-
globulin fraction increased 23%. The combined
action of Pb and Hg at 40° resulted in a shorter
survival time and higher mortality of the animals,
as compared with those observed at room tempera-
ture. In view of the greater toxicity of Pb and
Hg at higher environmental temperature, the au-
thors suggest revision of the industrial hygiene
standards by including specification as to the
temperatures at which they are effective.
1181 Sherman, H., Hood, D.B. , and Barnes, J.R.
(E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Co., Wilming-
ton, Del.): COMPARATIVE TOXICITY STUDIES
WITH TETRAMETHYLLEAD AND TETRAETHYLLEAD.
American Industrial Hygiene Conference Ab-
stracts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Apr.
27, 1964, p. 50.
The acute lethal dose of tetramethyllead (TML) was
greater than that of tetraethyllead (TEL) when the
materials were administered orally or by inhala-
tion to rats or by skin absorption to rabbits.
Both compounds affected the central nervous system
in the rat, but the clinical signs of toxicity
differed. Repeated daily oral administration to
rats of 1/5 the lethal dose of TML or TEL resulted
in marked cumulative toxicity, TEL being the more
active in this respect. Similar results were ob-
tained when rats were exposed to inhalation of TML
or TEL for 1 hr daily for 5 days, at concentrations
equivalent to 0.7 mg Pb/1. Chronic oral studies
with TML and TEL, carried out on male and female
rats in which groups were given single doses equal
to the lethal dose of 1/10 the lethal dose and ob-
served for 144 days, and other groups receiving
daily doses equal to 1/100 and 1/10,000 the lethal
dose 5 times/wk for 21 wk, suggest that TML caused
slightly greater cumulative toxicity than TEL.
However, this may reflect the administration of
approximately 7 times as much Pb in the form of
TML as was administered as TEL.
1182 Shifrine, M., Steck, F.T., and Kusch, M.
(Univ. Calif., Davis): DETERMINATION OF
TRACES OF LEAD IN LIVER AND FECES OF CHICK-
ENS. American Journal of Veterinary Re-
search 25:870-1 (May), 1964.
The Pb content of different tissues of chickens
that had ingested Pb pellets, was assayed by a
method previously used for determination of Pb in
foods (Johnson, E.I., and Polhill, R.D.A.: Ana-
lyst 82:238-41, 1957). Pb was separated from oth-
er ions in ashed liver and feces on an anion ex-
change column and the eluted Pb was measured color-
imetrically with dithizone. The Pb concentrations
found for chickens fed Pb pellets and normal chick-
ens, respectively, were, yg/g of dry weight:
liver, 127-510, 3-49; feces, 102-2910, 1-85. It
was found that the troughs containing the drinking
water for the control birds had Pb-soldered seams
and the water from these troughs contained 5-46 yg
Pb/1, which accounted for the high Pb concentra-
tions found in their tissues. When the livers and
feces of 5 chickens watered from circular troughs
were assayed, no Pb was found in the livers and
19 yg/dry weight in the feces.
The analytical method described in this study
can be used to detect 1 yg Pb/5 g of dry sample.
Since Ca, Mg or P reduce Pb retention on the anion
exchange column, a smaller sample must be used when
bones are to be assayed.
1183 Silvestroni, A., and Balletta, A. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): (THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF NICO-
TINAMIDE NUCLEOTIDES IN THE ERYTHROCYTES
AFTER EXPERIMENTAL LEAD INTOXICATION.)
Biochimica Applicata 11, No. 6:250-7, 1964.
The effect of nicotinamide on coenzyme synthesis
was studied in washed erythrocytes from heparinized
rabbit blood. Samples of a mixture of erythrocytes
and Krebs-Ringer phosphate buffer were incubated at
37° for 22 hr with and without addition of 2% nico-
tinamide and the amount of nicotinamide nucleotides
formed was determined by the method of Colowick
(1951). Administration by stomach tube of 2 ml
20% Pb acetate to adult rabbits reduced the pro-
duction of nicotinamide nucleotides in the erythro-
cytes from an initial 126 yig/ml to 112 in 7 days,
95.8 in 14 days and 81.7 in 21 days, while simul-
taneously the protoporphyrin content increased from
20.7-56.1, 98.5 and 136 yg/100 ml, respectively.
Urinary excretion of coproporphyrin increased from
13.8-82.6, 205.6 and 276.5 yg/24 hr and that of
6-aminolevulinic acid from 0.024-0.72, 0.81 and
1.4 mg/100 ml, respectively. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 63:4855, 1965)
H84 Silvestroni, A., and Balletta, A. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): L'acido nicotinico nella
biosintesi eritrocitaria dei nucleotidi
nicotinici durante 1'intossicazione sper-
imentale da piombo. (NICOTINIC ACID IN
ERYTHROCYTE BIOSYNTHESIS OF NICOTINIC
NUCLEOTIDES DURING EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POI-
SONING.) Folia Medica (Naples) 47:1121-
9 (Nov.), 1964.
The effect of nicotinic acid on the erythrocytic
synthesis of pyridine nucleotides during Pb poi-
soning was studied in 22 rabbits, av weight 2.5
kg. Group A of 4 rabbits, serving as controls,
received daily subcutaneous injections of 30 mg
nicotinic acid for the duration of the experiment.
Group B, 6 rabbits, treated as above, were fed
daily 200 mg Pb acetate. Group C, 6 rabbits, were
fed daily 200 mg Pb acetate and after the 10th day
received nicotinic acid as above. Group D, 6 rab-
bits, received 200 mg Pb acetate daily for 10 days
and after the 10th day were treated only with 30
mg nicotinic acid/day. The rate of erythrocytic
synthesis was determined at the beginning and af-
ter 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively. The stage
of the intoxication was followed by determining
free erythrocytic protoporphyrin, urinary copro-
porphyrin, and urinary 5-aminolevulinic acid. The
nicotinic nucleotides and the rate of erythrocytic
synthesis was estimated by the method of Leder and
Handler (1951). In the controls, synthesis in-
creased from 140.25 ug/ml of red blood cells in
220
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
the 1st wk to 157 after 7 days and at 14 and 21
days was 132 and 130.33, respectively. The cor-
responding values were: Group B, 158.50, 158.66,
132.83, 128.33; Group C, 154.16, 114.16, 96.16, 80;
and Group D, 151.60, 99.60, 104.20, 128.60. These
results confirm clearly the inhibitory action of
Pb on the synthesis of the pyridine coenzymes.
Nicotinic acid given by itself produced a slight
initial stimulation of this synthesis (Group A);
when it was administered simultenaously with Pb,
it moderated the inhibitory action of Pb (Group B),
but the differences between the values in these
2 groups were not significant statistically. Some
hypotheses concerning the mechanism of the action
of Pb on the biosynthesis of the pyridine coenzymes
are advanced.
1185 Silvestroni, A., and Balletta, A. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): L'azione della D'penicil-
lamina sulla sintesi eritrocitaria del
nucleotidi nicotinici durante 1'intossica-
zione sperimentale da Pb. (ACTION OF D-
PENICILLAMINE ON ERYTHROCYTE SYNTHESIS OF
NICOTINIC NUCLEOriDES DURING EXPERIMENTAL
POISONING WITH LEAD.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 47:1326-32 (Dec.), 1964.
Since in a preceding paper the inhibitory action
of Pb on the enzyme system governing synthesis of
nicotinic nucleotides in the erythrocyte had been
shown, it appeared of interest to study the behav-
ior of the enzymatic activity of these nucleotides
after administration of D-penicillamine. Seven-
teen rabbits, av weight 2.5 kg, were subdivided
into 3 groups. Pb poisoning was produced in Group
A (5 rabbits) by daily oral doses of 0.2 g Pb ace-
tate; Group B (6 rabbits) was given the same Pb
dose combined with 60 mg/day of D-penicillamine;
Group C of 6 rabbits was given Pb acetate for 9
days and from the 10th day on was treated solely
with a daily oral dose of 60 mg D-penicillamine.
In all animals, the pyridine nucleotide content in
the erythrocytes was determined at the start of
the experiment and after 7, 14 and 21 days, and
also after 28 days in Group C. The stage of in-
toxication was followed in each group by the de-
termination of free erythrocytic protoporphyrin
and urinary coproporphyrin and 6-aminolevulinic
acid (ALA). The biosynthesis of the pyridine nu-
cleotides, expressed as vig/ml of red cells, de-
creased progressively in Group A from 125.40 pre-
experimentally to 111.80, 93.80 and 79.00 after 7,
14, and 21 days, respectively. The corresponding
values in Groups B and C were 132.66, 131.66,
131.83, 136.66, and 134.50, 83.16, 88.33, 116.66
and 128.66 (after 28 days), respectively. Thus,
administration of D-penicillamine prevented the
progressive reduction of the rate of synthesis of
nucleotides in the erythrocytes and produced an
increase of the rate in rabbits already poisoned,
so that the values ranged around the baseline
throughout the experiment when D-penicillamine was
given simultaneously with Pb acetate (Group B).
It was also seen in the same group that the in-
crease of erythrocyte protoporphyrin and of
urinary coproporphyrin and ALA was quite modest.
The effect of D-penicillamine was notable after 4
days of administration, and as it declined in the
later stages (after 28 days), administration of
the chelate for at least 3 wk is recommended.
1186 Sinitsyn, S.N. (Sci. Res. inst. Hyg.,
Moscow, USSR): Nekotorye dannye o toksi-
chnosti sinteticheskogo i etilirovannogo
sinteticheskogo benzinov. (DATA ON THE
TOXIC1TY OF SYNTHETIC AND ETHYLATED SYN-
THETIC GASOLINES.) Farmakologiya i Tok-
sikologiya 27, No. 5:619-20, 1964.
Synthetic gasoline is defined as a colorless liq-
uid of unpleasant odor, specific gravity 0.685,
beginning boiling temperature 42°, final 189°,
octane number 31. Ethyl gasoline contains in ad-
dition 30.3% benzene and 0.5 ml ethyl fluid/1.
In investigating the toxicity of these two types
of gasoline, that of aviation naphtha gasoline was
included for comparison. In the inhalation ex-
periments described, the acute lethal concentra-
tions for mice were, in mg/1 of air: LC-100, 125
for synthetic gasoline, 110 for the aviation naph-
tha gasoline, and 100 for ethyl gasoline; the re-
spective LC-50's were 105, 86.5, and 74.4; and the
maximum tolerated doses, >90, >60, >55. All
mice survived the latter concentrations, and 24 hr
after exposure showed no differences from controls.
Synthetic gasoline appeared least toxic, as dis-
orders of motor coordination were seen with this
substance at 40 mg/1 and with the ethylated, at
30 mg/1. In 22% of the mice exposed to the latter
for 2 hr, pulmonary edema was found, while none
was seen in mice that died from exposure to syn-
thetic gasoline. In mice exposed to 3, 5, 10, 15
and 20 mg/1 of synthetic gasoline, the onset of
rigor mortis of the tail was not affected at the
lowest concentrations, with acceleration being
seen only with the higher levels; the ethyl form
accelerated rigor mortis even at the lowest level.
Swimming performance was diminished by ethyl gaso-
line at concentrations starting with 10 mg/1 and
by the nonethylated starting with 15 mg/1. The
same concentrations of the respective gasolines
caused depression of chollnesterase activity.
The chronic toxicity of ethyl gasoline with high
benzene content was studied in rabbits exposed
daily for 2 hr over a 5-mo period and for 4 hr
during the 6th mo to 0.4-0.6 mg/1. At the end of
exposure, the number of leukocytes of all rabbits
decreased from 8000-5000. The leukocyte formula
showed a relative increase of segmented nuclear
neutrophils and decrease in lymphocytes. Red cell
counts remained unchanged. Control animals showed
no changes.
H87 Sroczyriski, J. , and Jonderko, G. (Silesian
School Med., Zabrze, Poland): (THE PRO-
PHYLACTIC USE OF DISODIUM-CALCIUM VERSEN-
ATE IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING IN RAB-
BITS. I. EFFECT ON THE BLOOD LEVELS OF
REDUCED GLUTATHIONE. II. EFFECT ON CAT-
ALASE ACTIVITY OF ERYTHROCYTES.) Archivum
Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis
12, No. 2:225-8, 229-31, 1964.
I. Ten adult chinchilla rabbits, weighing 2.5-4
kg, were injected intravenously (iv) for 3 mo with
20 mg Ca disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate
(EDTA)/day, 3 days/wk, and 1 hr later, also iv,
with 4 mg/kg of Pb acetate; 10 control rabbits re-
ceived only EDTA injections for 6 mo. In the con-
trols, the initial arithmetic mean of blood glu-
tathione was 35.3 mg%, and glutathione index 10.9;
after 6 mo the corresponding values were 34.5 and
Plants and Animals
221
-------
10.6. This difference was statistically insignif-
icant. In the Pb-poisoned animals, blood gluta-
thione was lowered insignificantly from an initial
36.1-34.3 mg% after 3 mo, and the glutathione
indices were 9.9 and 10.0, respectively. Also,
the number of stippled erythrocytes was small com-
pared with that in chronic Pb poisoning when EDTA
was not administered prophylactically.
The conclusion was drawn that administration of
EDTA per se does not significantly affect blood
glutathione and glutathione index, but that pro-
phylactic administration of EDTA protects rabbits
to a marked extent from Pb poisoning and prevents
lowering of blood glutathione.
II. The experiment was set up in the same man-
ner as in I. In the controls, the arithmetic mean
catalase activity (as determined by the method of
Jolles, modified by Gepner-Wozniewska) was 11.2
before the experiment and 11.9 6 mo later. In the
experimental group, the corresponding figures were
12.3 and 12.9 (after 3 mo).
It was concluded that prolonged administration
of EDTA does not affect catalase activity in the
red blood cells of rabbits, and that prophylactic
administration of EDTA to Pb-poisoned rabbits pre-
vents the increase of catalase activity in the red
blood cells which is a nonspecific sign of chronic
Pb poisoning.
1188 Sroczynski, J., Kujawska, A., and Piekar-
ski, B. (Clinic Internal Dis ., Zabrze,
Poland): Obraz bia^ek surowicy krwi w
zatruciu ojowiem. (THE PICTURE OF BLOOD
SERUM PROTEINS IN THE COURSE OF LEAD POI-
SONING.) Medycyna Pracy 15, No. 2:77-81,
1964.
Changes in blood serum proteins were examined
electrophoretically in 20 rabbits in which acute
and chronic Pb intoxication had been induced by
means of Pb acetate, and in 60 subjects suffering
from chronic Pb poisoning. The human patients
were subjected simultaneously to the thymol tur-
bidity and Takata-Ara tests, and the activity of
alanine aminopherase was determined.
The conclusion was drawn that the protein dys-
crasia may be due to toxic injury of the liver
cells by Pb. (From authors' English summary)
1189 Stankovic, M., and Mokranjac, M.St.
(Inst. Health Protection, SR of Serbia,
Belgrade, Yugoslavia): CHOLINESTERASE
ACTIVITY IN EXPERIMENTAL TETRAETHYL LEAD
POISONING. In XlVth International Con-
gress of Occupational Health, Madrid,
Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963. International
Congress Series No. 62, Amsterdam, Ex-
cerpta Medica Foundation, 1964, Vol. II,
pp. 831-4.
The effect of tetraethyllead (TEL) on cholinester-
ase activity was studied in sheep, using Davies-
Nichols' method, and correlating it with the con-
tent of Pb in the blood. In 20 selected healthy
sheep with Pb in blood ranging from 13-17 yg%,
cholinesterase activity varied from 48-53 min, the
mean value being ^50 min at 20° C. For the pur-
pose of the experiment, one group of sheep was ad-
ministered TEL orally in capsules for 90 days and
a control group was given Pb acetate, with quan-
tities of Pb being equivalent in both cases. TEL
administration had to be interrupted when the lev-
el of Pb in the blood reached 260 yg% since the
animals showed symptoms of intolerance, while in
the case of Pb acetate, tolerance was good up to
a Pb level in the blood of 328 yg%. Inhibition of
cholinesterase activity occurred much more rapidly
in TEL poisoning than in Pb acetate poisoning.
The period of recovery after poisoning was slight-
ly protracted in the case of TEL. It took 2.5
times as long for cholinesterase to resume its
normal level than the period it took to produce
chronic TEL poisoning.
1190 Stover, B.J., Atherton, D.R., Buster, D.S.,
and Keller, N. (Utah Univ., Salt Lake
City): METABOLISM OF THE Th228 DECAY SER-
IES IN ADULT BEAGLE DOGS. II. Ra22^
(ThX), Pb212 (ThB), AND Bi212 (ThC) . In
Research in Radiobiology. Annual Report
of Work in Progress on the Chronic Toxi-
city Program, Sept. 30, 1964. US Atomic
Energy Doc. COO-119-231, pp. 110-72.
Retention and distribution of 22^Ra, 212Pb and
212Bi was studied for 3 yr in beagles after intra-
9 9 R 919
venous injection of °Th. -"-^Pb was found to be
associated with the blood cells. While initially
228.
"Th
Ra in plasma decreased more rapidly than
in plasma, the concentrations of 22^Ra in plasma
and 212Pb in cells later were 24 and 480 times,
9 9 A
respectively, that of "°Th in plasma. (From
Nuclear Science Abstracts 19:Abstr. No. 10739,
1965)
1191 Tesic, D., and Labudovic, D. (Univ. Bel-
grade, Yugoslavia): Eksperimentalno is-
pitivanje toksicnosti olovoarsenata.
(TOXICITY OF LEAD ARSENATE.) Acta Veteri-
naria (Belgrade) 14, No. 3:171-7, 1964.
Five groups of white mice (20-40/group) were given
Pb arsenate in their food in a proportion of 0.02-
20.48%, for 1 mo or less. The animals refused food
containing 0.32% Pb arsenate and more, starting on
the 1st day, while food consumption was not af-
fected by 0.02-0.08% Pb arsenate. Body weight was
not influenced by 0.02% Pb arsenate, compared with
controls, except in the 1st 5 days when it in-
creased significantly. Body weight decreased mark-
edly at 0.08% Pb arsenate, and 33.3% of the mice
died. Of 30 mice fed 0.32% Pb arsenate, 96.7%
died within 146.75-216.50 hr (av 90.40); doses of
1.28, 5.12 and 20.48% were 100% lethal, with deaths
occurring in an av of 47.90, 42.60, and from 35.40-
51.40 hr, respectively.
H92 Tesic, D. , and Labudovic, D. (Univ. Bel-
grade, Yugoslavia): Uporedno ispitivanje
toksicnosti olovoaresenata, olovooksida i
arsenpentoksida. (COMPARATIVE INVESTIGA-
TIONS OF THE TOXICITY OF LEAD ARSENATE,
LEAD OXIDE, AND ARSENIC PENTOXIDE TOXI-
CITY.) Acta Veterinaria (Belgrade) 14,
No. 3:179-83, 1964.
Groups of 20 white mice each were given with their
food the following compounds, respectively, for a
maximum of 1 mo: 0.16 and 2.56% Pb arsenate, 0.048
and 0.652% arsenic pentoxide (As205), or 0.0792 and
1.2672% Pb oxide. The respective average hours
of survival were: 290 and 66.3; 148 and 11.9;
579.5 and 271.0. Thus, the survival time of the
222
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
mice poisoned with Pb arsenate was significantly
shorter than that of mice poisoned with Pb oxide
and significantly longer than in mice poisoned
with As2C>5. Food consumption decreased when Pb
arsenate and As20j was administered but was un-
changed by Pb oxide. Body weight decreased more
with As20c than with Pb arsenate and was unaffected
by Pb oxide. The conclusion was drawn that in
poisoning by Pb arsenate the toxic effect is main-
ly due to As. The higher the doses used, the
more obvious this was found to be the case.
1193 Tikhonov, N.N.: Soderzhanie mediatorov v
krovi pri svintsovoi intoksikatsii. Soob-
shchenie II. 0 soderzhanii atsetilkhollna
v dinamuke otravleniya svintsom v eksperi-
mente. (PRESENCE OF MEDIATORS IN THE BLOOD
IN LEAD INTOXICATION. II. ACETYLCHOLINE
IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING.) Izvest-
iya Akademii Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR, Seriya
Meditsiny Nauk 1964, No. 3:65-9.
After preliminary examination of the blood picture
and acetylcholine (ACH) content of the blood,
acute Pb poisoning was induced in the 1st group of
8 dogs (average-sized animals of both sexes were
used in all experiments) by 1 ml of a 5% solution
of Pb acetate/kg body weight (route is not indica-
ted). In 3 of the dogs in which the intoxication
had a rapid course (death after 28-32 days) the
ACH content of the blood increased from the onset
of poisoning; 3 dogs with a less rapid course of
intoxication (death after 58-64 days) ACH levels
did not change in the 1st 10 days of poisoning,
then increased and in the terminal stages exceeded
the normal values by 2-3 times; in 2 dogs that
died after 84-88 days, increased ACH levels oc-
curred later.
In the 2nd group of 7 dogs administered 1 ml of
2,5% solutions of Pb acetate/kg, poisoning de-
veloped slowly and the animals lived up to 5-6 mo.
ACH in the blood rose only slightly for 170 days,
then increased sharply to an average of 150 Mg/ml
when the condition of the dogs deteriorated. The
individual variations of the blood ACH values of
dogs both in the pre- and post-experimental stage
are pointed out.
1194 Todd, J.R. (Vet. Res. Div. , Stormont,
Belfast, North Ireland): THE INCIDENCE OF
LEAD POISONING IN CALVES IN NORTHERN IRE-
LAND. Veterinary Record 76:845 (Aug. 1),
1964.
The author had earlier estimated the incidence of
Pb poisoning in cattle in Northern Ireland to be
4.5% on the basis of finding concentrations >25
ppm in the kidney cortex of lambs <300 Ib, re-
ceived in the year 1960-1961 at a large knack-
ery, with a finding of 10-25 ppm being interpreted
as abnormal but of doubtful significance. As oth-
er authors' estimates were lower (1.5%), the sur-
vey was repeated in the year 1963-1964 and at
another knackery over a 2-yr period of 1961-1963.
Tabulation of the results together with those of
the first survey showed levels of Pb >25 ppm in 51
or 4.1% of a total of 1247 kidneys; 21 or 1.7%
contained 10-25 ppm. Most of the 51 "positive"
contained very high Pb concentrations and only 9
were from 25-50 ppm. Thus, using a figure of 50
ppm as criterion, as some authors have done, would
reduce the percentage incidence of deaths from Pb
poisoning only to 3.4%.
1195 Tolgskaya, M.S. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. and Occup.
Diseases, USSR): Soderzhanie nukleopro-
teidov v tkanyakh vnutrennikh organov i
nervnoi sistemy zhivotnykh pri intoksikat-
sii mysh'yakom, svintsom i anilinom. (THE
NUCLEOPROTEIN CONTENT OF THE INTERNAL OR-
GANS AND NERVOUS SYSTEM OF ANIMALS POISON-
ED WITH ARSENIC, LEAD, AND ANILINE.) Tok-
sikologiya Novykh Promyshlennykh Khim-
Icheskikh Veshchestv 1964, No. 6:128-44.
Of a total of 110 white rats used in the experi-
ments, 39 received Pb acetate in doses of 0.01-
0.04 g/kg/day orally or subcutaneously to induce
acute, subacute or chronic poisoning. The dura-
tion of administration varied from 1-180 days.
The state of Pb poisoning was followed by observa-
tion of loss in weight and appetite, convulsions,
blood examination as to basophilic stippling of
erythrocytes, reticulocytes. Sections of the or-
gans and tissues of rats that died or were sacri-
ficed were examined histochemically for RNA (meth-
od of Brash) and DNA (method of Fel'gen). For
comparison, sections from 23 control rats were
used. A more or less pronounced decrease of RNA
was seen in the cells of the brain, bronchial
epithelium, liver, kidneys, pancreas, submaxillary
salivary gland, myocardium, gastroenteric epithel-
ium, and epidermis of all poisoned rats (including
those subjected to As and aniline poisoning). The
decrease in RNA paralleled the severity of poison-
ing and the clinical and pathologic picture; it
was most clearly pronounced in cells normally rich
in RNA. The RNA decrease was also more marked in
the tissues for which the particular poison has an
affinity. The DNA content of the nuclei was more
stable and changed only in severe poisoning, a drop
in DNA coinciding often with the destruction of
the cell.. One of the earliest changes exerted by
low doses of aniline, As and Pb was a disturbance
of the nucleoproteid metabolism. The author con-
cludes that in view of the importance of the latter
in the synthesis of proteins, protein metabolism
is early disturbed by small doses of the poisons
studied, and suggests that histochemical methods
may provide the detection of early morphologic
changes while the usual methods as yet do not re-
veal pathologic processes.
1196 Watrach, A.M. (Univ. Illinois, Urbana):
DEGENERATION OF MITOCHONDRIA IN LEAD POI-
SONING. Journal of Ultrastructure Re-
search 10, No. 3/4:177-81, 1964.
Six pigs, 8 wk of age, were fed daily 20-60 mg of
Pb acetate/lb body weight for 3-6 mo; a 7th pig
was kept as control. Signs of intoxication were
loss of weight, anorexia, and trembling hind legs.
The animals were killed at 6-wk intervals. Elec-
tron microscopic studies of the liver revealed the
presence of fine, closely packed, parallel arrays
of lamellar formations in some of the mitochondria.
The individual lamellae measured 55-85 A in thick-
ness and 0.1-0.5 y in length. The mitochondria
containing such structures were usually enlarged
and had only a few, short cristae. The presence
of these changes was interpreted as a sign of mito-
chondrial malfuntion and degeneration. (From
Plants and Animals
223
-------
author's summary)
1197 Witschi, H.P. (Univ. Berne, Switzerland):
Tierexperimentelle Untersuchungen zur
enteralen Bleiausscheidung. (EXPERIMENTAL
STUDY OF THE ENTERAL LEAD EXCRETION IN
ANIMALS.) Internationales Archiv fllr
Gewerbepathologie und Gewerbehygiene 20,
No. 5:449-60, 1964.
Experiments were carried out on albino rats, av-
erage weight 270 g, in order to study whether a
correlation exists between the enteral Pb excre-
tion and the enteral plasma protein metabolism.
Four groups of rats were acutely poisoned by in-
fusing 1 ml of a 10% solution of Pb acetate into
a 10- to 15-cm loop of the distal jejunum. Group
1 served as controls; Group 2 was subjected to
total body radiation with 800 r to induce an ex-
udative enteropathy; in Group 3, a trypsin-inhibi-
tor was instilled into the intestinal lumen; and
in Group 4, the bile flow into the duodenum was
interrupted by an operative procedure. Pb was
determined 8 hr after the start of the experiment
in blood and various ligated parts of the intesti-
nal tract (stomach, duodenum, jejunum,- ileum,
cecum, colon). An enteral Pb excretion was obser-
ved in all intestinal parts of the control animals.
In the irradiated and protease-inhibited rats a
significant increase of Pb excretion in the duo-
denum was observed; finally, blockage of bile flow
caused no decrease in duodenal Pb excretion.
Therefore, independent of bile flow, the above
manipulations caused increased Pb excretion in the
duodenum. The findings led to the hypothesis that
part of the Pb circulating in the blood is trans-
ported by carrier proteins (the fractions of which
are not yet identified) into the intestinal lumen
where Pb is liberated by intraintestinal proteoly-
sis and partly reabsorbed. This phenomenon takes
place mainly in the duodenum and may be enhanced
here by either radiation or a protein inhibitor.
Implications with regard to treatment of Pb poi-
soning are mentioned. The question is raised
whether a substitution therapy with plasma pro-
teins or still to be determined fractions could
effect increased intestinal Pb excretion or even
modify the distribution of Pb in the organism by
complex-forming proteins. (31 references)
H98 Yanase, M. (Nagoya City Univ. Med. School,
Japan) : EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERA-
TURE ON CHRONIC LEAD POISONING. Journal
of Nagoya City University Medical Associa-
tion 15, No. 2:55-81, 1964.
Three groups of rabbits were injected with 5 mg
Pb/kg/wk and kept in environments of 31°, 15° and
0° C. , respectively, for 14 wk. Signs of Pb poi-
soning, such as urinary coproporpnyrin and a de-
crease of hemoglobin and reticulocytes, appeared
earlier in animals maintained at 0° C than in
those at 31° and appeared the latest in rabbits at
15° C. The symptoms receded earlier in animals at
31° than in those at 0" C. All 3 groups showed
liver damage. (From Excerpta Medica 11, Section
17:Abstr. No. 5881, 1965)
Zel'tser, M.E.: MORPHOLOGICAL CRITERIA OF
THE FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY OF THE THYROID IN
RATS WITH ACUTE LEAD POISONING. Izv.
Akad. Nauk Kaz. SSR, Ser. Med. Nauk 1964,
No. 3:60-4.
In rats with acute Pb poisoning the thyroid epi-
thelium was flattened and the follicles were en-
larged, reducing the secretory action. (From
Chemical Abstracts 62:9676, 1965)
224
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
IV. MAN
A. ADULTS
1950
1200 Antonlotti, F.: La reazione di Takata-
Dohmoto (cifra di flocculazione) In un
gruppo di operai tipografi. (THE TAKATA
DOHMOTO REACTION (FLOCCULATION NUMBER) IN
A GROUP OF TYPOGRAPHERS.) Rass. med. in-
fortunista e pathologia del lavoro 3:132-
7 (Jan.-Feb.), 1950.
Pb does not seem to produce, at least in the first
stages of its action, any irreversible epithelial
changes of the liver parenchyma. However, there
is a rather accentuated action on the connective
tissue. It is known that the serine-globulin re-
lationship of the serum is regulated by liver
function; also, it is known that in diseases af-
fecting this organ the hydrophll plasma proteins
of more minutely dispersed molecules tend to in-
crease. The author studied the Takata-Dohmoto re-
action in a certain number of typographers. In
this test, a series of 9 test tubes are prepared
into which, with a pipette, 0.1 ml of serum is
placed, as well as 0.9 Nad and anhydrous Na car-
bonate. This is mixed thoroughly, then 0.7 Takata
reagent (bichloride of Hg combined with fuchsin)
is added. If there is an absence of precipitate
in the first test tube a certain quantity of the
reagent is added to the second and so on. The
minimum quantity of the reagent which produces
flocculation is determined. Thus the method ex-
pressed on a scale from 0-100 gives a measure of
the lability of the serum proteins. The normal
figure is 60. In 5 of 25 cases normal values were
found. There were cases suffering from sclerosis
without serious changes in liver cells. In 17
cases there were mild disturbances and in 1 case
the value was 40. (From Archives des Maladies
Professionnelles de Me'decine du Travail et de
Securitg Sociale 12:369 (Abstracts), 1951)
1201 Barbaso, E. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Sul
saturnismo nella lavorazione delle carroz-
zerie di automobili. (LEAD POISONING IN
AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURE.) Medicina del
Lavoro 41:86-95 (Mar.), 1950.
Several hundreds of workers employed in filing
automobile bodies were examined periodically from
1946 through 1949. Thirty-three cases of Pb poi-
soning occurred. The frequency of the symptoms
was as follows: All had anemia, with an average
of 3.2 million erythrocytes and 66% Hb (Sahli);
79% had increased coproporphyrinuria, 61% Pb line,
60% stippling (>100/million); 60% suffered from in-
testinal disorders; constipation was present in 45%
of cases, Pb pallor in 33%, Pb colics in 18%, myal-
gia and arthralgia in 12%, Pb hypertension in 12%,
hyperthyroidism in 9%. One case showed Pb palsy.
The great danger of filing bodies with grinding
machines and rotating brushes is stressed. Several'
technical measures for prevention are suggested,
the most important of which is to discontinue fil-
ing with mechanical means and return to the system
of filing by hand. (22 references)
1202 Bastos, R., Pimenta de Mello, R., and
Cruz, W.O. (Inst. Oswaldo Cruz; Min. La-
bor, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): URINARY EX-
CRETION OF COPROPORPHYRIN IN WORKERS HAND-
LING LEAD. Memorias do Institute Oswaldo
Cruz 47:211-30, in English 231-40, 1950.
The daily urinary Pb excretion of 2 normal men
varied between 38 and 84, and 10 and 79, yg/1.
The urines of >100 workers were examined who were
employed in the following occupations: printing,
monotyping, stereotyping, TEL production, manufac-
ture of Pb pipes, pig Pb, and Pb paints. Working
conditions were classified as good, bad, or very
bad, according to the provisions existing in each
establishment for the removal of dust and other
atmospheric pollution. In every instance where
adequate provisions were provided for the removal
of polluted air, the urinary coproporphyrin (CP)
values of the workers fell within normal ranges,
but wherever hygienic conditions were inadequate,
elevated CP values were encountered. Highest Pb
absorptions existed in Pb pipe, pig Pb, and Pb
paint manufacturing establishments where CP values
of 4000 to >10,000 yg/1 of urine were encountered.
The CP contents of the urines were determined by
the procedure of Schwartz et al.
1203 Benard, H. : (LEAD POISONING AND PORPHYRIN
METABOLISM.) J. Practiciens 64, No. 28:
344, 1950.
A brief discussion. (From Chemical Abstracts 45:
4356, 1951)
1204 Benard, H., Rambert, P., Gajdos, A.,
Gajdos-TBrBk, A., and Malvezin: Un cas de
colique saturnine avec troubles profonds
du metabolisme porphyrique et plombemie
normale. (A CASE OF LEAD COLIC WITH PRO-
FOUNDLY DISTURBED PORPHYRIN METABOLISM AND
NORMAL LEVEL OF LEAD IN THE BLOOD.) Bull.
et Mem. Soc. Med. Hopit. de Paris No. 21/
22:1120-5, 1950.
The authors describe a case of Pb poisoning in a
41-yr-old man who had been working under very un-
hygienic conditions. He presented violent abdom-
inal colic and on investigation was found to have
a hemoglobin of 58%, a red cell count of <3 mil-
Iion/mm3, abundant punctate basophilia and a uri-
nary porphyrin (24 hr) of 1784 yg. Despite this
level, Pb in his blood was within normal limits
(90 yg/100 cc). The literature dealing with the
disturbance of porphyrin metabolism in Pb poison-
225
-------
ing is reviewed. Two schools of thought exist;
one holds that the rise in porphyrin in the blood
is due to destruction of red blood cells, while
the more modern view attributes the rise to a
breakdown in the synthesis of hemoglobin. The
authors support Kench and his collaborators in
their contention that there was no quantitative
relationship between blood protoporphyrins and the
level of coproporphyrin in the urine. The newer
work of Grinstein et al (1950) in which they sug-
gest that coproporphyrin III is the precursor of
protoporphyrin, is briefly discussed. Increase
in urinary porphyrin excretion is regarded as an
early sign of Pb intoxication, appearing before
punctate basophilia. The authors emphasize the
fact that, despite the clinical picture and the
profoundly disturbed porphyrin metabolism in their
case, the level of Pb in the blood was normal.
The value of this finding as an index of Pb ab-
sorption is gravely suspect. (From Bulletin of
Hygiene 26:161, 1951)
1205 Bilecki, G. : Die Frllhdiagnose der Blei-
vergiftung. (THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD
POISONING.) Z. arztl. Forth. 44:482, 1950.
As discussed by the author, the occurrence of Pb
poisoning is becoming more rare, and a differen-
tial diagnosis of the mild cases encountered now
is difficult. Early recognition is based on 4
"cardinal symptoms": Pb pallor, blood changes,
porphyrinuria, Pb line. The most important blood
changes are: Increase in basophilic stippling,
increase in vital granulation, polychromasia. The
importance of preventive measures is stressed:
frequent examinations, and changes for those most
exposed to Pb. (From Zentralblatt fllr Arbeits-
medezin und Arbeitsschutz 3:22 (Abstracts), 1953)
1206 Bloomfield, J.J.: STUDIES OF HEALTH HAZ-
ARDS IN INDUSTRY. METALLIC POISONS. In-
dustrial Hygiene Newsletter 10:11-3 (Nov.),
1950.
Brief review of Pb poisoning hazards in various in-
dustries and their control.
1207 Butt, E.M., and Simonsen, D.G. (Los Ange-
les County Hosp.; Univ. S. California
School Med:, Los Angeles): MERCURY AND
LEAD STORAGE IN HUMAN TISSUES. WITH SPE-
CIAL REFERENCE TO THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA.
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
20:716-23 (Aug.), 1950.
In the course of an investigation of fatal purpu-
ras, appreciable amounts of Pb and Hg were found
in the tissues of some patients with acute throm-
bocytopenic purpura. This report deals primarily
with the quantitative values of Hg in tissues found
in 134 autopsies. Both Hg and Pb determinations
were made by a dithizone method. The values pre-
sented are based on the analysis of 2 g of wet tis-
sue. The lower limits of the method are 10 yg/100
g wet tissue and negative figures may actually lie
between 0 and 10 yg. There may be traces of Hg in
all tissues. However, the authors were interested
not in traces, but in values that may be related
to disease processes. In all cases, the values
refer to wet tissue.
In 69 cases with no known sources of Hg, the av-
erage Hg storage in livers was 0.006 mg and in re-
nal tissue, 0.075 mg/100 g wet tissue. In 2 in-
stances with values >0.1 mg, it is suspected that
the patients had received Mercuhydrin for conges-
tive heart failure. In a group of cases whose
deaths may have been related to storage of metal,
the average Hg values in liver was 0.058, in kid-
ney, 0.192 mg/100 g. Some of the causes of death
were: Pb encephalitis, acute mercurial nephritis
(Pb present), Pb poisoning with acute necrosis of
the liver, cerebral hemorrhage with Pb poisoning,
and aplastic anemia with a high Pb content. The
patient with acute mercurial nephritis presented a
typical picture of glomerulonephritis. The patient
with Pb encephalitis was a 10-mo -old infant whose
mother had been working in a pottery plant during
the first 7 mo of her pregnancy and delivered a Pb
poisoned baby. One year after delivery, the mother
was still excreting Pb with no signs of poisoning.
A miscellaneous group of 8 patients with nephrosis,
5 of whom died, is described. Hg levels ranged
from 0-0.370 mg/100 g in livers and from 0.100-
0.790 mg/100 g in kidneys.
In a group of 22 patients who had received mer-
curial diuretics in treatment of congestive heart
failure and who died, the average amount of Hg in
livers was 0.757, and in kidneys 8.619 mg/100 g.
In another group of deceased patients who had re-
ceived the same treatment for conditions other than
congestive heart failure, the average liver Hg was
0.659, the renal, 3.171 mg/100 g. The use of Mer-
cuhydrin, particularly in patients with carcinoma
of the stomach and malignant nephrosclerosis, is
questioned.
In the last group of patients, who died of acute
thrombocytopenic purpura, Hg and Pb levels were as
follows: In fresh tissue, the average Hg was 0.287
in liver, 0.704 mg/100 g in kidneys. Pb values
ranged from 0.010-0.240 in livers and from 0.080-
0.533 mg/100 g in kidneys. Pb storage values were
higher than the usually accepted levels. Because
of this unusual finding, 7 additional cases of
acute thrombocytopenic purpura were examined. The
kidney and liver tissues were insufficient, but
determinations in other organs revealed elevated
levels of Pb and Hg. In formalin-fixed tissues,
Hg levels ranged from 0.030-1.360 in livers and
from 0.150-1.0 mg/100 g in kidneys. Pb levels in
lungs were 0.045-0.318 mg/100 g; in brain, 0.127,
in liver, 0.224, in mixed tissues, 0.136, in spleen,
0.100-0.173. Five of the 13 cases were children,
7 wk-9 yr old; the others were from 27-75 yr old.
The 7-wk-old had been ill since birth; mother had
been exposed to Pb fumes of an open-air pottery
plant where her husband worked. She had earlier
given birth to a normal child, but had not been
exposed to Pb during that pregnancy. Pb content
of liver of the infant was 0.091 and kidney 0.228
mg/100 g.
1208 Campbell, A.M.G., Herdan, G., Tatlow, W.
F.T., and Whittle, E.G. (Univ. Oxford and
Bristol, England): LEAD IN RELATION TO
DISSEMINATED SCLEROSIS. Brain 73:52-71,
1950.
The history of association of Pb with diseases of
the central nervous system was reviewed. The Pb
content of the soil was studied in the homes of
country cases of disseminated sclerosis, all of
whom had long been resident in their villages. In
226
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
the soil of one village the Pb content was signif-
icantly high. The total Pb contents ranged in I
village from 60-150 ppm, and acetic acid soluble
Pb , 9-20 ppm. The garden soils associated with
other cases of disseminated sclerosis showed 350-
600 ppm total Pb, and acetic acid soluble, 3.0-32
ppm. The incidence of the disease in the 2 vil-
lages studied was abnormally great compared to
findings in other areas.
Pb as an occupational hazard is discussed in re-
lation to cases resembling disseminated sclerosis.
Two cases of frank Pb poisoning with neurological
symptoms resembling true disseminated sclerosis are
described; 1 was due to contaminated water (ana-
lytical findings are not included), the other, to
occupation (house painter). In both normal blood
picture and spinal fluid were found, but 0.15 mg/
100 ml blood. The Pb content of the teeth of dis-
seminated sclerosis cases was on the average sig-
nificantly higher than in control groups. The Pb
content of teeth in normals ranged from 8.6-120.9
ppm; in the disseminated cases (48 are tabulated),
11.4-210 ppm. In the normals, age and sex differ-
ences appeared, but not in the disseminated cases;
in the latter there was a difference between town
and country residents, the former showing the high-
er levels. It is suggested that this evidence im-
plies that Pb does play some part in the etiology
of disseminated sclerosis, and that Pb may inter-
fere with some essential mineral, vitamin, or en-
zyme reactions and thus precipitate demyelination.
This is also discussed in relation to other dis-
eases of the nervous system. (49 references)
1209 Carstens.M.: (VENTRICULAR ANEURYSM AFTER
ACUTE LEAD POISONING.) Fortschr. Gebiete
RHntgenstrahlen 72:339-44, 1950.
A 31-yr~old patient developed gastroenteritis fol-
lowed by violent attacks of angina pectoris after
eating apple sauce containing Pb. After a few yr
an aneurysm of the left ventricle developed. The
causal relationship between the condition and the
Pb poisoning is discussed on the basis of the lit-
erature. (From Chemical Abstracts 46:10437, 1952)
1210 Chakraborty, M.K., Rao, M.N., and
Banerji, B. (All-India Inst. Hyg. Public
Healtn, Calcutta, India): A STUDY OF
OCCUPATIONAL LEAD HAZARD IN SELECT INDIAN
INDUSTRIES. Indian Journal of Medical
Research 38:429-56 (Oct.), 1950.
Clinical and biochemical examination was made of
189 exposed and 11 control workers in 3 printing
plants and 2 engineering concerns having soldering
as one of their main operations. The blood and
urine of each worker and the air of their working
environment were analyzed for Pb and the percent-
age of basophilic cells were counted in blood.
Although none of the 189 exposed workers had
pathological lesions of Pb poisoning, 40% showed
high absorption of Pb in the body as revealed by
the amount of Pb in the body and the basophilic
aggregation of the red blood cells above permis-
sible limits.
1211 Dagnini, G.: Sulla paralisi periferica
saturnina. (PERIPHERAL PARALYSIS IN LEAD
POISONING.) Archivio di Patologica e
Clinica Medica 37, No. 5:347-65, 1950.
A case of subacute Pb poisoning is presented. It
was first characterized by early lesions, digest-
ive and parenchymatous, then by delayed peripheral
nerve lesions with paralysis of the radial nerve
and weakness of muscles of forearm and shoulder.
The development of the illness extended over 18
mo. The muscular weakness disappeared very rapid-
ly but the radial nerve affection took a great
deal longer to improve and disappear. (From
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de Mede-
cine du Travail et de Sgcurite Sociale 13:288
(Abstracts), 1952)
1212 De Dominicis, G.: Prevenzione del saturn-
ismo: & utile la somministrazione del
late agli operai? (PREVENTION OF SATURN-
ISM: IS THE INTAKE OF MILK BY THOSE WHO
ARE EXPOSED TO IT EFFECTIVE?) Diffesa
Sociale No. 3:159-63, 1950.
From the results published by various authors and
from personal experience, the author believes that
if the order of supplying milk to Pb workers is
continued, it is more on a psychological and die-
tary than preventive basis. (From Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine du Travail
et de Securite Sociale 12:370 (Abstracts), 1951)
1213 Di Porto, A.: Orientamenti diagnostic! in
tema di saturnisma. (DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD
POISONING.) Diffesa Sociale No. 3:178-84,
1950.
The author proposes that the diagnosis of Pb poi-
soning can be made systematically thanks to a num-
ber of laboratory analyses which should be made
for every subject suspected of the disease. These
tests consist in the determination of intermediate
exchange of lecithin, choline and various proteins.
If, as Antoniotti has shown by the Takata-Dhomoto
reaction, Pb poisoning involves the liver, it in-
volves not only this organ but the greater part
of the organism as well. According to di Porto it
is necessary to utilize a method (a practical and
rapid one) for the determination of these proteins.
(From Archives des Maladies Professionnelles des
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale 12:367
(Abstracts), 1951)
1214 Dizon, G.D. (Bureau Health, Manila, Philip-
pines): STUDY OF PHILIPPINE WORKERS EX-
POSED TO LEAD SHOWS HIGH RATE OF ABSORP-
TION. Industrial Hygiene Newsletter
10:17-9 (Dec.), 1950.
See following abstract.
1215 Dizon, G.D., Luciano, V.J., Navarro, J.Y.,
Anselmo, J.E., and Pesigan, D.E. (Bureau
Health, Manila,Philippines): LEAD POISON-
ING AMONG LEAD WORKERS. Journal of the
Philippine Medical Association 26:417-22
(Sept.), 1950.
A study was made of the effect of Pb on 20 workers
employed for 1-18 yr in 4 establishments in Manila
engaged in manufacturing of Pb batteries, washers,
bars, and seals. Concentration of Pb in workroom
atmospheres varied from 0.23-2.48 mg/m3 of air,
thus very much higher than the MAC Pb (0.15 mg/m3),
and showed that the workers were subjected to a
considerable exposure of Pb dust and fumes. Lab-
oratory examinations of the workers' urine and
Man
227
-------
blood strengthened the suspicion of early Pb poi-
soning. Of the 20 urine samples, 12 or 60% showed
positive porphyrin tests. Six or 30% gave high
urinary Pb values, ranging from 0.15-0.60 mg/1
(normal, 0.03-0.08 mg). Examination of the blood
showed that of the 17 samples, 15 or 88% had lower
hemoglobin content, 11 or 64.7% with lower red cell
counts and 8 or 4% had high Pb values (0.08-1.07
mg/100 ml). The above findings with the common
complaints of the workers, mostly in the manufac-
ture of batteries, of weakness and anorexia at
times, intermittent abdominal pain, metallic taste,
headache, vertigo, and neuralgia tended to strength-
en the suspicion that some of the Pb workers under
study were affected by Pb to a certain degree.
The authors conclude by stating for the protec-
tion of workers in Pb industries, control measures
are necessary, consisting of medical and engineer-
ing controls. The medical control should consist
in pre-employment, and periodical physical examina-
tion, treatment and follow-up of cases, personal
hygiene, sanitary maintenance of the working envi-
ronment, provision of separate lunchrooms, indivi-
dual lockers, safe drinking supply, and others.
The treatment of cases is the concern of the fac-
tory physician. However, the following treatments
may be mentioned: for acute poisoning, Ca gluco-
nate intravenously; opiates for pain, and milk and
eggs for diet; for chronic poisoning, deleading by
diet which contains very little Ca, by dilute phos-
phoric acid, ammonium chloride, and Na bicarbonate;
Mg sulfate, pressure, and heat on the abdomen for
colic; Ca gluconate intravenously for palsy and
for Pb paralysis, massage, electrotherapy and sali-
cylates. The engineering control of atmospheric
contamination by Pb dust and fumes is by installa-
tion of local exhaust ventilation consisting of
hoods or enclosures at the source of contamination
connected by air ducts or piping to the collector
and exhauster by which the contaminated air is con-
veyed to the collector or to the outside.
1216 D'Onofrio, V., and Sicca, U. (Inst. Ind.
Med. E.N.P.I.; Univ. Genoa, Italy):
Colica saturnina e appendicite. (LEAD
COLIC AND APPENDICITIS.) Rassegna di
Mediclna Industriale 19:288-9 (Nov.-Dec.),
1950.
In view of the possibility that Pb colic may be
mistaken for appendicitis, the authors studied 62
cases of Pb poisoning, 50 of whom exhibited symp-
toms of gastrointestinal disorders, principally
colics. In all these cases, Pb poisoning was es-
tablished on the basis of laboratory findings and
symptomatology. The 50 cases were divided into 2
groups: (1) 22 who had suffered a single attack;
(2) 27 who had suffered repeated attacks of colic
in the past years. All were subjected to careful
examination as to clinical and radiologic signs of
appendicitis. According to the criteria the au-
thors had set, 4 of Group 1 (18.1%) and 9 of Group
2 (33.3%) presented signs of appendicitis. They
did not find this surprising, for Koelsch had
called attention to the possibility that in Pb
colic, spasms, vascular changes, small hemorrhages,
etc, occur in the appendix and that under such
influences conditions predisposing infection may
develop. Without wishing to state an occupational
cause for appendicitis, the authors conclude that
repeated colics and chronic colitis cause changes
in the appendix.
1217 Dulong de Rosnay, M.: Anemie saturnine
aplastique. (APLASTIC SATURNINE ANEMIA.)
Proceedings of the Society of Industrial
Medicine, Bordeaux. Archives des Maladies
Professionnelles de Medecine du Travail et
de Securite Sociale 11:633, 1950.
A case of Pb poisoning in a solderer 42 yr old is
presented. Hematologic examination showed severe
anemia: 2,610,000 red blood corpuscles and the
presence of a number of stippled erythrocytes. In
spite of removal from work, the patient presented
2 wk after the examination an attack of colic,
constipation, vomiting and pains in joints. The
anemia was in an aggravated condition. Treatment
consisted of hospitalization and administration of
liver extracts, repeated transfusion. Recovery on
the part of the blood picture took ^1 mo.
1218 Engel, H.: (LEAD AND HYPERTENSION). Neue
med. Welt 1:528 (Apr. 15), 1950.
It is pointed out that the theory that the majority
of symptoms of Pb poisoning are due to vascular
effect of Pb (either vasoconstrictive or toxic) is
a clinical theory which has been derived from the
observation that there is a considerable increase
in blood pressure during the acute manifestations
of Pb intoxication. The author reviews the liter-
ature on the relationship of Pb poisoning and
hypertension. While there are contradictory
opinions on most aspects of this problem, it is
most generally accepted that the so-called I7Pb
kidney1' is a hypertensive, contracted kidney which
differs from other nephrosc]eroses only in etiolo-
gy. This type of renal disorder, according to
some observers, is ^3 times as frequent in
Pb workers as in persons not exposed to Pb, Some
of the reports cited by the author are concerned
with the role of the age factor and the length of
exposure to Pb. It has been pointed out that
hypertension with or without renal involvement
occurs in Pb workers only after years of exposure
and chiefly in workers of more advanced age. As
Teleky has pointed out, more information might be
obtained on this relationship of Pb poisoning and
hypertension if studies were made on large numbers
of Pb workers who have been exposed to Pb >20 yr
and who are ?40 yr of age. (From Archives of
Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine 2:
609 (Abstracts) 1950)
1219 Ferretti, G.: Olfatto ed intossicazione
cronica da piombo (studio clinicosperi-
mentale) . (OLFACTORY CAPACITY AND CHRONIC
LEAD INTOXICATION (CLINICAL AND EXPERI-
MENTAL STUDY).) Archivii Italian! di
Laringologla (Suppl. 1) 58:47-b8, 1950.
1220 Fields, L.B., and Charles, G.W. (Univ.
Oklahoma, Norman): A SPECTROGRAPHIC IN-
VESTIGATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN HUMAN
TEETH. Proceedings of the Oklahoma Acade-
my of Science 31:47-8, 1950. (Pub. Nov.,
1951).
Spectrographic analysis of unfilled and filling-
free sections of 26 filled and unfilled teeth show-
ed Ca, Mg, P, Na, Cu and Zn in all, and B in some.
228
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Pb and Ag were found in most of the samples which
were made from filled teeth. Their occurrence
was less frequent in the spectra of the unfilled
teeth. Filled teeth sometimes contained Sn, Hg,
Au, Pd, and Bi. The increase in concentration of
Ag, Zn, Sn and Pb with approach to the crown of
the tooth in filled teeth but not in unfilled
teeth is evidence for migration of restoration
metals.
1221 Fischer, P. (Regional Hosp. , Ballenstedt
a. Harz, Germany): Zur Kasuistik der
BleitetraHthylintoxikationen. (TETRAETHYL
LEAD POISONING.) Zeitschrift fUr Aerzt-
liche Forbildung 44:598-600, 1950.
Among 11 workers engaged in the recovery of resi-
dues from the distillation of TEL, 6 men were sub-
jected to medical observation. In the mild cases,
the signs of intoxication disappeared in 3 wk.
One man, a tubercular, after 10 days' exposure to
distillation residue, developed acute signs of
poisoning, which rapidly progressed to violent
delirium and death. Autopsy showed cerebral
edema, 0.49 mg Pb/kg 100 g fresh liver, 5 mg/50g
feces, 0.12 mg/100 ml blood. Three other cases in
which the poisoning was accompanied by mental dis-
turbances, are described. The exposure to TEL was
similar, and the symptoms had appeared after a
similar latency period.
J222 Gerrits, W.B.J., and Heinemann, H. (Hol-
land): (LEAD POISONING.) Nederlandsch
Tijdschr. Geneesk. 94:2721-84 (Sept. 23),
1950.
The authors examined 60 printing shop employees
who had recently been exposed to a powder with a
high Pb content used in the offset process. In
the examination particular attention was paid to
the Pb color of skin and mucous membranes, the Pb
line, weakness of extensor muscles and blood pres-
sure. The blood was examined for Hb content, num-
ber of erythrocytes and leukocytes, basophilic
stippling, polychromasia, anisocytosis, poikilo-
cytosis and other changes. The urine was studied
for porphyrin and Pb content. The authors stress
the need to differentiate between symptoms of in-
creased Pb absorption and those of Pb intoxica-
tion. Of the 47 workers who were studied thor-
oughly, 44 showed signs of increased Pb absorption,
but only 21 had typical symptoms of Pb poisoning.
(From Journal of the American Medical Association
145:268 (Abstracts), 1950)
1223 Goldstein, D.H. (New York Univ. Coll.
Med., N.Y.): LEAD POISONING. Compensation
Medicine 3, No. 4:11-6, 1950.
In diagnosing industrial Pb poisoning it is very
important to ascertain a history of exposure,
appraise symptoms and signs carefully, and obtain
confirmatory laboratory findings. Virtually all
occupational Pb poisoning is produced primarily
through inhalation of air containing Pb dust,
fumes, or vapor, An occupational exposure may be
defined as one in which Pb may be absorbed into
the tissue of the worker, but the worker must be
sick with a well-defined syndrome of symptoms be-
fore the evidence of absorption can be considered
Pb poisoning and compensable. Pb is not a normal
physiologic constituent of the body tissues; yet,
because it is ingested with food and drink and in-
haled, small amounts are absorbed into the body
and normal Pb values of 0.06 mg/100 ml of whole
blood, 0.08 mg/1 (large samples) of urine, and
0.50 mg/g of fecal ash are frequently given.
Values in excess of these figures mean abnormal
absorption but do not of themselves mean Pb poi-
soning. It is important to remember that the high-
er the urinary Pb concentration, the greater the
hazard of incurring Pb poisoning; fecal Pb is val-
uable chiefly as an index of exposure, not of ab-
sorption; both blood and urine analyses are ex-
cellent guides to Pb absorption, provided contami-
nation (both in collection of sample and in lab-
oratory) is avoided. When a worker is removed
from occupational exposure, blood Pb returns to
normal much faster than does urinary Pb. A gin-
gival Pb line and erythrocyte stippling also indi-
cate absorption and not necessarily intoxication.
The basic requisite for a diagnosis of Pb poison-
ing is that the condition shall be symptomatic.
The clinical picture is traditionally separated
into 3 synuromes: gastrointestinal, neuromuscular,
and cerebral. There is frequent overlapping. Of
the peripheral blood changes, only the stippled
cell count in excess of 1000/million red cells in
the presence of normal or slightly reduced Hb con-
tent and red cell count is infrequently encountered
except in Pb poisoning. Of the suspected sequelae
of Pb poisoning, only the possibility of kidney
damage has not been disproved. The therapy of Pb
poisoning is controversial; the prime indication
is to remove the patient from the Pb exposure.
Diagnosis is not always easy. (14 references)
1224 Greenfield, I., and Gray, I. (Woodmere;
Brooklyn, N.Y.): LEAD POISONING. IX.
THE FAILURE OF LEAD POISONING TO AFFECT
THE HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS. American
Heart Journal 39, No. 1:430-3, 1950.
A variety of studies were performed in 340 pa-
tients who had Pb poisoning. As reported in pre-
vious studies, this group was assigned into
groups: (1) with acute poisoning; (2) with chron-
ic absorption and acute exacerbations; (3) with
chronic poisoning. In all cases, exposure had
been occupational, and the patients had been ob-
served at various intervals over a period of 10
years. Special studies including the cardiovascu-
lar and the peripheral vascular systems as well as
renal function studies were made in a selected
group of 40 patients who had pronounced clinical
symptoms of acute Pb poisoning and who in some
instances had pronounced and disabling neurologi-
cal complications. Of these, 6 were <30 yr old;
9 had been exposed for <10 yr; 32 for 10-50 yr.
Three were women (30-30 yr).
Studies of the peripheral vascular system did
not reveal any findings to indicate any state of
vascular spasm or any other change in the pe-
ripheral vessels. The size of the heart was not
abnormal as ascertained either by physical exami-
nation or by teleroentgenography. No electrocar-
diographic abnormalities were noted. In ^3-4% of
the entire group of 340 patients there was hyper-
tension, transient in nature, which was present
for a brief interval during the acute episode.
This transient hypertension was evident during
the height of the clinical symptoms and during the
Man
229
-------
period of abnormal Pb metabolism. The blood pres-
sure in this group returned to normal following
removal of the patient from the occupational haz-
ard and remained normal. The blood pressure in
the entire group was essentially the same as that
usually present in similar age groups irrespective
of occupation. The authors conclude that on the
basis of these investigations it is evident that
the absorption of Pb does not have an adverse ef-
fect on the cardiovascular or the peripheral vas-
cular systems. (18 references)
1225 Hay. w- (Royal S. Hosp., Liverpool, Eng-
land): LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY IN A COOPERAGE.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine
7:177-86 (Oct.), 1950.
A cooperage was described in which a severe Pb
hazard (air samples showed 20-1300 mg Pb/10 m3 at
different locations; MAC amount is 2 mg/10 m3)
caused 2 cases of Pb poisoning among 4 coopers ap-
parently exposed to similar risk, with 1 developing
encephalopathy. His case report is summarized as
follows: A 39-yr-old man, an alcoholic, complained
of headache, vomiting, anorexia, weakness and poly-
uria as well as double vision, deafness, tinnitus
and dizziness. After admission to the hospital,
the patient was the victim of delirium and halluci-
nations. Following several suggested diagnoses,
examination on the 5th day showed the presence of
a blue line near the gum margin, leading to the
suspicion of Pb poisoning. Blood studies showed
marked punctate basophilia with increased poly-
chromasia, 9.7 g hemoglobin, 3,500,000 red cells,
color index 0.9, 4.5% reticulocytes, 9500 white
corpuscles, normal differential, 0.33 mg Pb/100 g
(normal 0.01-0.06). Cerebrospinal fluid showed
0.06 mg Pb/100 g, and urine 0.5 mg Pb/1 (normal
0.01-0.08). (Analysis was carried out by Snyder's
dithizone method.) The patient was treated with Ca
levulinate and Ca lactate, lumbar punctures were
performed and his condition improved. After 1 re-
lapse and 9 wk in the hospital, he was discharged.
Four to 7 mo later, the Wechsler-Bellevue intelli-
gence test and the Shipley-Hartford test gave con-
firmatory evidence of intellectual deterioration.
Electroencephalography revealed no abnormality.
The authors suggested that the patient was pre-
disposed to Pb poisoning because of carelessness
at work and alcoholism. The syndrome of Pb en-
cephalopathy in adults was reviewed. The diffi-
culties in diagnosis, the possible causes of ap-
parent susceptibility to Pb, the absence of hyper-
tension in this and other cases, and the treatment
of encephalopathy were discussed. Some of the es-
sential differences between this form of encepha-
lopathy and that due to TEL were outlined.
1226 Heap, R., Saunders, B.C., and Stacey, G.J.
(Univ. Chem. Lab., Cambridge, England):
ORGANO-LEAD COMPOUNDS. PART IV. (a) A
NEW METHOD FOR PREPARING DIETHYL-LEAD
SALTS. (b) DERIVATIVES OF MIXED PLUM-
BANES. Journal of the Chemical Society
1951:658-64.
A new method of preparing diethyllead (diEL) salts,
by treating diEL sulfite with the appropriate
acid, is described. The following compounds, when
dispersed at concentrations of 1 ppm in a testing
chamber, did not exert appreciable sternutatory
effects on observers, and were placed in Grade 0
(of authors' test described in Part I): diEL di-
chloride, dibenzoate, bischloroacetate, bistri-
chloroacetate, ditolueno- and p-sulfonate, and
bisthioacetate. Other compounds, found to have
high sternutatory action (Grade 3+) were: ethyl-
dipropyllead (EdiPrL) chloride, EdiPr-pumbitol-
uene-p-sulfonamide, diEPrL propionate, and chloro-
acetate, and n-butyl diEL chloroacetate.
1227 Hertz, T.: Al har'alat oferet. (ON LEAD
POISONING.) Dapim R'fujim (Tel-Aviv) 9,
No. 1:60, 1950.
A storage battery factory worker, employed for 4
yr, had been treated during those years by the
house physician repeatedly for constipation,
anorexia, fatigue, weakness and tremor of right
hand. Hypertension of 200/110 mg Hg was found
with changes in the eye fundus. The author diag-
nosed Pb poisoning when he attended patient with
acute abdominal colic, jaundice of hemolytic type,
disturbances in kidney function and all the former
symptoms in more pronounced grade, A Pb line was
found and there was a pronounced anemia with in-
crease of reticulocytes to 45%. It could be
proved that exposure had increased just before the
acute attack through leakage in mask worn at work.
Pb excretion in urine was 0.3 mg in 24 hr even 3
mo after cessation of exposure. No X-ray changes
in bones were found. The author discusses the
possible connection between Pb exposure and hyper-
tension, jaundice and kidney damage in this pa-
tient with reference to similar reports in the
literature. He concludes with the repeated demand
for thorough pre-employment examinations and
better education and supervision (both medical and
technical) of workers exposed to Pb.
1228 Holstein, E. (Berlin): Beitrage zur Blei-
tetraithylvergiftung. (CONTRIBUTIONS TO
LEAD TETRAETHYL POISONING.) Arbeit u.
SozialfUrs. 5, No. 18, 1950.
In the manufacture of TEL (smelting of Pb with Na,
addition of ethyl chloride), Pb residues contain-
ing 0.4% TEL were conveyed for settling in pits or
tanks and finally to smelting furnaces. The work-
ers assigned to this operation wore protective
clothing and masks, and were under medical sur-
veillance. Over a period of ^6 yr, 6 cases of
poisoning occurred. Two of the cases are de-
scribed. When, after the war, the Pb sludge was
transported under different circumstances by motor
to the railroad, 5 of 10 workers thus engaged be-
came ill, showing symptoms of central nervous sys-
tem and gastrointestinal disturbances. One case
ended in death. Autopsy showed cerebral and pul-
monary edema, fatty degeneration and high Pb con-
centrations in the liver, hemorrhages in the car-
diac muscle. The supervising authority ordered
suspension of this operation. The cars which had
been used for shipping the Pb residue had also
been used for the transport of feed, and a number
of animals that had ingested this feed had died.
After proper measures had been instituted, the
disposal of Pb sludge was accomplished without
further accidents. (From Zentralblatt fflr
Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 2:23 (Abstracts),
1952)
230
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1229 Huder (Pamplona, Colombia) : Nephrite
toxique d'orlgine saturnine. (TOXIC NE-
PHRITIS ATTRIBUTABLE TO LEAD.) Journal
d'Urologie Medicale et Chirurgicale 56:
556-7, 1950.
In presenting this case (a gypsy, 36 yr old, expo-
sure to Pb not indicated), Huder emphasizes the
rarity of its occurrence, the fact that the diag-
nosis which was made by the determination of im-
portant changes in the erythrocytes and the ther-
apy which had been employed with success: anes-
thetic infiltration of the renal pedicle (thus di-
uresis and arterial tension were reestablished).
Huder states that he has used this method system-
atically and with success. (This report was sent
to J. Michon who presented it at a meeting of the
French Society of Urology.)
1230 Johnson, W.S., and Whitman, N.E. (Bethle-
hem Steel Co., Pa.): COPROPORPHYRINURIA
AS AN INDEX OF LEAD ABSORPTION. A.M.A.
Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupa-
tional Medicine 2:170-4 (Aug.), 1950.
The method of de Langen and ten Berg for the de-
termination of urinary coproporphyrin (CP) was
modified to serve as a method for screening Pb-
urine specimens on the basis of the characteristic
red fluorescence of CP. During 1 mo of the 11-mo
period of this study, 1 of the authors ingested 2
mg Pb daily (as acetate) to determine how soon Pb
excretion and CP would occur. Elevation of ur-
inary Pb soon occurred (5 days), but CP lagged by
'^12 days and disappeared 16 days after ingestion
stopped; urinary Pb was then within normal limits.
Two hundred and ninety-four urine specimens from
workers who had undergone various Pb exposures
were examined for both CP and Pb. A table of re-
sults is presented in which the data are divided
into 7 groups according to degrees of red fluores-
cence. There was good correlation between the
means and degrees of fluorescence. Of the entire
group of specimens, 2 showed no red fluorescence
when urinary Pb concentrations exceeded 0.15 mg/1.
As was found in the personal experiment shown
above, it appeared that at the beginning of a Pb
exposure, CP elimination is not established as
quickly as elevations of urinary Pb. It is stated
that with further refinement the method can be
made roughly quantitative for urinary Pb.
1231 Kahan, V.L. (Oxford Child Guidance Clinic,
England): PARANOID STATES OCCURRING IN
LEADED-PETROL HANDLERS. Journal of Mental
Science 96:1043-7 (Oct.), 1950.
The author describes 6 cases of Indian patients
22-40 yr old (assigned to Persia) , all working in
close contact with gasoline (5 for 2-6 mo; 1 for 2
yr), who developed emotional disturbance, varying
from acute excitement and confusion to depressive
traits such as hypochondriasis, vague fears and
insomnia. Hallucinations, delusions, or ideas of
reference appeared in all. The patients worked
long hours in high natural temperatures, filling
and stacking cans of gasoline in enclosed spaces.
At the time the disturbances appeared, the gaso-
line had had its octane number considerably raised
by further addition of TEL. The 1st patient, who
had been ill for some time, was transferred to the
mental hospital wing because of increasing ex-
citement, restlessness and unmanageability. In
addition to the great excitement, he seemed to
experience acute terror, and, with fixed gaze, he
seemed to be visually hallucinated. He died on
the 5th hospital day. The 2nd showed the same
restlessness, noisiness, and obvious fear. He was
disoriented and confused, and experienced auditory
hallucinations. He continued noisy, destructive
and uncooperative, and died on the 20th hospital
day. The 3rd attempted to cut his throat before
admission, became aggressive, negativistic and
resentful of nursing care. There was evidence
that his violence was related to delusions of per-
secution of an unspecific type. His fear became
worse at night. The 4th was found wandering at
large, and on admission was stuporous and con-
fused. Later he became aggressive and destructive.
The 5th ran away from his unit believing he was
going to be murdered. After admission he still
believed his life was in danger. The 6th patient,
who had complained of vague pains and uneasiness
for 2 or 3 wk before admission, continued to feel
vaguely that something dangerous was going to
happen to him. In cases 3, 4, and 5 the possi-
bility that vaporized Pb might be a factor was
recognized, and intravenous Mg sulfate and an al-
kaline mixture were given early, with subsequent
improvement. The last patient received no spe-
cific therapy, but improved rapidly. The absence
of physical findings in all cases, as well as their
common history as handlers of gasoline, led to the
diagnosis of TEL psychosis. Treatment was directed
at immobilizing the Pb in the tissues, releasing
it slowly, and controlling the patient's excite-
ment and maintaining his physical condition.
In his discussion, the author states that an-
alyses for Pb were impossible under local condi-
tions. Above diagnosis was made in part on the
finding that all patients showed a reticulocytosis
of -v-4-7%.
1232 Los Angeles City Health Department: LOS
ANGELES STAFF SEEKS SOLUTIONS TO PERPLEX-
ING PROBLEMS. LEAD POISONING - SOURCE UN-
KNOWN. Industrial Hygiene Newsletter 10:14
(Sept.), 1950.
The Department consistently felt that one of the
Pb storage-battery plants in this city was so well
laid out in its new quarters, and the engineering
controls have been so well designed, that there
was no likelihood of Pb poisoning among the workers
in that plant. However, an occupational disease
report indicated acute Pb poisoning in a worker who
had been employed only from August 1949 to February
1950 (in the new plant). A thorough study on a day
when the exhaust equipment was not operating prop-
erly, showed that in only 1 location was the Pb
concentration in the air in the hazardous range,
and this location was far removed from the work
station of the affected worker. Subsequent tests
at the downdraft packing table where this man had
worked, showed relatively low Pb concentrations in
the range of 0.11-0.12 g/m3. The length of expo-
sure and the concentrations of airborne Pb found
in the tests were not consistent with acute Pb in-
toxication. However, it was found that some of the
workers were in the habit of smoking or eating on
the job, and it was concluded that the affected
worker must have acquired the excessive Pb through
Man
231
-------
ingestion rather than inhalation. What stood out
most strikingly in this case was the lack of pre-
placement and periodic physical examinations, which
would have indicated whether the affected worker
had absorbed excessive Pb in his previous employ-
ment or entirely in this plant. The establishment
of a program of physical examinations, both pre-
placement and periodic, and improvements in prac-
tices which contribute to airborne Pb and to the
dangers of ingestion of Pb were recommended.
1233 Mathisen, H.S. (Ulleval Hosp., Norway):
Blyf orgif tninc . I fire tilfelle, livorav
tre er behandlet med dimercaptol. (LEAD
POISONING. FOUR CASES, THREE OF WHOM WERE
TREATED WITH DIMERCAPROL.) Tldsskrift for
den Norske Laegeforening 70:80-2, 1950.
Of the 4 occupational cases reported, 1 (a woman)
was treated with Ca gluconate iv, and the others
with BAL im, in doses of 2.5 mg/kg body weight 4
times daily for the 1st day, then twice daily for
6-3 days. The patients had been admitted with
typical symptoms and signs of Pb poisoning, 1 of
whom presented neurologic signs; anemia of normo-
cytic type was present in 3; urinary Pb was up to
690 Mg/1; Pb in blood was 112-218 ug/100 ml; cop-
roporphyrinuria was 0.6-4 mg/1. None showed re-
nal disorders. BAL treatment increased urinary
excretion of Pb. Aside from nausea in 1 patient
and some local pain upon im injection, side ef-
fects were not observed. On the basis of the good
results, the author suggests the value of BAL for
diagnostic purposes.
1234 Mendoza, A.Z.: (PORPHYRINURIA DETERMINA-
TIONS IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND IN COCA LEAF
ADDICTS.) Anales fac. farm, y bioquim.,
Univ. nacl. mayor San Marcos (Lima, Peru)
1:383-96, 1950.
Porphyrinuria determinations in normal subjects
varied between 11 and 41.8 yg/1 for men, and 14.3
and 72 jjg/l for women. Studies in 2 female sub-
jects given cocaine-HCl indicated that porphyrin-
uria decreased with tolerance to the drug. Coca
leaf chewers showed normal values, but lower than
in persons with Pb poisoning. (33 references)
(From Chemical Abstracts 47:11513, 1953)
1235 MUller, J. (Dept. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis.,
Prague, Czechoslovakia): Pri^pevek k
otSzce mechanismu otravy olovem. (FACTORS
INFLUENCING THE MECHANISM OF LEAD POISON-
ING.) Pracovni Lekarstvi 2:49-61 (May
15), 1950.
Having observed among employees exposed to the
risk of Pb poisoning a poor correlation between
the level of Pb in blood and symptoms of poisoning,
the authors investigated one of the factors that
might shed light on why in 2 cases with equal
levels of blood Pb, 1 will show signs of poisoning
and the other none. They chose to study the abil-
ity of red blood cells to adsorb Pb. As summariz-
ed by the author, in nonexposed cells, the finding
of Behrens and Pachur of a logarithmic relation-
ship between Pb added and Pb adsorbed by a red
cell was verified. Further it was shown that
there are differences in the ability of red cells
of different individuals to adsorb Pb. It was
assumed that the appearance of nonhematological
symptoms of Pb poisoning depended on the Pb flow-
ing into the interstitial fluid and that only Pb
not bound to red blood cells is availabe to reach
the interstitial fluid. Therefore, persons whose
red cells have a smaller ability to adsorb Pb will
show hematological signs of Pb poisoning sooner
than those whose red cells adsorb Pb better. The
ability of the individual cells to adsorb Pb,
therefore, can be used as a measure of individual
resistance to Pb poisoning. In persons with ade-
quate previous exposure a different shape of ab-
sorption curve was found. The shape of the curve
gives an indication of immediate danger.
1236 Pedinelli, M., and Stringari, M. (Soc.
Organic Inorganic Ind., Trento, Italy):
Un anno di controllo e di profilassi
industriale contro 1'awelenamento pro-
fessionale da piombo-tetraetile. (A YEAR
OF INDUSTRIAL CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF
OCCUPATIONAL TETRAETHYLLEAD POISONING.)
Rassegna di Medicina Industriale 19:57-68
(Mar.-Apr.), 1950.
The authors state that at the time only 1 industry,
located in Ravenna, produces TEL in Italy (another
one was destroyed during the war), while there are
relatively many gasoline blending stations, usually
connected with distilleries, refineries, or civil-
ian or military .airports. In describing their ex-
perience as factory physicians, they say that un-
like Pb poisoning, TEL poisoning is usually acute
or subacute rather than chronic, and that absorp-
tion is via the respiratory tract or the skin,
very seldom via the alimentary system. They re-
view briefly the symptoms and signs. In laboratory
investigations, the authors give first importance
to the determination of Pb in the urine, blood and
feces, and consider from 0.10-0.12 mg/1 urine to be
normal; 0.20 or more suggest poisoning and 0.30 mg
to indicate a serious condition with less chance
of a complete recovery. In following the course
of a case, it is important to examine frequently
body weight, blood pressure and level of Pb in the
urine.
Workers should be examined at the time of employ-
ment and on every change of job within the factory.
At employment, men should not be older than 30-35
yr, should not show any abnormality of the gastro-
intestinal, circulatory, renal or nervous systems,
and should show no indication of excessive addic-
tion to alcohol or tobacco. Preventive measures
have included the reduction of all hazardous pro-
cesses to a minimum; adequate time spacing of such
unavoidable processes; sufficient spacing of such
parts of the installation as may give rise to poi-
sonous fumes; effective exhausts; reduction of
manual operations to the minimum. Personal pro-
tective measures are important, although the aim
should be to reduce atmospheric contamination to a
sufficiently low level so as to avoid the use of
masks where possible. Medical preventive measures
include: a daily meal of 1700 calories with 200
derived from meat, 150 from milk and 180 from fats;
short shifts at risky jobs, limited to 6 hr at a
time, separated by 24-hr rest periods and interrup-
ted every week by 1-wk work in a safe part of the
factory; medical inspection frequent enough to in-
sure that every worker is checked once a week; im-
mediate transfer to a "safe" job of any worker
232
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
showing the slightest suggestion of poisoning; per-
manent removal from risky jobs of anyone who had
suffered twice from poisoning; careful records and
work planning for each individual; provision of
locker rooms both for work clothes and outdoor
clothing; compulsory shower baths after each shift.
As a result of these measures, notification of
cases has dropped from an incidence of 13% in 1942
to 1% (1 case only, which is described) in 1947 in
spite of a 7-fold increase in production between
these years. The authors emphasize that the indi-
vidual susceptibility or resistance to TEL must be
kept in mind by the factory physician.
1237 Pezzeri, V., and Antoniottl, F.: Modifi-
cazioni dei valori della pressione arteri-
osa e della eliminazione urinaria del
piombo in opera! tipografi durante e dopo
bagni termali con acque carbonico-solfuree.
(MODIFICATIONS IN ARTERIAL PRESSURE AND IN
URINARY ELIMINATION OF LEAD IN TYPOGRAPHERS
DURING AND AFTER CARBONIC-SULFUR BATHS.)
Rassegna Medica di Infortunistica e Patolo-
gia del Lavoro 3:147-52 (Jan.-Feb.), 1950.
In Pb poisoning, the smaller blood vessels are
affected by an arteriosclerotic process which can
eventually be accompanied by alterations of pro-
liferative or degenerative type. Pb acts on the
smooth muscle either directly or indirectly
through metabolic disturbances which take place.
The authors have studied the reactions in 15 print-
ers exposed to the poisoning for >17 yr and who
were 33-61 yr of age but were free from renal ab-
normalities and arteriosclerotic symptoms. The
cure consisted of 12 baths at 37° given every 2
days of 15-20 min duration and in the absorption
of 200-400 g of water from 2 different springs
containing dissolved C dioxide and H sulfide (Tlv-
oli water, Regina and Colonnelle springs). The
results were as follows: Treatment caused a low-
ering of 2 maximum and minimum arterial pressures
in 13 patients. In 2 patients whose pressures did
not seem to have been lowered, the urinary elimi-
nation of Pb was reduced. Eight hr after the end
of the cure a steady diminution of arterial pres-
sure was noted in 7 cases, in 4 a lowering of 25-
30 mm for the maximum and of 15-20 mm for the
minimum was noted. Four cases did not seem to
have been influenced. The urinary elimination of
Pb which was 0 in 10 patients before treatment
again manifested itself in 3 patients and was in-
creased in 5 others. Eight hr before the end of
the cure, Pb was determined in 3 cases. The dis-
cussion directed toward the explanation of these
phenomena argues in favor of the role of S contain-
ed in these mineral waters. (From Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine du Travail
et de Se'curite Sociale 12:368 (Abstracts), 1951)
-(4238 Pomerantseva, E.N. (USSR): iChronicheskaya
intoksikatsiya tetraetilsvintsom. (CHRON-
IC INTOXICATION WITH LEAD TETRAETHYL.)
Klinicheskaya Meditsina (Moscow) 28, No.
3:67-70, 1950.
The majority of foreign and many Soviet authors
hold that chronic intoxication with TEL does not
exist, on the grounds that persons exposed for
long periods to the substance do not show the
cardinal symptoms of saturnism. The author does
not agree with this view, and in the course of
periodical examinations of workers in TEL has en-
countered several cases of chronic intoxication.
She classifies symptoms into 2 syndromes: (1) Dis-
turbances of the vegetative nervous system, mani-
fested by hypotonia, bradycardia, hypothermia,
salivation, sweating, and tremor in the extended
fingers, the tongue, and the eyelids. (2) As-
thenic state, shown by general weakness, proneness
to rapid exhaustion, headaches, and disturbing
dreams. Later, disturbance of the intellectual
faculties and loss of weight are observed.
While many cases show both syndromes, one or the
other dominates in each case. It is sometimes
difficult to decide whether the condition is one
of chronic intoxication or the initial stage of
acute poisoning. The development of psychopathic
symptoms points to the latter, as does the pa-
tient's restlessness and anxiety about his condi-
tion; the patient with chronic intoxication, while
complaining of his symptoms, does not as a rule
show grave concern.
The majority of cases of chronic intoxication
are not associated with basophilic stippling,
hematoporphyrinuria, or any great increase in the
excretion of Pb. The symptoms may show temporary
remission, but this cannot be regarded as a sign
of cure, and they often return and progress. On
the whole, disturbances of the vegetative nervous
system are associated with a better prognosis than
is the asthenic syndrome.
1239 Prosper!, G. (Inst. Ind. Med,, Florence,
Italy): II saturnismo nell'industria
poligrafica. (LEAD POISONING IN THE POLI-
GRAPHIC INDUSTRY.) Rassegna di Medicina
Industriale 19:281-7 (Nov.-Dec.), 1950.
The literature of Pb poisoning in printing trades
is reviewed and the experience of the author gained
from the bimonthly medical examination (prescribed
by law) of typographers in 71 printing shops in
Florence are discussed. The author concludes that
the occurrence of Pb poisoning among printers has
diminished significantly thanks to the preventive
measures which have been enforced by law. However,
in spite of this reduction in the incidence of Pb
poisoning, vigilance should not be relaxed but
should continue to be enforced. (13 references.)
1240 Ramsak, A., and Ramsak, M. (Ljubljana,
Yugoslavia): Lastna opazovanja saturnizma
v rudniku Mezlca. (SOME OBSERVATIONS UPON
SATURNISM IN THE MINE OF MEZICA.) Zdra-
vstveni Vestnik, 19, No. 11/12:230-2, 1950.
Observations have been made on the occurrence of
saturnism among Pb smelters at a mine in Mezica in
Slovenia since 1927, during the course of which
over 1000 persons were investigated. The works
were old, and hygienic conditions were poor; until
1932 there was no medical supervision of the works
and workers, and in 1927, for example, there were
48 cases of gross saturnism with several instances
of encephalopathy and paralysis. After proper
supervision had been instituted the incidence fell
greatly, and only 3 cases were observed in 1937.
The incidence rose later after the liberation when
the production of Pb was increased. The workers
were then examined every week. Signs and symptoms
of Pb poisoning were absent in 15-20% of the per-
Man
233
-------
sons, and 60% had a basophilia of up to 30,0007
million without showing any symptoms. If 5000/
million were present, or 1000/milllon in the pres-
ence of symptoms, the worker was transferred to
other work for 8 wk; this could be carried out
without danger to health, and it was not consider-
ed necessary to lay off affected persons.
The main symptom of poisoning was colic which
was often severe enough to simulate an acute ab-
dominal emergency. There were also pains in the
limbs and joints. The severity of the colic show-
ed no correlation with the degree of basophilia.
No case of encephalopathy occurred after regular
health inspection had been instituted; previously
there had been 1 or 2 cases each yr. Neuritis and
muscular atrophy were not encountered but there
were occasional cases of nephrosclerosis. The
poisoning was considered to arise from the inhala-
tion of dust, since it did not occur in workers
who were not exposed to dusty conditions. A se-
vere case of Pb poisoning also occurred as a re-
sult of eating flour which had been contaminated
with Pb dust during grinding. Preventive measures
are described, consisting mainly of the avoidance
of dust, and transferring workers at regular inter-
vals in order to avoid long periods of work in the
dangerous sections of the plant. (From Bulletin
of Hygiene 27:67, 1952)
1241 Rejsek, K., and Vana, V. (Dept. Occup.
Med., Charles Univ., Prague, Czechoslo-
vakia) : Prispevek k otdzce protoporfyrinu
v krvinkach. (A NOTE ON PROTOPORPHYRIN IN
BLOOD CELLS.) Pracovni Lekarstvi 2:201-9,
1950.
The authors studied the problem of Pb poisoning
with special reference to a certain aspect of the
metabolism of protoporphyrin in blood cells, ie,
the influence of Pb and of extrahemoglobin Fe.
The results from 235 of the 410 persons examined
are included in this work. The subjects were di-
vided into 4 groups. The 1st group comprised 60
persons who did not come into contact with Pb in
any form; the 2nd group, 91 persons working under
insignificant hazard, where Pb poisoning practi-
cally never occurs; the 3rd group, 52 working un-
der conditions of considerable hazard of Pb poison-
ing. In these places there was a group of 32 per-
sons in whom Pb poisoning was found both by clini-
cal examination and laboratory test. There was no
case of serious poisoning. The results have been
treated statistically. It was shown that Pb defi-
nitely influences the metabolism of protoporphy-
rin. i'he opinions of other authors on the clear
evidence of the relation to extrahemoglobin Fe
have not been confirmed. This is explained, how-
ever, by the complexity of the process, or rather,
by its dynamics. The authors are now carrying out
a study of the dynamics. (From authors' summary)
1242 Ruzdic, I. (Inst. Ind. Hygiene, Zagreb,
Yugoslavia): (INFLUENCE OF LEAD ON THE
ACTIVITY OF CHOLINESTERASE.) Arhiv Hig.
Rada 1:160-4, 1950.
Pb nitrate was found to increase slightly the ac-
tivity of cholinesterase (ChE) from normal human
serum in vitro. However the activity of ChE in
serum from Pb-poisoned people (Pb in blood >100 Ug/
100 ml) is found to be less than in normal serum,
respectively, 0.01-0.05 and 0.08-0.12. The activ-
ity of cholinesterase was expressed as extinction
values through a S 57 filter (Stufen photometer)
of an Fe complex of the AcOH released by hydrolysis
of the acetylcholine. Because Pb poisoning is
accompanied by increase in porphyrins, tests were
made indicating that hematoporphyrin does inhibit
the activity of ChE. (From Chemical Abstracts 45:
4356, 1951)
1243 Ruzdic, I. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. , Zagreb, Yugo-
slavia): Porfirinurija kao rani znak
nastupa opasne apsorpcije olova. (PORPHY-
RINURIA AS EARLY SIGN OF DANGEROUS LEAD
ABSORPTION.) Arhiv za Hlgijenu Rada 1,
No. 3:263-70, 1950.
As summarized by the author, each case of Pb poi-
soning causes an increased excretion of copropor-
phyrin (CP) isomer III. Some workers have tried
to use this fact for an early detection of danger-
ous Pb absorption; however, the methods recommend-
ed by them did not assure detection of the start
of excessive absorption. Such a detection would
be a much more useful and reliable means for es-
timating various forms of Pb intoxications than
that of "stippled" erythrocytes. By using a semi-
quantitative method developed by himself (in
press), the author succeeded in diagnosing early
Pb absorption by detecting CP in urine, the amount
of which increased with the increase of Pb absorp-
tion. Data on the demonstration of CP in urine in
53 workers (as tabulated) proved that the phenom-
enon of dangerous Pb absorption can be observed in
this way. (20 references)
1244 Schieitz, E.H. (Municipal Workers' Hosp.,
Oslo, Norway): Tidlig-diagnostikk av bly-
pavirkning. (EARLY DETECTION OF LEAD AB-
SORPTION.) Tidsskrift for Den Norske
Laegeforening 70, No. 19:607, 1950.
Stippled cell counts as performed in 1066 workers
in Oslo exposed to Pb revealed pathologic values
in 20% of the workers. Counts varying from 500-
900 stippled cells (SC)/million were obtained in
11.6% of the workers, from 1000-2400 in 5.6%, and
k2500 in 3%. Pb absorption was obviously most
marked in Pb welders S2500 in 50%. Next came stor-
age battery workers, Pb foundry workers, finger-
print experts, ceramics workers and automobile
radiator workers. Printers were less exposed (only
0.5% showed ^2500). Clinical evidence of Pb poi-
soning was encountered in 5 cases. In cases where
the count exceeded 5000, the worker was temporarily
removed from Pb exposure. In 10 storage battery
workers the urinary contents of coproporphyrin
varied from 0.24-1.72 mg/1. Simultaneous counts
of SC and basophilic aggregations (BA) (Larsson and
Swensson's modified technique) were carried out in
188 subjects. The results are tabulated. Simul-
taneous counts of BA and reticulocytes in 96 in-
dividuals (79 of them having been exposed to Pb)
showed that the number of reticulocytes exceeded
the number of BA in 21%. In 6 workers with >1000
SC/million (1/1000) and reticulocyte counts vary-
ing from 12-22/1000, the BA values were normal
(gll/1000). The author concludes that counting of
SC is less time consuming and is an easier method
to use by untrained personnel. On the other hand,
it fails in a certain percentage of cases, for
234
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
which reason the Factory Inspection Board of Oslo
keeps to the SC count as the standard hematologic
method for early detection of Pb absorption. (From
author's summary; 20 references)
1245 Shiels, D.O. (Dept. Health, Victoria,
Australia): INFLUENCE OF LEAD ABSORPTION
ON THE RATIO OF LARGE TO SMALL LYKPHOID
CELLS. Medical Journal of Australia
2:205-11 (Aug. 5), 1950.
The author states that much more attention has been
given to erythrocytes than to leukocytes in Pb poi-
soning and he feels that this might explain the
difference of opinion as to whether there are any
definite changes in the white cells in Pb poison-
ing. In 1934 Ferguson and Ferguson investigated
the effects of Pb on the blood of men exposed to
Pb in ship-breaking. They found an increase in
the ratio of large lymphocytes plus monocytes to
small lymphocytes. In investigations covering
hundreds of persons engaged in Pb mining, Pb smelt-
ing, etc, Shiels confirmed the general observations
of F. and F. in regard to the ratio of large to small
lymphoid cells. In further investigations he has
had an opportunity to make studies on >400 employ-
ees of a new plant producing storage batteries.
The workers had not previously worked in any trade
involving Pb exposure. The proportion of stippled
cells, the ratio of large lymphocytes plus mono-
cytes to small lymphocytes and the urinary concen-
tration of Pb were determined at intervals of ^6
wk. The 1st examinations took place after the
employees had been working for several weeks in
this factory. Great care had been taken to mini-
mize the Pb hazard by suction exhaust ventilation
and other precautions; but gradually there was an
increase in the total Pb exposure either through
increasing length of the exposure to a nonincreas-
ing daily hazard or through exposure to increasing
Pb concentration in the atmosphere. The results
of many of the tests are recorded in tables.
Summarizing the results, the author says that ab-
sorption of Pb causes an increase in the ratio of
monocytes plus large lymphocytes to small lympho-
cytes. In cases of Pb poisoning this ratio falls
again to within the range of the ratio for nonex-
posed persons. If the ratio falls to <2.0, Pb poi-
soning is imminent, if not already present. Re-
covery from Pb poisoning is accompanied by a rise
in the ratio to >2.0 in the early stages. In the
later stages of recovery the ratio again falls to
the range of nonexposed persons. In the new work-
ers there is a direct correlation between the cell
ratio and the urinary Pb concentration as exposure
increases. The cell ratio is a valuable guide to
the prevention and the diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
At the present time no answer can be given to the
question why there is an increase in this cell
ratio in the presence of Pb. Various possibilities
are discussed.
1246 Shiels, D.O., Thomas, W.C., and Palmer,
G.R. (Dept. Health, Victoria, Australia):
THE EFFECTS OF SODIUM CITRATE IN LEAD POI-
SONING AND LEAD ABSORPTION: I. LEAD POISON-
ING. II. LEAD ABSORPTION. Medical Journal
of Australia 2:886-92 (Dec. 16); 922-8
(Dec. 23), 1950.
I. The effects of Na citrate (4-5 g tid) on uri-
nary Pb excretion (determined by modified Taylor's
method (1925) and Shiels' method (1938)) of 10 Pb
poisoning cases, illustrated in 3 tables, showed
significantly increased urinary Pb excretion, com-
plicated in 1 case by a Ca-rich diet which caused
Pb retention in the bones. Before treatment, uri-
nary Pb ranged from 0.08-0.36 mg/1; after treat-
ment (1-2 days) from 0.11-0.38. In most cases, Pb
values in urine returned to normal 10-20 days after
the citrate treatment had started. The mean in-
crease of the ratio of large lymphocytes plus mono-
cytes to small lymphocytes after start of citrate
therapy was 2.63. The highest value was not always
reached on the same day after start of treatment.
Thus, at a fixed time after start of therapy (10
days), the average increase in the ratio was 1.6.
But all cases showed a significant rise shortly
after commencement of citrate therapy. The ef-
fects of citrate therapy on the stippled cell count
were not consistent in all cases, there having been
a rise of the count in a few cases, but the majori-
ty showed a rapid fall. The counts returned to
normal in periods ranging from 2 wk-2 mo. The ef-
fects of citrate therapy on symptoms are illustra-
ted by a report of 4 cases. In general, the work
confirmed the conclusions of Kety and Letonoff as
to the value of Na citrate in the treatment of Pb
poisoning.
II. On June 17, 1949, 48 previously nonexposed
workers in a new battery factory were started on
prophylactic Na citrate treatment (4 g/day). Not
all employees were regular in taking the citrate.
A group of workers was examined on June 28 (8
doses), another group on July 12 (18 doses; av 10).
Five men had taken only 1 or 2 doses during that
period. Examination of total stippled cell count
showed a significant decrease from previous exami-
nations before prophylaxis had started (1780 (av)
stippled cells/million red cells as compared to
3856 on examination immediately prior to start of
prophylaxis). The corresponding figures for
coarsely stippled cells were av 154/million red
cells as against 800 prior to prophylaxis. There
was a marked decrease in the ratio of large lym-
phocytes plus monocytes to small lymphocytes be-
tween the 2 examinations (before and after prophy-
laxis), ie, from 6.06-3.05 (av).
The authors discuss the figures obtained for the
same periods and levels by another method, ie, com-
paring the effects on the stippled cell counts and
cell ratios for only those workers who took 75% or
more of the doses (20 class A) with the results
obtained from those who took less (16 class B).
The mean decrease in stippled cells for A was high-
ly significant (2200, SE 386); 19 showed a de-
crease. In B, 9 showed a decrease and 7 an in-
crease (mean decrease 1200, SE 658.8 which was not
significant). There was a larger fall in the av
counts of coarsely stippled cells in B than in A
but this was mainly due to 3 persons in B who
showed fairly high counts initially. Statistical-
ly, the fall in counts was more significant in A
("av 349 SE 116) than in group B (av 580, SE 225).
The decrease in the "before" and "after" cell
ratio was much greater for A (av 3.03, SE 0.644)
than for B (av 1.61, SE 838). The latter decrease
was thus not significant. Since the Pb hazard had
remained fairly constant in the factory, the Na
citrate prophylaxis is considered the factor in
Man
235
-------
lowering the cell ratio and stippled cell count.
1247 Sroka, K.H. (Singen/Hohentwiel, Germany):
Zur Gesundheitsgefahrdung durch organische
Bleiverbindungen. (HEALTH HAZARDS OF OR-
GANIC LEAD COMPOUNDS.) Xrztliche Wochen-
schrift 5:1025-9 (Dec. 22), 1950.
The risk of TEL poisoning, symptoms, and treatment
are discussed. In conclusion, the author mentions
cutaneous or mucosal irritation caused by triethyl-
Pb and from exposure to TEL and stresses the im-
portance of strict hygienic precautionary measures
in the Pb industry and their observance by the
workers.
1248 Stringari, H., Bovelacci, F., and Pedi-
nelli, M. (Soc. Organic Inorganic Ind.,
Trento, Italy): Prassi di un laboratorio
aziendale contro la intossicazione piombo-
etilica. (ORGANIZATION OF A LABORATORY
FOR THE CONTROL OF TETRAETHYL LEAD POISON-
ING.) Rassegna di Medicina Industriale
19:173-87 (July-Aug.), 1950.
From the legislative point of view, production of
TEL and its products comes under the article of
the Ministerial Decree of 1929 covering Pb com-
pounds. The authors feel that this clause should
be extended to state: Pb compounds, including the
organometallic. They describe the medical and
hygienic service of the TEL production plant,
illustrating with photographs the building, ex-
amining rooms, the laboratory. The symptoms of
excessive absorption of Pb and Pb poisoning and
those of TEL poisoning are tabulated, as given
originally by Jones (1935) and Midgley. In de-
scribing their activities, the authors present
statistics of the number of visits made to various
plant operations in the postwar years 1947-9, the
number of cases of poisoning reported to the Na-
tional Insurance Board, average body weight of
TEL workers at time of employment and at later in-
tervals, and cases suspended as a precaution. The
clinical and chemical laboratory activities are
next described; Pb in biological media is deter-
mined by the dithizone spectrophotometric method.
The laboratory is also entrusted with the cleaning
and repair of masks and of work clothing. (15
references.)
1249 Troisi, F.M. (Med. Insp., Ministry of La-
bor) : Endoarterite obliterante in un
fonditore di piombo. (ENDARTERITIS OBLIT-
ERANS IN A LEAD WORKER.) Medicina del
Lavoro 41:197-202, (June-July), 1950.
This is a case report of endarteritis obliterans
in a Pb worker, aged 45, who had been engaged for
22 yr on a night shift in the foundry of a news-
paper printing establishment. Gangrene developed
in the 5th toe of the right foot and resulted in
toe amputation. A few days later vascular trou-
bles and pain developed in the 5th toe of the left
foot; this did not progress, however, and healed
in a few months. Treatment included rest, foot
contrast baths, ^2 quarts of milk daily, and phar-
macological therapy. After recovery, the worker
was placed on another job involving no exposure to
Pb and until now (2-1/2 yr) no relapses have oc-
curred. (19 references)
1250 Vigliani, E.G. (Univ. Milan, Italy):
Recentes etudes sur le saturnisme en
Italic. (RECENT STUDIES ON LEAD POISONING
IN ITALY.) Bruxelles-Medical 30:1771-8
(Aug. 20), 1950.
This is a translation of the article published in
Medicina del Lavoro. See Abstract No. 1253.
1251 Vigliani, E.G.: Estudios sobre Saturnismo
en Italia. (STUDIES ON LEAD POISONING IN
ITALY.) Medicina del Deporte y del Tra-
bajo 14, No. 85:3118-30, 1950.
Pb poisoning among typographers seems to have so
to speak entirely disappeared in North Italy and
exists only sporadically in the cities of the cen-
tral and southern parts of the country. In Sienna
the death of a woman from Pb encepahalopathy with
convulsions and crises similar to eclampsia had
occurred, and another one from hepatonephritis
with coma, a syndrome which was accompanied by
basophilic stippling. Pb colics were not influ-
enced by intravenous Ca therapy but seemed to have
been relaxed by spasmolytics. In a large automo-
bile factory 63 cases of distinct intoxication
were found among which several showed nervous,
glandular (hyperthyroidism) manifestations and
others intestinal or anemia. Alcohol seems to
favor the increase of the Pb content in blood.
Among new cases 30-70 pg Pb/100 ml of blood and
10-120 yg/24 hr urine were found. The Pb absorbed
through the intestine is absorbed for the most part
in the red corpuscles, less in the plasma and still
less by the serum. The liver stores a large part
of it and the subhepatic veins contain it to a
lesser degree than the portal vein. Pb diffuses
in the bile and it is the B portion which contains
the largest proportion of it.
The author describes the spectrographic method
of determination of Pb in the blood. The Pb con-
tent is at its maximum during the morning. In
the urinary calculi a relatively large amount of
Pb Is found. In the urine Pb is found in the form
of inorganic compounds. The anemia of Pb poison-
ing is of hemolytic type and the cellular resist-
ance is in general somewhat increased, rarely di-
minished. The anemia is hypochromic in the course
of Pb colics and during the phase of maximum cell-
ular destruction but becomes hyperchromic during
the reparative phase. The presence of basophilic
granulations in the erythrocytes is of great im-
portance in the diagnosis of Pb poisoning. The
bone marrow is the seat of the formation of baso-
phil stippled erythrocytes. The sedimentation
rate is not accelerated except in the grave forms
of Pb poisoning. Vigliani emphasizes the role of
defence mechanism on the part of the kidney in the
course of this poisoning. Although hypochlorhydria
or achlorhydria are frequent in Pb poisoning, gas-
tric ulcers are found not infrequently. Pb colics
are essentially of spastic character. They are
accompanied frequently by a more or less high
hypertension and porphyrinuria. Vigliani considers
that there are no specific weaknesses on the part
of the extensor muscles because in the cases of
diminution of chronaxia these had not been obser-
ved.
Certain authors consider that there is in gen-
eral no direct relation between Pb poisoning and
hypertension. Vigliani is clearly opposed to the
236
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
authors who deny the existence of renal sclerosis
in Pb poisoning. The nephrotic changes (with
severe albuminuria and cylindruria) observed in
cases of grave Pb poisoning could be the origin of
renal sclerosis. Two cases of obliterant endarter-
itis and changes in kidney attributable to Pb
are reported. (From Archives des Maladies Profes-
sionnelles de Medecine du Travail et de Securite
Sociale 12:365 (Abstracts), 1951)
1252 Vigliani, E.G.: Estudios sobre Saturnismo
en Italia. (STUDIES ON LEAD POISONING IN
ITALY.) Medicina del Deporte y del Tra-
bajo 14, No. 86:3198-206, 1950.
Pb poisoning involves the endocrine glands and the
thyroid gland in particular in the form of hyper-
thyroid syndrome with a picture which clinically
approaches true Basedow. The progeny of persons
poisoned by Pb can be affected but not necessarily.
Vigliani cites the case of a woman with Pb poison-
ing who gave birth to a healthy child. He also
cites a case of Pb poisoning in which the patient
died after encephalopathy with convulsions and
whose fetus after miscarriage on the 125th day had
liver, spleen and reticular cells of the bone
marrow filled with Pb dust.
The author then discusses porphyrinuria in de-
tail. In his opinion, the porphyrins are dis-
tinguishable as 3 types, protoporphyrin, deutero-
porphyrin and coproporphyrin. Porphyrin does not
seem to be produced directly in the liver but
seems to arise from a modification of hemoglobin
formation. Porphyrinuria does not seem to exist
in direct relation with Pb colic and can follow
it.
The different methods of treatment are reviewed.
It does not seem that the alkalizing measures or
Ca administration have definitely acquired the
right of being solely superior. The antispasmod-
ics could be sufficiently effective in Pb colic.
Na pyrocatechin sulfonate has been tried. BAL
seems to have an influence on the general condi-
tion, especially on Pb anemia. It is well to ad-
minister disodium phosphate, liver extracts and
vitamins B, C and PP. TEL causes a syndrome char-
acterized by anorexia, nausea, irritability, In-
somnia, asthenia, hypotension, tremors. Rigid
hygienic measures have markedly lowered the inci-
dence of morbidity in workers of a TEL plant at
Ravenna. At times the picture of the fatal cases
of poisoning is reminiscent of that of delirium
tremens or acute alcoholic crisis. At autopsy
severe liver damage is found as well as cerebral
hyperemia with pericapillary hemorrhages or fatty
degeneration of the adrenal cortex, pancreatic
changes, thyroid and kidney as well as degenera-
tive lesions of the cells of the central nervous
system. (From Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles de Medecine du Travail et de Securite
Sociale 12:366 (Abstracts), 1951)
1253 Vigliani, E.G. (Univ. Milan, Italy):
Recenti studi sul saturnismo in Italia.
(RECENT STUDIES ON LEAD POISONING IN
ITALY.) Medicina del Lavoro 41:105-23
(Apr.), 1950.
Investigations published in the past 20 yr are re-
viewed, as is the founding of the Clinica del
Lavoro of the University of Milan which, the author
says, was the first institution of its kind when it
was established in March 1910 for the treatment of,
and research in, industrial diseases. The study
and prevention of Pb poisoning was among the first
to be undertaken. The review encompassing 107
references extends over the following subjects:
Hazardous operations; absorption and elimination
of Pb; action of Pb on the different tissues and
organs; treatment of Pb poisoning; TEL. Concern-
ing the latter, lack of knowledge of the risk in-
volved, and inexperience in production, led to the
occurrence of many cases of poisoning, some fatal,
when a factory was first established in Ravenna in
1937, and later, one at Trento. In Ravenna, 80%
of the employees were affected. This was dealt
with immediately, and correction of working condi-
tions and in personal hygiene reduced the incidence
in 1938 to 9% and 16% in 1939, when production
reached a maximum. Incidence remained constant
from then on around 10-12%/yr.
1254 Waldman, R.K., and Seideman, R.M. (Con-
necticut State Dept. Health, Hartford):
RELIABILITY OF THE URINARY PORPHYRIN TEST
FOR LEAD ABSORPTION. Archives of Indus-
trial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine
1:290-5 (Mar.), 1950.
A study was conducted to examine the reliability
of the semiquantitative porphyrin test of the
urine of workers exposed to Pb. No false negative
results were encountered in specimens of 116 Pb-
exposed men. All specimens containing >0.15 mg
Pb/1 urine gave positive porphyrin reactions.
There were 34 positive porphyrin reactions in
urines with <0.15 mg Pb/1 which seemed to indicate
that the increased porphyrin excretion may actu-
ally be an early sign of Pb absorption. Only a
small proportion of false positive reactions was
obtained from control specimens from non-exposed
workers.
The authors came to the conclusion that the
semiquantitative porphyrin test of urine for Pb
absorption is reliable as a screening test in
places where a large number of workers are exposed
to Pb. (From authors' summary.)
1255 Watson, C.J. (Univ. Minnesota Hosp., Min-
neapolis) : THE ERYTHROCYTE COPROPORPHYR-
IN. VARIATION IN RESPECT TO ERYTHROCYTE
PROTOPORPHYRIN AND RETICULOCYTES IN CER-
TAIN OF THE ANEMIAS. A.M.A. Archives of
Internal Medicine 86:797-809 (Dec.), 1950.
Human erythrocytes contain free erythrocyte copro-
porphyrin (ECP) in addition to the protoporphyrin
(PP). In normal conditions the amount does not
exceed 2 pg/100 ml of erythrocytes. The amount of
ECP is significantly correlated with the reticulo-
cyte percentage, especially in pernicious anemia
during response to vitamin 812 therapy. The
slight but consistent lag of the ECP in the latter
situation, as well as the lack of strict correla-
tion between ECP and reticulocytes and different
levels, indicates that they represent sequential
or closely related phenomena in the same funda-
mental process. Characteristic patterns of PP and
ECP concentration have been observed in certain of
the commoner anemias. Pernicious anemia it. re-
lapse exhibits a low or normal PP and negligible
or absent ECP. The observations on ECP indicate
Man
237
-------
that this value is a rather sensitive chemical in-
dex of the rate of hemoglobin synthesis in the bone
marrow.
In Pb poisoning a complex situation was found to
exist. The author studied 4 human cases since ECP
was discovered. In these, hemoglobin was from 5.7-
15.0 g/100 ml; reticulocytes 2.9-4.4%; PP, 211-
1300 pg/100 ml; ECP, 1.5-58 yg/100 ml; urinary CP,
190-4000 pg/24 hr. The findings suggest that the
severer the anemia, presumably the more serious
the abnormality of the bone marrow, and the greater
the increase of ECP. There was no apparent corre-
lation of ECP with the increase of CP III in the
urine; however, he considered that this may well
be related to the ECP of the developing red cells
in the bone marrow.
Rimington (1938) had proposed that Pb blocked
the enzymatic formation of heme from Pb and Ye and
that CP III formation was the result of this dis-
turbance. In a figure the author agrees with ear-
lier views except that he does not believe that
this PP is then converted to CP and excreted. The
derivation of the excessive type III CP in the
urine is probably not from ECP in any considerable
part, but derivation from the central nervous sys-
tem as in poliomyelitis or from the liver as in
"alcoholic" cirrhosis appears to be possible.
1256 Wilentz, W.C. (Nat. Lead Co., Perth,
Amboy, N.J.): A MEDICAL VIEW OF THE LEAD
PROBLEM. American Practitioner and Di-
gest of Treatment 1:1248-51 (Dec.), 1950.
Despite a progressive decline in the incidence of
fatal Pb poisoning in the last 40 yr, there are
still many cases of temporary disability. This
indicates a need not only for reevaluation of the
problem, but also for an insistence on the use of
available measures of control. Almost every type
of Pb material encountered in industry can be han-
dled with safety, if proper and adequate modern
equipment for the protection of the health of the
industrial worker is provided and used. Medical
supervision is as necessary as ever and must be
extended to include every person who works with
Pb. Medical orders relating to exposure of em-
ployees must take preference over all others.
Persons with Pb absorption and intoxication should
recover with no resulting disability with modern
methods of treatment. The entire therapeutic reg-
imen should be directed toward overcoming the in-
testinal colic, correcting the resultant anemia,
making the patient symptom-free with no disabili-
ty, and returning him to gainful employment as
soon as possible. All these requirements can be
fulfilled by a Ca immobilization regimen that is
simple and safe, shortens hospitalization and
length of disability and gives certain results.
1951
1257 Anonymous: LONG ILLNESS OF POLICE OFFICER
LEADS TO DISCOVERY OF LEAD EXPOSURE ON
FIRING RANGE. Industrial Health Monthly
11:185-6 (Dec.), 1951.
The illness of a patrolman of a small municipality
near Detroit led to the investigation by the De-
troit Bureau of Industrial Hygiene of a shooting
range used by the police department. This man had
been in charge of the range for 6 yr. Urinary Pb
determinations on all police personnel who spent
time at this range showed levels from 0.07-0.32
mg/1. The patrolman showing the highest value was
successor to the one who was convalescing at home
and thus spent a great deal of time instructing
members of the force, cleaning up the range and
molding bullets. Air determinations made around
the various operations in the range showed the fol-
lowing: Bullet molding 1.5 mg Pb/10 m3 air; re-
moving of dross into can from Pb pot, 27.7; sweep-
ing in room behind target, 48.6; during heavy
shooting in shooting range, operator's breathing
zone, 225.0-360.0. A series of requirements were
made for the correction of the situation.
1258 Anonymous: SMALL PLANT IN TEXAS REPORTS
THREE CASES OF LEAD POISONING. Industrial
Health Monthly 11:96 (June), 1951.
During a plant survey of the Pb storage battery
manufacturing industry in San Antonio, Texas, con-
ducted jointly by engineers from the Texas State
Department of Health, and the San Antonio Health
Department, it was learned that 3 workmen in 1
plant had recently become ill with Pb poisoning.
The plant continued the manufacture of batteries
on a very reduced scale since, out of a total of 5
employees, 3 were so affected. One employee, the
most severely ill, was under medical observation
for 18 days. He was interviewed ^5 days after
discharge from the hospital and exhibited the
characteristic wrist-drop at the time of the inter-
view. He was 44 yr old and had worked in the bat-
tery industry for 23 yr. This was his 1st case of
Pb poisoning. His duties at the time of his ill-
ness were burning groups, finishing, closing, and
assembly. There were no provisions for local ex-
haust at any of the above-mentioned operations.
The group burning was done in a corner of the plant
where natural ventilation was negligible. An ex-
haust fan has since been installed at this loca-
tion. Pb oxide from the dried plates was in evi-
dence on the burning bench. The employee stated
that he intended to resume his work as soon as he
was able to do so. Another employee, 65 yr old,
had worked in the battery manufacturing industry
for 1-1/2 yr. He was only moderately ill and was
back at work in a few days. His duties were of a
general nature, including sweeping and cleaning.
Spilled Pb oxides and dust were swept up from the
wooden floor with a straw broom without any means
being used to prevent the generation of dust. The
3rd sick employee was only moderately ill and after
recovery did not report back to work.
1259 Anonymous: FILTRATION PLANT EMPLOYEES EX-
POSED TO LEAD DUST IN SCRAPING PAINT OFF
TROUGHS. Industrial Health Monthly
11:186-7 (Dec.), 1951.
The Bureau of Industrial Hygiene of Cleveland was
requested to analyze the blood and urine from 3
hospital patients who were employees of the water
filtration plant. They had been scraping tubercles
and rust spots from steel washwater troughs on a
rapid sand filter. The troughs had been painted
with red Pb paint ^6 yr previously and were being
prepared for repainting. Since the work has been
completed before the workmen (a total of 5) became
too ill to work, arrangements were made at another
238
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
filtration plant to have the work performed under
as nearly the same conditions as at the plant
where the illnesses had occurred. Air samples
taken while the power-driven brush was being used
showed 229 mg Pb/m^ of air sampled in the breathing
zone of the brush operator. Air samples taken
while the worker was handscraping and brushing on
a relatively dry trough revealed 32.2 mg Pb/m3 of
air sampled. Scraping of a damp trough produced
2.4 mg/m3, and less vigorous scraping when dry,
63-73 mg. Although the men had respirators avail-
able, they did not use them. During the tests, it
was found that respirators used by some of the men
had leaked as streaks of red were visible around
the nose and in saliva. Supplied air respirators,
used during another test, would have been more
satisfactory.
Because of this instance other workers for the
city received health examinations. Blood and
urine examinations showed that a high percentage
of them had significant Pb absorption, although
only 1 exhibited symptoms of Pb poisoning.
1260 Berger, jv.E., and Lundberg, E.A. (Cerro de
Pasco Copper Corp., Seattle, i.'ash.; La
Oroya, Peru): INTESTINAL VOLVULUS PRECIP-
ITATED BY LEAD POISONING. REPORT OF FIVE
CASES. Journal of the American Medical
Association 147:13-6 (Sept. 1), 1951.
The authors present these cases in support of
their belief that intestinal volvulus may be pre-
cipitated by Pb poisoning, since to their knowl-
edge this has not been mentioned in the litera-
ture. All 5 were workers in the Pb smelter, 20-54
yr old with 8 mo-7yr service, and all were Peruvi-
an natives. The authors mention that as in the
Baltic region, volvulus is a major cause (50%) of
intestinal obstruction in Peru. All had been ad-
mitted with colicky abdominal pain of several
days' duration, constipation, and muscular weak-
ness in some; Pb gum line was seen in most, pal-
lor, numerous stippled erythrocytes, and positive
urinary coproporphin in 4. The 1st case admitted
to the hospital had shown upon X ray a distended
colon and was treated in part with neostigmine
enemas; he was in poor condition so that an opera-
tion could not be considered although a cecostomy
was performed. The patient died 2 days later with
peritonitis and uremia. A volvulus of the sigmoid
was confirmed at autopsy. In view of this experi-
ence, a more radical approach was undertaken. The
other 4 patients recovered. Two cases required
prompt surgical intervention for complete sigmoid
obstruction, and immediate resection was success-
ful. A small bowel case required only detorsion.
Another sigmoid case underwent spontaneous detor-
oion during a diagnostic Ba enema. The role of
plumbism in the precipitation of volvulus is dis-
cussed. In all cases, symptoms of gastrointesti-
nal Pb poisoning preceded by a matter of days the
more acute symptoms pointing to the onset of vol-
vulus. (13 references)
1261 Bertha, H., Malissa, H., and Pohl, F.
(Techn. Coll. Graz, Austria): Mikrochemi-
sche Untersuchungen Uber die topische Ver-
teilung von Spurenelementen im Gehirn.
(MICROCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE TOPICAL DIS-
TRIBUTION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE BRAIN.)
Mikrochemie 36/37:989-96, 1951.
The results showed that: (1) In addition to the
occurrence of biologically known elements (K, Ca,
Na, Mg, P), all spectrograms of brains (60 test
analyses on 4 brains) after various preliminary
treatments, showed the presence of Al and Cu in the
brain. No information was available, as yet, con-
cerning the relative and absolute amounts of this
occurrence in the separate regions of the brain.
(2) The elements Pb, Zn (in Kjeldahl decomposition)
Si, Sn, Sr, Ag, Be, and Ti appeared in the regions
examined. Of these traces, Si appeared most fre-
quently. (3) These findings agreed with these of
Voinar and Rusanow who, in 1949, independent of
the authors, reported on the occurrence of pre-
viously biological unknown elements in the brain,
such as Ag, Al, Bi, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Si,
Sn, Ti, and V. (4) The determination of trace ele-
ments in the brain makes it likely that new neuro-
biological viewpoints will arise. (5) No definite
conclusion could be reached as to whether these
trace elements are functionally of specific signi-
ficance for the central nervous system. The exist-
ence of special cells in certain regions of the
brain indicated to the authors the possibility
that special elements may also play a role for
certain functions. (From authors' summary)
1262 Brezina, E. (Vienna, Austria): Uber einen
angeblichen Fall von Bleivergiftung im
Beruf. (ON ALLEGED CASE OF OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING.) Wiener Medizinische
Wochenschrift 101, No. 5/6:86-7, 1951.
The author was asked to give an opinion on whether
illness in typesetter was Pb poisoning; thereby
compensable. Patient had been employed as type-
setter during his youth, then had gone into anoth-
er occupation, and at age 50, in 1946, had re-
turned to typesetting. After several mo, he be-
came suddenly paralyzed on one side. Case history
mentions that Pb line was observed once, basophil
stippling was never seen. Paralysis in region of
the radial nerve, once observed, was interpreted
to be not indicative of Pb poisoning in view of
the other findings. However, most physicians be-
lieved this to be Pb encephalitis. One neurolo-
gist considered it a case of common apoplexy due
to unspecific cause.
Typesetting involves only low Pb risks. In or-
der to verify exposure, the air of a manual type-
setting room was analyzed for Pb: average content
2 ug/mj. On the basis of an average intake of 10
1 air/min (during light work) the worker would
have inhaled only M3.01 mg Pb/day, or over the 6
mo on the job, scarcely 2 mg. For this reason, no
basis for compensation for Pb poisoning existed.
The need of specialized training for the correct
diagnosis of industrial diseases is emphasized.
1263 Brooks, A.L. (Gen. Motors Corp., Pontiac,
Mich.): AN APPRAISAL OF A URINARY PORPHY-
RIN TEST IN DETECTION OF LEAD ABSORPTION.
Industrial Medicine and Surgery 20:390-
2 (Sept.), 1951.
At the Fisher Body Division, General Motors Cor-
poration, there are M.50 men who are exposed
to Pb dust or fumes in amounts ranging from 0-1.5
mg/10 m^, and ^30 men who are working in an
atmosphere heavily laden with dust are believed
Man
239
-------
to be adequately protected by air hoods. All
these men are examined every 30 days for objec-
tive and subjective signs, about every 90 days
blood Pb analyses are done. Porphyrin tests are
done on urine at every examination. On the basis
of a total of 952 tests done on 249 men, the au-
thor's conclusions are as follows: "1. The por-
phyrln test is an easy, convenient one, requiring
little skill or equipment or time. 2. Persons
with no exposure are almost invariably negative.
3. Some persons with known exposure give a nega-
tive test at times, suggesting that there are
certain factors as yet not understood which con-
trol excretion of this material. 4. As the degree
of exposure increases, fewer urines will be nega-
tive. 5. All persons with definite evidence of
intoxication, even though mild, have in our expe-
rience had strongly positive urines. 6. Porphyrin
is found in the urine earlier than stippled cells
in the blood following exposure. In this respect
the test has the same advantage over routine smear
examinations that is possessed by the basophilic
aggregation examination. 7. Excessive porphyrin
may be found in the urine long after disappearance
of excessive blood Pb, suggesting damage to the
hematopoietic system that is not readily repaired.
8. While not a conclusive test, this appears to
be one that can well be used to supplement the
other more widely known ones in indicating intoxi-
cation or excessive absorption. 9. The repeated
finding of negative porphyrlnuria tests is a
reliable assurance that Pb poisoning is not impend-
ing."
1264 Connecticut State Department of Health,
Bureau of Industrial Hygiene: CONNECTICUT
USES NEW METHODS IN TESTING FOR LEAD. In-
dustrial Hygiene Newsletter 11:41 (Mar.),
1951.
The study and control of industrial Pb poisoning
continue to be a problem of major importance to
the Bureau of Industrial Hygiene. In the past
year 200 atmospheric samples were taken in 17 dif-
ferent plants and ^375 body fluid samples in 13
different plants. New methods of investigation
have been developed and are now finding applica-
tion in this work. An important laboratory pro-
cedure is the porphyrin test, which permits the
examination of many urine samples in a relatively
short time for porphyrins, which are indicative of
Pb absorption. A new method which employs a funnel-
filter paper apparatus for determining concentra-
tions of Pb dust or fume in the air breathed by
workers, and the dropping Hg electrode for the
quantitative determination of Pb in air and urine
are now used. The MAC in air is 0.15 mg/m3, where-
as urine containing >0.15 mg/1 indicates Pb ab-
sorption. These procedures have been employed re-
cently in a Connecticut plant where >100 workers
are potentially exposed to Pb. Before the in-
stitution of control measures 45% of the exposed
workers showed >0.15 mg Pb/1 urine, and atmospheric
concentrations of Pb reached 1.83 mg/m3. The re-
sults of 25 air samples together with the above
urine-Pb determinations served as a basis for con-
trol measures. After the control work is complete,
another series of determinations for porphyrins and
Pb in urine will be made, and a checkup air study
will be made to determine the effectiveness of
control measures instituted.
1265 De Michelis, F. (Inst. Ind. Med., Turin,
Italy): La protezione dell'apparato
masticatorio nei lavoratori esposti al
rischio saturnino. (Nota preventiva.)
(PROTECTION OF THE MASTICATORY APPARATUS
OF WORKERS EXPOSED TO LEAD. (PRELIMINARY
NOTE.)) Rassegna di Medicina Industriale
20:296-302 (Sept.-Oct.), 1951.
Because of the effects of Pb on teeth, trials were
instituted among workers exposed to Pb of the pro-
tective action which may be given by a tooth paste,
"Saturno." The formula of this tooth paste is as
follows: monopotassium (K) tartrate, 0.50 g, ben-
zoic acid, 1 g, salicylic acid, 1 g, benzoic sul-
fimide, 0.05 g, paste, 100 g. The K tartrate has
reputedly the property of rendering the Pb salts
insoluble,thus preventing the absorption, and the
other components act as antiseptics and antifer-
menting agents. The absolute absence of soaps
which have the property of rendering the Pb in
part soluble is a particular characteristic of this
paste. While the author felt that it is too early
to come to any definitive conclusions, a clear im-
provement in the local circulatory counts was de-
monstrable by a diminution of hyperemia of the
gingival mucosa.
1266 De Michelis, F. (Inst. Ind. Med., Turin,
Italy): La differenza quantitativa del
piombo presente nelle tasche gengivali
delle due arcate dentarie dei lavoratori
esposti al rischio saturnino. (THE
QUANTITATIVE DIFFERENCES OF LEAD IN THE
GINGIVAL POCKETS OF THE TWO DENTAL ARCHES
OF WORKERS EXPOSED TO LEAD.) Rassegna
di Medicina Industriale 20:303-7 (Sept.-
Oct.), 1951.
There is a decided difference between the Pb content
in the gingival pockets of the 2 dental arches among
workers exposed to Pb. Among 20 control subjects
(age 32-60), the following values were obtained:
in the upper arch, ranging from 35-60 yg, in the
lower arch from 56-81 yg, with totals ranging from
104-140. In workers exposed to Pb, the correspond-
ing figures were from 60-130 in 10 Pb grinders (age
22-60), 60-150 in 10 painters (age 20-50), 70-150
in 30 printers (age 22-45) in the upper arch, and
112-190, 90-180, and 140-218, respectively, in low-
er arch, with totals of 178-310, 180-325, and 218-
343, respectively.
1267 Derobert, L., Hadengue, A., and Le Breton,
R.: Un cas peu banal d'intoxication
saturnine. (LEAD INTOXICATION: UNUSUAL
CASE OF ALIMENTARY ORIGIN.) Annales de
Medecine legale et de criminologie, police
scientifique et toxicologie 31:60-4 (Jan.-
Feb.), 1951.
A case of oral Pb poisoning in a married couple
due to the use of a salad bowl with a Pb-contain-
ing glaze is reported. The previous history of
the 53-yr-old wife (Jan-Apr) included pains in the
shoulders extending into the lumbar region, severe
abdominal complaints, a slight icterus, Burton's
line, slight paralysis of fingers, and a 3-wk
febrile episode. Epigastric complaints increased
in severity and examination by the authors (May 20)
240
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
established the diagnosis of Pb poisoning beyond
doubt; since the patient's husband also had Pb
poisoning, but to a mild degree, the cause was
assumed to be ingestion. Treatment of the patient
was by tricalcium phosphate (TP) 1 g/day orally
combined with a single massive dose of 15 mg of
vitamins D2 and B^ each. Blood tests (May) showed
90% Hb, 3,900,000 red cells, 208 stippled cells/
100 leukocytes, and 0.55 g blood urea. Blood Pb
levels, at first low, rose to 235 pg% (June). By
July 1, the patient had improved greatly. Treat-
ment with TP was continued (0.5 g/day). Although
2 mo later her condition had improved, the patient
still complained of constipation and twitching of
the skin. Numbness of her fingers was again pre-
sent. Reflexes were normal.
On May 20, blood tests on the patient's husband
(50 yr old) showed 98 stippled cells/100 leuko-
cytes; on May 24, 112/100 leukocytes. His blood
Pb level (June 12) was 86 ug/100. Physical exam-
ination was normal, He received a 1-mo treatment
with TP; 2 1/2 mo later, his health was excellent.
Detailed investigations concerning the origin of
these cases led to the conclusion that the amount
of Pb dissolved by the glaze must have been con-
siderable. Acid tests elicited 40 mg of Pb after
45 min contact with the bowl, and 118 mg after 24-
hr contact. The bowl had been used daily for >1
yr. The severity of the wife's poisoning compared
to that of the husband who at one time had been
exposed to Pb at his place of work remained un-
explained .
1268 D1 Ferdinando, R. (Publ. Hosp. S. Salva-
tore, Pesaro, Italy): Neurite ottica
saturnina da marocchino del cappello.
(SATURNINE OPTIC NEURITIS DUE TO DYE IN
SWEAT BAND OF HAT.) Giornale Italiano di
Oftalmologia 4:344-52 (Sept.-Oct.), 1951.
Following a review of the literature concerning
ocular disorders in Pb poisoning, the author pre-
sents the case of a 27-yr-old man who complained
of progressive loss of vision. Ophthalmologic ex-
amination showed optic neuritis with intra- and
retrobulbar inflammation, together with a chemical
dermatitis of the forehead and parietal and tempo-
ral regions. There were no other clinical find-
ings. Exposure to Pb present in the sweat band of
a hat was held as the cause. Hematology revealed
3,750,000 red cells, 5400 white; hemoglobin 75%;
basophils 1; Pb (Behrens and Taeger method), 121
yg (sic). Analysis of the hat band, a cotton-
rayon fabric, coated with oil and dye to simulate
leather, showed Pb in the scrapings and in the
ash (no values are indicated).
1269 Di Porto, A. (Univ. Rome, Italy): Compor-
tamento della trimetilamina urinaria in
soggetti alia azione di composti del pi-
ombo. (BEHAVIOR OF URINARY TRIMETHYLAMINE
UNDER THE ACTION OF LEAD COMPOUNDS.) Po-
liclinico (Rome) Sezione Pratica 58, Jo.
15:453-7, 1951.
Urinary excretion of trimethylamine was determined
in 14 cases (from the printing industry) of Pb
poisoning with liver disorder and the results are
tabulated for each worker with brief history of
exposure, and clinical findings. The levels
ranged from 1.75-6.45 mg% (24.02-70.47 mg/24 hr);
these were regularly higher than normal and in
some cases with longest exposure were 3 times
higher. in 57%, and to some extent in almost all
cases, the hepatitis was accompanied by constipa-
tion, i'his points to the probability that this
condition of the digestive system has a certain
influence on the metabolism of methylated com-
pounds. The findings agreed with those obtained
in experimental Pb acetate intoxication in rabbits.
1270 Eriksen, L. (Univ. Oslo, Norway ): A CO-
P^OPORPHYRIN CHROMOGEN EXCRETED IN NORMAL
AND PATHOLOGICAL URINE. Nature 167:691-2
(Apr. 28), 1951.
In cases of acute porphyria fluoresence of ether/
glacial acetic acid (E/GA) extracts of urine in-
creased on standing at room temperature for 2 days.
Since this might indicate formation of copropor-
phyrin (CP) from a chromogen extracted by E/GA,
urines from 4 normal subjects and from 2 adults
suffering from Pb poisoning were examined. The
urines were extracted with E/GA by Fischer's
method and the CP extracted with 0.1N HC1. The
amount of CP was determined by the Rimington and
Sveinsson method. The results, as tabulated,
showed in normal urines preformed CP of 4.2-8.4
yg/100 ml; formed from chromogen, 6.6-15.2; in Pb
poisoned, 378.4 and 100.9; 200.0 and 228.9. In
the analyses with porphyrin adsorbed on Ca phos-
phate, the latter amounted to 382.4 and 92.7 vig/
100 ml, and that formed from chromogen, 199.0 and
209.7 in the 2 Pb poisoned subjects. Porphobil-
inogen was not adsorbed on Ca phosphate when the
method of Sveinsson, Rimington and Barnes was
used, therefore the urines from the 2 Pb-poisoned
cases were treated by the above method, since this
also indicated formation from chromogen. The pH
was adjusted to 5.0 and the solution was extracted
with E/GA. Preformed CP and CP-chromogen were de-
termined as above. A considerable part of the
total CP was excreted as colorless C? chromogen.
1271 Fassbender, H.G. (Johannes-Guttenberg
Univ., Mainz, Germany): Zur Pathogenese
der HHmochromatose. (PATHOGENESIS OF
HEMOCHROMATOSIS: LEAD POISONING AS A
CAUSATIVE AGENT.) Deutsche Medizinische
Wochenschrift 76:970-2 (Aug. 3), 1951.
Hemochromatosis, a rare disease of uncertain eti-
ology, is generally believed to be familial.
Mallory, in his animal experiments, based the dis-
ease on an impaired Cu metabolism, Petrides and
Wild (1948) on the long-term, intensive contact
with Cu and Pb in 3 of their patients without any
recognizable genetic tendency. Rosenberg (1928)
reported the disease in a printer as a result of
3 yr of Pb exposure, and according to Sheldon,
the condition is due to an impaired Fe metabolism.
In all such cases, as well as in the case reported
by the author, the typical signs of Pb intoxica-
tion can be lacking or at least be less marked
than usual. Lewin et al (1928) point out that
absence of the cardinal symptoms of Pb intoxication
is possible when there is a constitutional sensi-
tivity of the liver parenchyma or of the capillary
system. They observed severe liver impairment,
including two fatalities, in Pb workers. Many
Man
241
-------
authors believe the basis of hemochromatosis to be
an impairment of the Fe metabolism, pointing the
way to bronze diabetes, an effect of long-term Pb
exposure. Similarly, the effect of Pb upon the
erythrocytes and the erythropoiesis and its in-
trusion into the porphyrin metabolism and disturb-
ance of the heme synthesis should be considered as
factors in the etiology of hemochromatosis.
The author reports the autopsy results of a 60-
yr-old male who had worked as a tinner for ^34 yr
and who died after a 2-yr illness, presenting a
typical picture of classical hemochromatosis.
While still alive, he had had complete loss of
head and body hair, loss of all teeth and was noted
for his bronze skin color. Findings included
cirrhosis of the liver, cirrhosis of the pancreas,
swollen lymph nodes, small pneumonic foci, chronic
bronchitis, traces of an endocarditis and minimal
arteriosclerosis of the pelvic aorta and arterio-
sclerotic scars in the kidneys. The spleen showed
sparse lymph follicles, a wide sinus, a hyper-
plastic reticulum, and massive cellulary hemoside-
rin stored in the sinus. The thickness of the
adrenal cortex was striking, especially so the
fascicula zone which was packed with sudanophil
substances. The marrow was likewise extended.
Hemosiderin was located in several subcapsular
portions of the glomerular zone and to a much less-
er extent in the marrow. In the kidney, hemoside-
rin was found in only a few epithelial cells of
the Henle loop. The chest wall was rich in Fe-free
pigment. The cardiac muscle contained a dense
accumulation of pigment, the major portion of
which contained Fe, a minor part of which was
fatty.
In this case, the duration of contact with the
industrial poison was unusually long, creating con-
ditions coming quite close to those in long-term
animal experiments. The author concludes that, in
the presence of a certain constitutional disposi-
tion toward hemochromatosis, Pb was a significant
factor in the development of the disease in this
patient. The etiological role of Sn to which the
patient had also been exposed is difficult to
assess.
1272 Germek, O.A. (Univ. Sao Paulo, brazil):
Contribuiijao para o estudo dos meios
capazes de traduzir as alteracoes pri-
meiras resultantes da acao do chumbo sobre
o organismo humano. Consequencias que
dai decorrem para a profilaxia dessa in-
toxicacao. (THE FIRST DETECTABLE CHANGES
DUE TO THE ACTION OF LEAD IN THE HUMAN
BODY. PROPHYLACTIC CONSEQUENCES.) Anais
da Faculdade de Farmacia e Odontologia da
Universidade de Sao Paulo 9:149-77, 1951.
The determination of urinary Pb in 113 workers of
a storage-battery factory indicated exposure to
Pb but was not a sure index of Pb poisoning. No
correlation was found between urinary excretion
of CP and the time of exposure to Pb. i'he author
concludes that determinations of urinary CP and Pb
should be expressed by their ratio to urinary
creatinine excretion so as to relate them to the
body mass. Determination of reticulocytes and
basophilic stippling of red cells is necessary if
urinary CP is increased.
1273 Gorrand, M. : De 1'e'tat actuel de la
prophylaxie du saturnisme. (THE PRESENT
STATUS OF THE PROPHYLAXIS OF LEAD POI-
SONING.) Thesis, Paris, 1951, 38 pp.
The measures for the control of Pb poisoning in
industry adopted by the Decree of December 11,
1948 are discussed. The preventive measures, as
supplemented or modified since the Decree of
July 10, 1913 are reviewed.
In the 1st chapter, the author groups the regu-
lations as to improvement of work conditions,
radical elimination of Pb by exhausts, etc. The
2nd chapter deals with the necessary precautions,
for workers, and to the principal therapeutics to
strengthen the defense mechanism or neutralize
Pb in vivo. In the last chapter, the role of the
industrial physician is emphasized: this extends
not only to the early detection of intoxications
but also to an effective surveillance either by
himself or with the committee of hygiene and
safety according to modern preventive measures.
(From Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale 13:
306 (Thesis Reviews), 1952)
1274 Hadengue, A., and Collin, M. (France):
Etudes sur le taux de 1'azote'mie des
ouvriers exposes au plomb. (STUDIES
ON THE LEVEL OF BLOOD UREA IN WORKMEN
EXPOSED TO LEAD.) Proceedings of the
Society of Industrial Medicine and Hy-
giene. Archives des Maladies Profes-
sionnelles de Me'decine du Travail et
de Securite Sociale 12:561-5, 1951.
Blood urea studies are described on 64 workmen ex-
posed to greatest Pb hazard in an accumulator works;
33 had a pathological azotemia, defined as 50 mg or
more of urea per 100 ml blood; only 11 showed val-
ues strictly within the normal range (<40 mg.).
Nitrogen retention was not associated with hyper-
tension or albuminuria, nor with increased age,
since raised blood urea was seen particularly in
the younger members of the group. Liver function
tests were normal. No correlation could be found
between punctate basophilia, and blood urea levels,
both of which undergo considerable variation from
week to week.
It is suggested that blood urea determinations
should be part of the preemployment examination in
the accumulator industry, and should be repeated
annually as a measure of Pb intoxication.
1275 Hadengue, A., and LeBreton, R. (France):
Un nouveau cas de Saturnisme hydrique. (A
NEW CASE OF LEAD POISONING FROM DRINKING
WATER.) Annales de Medecine L£gale et de
Criminologie 31:125-7, 1951.
A case of Pb poisoning in a farmer is presented,
with symptoms consisting essentially of abdominal
pains, loss in weight and mild anemia. The drink-
ing water of the farm was found to contain 3 mg
Pb/1. After the patient had ceased using this
water for 1 mo, laboratory tests showed blood Pb
to be 90 )ig% and urinary Pb 0.5 mg/1. No stippled
cells were seen. In 1949, 5 more persons with Pb
poisoning were seen. Investigation revealed that
use of Pb pipe was responsible for the Pb in the
water. Although the use of Pb pipes has been
242
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
generally discontinued for use in water supplies
for humans, it is still used for the water sup-
plies for animals. The danger to domestic animals
is discussed.
1275 Hadengue; Raymond (France): Remarques
sur la nouvelle legislation du saturn-
isme. (NOTES ON THE NEW LEGISLATION ON
LEAD POISONING.) Medecin d'Usine
13:155-6 (Mar.), 1951.
Concerning the order of Dec. 12, 1948, which set
forth recommendations for medical examinations to
detect Pb poisoning, Hadengue made the following
remarks: (1) Requiring determination of basophilic
stippling is good, but the frequency of this deter-
mination should not be the same for all occupa-
tions. (2) The number of stippled erythrocytes
(10/100 leukocytes, as specified) which leads to a
suspicion of Pb poisoning is too low. (3) Because
anemia is rare in chronic Pb poisoning, an annual
blood count is sufficient, except in special cases.
(4) Requirement of a blood Pb determination at the
factory is premature; it should be done at a hos-
pital or by an expert. (5) Pb poisoning from con-
taminated water, which is almost always overlooked,
can lead to errors concerning the occupational
origin of the absorption or the disorders observed.
Raymond pointed out that laboratory investigations
are useful in the following cases. (1) Examination
of workers exposed to risk: determination of baso-
philic stippling/leukocytes is sufficient. (2)
Detection of Pb absorption where it is not known,
whether the worker is exposed to risk: blood Pb
determination is necessary. (3) Detection of
nephritis by determination of urea content in
blood, Ambard constant, etc.
1277
Hammond, J.W.: HYGIENIC STUDY OF THE
LEAD BURNING DEPARTMENT AT BAYTOWN REFIN-
ERY. Medical Bulletin, Standard Oil Com-
pany (N..T.) 11:223-5 (Apr.), 1951.
An investigation of the urinary Pb excretion of 6
Pb burners and helpers employed in refinery con-
struction indicated that 4 were exposed to hazardous
concentrations on the basis of a maximum urinary Pb
concentration of 0.10 mg/1. Among the recommenda-
tions made for control of the hazard were greater
use of local exhaustive ventilation and personal
protective devices.
1278 Hardy, H.L., Bishop, R.C,, and Maloof,
C.C. (Div. Occup. Hyg., Massachusetts
Dept. Labor Ind., Boston; US Vet. Hosp.,
West Roxbury, Mass.; Div. Occup. Hyg.,
Massachusetts Dept. Labor Ind., Boston):
TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING WITH SODIUM
CITRATE. REPORT OF FOUR CASES. A.M.A.
Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occu-
pational Medicine 3:267-78 (Mar.), 1951.
Four cases of Pb poisoning, acute in 3 and chronic
in 1, in which the patients were treated with Na
citrate, are presented. The authors believe that
the evidence accumulated leads to the following
opinions: (1) Adequate oral doses of Na citrate
will control the symptoms of Pb poisoning. (2)
Studies of the Pb excreted in the urine in these
4 cases (studies of Pb excreted in the feces are
lacking) do not warrant the conclusion that Na
citrate increases Pb excretion. (3) Studies of
urinary coproporphyrin are presented. (From
authors' summary)
1279 Herrmann, G. (General Hosp., Vocklabruck,
Germany): Chronische Bleivergiftung unter
dem Bilde einer amyotrophischen Lateral-
sklerose. (CHRONIC LEAD POISONING WITH
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS.) Wien.
Med. Wochenschr. 101:657, 1951.
In spite of a definite decrease, chronic Pb poi-
soning still makes up the major portion of indus-
trial intoxications. From the literature it is
evident that the pathological-anatomical bases of
Pb poisoning are primary vascular manifestations
with degenerative changes in the ganglion cells;
however, secondary inflammatory changes can be
found. The clinical symptoms correspond to the
anatomic conditions: eg, saturnine encephalitis
with seizures, choked disk, oculomotor paralysis
with meningitis serosa, amaurosis and psychosis
attributable to effects on the brain, paralysis of
the various peripheral organs stemming from the
spinal cord. Because of the scarcity of case re-
ports, the author describes the case of a type-
setter who repeatedly exhibited states of acute
and subacute Pb poisoning during the performance
of his job and who at the termination of his em-
ployment displayed a progressive picture remi-
niscent of muscular atrophy (neural) or amyo-
trophic lateral sclerosis; however, due to recto-
vesical affection, peculiar sensory disturbances
and epileptiform attacks deviated from this as-
pect of the disease. Therefore the entire cen-
tral nervous system, including the vegetative,
was involved. (From Zentralblatt fur Arbeits-
medizin und Arbeitsschutz 4:22 (Abstracts), 1954)
1280 Hesse, E., and FlHter, W. (2nd Med. Dept.
(Jen. Hosp. St. Georg, Hamburg, Germany):
Uber die Behandlung der Bleivergiftung
'mit FolsHure. (TREATMENT OF LEAD POISON-
ING WITH FOLIC ACID.) Klinische Wochen-
schrift 29:232-3, 1951.
Experiments with rabbits show that folic acid is
able to counteract a 6-fold lethal dose of Pb ad-
ministered over a period of 30 days. Two clinical
cases of Pb poisoning were treated successfully
with folic acid. Vitamin 8^2 anc* BAL showed no
therapeutic effect.
1281 lafanti, F. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Fre-
quenza e forme di intossicazione satur-
nina nell'industria Napoletana. (FRE-
QUENCY AND TYPES OF LEAD POISONING IN NE-
APOLITAN INDUSTRY.) Folia Medica Naples)
34:495-501 (Oct.), 1951.
The incidence of intoxication during the 3 yr
1948-50 was 7.1/1000, as reported to the INAIL.
The symptoms were anemia, gastrointestinal dis-
turbances with colic, neuropsychic reactions, var-
ious types of arteriosclerosis, and kidney dis-
orders. Inability to work varied from 1-7 mo.
Treatment consisted of vitamins, hypotensor sub-
stances, liver extracts, nicotinic acid, and often
in administration of BAL. The latter seemed to be
quite efficacious.
Man
243
-------
1282 Jimenez Diaz, C., Gilsanz, V., Linazasoro,
J.M. , and Tamames, C. : Un syndrome de
paralysie radiale avec ictere et ses rap-
ports avec 1'intoxication saturnine. (PE-
RIPHERAL PARALYSIS AND JAUNDICE AND ITS
RELATIONSHIP TO LEAD POISONING.) Presse
Medicale 59:1263-5, 1951.
This is the French translation of the following
abstract.
1283 Jimenez Diaz, C., Gilsanz, V., Linazasoro,
J.M. , and Tamames, C.: (A SYNDROME OF
RADIAL PARALYSIS WITH JAUNDICE AND ITS
RELATION TO LEAD INTOXICATION.) Rev.
clin. esp. 40-163-70, 1951.
The authors describe a series of 10 patients who
suffered from a syndrome of acute abdominal pain
of a colicky type associated with jaundice and
sudden onset of unilateral and bilateral paralysis
of the upper limbs. Patients with slight paralysis
showed the typical radial palsy with the escape of
the supinator, but when the paralysis was severe
all the upper limb muscles were involved, and in
2 cases the lower limbs were also affected. All
the patients were employed, or spent a great deal
of time, in public houses or cafes, and the condi-
tion was caused by Pb poisoning due to drinking
mineral water with a high Pb content. The dif-
ferential diagnosis, clinical features, and pathol-
ogy of the condition are discussed. Treatment
includes the administration of Vitamins C and D
and measures such as Ca injections and a diet
rich in Ca to immobilize the Pb, as its elimina-
tion is almost impossible. (From British Journal
of Industrial Medicine 9:87, 1952)
1284 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): A
CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF CURRENT PRACTICES IN
THE CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD INTOXICA-
TION. Industrial Medicine and Surgery 20:
253-9 (June), 1951.
"The diagnosis of Pb intoxication, as we shall
deal with it here, is based upon a valid history
of significant occupational exposure to Pb upon
the presence of symptoms strongly suggestive of
the effects of Pb absorption, and upon certain
physical signs which characterize absorption of Pb
or intoxication therefrom." This is a simple
statement of the essentials of diagnosis, but many
physicians disregard them, mainly from clinical
ineptitude. The author urges the necessity of
close attention to occupational history, duration
and intensity of exposure, history of the illness,
physical findings, and the clinical course. He
especially condemns reliance on a single labora-
tory test, such as basophilic stippling and copro-
porphyrins in the urine, for a decisive diagnosis.
Pb concentrations in the blood and urine are the
most important laboratory determinations. Dupli-
cate samples of blood should always be taken, with
one or more properly prepared urine samples, so
that the precision of the tests may be known.
Postmortem diagnosis is always difficult, but when
it is made, samples of a number of tissues must be
taken. (12 references)
1285 Litzner, St.: Zur Klinik und Therapie der
Bleivergiftung. (DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
OF LEAD POISONING.) A'rztl. Dienst DB 12:
109, 1951.
The author points out that Pb poisoning has in-
creased since 1948; however, the cases seen are
not of the severity observed 23 yr ago. Pb ab-
sorption by inhalation of dust and fumes is most
frequent and most dangerous. Individual suscep-
tibility to Pb is discussed. Pb anemia can be
confirmed if Hb content is <75%. Porphyrin deter-
mination for the diagnosis is not too reliable
since values vary daily. Gastritis and gastric
ulcers can be accepted as Pb sequelae in the pre-
sence of other Pb symptoms. The possibility of
liver damage is discussed. Acute kidney damage
was not observed, the contracted kidney also is to
be viewed with caution. Damage to peripheral and
central nervous system occurs seldom; however,
occasionally the extrapyramidal system is attacked.
The occurrence of Pb-Basedow is questionable.
Angina pectoris, along with other Pb symptoms is
admitted. (From Zentralblatt fUr Arbeitsmedizin
und Arbeitsschutz 3:21, (Abstracts) 1953)
1286 McCord, C.P. (Ind. Health Conservancy
Lab., Detroit, Mich.): THE PORPHYRINS.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PORPHYRINS IN OCCUPA-
TIONAL DISEASES. Industrial Medicine
and Surgery 20:185-90 (Apr.), 1951.
The nature, chemistry, and distribution of the
porphyrin group are reviewed. Porphyrias in human
beings as an hereditary or congenital state are
described. Porphyrias in Herbivora constituting
devastating diseases are recorded. The numerous
pathologic states in humans in which porphyrinuria
has appeared, establish that this laboratory find-
ing is conclusive as to no one disease, merely
indicating idiopathic porphyria or, instead, im-
pairment of the hematopoietic system. The occupa-
tional diseases in which porphyrinuria has been
detected include those from Pb, Hg, As, Be, Se,
P, sulfobenzene, aniline and some of its deriva-
tives, chlorinated hydrocarbons but chiefly car-
bon tetrachloride. Firsthand observations suggest
that significant urinary porphyrins are absent
from apparently healthy industrial workers. The
currently acceptable technique for detection is
appraised. As to Pb intoxication or absorption,
it is concluded that the presence of porphyrins
in urine is not diagnostic; but as a screening
procedure among Pb exposed workers, otherwise
healthy, porphyrin detection constitutes a measure
contributory to diagnosis. (17 references)
1287 Mainx, F., and Hauf, R. (Nordbaden Ind.
Med. Dept., Karlsruhe, Germany): Bleiver-
giftung und Leber. (LEAD POISONING AND
LIVER.) Zentralblatt fttr Arbeitsmedizin
und Arbeitsschutz 1:54-8 (May), 1951.
Following a review of the literature on the title
subject, the authors report their trial of "health
prophylaxis" for workers exposed to risk of Pb
poisoning by the administration of a liver ex-
tract. This was carried out on 22 workers of a
Pb-recovery factory which had been seriously dam-
aged during the war, where old batteries and scrap
were processed giving rise to considerable risk;
they had observed there a number of moderate to
severe cases of Pb poisoning. The liver prepara-
tion was administered in a dose of ^100 g (in a
244
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
lemonade for flavoring) daily for 'x-S mo. The
weight, urinary coproporphyrin (CP) (de Langen and
ten Berg method), atippled cells, liver function,
hemoglobin and Pb gum line were followed periodi-
cally. The results showed an improvement in the
general condition of the workers and a distinct
decrease in CP elimination. In addition, no new
cases of manifest Pb poisoning occurred. Since
the value of milk as a preventive of Pb poisoning
is under question, the authors recommend that
workers be given the liver extract in its place.
(26 references)
1288 Masoero, A., and Possevini, V. (Municipal
Hosp., Turin, Italy): Osservazioni su
alcuni casi di colica saturnina. (OBSER-
VATION OF A FEW CASES OF COLIC DUE TO LEAD
POISONING.) Folia Medica (Naples) 34:57-
72 (Feb.), 1951.
The reflexes of the sympathetic nervous system of
5 patients with Pb colic were studied. Exagger-
ated excitability of the autonomic nervous system
was observed in all cases. Anatomical and physio-
pathological observations indicate that colic due
to Pb poisoning is caused by the direct action of
Pb on the fibers of the visceral sympathetic ner-
vous system. This action consists of a definite
increase in the tone of the autonomic nervous sys-
tem and is more readily observed in constitution-
ally vagotonic persons. (12 references)
1289 Nicolai, W. (Giessen, Germany): Bleiben-
zinvergiftung und Oberkiefercarcinom.
(TETRAETHYL LEAD POISONING AND CARCINOMA
OF UPPER JAW; REPORT OF A CASE.) Archiv
fur Ohren-, Nasen- und Kehlkopfheilkunde
159:394-7, 1951.
The case described is that of a 51-yr-old man who
in 1940 had worked for 6 mo at an airport as a
filling station attendant. The records indicated
that he had incurred Pb-gasoline poisoning. In
discussing the case, it is pointed out that such
attendants are in the habit of starting the flow
of gasoline by sucking the hose by the mouth. In
the case discussed, the mucosa was thus exposed to
gas consisting of hydrocarbons of the methane
series as well as of the aromatic series and to
TEL (0.6-1.2 vol%). This chronic irritation led
to loss of all teeth. The patient wore plates from
1943 on, which caused increased pain, especially in
the upper jaw. In 1949 the patient stopped wearing
plates and underwent several incisions in the left
upper jaw for abscesses. In 1950, upon admission
to the hospital, diagnosis of malignant tumor was
made. In spite of resections and X-ray (2800 pg)
therapy new metastases formed and the patient died
1/2 yr later.
The author states that constant chemical irrita-
tion and damage led to predisposition. Subsequent
irritation from the plates (mechanical pressure
and chemical irritation from the plate material)
contributed to cancer formation.
1290 Pinho, B. d.: (TEN CASES OF ACUTE LEAD
POISONING CAUSED BY WATER.) Bull. Centre
beige Et. Document. Eaux 1951, No. 11:57-
9.
Some cases of Pb poisoning occurring in a small
town near Lisbon were traced to the water supply.
The wells from which the supply is obtained were
deepened to increase the yield, and the water
became more acid (pH 4-5) and dissolved the pro-
tective layer which had previously been deposited
on the Pb pipes. The use of lime, Na silicate, or
Na carbonate to neutralize the water was investi-
gated and it was decided that Na carbonate would
be easiest to apply. The water is also disinfected
with Javel water. Regular analyses show that no
Pb is now present in the water. (From Water Pol-
lution Abstracts 26:Abstr. No. 363, 1953)
1291 Rejsek, K.: (HAZARDS OF LEAD POISONING
IN PRINTING PLANTS.) Pracovni lekarstvi
3:29-33 (Mar.), 1951.
The author summarizes the results of examinations
of 920 employees of printing shops coming into
contact with Pb. He examined most of these pa-
tients himself, taking into consideration obser-
vations from 1931 to the first half of 1950. In
some cases in which the diagnosis of Pb poisoning
had been made, a revision in the light of present
laboratory methods and the present experiences in
the evaluation of the clinical picture and the
individual laboratory tests led to the decision
that the original diagnosis of Pb poisoning had
been incorrect. All these faulty diagnoses dated
from the time before 1945. The author then dis-
cusses the incorrectness of placing importance on
various neurological and vascular syndromes found
in workers with a Pb risk in the absence of other
evidence of poisoning. He further analyzes the
work hazards in printing shops and brings as evi-
dence determinations carried out by Roubal and
his co-workers. These determinations also point
to the fact that today there is no longer a Pb
poisoning hazard in printing shops. (From
Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational
Medicine 4:514 (Abstracts), 1951)
1292 Saulay, J.A.H.: A propos d'un infarctus
du myocarde survenu au cours d'un accident
paroxystique de saturnisme (Colique de
plomb). (MYOCARDIAL INFARCT IN THE COURSE
OF PAROXYSMAL ATTACK OF LEAD POISONING
(LEAD COLIC).) Th. med., Paris, 1951,
97 pp.
The thesis is listed by title only. (From
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine
du Travail et de Securite Sociale 13:305 (Thesis
Reviews), 1952)
1293 Seifert, P. (Inst. Leg. Med., Heidel-
berg, Germany): Bleivergiftung und
Laboratoriumsbefunde. (LEAD POISONING
AND LABORATORY FINDINGS.) Zentralblatt
fur Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz
1:99-102 (Sept.), 1951.
In summarizing his discussion, the author states
that basophilic granulations in the erythrocytes
exceeding 9000/million can, by exclusion of cer-
tain other pathological conditions, ie, pernicious
anemia, be considered as confirmation of Pb poi-
soning. Their absence, however, in no way ex-
cludes a possible Pb poisoning. Porphyrinuria
which exists in 100% of all such cases can serve
as a diagnosis of Pb poisoning. However, positive
porphyrin findings in the urine are not definite
proof of Pb poisoning since other pathological
Man
245
-------
conditions and poisonings are accompanied by por-
phyrinuria. Porphyrin determinations are an ideal
aid in serial examinations of persons exposed to
Pb since porphyrinuria tends to appear as the
1st sign of Pb poisoning. While Pb content of
feces gives only a measure of oral Pb absorption
during the past 24-48 hr, a Pb content of >0.2
mg/1 in urine always points to Pb poisoning.
There is, however, no quantitative relationship
between Pb content of urine and that of the blood.
The presence of more or less large quantities of
Pb in urine only indicate a higher Pb absorption.
A better evaluation of the urinary Pb findings
can be accomplished if the specific gravity of the
urine is considered. The most definite criterion
of Pb poisoning is the blood Pb content. A modi-
fication of the dithizone method is described.
In all questionable cases the finding of Pb in
blood gives definite proof. The Pb content of
blood can also be used for the control of therapy.
In a series of 25 normal persons, an average of
71 yg% was found by the author; in 17 Pb poisoning
patients, a range of 103-390 yg% was found. A
healthy human subject who took a single dose of
50 mg Pb (1000 yg/kg body weight) as Pb acetate
showed an increase in blood Pb on the 2nd-3rd day
and reached a maximum of 366 yg% after the 5th day.
After 10 days the normal value (70 yg%) was slight-
ly exceeded; it was reached on the 20th day.
(From Schwarz: Thesis, Heidelberg, 1951) (17
references)
1294 Soprana, C. (Univ. Padua, Italy): Su di
un caso di atrofia ottica da piombo a
manifestazione tardiva. (Importanza
della mobilizzazione del piombo nella
diagnosi clinica di pregressa intossica-
zione saturnina). (A CASE OF OPTIC AT-
ROPHY DUE TO DELAYED LEAD POISONING.
(IMPORTANCE OF MOBILIZATION OF LEAD IN
THE CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS OF PAST LEAD POI-
SONING.)) Medicina del Lavoro 42:187-91
(May), 1951.
A 70-yr old workman had been employed on a farm
until age 33; then he became a mechanic and at
age 41 entered a factory, where he was employed
on transport, on maintenance and in the melting
and other handling of Pb. He was exposed to
risk of Pb poisoning during 6 mo of each year
and worked in the open air the rest of the time.
He noticed some weakness of eyesight at age 46, to
which he paid little attention. He was pensioned
in February 1950 and 9 mo later his eyesight failed
rapidly. Optic nerve atrophy was found on both
sides but no cause for this atrophy could be dem-
onstrated by either clinical or laboratory examina-
tion. As recommended by Maugeri, 10 ml of a 10%
solution of Mg sulfate were then injected intra-
venously on 3 successive days to mobilize any Pb
which past absorption may have caused to become de-
posited in the bones and other tissues. Porphyrin-
uria set in within 24 hr of the 1st injection, and
this strongly supported the view that the optic
atrophy was a late result of past Pb poisoning.
1295 Tara, S., and Bouillot, J. (France):
L'indoxylurie des saturnins. (Note
preliminaire). (INDOXYLURIA IN LEAD
POISONING. (PRELIMINARY NOTE).) Pro-
ceedings of the Society of Industrial
Medicine and Hygiene. Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine
du Travail et de Securite Sociale
12:543-4, 1951.
Based on the observations of Heitz-Boyer, who found
a definite relation between intestinal stasis and
increased indoxyluria, the authors examined 192 Pb
workers to determine their urinary indoxyl content
(method of Grigaut). Of these, 182 workers (94%)
showed above normal indoxyl excretion (normal 10
mg/1); 128 (66%) showed values >20 mg/1, and 77
(40%) >30 mg/1. The authors considered a value
>20 mg/1 as a warning sign and recommended preven-
tive examinations in industries where Pb is used.
1296 Vacher, J.: Les elements figures du sang
dans le saturnisme. (THE FORMED ELEMENTS
OF THE BLOOD IN LEAD POISONING.) Thesis,
Paris, 1951.
The substance of the thesis, as revealed by the
summary (abstractor's note: the latter only could
be seen) is contained in the publication by De-
soille, Tara and Vacher; See Abstract No. 1329.
1297 Vigliani, E.C., and Zurlo, N. (Ind.
Clinic L. Devoto; Res. Lab. I.N.A.I.L.,
Milan, Italy): THE EFFECTS OF BAL ON
THE METABOLISM OF LEAD AND ON THE
SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN LEAD INTOXICATION.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine
8:218-25 (Oct.), 1951.
Twenty-seven patients with occupational Pb poi-
soning were treated with low doses of BAL. The
average blood Pb value was 122 yg/100 ml before
treatment. Injection of 2-5 mg of the compound/kg
of body weight caused an immediate reduction of
blood Pb. In 8 hr the value had dropped to 50 yg/
100 ml but had risen to 115 ug/100 ml in 24 hr.
Injection of BAL caused a sharp increase of uri-
nary Pb in the first few hours, after which the
concentration rapidly diminished though it was
maintained above pretreatment values for 24 hr.
The average total amount of Pb disappearing from
the blood was 2.1 mg 3 hr after injection. The
amount excreted in the urine for the same period
averaged 0.4 mg. Pb was also determined in the
bile and gastric juice. It was found that BAL
has little effect on the elimination of Pb in bile;
the results on gastric juice were not conclusive:
while in 1 patient there was an increase, in 1
there was none; in 3 the quantity eliminated in
this fluid was roughly parallel with the fall in
blood Pb concentration. This indicates that the
principal effect of BAL is not deleading as
ordinarily defined but rather a transferring of Pb
from blood and certain organs to other organs,
probably mainly to the skeleton. Damaging effects
could be produced if the Pb were to accumulate in
the nervous system. Final judgment of the suit-
ability of dimercaprol for treatment of Pb poison-
ing is not possible until further work has been
done. The value of the deleading effect may be
small when unfavorable effects due to disturbance
of internal Pb distributions are considered.
1298 Watson, C.J. (Univ. Minnesota Hosp.,
Minneapolis) : PORPHYRIN METABOLISM AND
PORPHYRIA. Lancet 1:539-42 (Mar. 10),
246
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1951.
The review of the classification, urinary excretion
of porphyrins and relation to hemoglobin synthesis
in various disease states, including Pb poisoning,
and the features governing porphyria, is summarized
by a recently proposed biosynthesis of porphyrins
(Neuberger et al, 1950). This postulates an ini-
tial synthesis of uroporphyrin III; this porphyrin
might be a physiologic precursor but not demon-
strable owing to speed of reaction. It might be
anticipated that it would be found in certain
conditions, such as Pb poisoning which are charac-
terized by excessive coproporphyrins III, since
there is reason to believe that these excesses are
due to an enzymatic disturbance in the synthesis
of hemoglobin. (^40 references)
1299 Whitaker, P.J.: THE ABSORPTION, EXCRETION
AND RETENTION OF INGESTED LEAD BY HUMAN
EXPERIMENTAL SUBJECTS; A STUDY OF LONG-
TERM EXPERIMENTS ON THE LEAD METABOLISM
OF HUMAN PERSONS SUBJECTED TO NORMAL AND
INCREASED LEVELS OF INGESTION. Disserta-
tion, University of Cincinnati, 1951, 41
pp.
A series of 6 long-term experiments on the metabo-
lism of Pb of 4 adult subjects were studied. Cer-
tain conclusions regarding Pb metabolism at normal
or incidental levels of ingestion and at abnormal-
ly high levels of ingestion (up to 10 times the
normal or incidental level) were reached, as fol-
lows :
Each of 2 subjects, while taking a normal diet
of his own choosing, ingested ^0.25 mg of Pb daily
in food and beverages and eliminated ^0.25 mg of
Pb daily in feces, and ^0.03 mg Pb in urine (av
0.03 mg/1). Over the period of ^1 yr on such
diet, each subject eliminated more Pb from hjs
body in the feces and urine than was ingested in
his food and beverages, the excess output over
intake being ^10 mg, in both instances.
Each of 4 human subjects to whom Pb was admin-
istered orally in doses of 0.3, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0
mg/day, respectively, eliminated less Pb from his
body in urine and feces than was ingested in food
and beverages. The rate and the amount of Pb
thus retained depended mainly on the rate of in-
gestion (dose/day) and the duration of the period
of administration, but it varied also with other
less obvious factors, among which, apparently,
was a seasonal factor. Each of 3 human subjects,
while taking 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mg of Pb daily in
addition to that contained in his food and bever-
ages, demonstrated an irregular but progressive
increase in the urinary and blood Pb concentra-
tions during the period of Pb administration, with
a progressive decrease in these concentrations
for some time after the discontinuance of the ad-
ministration of Pb. After discontinuance, Pb re-
tention was slowly lost via the urine, and in
2 instances, associated with higher dosages, via
the alimentary tract as well. The rate of such
loss varied with the rate at which the Pb had
been retained in the body.
None of these human subjects showed clinical
signs or symptoms of Pb intoxication at any time,
despite the fact that amounts varying from 110-
118 mg of Pb had been retained in the bodies of
2 of the subjects during periods of 2 and 4 yr
respectively, while 55 mg Pb had been retained in
the body of another subject during a period of
4 mo. The quantitative significance of these
amounts can be realized more satisfactorily on
the background of the available evidence which
indicates that the normal American adult, with no
occupational exposure to Pb, has ^120-180 mg Pb
in his tissues as the result of his normal intake
of Pb in food and beverages over periods of many
years. (The author notes at the end of the thesis
that previously unreported results were given in
some detail although the experimental data were
summarized.) (22 references)
1300 Worms, R., Pequignot, H., and Albahary,
C. (Paris, France): Colique saturnine
avec trouble isole du metabolisme por-
phyrique. (LEAD COLIC WITH OCCASIONAL
DISTURBANCES IN PORPHYRIN METABOLISM.)
Proceedings of the Society of Industrial
Medicine and Hygiene. Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Securite Sociale 12:541-3,
1951.
A 45-yr-old man who started work in a storage bat-
tery plant 10 mo earlier was hospitalized for ab-
dominal pains, accompanied by nausea, headaches,
chills, constipation, and delirium. Clinical ex-
amination in August showed no Burton line, occa-
sional red-colored urine, 75 yg Pb/100 ml blood,
1462 coproporphyrin/24 hr, no basophilic stippling,
no uroporphyrin or porphobilinogen in urine,
2,640,000 red cells, and 1706 coproporphyrin/24 hr
and 3,440,000 red cells in October. After treat-
ment with atropine and strychnine, since alcoholism
was first suspected, the patient returned to work.
In December he showed 4,625,000 red cells and
604 Mg free erythrocyte protoporphyrin/100 ml. The
authors pointed to the inconsistency in the clini-
cal signs of Pb poisoning but the extreme production
of porphyrins which continued after the disappear-
ance of signs, and the disturbance or porphyrin
metabolism and the normal values for basophilic
stippling and Pb content of blood, in this case,
and concluded that "the diagnosis of Pb poisoning
should not always be expected to be supported by
complementary examinations."
1301 Wyss, V. (Inst. Ind. Med., Turin,
Italy): II dosaggio spettografico del
piombo in denti di individui normali e
di individui esposti al rischio satur-
nine. (SPECTROGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF
LEAD IN TEETH OF NORMAL INDIVIDUALS EX-
POSED TO LEAD.) Rassegna di Medicina
Industriale 20:40-7 (Jan.-Feb.), 1951.
The results of the determination of Pb in the teeth
of 14 normal individuals and of 12 workers in met-
allurgic and printing trades are reported. Al-
though Pb was present in the teeth of all persons
examined, the mean quantity of Pb was 27 Ug/g of
dental ash in normal persons, and 58 ug/g of ash
in metal workers. An explanation of this differ-
ence is given. The results are compared with those
reported by other authors and found to be in accord.
A comparison of the quantities of Pb in the bone
and in other parenchymatous tissues shows that
teeth as bone have the function of storing Pb cir-
culating in the blood. (40 references.)
Man
247
-------
1302 Wyss, V. (Turin, Italy): II dosaggio
spettrografico del piombo in denti di
individui normal! e di individui esposti
al rischio saturnine. (SPECTROGRAPHIC
DETERMINATION OF LEAD IN TEETH OF NORMAL
SUBJECTS AND IN INDIVIDUALS EXPOSED TO THE
RISK OF LEAD POISONING.) Bulletin and Pro-
ceedings of the Lombardy Association of In-
dustrial Physicians. Medicina del Lavoro
42:304-5, 1951.
See preceding abstract.
1303 Wyss, V. (Inst. Ind. Med., Turin,
Italy): L'apparato dentario nei lavo-
ratori del piombo. (THE DENTAL APPARA-
TUS AMONG LEAD WORKERS.) Rassegna di
Medicina Industriale 20:108-50 (Mar.-
Apr.), 1951.
The author tried to determine the extent of damage
to teeth in workers exposed to Pb. He examined 215
metal workers who served as controls, 289 engaged
in typographic trades (stereotypists, linotypists,
compositors, etc) and 71 engaged in various Pb
trades (soldering, wire drawing, laminating, etc).
The results as tabulated show that in operators
who are exposed to Pb particularly after the 3rd
decade of continuous work, the condition of their
teeth is much worse than in controls and that this
is reflected in a large distribution of periodontal
lesions. Thus in workers having a seniority of
40 yr or more against 29.7% in controls there were
71.3% of Pb workers who had very bad teeth. In
highly exposed workers the dental lesions, espe-
cially periodontitis, appeared earlier and affected
the greatest part of the subjects. The author be-
lieves that the explanation of the phenomenon lies
in the spastic action that Pb exerts on the perio-
dontal circulation. These effects are slow, but
the daily repetition of them alters the local de-
velopment producing a regressive periodontitis and
facilitating the multiplication of bacteria. The
author proposes that (1) this disease contracted
in a particular type of work be considered as an
occupational disease; (2) in the interests of in-
demnity and prevention that the possibility of
furnishing dentures and the provision of medical
and surgical treatment on the part of the Institute
of Underwriters be considered. (24 references.)
1304 Zavanella, F. (Univ. Milan, Italy):
Paralisi saturnina degli arti superior!
insorta un anno dopo la fine dell'espo-
sizione al piombo: prolungamento doloso
dell'intossicazione o mobillzzazione
eccessiva di piombo da medicamenti?
(LEAD PARALYSIS IN UPPER ARMS ONE YEAR
AFTER REMOVAL FROM EXPOSURE TO LEAD.
FRAUDULENT PROLONGATION OF THE INTOXI-
CATION, OR EXCESSIVE MOBILIZATION OF
LEAD BY DRUGS?) Medicina del Lavoro
42:97-106 (Mar.), 1951.
A middle-aged man worked for 4 yr in the repair
shop of a railway carriage works where he brush-
painted vehicle parts with an anti-rust preparation
containing red Pb. The parts were handled for fit-
ting before the paint had dried and much soiling of
skin and clothes resulted from this. Hygienic con-
ditions in the workshop were said to be otherwise
unsatisfactory: a low standard of personal cleanli-
ness, meals taken in the workshop with dirty hands,
etc. After working there for 2 yr, this man de-
veloped an attack of characteristic Pb colic. Fre-
quent recurrences during the next 2 yr compelled
him to give up the job in March, 1949. There was
a further attack in May, an attack of exudative
eczema of the scalp and face in September and an-
other attack of Pb colic the following January
(1950) when he was treated with I and BAL. The
patient seemed to get worse, "blue line" more
marked, severer colic, a subicterus, Pb present in
the urine, blood and general condition deteriora-
ting. It was suspected that Pb was perhaps being
taken intentionally because the acute episodes
seemed to occur after the patient's wife had vis-
ited him in hospital, from which he was being dis-
charged at the end of March, 1950, to be placed on
a tonic treatment at home. There was some improve-
ment for a few days and he then developed paralysis
of both upper limbs, affecting the cervical and the
superior brachial nerves. After initial sharp
pains, a rapid wasting of the shoulder and arm mus-
cles set in without any serious loss of sensory
functions and with some subsequent partial recovery
of the paralysis. The cerebrospinal fluid showed
little, if any, abnormality. In the absence of
signs of renal or circulatory involvement, and with
no further exposure to the Pb risk, it was expected
that the general condition would improve, but the
hopes of any rehabilitation of the upper limbs were
very slight. (18 references.)
1305 Zavanella, F., and Ferrigno, D. (Univ.
Milan, Italy): Sul rischio saturnine
nel lavoro di cementazione di Isolator!
per elettrodotti. (LEAD POISONING IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF INSULATORS FOR CARRY-
ING ELECTRIC CABLE THROUGH WALLS OR
OTHER CASINGS.) Medicina del Lavoro
42:161-7 (May), 1951.
Where electric cables, some of which carry current
with very high voltages (as much as 50,000), have
to pass through the metal casing of transformers
or through the walls of power stations the cables
are insulated in a porcelain duct which is encased
in metal. The joint between porcelain and metal
surfaces is made using a paste of litharge, or Pb
monoxide, and glycerin. This is mixed by hand in
a metal tray as required by the workman and it sets
within 1 hr or so. Dried surplus paste is then
scraped or sand-papered off the insulator, and Pb
dust is raised both at this stage and when the
paste is being mixed.
In a Milan factory where these insulators are
made, 6 workmen have been employed at handling the
litharge cement over the period 1932-50; only small
quantities were used before the war and no mani-
festations of Pb poisoning were noted. In recent
years, the consumption of litharge on this work in
this factory has increased 10-fold and all 6 men
involved were either suffering from Pb poisoning
or showed signs of considerable Pb absorption; 2
have had to be admitted to hospital. Clinical and
laboratory findings are given on each of the 6 men.
The authors believe that much of the Pb absorption
has been by inhalation, and this is known to act
more rapidly than when Pb is ingested. They recom-
mend a number of preventive measures including ef-
ficient exhaust means for the immediate removal of
248
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
the dust raised at the point of work, if a safer
substitute cannot be devised to take the place of
the litharge paste.
1952
1306 Anderson, A. , and Nystrtfm, A. : Under-
sifkning av 50 arbetstagare exponerade f8r
blybensin. (AN EXAMINATION OF 50 WORKERS
EXPOSED TO TETRAETHYLLEAD CONTAINING
GASOLINE.) Svenska LSkartidningen 49:
2772-5 (Nov. 7), 1952.
While the poisoning provoked by TEL probably de-
pends in the main on its content of Pb, the clini-
cal picture is not that of ordinary Pb poisoning,
but is dominated by symptoms referable to the cen-
tral nervous system such as insomnia, nightmares,
headache, giddiness, restlessness, anxiety, con-
vulsions and muscle twitching. This is so pre-
sumably because TEL is an effective solvent of
lipoids and therefore has a marked affinity for
the central nervous system. While workers con-
cerned with the industrial production of TEL may
well be exposed to high concentrations of it and
therefore run a serious risk of poisoning by it,
there is some doubt over the risk run by workers
whose contact is less intimate, for example chauf-
feurs, car mechanics, and employees at filling
stations. Accordingly, 50 such workers, including
12 drivers of tank vehicles, for the most part em-
ployed for >5 yr, were subjected to an ordinary
clinical examination, a searching blood exami-
nation, testing for porphyrin and (in 12 cases)
for Pb in the urine. All these tests were more
or less negative, and the conclusion is drawn that
apart from occasional acute discomfort arising from
direct contact with TEL, it is not likely to af-
fect seriously persons coming into contact with it
under the conditions mentioned. (From Bulletin of
Hygiene 29:193, 1953)
1307 Aston, E.R. (Pennsylvania Dept. Health,
Harrisburg): DENTAL STUDY OF EMPLOYEES
OF FIVE LEAD PLANTS. Industrial Medicine
and Surgery 21:17-20 (Jan.), 1952.
Dental examinations of 1,161 employees of 5 plants
engaged in making storage batteries, where the
concentration of Pb in the air far exceeded the
accepted MAC of 0.15 mg/m , revealed the liability
of these workers to dental and oral injuries in
addition to the well-known Pb or "blue" line on
the gums. The Pb line was present in some cases
not only in the buccal and anterior areas of the
molar and canine regions, but also on the lingual
anterior surface of the mandible. Small bluish or
stippled areas also appeared above the gums. De-
posits of calculus containing concentrations of
Pb ranging from 0.0011 to 0.0053 part/100 occurred
under the gingival edge, forming a black line re-
sembling the Pb line. The mucosa of the cheek and
mandible showed, in some workers with long exposure
to high concentrations, a characteristic bluish
tint. Resorption of the alveolar process was at-
tributed to a chemical reaction due to the pre-
sence of PbO rather than to natural or dietary
conditions, and gingivitis to the action of H2S
formed by putrefaction of food, and of Pb salts.
No accumulation of Pb in the dentine was found.
In addition to the Pb risk, storage battery
workers are exposed to the hazard of acid mists
and of the Pb carried by these mists. These af-
fect the enamel, causing discoloration and dis-
solution. Actual defects of tooth structure,
including caries, were not greater than in non-Pb
workers.
The author suggests a scheme for maintaining a
higher degree of oral hygiene in Pb workers.
This comprises the establishment of a dental
health service, sponsored by the management and
providing preplacement and annual periodic exami-
nations; palliative treatment (no wholesale extrac-
tions and only temporary fillings for the relief
of pain), and a dental health educational program.
1308 Balzano, I. (Inst. Ind. Med., Naples,
Italy): Intossicazione cronica da
piombo e alterazioni dell'orecchio in-
terno. (CHRONIC LEAD POISONING AND
CHANGES IN THE INTERNAL EAR.) Rassegna
di Medicina Industriale 21:320-2 (July-
Aug.), 1952.
Sixteen persons of 18-50 yr were examined for audi-
tory malfunctioning after exposure to Pb vapors.
Some of these persons were suffering from occupa-
tional Pb poisoning, and others had never shown
clinical symptoms of it, but had been in contact
with Pb vapors for several years. The presence of
Pb in the urine of the latter indicated latent Pb
poisoning. None of these persons had ever suffered
from auditory disturbances, although 11 showed
slight hypoacusis. The results of functional
acoustic tests clearly indicated an auditory de-
fect of varying intensity in Pb poisoning. Low
tones up to 512 cycles transmitted by air were
normally perceived by almost all persons, while
medium sounds (512, 1024, 2044 cycles) were less
perceptible, and high tones hardly perceptible.
Almost the same perception was noted in the bone
conduction. This hypoacusis forms rather slowly,
and even after many years of exposure to Pb, these
persons retained their auditory functions. The
author concludes that persons with congenital audi-
tory malfunctioning should, therefore, be kept as
far as possible from Pb vapors.
1309 Battigelli, M. (Univ. Florence, Italy):
Nota sulle attivita' desaminative e
ureopoietica nel saturnismo. (NOTE ON
THE DEAMINATIVE AND UREAPOIETIC ACTI-
VITY IN LEAD POISONING.) Rassegna di
Medicina Industriale 21:265-9 (July-
Aug.), 1952.
Seven Pb workers were chosen for these tests. All
of them showed initial symptoms of Pb poisoning:
obstinate constipation, frequent colic, marked
asthenia and mild anorexia. Average blood Pb was
80 ug%. There was anemia of hypochromic type with
marked anisopoikilocytosis. No granulobasophilia
was observed. a-Amino N and urea of the blood
were determined after fasting 12 hr, by intrave-
nous (iv) injection of 10 ml of 10% amino acid solu-
tion (modified Frame, Russell and Wilhelmi method
was used for analysis). For controls, healthy sub-
jects of same age, who, however, were also exposed
to Pb risk, were used. Blood samples were taken
before injection and at 30-min intervals thereafter.
The average values were 8.2 mg% amino acid N in
healthy subjects and 6.77 mg% in those with Pb
Man
249
-------
poisoning. There was an initial increase in Pb
poisoned subjects, with subsequent leveling off,
and an initial decrease in normal subjects, with
subsequent return to normal. The urea N rose grad-
ually and constantly in Pb poisoning, while in the
normal state there were alternate rises and falls
in the level. The author concluded that the amino
acid metabolism in Pb poisoning proceeds more slow-
ly than in the normal state, indicating a deficien-
cy in the utilization of amino acid by the tissues.
Insufficient material is available, however, to
permit of definite conclusions.
1310 Belknap, E.L. (Milwaukee, Wls.): EDTA IN
THE TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING. Indus-
trial Medicine and Surgery 21:305-6
(June), 1952.
EDTA was used in the treatment of 3 industrial
cases of severe Pb intoxication, 1 of encephali-
tis, the 2nd with Pb colic and secondary anemia,
and the 3rd without symptoms though with marked
evidence of Pb absorption and marked anemia. The
sources of Pb absorption were, in the 1st case,
accidental exposure for several months to inhala-
tion of Pb arsenate in baling scrap paper for a
junk concern. He was not supplied with respira-
tor of any kind, since neither employer nor worker
were aware that the dust evolved as he tramped
the paper down in the baler was Pb dust. The 2nd
developed from cutting painted steel with a torch
in the repair of boats down deep in the hold with-
out respirator or exhaust protection. In case 3,
heavy Pb absorption was incurred through pouring
brass in foundry without protection. All these
cases had marked gingival Pb lines and stippled
cells of >20,000/million red cells. Under treat-
ment with EDTA all 3 patients improved symptomati-
cally. Their Pb absorption improved objectively
as seen by disappearance of Pb line, marked re-
duction of stippled cells, and sharp drop of por-
phyrin excretion. The author concludes that the
quantitative study of Pb in urine is somewhat
complicated after the use of EDTA because with
this material the union of the Pb and the chemical
is so tight that special analytical methods have
to be worked out. A note of warning is made that
until further clinical studies have been made,
the use of EDTA be restricted.
1311 Belknap, E.L., Foreman, H., Hardy, H.L.,
and Shipman, T.L.: THE USE OF Ca EDTA
IN CASES OF LEAD INTOXICATION. US Atomic
Energy Commission Document No. AECU-2426,
1952, 6 pp.
Clinical experience to date in the use of Ca
ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Ca EDTA) in cases of
Pb poisoning are summarized and a dosage schedule
based on toxicity studies in animals is presented.
1312 Bergsman, A. (Serafim Hosp., Sweden):
Fall av opticusneurit som enda symtom vid
blyfBrgiftning? (A CASE OF OPTIC NEURITIS
AS THE ONLY SYMPTOM IN LEAD POISONING.)
Nordisk medicin 48:1277 (Sept.), 1952.
A 44-yr-old actor who had suffered from a sudden
progressive impairment of eyesight for ^1 mo was
hospitalized with suspicion of a brain tumor.
History showed that he did not smoke, used very
little alcohol, but was on a very strict diet for
the last years because of a long-standing intesti-
nal catarrh. Since clinical neurologic and labora-
tory findings permitted no definite diagnosis, the
possibility of poisoning was investigated. It was
found that for ^1/2 yr the patient had been using
3-4 times/day an old electric teapot, the bottom
of which was poorly repaired with solder; analysis
showed it to contain 27% Pb, and water boiled in
the kettle for 10 min contained 1 mg Pb. It was
calculated that the patient had ingested ^3 mg
Pb/day for 6 mo. Diagnosis of Pb poisoning ap-
peared to be justified, especially since laboratory
findings included stippled erythrocytes, increased
urinary porphyrins, moderate hypochromic anemia
and leukocytosis, although urinary Pb was general-
ly normal. It was also considered possible that
the signs of poisoning had been aggravated by di-
etary hypovitaminosis. EEC's taken shortly after
admission showed signs of encephalopathy which
later disappeared under appropriate treatment (not
stated). He recovered completely and his vision
improved.
1313 Bersworth Chemical Co. (Framingham, Mass.) :
THE VERSENES FOR EXACTING CHEMICAL CONTROL
OF CATIONS IN SOLUTION. Technical Bulle-
tin No. 2, 4th ed., 1952, 102 pp.
This is a manufacturer's pamphlet describing Ver-
senes (EDTA) and their applications. Appended is
a summary of toxicity data. The acute toxicity of
EDTA varies with the species of animal, rapidity
of injection and the route of administration. For
rapid (15 sec) intravenous (iv) injection the
ranges from 30-100 mg/kg death being produced by
hypercalcemic tetany due to the chelating action
of EDTA on the systemic Ca. EDTA has been given
to humans by the iv route by injections over
several hours. Up to 12 g of material was given
in this way over a period of 2 days with no toxic
manifestations. Over 60% of the EDTA appeared in
the urine as the Ca complex. The compound does
not appear to have cumulative toxicity. Subcu-
taneously (sc) administered, the hypocalcemic
action is slow. There is a moderate amount of
percutaneous absorption as demonstrated in humans.
The ointments and solutions containing 5% of EDTA
showed no primary irritation when patch tested on
a group of children and adults. Three per cent
and lower solutions are without irritation when
used for irrigation in the kidney, bladder, or in
the rectum for anemia. Oral administration to
animals at 19% or less of total food intake had no
effect on the growth of animals for a period of 3
mo, nor up to the level of 0.5% for 1 yr and 0.25%
for 2 yr. The toxic effects observed at high
levels of EDTA feeding have included diarrhea, an-
orexia, general inactivity, loss of healthy appear-
ance of the fur and evidence of dehydration. At
necropsy no significant changes were observed.
CaNa2EDTA when tested in mice, rats, pigeons,
rabbits, dogs and humans is without the acute
hypercalcemic toxicity shown by EDTA. The LD 55 iv
ranged from 1500 mg/kg-3000 mg/kg. In man doses
ranging up to a total of 200 g over periods up to
20 days for this quantity produced no evidence of
toxicity. Cutaneous application to humans in
solutions or ointments of up to 15% CaEDTA was
without evidence of primary irritation. By oral
administration its toxicity was vL/3 of EDTA.
250
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
MgNa2EBTA has a toxicity similar to that of EDTA;
iv infusion of 0.5 g to a series of 8 patients
showed marked hypotensive effect but no toxic re-
actions. On the basis of experiments the degree
of detoxification achieved by EDTA is as follows:
Pb, detoxification 3.3, Be, 4,0, Cu, 4,0, Ca, 9.5,
Co, 21, Ni, 38.
1314 Braff, A.F., Lynn, D.O., and Wurl, O.A.:
FATAL LEAD POISONING SIMULATING POLIO-
MYELITIS. US Armed Forces Medical Journal
3:1353-7, 1952.
In the case reported fatal Pb poisoning was con-
fused with bulbospinal poliomyelitis. The pa-
tient, 23 yr old, had been on duty with the Navy
for 4 mo and had been ill for 3 wk. He had pro-
gressive paralysis involving all extremities and
a marked pain in his back and the muscles of his
thighs. Twenty-four hours prior to admission he
had had difficulty in swallowing and dyspnea. He
was placed in a respirator, but died 2 days later.
Chemical analysis of the blood post mortem re-
vealed a Pb content of 0.5176 mg/100 ml. Micro-
scopic sections of the brain and spinal cord in-
dicated a toxic type of encephalomyelopathy rather
than an infectious process. The patient had been
employed as a welder and pipe fitter for ^4 mo.
He had worked on galvanized and sheet metals and
had, therefore, been exposed to fumes of Pb, Zn,
and As. During his 4 mo in this occupation he had
a poor appetite and his intake of food had been
small. No fresh milk had been available. Prior
to recall to active duty, he had done electrical
work, the exact nature of which was unknown. The
authors note that the diagnosis of Pb poisoning
predominantly affecting the nervous system depends
on a high index of suspicion and a history of ex-
posure to Pb. The demonstration of abnormal con-
centrations of Pb in the blood or urine is proof
of the absorption of excessive quantities into the
body.
1315 Brugsch, J. (Klinik der Charite, Berlin,
Germany): Uber die Bedeutung der Isomeren-
untersuchung des Harnkoproporphyrins bei
Bleivergiftung. (SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
ANALYSIS FOR ISOMERS OF URINARY COPROPOR-
PHYRIN IN LEAD POISONING.) Zeitschrift fur
die Gesamte Innere Medizin 7:378-80, 1952.
Coproporphyrin type III was found in the urine of
3 patients with Pb poisoning. A 4th patient with
toxic cutaneous porphyria excreted in addition
uroporphyrin type III. (14 references)
1316 Buess, H. (Univ. Basel, Switzerland):
Geschichtliches und Aktuelles zur Frage
der Schwermetallvergiftung. (HISTORICAL
AND CONTEMPORARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
PROBLEM OF HEAVY METAL POISONING.)
Schweizerische Medlzinische Wochenschrift
82:1301-7, 1952.
The 1st part of this review traces the history of
heavy metal poisoning from the time of the Pelopo-
nesian War (440 BC) up to the classical studies on
Pb poisoning of Tanquerel des Planches. New de-
velopments in Switzerland were stimulated by the
"Regulations on the Prevention of Lead Poisoning"
of May 19, 1942, introduced by the Swiss Accident
Insurance Institution, which provided information
on routine methods for established standards in
industrial hygiene. The value of porphyrin ex-
cretion and serum Pb determinations is discussed,
and illustrated by accounts of 2 cases of Pb in-
toxication. Acute Hg poisoning in 9 workmen in a
cleaning and paint works is described. The cause
was traced to deposition of fine Hg droplets in
the fur covering the wall of a drier, which, on
being fired by one of the workmen, led to rapid
volatilization of the Hg. The victims suffered
from severe nausea, headache and shortness of
breath, followed by muscular rigidity, and rheuma-
toid manifestations. Gastrointestinal disturbance
was marked, and in 1 case gastritis and duodenitis
persisted 3 mo later. A number of cases of chron-
ic chrome poisoning have been observed in recent
years from Ca bichromate dust. These have shown
gastrointestinal lesions, with ulceration in
stomach and duodenum. The pathogenesis and clin-
ical aspects by poisoning by chromium (bichro-
mate) , Pb and Hg are discussed.
1317 Butler, E.J. (Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford,
England): CHRONIC NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE AS
A POSSIBLE FORM OF LEAD POISONING. Jour-
nal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychi-
atry 15:119-28, 1952.
The author reviews the literature concerning the
possibility of an association between Pb poisoning
and disseminated sclerosis and certain other
chronic diseases of the central nervous system.
He concludes that any evidence in favor of this
hypothesis is purely circumstantial but shows the
need for further work on the subject. This paper
describes such work.
Using a new absorptiometric "dithizone" micro-
method (not yet published), he determined the Pb
content of various body fluids in patients as fol-
lows: 56 miscellaneous chronic neurological condi-
tions; also of tissue from 5 autopsies. Compari-
son was made with 2 small groups, one of which
might have had unusual exposure to Pb, the other
composed of cases of definite Pb poisoning. It
was found that patients with disseminated sclero-
sis showed no significant difference from those
with other neurological diseases as regards their
urinary excretion of Pb and its concentration in
the blood, cerebrospinal fluid and tibial cortex,
which in all cases were within the normal limits.
Patients with confirmed Pb poisoning were studied
for comparison and showed that an abnormally high
urinary Pb excretion and Coproporphyrin (CP) is
maintained long after clinical remission and the
disappearance of hematologic changes. The CP ex-
cretion of the 2 groups of neurological patients
was not significantly different and with a few
exceptions was within the normal range.
Injection of neurological patients with BAL con-
sistently produced an increase in urinary Pb ex-
cretion (2-4-fold). This response in terms of in-
creased Pb excretion bore no apparent relation to
the diseases studied, nor did its magnitude indi-
cate the presence of abnormal amounts of Pb in
circulation and soft tissue.
The Pb content of necropsy samples of tissue,
including brain and spinal cord from subjects with
disseminated sclerosis showed that Pb was not re-
sponsible for the lesions and that there had been
no mobilization of Pb from the skeleton.
Man
251
-------
The authors conclude that the reported studies
do not support the view that Pb plays a part in
the etiology of disseminated sclerosis and certain
other chronic diseases of the nervous system.
(35 references)
1318 Castellanos, M., and Mila, F. (Dept.
Nervous, Mental Dis., Cuba): Sobre un caso
de paralisis general desencadenada por in-
toxicacion saturnina; discusion de la pro-
filaxis y de la legislacion indispensable.
(GENERAL PARALYSIS PRECLPITATED BY LEAD
INTOXICATION; DISCUSSION OF PREVENTION AND
NECESSARY LEGISLATION; CASE.) Medicina
Latina 11:123-9 (July-Sept.), 1952.
This case of general progressive paralysis which
remained asymptomatic until symptoms of Pb intoxi-
cation suddenly appeared is published because of
its points of interest which include a resemblance
of Pb intoxication to syphilis, the absence of any
Cuban publication concerning chronic occupational
intoxication with neuropsychiatric symptoms, the
great medico-legal importance of the case, and the
need for prevention and indemnification in Cuba.
The history is that of a 45-yr-old printer in
whom vomiting, epigastric pains, anorexia and diar-
rhea began ^3 mo earlier at which time he received
"injections." His blood Pb level was 100 ug. A
dental surgeon had extracted all his teeth. About
2 weeks before consultation, he became restless,
depressed, anorexic, aggressive and suicidal.
There was a syphilitic chancre of 10-17 yr ago,
treated with Salvarsan and Bi. The man had also
suffered head injuries in an automobile accident.
Upon admission, speech was markedly dysarthric.
He exhibited trembling in his extremities and hypo-
chromic spots on both of his hands. His walk was
uncertain. His abdomen, fundi, EEC were normal,
and hematogram essentially so, with no basophilic
stippled cells. An examination of his reflexes
was made. He was treated without success with
penicillin, and then with a complete course of BAL.
The latter appeared to improve the symptoms in the
1st 5 days, but thereafter the condition remained
the same. At the end of treatment, his family
took him home.
There were 3 etiologic causes: Syphilis, trauma,
and Pb intoxication. The first 2 were not defi-
nitely established. In assessing the role of Pb
intoxication, the sudden onset of symptoms (an-
orexia, colic, vomiting, diarrhea) and subsequent
neurologic symptoms, Pb gum line (not seen by the
authors), the necessity of extracting all his
teeth, discovery of 100 yg Ph in the blood and
finally, his mental depression and aggressive be-
havior with gross mental deficiency are interpreted,
on the basis of patient's history of 15 yr of Pb
work, to be signs of Pb intoxication rather than
general progressive paralysis. The case is dis-
cussed at length in the light of the international
medical literature on Pb intoxication. The authors
conclude by recommending legislation and other
measures for the protection, education and indemni-
fication of workers in the Cuban Pb industry. (36
references)
1319 Castellino, N. (Univ. Naples, Italy):
Tecnopatie ed emopatie. (OCCUPATIONAL AND
BLOOD DISEASES.) Folia Medica 35:497-536
(Sept.), 1952.
This is the first of a series of reviews by the
faculty of the Institute of Occupational Medicine
of the University of Naples, of which this author
is Director, of research performed under the aus-
pices of the INAIL. The review on the blood dis-
order extends over the endogenous and exogenous
pathogenetic factors (syndromes, heredity, individ-
ual characteristics) in hemorrhagic diseases, dis-
eases of historeticular and lymphatic diseases,
of the leukopoietic tissue, erythrocytopoietic
tissue, physical and mechanical factors of occupa-
tions, toxic states interfering by inhibition of
cellular respiration, of metabolic processes, and
by changes of fundamental biologic function. Ef-
fects exerted by Pb and TEL are included in the
review.
1320 Chemikov, A.P.: (INDUSTRIAL INTOXICA-
TION WITH LEAD AND ITS PREVENTION.)
Fel'dsher i Akusherka 1952, No. 2:14-8.
A brief account is given of the common sources of
Pb poisoning in industry. Clinical symptoms are
described, as are the usual therapeutical methods
(Fe preparations, liver extract, glycerophos-
phates, vitamin C, and rest in anemia; atropine
and Na sulfate and Mg sulfate enema and intra-
venous Ca chloride and Na hyposulflte in Pb colic;
thiamine and strychnine in polyneuritis). Usual
preventives are personal and working cleanliness.
(From Chemical Abstracts 46:4700, 1952)
1321 Collier, M. (Pau, France): Paralysie
de 1'accommodation d'origine saturnine;
sympathise oculo-digestive. (ACCOMMODA-
TION PARALYSIS DUE TO LEAD POISONING;
OCULO-DIGESTIVE SYMPATHESIS.) Revue
D'Oto-Neuro-Ophthalmologie 24:446-8
(Oct.), 1952.
A relatively rare case of bilateral ophthalmic
paralysis due to Pb poisoning is described. A
44-yr old painter and plumber presented with visual
disturbances (both distant and near vision) of
several months' duration. Despite correction, his
distance vision deteriorated. Other symptoms were
nervousness, irritability, muscular spasms and
hemorrhoids, many of them bleeding. The patient
was in the habit of drinking at least 2 1 of wine
daily and consumed 1 package of tobacco per day.
Previously he had had gastroabdominal complaints
with cramps and vomiting without visual distur-
bances; these complaints were interpreted as "Pb
colic." He had handled Pb salts without any spe-
cial precautions.
Laboratory findings confirmed the toxic origin of
patient's condition, induced by Pb. The urine was
positive for heavy metal; 2 reticulofilamentous
blood cells/field; anemia; leukopenia. No stippled
basophilic cells. A milk-fruit-and-vegetable diet
prescribed by the author caused the patient's
vision to improve for periods of 1/2-1-1/2 hr
after meals. He was advised to change his job,
and wine and tobacco were prohibited. After 1 mo,
the patient's right vision did not improve. His
near vision may have improved sufficiently for
reading. Patient has not been seen since.
1322 Collin, M.A.: Etude sur 1'azotemie des
ouvriers exposes au plomb dans 1'Industrie
252
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
moderne. (STUDY OF AZOTEMIA IN WORKERS
EXPOSED TO LEAD IN MODERN INDUSTRY.)
These Med. Paris, 1952, 58 pp.
Systematic examinations have revealed the fact
that frequently there is a discrete, latent
azotemia in workers exposed to Pb in the storage
battery industry, even though no associated clini-
cal signs may be present. At times elevated and
persistent levels of stippled cells were encoun-
tered at the same time. However, there were no
associated disorders of liver function. This
hyperazotemia is probably the expression of very
slight acute intoxication which passes unnoticed,
and it develops toward the time of recovery. The
value of the determination of hyperazotemia is
emphasized. If hyperazotemia persists over several
examinations, the worker must be removed from ex-
posure. The author believes that from the legal
point of view it would be well to make urea deter-
minations mandatory at preplacement and yearly
examinations and strongly advisable in cases of
hypertension or renal disorders. (From Archives
des Maladies Professionelles de Medecine du
Travail et de SScurit£ Sociale 14:205 (Thesis Re-
views) , 1953)
1323 Dart, E.E. (San Lorenzo, Calif.): CORRE-
LATION BETWEEN PORPHYRINURIA AND THE
BASOPHILIC AGGREGATION TEST. Industrial
Medicine and Surgery 21:91-2 (Feb.), 1952.
Two hundred and fifty-four simultaneous tests for
urinary coproporphyrin (CP) , using de Langen and
ten Berg's method, and the stippled cell (SC) test
by McCord were performed on 61 subjects. The re-
sults were divided into 3 groups for SC: (1)
normal, 0-0.9%; (2) questionable increases, 1.0-
1.4%; (3) definitely increased, §1.5%. For CP,
those showing 0-2+ were grouped together to indi-
cate normal or very little increase, and =3+ to in-
dicate distinctly abnormal. It was noteworthy
that 86% that had a normal SC count also showed
normal or slightly increased CP, whereas 90% of
those with definitely increased BS had markedly
abnormal CP.
The observations are summarized as follows: Por-
phyrinuria in subjects having exposure to Pb is
interesting because it occurs as a metabolic dis-
order. The study of porphyrin metabolism may well
lead to a clearer understanding of the pathology
of Pb poisoning. The determination of urinary
CP is of value in the medical control of exposure
to Pb because it is simple to perform; with a
little coaching and experience and $15 worth of
equipment, an industrial nurse can readily do the
routine testing, and the results obtained appear
to be comparable to those found in other screening
tests commonly used in Pb industries. The deter-
mination of urinary CP should never replace Hb de-
terminations, basophilic aggregation counts, care-
ful physical examinations, and other commonly em-
ployed procedures to ascertain the clinical status
of the patient. It also cannot replace analysis
of urine and blood for Pb content in establishing
the diagnosis of Pb absorption or poisoning be-
cause it is not pathognomonic of Pb absorption.
1324 Davis, W.S., and Smith, J.N. (Bur. Sani-
tation) : LEAD POISONING. Journal of the
Medical Association of the State of Ala-
bama 22:166-8, 1952.
The history and causes of Pb poisoning are dis-
cussed briefly. Industrial exposure is by far the
greatest cause. In most cases Pb enters the body
by inhalation, and in some cases by way of the
gastroenteric tract. Certain organic Pb compounds
such as TEL may penetrate the skin, but this is
not of great significance in industry. The dis-
tinction between evidences which point to Pb ab-
sorption and those which mean poisoning are dis-
cussed. Poisoning is present only when the sub-
ject has colic, palsy, encephalopathy or is ane-
mic due to Pb absorption. Characteristic symptoms
of acute and chronic poisoning are given. Precau-
tionary measures have greatly reduced industrial
Pb poisoning in recent years.
1325 Del Magno, A., Niccoli Vallesi, R., and
Pierucclni, R. (Univ. Florence, Italy):
(SUBMAXILLARY STONES: MICROSTRUCTURE AND
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION.) Boll, malattie
orecchio, gola e naso 70:1-45, 1952.
In submaxillary calculi (phosphate concretions)
Pb was among the absent elements. (From Chemical
Abstracts 48:2224, 1954)
1326 De Michelis, F. (Inst. Ind. Med.,
Turin, Italy): II dosaggio del piombo
nelle tasche gengivali del lavoratori
esposti al rischio saturnino. (THE
DETERMINATION OF LEAD IN GUM POCKETS
OF WORKERS EXPOSED TO LEAD.) Rassegna
di Medicina Industriale 21:77-85 (Jan.-
Feb.), 1952.
Using spectroscopic methods, the author has esti-
mated the total Pb content in tissue material
which he removed from each of 70 patients, who re-
quired treatment for periodontal disease. This
surgical operation entails stripping the actual
gum pocket, curetting with a sharp spoon where the
base of each tooth has been laid bare and trimming
the alveolar edges. For spectroscopic examination,
the analyst pooled all the material removed from
each case in these processes of extirpation, cu-
retting and trimming.
Ten patients worked at filing Pb, 3 having fol-
lowed this occupation for 12-18 mo, 4 for 5-10 yr
and 3 for >10 yr. Ten patients were white-Pb
painters, 3 for 12-18 mo, 5 for 5-10 yr and 2 for
>10 yr. Thirty others were linotype operators, of
whom 8 had been so employed for 12-18 mo, 10 for
5-10 yr and 12 for >10 yr. The other 20 individu-
als in this series were ordinary patients who had
not been exposed to abnormal Pb absorption. Listed
in tabular form are the age, general state of
health, depth of the gum pockets and quantity of
Pb found in each case; in the case of the Pb work-
ers, the tables show the period of exposure to Pb.
The control series showed Pb values of between 104
and 140 yg; the Pb workers, 178-350 ug; the Pb
filers being generally at the lower end of this
range and the linotype operators at the upper end.
The Pb values increased with seniority at the job.
From his observations the author concludes that
the periodontal lesions which are encountered in
Pb workers are mainly due to the direct action of
this metal and he urges that they be scheduled
among the occupational diseases for which compen-
sation is payable.
Man
253
-------
1327 DeMorsier, G., and Chesni, Y. (Neurol.
Serv. Geneva Cantonal Hosp., Switzerland):
Sclerose multiple chez deux freres pein-
tres en batiments. Considerations sur le
role etiologique possible du plomb. (MUL-
TIPLE SCLEROSIS IN TWO PAINTERS (BROTH-
ERS) . LEAD AS THE POSSIBLE ETIOLOGICAL
AGENT.) Schweizerische Medizinische
Wochenschrift 82:443-5, 1952.
In 2 brothers aged 42, very similar symptoms on
the part of the nervous system of the type of mul-
tiple sclerosis appeared sporadically with remis-
sion. There was slight rachitic hyperalbuminuria,
tendinous hyperreflexes of pyramidal type, aboli-
tion or diminution of abdominal skin reflexes,
disturbance on the part of sphincters, of coordi-
nation, mystagmus, etc. There was no history of
sclerosis in other members of the family. In both
cases, exposure to Pb had been of long duration.
No positive signs of Pb poisoning were found, but
a tooth extracted from 1 of them showed qualita-
tively a higher than normal Pb content. It seemed
plausible to incriminate Pb. Since MS is believed
by some to be of allergic nature, the Pb is
thought to have acted not directly, but by anti-
body reaction in a sensitized organism, and would
be thus 1 of many possible allergens.
1328 DeRenzi, S., and Ricclardi-Pollini, R.:
Sull'impiego di sieroalbumina in compresse
cheratinizzate nella prevenzione delle in-
tossicazioni da piombo. (Nota preventiva).
(THE USE OF SERUM ALBUMIN IN KERATINIZED
TABLETS FOR THE PREVENTION OF LEAD POISON-
ING. (PRELIMINARY NOTE).) Medicina del
Lavoro 43:276-7 (June-July), 1952.
The authors propose the use of blood protein in
keratinized tablets, instead of milk, for the pre-
vention of Pb poisoning. They discuss the theore-
tical experimental basis of the method and report
on the first practical results.
1329 Desoille, H., Tara, S., and Vacher, J.;
Albahary, C. (France): Importance de la
surveillance hematologique systematique
des ouvriers exposes "a 1'intoxication
saturnine. (THE IMPORTANCE OF SYSTEMATIC
BLOOD EXAMINATIONS OF WORKERS EXPOSED TO
LEAD.) Proceedings of the Society of In-
dustrial Medicine and Hygiene. Archives
des Maladies Professionnelles de Me'decine
du Travail et de S6curitd Sociale 13:59-
61; discussion 61-5, 1952.
A statistical study was made of hematologic find-
ings in all (354) cases of Pb poisoning reported
to the occupational disease section of the Social
Security (Paris region) since its creation in
1951, and compared them to systematic examina-
tions carried out in a printing shop with a low
risk of Pb poisoning, and in a storage battery
plant with considerable risk. Results showed
that (1) severe anemia is rare, but mild anemia
either preceding or following manifestations of
Pb poisoning (acute, colic; chronic, nephritis,
neuritis, hypertension) is frequent (48% <4,500,000
red cells); the average globular value is 0.98,
and modifications of size, shape and color are
constant; (2) in at least 1/3 of the cases examined
by the Social Security, the number of stippled
erythrocytes was <5%;(3) there were no abnormali-
ties of white corpuscles or platelets. The au-
thors recommend that a periodic investigation be
made of the number of red corpuscles, clotting
reaction, globular value, and number of stippled
erythrocytes to detect Pb poisoning. They do not
understand why the Ministry of Labor in specifying
tests for periodic examinations limited hemato-
logic tests to counts of stippled cells. On the
other hand, another decree provides for compensa-
tion for Pb poisoning anemia confirmed by several
tests.
In the discussion, Albahary presented results
to show that counting the number of red and white
corpuscles to detect Pb poisoning was not realis-
tic because (1) it takes longer and is more diffi-
cult than determining stippled cells; (2) a low
red-cell count is not a sign of presaturnism but
of confirmed saturnism; (3) anemia rarely reveals
a case of Pb poisoning that is not already indi-
cated by the usual methods of diagnosis (fatigue,
pallor, granulobasophilia, hyperazotemia); (4) a
determination of blood urea is preferable because
the principal danger of chronic Pb poisoning is
to the kidney.
1330 Fimiani, R., and Colapietra, F. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): Intossicazione collettiva
saturnina per Ingestione di polvere di
piombo mescolata a farina. (MASS POISON-
ING BY LEAD FOLLOWING INGESTION OF LEAD-
CONTAINING FLOUR.) Folia Medica (Naples)
35:323-43, 1952.
Two hundred persons were involved in the mass poi-
soning. Case reports are here presented and dis-
cussed for 31 who suffered acute poisoning (15
female and 16 male, 8 <20 yr old, 14 20-40, and
9 >40) . In all illness began with colic. Consti-
pation was recorded for 24, Burton's line in 5,
Stomatitis in 12, and liver enlargement in 22.
Other findings included Pb in urine, porphyrinuria,
hypochromic anemia, no basophilic stippling,
slight lymphocytosis. There was no definite dis-
turbance of the cardiovascular system. (18 refer-
ences)
1331 Floris, M., Muntoni, S., and Cau, A.
(Inst. Ind. Med., Cagliari, Italy): Sulle
anemie saturnine. (LEAD ANEMIA.) Rasseg-
na di Medicina Industriale 21:33-48 (Jan.-
Feb.), 1952.
The authors studied 15 workers who had been ex-
posed to Pb for various periods of time; 10 of
them, 30-50 yr old, had worked from several months
to several years in the Pb foundry in Cagliari and
had exhibited mild toxic signs; 5 had worked a
longer period of time in various operations with
Pb exposure, and had had attacks of colic neces-
sitating removal from work. Hematologic findings,
including Pb levels, substantiated this differ-
entiation. The following criteria were examined,
the findings tabulated and analyzed: Hb, red and
white counts, stippled erythrocytes, reticulo-
cytes, globular value, differential; erythrocyto-
metric formula; Hb exchange; cellular resistance;
myelograms. Curves and graphs are presented for
each case.
On the basis of these findings, the authors
conclude that the anemia is normochromic and
254
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
normocytic anemia due to inadequate regeneration
of erythrocytes. (17 references.)
1332 Frank, 0., Lachnit, V., and Neumayr, A.
(Med. Univ. Clinic, Vienna, Austria):
Der Einfluss von Vitamin B-^ auf die Blei-
porphyrinurie. (INFLUENCE OF VITAMIN B12
ON LEAD PORPHYRINURIA.) Acta Haematologica
8:42-52 (July-Aug.), 1952.
The increased elimination of coproporphyrin (CP)
III in the urine of patients with Pb poisoning is
a constant and early symptom which is of consider-
able importance in the diagnosis. Pb porphyrin-
uria also presents a therapeutic problem, since
it is the cause of a number of symptoms that ac-
company Pb intoxication, particularly colic and
neuritic symptoms. (Schreuss and Carrie, 1933;
Vannotti, 1938). Liver extracts and the compon-
ents of the vitamin B complex have been used ex-
tensively in the treatment of Pb porphyrinuria.
The favorable effects produced with this treatment
induced the authors of this report to try vitamin
^12 • They present observations on 11 patients
whose occupations involved exposure to Pb. One of
them who showed the full clinical picture of Pb
intoxication was hospitalized. Before treatment,
their urinary Pb was 222.3-902.4 Mg/24 hr. The
hospitalized patient who, 8 days before admission
had suffered cramps in the epigastric region and
pains in legs, presented a marked Pb line in gums,
signs of liver dysfunction, subicteric sclera,
76% lib, 2% reticulocytes, 7/1000 stippled cells,
575 yg CP/24 hr, but normal urinary Pb (11.2 ug/
1). He was treated with 15 ug vitamin 8^2 for 9
days, which brought marked improvement subjective-
ly. The 10 who received ambulatory treatment were
given 30 pg of vitamin 8^2 twice weekly by intra-
muscular injection. The elimination of CP in the
urine was determined at weekly intervals. It was
found that treatment with vitamin B^2 normalized
urinary CP or prevented its excessive elimination
which accompanies the mobilization of Pb. The ef-
fect depends on the dose and on the measures taken
to prevent further intake of Pb.
The authors consider that even if exposure to
Pb-containing materials continues, it is possible
with intermittent vitamin B^2 therapy to obtain a
normal porphyrin excretion. The effect of vitamin
Bi2 on Pb porphyrinuria is believed to be the re-
sult of its catalytic action on Hb synthesis,
especially on the ribonucleotides, and of its pro-
tective action on the liver. (37 references)
1333 Fullerton, J.M. (Bermondsey and Southwark
Hosps., London, England): VALUE OF HAE-
MATOLOGY IN DIAGNOSIS OF CHRONIC PLUMBISM.
British Medical Journal 2:117-9 (July 19),
1952.
Hematologic examinations were carried out on 2
groups of Pb workers. From the results, presented
in tabular form for comparison, the author con-
cludes that the presence of stippled cells (SC)
does not seem to be related to type of work or
duration of exposure. Hypochromia is common where
exposure is heavy and is usually accompanied by SC.
The red cell count should be taken as a guide to
the general health of the worker, and if anemia
is present he should be removed from exposure to
toxic agents. Decreased red cell fragility has
been reported in cases of Pb absorption, A hyper-
plastic normoblastic marrow is described. Estima-
tions of total Pb in urine of 6 workers showing SC
indicated that those with greatest hematological
changes had the highest urinary Pb levels.
The author concludes that the results suggest
that there is still a definite risk of occupational
anemia in the Pb worker in England, although there
appears to be no direct relationship between dura-
tion of exposure and degree of anemia; therefore,
individual idiosyncrasy to Pb exposure may be pre-
sumed to play a large part. He recommends a
stricter hematological control of Pb workers and
suggests that piecework should be abolished in Pb
industries where undue haste and carelessness
might lead to Pb poisoning.
1334 Fusco, M. (Univ. Naples, Italy): II corn-
portamento del QT in alcune intossicazioni
professional!. (THE QT INTERVAL OF THE
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM IN SOME OCCUPATIONAL IN-
TOXICATIONS .) Folia Medica (Naples) 35:
978-90, 1952.
Following a review of the literature on the title
subject, the author reports his findings in 30
cases of Pb poisoning, 10 of carbon disulfide,
10 of benzene, and 10 of acetone poisoning. In
the Pb cases, a lengthening of the QT interval was
found in 25, in 15 of whom the lengthening was
pronounced while in 10 the values were within nor-
mal limits. Generally, however, a decisive length-
ening was not observed, and there was a tendency
to return to around normal values. (48 references)
1335 Ghosh, P.K., Chakraborty, M.K., and Rao,
M.N. (All-India Inst. Hyg. Public Health,
Calcutta, India): A STUDY OF THE OCCUPA-
TIONAL LEAD HAZARD IN TWO ELECTRICAL AC-
CUMULATOR INDUSTRIES. Indian Medical
Gazette 87:114-7 (Mar.), 1952.
The authors studied the Pb hazard in 2 electrical
accumulator factories, one modern and up to date,
and the other primitive and unsanitary. The blood
and urine of 55 exposed workers and 10 control
cases were examined for Pb concentration as well
as the environmental air. The blood was also ex-
amined for percentage of basophilic cells. There
were no cases of Pb absorption in the 1st factory,
while in the 2nd nearly every 3rd worker examined
was absorbing Pb in pathologic amount. A compari-
son of the results shows that the Pb hazard can be
controlled by scientific prophylactic methods.
(From Chemical Abstracts 46:11507, 1952)
1336 Gillon, J.J. (France): Suite de la dis-
cussion sur le saturnisme. Contribution
a I'^tude de la valeur relative de certains
examens de laboratoire dans le depistage
du saturnisme. (CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION
ON SATURNISM. RELATIVE VALUE OF LABORATORY
EXAMINATIONS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POI-
SONING.) Proceedings of the Society of
Industrial Medicine and Hygiene. Archives
des Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine
du Travail et de Securite Sociale 13:198-
202, 1952.
The author determined the average values and stan-
dard deviations of A, the number of erythrocytes;
B, number of stippled erythrocytes; C, blood urea
Man
255
-------
content as well as the correlations between them.
Twenty-five workers in a printing shop, most of
them working there for many years, showed values
for A, 4,000,000; B, 1.46%, and C, 0.46 with cor-
relations of A/B =0.07 and A/C = 0.03. Workers
in a storage battery plant were divided into 2
groups (working >5 yr and <2 mo) and examined for
A and B; 69 workers (>5 yr) showed for A, 4,296,000,
and B, 1.70; correlation A/B = -0.36, and 33 work-
ers (<2 mo) showed A, 4,420,000 and B, 1.67, cor-
relation A/B = -0.51; 146 subjects showing signs
of Pb poisoning showed A, 4,050,000, B, 60.3/100
leukocytes and 1205/100 erythrocytes, C, 0.45;
correlations were A/B per 100 leuk = -0.410, A/B
per 100 eryth = -0.38, A/C = 0.280, C/B, per 100
leuk = 0.21, C/B per 100 eryth = 0.23.
The authors concluded that: a decrease of red
cells is the most constant sign of Pb poisoning.
The relative variations are much smaller in this
test, thus abnormal results are of greatest signi-
ficance. Of the 3 tests studied, there was a close
association between anemia and appearance or in-
crease of stippled erythrocytes. It does not seem
to matter whether numbers of stippled cells refer
to erythrocytes or leukocytes. Stippled cell
counts are more significant in Pb-poisoned workers
than in the on-the-job workers who are simply under
surveillance, as well as in recently-employed work-
ers than in older workers. Urea determination is
of great interest in the detection of Pb poisoning,
particularly in persons with weak kidneys. In
printing trades, there was no correlation among the
different results.
1337 Graziani, G.; Sessa, T. (Univ. Naples, It-
aly): Enzimi e tecnopatie. Parte Prima.
Fisiopatologia generale. Parte Seconda.
Applicazioni cliniche e terapeutiche. (EN-
ZYMES AND INDUSTRIAL PATHOLOGY. I. GENER-
AL PHYSIOPATHOLOGY. II. CLINICAL AND
THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 35, No. 9:537-71; 572-651, 1952.
In Part I, Graziani reviews the physiology of en-
zymes and the mechanism of toxic action of Pb, ben-
zene, carbon disulfide, Pt carbon tetrachloride,
As and Se, cyanides, CO, and methemoglobin-produc-
ing substances. Pb produces porphyrinuria and in-
hibits codehydrase. The greater disturbance in
oxidation-reduction processes is mainly revealed
in the inhibition of hemoglobin synthesis, which
leads to anemia, an increase in serum Fe and por-
phyrins. Pb also blocks intracellular sulfydryl
compounds, especially glutathione.
Part II. By following the classification set up
by Castellino, Sessa summarizes his review as fol-
lows: The coenzyme is blocked in the case of Pb
by inhibition of codehydrase I and II; by the ac-
tion of carbon disulfide on the thiazole ring of
thiamine; the sulfonamides by blocking p-aminoben-
zoic acid. The inactivation of apoenzyme is due
in the case of heavy metals by precipitation of
the protein component of dissociable enzymes or by
fixation of groups necessary for the union of co-
enzyme with the substratum. Also the oxidants
(H2°2) paralyze groups containing SH. The toxic
substance may combine with the activator of an
enzyme, as F inhibits the enzyme action of Mg. Pb
produces a deficiency of nicotinamide. The fixa-
tion of toxic substances on organs is a consequence
of their affinity to enzymes. Resistance is an
expression of the oxidation-reduction potency of
the organism. The parallelism of clinical symptoms
and enzyme inhibition is discussed.
1338 Grobdorfer, K.: (MALIGNANT NEPHROSCLERO-
SIS DUE TO CHRONIC INDUSTRIAL LEAD POI-
SONING.) Mitt. Oest. Sanit. Verwalt. 53:
247, 1952.
That advanced chronic nephritis is now rarely
found in Pb workers is largely due to the statu-
tory measures adopted for their protection. Each
of the 3 patients whose cases are here recorded
had prolonged industrial exposure to Pb, and dur-
ing the early years medical supervision was quite
inadequate. Two of the men were employed in the
recovery of Pb from the gases evolved from the
roasting ovens, hearths and blast furnaces of a
Pb works. The fumes were led through pipes 40 cm
(16 in) in diameter threaded with a high-tension
cable whereby the dust, consisting of metallic Pb,
Pb oxide, and Pb sulfide, was ionized and deposit-
ed on the inner wall of the piping and on the
cable itself, to be knocked off later. Exposure
was severe. One man had been employed here con-
tinuously for 16 yr, and the other for 22 yr
except for an interval of 2 yr following an acute
attack of Pb poisoning. The symptoms of hyper-
piesis eventually caused each of these men to con-
sult his doctor, the blood pressure being 240/120
mm Hg in the one and 250/160 mm Hg in the other.
At this stage their conditions were very similar,
with headache, backache, defective vision (due
to albuminuric retinitis), slight anemia (though
no stippled cells could be found), and albuminuria,
the urine containing a few erythrocytes, leuko-
cytes, and epithelial cells. One man carried on
at light work, his working capacity being reduced
by 75%, and 1 yr later his condition showed
little change. The other had 2 attacks of
epileptiform convulsions and died within 1 yr of
diagnosis. At necropsy there was marked hyper-
trophy of the left ventricle of the heart and the
changes typical of an intracapillary glomerulone-
phritis, many of the glomeruli being completely
hyalinized and obliterated, while the arterioles
were markedly sclerotic, the vasa afferentia
alone escaping this change. It could not be
determined whether the primary change had been a
glomerulonephritis or a capillary injury due to
the toxicity of Pb. The 3rd man, aged 44, had
been employed for 25 yr at a Pb-paint factory on
the various processes (which are described) in the
production of white Pb (2 PbC02.Pb(OH)^), which,
although almost insoluble in water, is sufficient-
ly soluble in the body fluids to be toxic. He
suffered recurrent attacks of acute Pb poisoning
in 1927, 1930, and 1934. In 1938 an increase
was found in the number of stippled erythrocytes
in his blood, and severe -hypertension with cardiac
insufficiency developed. By December, 1949, his
heart was dilated, his joints were swollen, and
he had constant albuminuria. He died from uremia
in February, 1950. His death was attributable to
failure to recognize that his recurrent attacks
of acute intoxication indicated a susceptibility
to Pb which required his removal from contact
with the metal at an early stage. These 3 cases
emphasize the importance of regular and thorough
256
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
medical supervision of all Pb workers, and of
their removal from hazard at the first suspicion
of warning symptoms related to the urinary system.
The issue may be fatal without the appearance of
other classic signs of Pb intoxication. (From
British Journal of Industrial Medicine 10:215,
1953)
1339 Hadengue, A., and Collin, M. (France): La
valeur de la numeration globulaire dans le
depistage du saturnisme a 1'usine. (THE
VALUE OF BLOOD COUNTS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF
LEAD POISONING IN INDUSTRY.) Proceedings
of the Society of Industrial Medicine and
Hygiene. Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles de Medecine du Travail et de Securi-
te Sociale 13:66-8, 1952,
The authors studied 175 workers in a storage bat-
tery factory for 9 yr. Stippled cell count was de-
termined every 1-6 mo, depending on exposure, with
follow-up every 8 or 15 days if values were >15-20%.
Blood counts were determined every 6 mo or once a
yr. No serious cases of Pb poisoning were found.
Workers showing elevated stippled cell counts were
shifted in jobs before anemia could develop. The
authors concluded that in spite of its lack of
specificity, stippled cell counts still represent
the best diagnostic test. Indications for per-
forming this test are:(l) at preemployment exami-
nation, to avoid exposing a subject with a latent
blood disorder to Pb;(2) in the presence of a pro-
longed and considerable Pb absorption, manifested
by a high and persistent content of basophilic
stippling;(3) in the presence of a high azotemia
or any clinical sign which can be connected with
Pb.
1340 Hammond, J.W., Taylor, G.T., and Pipkin,
R.W. (Humble Oil & Refining Co.): COPRO-
PORPHYRIN DETERMINATION AND URINARY LEAD
RELATIONSHIP. EXPERIENCES IN AN INDUS-
TRIAL HYGIENE LABORATORY. American Indus-
trial Hygiene Association Quarterly 13:
163-5 (Sept.), 1952.
A modification of the rapid method for determina-
tion of coproporphyrin (CP) in freshly voided urine
described by Johnson and Whitman is used for
screening urine specimens to select those that
should be examined for Pb by the chemical method
and as a check for errors in the chemical deter-
mination of Pb in spot samples. This method is
also used to detect methyl chloride poisoning.
Among employees having no known exposure to toxic
materials, 5.3% showed at least a trace of CP,
2.3% moderate or greater excretion. Among 161
employees having potential Pb exposures, CP was
found in 14.5% of the tests; 7.5% showed more
than moderate excretion. In general, as the
urinary Pb values increased, so did the CP values:
of those showing >0.12 mg Pb/1, 76.2% had increased
CP; at 0.16 mg Pb/1, 100% showed CP increase.
1341 Harrold, G.C., Meek, S.F., and Padden, D.
A. (Ind. Health, Hyg. Safety Serv., De-
troit, Mich.): A COPROPORPHYRIN III TEST
AS A MEASURE OF LEAD DAMAGE. II. CONSID-
ERING LEAD DUSTS OF RELATIVELY LARGE PAR-
TICLE SIZE. A.M.A. Archives of Industrial
Hygiene and Occupational Medicine 6:24-31
(July), 1952.
Since the authors felt that there had been a mis-
interpretation of their conclusion in their 1st
evaluation of the role of urinary porphyrlns (CP)
in Pb poisoning (1948) they reexamined the condi-
tions surrounding the taking of samples and per-
forming the tests on urines involved in that re-
port. In the past 2 yr they performed analyses of
CP, Pb in urine, and other criteria of excessive
exposure, on 315 cases. For CP, the deLangen meth-
od was used. The exposures to relative coarse
Pb oxide were in metal finishing operations,
soldering, etc. Ages were from 17-73 yr; in 1
group of 27 (18-43 yr) exposure time was an av
12 mo 11 days. The authors' conclusions were
as follows: The CP test for Pb damage, using a
simplified technique which may be adapted to the
needs of the physician's office or to large-scale
industrial screening programs, is reliable. The
correlation of positive results and Pb-in-urine
values >0.15 mg/1, while very good in certain kinds
of Pb exposure, is not perfect and does not need to
be perfect. The positive deviations due to other
disease manifestations or chemicals, while real,
are so small as to be negligible in a screening
technique and, in fact, provide the physician
with added data to use in evaluating any other
disease manifestations in the individual.
Samples may be shipped for considerable dis-
tances with no great loss in CP content, but when
possible they should be analyzed within 6 days and
should not be exposed unnecessarily to heat or
light. The CP test, while a very early test for
damage from Pb, does not indicate high Pb exposure
of the individual as soon as urinary Pb determina-
tions do. This indicates the need for both tests
to be used wherever possible. There are indica-
tions that in mixed exposures to various Pb dusts
there will be variable correlations with the Pb-
in-urine values but that correlations are very
much better if Pb excretion values up to 0.2 mg
of Pb/1 of urine are used rather than the 0.15
mg/1 generally used. The urinary CP test indi-
cates damage equally well whether it relates to
workers newly exposed for period of <6 mo or to
workers who have been exposed up to 40 yr.
The correlations established in this paper refer
in the main to relatively coarse Pb compounds
readily soluble in human lung fluid and blood se-
rum. Some exposures were mixed, in that Pb fumes
were included to some extent. Certain types of
Pb-fume exposure introduce problems which place
them in a special class, which are considered in
another paper.
1342 Heidenpriem, C., and Breustedt, H. (Med.
Dept. Unterharz. Mine & Foundry Works,
Oker, Germany): Vorbeugende Unter-
suchungen auf Bleigefahrdung. (PREVEN-
TION OF LEAD POISONING.) Zentralblatt fur
Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 2:189-94
(Nov.), 1952.
The incidence of Pb poisoning in industry has de-
clined in the later years of World War II, es-
pecially in the years thereafter until 1949.
Technical improvements are not wholly responsible;
part of it is attributable to the fat-poor diet,
which tends to prevent absorption of Pb. The pH
of the tissue fluids also influences Pb absorp-
Man
257
-------
tion; a greater ingestion of vegetables and bulk
as well contributed to the decline of Pb cases.
With a return of a richer diet, increasing numbers
of poisoning are anticipated. A preventive pro-
gram was undertaken toward the end of 1949 by the
management of the Unterharzer Berg- und Hutten-
werke. The relative values of the early diagnosis
based on stippled cell counts and urinary porphy-
rin elimination are discussed. These tests were
carried out at 3-mo intervals on workers exposed
to Pb and the results are tabulated according to
the different occupations, Average porphyrin val-
ues were given for 322 foundrymen (16.3 vg%) 220
workers in other factories (9.7 yg%), and 25 young
people <18 yr (4.0 yg%). After removal of values
>25 yg, the averages were 12.2, 7.7, and 4.0 yg%,
respectively. Comparisons were made between the
porphyrin values and the basophilic stippling in
foundrymen. In the groups up to 30 yg% porphyrin,
the positive and negative blood findings were
practically the same. Only in groups >30 yg% were
there more cases of positive stippled cells than
negative. Of 19 cases of Pb poisoning found in
1951, 12 had porphyrin values >25yg%. Due to pre-
ventive blood and urine studies, use of protective
masks and technical changes, there was a decrease
in the number of recognized Pb diseases from 50 in
1950 to 34 in 1951. The authors note that simul-
taneous determination for albumin, sugar and uro-
bilinogen facilitates the diagnosis of individual
cases. (35 references.)
1343 Henderson, L.L. (Urbana, 111.): JAUNDICE
DUE TO LEAD POISONING. A.M.A. Archives of
Internal Medicine 89:967-9, 1952.
A 24-yr-old man was admitted to the hospital be-
cause of severe abdominal cramping that had begun
2 wk before with loss of appetite the day he began
painting the outside of his house. Aside from
slight yellow tinting of sclerae, marked pallor of
face, moderate elevation of erythrocyte sedimenta-
tion rate, red cell count of 3,890,000 with 12.2
g Hb/100 ml, laboratory and radiologic findings
revealed nothing startling. Nine days after ad-
mission, the jaundice had subsided, but erythrocyte
count had fallen to 3,410,000 and Hb to 10.75 g,
and Fe therapy was begun. When questioned further,
1 wk later when stippled cells (SC) were evident,
it was learned that he had spent 3-4 hr of his
spare time daily for 5 wk removing the old paint
from his entire house with an electric hand gander.
Analyses of blood and urine at the Kettering Lab-
oratory, Cincinnati, showed 0.08 mg Pb/100 g and
0.075 mg/1, respectively. By the time the patient
was discharged 11 days later, SC were still seen;
1 mo later erythrocyte count had risen to 4,110,000
with 12.2 g Hb, and SC were rare; blood showed
0.05 mg/100 g which, although at the extreme upper
limit of normal, indicated that the man had no
occupational exposure to Pb in the interim. (His
work was that of automobile parts clerk.)
The author considers that the jaundice was a'p-
parently hemolytic, probably resulting from in-
creased friability of the erythrocytes, caused by
the direct action of Pb on the cell surfaces. He
points out that the intoxication was incurred out-
side the usual hazardous industries, yet involved
prolonged severe exposure to Pb in its most danger-
ous form. With the increasing tendency for the
home handy man to attempt all kinds of repair jobs
without knowledge of adequate protection, such
cases are likely to become more frequent.
1344 Insausti, T., and Caste, H.G. (Argentina):
Las polineuritis como infortunio del tra-
bajo. (POLYNEURITIS AS AN OCCUPATIONAL
ACCIDENT.) Dia Medico (Buenos Aires) 24:
1052-8 (July 14), 1952.
The authors review the clinical features of poly-
neuritis in occupational diseases caused by ex-
posure to As, Hg, Pb, carbon disulfide, aromatic
hydrocarbon solvents, and brucellosis.
1345 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): EX-
PERIMENTAL INHALATION OF LEAD BY HUMAN
SUBJECTS. Occupational Health 12:161
(Oct.), 1952.
The experiment described is the 1st of a series of
long-term investigations of the influence of chem-
ical composition, concentration, and size of par-
ticles of Pb compounds inhaled by human subjects.
The experimental procedures were based on those
used previously in balance experiments in which
the intake, output, absorption, elimination, and
accumulation of ingested Pb were determined by
daily observations over prolonged periods of time.
The preliminary observations in the present ex-
periment, with 1 subject, extended over a period
of 9 mo, after which exposure to air containing
particles of Pb dioxide of the median size of 0.05
y and in the average concentration of 0.075 mg/m^
was instituted for 7 hr/day on 5 days/wk. The
results for the preliminary period and the period
of exposure (Jan. 20, 1951-Jan. 20, 1952) at which
time an approximate equilibrium appeared to have
been reached. The experiment continues in order
to put such appearance to the test, but the data
have not been examined in detail beyond the last
date indicated above.
The results were as follows: During the period
of respiratory exposure, the Pb concentration in
the blood rose from the original mean level of
0.026-0.043 mg/100 g over the period of ^20 wk and
stabilized at or near that level. The urinary Pb
output rose from 0.032-0.059 mg/day in ^10 wk,
continued irregularly upward and then diminished,
the apparent peak in an artificially smoothed
curve being not far from 0.070 mg at the end of 20
wk. The Pb accumulated in the tissues during the
period of 1 yr, as a consequence of the experimen-
tal inhalation of Pb, amounted in all probability
to ^11 mg, being not <9 mg nor >18 mg.
Obviously the conditions of exposure were en-
tirely safe during the experimental period, and it
seems apparent that no risk of Pb poisoning would
be incurred from the continuation of such exposure
over an indefinite prolonged period.
1346 Kench, J.E., Lane, R.E., and Varley, H.
(Nuffield Dept. Occup. Health, Univ. Man-
chester; Manchester Royal Infirmary, Eng-
land): URINARY COPROPORPHYRINS IN LEAD
POISONING. British Journal of Industrial
Medicine 9:133-7 (Apr.), 1952.
The excretion of Pb and porphyrin by 7 bath enam-
ellers was studied immediately after considerable
exposure to Pb for 3-6 mo. All showed signs of
Pb poisoning (anemia, constipation, abdominal
258
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
pains). (Although withdrawn from exposure, 4 sub-
sequently returned to work without knowledge of
the works manager.) The following were determined:
hemoglobin (Hb) (MacFarlane et al, 1948), stippled
cells (Lane, 1949), urinary Pb (Kench, 1940) and
porphyrins (Rimington, 1942; Nicholas and Riming-
ton, 1949; Chu, Green and Chu, 1951). These were
performed on days 1-6, 26-120, and 60-127 of the
study. After 120 days, there was an average gain
of 3.7 g Hb/100 ml blood; stippled cells decreased
from 2000-13,000/million erythrocytes to 1-3000/
million. Mean values of urinary Pb and copropor-
phyrin (CP) concentrations reached normal limits
at 55 and 133 days, respectively. Chromatography
of the porphyrins after 130 days showed 30% CP I
(normal 1.6%) and 70% CP III and after 330 days
CP I was 28%. No uroporphyrin was found.
The authors suggest that CP I and III are syn-
thesized independently. CP I is associated with
proliferation of marrow cells as distinct from
CP III, which is linked with the formation of Hb
within the cells. (19 references.)
1347 Kbppich, F., Feles, N., and Herscovici,
A. (Acad. Romanian Rep., Cluj): Cerce-
tari asupra aspectului medical al satur-
nismului cronic profesional. B. Dinamica
clinica si etapele de desvoltare a satur-
nismului cronic profesional. (MEDICAL
ASPECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL CHRONIC LEAD POI-
SONING. B. CLINICAL DYNAMICS AND STAGES
IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL CHRON-
IC LEAD POISONING.) Academia Republicii
Populare Romine, Filiala Cluj, Studii
Cercetari Stiint 3, No. 1/2:355-69, 1952.
In the development of chronic Pb poisoning, 4
periods were observed. In the 1st, (3-6 mo)
workers who have not been exposed previously to
Pb show the following symptoms: headaches, an-
orexia, loss of weight, hepatomegaly, and urobili-
nogen in urine. In the 2nd period (from 6-12 mo)
an adaptation takes place and a slight regression
of the phenomena in the 1st period. The 3rd peri-
od (1-10 yr) represents the stage of chronic Pb
poisoning with acute abdominal pains and with var-
ious nervous and vascular symptoms. The period
beyond 10 yr is characterized by encephalitis and
nephritis.
1348 KBppich, £., Herscovici, A., and Fele^,
N. (Acad. Romanian Rep., Cluj): Cercetari
asupra aspectului medical al saturnlsmului
cronic profesional. A. Simptomatologia
clinica. (MEDICAL ASPECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING. A. CLINICAL
SYMPTOMATOLOGY.) Academia Republicii
Populare Romine, Filiala Cluj, Studii
Cercetari Stiint 3, No. 1/2:339-54, 1952,
Clinical and laboratory tests were carried out on
285 workers employed in the extraction of Pb and
on 40 workers not exposed to Pb inhalation for
control. One group showed positive signs of Pb
poisoning, a 2nd, probable signs and a 3rd no
signs. The chronic signs were particularly asso-
ciated with nervous and vascular disturbances and
to a lesser extent with the digestive. The sub-
jective symptoms were: dizziness, physical weak-
ness, arthralgia, myalgia, paresthesia, and im-
^otency. The objective symptoms are: gingival
lesions, hepatomegaly, arterial hypertension,
hematurla and urobilinogenuria.
1349 Koutseff, A., Gilly, G., and Nicolai, G.
(Toulon, La Seyne, France): Retinopathie
saturnine non accompagnee d'hypertension
arterlelle. (RETINOPATHY IN LEAD POISONING
NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION.)
Bulletin des Socie'te's d'Ophtalmologie de
France 1952:348-56 (March).
The case presented is that of a solderer (47 yr
old) , seen in 1951, afflicted with retinopathy,
not associated with arterial or nephritic hyper-
tension. On examination it was shown that the cen-
tral vision of the right eye was 2/50 which could
not be corrected by glasses, while the vision of
the left eye was 6/5. The findings are described
in some detail which included deeply pigmented
fundus. History revealed that he was born in Sar-
dinia and had come to France at age 18. He had
started work with his father, at age 9, in a black-
smith shop and had continued such work, then with
a blow torch and then as a solderer since 1939.
In 1945 he had his first attacks of colic, head-
aches, etc, and in 1947 was compensated for Pb
colic for a period of 40 days. In his work he was
also exposed to a great deal of noise and had
noticed increasing deafness. When seen by the
authors the findings were as follows: distinct Pb
line of gums; slight signs of deficient liver
function. Blood findings were within normal limits,
and no basophilic stippled cells; urinalyses and
kidney function tests pointed to kidney damage;
there was also an abnormal amount of porphyria in
urine, and high urinary Pb level (90 yg/1) .
The results of auditory examination led the
authors to consider deafness to be due either to
an intoxication or a trauma. They were in favor,
however, of an exogenous intoxication on the basis
of the distinct osseous deficit and the absence of
a real auditory scotoma which occurs only in cases
of traumatic deafness in the 4096 zone. Based on
clinical observations the authors excluded an in-
fectious origin. They conclude that the damage to
the optical nerves and those of the retina, and
the intrinsic muscles (diminution of accommodation,
weak medicinal mydriasis) forms part of the clini-
cal picture of Pb intoxication as does the damage
to the cochlear nerves and to kidney. All these
lesions are caused by the sclerotic changes of the
capillaries as a result of angiospasm caused by Pb.
Treatment was by removal from Pb exposure, medical
follow-up of liver, kidney, and cardiovascular
function, vitamins, iodides, vasodilators. In
closing the authors quote Van der Hoeve's remark
"In cases of ocular paralyses or visual disorders
of unknown origin, Pb poisoning must be kept in
mind."
1350 Lezovic, J. (Stomatol. Clinic SU, Brati-
slava, Czechoslovakia): Hodnotenie popo-
laveho lemu a jeho vyskytu pri otrave
olovom. (HALO SATURNINUS AND ITS SIGNIFI-
CANCE IN LEAD POISONING.) Lekarsky Obzor
1:45-51 (May), 1952.
As determined in 2 battery factories, the gingival
Pb line was seen in 9% of the workers. The differ-
entiation from other paradental conditions is em-
phasized, as is respiratory protection in excessive
Man
259
-------
exposure to Pb.
1351 Lopez de Azcona, J.M., Santos Ruiz, A.,
and Dean Guelbenzu, M. (Inst. Physiol.
Biochem. of Spain, Madrid): (TRACE
ELEMENTS IN NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL
HUMAN TISSUES. I. UTERUS.) Rev. espan.
fislol. 8:13-8, 1952.
Spectrographic analysis of uterine ash showed Pt,
among other elements, at "0.001% (but absent in
2 out of 16 specimens). (See Santos Ruiz for
Part II) (From Chemical Abstracts 47:3454, 1953)
1352 McCord, C.P.: LEAD POISONING FROM
CANDLES. Industrial Medicine and Surgery
21:92 (Feb.), 1952.
To the unusual sources of Pb poisoning may be
added candles used in households and in churches.
To furnish longer burning life, some manufactures
introduce wicks containing a slender core of Pb
wire, or at least some low-melting metal wire.
The flame temperature is sufficient to melt and
partially evaporate the metal.
1353 Maggi, A.L.C., and Meeroff, M.: Hepato-
esplenomegalia en un saturnismo cronico.
(HEPATOSPLENOMEGALY IN CHRONIC LEAD POI-
SONING.) Revista de la Asociaci6n Medica
Argentina 66:349-54 (Oct.-Nov.), 1952.
The case described is that of a 60-yr-old worker
who after 1-1/2 yr exposure to Pb exhibited a typ-
ical picture of chronic Pb poisoning: typical ra-
dial paralysis, colic, Burton's line, discrete
anemia with anisocytosis and poikilocytosis, in-
crease in porphyrins in urine, and stippled eryth-
rocytes. The clinical, laboratory and radiologic
findings which led to the final diagnosis of hepa-
tosplenic cirrhosis, due to Pb exposure, are de-
scribed in detail.
1354 Mongelli Sciannamed, N. (Univ. Bari,
Italy): II saturnismo in una industria
fittile pugliese: Rilievi clinici. (SAT-
URNISM IN THE TERRA GOTTA INDUSTRY OF
APULIA; CLINICAL STUDY.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 35, No. 8:433-48, 1952.
The case of a 46-yr-old glazer of pottery for 15
yr is described, who had suffered repeatedly with
Pb colic, and more recently with frequent joint
pains which were not relieved by iodine therapy.
About 3 mo before admission he suffered an attack
of dyspnea which was followed by precordial and
epigastric pain lasting for several days, tie
showed severe anemia, typical Kussmaul respiration,
frequent vomiting attacks, typical gingival Pb
line, numerous conjunctival hemorrhages, notewor-
thy hyporeflexia and agitation. Laboratory tests
showed no stippled cells, but noteworthy hyper-
azotemia, and an anuria which made it impossible
to obtain a urine sample. His condition became
aggravated and he died 3 days after admission.
This observation led the author to examine 9 work-
ers of the pottery 15-22 yr old, all of whom were
exposed to or handled Pb glaze for 3-10 yr. In
discussing the cases, the author states that the
1st case was a typical chronic Pb-induced kidney
lesion. In 7 of the young workers kidney involve-
ment was evident by a higher azotemia than normal;
7 of them also showed urobilinuria, all exhibited
anemia as well as anisopoikilocytosis and mild
polychromatophilia; 4 showed stippled erythrocytes;
all had gingival Pb line and presence of Pb in
blood, and some, in saliva (qualitative findings).
Radiology showed Pb lines of the long bones and/or
osteoporosis in all but 3. (77 references)
1355 Mongelli Sciannameo, N. (Univ.Bari, Italy);
Osservazioni radiologiche sull'apparato
scheletrico di giovani saturnini cronici.
(RADIOLOGIC OBSERVATIONS ON THE SKELETAL
APPARATUS OF YOUNG PERSONS AFFECTED BY
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Rassegna di
Medicina Industriale 21:281-309 (July-
Aug.), 1952.
Changes in the radiologically visible skeletal ap-
paratus of 9 young persons 15-22 yr old, at work
for 3-10 yr, suffering from chronic Pb poisoning
are described. These changes essentially consisted
of radiopaque bands near the metaphysis of still
growing bones. Other frequent findings were dif-
fuse microlacunar osteoporosis, vertebral malforma-
tions, and regional heteromorphisms. The results
of the X-ray study are discussed and divided into
biochemical, histologic, X-ray studies, etc, and
numerous illustrations are given. Particularly
the case histories showed that also in chronic Pb
poisoning of persons of more advanced age, X-ray
study may reveal the existence of skeletal changes
due to Pb poisoning. (140 references.)
1356 Mllller, J(an) (Inst. Occup. Physiol., Pa-
thol., Hyg., Prague, Czechoslovakia):
Hodnocenf laboratornlch znakfi otravy
olovem. (THE EVALUATION OF LABORATORY
FINDINGS OF LEAD POISONING.) Pracovni
Lekarstvi 4:51-64 (Mar.), 1952.
The laboratory findings on employees of a Pb-
battery plant are discussed. The methods employed
were: determination of Hb level, of the stippled
cell count, of the porphyrin level in urine, and
of the blood-Pb level.
It was found that none of these methods gave re-
sults that could be used as a measure of individu-
al exposure or in itself as proof of Pb poisoning;
also, that the best measure of exposure of a group
of workers in a workshop is the average number of
stippled cells. This method is recommended for
the estimation of Pb hazards in workshops, in ad-
dition to the usual methods used in hygienic sur-
veys. Figures which can be used for the estima-
tion of the degree of the exposure are given.
Surprising at first was the fact that blood Pb
levels could not be used as a measure of exposure,
and the reasons for this are given. The mutual
relationships between the results of individual
laboratory methods were studied, and conclusions
were made for their correct evaluation. Women
were found to have greater sensitivity to Pb, and
the reasons for this were shown to be a Hb level
which on the average was lower than in men, and
perhaps a greater vulnerability of their blood-
forming organs. It was stressed that up to now
little is known of the factors influencing clini-
cal Pb poisoning and that the final evaluation of
individual cases still depends on a good knowledge
of the degree of exposure, case history, clinical
picture, and laboratory findings. (From author's
English summary)
260
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1357 Okhnyanskaya, u.u., and Ginzburg, D.A.
(Acad. Med. Scl., USSR): (THE OLFACTORY-
riUMDRAL REFLEX IN LEAD AND MERCURY POI-
SONING.) Fiziol. Zhur. S.S.S.R. 38:105-
10, 1952,
The olfactory-humoral reflex Is defined as the
change of the biological activity of blood (test
with isolated frog heart after stimulation with
thymol or oil of rosemary; the blood is taken from
a normal subject, then repeated after inhalation
of the olfactory irritants). Workers with Pb or
Hg poisoning showed enhanced olfactory-humoral
reflex, ie, the blood activity rose after stimula-
tion. In the case of Pb the reflex varied in-
versely with the gravity of the poisoning and the
frog heart test showed a decrease of amplitude
and frequency of the heart beat. In Pb colic the
effect was greatly increased. Coating of the
nasal mucosa with procaine leads to disappearance
of the reflex. (From Chemical Abstracts 46:6751,
1952)
1358 Oltramere, M. : Deux cas de satumisme
chez des tailleurs de pierrs. (TWO CASES
OF LEAD POISONING IN STONEMASONS.)
Ztschr. f. Unfallmed. u, Berufskrankh.
45:282-88 (Dec. 15), 1952.
Some 50 yr ago it was customary in Switzerland
for many stone-built houses to be coated with
layers of white Pb. The author describes Pb in-
toxication contracted by 2 stonemasons in the pro-
cess of renovating such buildings. The workmen,
aged 61 and 52 yr respectively, had been in this
occupation for a few months but the onset of poi-
soning was associated with the recent introduction
of mechanical drills. Each showed pallor, abdomi-
nal colic, muscular spasms, constipation, anorexia,
insomnia and nervousness. Diagnosis in the first
case was rendered more difficult owing to a his-
tory of cranial injury, which was thought at first
to be responsible for the patient's nervous symp-
toms and vomiting. Pb line was present in one
patient. Clinical and laboratory findings for the
2 men were respectively: Blood pressure, 170/100,
140/75; red cell count, 3.22 and 3.5 millions/mm^;
hemoglobin, 61, 70%; punctate basophiles, 7100 and
6500 (large granules)/million red cells; blood
urea, 50, 44 mg/100 ml; blood Pb, 140, 122 yg/100
ml; and urinary coproporphyrin concentration, 1350,
450 yg/24 hr. The patients were treated with sed-
atives and saline purgatives, and, in addition in
case 1, intravenous Ca therapy, with excellent
clinical response. However, marked tremor remain-
ed in both hands in the 1st patient, which the
author ascribed to the aggravating effect of Pb
intoxication on the preexisting encephalopathy.
The hazards of this occupation are discussed, and
poisoning in these instances is ascribed to com-
bination of 3 factors: 1. high Pb content of
material being worked (>36% Pb); 2. increase of
dust due to mechanical grinding; 3. inefficient
masks. Appropriate steps are described to pre-
vent a recurrence of plumblsm in such workmen.
(From Bulletin of Hygiene 28:353, 1953)
1359 Parkinson, E.S., and Cholak, J, (Univ.
Cincinnati, 0.): PROBLEMS IN THE ANALYSIS
OF URINARY COPROPORPHYRIN III. American
Industrial Hygiene Association Quarterly
13:158-62 (Sept.), 1952.
The value of the determination of CP in borderline
cases of Pb poisoning or as a measure of early
absorption is not yet known and requires further
study involving the establishment of accurate
normal base levels by the use of precise and spe-
cific analytical methods. The method of Schwartz
et al, with some modifications, was investigated
to determine the variations which affect accuracy
and specificity of analysis. The distribution of
CP in spot samples of urine of individuals with no
unusual Pb exposure (10 ml of a single voidance)
showed a mean of 0.101 mg/1 (range 0.04-0.16) for
women and 0.168 mg/1 (range 0.04-0.26) for men.
However, spot sampling is open to error (i 30-
1 40%) because of diurnal variations in urinary
concentrations of CP. Although large amounts of
CP are excreted in the urine of persons suffering
from Pb poisoning, no appreciable increases occur
with the absorption of small to moderate quanti-
ties of Pb, and for this reason the value of the
test for the recognition of potentially dangerous
exposure to Pb seems dubious. For the detection
of incipient cases of Pb poisoning, it appears to
be a helpful supplementary procedure. (17 ref-
erences)
1360 Pernis, B. (Univ. Cagliari, Italy): Sulla
presenza e sul significato del piombo nel
liquor. (THE PRESENCE OF LEAD IN SPINAL
FLUID, AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE.) Medicina
del Lavoro 43:251-8 (June-July), 1952.
The Pb content of the cerebrospinal fluid in nor-
mal subjects and in Pb poisoning cases (including
a case of Pb encephalopathy) was determined by
polarography and spectrography.
In the cerebrospinal fluid of normal subjects,
Pb was either absent or present in minimal amounts,
always <18 pg/100 ml; in Pb poisoning cases in
which the central nervous system was not impaired
the cerebrospinal fluid showed a Pb content either
equal or slightly superior to that found in nor-
mal subjects. (In 4 cases Pb ranged from 8-22 ug%
in the presence of 60-150 ug% in blood.) In the
fluid of a case of acute Pb encephalopathy, Pb was
found in much larger amount (44 yg%; 125 yg% in
blood). It diminished, however, considerably after
the nervous symptoms had disappeared. The author
considers it probable that, at least in cases
similar to the one observed (with mainly psychic
symptoms) the impairment of the central nervous
system is caused by the direct action of Pb on the
nerve cells of the brain cortex. (24 references)
1361 Pestel, M. (Paris, France): Traitement du
saturnisme. (TREATMENT OF SATURNISM.)
Presse medicale 60:1831, 1952.
In acute Pb poisoning by ingestion the classic
treatment is that of gastric lavage with 2% sul-
furic acid solution. BAL is indicated particular-
ly in Pb encephalopathy. Although numerous thera-
pies of Pb colic have been proposed, the classic
and useful ones are cataplasms of linseed meal
with laudanum, hot baths at 45°. Sedation with
belladonna is preferred. This could be supple-
mented with antipyrine. Acetylcholine rapidly
relieves certain persistent colics, as do spinal
injections of novocaine. On the day following
the attacks, sulfurated honey remains the classic
Man
261
-------
treatment. The various modern methods used in the
fixation, mobilization and elimination of Pb are
also briefly discussed. The latter should depend
upon the condition of the patient: degree of in-
toxication, cardiovascular state, etc.
1362 Pinto, S.S., Einert, C., Roberts, W.J.,
Winn, G.S., and Nelson, K.W. (Denver,
Colo.): COPROPORPHYRINURIA. STUDY OF ITS
USEFULNESS IN EVALUATING LEAD EXPOSURE.
A.M.A. Archives of Industrial Hygiene and
Occupational Medicine 6:496-507 (Dec.),
1952.
The quantitative urinary coproporphyrin (CP) de-
termination was studied in relation to the clinical
symptoms produced by increased Pb absorption and
compared with a number of other commonly used
laboratory procedures. (The method of Schwartz
et al was used.) Evidence is presented which in-
dicates the urinary CP determination is more
promising than any other screening test in picking
out those members of a Pb-exposed group who need
further medical studies.
In this group of 124 persons who worked in a Pb
smelter, the quantitative urinary CP III excretion
ranged from 5-736 mg/100 ml of urine. No evidence
of hypertension resulting from prolonged exposure
to atmospheric Pb was found.
1363 Piredda, P. (Univ. Cagliari, Italy): Le
alterazioni bucco-dentarie nei lavoratori
di una fonderia di piombo in Sardegna.
(BUCCODENTAL CHANGES IN WORKERS IN A LEAD
FOUNDRY IN SARDINIA.) Rassegna Medica
Sarda 54:232-60 (July-Aug.), 1952.
Following a review of the literature on the oral
and dental manifestations and diseases in expos-
ure to Pb, the author presents briefly case his-
tories and a tabulation of clinical findings of
Pb in blood and coproporphyrinuria of 55 Pb foun-
dry workers. The exposure of the workers is also
described as to the percentage content of Pb and
other elements contained in the raw material
handled by them, and the types of exposures in
the various operations in the foundry. In sum-
mary, he states that the gingival Pb line consti-
tutes a sign of alarm as to presence of Pb intox-
ication. In addition he had found that in workers
with long exposun- to Pb, the paradental disorders
were followed by loss of teeth and that the Pb
line had disappeared in the edentulous. In the
cases followed by him, Pb levels in blood were
within normal limits (20-60 yg%) in 33 cases;
however, it was higher than normal in 19 cases.
Higher levels were found in workers affected with
renal damage. Coproporphyrinuria was variable
and did not correlate with blood Pb levels. (37
references)
1364 Portheine, F. (Inst. Hyg. Ruhr area, Gel-
aenkirchen, Germany): Zur Frage des
quantitativen Bleinachweises im Blut.
(Gleichzeltig ein Beitrag zu der Arbeit
von G. Schrader 1950). (QUANTITATIVE ES-
TIMATION OF LEAD IN THE BLOOD (WITH REFER-
ENCE TO THE WORK OF SCHRADER).) Klinische
Wochenschrift 30:83-5, 1952.
The author discusses the opinion of Schrader
(1950) that levels of 100 yg Pb/100 ml of blood
are not pathological, and that 300 ug are so to
be regarded, even when unaccompanied by clinical
symptoms. He states that traces of Pb, originat-
ing from food and water, are to be found in any
blood sample; that any marked intake of Pb from
inhalation, swallowing or skin absorption, is in-
variably followed by increased levels of Pb in the
body fluids, even if no pathological sequelae are
immediately recognizable; and that on the amount
and duration of this intake and the susceptibility
of the tissue cells depend the injurious effect
of Pb on the various tissues, ie, bone marrow,
smooth muscle, central nervous system. He points
out that, according to Koelsch (1946) pallor, blue
line on the gums and stipple cells, while indica-
ting an excessive intake of Pb, do not warrant a
diagnosis of Pb poisoning unless other symptoms
are present.
During 1949 and 1950 a large number of determi-
nations of Pb in the blood of Pb workers, most of
whom had definite symptoms of Pb poisoning, were
undertaken. The dithizone method was used and the
author recommends specially the use of Pb-free
30 ml venules for taking and transport of blood
samples. The values found reached 100 yg/100 g of
blood in only ^5% of the workers examined. They
were from 0-40 yg in ^45%; 40-60 ug in ^27%; 60-
80 yg in ^15%, and 80-100 ug in ^8.5%.
Other authorities, particularly Kehoe (1949)
have postulated ^80 yg as a dangerous level, and
the author agrees with this rather than with
Schrader's suggested 100 yg level.
1365 Raule, A., and Morra, G. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Prime ricerche sulla funzionalita1
gonadotropica preipofisaria negli intos-
sicati da piombo. (PRELIMINARY INVESTIGA-
TIONS OF PREHYPOPHYSEAL GONADOTROPIC FUNC-
TIONING IN LEAD POISONING.) Medicina del
Lavoro 43:261-5 (June-July), 1952.
Prehypophyseal gonadostimulin eliminated in the
urine was determined in 12 cases of Pb poisoning,
following the method of Varney and Koch. In 8
cases insufficient urinary elimination was found
which appeared to be related to the intensity of
Pb absorption and the gravity of the clinical pic-
ture of poisoning.
The authors advance the hypothesis that insuffi-
ciency of the prehypophyseal gonadotropic secre-
tion represents a deviation of the prehypophyseal
substances, in response to the toxic stimulus of
the Pb, as occurs in the general adaptation syn-
drome. (19 references)
1366 Read, J.L., and Williams, J.P. (McGuire
Veterans Admin. Hosp., Richmond, Va.):
LEAD MYOCARDITIS: REPORT OF A CASE.
American Heart Journal 44:797-802 (Nov.),
1952.
A 39-yr-old man, who had worked with Pb storage
batteries for 10 wk with no form of protection,
complained of abdominal pains, nausea, anorexia,
and a dull ache in the midsternal region. Exami-
nation showed a Pb line, 3.2 million red cells,
8.7 g Hb, 9800 leukocytes, marked basophilic stip-
pling, normal blood electrolyte and chemical val-
ues, and 0.525 mg Pb/24 hr urine. The EKG re-
vealed changes which were discussed by the authors
in terms that the marked depression of the con-
262
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
duction system and T wave abnormalities in this
case with a gradual return of a normal EKG, par-
alleling his clinical improvement under treatment
(Na citrate, Ca lactate, Ca gluconate and Na phos-
phate), suggested a toxic depression of the con-
duction tissue with toxic changes in the myocardi-
um as the result of Pb poisoning. A review of the
medical literature since 1916 indicated that this
was the first reported case.
1367 Rejsek, K., and Vana, V. (Dept. Occup.
Med., Charles Univ., Prague, Czechoslo-
vakia) : LEAD POISONING AND PROTOPORPHYRIN
IN THE BLOOD CELLS. Medicina del Deporte
y del Trabajo (Buenos Aires) 16:4692-4700,
1952.
See Abstract No.1241
1368 Ricklin, W.: Beitrag zur Bewertung des
Bleigehaltes im Blut. (ESTIMATION OF
LEAD CONTENT OF BLOOD.) Dissertation,^Uni-
versity of Zurich, 1952; Zeitschrift fur
Unfallmedizin und Berufskrankheiten 45:141-
58 (June 15), 1952.
The author considers estimation of the amount of
Pb in the blood the most reliable means of deter-
mining whether contact with inorganic Pb, above
the normal physiological intake has occurred. This
does not hold for organic Pb compounds such as TEL,
since these are rapidly absorbed and fixed by
lipoid-rich organs.
In an attempt to determine whether there is a
critical threshold of Pb in blood, above which the
toxic effect of inorganic Pb becomes manifest, 3
groups of estimations were made:
(1) Normal: The Pb content of normal blood is
usually from 20-30 ug%, with an upper limit in the
author's opinion, of 40 ug%, and 50 pg% clearly
elevated. Even a transient exposure to Pb may
raise this level, as was shown in a group of 6
technicians who showed an average content of 39
ug%, probably from contact with Pb acetate in the
laboratory. In 18 Zurich traffic bureau officials
the blood Pb levels were 17-35 yg% (av 24). (2) Pb
workers: In 60, the average level was 75 ug% (40-
170 pg). From analysis, it was seen that duration
has no effect on the average level, indicating that
neither progressive accumulation of Pb in the blood
nor increased Pb excretion, in the sense of an
active detoxication, takes place. The highest
average values (109 ug%) were found in a group of
workers handling moist Pb oxide, involving much
contamination of the hands and possible ingestion;
a group exposed to Pb dust in the process of re-
pairing and soldering showed 89 pg%; solderers
wearing masks and exposed to Pb vapor, 63 yg%.
Blood examinations for anemia and stippled eryth-
rocytes (SE) , showed anisocytosis and poikilo-
cytosis in practically all the workers, and in-
creased SE in 40-60% of those with a blood Pb con-
tent of 60 pg% and over; there was, however, no
direct proportional relationship since 4 cases with
the highest blood Pb level (112-170 yg%) showed no
increased SE. Clinical symptoms (pallor and "blue
line") appeared to be similarly related to a mini-
mal blood Pb level; when the threshold value was
passed the symptoms showed no increased incidence.
They were not present when the level was <60 yg%
but were present in about 1/3 of those workers with
levels >60 ug%. Subjective symptoms (chiefly
colic) were present in so few workers that no sta-
tistical conclusions could be drawn.
(3) Manifest Pb poisoning: Estimation of the Pb
in blood in cases of acute Pb poisoning showed
that the levels were highest during the most acute
stage, falling with clinical improvement but show-
ing considerable individual variation, due, the
author suggests, to individual idiosyncrasy. In
general, acute symptoms developed during the early
months of exposure; with long duration the blood
Pb level may rise as high as 170 yg% without fur-
ther toxic manifestations. This the author regards
as evidence of an acquired tolerance to a high Pb
content of the blood, and he suggests that a rapid
rise is more conducive to intoxication than a
gradual increase.
In a review of the most recent literature on the
pathogenesis of Pb intoxication, the author de-
scribes the circulation of Pb in the organism, the
toxic effects of Pb , stressing its action on the
enzyme systems and inhibition of the cellular acti-
vity of erythrocytes, and the individual predispo-
sition to Pb poisoning.
1369 Saita, G., Fiocchi, F., and Cattaneo, E.
(Univ. Milan, Italy): Diametro e volume
globulare, indice di sferocitosi, indice
di saturazione nell'anemia saturnina.
(ERYTHROCYTE DIAMETER AND VOLUME, SPHERO-
CYTE INDEX, SATURATION INDEX IN LEAD ANE-
MIA.) Medicina del Lavoro 43:99-114
(Mar.), 1952.
The study described encompassed the determination
in 41 cases of Pb anemia of: red cell diameter
and erythrocytometric formula, red cell volume,
spherocytic index, and saturation index. The
cases studied were: 14 of Pb poisoning in the
acute stage; 8 in the remission phase; 9 in the
initial phase with latent evolution, and 10 in the
chronic phase. As summarized by the author, apart
from a few negligible exceptions, the results ob-
tained could be classified as follows: Pb poison-
ing in the initial phase of latent evolution proved
to be normocytic and normochromic; in the active
phase the anemia was, for the most part, normocy-
tic, though many cases showed a tendency to mac-
rocytosis and macroplasia; sometimes it was normo-
chromic, though more frequently hypochromic, due
to true hypochromia (reduced hemoglobin saturation)
and this condition was in general more marked in
cases in which the fall in red cells was less
significant; in chronic Pb poisoning the anemia
was in approximately half of the cases normocytic
and normochromic, in the other half, macrocytic
and hypochromic. The spherocytic index of the
cells did not, on the whole, show any significant
deviation from the normal in the 4 groups under
observation. The erythrocytometric formulae re-
vealed a more marked anisocytosis than is normally
the case.
The more frequently noted occurrence of normocy-
tosis together with normochromia, despite con-
siderably deep-seated hemopoietic disturbances,
may be explained by various forms of intermingling
and reciprocal fractions in course of the various
factors regulating erythropoiesis (availability
of hemoglobin, proliferative activity, rapidity of
maturation, medullary threshold); the hypochromic
Man
263
-------
macrocytosis often noted in active Pb poisoning is
related to a 2-fold mechanism: macrocytosis due
to erythroformative disturbances, caused by strong
medullary stimulation and regenerative macrocyto-
sis due to lowering of the medullary threshold and
the passage into the circulation of elements which
have not reached complete maturity. The hypo-
chromic macrocytosis often found in chronic Pb
poisoning may, in its turn, be interpreted as
macrocytosis proceeding from erythroformative dis-
turbances caused by medullary inhibition, in the
presence of insufficient utilization of hemoglobin.
(27 references)
1370 Santos Ruiz, A., Dean Guelbenzu, M., and
Lo'pez de Azcona, J.M. (Inst. Physiol.
Biochem. of Spain, Madrid): (TRACE
ELEMENTS IN NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL
HUMAN TISSUES. II. OVARY AND VAGINA.)
Rev. espan. fisiol. 8:49-51, 1952.
Among 10 elements determined in the ash of ovaries
and vagina, 0.001-0.01% Pb was found. (From
Chemical Abstracts 47:3454, 1953)
1371 Santos Ruiz, A., Dean Guelbenzu, M., and
Lopez de Azcona, J.M. (Inst. Physiol.
Biochem. of Spain, Madrid): (TRACE
ELEMENTS IN NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL
HUMAN TISSUES. V. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
OBTAINED IN FOUR EARLIER NOTES.) Rev.
espan. fisiol. 8:207-15, 1952.
Semiquantitative spectrographic analyses were made
for metals in the ash of normal and pathological
human uterus, ovary, vagina, stomach, breast,
thyroid, placenta, and hydatid cyst. The mean
concentrations of Pb in the ash, and the frequency
with which it was found were 10-4-10~5, 93.5%.
The duodenal cap contained less ash than any other
tissue. The analytical technique is discussed.
(From Chemical Abstracts 47:7085, 1953)
1372 Schroeder, W.: CHANGES FOUND IN BLOOD
AND HEMATOPOIETIC FUNCTION IN CHRONIC
LEAD-EXPOSED PAINTERS. Am. J. Med.
Technol. 18:195-8, 1952.
Of 76 painters exposed to Pb paint products, 17
showed elevated urine-Pb concentrations and 5
revealed toxic granules in the neutrophils. In
the last 5, the urinary Pb was elevated in 4 but
normal in 1. The urinary Pb concentration
and blood picture showed improvement 6 mo after
the painters were removed from exposure to Pb.
(From Industrial Hygiene Digest 17:362, 1953)
1373 Shiels, D.O. (Ind. Hyg. Section, Dept.
Health, Victoria, Australia): THE TREAT-
MENT OF LEAD POISONING BY THE INTRAVENOUS
ADMINISTRATION OF SODIUM THIOSULPHATE.
Medical Journal of Australia 1:879-82,
1952.
Mount Isa, Victoria, was in 1935 the largest
single Pb mine in the world. The author describes
16 cases of Pb poisoning studied there in 1934-
1936, and 2 recent cases seen in Melbourne. All
were treated with intravenous thiosulfate (30
grains in a few ml water on alternate days). For
some this was the only treatment, in others the
colic was controlled at first with CaCl2 or Ca
gluconate intravenously for 1 or more doses.
There was a rapid improvement in the clinical con-
dition of the majority of patients, although in
a few 7-10 days elapsed before the patient felt
improved. Men were removed from Pb hazard, but
it was the opinion of the medical board of 3 that
Na thiosulfate treatment had a beneficial effect
on recovery from Pb intoxication. The clinical
condition was also assessed in terms of the ratio
monocytes and large lymphocytes/small lymphocytes,
which increased with clinical improvement. There
was a statistically highly significant increase
in the ratio shortly after commencement of thio-
sulfate injections. The number of injections re-
quired to bring about a really satisfactory con-
dition of well-being varied from 2 or 3 to a dozen
or so, and recurrence of symptoms without further
exposure was then very rare, whereas it was common
after Ca therapy.
1374 Shiraishi, A. (Univ. Tokyo, Japan):
(CONCENTRATION OF REDUCED GLUTATHIONE IN
THE BLOOD OF LEAD-POISONED PERSONS.)
Nisshin Igaku 39:478-83, 1952.
Concentrations of reduced glutathione in the blood
of 100 Pb workers were investigated together with
clinical diagnoses. Lowering of the concentration
of glutathione in the blood was closely related
to the degree of Pb symptoms. (From Chemical
Abstracts 48:7821, 1954)
1375 Simonin, C., Chaumont, A.J., and Meniel,
M.: Discussion sur la valeur des signes
biologiques du pre'-saturnisme en rapport
avec certaines industries. (DISCUSSION
ON THE VALUE OF BIOLOGIC SIGNS OF EARLY
LEAD POISONING IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES.)
Proc. Meeting Societe de Me'decine et
d'Hygiene du Travail de Strasbourg,
Oct. 25 and Nov. 29, 1952.
For effective prevention of Pb poisoning, one
should not await the first clinical signs, but
look for all the anomalies which could precede
them. At the meeting, Chaumont presented a report
on systematic determination of the degree of
azotemia, and Meniel discussed the value of gran-
ulobasophilia in the determination of Pb absorp-
tion. The frequent disagreement and the irregular-
ity in time at which findings in the same person
may be indicative of the risks are emphasized.
Examples are given. It has not been demonstrated
that an accurate determination of Pb in urine
and blood provides a test for diagnosis of Pb
poisoning that is superior to stippled cell counts.
However, it has value only if the samples of blood
are taken under rigorous precautions and the stain-
ing and counting of the erythrocytes are done by a
qualified and experienced technician. (Archives
des Maladies Professiotmelles de Medecine du
Travail et de SecuritS Sociale 14:167-8, 1953)
1376 Sirven, R.H., Navarret, E.E., and Macias,
L.L. (Med. Clinic, Argentina): Saturnismo
cronico. - Intoxicacidn insolita. (CHRON-
IC SATURNISM: UNUSUAL POISONING.) Revista
de la Asociacioii Me'dica Argentina 66:311-2
(Aug.-Sept.), 1952.
This case of poisoning in a woman living in a
boarding house was caused by her use of a powder
which was found to consist of Pb and Ca carbonates
264
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
for toothbrushing. When admitted to the hospital,
she stated that for 2 yr she had suffered from
dyspepsia, epigastric pains and vomiting 2 or 3
times a week, out could not relate this to meals.
While hospitalized for progressive anemia which
had begun in the past few months, paresthesia in
extremities developed and 3 epilepsy attacks oc-
curred. The clinical findings included hemolytic
anemia, polychromatophilia, anisocytosis, reticu-
locytosis, increased urobilin in urine and in
blood; stippled erythrocytes; gingival Pb line;
polyneuritis with paralysis of arms; mental con-
fusion; 325 pg Pb/100 ml in blood, 225 yg/100 ml
in urine.
Treatment was with 20 g bicarbonate/day to com-
bat acidosis; iodides and BAL to induce mobiliza-
tion of Pb; blood transfusions for the treatment
of anemia; vitamins B and C for polyneuritis, and
electrotherapy for paralysis.
1377 Smith, J.E., Lewis, B.W., and Wilson, H.S.
(City Dept. Publ. Welfare, St. Louis, Mo.):
LEAD POISONING. A CASE FINDING PROGRAM.
American Journal of Public Health and the
Nations Health 42:417-21 (April), 1952.
Since February 1946, the Laboratory Section of the
St. Louis Division of Health has provided a routine
service for the quantitative determination of Pb in
blood and since August 1948, of Pb in urine. The
authors point out that scanty reporting of Pb poi-
soning is probably due to lack of uniform, clear-
cut criteria of diagnosis, lack of understanding
that Pb absorption does not necessarily indicate
existence of Pb poisoning, and lack of familiarity
with the disease on the part of physicians in gen-
eral. Also, Pb poisoning is not reportable when it
occurs outside work. In the decade before 1946,
there were 123 diagnoses of Pb poisoning in the St.
Louis hospital with 9 deaths; in the 5 yr since
1946, there were 153 diagnoses with 7 deaths. In
a systematic 2-yr (1949-51) study, 266 blood sam-
ples and 224 urine samples were taken from 279
persons for Pb determination. These showed 103 to
to have Pb poisoning (50 nonoccupational, in child-
ren 8 mo-7 yr and 53 occupational), and 176 other
diseases. Blood Pb values were 0.078-0.540 mg%
(median 0.170) for those with definite diagnosis of
Pb poisoning, and 0.002-0.079 (median 0.033) for
other diseases. The corresponding urine values
were 0.050-0.722 mg/1 (median 0.205) and 0.002-
0.199 (median 0.045).
1378 Soprana, C., and Grosser, G.: (FIRST
RESULTS OF THERAPY OF SATURNISM WITH
SODIUM PYROCATECHOLDISULFONATE.) Atti
soc. med-chir. Padova 30:195-9, 1952.
In a few cases of Pb poisoning anemia and changes
in blood constituents were controlled by treat-
ment with 1-2 g/day of 10% solution of Na pyro-
catecholdisulfonate in cycles of 10-20 days.
(From Chemical Abstracts 48:11640, 1954)
1379 Tara, S. , Delplace, Y., and Cavigneaux,
A.: Saturnisme et festivites. (CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING AND FESTIVITIES.) Ann.
med. leg. 32:56-8, 1952.
In the course of a systematic investigation of
workers exposed to Pb, it became apparent that
particularly in January there was a frequency of
symptoms of poisoning with attacks of colic and
increased Pb elimination, while in September,
these manifestations were observed only seldom.
This is illustrated graphically.
The authors discuss the etiology of this pecu-
liar occurrence. They are disposed to connect it
with the inclination of French workers to celebrate
holidays in January, since the bonuses are paid at
the end of the year. Pb is stored principally in
the liver. When another poison, such as alcohol,
acts on this organ, the stored Pb will be mobi-
lized, so that it becomes excreted to a greater
extent and will lead to symptoms of Pb poisoning.
(From Deutsche Zeitschrift fUr die Gesamte Gericht-
liche Medizin 41:206 (Abstracts), 1952)
1380 Tara, S., Truhaut, R., and Raymond
(France): Au sujet du taux de 1'azotemie
des ouvriers exposes au plomb. (DETERMIN-
ATION OF AZOTEMIA IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO
LEAD.) Proceedings of the Society of In-
dustrial Medicine and Hygiene. Archives
des Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine
du Travail et de Se'curite' Sociale 13:204-7;
discussion 207-8, 1952.
The value of azotemia in the diagnosis of Pb poi-
soning is critically discussed. The difficulties
of the methods for determining blood urea and the
possibility of variable results depending on the
pretesting conditions are pointed out. Therefore,
the idea of preventing Pb poisoning on the basis
of blood urea determinations is purely an illusion-
ary one, accompanied by risk of making a false
diagnosis and giving rise to countless compensation
claims with all resulting social consequences.
In the discussion, R. Truhaut questioned Tara's
over-concern and Raymond recommended: (1) at the
preemployment examination, the doctor should per-
form a clinical examination, and determine the
blood count, basophilic stippling and blood urea;
(2) at periodic visits, he should perform a clinical
examination and stippled cell counts, where risk
of Pb poisoning is significant, a blood count and
blood urea determination, when it is judged neces-
sary to confirm a diagnosis.
1381 Tompsett, S.L. (Western General Hosp.,
Edinburgh, Scotland): BONE AND TOXIC MA-
TERIALS. British Journal of Nutrition 6,
No. 4:423-6, 1952.
The discussion covers bone seekers such as radio-
active metals, F, and in greater detail, Pb. In
regard to the latter, it is pointed out in the
paper that Pb is present in measurable quantities
in "normal" tissues which is almost entirely de-
rived from the diet, ^0.5 mg/day. It seems to be
deposited preferentially in the skeleton, more so
in the femur and tibia than in the rib or verte-
bra; in the leg bones it has been observed to in-
crease with age. In the soft tissues, age has no
effect. Diseases having a gross effect on the
skeleton may mobilize the Pb deposited under nor-
mal conditions and produce increase of Pb in blood
but no coproporphyrinuria and no symptoms of in-
toxication. The probability, however, is that the
release will be slow; however, in persons with a
history of abnormal exposure to Pb, the results of
such diseases are more serious. A case of sub-
acute lymphatic leukemia, with a history of abnor-
Man
265
-------
mal Pb exposure has been reported in which symptoms
of Pb poisoning appear to have been precipitated
by the disease.
1382 Troisi, F.M. (Med. Factory Inspector):
Sindrome anginosa da saturnismo. (ANGINA
PECTORIS IN LEAD POISONING.) Rassegna di
Medicina Industriale 21:217-21 (May-June),
1952.
The patient, 56 yr old, was employed from 1919 in
a railroad car shop, where he painted cars with
brush or spray gun, occasionally scraped off old
paint layers. In 1935, at 41, he began to suffer
mild and transient attacks of angina pectoris
which gradually became more intense and prolonged.
However, he continued in his occupation, until in
1950, at age 56, he was forced to discontinue
work. On the basis of his occupation, the heart
disease was attributed to Pb exposure. In 1941
during a stay in a. hospital for observation, blood
examination showed some stippled erythrocytes. In
1950 urinalysis showed presence of Pb (no values
are given).
1383 Ulrich, H. (Strasbourg, France): Resultats
d'une annee de depistage du saturnistne dans
le cadre d'un service interentreprise.
(DETECTION OF LEAD POISONING BY AN INDUS-
TRIAL HEALTH SERVICE OVER A ONE-YEAR PERI-
OD.) Medecin d'Usine 14:370-6 (July-Aug.),
1952.
Of the 48 plants controlled by the author's health
service, there were 14 in which 1-2 workers were
exposed to Pb. The following people, who were
exposed to Pb, were investigated: 11 painters,
14 workers (Pb cutters or those preparing paints
and varnishes from Pb^ 4 printers, 24 welders (4
women), 2 ceramists handling Pb oxide, 36 glass
decorators (15 women and 9 <18 yr old). Medical
examination showed no albuminuria, no Burton line,
and generally good health. Hematologic examination
of 21 workers showed 14 with anisocytosls and poly-
chromatophilia, 7 with a red cell count of 3.5-4
million, 5 with <3.5 million, 13 with a hemoglobin
content of 62-77%, 24% with basophilic stippling of
2-10/100 leukocytes. Intoxications were mainly
caused by poor personal hygiene, smoking on the
job, etc. Case histories of 2 patients whom the
author reported to have Pb poisoning are described.
In closing, the author feels gratified that the
management has installed improvements in working
conditions to eliminate exposure.
1384 Walker, G., and Boyd, P.R. (Middlesex
Hosp.; Assoc. Ethyl Co. Ltd., London, Eng-
land): TETRAETHYL LEAD POISONING. REPORT
OF A NON-FATAL CASE. Lancet 263:467-9
(Sept. 6), 1952.
The report concerns a 26-yr-old gasoline storage
tank cleaner employed in 1949. Though well pro-
tected otherwise, he often did not wear the posi-
tive-pressure air-line respirator on the job. He
worked 35 hr/wk with frequent short daily rest
periods in the open air. Examined once in '50
and early '51 by local doctors, he was found healthy
with no signs of Pb absorption. History, compiled
with the aid of his diary showed him to have started
developing signs of damage to the central nervous
system early in '51 which progressed in severity
until he was admitted to the authors' hospital
upon suggestion of his co-workers. Examination
revealed signs typical of TEL poisoning. Among
the various tests performed examination of the
blood showed no basophilic stippling, the cor-
rected urinary Pb levels in 4 analyses from March
15-April 23 were 0.36, 0.24, 0.23, and 0.21 ug/1.
Some of the changes, as discussed, were: X ray
showed the liver shadow to be dense, which may
have been due to the presence there of Pb; the
electroencephalogram conformed with those reported
in the literature on the early stages of TEL poi-
soning (Hill and Parr, 1950) which suggested that
TEL causes in man generalized suppression of cor-
tical activity, with appearance of nonspecific
slow wave activity. Treatment was entirely con-
servative: bed rest, encouragement of fluid intake,
barbiturates, and Na amytal at night. After 3 wk
vacation, following discharge, he felt well but
still required a hypnotic at night. Brief reports
of 2 similar cases and mention of 3 other men with
minor symptoms but no physical signs are given.
1385 Watanabe, G. , and Yana, T. (Niigata Univ.,
Japan): (DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN BLOOD.
I. DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD BETWEEN PLASMA
AND CORPUSCLES IN BLOOD OF LEAD WORKERS.
II. SEASONAL FLUCTUATION OF THE DISTRIBU-
TION OF LEAD IN BLOOD. III. THE DISTRIBU-
TION OF LEAD IN BLOOD CELLS.) Igaku to
Seibutsugaku (Med. and Biol.) 22:114-7;
179-82; 247-50, 1952.
I. Bloods taken from 109 workers exposed to Pb
were separated into blood cells and plasma, and
Pb was determined in both fractions according to
Tompsett. The distribution of Pb in blood cells
and in plasma, expressed as x and y, respectively,
by the equation: y = 21.43 x ' , showed Pb to
be more abundantly distributed in blood cells than
in plasma.
II. In summer Pb is present more abundantly in
plasma than in winter. The distribution of Pb in
summer (at noon temperature ^25°) and in late fall
(^10°) can be expressed by the following equa-
tions: in summer, y = 39.27 x ; in late fall,
y' = 21.58 x'0''*8'* , in which y and y' represent
the concentrations of Pb in blood cells and x and
x1 those in plasma, respectively. A possible
mechanism for these fluctuations is discussed.
III. Isolated blood cells from 25 ml blood
obtained from workers in a storage-battery factory
were hemolyzed with 9 volumes of distilled water,
and the solution was shaken vigorously with an
equal volume of ether. Aqueous (containing
hemoglobin) and the supernatant (containing
stroma) layers were separated cautiously, and
ether was evaporated off from each. The amount
of Pb was much larger in the fraction containing
stroma (mainly red blood cell membrane) than
in the solution containing hemoglobin, and can be
expressed by y = l.lx - 4.1, in which y and x are,
respectively, the amounts of Pb (in yg) of
hemoglobin and stroma fractions from the 25 ml of
blood. (From Chemical Abstracts 46:10394, 1952)
1386 Watanabe, G., Miyoshi, Y. , and Yana, T.
(Keio-Gijuku Univ., Japan): (STUDIES ON
LEAD POISONING IN FACTORY. PART IV. ON
THE CALCIUM AND ANORGANIC PHOSPHORIC ACID
266
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
AMOUNT IN SERA OF LEAD WORKERS.) Journal
of the Science of Labor 28:763-8, 1952.
The Pb content in whole blood, serum, urine, and
the serum Ca and P of 96 workers in a Pb refinery
were measured in November 1950. Arithmetic mean
in whole blood was 61.6 yg/100 ml (2.5-237.5 yg).
Serum Ca levels of this group was 9.78 ± 0.052
mg/100 ml (7.84-11.02 mg), and this value was
lower than the mean of healthy Japanese. Serum
inorganic P was 3.64 ± 0.073 mg/100 ml (2.02-5.63
mg). Statistical evaluation showed that there was
a reverse correlation between Pb in whole blood
and serum Ca content (r = -0.46 ± 0.081). The
inorganic P in serum of Pb workers did not show
any significant variations, but the correlation
coefficient was 0.30 i 0.093 between the serum
Ca and inorganic P.
1953
1387 Ahlmark, A. (Bertil Lfnnberg, Stockholm,
Sweden): En hHlsoundersBkning av 110
elektrosvetsare med langvarig arbetsanamnes.
(CLINICAL EXAMINATION OF ONE HUNDRED TEN
WELDERS WITH MORE THAN FIVE YEARS' CON-
TINUOUS WELDING EXPERIENCE.) Nordisk
Hygienisk Tidskrift 1953, No. 11/12:238-49.
An account is given of the results of a clinical
examination of 110 welders who had for 5 yr or
longer been engaged in electrowelding. The ma-
jority of the welders stated that the work with
"basic" electrodes often caused a marked irrita-
tion in the throat and respiratory passages, which
is attributed by the authors to the effect of F's
in the fumes (no absorption of F was shown to oc-
cur) . With certain "neutral" electrodes, eye
trouble was the chief complaint. Effects of Pb,
Pb poisoning, and Zn "ague" had occurred in sev-
eral cases. In 1 case poisoning with nitrous gas-
es was observed. The only important objective
findings that might have been ascribed to welding
fumes and gases were considerably heightened resid-
ual quotient evident in spirometric examinations,
and emphysema varying in degree from mild to pro-
nounced. All these workmen had been welding for
20 yr or longer. The cases observed are consider-
ed to motivate further examinations of welders
with specially prolonged working history. In 67
of the welders impairment of hearing to a greater
or lesser degree was found, due to the fact that
the majority of the workers examined were employed
in mechanical workshops that were often very noisy.
(From author's summary)
1387a Ambrosio, L. and Mazza, V. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): Aspetti dell'immunita naturale
nelle intossicazioni professional!. (NATU-
RAL IMMUNITY IN OCCUPATIONAL INTOXICATION.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 36:589-631, 1953.
Since toxic substances often inhibit production of
antibodies and lower resistance to infections, the
serum lysozyme content was compared in healthy per-
sons, diabetics, and workers exposed to Pb and 2
solvents. In the diabetics and exposed groups a
decrease in the enzyme was associated with decreas-
ed counts of neutrophil polynuclear cells and retic-
uloendothelial system disorders. Thus, such workers
are more subject to infections than the normal.
1388 Aring, C.D., and Trufant, S.A. (Univ. Cin-
cinnati, 0.): EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS ON
THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. In Merritt,
H.H., and Hare, C.C., ed.: Metabolic and
Toxic Diseases of the Nervous System.
Proceedings of the Association for Re-
search in Nervous and Mental Disease, De-
cember 12 and 13, 1952. Baltimore, Wil-
liams and Wilkins Co., 1953, pp. 463-74.
Since Pb is almost the only heavy metal that often
involves the central nervous system, the bulk of
this chapter is devoted to a review of Pb as re-
lated to the nervous system, Pb encephalopathy in
the adult, and in children; incidence of Pb poison-
ing in children (a table is included showing inci-
dence in children as recorded in the Kettering
Laboratory); Pb myelopathy and neuritis; cerebro-
spinal fluid in Pb encephalopathy; diagnosis of Pb
poisoning; laboratory diagnosis; Pb content of tis-
sues (shown also in a table for fatal TEL intoxica-
tion, fatal inorganic Pb intoxication in an adult
and children, and in cases not exposed to Pb); con-
cept of varying susceptibility; pathology; therapy;
use of BAL; use of EDTA; other heavy metals (Hg,
Cu, Mn, Tl) and the central nervous system.
1389 Aub, J.C., Butler, A.M., Byers, R.K.,
Foreman, H., Hardy, H.L. (Chairman),
Harrison, H.E., Kissin, B., Maison, G.L.,
Rubin, M., and Shipman, T.L.: USE OF CAL-
CIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE IN TREAT-
ING HEAVY-METAL POISONING. REPORT OF A
CONFERENCE HELD AT MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL
HOSPITAL. A.M.A. Archives of Industrial
Hygiene and Occupational Medicine 7:137-47
(Feb.), 1953.
As discussed by Foreman, ethylenediaminetetra-
acetic acid (EDTA) is known commercially as ver-
sene, sequestrene and nullapon. It combines with
metal ions to form non-ionic water-soluble com-
plexes or chelates and therefore might be useful
in the mobilization of heavy metals from the bones.
Rubin discussed the effect of EDTA on the excre-
tion of Pb in animals (rabbits) and presented was
an experience with EDTA in the treatment of a 3-
yr-old child with acute Pb poisoning. Of interest
in this case was the fact that the original neural
involvement, which subsided with the EDTA therapy,
had not recurred at examination 1 yr later. Simi-
lar results were reported in 2 patients also suf-
fering from acute Pb poisoning. Maison reported
on the toxicity of EDTA and the results of a
series of studies on CaEDTA, tolerated without
fatalities, are presented. The laboratory tests
on the efficacy of EDTA in the therapy of animal
Pb poisoning proved to be unsuccessful because of
the vagaries of the Pb poisoning.
Kissin spoke on the other clinical uses of EDTA.
The conference concluded with a series of comments
on the topics presented.
1390 Baker, W.H. (Boston, Mass.): THE USE OF
MONOCALCIUM DISODIUM ETHYLENE DIAMINE
TETRA-ACETIC ACETATE (CaEDTA) IN THE
TREATMENT OF ADULT LEAD INTOXICATION.
Proceedings of the Central Society for
Clinical Research. Journal of Clinical
Investigation 33:916-7, 1954.
Recently a new chelating agent, CaNa2EDTA, has
Man
267
-------
been introduced for clinical trial in heavy metal
poisoning. EDTA has a strong affinity for Pb and
exchanges its Ca for Pb to form a PbEDTA complex
which is then excreted unchanged via the urine.
This compound was given iv in a dosage of 0.5 g/30
Ib of body weight to 6 patients with chronic Pb
poisoning and to 3 normal control patients. All
6 patients with chronic poison prior to treatment
showed increased urinary Pb and CP levels. All
patients had anemia with stippled erythrocytes
(SE) and abnormal fragility tests. EDTA was ad-
ministered to each patient on consecutive days
for periods of 4-18 days. On the 1st day of ad-
ministration there was a marked increase in uri-
nary Pb excretion and a simultaneous lowering of
CP. On succeeding administrations there was a
gradual decrease in the amount of Pb excreted
while UCP remained at normal levels. During the
period of therapy all patients exhibited a rise in
Hi,, SE disappeared, and fragility tests returned
to normal. In the 3 normal control subjects EDTA
was administered on only 1 day with an increase
in urinary Pb on that day and no change in the CP.
Metabolic balance studies of electrolytes were
performed on 2 patients with chronic Pb poisoning.
No alterations in metabolic balance occurred dur-
ing administration of this compound either in a
6- or 18-day study period. These studies indicate
that EDTA is an effective way of mobilizing de-
posited Pb with simultaneous improvement in the
patient's condition and no evidence of toxicity.
1391 Baldi, G. , and Giubileo, M. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): La azotemia dei saturnlni e degli
operai esposti ad assorbimento di piombo.
(AZOTEMIA OF WORKERS POISONED BY LEAD AND
OF WORKERS EXPOSED TO LEAD HAZARD.) Medi-
cina del Lavoro 44:420-8 (Oct.), 1953.
The study involved 50 workers of a storage battery
plant who were at work, and 117 who were hospital-
ized for evaluation of Pb poisoning. Of the latter,
28 had colic, 50 presented signs of chronic poison-
ing, and 39 showed no signs. The 50 at work were
exposed to considerable amounts of Pb at several
work sites where concentrations ranged from 0.30-
1.23 mg/m-5 of air. Burton's line was seen in 29
and 15 eliminated >20 ug coproporphyrin/100 ml
urine. Of these 50 who showed no liver and renal
lesions, 7 (14%, av age 40) revealed an azotemia of
50 mg/lOOml or more, while the average for the re-
mainder was 0.37. The 28 with colic who had left
work in an average of 12 days showed an average
azotemia of 41 mg/100 ml and 29% of them exceeded
0.50 g; their blood Pb averaged 154 yg/100 ml (55-
250). The 50 suffering from chronic poisoning,
who had ceased work in an average of 7 mo, had an
azotemia of 35 mg/100 ml and only 12% of them (age,
av 50 yr) had >0.50 g; average blood Pb was 90 yg/
100 ml (9-250). Azotemia in 39 workers no longer
exposed to Pb for an average of 9 mo, who showed
no signs of intoxication, was 29 mg/100 ml and
blood Pb av 49 yg/100 ml. Since the higher the
blood Pb, the higher the incidence of hyperazote-
mia, the authors felt justified in attributing it
to Pb. They consider that the action of Pb lies in
favoring the action of enzymes that destroy the
protein molecule producing incoagulable catabolites
and in partially inhibiting the enzymatic complexes
required for the synthesis of amino acids.
1392 Benard, H. , Gajdos, A., and Gajdos-TBrHk,
M.: (DISTURBANCES OF PORPHYRIN METABOLISM
INDUCED BY LEAD POISONING.) Rev. pathol.
gen. et comparee 53:759-71, 1953.
A review with 55 references. (From Chemical
Abstracts 48:865, 1954)
1393 Benard, H., Gajdos, A., Gajdos-THrHk, M. ,
and Rambert, P. (Hotel Dieu Hosp., Paris,
France): Une intoxication aigue1 collec-
tive par le plomb. (MASS ACUTE LEAD
POISONING.) Semaine des Hopitaux de Paris
29:785-8 (Mar. 2), 1953.
The crew of a ship (41 men) was intoxicated,
apparently by a wine containing 4.5 mg/1 of Pb.
Besides the hematologic counts, their increased
coproporphyrinurias (up to 5.65 mg/day) and free
erythrocyte protoporphyrin contents (up to 1.62
mg/100 ml) are tabulated. The blood Pb, deter-
mined in 10 men, averaged 105 yg/100 ml. Urines
contained no uroporphyrin and their red cells
were free of coproporphyrin. In the opinion of
the authors, the signs most frequently demonstrat-
ed in Pb poisoning are high urinary coproporphy-
rin and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels.
1394 Beyrer, K. : Beitrag zur Prophylaxe und
Therapie der Bleivergiftung. (THE PROPHY-
LAXIS AND THERAPY OF LEAD POISONING.) Med.
Klin. (Munich) 48:1506-8, 1953.
This is an account of observations made on 45 work-
ers who were exposed to the risks of Pb inhalation
and among whom many cases of severe Pb poisoning
occurred. The symptoms are stated and the results
of laboratory examinations—blood cytology, hemo-
globin determinations, porphyrin excretion—are de-
scribed. No evidence was found in these cases of
the development of chronic Pb poisoning of encepha-
lophathy, cirrhotic kidney, or arteriosclerosis.
Only 2 cases of neuritis were encountered. The
author considers from this evidence that the main
effect of Pb is on the bone marrow. In no instance
did the usual tests give any indication of disturb-
ance of liver function. An interesting observation
was made in 6 workers who had undergone resection
of the stomach, and these were particularly suscep-
tible to Pb as was shown by the rapid onset of
symptoms and of anemia and porphyrinuria. It is
suggested as a cause that in these cases there is
interference with the normal absorption of Fe and
riboflavin. Levulose drinks were given over a
period as a prophylactic to workers exposed to
risk, but as judged by laboratory tests it was in-
effective although the men stated that it improved
their sense of well-being. BAL and also levulose
with Na citrate were tried in the actual treatment
of cases of Pb poisoning but were not found to be
of value. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 29:67, 1954)
1395 Brigatti, L., and Grandis, C.: Sulla
presenza di un precursore etero-solubile
delle porfirine nelle urine di addetti
alia lavorazione con piombo. (Nota 1).
(THE PRESENCE OF AN ETHER-SOLUBLE PRE-
CURSOR IN THE URINARY PORPHYRIN OF LEAD
WORKERS. I.) Medicina del Lavoro 44:113-
23 (Mar.), 1953.
As summarized by the authors, the so-called "pre-
cursor" of porphyrins is understood to be a chro-
268
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
mogen, soluble In ether, colorless, which, after
exposure to ultraviolet rays or treatment with re-
ducing substances, yields coproporphyrin (CP) and,
in the normal individual, makes up most of the
urinary porphyrin. The determination of the total
urinary CP, by separating the preformed fraction
(UCP) and the precursor, was performed by the
method of Saillet et al, as modified by Schwartz
et al; the reading was by a Beckman D.U. spectro-
photometer.
The 155 workers examined worked in an automotive
concern in Turin and all were exposed to Pb. The
intent was not to select purposely individuals
having Pb poisoning symptoms. Owing to factory
exigencies the research was carried out on a
single urine sample taken between 2 and 3 PM;
therefore, values/1 instead of /24 hr were given.
In order to corroborate the results obtained, the
elimination of the UCP and of the precursor in
the urines taken at intervals in a 24-hr period
were studied separately on 5 workers. Of the
examined workers 29.1% showed a normal urinary CP
or one slightly above normal, with an average of
124 yg/1 of UCP and of 160 yg/1 of precursor. The
percentage ratio of precursor to total porphyri-
nuria was 56.3%. An increased urinary CP with an
average of 428 pg/1 of UCP and 323 yg/1 of pre-
cursor was found in 50.3%. The percentage ratio
of precursor to total urinary CP was 45.4%. An
extremely high total urinary CP with an average
of 2130 yg/1 of UCP against 1200 yg/1 of precursor
was found in 20.6%. The percentage ratio of pre-
cursor to total urinary CP was 36%. In this last
group the precursor values showed extremely large
variations since, in some cases, only a few micro-
grams of precursor were found and, in others,
values greater than those of the UCP. In the
cases followed day by day, a very random elimina-
tion of the UCP and of the precursor was noted
which showed remarkable variations in the single
fractions. In the cases where a remarkable elimi-
nation of UCP occurred, there was never found an
equally high daily elimination of precursor be-
cause, even if the precursor showed in some frac-
tions actual "surges" of elimination, in other
fractions it was reduced to but a few traces. The
authors therefore believe that the percentage ra-
tio of precursor to total urinary CP, computed on
the basis of the data determined in the 3rd group
of laborers should actually be considered lower,
inasmuch as the cases with very high values/I of
precursor may have been fortuitously detected in
the moment of maximum daily elimination.
The conclusion is that in the urines of workers
exposed to Pb in addition to preformed urinary CP,
some precursor is to be found. Contrary to what
happens with normal individuals, the precursor in
Pb poisoning does not represent the larger con-
stituent of the excreted porphyrin, but, converse-
ly, it diminishes with the increased CP content of
the urine. (14 references)
1396 Brigatti, L., and Grandis, C.: Sul corn-
portamento della coproporfirinuria totale
e della protoporfirina libera eritrocitaria
in addetti a lavorazione con piombo,
seguiti periodicamente. (Nota II). (BE-
HAVIOR OF TOTAL COPROPORPHYRIN AND FREE
ERYTHROCYTIC PROTOPORPHYRIN RESULTING FROM
PERIODIC EXPOSURE TO LEAD. II.) Mediclna
del Lavoro 44:211-17 (May), 1953.
As summarized by the authors, they had followed the
behavior of total urinary coproporphyrins (CP)
(preformed fraction and precursor), of the free
erythrocytic protoporphyrin (PP), and of the blood
picture of 21 workers exposed to Pb absorption and
on 5 workers who had been changed to other work
not involving Pb because of manifestations of Pb
poisoning. A small number of workers (3 of 21),
subjectively in good health, showed normal values
of CP, of PP, and normal hematologic values; most
of them (14) manifested only a moderate increase
in CP and PP, though transient sudden surges of
both values occurred. These individuals reported
occasionally, and without any close relation to
the period of greatest porphyrin excretion, some
digestive disorders. In addition, a small group
of laborers (4) manifested severe changes of the
porphyrin metabolism (CP >1 mg/1, PP of r^400 yg/
100 ml red cells), a moderate anemia and presence
of stippled erythrocytes. From the clinical view-
point, digestive disorders, Pb line on gums, pain-
ful abdominal palpation and liver enlargement were
noted. In the group kept under control and re-
moved from exposure, a remarkable decrease of total
CP and PP was seen after only 1 mo. In 2 cases
showing rapid improvement, the total CP and PP
kept on diminishing, while they remained almost
stationary or even showed new increases in the
remaining. In the cases showing signs of Pb
intoxication, a reduction of the precursor-to-to-
tal CP percentage ratio (from 50-30%) and an
approximate parallelism between the excretion of
preformed fraction and the content of PP was
observed. (12 references)
1397 Bruusgaard, A. (Natl. Workers' Hosp.,
Oslo, Norway): Piliteligheten av baso-
filitelling hos blyeksponerte individer.
(RELIABILITY OF BASOPHIL COUNT IN SUB-
JECTS EXPOSED TO LEAD.) Tidsskrift for
den Norske Laegeforening 73, No. 13/14:
530-1, 1953.
Basophil counts are still the standard method
for control of Pb poisoning in many countries.
However, this method is subject to statistical
limitations as well as technical and human errors.
It is mainly a diagnostic aid in evaluation of
Pb risk to groups of workers. The method should
be recommended only when especially trained and
experienced personnel is available and the test
is carried out with standardized techniques.
Preferably 2 smears should be made from each
individual especially in single cases and smaller
groups. Results should be interpreted and evalu-
ated with care and reserve.
1398 Crepet, M., Chiesura, P., and Gobatto, F.
(Univ. Turin, Italy): ijomportamento della
funzione renale nella intossicazione pro-
fessionale da piombo. (KIDNEY FUNCTION IN
OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medi-
ca (Naples) 36:181-96, 1953.
Kidney function was studied in 20 cases of Pb poi-
soning, established by history and laboratory
findings. In most of the cases, a more or less
significant reduction of glomerular filtration
was found with corresponding reduction of urea
Man
269
-------
clearance; only In a few cases was any significant
albuminuria observed and a higher than normal
number of formed cells in the sediment. In addi-
tion, there was observed a dimunition of the plas-
ma and blood flow. The authors conclude that in
Pb poisoning, kidney function may be dangerously
severe despite the fact that "external" signs are
not evident. (24 references)
1399 Dangl, F., Frank, 0,, and Lachnit, V.
(Univ. Clinic, Vienna, Austria): Blei-
saumuntersuchungen im ultravioletten
Licht. (EXAMINATION OF LEAD LINE IN ULTRA-
VIOLET LIGHT.) Zentralblatt fUr Arbeits-
medizin und Arbeitsschutz 3:6-8 (Jan.),
1953.
In order to distinguish the typical Pb gum line,
workers with entirely normal gums, with question-
able conditions, and those with definite Pb lines
were chosen. An ultraviolet (UV) lamp with Wood-
Filter was used. The normal fluorescence of gums
and teeth was observed, as well as that following
local and parenteral application"of fluorescent
dyes. Unquestionable Pb line showed a dark zone
in the place of the gum, which differentiated
itself against the remaining bluish fluorescing
gum. In 1 patient with Pb poisoning, the dark
line was seen to disappear gradually while he re-
ceived treatment for Pb poisoning. In doubtful
cases, a narrow Pb line could be clearly differ-
entiated from the dental tartar under the UV light.
In some cases in which examination under ordinary
light suggested a Pb line, examination under UV
light clearly demonstrated merely the red fluor-
escence of dental tartar. The examination of the
gum line under UV light will be especially helpful
in persons exposed to Pb who do not yet exhibit
other signs of Pb poisoning. Gingivitis which
also appears as a dark line will present a source of
error. The Bi line will also present the same
dark coloration, which is interpreted as a deposit
of metal sulfide.
1400 Davydova, G.N. (Leningrad San.-Hyg. Med.
Inst., USSR): Klinicheskie nablyudeniya
nad primeneniem askorbinovoi kisloty pri
svintsovykh otravleniyakh. (THE USE OF
ASCORBIC ACID IN LEAD POISONING.) Trudy
Leningradskogo Sanitarno-Gigienecheskogo
Meditsinskogo Instituta 14:66-73, 1953.
From 1944-48, the ascorbic acid metabolism was
followed in 98 Pb poisoning cases and compared with
data reported by Matusevich (1945) for 22 Pb cases
observed in 1940-41. D. found that the vitamin C
levels in blood were considerably lower in the
cases followed by her (0.072 (in 1944)-0.296 (in
1948) mg%) in comparison with the 1940-41 values
(0.590 mg%) found by M. The author explains this
large difference on the basis of differences in
the environment and states that Martinson, et al,
had found for Leningrad residents in 1943-44 the
vitamin C content to range from 0.1-0.3 mg%. She
points to the fact that even in 1948 her findings
for the Pb cases were lower than those of the
Leningrad residents, emphasizing the effect of en-
vironmental factors, in this case, Pb. ihe uri-
nary content of her cases through the years varied
from 0.314-1.294 mg%. She administered vitamin C
to 25 of them (20 women, 5 men), who showed signs
of moderately severe Pb poisoning, 300 mg vitamin
C daily for 20 days, or 500 rag/day for 20 days.
The course of the treatment is described for 3 of
the cases, and the values obtained for the vitamin
C content of the blood and urine, and urinary Pb
are shown in a table. The results indicated some
increase in the content of vitamin C in the body,
uut no saturation of tissue was obtained, and the
urinary Pb was not reduced to normal levels after
these massive doses. However, she believes that
vitamin C produces a favorable effect in Pb poi-
soning although it is not specific.
1401 Desoille, H., and Albahary, C. (Paris,
France): Saturnisme hydrique rftle d'un
branchement de T.S.F. (LEAD POISONING
FROM WATER: CAUSED BY GROUND WIRE OF
RADIO SET.) Presse Me'dicale 61:1247-8
(Oct.), 1953.
The occurrence of Pb poisoning in a family of 3 is
reported. The head of the family was affected most
severely. About 1 mo after he experienced ab-
dominal cramps, nausea and constipation, a bi-
lateral antebrachial paralysis developed. Medical
examination included coproporphyrin (1200 ug/1)
and blood Pb analyses (100 yg%) . His wife and
daughter exhibited subclinical Pb poisoning. Ex-
amination of water used by the family revealed the
presence of 0.875 mg Pb/1. The cause was found to
be a Cu wire, used as the ground connection for a
radio, which was wrapped around a Pb water pipe,
and thus favored electrolysis of Pb. After the
wire was removed, and even after a long period of
stagnation of the water in the pipe, the Pb con-
tent of the water dropped to 0.2 mg/1. The authors
stress individual susceptibility to Pb and the
necessity of the following tests for the confirma-
tion of a diagnosis of Pb poisoning: counts of
stippled erythrocytes, determination of copropor-
phyrinuria, and of free protoporphyrin in erythro-
cytes.
1402 Dietze, A. (City Hosp. Ltlbeck-TravemUnde,
Germany): Bleivergiftung bei Abwrackar-
beiten. (LEAD POISONING IN SHIP-BREAKERS.)
Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift 78:
136-7 (Jan.), 1953.
A case of subacute Pb poisoning as a result of Pb
inhalation is described. A 28-yr-old burner in the
breaking-up of old warships worked for 8 hr/day
from May 1-21. The work was mostly done in the
open, although sometimes he had to work in ill-
ventilated spaces. The ship was still covered
with a good coat of paint causing a real Pb hazard.
Protective measures were neglected by the burner
(ie, respirator was used only occasionally). He
noticed the first signs after 2 wk: sweetish
taste in the mouth; abdominal colic and vomiting;
a little later, headaches; nausea and a certain un-
certainty in the nerve functions. Roentgenologic
examination showed colonic spasm; subicterus,
reticulocytosis, anemia and porphyrinuria (145 ug%)
were seen on admission. No Pb line was observed.
After a 14-day treatment with BAL he was discharged
from the hospital. The condition deteriorated soon
again, probably as a result of a strong Pb mobiliza-
tion by the BAL. Now a Pb line was demonstrable,
the nose was blocked and he breathed through the
mouth. After a 52-day treatment in the hospital
270
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
he was discharged and the Pb line had disappeared.
In 3-1/2-6 mo, 8 more cases of Pb poisoning
occurred on the same ship.
The authors make special note of the fact that a
strong Pb mobilization took place after treatment
with BAL which makes the treatment with the drug
questionable.
1403 Du Pont de Nemours, E.I., and Co.:
MAINTAINING HYGIENE IN TETRAETHYL LEAD
OPERATIONS. Prepared by the Medical
Division of the Du Pont Company especial-
ly for Industrial Physicians and Nurses
in the Petroleum Industry. Wilmington,
Delaware, Du Pont de Nemours and Company,
Inc., 1953, 39 pp.
In part 1 of the book, medical aspects of tetra-
ethyllead (TEL) and Du Pont TEL compounds are
discussed. This section includes a description
of some of the characteristic salient clinical
manifestations of TEL intoxication. Part 2
deals with regulations governing the handling and
blending of Du Pont TEL compounds.
1404 Faraohe, G., Sorrentino, G., and Lombardo,
F. (Inst. Legal Med. and Assurance, Univ.
Messina, Italy): II problema del satur-
nismo nei lavoratori delle ceramiche in
S. Stefano di Camastra (Messina), dal
punto di vista clinico, anatomo-patologico
e preventive. (THE PROBLEM OF LEAD POI-
SONING IN CERAMIC WORKERS OF S. STEFANO
DI CAMASTRA (MESSINA) FROM THE CLINICAL,
ANATOMICOPATHOLOGIC AND PREVENTIVE POINTS
OF VIEW.) Rivista degli Infortuni e delle
Malattie Professional! 40:616-47 (May-
June), 1953.
The authors describe the various operations of the
work in the potteries, pointing out that both the
working conditions and techniques employed were
practically primitive as were the personal habits
of the workers which were contrary to all hygienic
and sanitary regulations; in short, there was a
lack of any form of preventing the worker from Pb
poisoning. On the basis of clinical and labora-
tory findings on 1 group of workers, they state
that in these potteries Pb poisoning is more a
problem of prevention rather than a medical, ther-
apeutic or insurance problem. The histopathologic
and chemical findings in 4 fatal cases are de-
scribed. In conclusion, the authors stress the
diagnostic and prognostic value of clinical and
laboratory evaluations and their importance in re-
spect to prevention. The determination of copro-
porphyrin in urine was used more as an index of Pb
absorption than the count of stippled erythrocytes
and Pb in urine. They also stress the need of es-
tablishing a program of prevention by industrial
engineering means and indicate the steps that
should be taken in this connection. The necessity
of an early postmortem examination in fatal cases,
where Pb poisoning is suspected, is emphasized.
(From authors' summary)
1405 Foreman, H., Hardy, H.L., Shipman, T.L.,
and Belknap, E.L. (Los Alamos, N. Mex.;
Boston, Mass.; Los Alamos, N. Mex.;
Milwaukee, Wis.): USE OF CALCIUM
ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE IN CASES OF
LEAD INTOXICATION. A.M.A. Archives of
Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medi-
cine 7:148-51 (Feb.), 1953.
The reports of a number of physicians and investi-
gators on the use of EDTA and its Ca salt (a num-
ber by personal communication) are summarized in
response to the interest expressed in this new
drug, with the view of developing a protocol for
use in Pb poisoning. M. Bowditch, Lead Industries
Association, agreed to hold a registry of such
protocols of cases treated with CaEDTA. The
compilation here recorded includes >100 cases
(to July 1952) in which the drug was administered
to humans (for research purposes, as anticoagu-
lant, in Be poisoning, etc).
In 8 cases of Pb poisoning treated with CaEDTA
(5 children, 3 adults), increased Pb excretion
followed, and in 4 of the cases there was marked
alleviation of symptoms. There was no evidence of
toxicity from the use of the drug, nor were
there symptoms associated with the mobilization
of Pb. Experiments with carbon 14-labeled mate-
rial showed that it is excreted unchanged. All
of the drug was accounted for in the excreta; 60-
90% appeared in urine after 6 hr, 95-99% after
25 hr, and remainder in feces. In other patients
EDTA was given experimentally to study Ca metabo-
lism. Serum Ca was markedly decreased. Applica-
tion of water-soluble ointments indicates that
EDTA is readily carried through the skin. The
protocol for the use of CaEDTA in Pb intoxication
is outlined and results are tabulated. (16 ref-
erences)
1406 Frank, 0., Jansch, H., Lachnlt, V., and
Mayer, F.X. (Univ. Med. Coll. Vienna,
Austria): Zur Beurteilung der Bleiwerte
im Harn. (INTERPRETATION OF VALUES FOR
LEAD CONTENT OF URINE.) Wiener Klinische
Wochenschrift 65:588-90, 1953.
The Pb content of the urine was compared with the
clinical picture in 210 individuals living in or
near Vienna. Clinically healthy persons excreted
<60 yg/1 of Pb as a rule, while in those without
occupational exposure to Pb the amount was
<30 ug/1. Where clinical signs of increased Pb
absorption were present the values were r^1000
yg/1 and in most cases of actual poisoning they
were still higher. The necessity for repeated
analyses of the urine is stressed. The discrep-
ancies between these findings and those in other
countries, especially America, and the possibility
of regional variations in Pb excretion are dis-
cussed. (13 references)
1407 Galea, V., Puscariu, F., and Ghelberg, N.:
(CHANGES IN IONIC COMPOSITION OF BLOOD IN
SATURNISM.) Acad. Rep. Populare Romane,
Filiala Cluj, Studii Cercetari Stiint 4:
356-62, ±953.
Determinations of Ca, P, and Cl in plasma were
carried out on 200 workers exposed to Pb and 21
not exposed to Pb. Changes in the concentrations
and in the ratios of the ions in blood were ob-
served. The ratio P/Ca is especially significant.
The (P x 100)/(Ca x Cl) in plasma is >11 at the
beginning of the exposure to Pb in more than 70%
of the cases with clinical symptoms. In 65% of
the cases which do not show clinical symptoms the
Man
27?
-------
plasma is also >11. (From Chemical Abstracts 50:
9612, 1956)
1408 Giannattasio, R.C., Pirozzi, M.J., and
Bedo, A.V. (Kings County Hosp., Brooklyn,
N.Y.): TUBERCULOUS MENINGITIS AND CON-
COMITANT LEAD INTOXICATION. New York
State Journal of Medicine 53:330-2, 1953.
Two cases of tuberculous meningitis with concomi-
tant Pb intoxication are presented. The litera-
ture was reviewed and similar cases were not
found. The difficulty in the differential diag-
nosis between Pb encephalopathy and tuberculous
meningitis is stressed. (From authors' summary)
\4Q9 Oilman, H., Spatz, S.M., and Kolbezen, M.J.
(Chem. Lab. Iowa State Coll., Ames): ORGAN-
OLEAD SALTS. Journal of Organic Chemistry
18:1341-51 (Oct.), 1953.
Preparation of a variety of triethyllead compounds
derived from mono- and poly-basic acids is reviewed.
Most of these compounds were sternutators. A few
diethyllead compounds were also prepared, but none
of these exhibited sternutatory activity. Effect
of solvent on extent of alkyl-Pb cleavage in R4Pb
or R3?bOH type of structure was demonstrated. Use-
fulness of organo-Pb salts in identification of car-
boxylic, sulfonic, sulfinic, sulfonamide, and relat-
ed compounds is pointed out. (From authors' sum-
mary; 15 references)
1410 Goldblum, R.W., Derby, S., and Lerner, A.B.
(Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor): THE METAL
CONTENT OF SKIN, NAILS AND HAIR. Journal
of Investigative Dermatology 20:13-8, 1953.
Quantitative values of 14 metals, including Pb, in
samples of normal skin, nails, and hair from 18
white males (age 15-70 yr) were obtained by spec-
trographic analysis. Because of great variations
in concentration of any given metal in different
samples, differences were reduced by selecting only
values grouped in the center of scattergram charts
(an example for Fe is shown): these 9 of the 18
values were considered the approximate representa-
tion of normal ranges. Metals were divided into 3
groups: Ca and P, those associated with enzymes,
and inert metals. Thus it was possible to demon-
strate some correlation of content of these metals
in the samples. Pb contents, grouped with inert
metals, were for skin, nails and hair respectively
in % of dry tissue: 2.52 x 10~2-1.34 x 10"1;
9.7 x 10-3-2.4 x 10~2; 4.1 x 10~3-1.0 x 10~2.
1411 Groetschel, H. (State Ind. Med. Officer,
Hessen Min. Labor, Wiesbaden, Germany):
Porphyrinbestimmung im Urin von Bleiarbei-
tern. (PORPHYRIN DETERMINATION IN THE URINE
OF LEAD WORKERS.) Zentralblatt fUr Arbeits-
medizin und Arbeitsschutz 3:146-7 (Sept.),
1953.
Statements made by Weidner and Hunold (Abstract No.
3609) in respect to urinary porphyrin levels in Pb
workers are criticized. It is not clear what the
authors mean by saying that healthy persons excrete
in 24 hr 30-80 ug% porphyrins, etc. Values given
by others are reviewed. In summarizing the latter,
0-60, or at most 80 yg porphyrin/1 urine can be con-
sidered normal; ^500 ug/1 is considered dangerous
Pb exposure. Values given by Weidner and Hunold
would be correct if they referred not to percent,
but to 24 hr, or at least, to 1 1. urine. Determi-
nation in 24-hr urine is of course best, because
porphyrin levels fluctuate not only day by day, but
also at various times during a day. Although the
author believes that porphyrin determination is a
valuable tool of diagnosis, he believes that it
must be supported by other tests and signs such as
body weight, anemia, high stippled cell counts, Pb
line, pallor, and constipation. Extensor weakness
is no longer considered an early sign of Pb poison-
ing.
1412 Gryglewicz, E., and Gasiorek, M.: Uzytec-
nosc po^ilosclowej metody oznaczania por-
fiyny' w moczu w walce z oZowica. (VALUE
OF SEMIQUANTITATIVE PORPHYRIN DETERMINA-
TION IN URINE IN THE PREVENTION OF LEAD
POISONING.) Med. Pracy 3, No. 3/4:313-8,
1953.
The authors conclude that porphyrin determinations
in urine in mass examinations (312 workers exposed
to Pb poisoning) is a better index of early Pb
poisoning than basophilic stippling of the red
cells. (From Excerpta Medlca Sect. II, 7:Abstr.
No. 1103, 1954)
1413 Guyotjeannin, C. (Paris, France): Au sujet
des hematics a granulations basophiles dans
le saturnisme. (BASOPHILIC STIPPLING OF
ERYTHROCYTES IN LEAD POISONING.) Medecin
d'Usine 15:362-4 (July-Aug.), 1953.
The author points out the value of determination of
basophilic stippling (BS) as a method for detecting
Pb poisoning and recommends a venipuncture instead
of a finger prick for sampling. Routine determina-
tions of basophilic granulation, if possible,should
be done by the same person with pipettes calibrated
the same way and methods of fixation and staining
should be the same. The following formula was pro-
posed for determining index of BS: BS x 5 million
x 7000/E x L, where BS = number of stippled cells/
100 leukocytes; E = number of erythrocytes/mm^ blood
of patient; L = number of leukocytes/mm-^ blood of
patient, and 5,000,000 and 7000 are normal values
for erythrocytes and leukocytes. Data were given
for 2 cases and it was shown that index of BS did
not always correspond to number of BS cells.
1414 Hammond, J.W., Pretsch, F., and Pipkin, R.
W.: HYGIENE STUDY OF THE PAINT DEPARTMENT,
BAYTOWN REFINERY. Medicine for Industry
(The Medical Bulletin), Standard Oil Com-
pany (N.J.) 13:195-9 (June), 1953.
In Sept. 1949, personnel of the Paint Department
were tested for signs of Pb absorption. Results,
reported in Feb. 1950, indicated that 17 employees
could have developed Pb poisoning if their exposure
had not been reduced. Effectiveness of control
measures then instituted was assessed by another
series of determinations in Aug. 1950, as reported
in Supplement I. A 25% average reduction in Pb ex-
cretion was found. In June 1951, Supplement II was
issued and gave results of urinary Pb tests run dur-
ing Feb. and Mar. 1951. This report showed an aver-
age reduction in Pb excretion of 57% when compared
with 1950, and of 65% when contrasted with 1949.
In Feb. and again in Aug. 1952, painters were
checked for urinary Pb excretion. Results are giv-
272
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
en in this Supplement III. Summary table showed
that reduction noted in 1950 and 1951 did not con-
tinue for the group as a whole; an increased number
of men (43) were excreting Pb in the high range,
even though average amount of Pb voided by each was
less than former averages. However, this was an
improvement, for had there not been a decrease in
exposure, urinary Pb values would have been higher
rather than lower, because Pb excreted is in direct
ratio to daily exposure. Therefore, enlargement of
the group with significant Pb values, upon analysis,
was not alarming. It indicated success of the rota-
tion scheme which was adopted as a control measure.
A majority of these men have exposures so close to
the borderline that a decrease of a few micrograms
in amount of Pb excreted will remove them from the
significant classification. The slight reduction
necessary may be achieved within the next year by
continued observation of control measures. This
could be especially so if particular attention is
paid to safeguarding of those laborers and painter
helpers assigned to buffing operations; for it is
those employees who now unfavorably weigh averages
because of their exposure to Pb dust in air.
(From authors' summary)
1415 . Hart, H., and Laszlo, D. (Montefiore
Hosp., N.Y.): MODIFICATION OF THE DISTRI-
BUTION AND EXCRETION OF RADIOISOTOPES BY
CHELATING AGENTS. Science 118:24-5, 1953.
Pb-EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), Y-EDTA,
and l^C-labeled EDTA all leave the body rapidly
when injected iv (Rubin et al, 1952; Foreman et
al, 1952). La-EDTA is <10% excreted through the
kidneys; the paper was written therefore, to ex-
plain this phenomenon.
J415a Holnquist, I.: (DETERMINATION OF LEAD
CONTENT OF BLOOD IN ROUTINE PHYSICAL
EXAMINATION.) Nord. hyg. tidskr. 1953,
No. 7-8:128-40.
A spectrographic method was used to determine Pb
content of blood at the periodical checkup examina-
tion of workers exposed to Pb in a Pb smeltery.
With this method 2,280 determinations have so far
been carried out. Number of stipple cells varies
considerably from day to day, both in persons ex-
posed to and not exposed to Pb. To assess the risk
of Pb poisoning only in the light of the number of
stipple cells is probably a rather uncertain method.
Determination of Pb content in the blood contra
urine and the value of coproporphyrin determination
as a routine method are discussed. With a Pb con-
tent in blood of >100 yg/100 cc, the writer found
normal porphyrin values in the urine in 35% of the
cases examined. (From Archives of Industrial Hy-
giene and Occupational Medicine 8:490 (Abstracts),
1953)
1416 Horiuchi, K., Fukumura, S., and Ida, N.:
THERAPY FOR INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING.
Japanese Medical Journal, No. 1535:3754-6
(Sept.) 1953. In Contributions from the
Department of Preventive Medicine and Pub-
lic Health, Osaka City University Medical
School. Vol. 1, April 1949-iiarch 1959,
p. 32.
1417 Horiuchi, K., Ida, N., and Fukumura, S.:
DIAGNOSIS FOR LEAD POISONING. Japanese
Medical Journal, No. 1526:2850-3 (July),
1953. In Contributions from the Depart-
ment of Preventive Medicine and Public
Health, Osaka City University Medical
School. Vol. 1, April 1949-March 1959,
p. 32.
1418 Horiuchi, K., Takada, I., and Tamori, E.
(Osaka City Univ., Japan): INDUSTRIAL
LEAD POISONING. IV. DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD
IN THE BODY OF THE HEALTHY JAPANESE OF UR-
BAN POPULATION. 3. LEAD CONTENTS IN THE
TISSUES. Igaku to Seibutsugaku (Med. and
Biol.) 29:188-9, 1953.
Pb contents in various organs of normal humans
were determined by the dithizone method (Horiuchi,
et al, 1952). Results obtained, in yg/100 g fresh
tissue, with number of samples given in paren-
theses, were: cerebrum (27) 0-20, heart (31)
0-50, lung (38) 0-80, spleen (39) 0-40, pancreas
(31) 0-50, liver (41) 25-130, stomach (16) 0-30,
intestine (18) 0-40, kidney (40) 20-90, adrenal
gland (10) 0, thyroid gland (5) 0, testes (3) 0,
ovary (3) 0, muscle (25) 0-20, skin (2) 50-130,
bone (34) 23-1450, bone marrow (6) 0-50, and
cartilage (6) 0-200. (From Chemical Abstracts
48:2921, 1954)
1419 Hunter, D. (London Hosp. , England):
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES WITH NEUROLOGICAL
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS. Practioner 171, No.
1021:48-58, 1953.
This is a review of a number of occupational di-
seases. Historical illustrations of neurological
signs and symptoms are presented, and important
aspects of effects of various industrial agents
including symptomatology, mode of action, experi-
mental demonstrations in animals, types of treat-
ment, methods of prevention, and legislation are
discussed. The following diseases are described:
cysticerosis, decompression sickness, and intoxi-
cation due to Pb, Hg, Mn, methyl chloride, tri-
orthocresyl phosphate, and organic P insecticides.
1420 India, Government of: Ministry of Labour:
ENVIRONMENTAL AND MEDICAL STUDIES IN THE
STORAGE-BATTERY INDUSTRY. Office of the
Chief Advisor Factories, Report No. 2,
1953.
This report describes an investigation made in
1950-1951 in all the 16 Pb storage-battery plants
(492 employees) then operating in India. Opera-
tions are described, and each of the factories is
rated as to building construction, sanitary and
related facilities, and control measures which are
provided. Air tests for Pb fumes and dust were
made at typical operations in each plant. Pb ex-
posures were found to be within and only slightly
over the MAC of 1.5 mg/10 m3 air in only 2 of the
plants. These 2 were those which had the highest
ratings for physical environments and the controls
provided to keep air contamination low. Occupa-
tional histories of all employees were procured,
and, in addition, they were examined for subjec-
tive symptoms and such objective symptoms as Pb gum
line, pallor, and tremor. No hematological exami-
nations were made, but 216 urine specimens and 176
Man
273
-------
blood counts were analyzed for Pb, and 449 urine
specimens were examined for porphyrins. In spite
of Pb exposures as high as 6.0 mg/m^, there were
no cases of disabling plumbism seen. Early plutn-
bism was detected in 10.6% of the workers. Urine,
blood, and porphyrin determinations were not used
in making the diagnosis but were used in attempts
to correlate these findings with medical examina-
tions. Correlations between urinary Pb and expos-
ure and between excretion and diagnosis of early
plumbism were not considered to be good, but cor-
relation between urinary Pb content and time-in-
tensity (product of exposure in months by atmos-
pheric exposure in mg/10 m-*) and correlation be-
tween urine porphyrin and early plumbism and with
time-intensity were considered to be good. It was
concluded, in view of ease of performing the test,
that periodic porphyrin tests were desirable as a
means for screening groups of workers exposed to
Pb. The report closes with a recommended code for
manufacture and repair of Pb storage batteries.
(From Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupa-
tional Medicine 10:350, 1954)
1421 Katsunuma, H. (Tokyo Univ., Japan):
MEGAKARYOCYTES AND LEAD POISONING. Jour-
nal of the Science of Labor (Japan) 29:
113-8, 1953.
From a clinical study of Pb poisoning syndrome
cases megacaryophthisis in the bone marrow was
found to be one of the most reliable symptoms of
Pb poisoning. (English summary) (From Chemical
Abstracts 48:6029, 1954)
1422 Komatsu, F., Honda, S., and Shimizu, Z.
(Shinshu Univ., Japan): TETRAETHYLLEAD
INTOXICATION CASES IN TRAFFIC COMPANY
EMPLOYEES. Journal of the Science of
Labor (Japan) 29:446-54, 1953.
Some employees of a certain transit company hand-
ling gasoline containing 1-3 ml TEL/gal complained
of anorexia, vertigo, lassitude, insomnia, loss of
weight, and numbness of extremities, and showed
clinically low blood pressure, impaired vision and
hearing, low erythrocyte and hemoglobin counts,
the presence of stippled and polychromatic cells,
anisocytosis, and poikilocytosis. The Pb in blood
and urine was in the normal upper limit in most
cases and in the range of intoxication in a few
cases. (From Chemical Abstracts 48:7287, 1954)
1423 Lapaton, S.: De la specificitfi des
hgmaties a granulations basophiles dans
le saturnisme. (THE SPECIFICITY OF BASO-
PHILIC STIPPLING IN LEAD POISONING.)
Medical Thesis, Paris, 1953, 55 pp.
Following preliminary tests with May-Giemsa-
Grunewald and particularly Loeffler's Blue Stain
and counts of basophil erythrocytes the author
demonstrated that the results obtained with the
microscope on a black field cannot be utilized
and that only basophilic erythrocytes seen micro-
scopically on a light field have any diagnostic
value. The results obtained from experiments
with the guinea pig and rabbit and from clinical
observation prove that the presence of basophil
erythrocytes is an excellent test which always re-
flects Pb intoxication. If the level of basophil
erythrocytes has no great significance it can
still be admitted that when >10% basophil eryth-
rocytes are present, the worker must be watched
and that when they are present in numbers above
20% Pb poisoning must be suspected. (From
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles 15:74
(Thesis Reviews), 1954)
J424 De Larrard: Sur un cas de saturnisme
hydrique longtemps meconnu. (A CASE OF
LEAD POISONING DUE TO WATER, THE CORRECT
DIAGNOSIS OF WHICH WAS NOT MADE FOR A LONG
TIME.) Proceedings, Societe de Me'decine
du Travail de Bordeaux et de sa Region,
Jan. 20, 1953. Archives des Maladies Pro-
fessionnelles de Medecine du Travail et de
Securite Sociale 14:292, 1953.
A forester, consumer of large amounts of water
and bouillon, had had a water supply system in-
stalled, using Pb pipes. He was soon attacked by
Pb poisoning which became worse in summer when he
drank a great deal of water, and improved during
the winter months. The 1st and 2nd summers he was
treated symptomatically; during the 3rd summer, the
colics were diagnosed as gallbladder disease, and
a cholecystectomy was performed. During the 4th
summer a gastrectomy was proposed. Hospitalization
during the observation period brought improvement
in signs, and the operation was canceled. The pa-
tient was seen by the author during the 5th summer.
Analysis of the water showed Pb content of 33 mg/1.
Condemnation of the water supply system brought
about apparent recovery. Three years later, arte-
rial pressure rose to 18; urea level, which had
been 1.25 g during the most severe periods,
dropped to 0.40 g, then rose to 0.60 g. Neither
stippled cells nor Pb line had ever been observed.
Ca and vitamin D used in therapy gave good results.
1425 L'Epee, P., and Lazarini, H.J.: Stomatite
saturine. (LEAD STOMATITIS.) Proceedings,
Societe de Medecine du Travail de Bordeaux
et de sa Region, Feb. 24, 1953. Archives
des Maladies Professionnelles de Me'decine
du Travail et de Securite1 Sociale 14, No.
3:293, 1953.
The patient (23 yr old) had been employed in the
cutting of metal plate of a ship, painted with
red Pb, by means of a cutting torch. After do-
ing this work for <3 wk he developed a severe sto-
matitis, bad breath, voluminous visible and pain-
ful submaxillary adenopathy, fever, fatigue, in-
somnia, and severe ulceration of gums. Proof that
this condition was caused by Pb is considered by
the author in the fact that the patient also had
slight attacks of Pb colic and Pb anemia. The
rapidity and intensity of the symptoms are due to
the fact that this unfinished ship had been re-
painted several times with red Pb only, with no
covering paint, so that the cutting torch caused
vaporization over & large expanse and not only at
the point of the flame.
1426 Marconi, E. (St. Anna Hosp. Castelnuovo
Monti, Italy): Un saturnismo subacuto da
autoimpallinamento accidentale trattato
con mercaprolo (B.A.L.); aspetti etiopa-
togenetici e medico-legali. (SUBACUTE
SATURNISM CAUSED BY ACCIDENTAL SELF-IN-
FLICTED WOUND TREATED WITH DIMERCAPROL
274
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
(BAL): ETIOPATHOGENIC AND MEDICOLEGAL AS-
PECTS.) Archivio di Medicina Interna (Par-
ma) 5:159-74 (Sept.-Oct.), 1953.
See Abstract No. 1498.
1427 Massachusetts Division of Occupational
Hygiene (Boston, Mass.): JEWELRY ENGRAVER
ILL FROM LEAD POISONING. Occupational
Health 13:72 (May), 1953.
A new source of occupational Pb poisoning came to
the attention of the Massachusetts Division of
Occupational Hygiene when a doctor on the staff of
a veterans' hospital sent to the Division labora-
tory a sample of urine for Pb analysis. The
patient on admission to the hospital had complaints
indicative of Pb poisoning; anorexia, nausea, vom-
iting, constipation and abdominal pain. At this
time, a well-defined Pb-llne was noted, and he
had basophilic stippling of red blood cells. The
possibility of Pb poisoning was therefore very
likely. Chemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis,
the values for both urinary Pb and coproporphyrin
being extremely high. Treatment was then begun
with EDTA. The rate of Pb elimination during
this therapy was watched by repeat urinalyses,
and the high Pb content results were proof that
the patient was excreting Pb. The patient, a
jewelry engraver, was admitted to the hospital.
Inquiry as to the materials he employed brought out
the fact that he used Intense White during the
previous 6 mo and Chinese White during 8 yr before
that, both water-color paints. He had the habit
of repeatedly wetting his finger on his tongue,
dipping it into the pigment, and rubbing it on the
jewelry he was working on, to make an opaque surface
for roughing out the design prior to the actual
engraving. Meanwhile, samples of the Chinese
White and Intense White were subjected to chemical
analysis, which revealed that the Chinese White
paint contained a Zn pigment and the Intense
White, a Pb carbonate. To determine the extent
of the Pb hazard from this trade, a spot check
was made among jewelry shops. It was found that
other methods of coating metal prior to engraving
are generally used, where the finger was not
moistened with the tongue. To prevent further
cases of Pb poisoning from this source, a number
of dealers of artists' supplies was advised to
inform their sales force of the Pb content of the
Intense White and to warn customers to use it in
a manner which takes into account its inherent
poisonous possibilities.
1428 Mentesana, G. (Univ. Palermo, Italy):
Considerazioni su un caso di Encefalopatia
Saturnina. (A CASE OF SATURNINE ENCEPHA-
LOPATHY.) Sicilia Sanitaria 6:829-35
(Nov. 15), 1953.
A 42-yr-old man from S. Stefano di Camastra had
worked from age 15 in the ceramics industry, using
Pb-containing paints and glazes. The present ill-
iiess began ^3 yr ago when he experienced mild pre-
cordial pains. For ^3 mo before seen he had suf-
fered colic-type pains and more recently, severe
headaches, vomiting, and pronounced asthenia. He
had discontinued work ^1 mo ago. His family
stated that he had been exhibiting progressive
deterioration of general health and of mental
capacity, especially memory. Among the clinical
findings, increased liver and spleen were noted.
Blood picture showed no stippled cells, and there
was no gingival Pb line. Pb in urine was 420,80
Vig/24 hr (3-day average, by Preti and Maugeri's
method); yorphyrins, 128 yg/24 hr. EKG showed
moderate signs of myocardiac involvement; X rays
of the gastrointestinal tract gave evidence of
gastritis and spastic colitis. The course of his
illness and treatment, principally with nicotinic
acid, throughout the 3-mo hospitalization are
described. Within that time complications of
bronchopneumonia and furunculosis arose. Diagno-
sis was Pb poisoning with signs of encephalopathy
and nephromyocardiosclerosis, hypochromic anemia
and chronic bronchitis with basilar emphysema.
Diagnosis of Pb poisoning was based on work his-
tory, intestinal colic, and elevated elimination
of Pb and porphyrins.
1429 Messmer, E. (Heidelberg Med. Univ. Clinic,
Germany): Zur Frage der BleibenzinschMdi-
gung. (LEADED GASOLINE INTOXICATION.) Samm-
lung von VergiftungsfHlle 14:276-83, 1953.
This is a lengthy discussion of the compensability
of disability for nervous disorders claimed on the
basis of Pb poisoning. The claimant had been ex-
posed to contact with leaded gasoline in 1943 and
had suffered a mild case of Pb poisoning from
which he had recovered completely. It was found
that no compensability existed on the basis of Pb
poisoning. The complaints were not the result of
this illness, Dut were of constitutional origin.
1430 Morelli, A. (Univ. Florence, Italy): Su
tre casi di intossicazione acuta da piombo
tetraetile. (THREE CASES OF ACUTE POISON-
ING BY LEAD TETRAETHYL.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 36, No. 6:440-3, 1953.
In this instance, TEL poisoning developed in a
man, his wife, a 32-yr-old pregnant woman, and in
their daughter, 9 yr old. The woman had obtained
a bottle of fluid which she thought was gasoline
and used it to clean the floor of their bedroom.
bince the floor was of brick, it absorbed a great
deal of the fluid. During the night that followed
the father arose at 3 o'clock to go to work. He
did not feel well, had nausea and several attacks
of vomiting, but thought this to be due to stomach
upset. After a bout of diarrhea he felt perfectly
normal. The woman and the daughter arose about 8
AM, both with vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and head-
aches. The woman, believing that the liquid she
had used on the floor was responsible, washed the
floor with water and she and her daughter slept
again in the same room. The following day both
felt very much worse and called a physician who
found them in a psychotic state, especially the
mother, with motor agitation, becoming more aggra-
vated up to loss of consciousness. The girl re-
mained conscious, but talked senselessly. Both
were anuric from the 2nd day and died the day af-
ter the physician's visit. The findings on the
part of the nervous system, respiratory, cardio-
vascular, and digestive are described for both
cases. The type of poisoning described is likened
by the author to that incurred in the cleaning of
tanks that had contained TEL-gasoline.
1431 MUller, K. (Ind. Superv. Board, Darmstadt,
Man
275
-------
Germany): Zur Kasuistik der Bleitetra-
Hthylvergiftung. (TETRAETHYL LEAD POI-
SONING; CASE REPORTS.) Zentralblatt fUr
Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 3:8-9
(Jan.), 1953.
Four cases of TEL poisoning are described. Fol-
lowing the publication of P. Fischer's report in
1950, special efforts were made to eliminate all
hazards at this particular plant. Workers engaged
in cleaning tanks were provided with protective
clothing, masks. However, after 3 wk, the suits
became unusable because of daily cleaning, and
certain parts were replaced with rubber. The
neck region no longer was protected, and it is
believed that this gave rise to skin absorption of
TEL. In TEL poisoning, diagnosis is based almost
entirely upon central nervous symptoms: blood
and urine Pb levels do not give reliable indication
of the course of the poisoning. These 4 cases of
poisoning occurred after about 6 wk exposure and
3 wk after the incidence described by Fischer;
therefore probably as a result of insufficient
protection against TEL. All 4 cases showed
disturbances of the nervous system. Pb levels in
urine were 0.348, 0.176, 0.359, and 0.329 mg/1;
blood levels were 0.03, 0.056, 0.062, and 0.063
1432 Njemirovskij, Z. : (DIAGNOSTIC SIGNIFI-
CANCE OF THE LEAD LINE.) Arhiv. Hig.
Rada 4:500-10, 1953.
The author reviews various opinions regarding the
diagnostic significance of the Pb line. In order
to clear some controversial points the author ex-
amined 50 workers of a storage battery plant and
50 workers in a Pb mine and smelting plant. A
control group consisted of 50 metal workers who
had not been exposed to Pb. The results are sum-
marized as folows: (1) the Pb line is not an
essential symptom of Pb poisoning; (2) there are
other factors besides Pb and H2S which contribute
to the formation of the Pb line; they are probably
related to the physiological state of the epithe-
lial tissue of the gingiva; (3) oral hygiene plays
a secondary role in the formation of Pb line.
(From Industrial Hygiene Digest 18:518, 1954)
1433 Penalver Ballina, R. (Havana Med. Coll.,
Cuba): Tratamiento del saturnismo con el
derivado calcico del acido etileno diamino
tetra acetico. (TREATMENT OF LEAD POISON-
ING WITH THE CALCIUM DERIVATIVE OF ETHYL-
liNEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID.) Boletin del
Colegio Medico de la Habana 4:289-91
(July) , 1953.
The literature on the clinical use of CaNa2EDTA in
the treatment of heavy metal poisoning is reviewed,
with special reference to Pb poisoning. The first
case of Pb poisoning (storage battery worker)
treated with this drug in Cuba is mentioned. The
1st day he received 1 ml in 250 ml 5% glucose by
iv infusion over 1 hr to determine tolerance; then
2 hr later 4 ml in the same manner. In the follow-
ing 4 days 2 g/day were administered and after a
5-day interval, a 2nd course was given; total ad-
ministration was 19 g EDTA.
1434 Queries and Minor Notes: LEAD ENCEPH-
ALOPATilY. Journal of the American Med-
ical Association 151:165, 1953.
The inquirer states that: a 46-yr-old man whose
personality hitherto had been well-integrated and
"normal" now has anxiety, decreased libido, sudden
tearfulness unprovoked and unaccompanied by feel-
ings of sadness, irritability, and failure to com-
prehend as he formerly did. Results of hematolog-
ical examination were normal. In 1949, he had Pb
poisoning, which was diagnosed in a hospital.
There has been no exposure to Pb since. Was the
Pb responsible for the present psychiatric syn-
drome? He had Pb line, stomatitis, gastrointesti-
nal symptoms, hematological changes and Pb enceph-
alopathy in 1949 and had two previous attacks in
1947 and 1948. There are no extrinsic psychogenic
factors now.
Answer: The symptoms described are not unusual
in the encephalopathy produced by plumbism and
are compatible with this diagnosis. Persons with
Pb poisoning usually have absorbed Pb for long
periods, and, while a deleading program may remove
most of the Pb from the trabeculae, a considerable
quantity still remains in the cortical bone. This
Pb is potentially dangerous and may be released
at some future date if the patient is subjected
to unfavorable influences, such as chronic or
acute infections, under fatigue, improper diet
with malnutrition, or alcoholism. The presence
of Pb in the blood in concentrations >0.06 mg/100
ml and in the urine in concentrations >0.1 mg/1,
the presence of a Pb line, or stippling of the
red blood cells is indicative of absorption. If
these studies are negative, psychiatric consulta-
tion is indicated.
If a diagnosis of plumbism is established, rapid
deposition of the circulating Pb should be effect-
ed. The patient should be placed on a high Ca (2
g/day), adequate P (1.5 g/day) diet. This may be
in the form of milk, cheese, legumes, and greens
and may be supplemented by dicalcium phosphate
and Ca gluconate taken orally. Vitamin D in doses
of 1,200-1,500 units/day should be prescribed.
The procedure of choice after cessation of symp-
toms is controversial. Some workers recommend a
slow deleading or detoxification program while
others suggest no further therapy other than avoid-
ance of precipitating factors as listed above,
with Ca and vitamin D supplements taken during
periods of stress or infection.
1435 Queries and Minor Notes: ABORTIONS AND
EXPOSURE TO LEAD. Journal of the Ameri-
can Medical Association 152:1494, 1953.
The questioner stated tnat a patient has just had
her 2nd spontaneous abortion, both at 3-1/2 mo
gestation; the 1st occurred in June, 1952, the 2nd
in March, 1953. During her 2nd pregnancy, sue
was taking prophylactic Proloid (a thyroid prepa-
ration) and diethylstilbesterol. She had no symp-
toms of abortion until the event took place with
typical bleeding and cramps. She has been working
with Pb styphnate and butyl acetate since Novem-
ber, 1950. Could there be any connection between
the abortions and the patient's exposure to these
chemi cals ?
Answer: Pb could nave induced the abortions
provided sufficient exposure occurred, but it is
recognized that other causes could have operated
in bringing them about. If this patient has re-
276
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
sumed work, it may prove possible to appraise the
extent of exposure. Since Pb styphuate commonly
is handled in small quantities and sometimes wet,
determination of Pb in the general workroom atmo-
sphere may be without value. The exposure, if
any, is likely to be sharply local and may repre-
sent "hand-to-mouth" transfer, even though gloves
may have been worn. Particularly if this patient
has resumed work, but even if she has not, the
urinary level of Pb should be determined. In ad-
dition, although it is not a conclusive test, ex-
amination for cellular stippling on a quantitative
basis should be done, and the basophilic aggrega-
tion test should be conducted. If other persons
are engaged in identical work, some or all should
be tested for Pb in the urine and blood; however,
negative results in other employees may not be
significant, since exposure may have been strictly
individual. Exposure to Pb on the part of the
husband would be significant and should be deter-
mined.
1436 Queries and Minor Notes: LEAD POISONING.
Journal of the American Medical Associa-
tion 153:b08, 1953.
yJhether in screening of factory workers for pos-
sible exposure to Pb, the presence of basophilic
stippling of red cells in an otherwise normal
blood picture is considered pathognomonic of chron-
ic Pb poisoning, was answered by saying that mere
demonstration of qualitative stippling of red
cells is insufficient evidence on which to base
the diagnosis of Pb poisoning. Quantitative enu-
meration has some merit, and the Dasophilic aggre-
gation test is still superior. Yet the indication
or enumeration of any formed elements of the blood
is not pathognomonic of Pb poisoning, such proce-
dures may be of value in the screening of numbers
of exposed workmen. Greater reliance may be
placed on the quantitative determination of Pb in
the urine or blood.
1437 Rageth, S. (Med. Serv. Canton Hosp., Chur,
Switzerland): Bleivergiftung nach Spreng-
unfall. (LEAD POISONING AFTER BLAST IN-
JURY.) Zeitschrift fllr Unfallmedizin und
Berufskrankheiten 46:207-18 (Sept. 15),
1953.
After reviewing the literature (61 references,
symptoms given) on the toxic effect of Pb-contain-
ing retained missiles, the author reports the case
of a 60-yr-old forester who developed a chronic Pb
poisoning 6 yr after injury from Pb chips. Previ-
ous illnesses were catarrh of the upper air passage
in 1938 and chronic gastroduodenitis in 1944. In
1945, he was injured in an explosion by cartridge
chips containing Al, Pb azide (1.4 g in 7 car-
tridges) and hexogen. Hexogen can be injurious
to the nervous system, but not in the amount pre-
sent in the charges. Direct consequences were
tinnitus, impairment of hearing, and a traumatic
cataract with secondary glaucoma in the left eye.
In 1951, he developed heart trouble and was hospi-
talized. Other symptoms were pallor, poor vision
in the left eye, shortness of breath, severe head-
ache, nausea, dizziness, impairment of hearing,
tinnitus, insomnia, irritability, loss of memory,
fatigue, decreased ability to work, loss of appetite
and weight, nocturia, but no colic or constipation.
He showed a psychoorganic syndrome with reduced
learning ability, retardation, deterioration of
optic perception, reduced acoustic perception,
failing concentration and increased subjective
fatigabillty. There were some disturbances of the
nervous system, mainly on the left side. Blood
showed 4,450,000 red cells, 6000 leukocytes, no
basophilic stippling, polychromatic cells or
reticulocytes and urine showed glucose values up to
1.4%. Pb was determined in blood and stool in July,
Nov, Dec, 1951 and July, 1952. Values in blood
were 147, 280, 15, 92 ug/100 g and in stool, 65, 3,
16, 320 ug/100 g, respectively. The patient was
treated with Na iodate, Na bicarbonate and Ca as
well as with spasmolytic drugs. The Pb chips were
surgically removed from the subcutis, but he still
suffered from chronic symptoms. He changed his
occupation and became a semi-invalid subsequently.
The author discusses the pathology of Pb-contain-
ing foreign bodies, pointing out that there can be
a latency of 12 days to 48 yr. Therapy is dis-
cussed and early surgery is recommended when the
projectiles are embedded in the bone marrow or
joint cavities.
1438 Rigner, K.G., Sjoholm, S.G., Sjoholm, 0.,
and Vesterberg, R. : (LEAD EXCRETION OF
LEAD HARDENERS IN A MODERN SWEDISH TOOL
FACTORY.) Nord. Hyg. Tidskr. No. 3/4:
41-7, 1953.
An orientation is given on the amount of Pb and
coproporphyrin (CP) in urine and on the occurrence
of basophilic stippling (BS) in the blood of a
group of workers who had been slightly exposed to
Pb during their work as Pb hardeners in a modern
tool factory. The amount of Pb in the urine of
these workers was higher than the amount in the
control group. The CP and BS values were on the
same level as those of the control group. The
exposure had not caused any evident symptoms of Pb
poisoning. Attention is drawn to the difference
in Pb in urine, and to none in CP and BS. Empha-
sized also is the importance of cooperation be-
tween people with medical, technical, and analyti-
cal-chemical competence in order to solve the
problem of Pb exposure. It is necessary to perform
investigations like the present one on groups of
subjects in many factories in which cases of Pb
poisoning have been reported as well as in those
in which this has not been the case. (A.M.A.
Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational
Medicine 7:444, (Abstracts) 1953)
1439 Rodier, J., and Rpdi, L. (Inst. Hyg.,
Morocco): Impregnation saturnine et ex-
ploration he'patique. (LEAD ABSORPTION AND
LIVER FUNCTION TESTS.) Archives des Mal-
adies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Securite Sociale 14, No. 4:
364-6, 1953.
The reason for this investigation was the contro-
versial view of some authors concerning liver
damage as a result of Pb poisoning, some minimizing
it, others tending to attribute it to Pb if the
patient involved had been so exposed. The authors
selected 43 workers of various occupations who had
been in contact with Pb for an average of 3 yr and
showed definite evidence of Pb absorption. Certain
liver tests were performed on them and on a control
Man
277
-------
group. The battery of tests used consisted of a
determination of the ratio of esterified choles-
terol to total cholesterol, a thymol turbidity
test, and a study of the cephalin cholesterol.
The results of these tests did not show definitive
differences between the 2 groups. The authors were
struck by the fact that so many of the subjects
considered to be healthy exhibited positive re-
sults, and wondered whether this was attributable
to the parasitic diseases to which the Moroccans
were liable. The authors conclude that Pb ab-
sorption is not accompanied by distinct liver dis-
orders at least not insofar as fat and protein
metabolism are concerned; however, the probability
of a connection between Pb absorption and liver in-
sufficiency is not easily dismissed.
1440 Rodman, M.J. (Rutgers Univ., Newark,
N.J.): A NEW THERAPEUTIC AGENT IN LEAD
POISONING. American Professional Pharma-
cist 19:987-91, 1027 (Dec.), 1953.
The incidence, sources, and diagnosis (in adults
and children) and treatment of Pb poisoning are
briefly reviewed and discussed. Prior to the
introduction of CaEDTA, there was no safe way to
control the excretion of Pb from the body. BAL,
potentially toxic in itself.may actually cause the
condition of the Pb victim to become worse. The
advantages and effectiveness of EDTA are discussed.
The suggested daily dose of CaEDTA is 1 g in 24
hr by intravenous drip at a rate of 0.5 g/hr/30 Ib
body weight. This is continued for 3-j days with
a total maximum/wk of 5 g. Courses should be sep-
arated by V5 days' rest oeriods.
1441 Salvini, M. (Univ. Padua, Italy): Con-
tribute allo studio delle cardiopatie nel
saturnismo. (HEART DISEASE IN LEAD POI-
SONING.) Folia Medica (Naples) 36, Ho.
5:337-71, 1953.
The author undertook a study on 56 patients sus-
pected of having Pb poisoning, for 11 of whom he
proposed 3 classifications on the basis of abnor-
mal EKG findings: (1) "Pb poisoning in cardiac
disease" comprising "carriers" of the disease who
become exposed to Pb risk; (2) "heart disease in
Pb poisoning" comprising patients with clinically
pathologic heart picture and partial manifesta-
tions of the Pb poisoning syndrome; (3) "Pb-poi-
soning induced heart disease" comprising negative
extraoccupational cardiac history, with onset at a
definable time and at an age <50 yr, after severe
exposure to Pb poisoning risk. Among the latter,
the incidence was 8.3% (4 cases of 48). The work-
ers' age and exposure period, clinical findings
(anemia, colic, nephropathy, neuropathy), types of
signs, EKG findings, are shown individually in a
table.
1442 Savicevic, M. (Ind. Hyg. Inst., Yugosla-
via): Povodom prvih zapazenih trovanja
tetraetilolovem u nasoj zemli. (OUR FIRST
CASES OF POISONING WITH TETRAETHYLLEAD.)
Glasnik Higijenskog Instituta 2:46-63,
1953.
The first recognized cases of TEL poisoning in
Yugoslavia are described. The 1st of the 6 cases i
was a woman, 25 yr old, who developed an acute
psychosis characterized by delirium, hallucina-
tions and disorientation, with cyanosis, insomnia
and hyperhidrosis. Bronchopneumonia developed,
but responded to chemotherapy, and the patient
made a complete recovery 26 days after the onset
of illness. Signs of mental disturbance were ob-
aerved in her husband; it was then found that
their 2 children were hospitalized for treatment
of an acute mental sickness, and poisoning was
therefore suspected. Investigation of their home
showed that they had sprayed the walls and the
door of their house with TEL for the purpose of
exterminating bed bugs. Two of the cases were se-
vere and the 4 others showed slight or moderate
degree of mental disturbance.
Because of the increasing use of Pb gasoline,
the author discusses briefly the chemical charac-
teristics of TEL, mode of action, clinical pic-
ture, treatment of poisoning and preventive mea-
sures. (13 references)
1443 Shiels, D.O., Palmer, G.R. , Cornish, P.E.,
and Rearley, E.J. (Ind. Hyg. Div. Dept.
Health, Victoria, Australia): PORPHYRIN-
URIA IN PERSONS EXPOSED TO LEAD HAZARDS.
Medical Journal of Australia 2:171-6,
1953.
Shiels and associates say that during the last
2-1/2 yr it has been the practice in their divi-
sion to determine the coproporphyrin (CP) content
of all specimens of urine examined for Pb in an
attempt to assess the value of this very rapid
test as an aid in the prevention and diagnosis of
Pb poisoning. This paper describes the results
obtained from the examination of 279 specimens of
urine from persons who had had various degrees of
exposure. Some had just commenced work in a Pb
hazard; some had been exposed to Pb hazards of
various degrees of severity for long periods; some
actually had Pb poisoning. Summarizing the re-
sults of 279 determinations of Pb and CP in urine
and of 240 stipple-cell counts (SC), the authors
say that the mean values of Pb in urine and the
corresponding mean CP values show a close corre-
lation between the 2 up to mean values of 0.376
mg/1 and 1.74 mg/1, respectively. Similar though
not so close correlation exists in regard to the
total SC counts and the CP in urine up to mean
values of 13,000 SC/million red cells and 1.1 mg
of CP/1 of urine. There is a fairly close corre-
lation between blood Pb values and CP in urine
values up to 0.17 mg/100 ml of blood and 2.25 mg/1
of urine. The authors feel that from the point of
view of routine control of employees exposed to
Pb hazards the determination of the urinary CP
content has certain advantages over other tests,
especially when a large number of persons are in-
volved. The test can be performed in ^10 min,
whereas urinary Pb determinations may take several
hours. Although a SC count can be carried out in
•V10 min for the actual count, the performannce of
a large number of these is tedious, and the prepa-
ration of slides, making of films, fixing and
staining, washing and drying consume considerable
time. One advantage of the SC count is that the
film provides a more or less permanent record,
which may be examined or produced many months
after being made. Whereas urine may be acciden-
tally or purposely contaminated with Pb, the occur-
rence of accidental contamination with porphyrin
278
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
may be ruled out, and the purposeful contamina-
tion with the appropriate quantity is possible only
to a very skilled person. The determination of CP
in urine is also of value in helping to decide on
the question of possible contamination with Pb.
In a case in point a high urinary Pb value was
obtained (0.6 mg/1) in a sample of urine sent in
for analysis. The CP result was also high (0.7
mg/1), indicating that the patient had certainly
had considerable absorption of Pb and that the
sample was probably not contaminated with Pb.
Disadvantages are that the porphyrin in the urine
is not stable under the influence of light, and
hence the determination must be carried out shortly
after the urine has been collected and on samples
which have been kept in amber-colored bottles and/
or in the dark. The concentrations of CP in the
urine are not quite so closely related to the clin-
ical conditions as are the SC counts. It has also
been pointed out that abnormal amounts of CP in the
urine indicate damage to the organism, whereas
abnormal amounts of Pb do not. This distinction,
though valid, is not quite of so much importance
as it may appear to be at first sight, since exper-
ience with >2000 analyses for Pb in urine has indi-
cated definitely that abnormally high values are in
the great majority of cases associated with signs
and symptoms which indicate damage to the organism.
In the diagnosis of doubtful cases of Pb poisoning,
it is not considered advisable to abandon SC counts
the determination of Pb in urine or blood; rather
these studies and the CP determination in urine
should continue to be made. Furthermore, it is
advisable in addition to determine the ratio of
monocytes plus large lymphocytes to small lympho-
cytes. (20 references)
1444 Sidbury, J.B., Jr., Bynum, J.C., and Fetz,
L.L. (Communicable Dis. Center, US Publ.
Health Serv.; Emory Univ.; Georgia Dept.
Publ. Health, Atlanta): EFFECT OF CHE-
LATING AGENT ON URINARY LEAD EXCRETION.
COMPARISON OF ORAL AND INTRAVENOUS AD-
MINISTRATION. Proceedings of the Society
of Experimental Biology and Medicine 82:
226-8, 1953.
Seven patients (5 adults and 2 children) with
either symptoms of Pb poisoning or excessive
amounts of Pb in their blood and/or urine, were
treated with CaNa2EDTA. To the adults, 1 g was
administered iv on the 1st day and 2.0 g/day
thereafter for a total of 5 days. Children were
given a test dose of 1/10 the calculated daily
dose, and subsequently 30 mg/kg in 5% glucose in
water twice daily. Orally, the dose for both
adults and children was 30 mg/kg twice/day. In all
cases, marked increases in urinary Pb were ob-
tained. The iv administration was the more ef-
fective. Preliminary results indicated that EDTA
is the most effective agent proposed for the treat-
ment of Pb poisoning. Side reactions were minimal
with the dosage schedule employed.
1445 Suntych, F. (Occup. Dis. Ind. Hyg. Clinic,
Prague, Czechoslovakia): Nase zkusenosti
s lecbou otravy olovem citranera sodnym.
(EXPERIENCE WITH THE TREATMENT OF LEAD POI-
SONING WITH SODIUM CITRATE.) Pracovni
Lekarstvi 5:320-5 (Dec.), 1953.
Treatment of Pb poisoning with Na citrate (5-20 g
daily orally, for 10-28 days) in 17 patients was
compared with treatment of a similar group with Fe
and liver extracts, The workers had been removed
from exposure shortly before treatment. The pa-
tients' complaints cleared up after a few days of
treatment. A statistically significant decrease
in blood Pb was observed, although the course of
the blood-Pb curve was not affected. No effect
was seen on the hemoglobin content. A decrease in
stippled cells was observed only after large doses
of the citrate. Urinary porphyrlns were not sig-
nificantly altered nor was the Pb concentration in
the urine. No unfavorable reactions of any sort
were observed, only sporadically did swelling of
the legs develop. An exacerbation of Pb poisoning
was not observed. Comparison with Fe and liver
extracts led the author to the conclusion that both
methods are approximately the same in so far as the
above criteria are concerned.
1446 Symanski, H.: (RELATIONS BETWEEN WORK
AND FOCAL INFECTIONS.) Ann. Univ.
Saraviensis 1:306-16, 1953.
A review and discussion of the role of Pb and
other toxic substances in focal infections in
industrial workers. (32 references) (From Chem-
ical Abstracts 52:18960, 1958)
1447 Takada, I. (Osaka City Univ. Med. School):
INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING. IV. THE DIS-
TRIBUTION OF LEAD IN THE BODY OF HEALTHY
URBAN POPULATION OF THE JAPANESE. 1.
LEAD CONTENT IN THE WHOLE BLOOD. Igaku to
Seibutsugaku (Med. and Biol.) 26:245-7,
1953.
The normal Pb content in the blood of the healthy
urban population, as determined by the dithizone
method, was ^31 ug/100 g in 95% of ^300 samples
tested. (From Chemical Abstracts:11308, 1953)
1448 Takada, I. (Osaka City Univ., Japan):
INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING. IV. DISTRI-
BUTION OF LEAD IN THE BODY OF THE HEALTHY
JAPANESE OF URBAN POPULATION. 2. LEAD
IN THE URINE AND FECES. Igaku to Seibut-
sugaku (Med. and Biol.) 28:74-6, 1953.
The excretion of Pb in the urine and feces of
healthy Japanese averaged t-44 pg/day (or ^46 ug/1)
and ^240 pg/day, respectively. (From Chemical
Abstracts 48:2921, 1954)
1449 Tara, M.S. (Social Security Reg. Center
Occup. Dis., Paris, France): Les diag-
nostics de laboratoire du saturnisme.
(LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISONING.)
Proceedings of the Meeting on Social Med-
icine and Industrial Hygiene. Archives
des Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine
du Travail et de Securlte' Sociale 14:396-
8, 1953.
In seeking to establish the diagnostic value of
different laboratory methods in 185 cases of Pb
poisoning and 75 controls, it was decided that the
determination of ketone bodies, of urinary urobil-
in, and urinary pH, never led to useful conclusions;
nor is the establishment of Ambard's constant
practical. For the determination of renal involve-
ment in Pb poisoning the levels of urinary albumin
Man
279
-------
and of blood urea are sought by the author. Levels
>0.50 were found in 34.5% of the Pb poisoned and
in 12% of normal individuals. It is believed that
high blood urea levels are found rarely in acute
intoxication, but that they are rather an indica-
tion of a persistent but mild poisoning that is
repeated over a period of time. In regard to
basophilic stippling (BS) of erythrocytes, in-
creased numbers can be considered only as an indi-
cation of exposure but not as a certain sign. In
the total of 260 persons 28% were found to have
>50 BS/100 leukocytes. Anemia is not a consistent
sign, having been found in 45% of Pb poisoned and
in 17% of healthy persons. The author does not
place any reliance on blood Pb values, since this
gives the quantity of Pb in the blood at a given
moment, and not that which is in combined form in
the organism. He recognizes that its determina-
tion at close intervals permits the institution of
effective treatment; levels of >80 ug were found
in 16 of the 75 controls, and in 122 of 185 Pb
poisoned. Determination of coproporphyrln III is
a difficult process and its presence is not spe-
cific for Pb poisoning. Because of all these in-
consistent results, the author has sought a more
reliable method of detecting early Pb poisoning,
and believes to have found it in the determination
of the indoxyl levels in the urine.
1450 Tara, S., Cavigneaux, A., and Delplace,
Y. (Reg. Center Occup. Dis., Public
Health, Paris, France): Le saturnisme
du saladier. (LEAD POISONING TRACED TO
SALAD BOWL.) Ann. Med. leg. criminol.
police sci., Med. Sociale, et toxicol.
33:63-6, 1953.
The case reported is that of a woman who for 10
yr had supervised workers engaged in soldering of
connecting wire to small transformers and con-
densers and who had suddenly become ill following
the midday meal with colic and diarrhea which
persisted for 2 days. After transient weakness
and general malaise she recovered without return
of gastroenteric signs. Four weeks after the on-
set of the illness, a dentist saw a Bi line on her
gums and another physician made the diagnosis of
stomatitis and anemia caused by Pb, as an occupa-
tional illness. The authors found a paradentosis
with a diagonal deep-blue shiny line on the gum,
a mild secondary anemia, coproporphyrin III in the
urine and a blood Pb content of 140 ug which
dropped to 20 ug. On the basis of her work histo-
ry, an occupational Pb poisoning was denied. Upon
the suggestion of De'robert, Hadengue and Lebreton
(Ann. med. legale No. 1-2, Jan.-Feb., 1951, pp.
60-4) the authors tested the Pb content of 1/2 1.
of dilute vinegar after standing for 2 days in a
poorly glazed salad bowl, and found 12.5 mg. This
offered an explanation of the alimentary origin
of the poisoning. Rivemale also had been able
to demonstrate the release of considerable quanti-
ties of Pb in pottery ware. (From Deutsche
Zeitschrift fUr die gesamte gerichtliche Medizin
42:648 (Abstracts), 1954)
1451 Tara, S., Cavigneaux, A., and Delplace,
Y. (Reg. Center for Occup. Dis., Soc.
Security, Paris, France): Dolichocolon
et saturnisme. (DOLICHOCOLON AND LEAD
POISONING.) Proceedings of the Society
of Industrial Medicine and Hygiene.
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles
de Medecine du Travail et de Se'curite'
Sociale 14:154-6, 1953.
The authors pointed to the temptation on the part
of many physicians to attribute to Pb poisoning
diseases which may have characteristics in com-
mon with the occupational disease, but which may
be of entirely different etiology. They also pro-
tested against the assumption that hyperazotemia
and the presence of stippled cells mean Pb poi-
soning and warned against false laboratory results
in regard to the former and difference in inter-
pretation of the latter. Two cases of dolichocolon
were presented where, although Pb exposure and
absorption did exist, the disease could not be
attributed to Pb poisoning, but was idopathic
dolichomegacolon. Case 1. A 19-yr-old man, who
had worked for 5 mo in a plant making vitrifiable
enamel, was exposed to Pb-containing dusts. Exami-
nation on Nov. 5 showed 3,000,000 red cells, 8000
white cells, 31 stippled erythrocytes/100 leukocytes
and the worker was hospitalized on, Nov. 7. A
blood test on Dec. 6 showed 180 stippled erythro-
cytes/100 leukocytes and the diagnosis of Pb poi-
soning was made. Examination on Dec. 22 showed
4,300,000 red cells, 86% hemoglobin, 5400 white
cells with 52% granular, 2 stippled erythrocytes/
100 leukocytes, blood urea 0.42%, Pb in blood
60 ug,urinary indoxyl 45 mg, coproporphyrin III,
200 ug. However, there were no evident signs of
Pb poisoning, even though blood Pb was elevated.
Checking the file at the hospital led to the
diagnosis of megadolichocolon.
The findings in Case 2, a 48-yr-old North
African, employed in a Pb recovery works in April,
and hospitalized in July for abdominal pains,
constipation and vomiting with 0.90% azotemia and
a diagnosis of appendicitis, were similar. There
were no signs of Pb poisoning, 6 stippled eryth-
rocytes/100 leukocytes and 300 ug porphyrins/1
were present. The patient returned to work in late
August, but abdominal pains and constipation
reappeared and he was hospitalized again in Septem-
ber with 1.15% azotemia. Examination in October
showed no Burton line, 3,940,000 red cells, 9400
white cells, 67% granulocytes, 18 stippled eryth-
rocytes/100 leukocytes, 0.27% azotemia, Pb in
blood 110 ug/100 ml, no albuminuria, porphyrin
100 ug/1 urine, indoxyl 35 mg/1 urine. Radiologic
examination in November showed a significant
dolichomegacolon.
1452 Tomita, N., Sato, B., and Hirashima, N.:
(POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION OF A BODY POISON-
ED BY LEAD ARSENATE.) Science and Crime
Detection (Japan) 6:214-25, 1953.
A report. (From Chemical Abstracts 48:4374, 1954)
1453 Vigliani, E.C.: Experiences de nouveaux
traitements de la colique saturnine.
(EXPERIENCE WITH NEW TREATMENTS OF LEAD
COLIC.) Bruxelles-Med. 33:651-64 (Mar.
29), 1953.
Seven patients suffering from Pb colic admitted to
the author's clinic in Milan since November 1951
have been treated with intramuscular cortisone.
In 6 patients no other treatment was given, but
280
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
in the most recent case intravenous Ca therapy had
been employed. Total dosage of cortisone was up
to 500 mg which led to rapid relief of abdominal
pain, and relief of constipation in 24-50 hr.
When comparison was made with patients treated in
the clinic with 2:3 dimercaptopropanol (BAL) and
with intravenous Ca, cortisone was shown to be
effective in reducing the duration of colic, and
there were fewer abdominal pains during convales-
cence. Patients treated with cortisone recovered
well-being, appetite and strength more quickly
than those on other regimens, in spite of the
persistence of anemia in the majority of cases.
Blood and urinary Pb concentrations, and copro-
porphyrinuria, were not significantly affected by
cortisone, nor was marked increase of urinary K
observed. An initial oliguria was followed by
polyuria with abundant excretion of NaCl. Urinary
17-ketosteroids were diminished at first, but
later returned to original values. Blood pressure
was not raised by the cortisone treatment, but as
a rule was lowered by termination of colic. The
mechanism of the beneficent effect of cortisone on
Pb colic is not known. A number of possible
explanations are discussed. (From Bulletin of
Hygiene 29:173, 1954)
1454 Voinar, A.O. (Stalin Med. Inst. , Stalino-
Donbass, USSR): Kolichestvennoe soder-
zhanie mikroelementov v yadrakh nervnykh
kletok po dannym emissionnogo spektral'-
nogo analiza. (CONTENT OF MICROELEMENTS
IN THE NUCLEI OF NERVE CELLS AS MEASURED
BY EMISSION SPECTRA.) Biokhimiya 18, No.
1:29-33, 1953.
In addition to the organic and mineral substances
in cellular nuclei, a metal component is present
in many enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase,
arginase, cytochrome oxidase, and carbonic anhy-
drase, so that a knowledge of the microelements in
tissues becomes Important. By a method described,
the author isolated the cellular nuclei of the
brain. Twenty-three microelements were deter-
mined qualitatively and quantitatively in the
nuclei of the cerebral and cerebellar cortex of
man, cow, and dog. Among these, Al, Ga, Pb, Li,
Fe, Si, Ni, Mu, Zn, Mo, Ba, Ti, Cu, Ag, and Co
were always present, with the heavy metals in
relatively large concentrations. (Pb content in
ash was 0.1% in man and 0.08% in animals.) Ge,
Sn, Cd, and Sr were found less frequently, and K
was always absent.
1455 Weber, O.A., and Valic, F.: (RELATION-
SHIP OF BLOOD LEAD CONTENT AND URINARY
COPROPORPHYRIN.) Arhiv Hig. Rada 4:511-
20, 1953.
Urinary coproporphyrin and blood Pb were deter-
mined in 154 subjects. The regression of the
logarithms of the urinary coproporphyrin concentra-
tion upon the logarithms of the Pb concentrations
in blood and vice versa were found to be linear in
the concentration range above the normal values.
The regression equation was computed and the 95%
confidence limits for the predicted values of
coproporphyrin concentration from the measured
concentration of the blood Pb and vice versa are
given. On the basis of these results the following
conclusions may be drawn: (1) the Pb content up
to 60 ng/ml blood, which is the upper limit for
normal values, does not produce coproporphyrinuria;
(2) the increased amount of Pb in blood will not
increase the excretion of coprophyrin if the ex-
posure to Pb is short; and (3) the 957, confidence
for the prediction of the respective concentrations
from each other are too wide to give even approxi-
mately good estimation. In the diagnosis of Pb
poisoning, it is therefore necessary to perform
both analyses. Each has its own meaning. (From
Industrial Hygiene Digest 18:517, 1954)
1455 Yamaga, S., and Saruta, K. (Yokohama Med.
Coll., Japan): A SURVEY ON INDUSTRIAL
LEAD POISONING. Journal of Science of La-
oour (Japan) (Rodo Kagaku) 29:606-9, 1953.
In clinical examinations of 71 Pb poisoning cases
no significant difference was found between those
who inhaled Pb vapor or dust and those who handled
Pb. (From authors' English summary)
1954
1457 Atchabarov, B.A., and Peisakh, S.A. (Acad.
Science, Kazakh SSR): Ob izmeneniyakh
chuvstvitel'nosti pri svintsovoi intoksi-
katsii. (CHANGES IN SENSIBILITY IN LEAD
INTOXICATION.) Izvestiya Akademii Nauk
Kazakhskoi SSR No. 136, Seriya Fiziologii
i Meditsiny No. 4:24-33, 1954.
The authors investigated the effect of long expo-
sure to Pb on sensibility indices in 400 workers.
All were subjected to neurologic examination and
were also seen by an otolaryngologist and a thera-
peutist. The workers were divided into the fol-
lowing groups: essentially healthy people or "Pb
carriers," j.e, in them no hematologic signs or Pb
poisoning were found, and those in whom various
degrees of poisoning were seen. Among those with
poisoning, in 32 (8%) slight sensibility disorders
were seen, and in 29 of them, hypoesthesia. In
all, disturbances in pain perception were estab-
lished, accompanied by slight lowering of tactile,
and rather often, of temperature perception. How-
ever, no deep muscular-articular sensibility dis-
orders were observed. The findings on all are
shown in tables as to length of exposure, eg, in
104 who had worked <1 yr, 3.8% showed distur-
bances, and in 10 who had been exposed for 17-21
yr, 40%. As to those affected or not affected by
Pb, 5.5% of the "i"b carriers" showed disturbances,
15% of those with mild poisoning did so and 13.5%
of those with moderate or severe poisoning.
The authors conclude that sensibility disorders
can develop very early, even in the absence of
hematologic changes. The frequency of these dis-
orders has a tendency to increase with seniority
and with the appearance of the cardinal symptoms
of Pb poisoning. They consider that these dis-
turbances are related to lesions of the cerebral
cortex which give rise to foci of blockage. (16
references)
1458 Atchabarov, ri.
-------
117):77-82, 1954.
On the basis of their observations, the authors
conclude that in a majority of the Pb intoxication
cases there is a disturbance of venous and arteri-
al blood pressure, expressed as arterial hypoten-
sion and venous hypertension. The former in-
creases with the gravity of intoxication. Pb col-
ic is not always accompanied by arterial hyperten-
sion. The rate of blood circulation generally
remains normal.
1459 Aubertin, E., Dulong de Rosnay, Ch.,
Labadie, P., and Tavernier, J. (Clinic
Inf. Dis. Lab. of Reg. Social Sec. Fd.,
Bordeaux, France): Intoxication par le
plomb consecutive a 1'ingestion d'extrait
de saturne. (LEAD POISONING FOLLOWING
INGESTION OF GOULARD'S EXTRACT.) Journal
de Medecine de Bordeaux et Sud-Ouest 131,
No. 8:766-8, 1954.
A woman, 36-yr-old, sought medical advice because
of sore throat progressing to complete dysphagia,
followed by epigastric pains with nausea and vom-
iting. A marked anemia was found on examination.
The patient admitted taking Goulard's extract to
effect abortion. Hospitallzation and treatment
brought improvement but bilateral radial paralysis
appeared a month after the poisoning. Clinical
and laboratory findings are described.
1460 Bandino, R.: Osservazioni sull'apparato
cardiovascolare di minatori che lavorano
in galleria nelle Miniere metallifere
(piombo, zinco e argento) del baclno
minerario del Sulcis (Sardegna). (OB-
SERVATIONS ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR APPARATUS
OF MINERS WORKING IN METALLIFEROUS MINE-
GALLERIES (LEAD, ZINC, AND SILVER) OF THE
SULCIS MINE-FIELD (SARDINIA).) Proceedings
of XI International Congress of Industrial
Medicine by Members of the Institute of
Industrial Medicine of the National
Accident Department. Rassegna di Medicina
Industriale 23:305 (Sept.-Oct.), 1954.
The arterial pressure of miners working in galleries
was measured before and after the 8 working hours,
and it was found that the systolic pressure was
under the physiologic level, while the difference
between the systolic and diastolic remained normal.
The author remarks that the alteration affects
especially those workers who are not affected by
silicosis, and judges that the alteration is due
to the action of Pb on the adrenals and on the
circulation. After transfer to other work in the
open air, the affected workers returned to normal
in a few months.
1461 Baron, J.: Etude hematologique du sa-
tumisme. (HEMATOLOGIC STUDY OF LEAD
POISONING.) Thesis, Lyon, 1954, 116 pp.
The reviewer states that this thesis is an excel-
lent presentation of hematologic manifestations
in Pb poisoning. The personal observations con-
firm the classical opinions on the constancy of
stippled erythrocytes in the course of Pb absorp-
tion and on their diagnostic value. Certain
logical arguments recommend the counting of
stippled erythrocytes on the basis of number of
red cells rather than on leukocytes. The myelo-
gram of Pb poisoning patients was also studied,
and contributed to the confirmation of the medul-
lary origin of the basophilic granulations. The
erythroblasts with basophilic stippling, the vacu-
olar erythrocytes and the associated tnacrophage
reaction constitute a characteristic triad.
Serum Fe, determined in a number of patients, was
generally higher than normal. The pathogenesis
of Pb anemia is in fact complex. It is connected
essentially with a disorder in hemoglobin for-
mation, since Fe is no longer capable of binding
with the porphyrin molecule.
A very complete bibliography of French and
foreign literature is included. (From Archives
des Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Securite Soclale 16:89 (Thesis
reviews), 1955)
1462 dashour, F.A. (Minneapolis, Minn.):
URINARY UROPORPHYRIN, PORPHOBILINOGEN AND
COPROPORPriYRIN EXCRETION IN LEAD-EXPOSED
WORKERS. Proceedings of the Central
Society for Clinical Research. Journal
of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
44:764-5, 1954.
Urinary coproporphyrin (CP) and uroporphyrin (UP)
excretion, erythrocyte protoporphyrin (PP), blood
Pb concentration, basophilic stippling, Basophilic
aggregate, hematocrit, and hemoglobin (Hb) were
studied in a group of 44 industrial workers expos-
ed to Pb. With the exception of 5 individuals
with clinical complaints suggestive of Pb poison-
ing, all were in good clinical condition at the
time of study. Most striking changes were observ-
ed in the levels of urinary and erythrocyte por-
phyrin. Per day CP excretion averaged 1704 t 783
yg/day as compared to a normal average of 189 t
79 Ug. The erythrocyte PP values averaged 467 ±
254 (range 146-942) as compared to control 29 ±
4.5 yg/100 ml. Erythrocyte CP values were only
slightly elevated, all values falling in the
range of 0.6-6.4 Ug/100 ml. The daily UP excre-
tion averaged 96.2 ug vs normal 13 - 10 tig.
The UP methyl ester (ME) was crystallized
from the combined extract of 24 urine collec-
tions of 6 individuals in the Pb-exposed group.
The crystalline UP ME melted at 259-262° C indi-
cating the presence of at least some Type III
isomer, but whether as 8 or less COOH groups was
not determined. It behaved as a Type B Walden-
strom porphyrin and is receiving further study.
Blood Pb concentration was >0.06 mg/100 ml in
39 individuals, while 10 had hematocrits of
<40%. Basophilic stippling (BS) was elevated in
only a few instances. Significant correlation
coefficients were observed for the following
tests: BS and Pb aggregates (0.79); urine CP
and UP (0.68); blood Pb and urine CP (0.37);
blood Hb and urine CP (0.33). Recent investiga-
tion has revealed the presence of porphobilinogen
(PEG) in a 2nd group of 13 workers exposed to Pb.
These results are in accord with the finding of
Schwartz et al of the increased excretion of UP
together with CP and PEG in experimental Pb
poisoning. This is the 1st report of excessive
UP excretion in human beings having Pb exposure.
1463 Belknap, E.L., and Perry, M.C. (Columbia
Hosp., Milwaukee, Wis.): TREATMENT OF
282
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
INORGANIC LEAD POISONING WITH EDATHAMIL
CALCIUM-DISODIUM. A.M.A. Archives of
Industrial Hygiene and Occupational
Medicine 10:530-47 (Dec.), 1954.
Seven men with heavy Pb absorption were hospital-
ized and treated with CaNa2EDTA intravenously (iv)
in doses of 5 cc or 1 g diluted in 250 cc of 5%
dextrose in distilled water twice a day for 5 days
followed by a rest period of 2 days, with resump-
tion of the 5-day course, then another period of
rest for 2 days, and finally a course of 4 days
as before. The total dose of the drug administered
varied from 25-30 g. Pb excretion in the urine in-
creased from 5 to 10 to 20 times, with a definite
peak of such excretion occurring almost immedi-
ately within the first 24-48 hr after the begin-
ning of treatment. There was a sharp reduction
of urinary Pb excretion after 2 or 3 days, despite
continued treatment. A secondary peak of Pb excre-
tion occurred after 2 or 3 days' rest period. It
is therefore suggested that the most effective way
to use EDTA is to give it iv for only 2 or 3 days,
alternating with a 4-or 5-day rest period, thus
reversing the regimen of 5 days' treatment and 2
days' rest used in the authors' patients. Usually
the coproporphyrin (CP) excretion in the urine
dropped promptly soon after the EDTA treatment
was started and remained down. If CP excretion
does not drop promptly after the institution of
the treatment, it may be that further deleading
courses of the drug should be given. Thus, por-
phyrin in the urine may be used as an index of the
effectiveness of EDTA in deleading Pb.
One of the patients resumed his former occupation
as an operator of a wastepaper press, the paper
worked on having been heavily contaminated with Pb.
Reexposure necessitated readmission to the hospital
for recurrence of abdominal Pb colic. The patient
was given EDTA orally in tablet form, 2 g daily, or
a total dose of 16 g. Close observation of the Pb
excretion in the urine suggested that possibly oral
administration of EDTA is somewhat effective, though
to a much less degree than iv administration.
Oral prophylactic treatment is still too experi-
mental to be widely recommended. Treatment with the
drug given iv proved to be not only effective but
safe, with no real evidence of any untoward results
immediate or remote. Iv treatment with the drug
does not give the prompt relief of Pb colic that
one expects within 1/2 hr with iv administered Ca
gluconate. Therefore, a combination of Ca gluconate
iv in alternate doses with iv administered EDTA is
calculated to give immediate pain relief, combined
with a sharp reduction of circulating, and there-
fore potentially dangerous, Pb.
1464 Bell, A.: LEAD POISONING FOLLOWING THE
USE OF AN OXY-ACETYLENE TORCH: REPORT OF
FOUR CAbES. New Zealand M. J. 53:57-60,
1954.
A large gold dredge was being dismantled by cut-
ting off the heads of rivets with oxyacetylene
torches. Men who had been working on the upper
horizontal decking of the pontoon of the dredge
for ^3 weeks all complained of excessive thirst
and slight headaches. Bell was told that the pon-
toon had been painted with red Pb paint when it
was assembled ^12 yr ago, and analyses of paint
scrapings taken from its hull determined the Pb
concentration at 40%. When he watched one of the
men at work, it was obvious that, in spite of pos-
sible wind, the worker would breathe large quanti-
ties of fumes created by the burning paint, as the
rising hot fumes were not substantially dispersed
until they were well past his breathing zone.
Tests revealed that the men were inhaling ^120
times more than the suggested MAC of atmospheric
Pb. The 4 men who had used the oxyacetylene torch
to remove rivets from the Pb-painted pontoon were
studied for stippled cell count, Hb content, pres-
ence of pallor, and blue line around the gums, and
they were asked about symptoms, appetite, metallic
taste, dyspnea, abdominal pain, and constipation.
Because of the extremely heavy concentration of
atmospheric Pb at the men's breathing zone, the
author did not believe that the conventional type
of filter pad respirator covering nose and mouth,
would afford adequate protection. The question
of men'" using a respirator with its own indepen-
dent airline was ruled out, as it would have been
awkward. In view of these difficulties and of the
fact that practically all industrial Pb poisoning
is due to the inhalation of dust and fumes, it
was suggested that the rivets should be removed
either with a pneumatic rivet gun or with hammer
and chisel. It is commonly assumed that if a po-
tentially toxic process is carried out in the open
air it is almost invariably safe because of gen-
eral ventilation. In many cases this is correct
but this report illustrates that this is not nec-
essarily the case. (From Journal of the American
Medical Association 155:934 (Abstracts), 1954)
1465 Call', V. (Univ. Palermo, Italy): Sin-
drome neurologica da saturnismo ed effetti
terapeutici della Bj.2. (NEUROLOGIC SYN-
DROME OF LEAD POISONING AND THERAPEUTIC
EFFECTS OF Bi2-) Silicia Sanitaria 7:173-
80 (Mar. 15), 1954.
The case described is that of a 53-yr-old typogra-
pher whose symptoms (asthenia, headaches, dizzi-
ness, memory loss, etc), as related, began 3 yr
earlier. At the time of admission, he presented
polyneuritis and mild encephalopathy. The diag-
nosis of Pb poisoning was made on the basis of the
known work exposure to dusts arising from Pb type,
finding in laboratory tests "positive" stippled
cells (stippling was virtually absent in the spi-
aal fluid), positive Burton's line; Pb in urine
75.5 Mg/24 hr (after 3 iv injections of Mg sul-
fate, y6,80); urinary porphyrins, 114.28 ug/24
hr. X rays of the digestive system showed gastro-
duodenitis, signs of spastic colon. Treatment
with high doses of vitamin B^2 brought rapid re-
gression of the polyneuritic signs and a marked
improvement of the clinical syndrome of encepha-
lopathy.
1466 Compere, A., Dejace, J., Kerry, J., and
Mignolet, F. (Med.-Social Ind. Center,
Liege, Belgium); Le saturnisme est-il
devenu un mythe? (HAS SATURNISM BECOME
A MYTH?) Medecin D'usine 16:72-9 (Feb.),
1954.
The authors studied the clinical files of 546
workers exposed to the risk of Pb poisoning. The
following results were found. Of 18 Pb rollers,
all showed basophilic stippling (BS) at one time,
Man
283
-------
>50% showed dental changes and 12 had digestive
troubles and constipation. A storage battery re-
pairman showed BS, albuminuria, azotemia and
dental changes. Of 7 Pb founders, 57% showed
blood anomalies. Of 90 Pb welders, 32.30% showed
blood anomalies and 30% showed dental changes.
Some galvanizers suffered from headaches, nausea,
loss of appetite, digestive troubles, and blood
anomalies. Of 144 typographers, 23% showed blood
anomalies and >45% had dental lesions. Of 38 lino-
typists, 39% showed blood anomalies and many had
dental lesions. Of 193 painters, 18.5% showed
blood anomalies and many had dental changes. Of
30 painters who regularly used red Pb, 60% showed
blood anomalies and many showed dental lesions.
Also studied were 346 cases and the results of the
urinary coproporphyrin test and BS were compared.
The authors concluded that BS was more sensitive
and more certain in the detection of Pb poisoning.
Treatment of those workers with blood anomalies
with nicotinamide and Na citrate gave variable
results. Some methods for improving conditions of
Pb workers are described and it is concluded that
the 2 best methods were adequate plant installa-
tions and personal hygiene.
1467 Cotter, L.H. (Columbia Univ. Coll. Phys.
Surg., New York, N.Y.): TREATMENT OF LEAD
'POISONING BY CHELATION. Journal of the
American Medical Association 155:906-8
(July 3), 1954.
CaNa2EDTA, the safety of which had been establish-
ed earlier, was used in the treatment of a series
of Pb poisoning cases. After testing tolerance to
the drug, the patients received 2 g/day for 1 wk
(250 mg every 2 hr). Careful biochemical records
were made before and 1 mo after treatment, particu-
larly of the levels of serum electrolytes, because
of known affinity of EDTA for these in plasma.
Four case reports selected from a series of 26 pa-
tients (with occupational exposure) as typical of
exposure symptoms, and recovery, are presented.
Results of biochemical tests for these 4 cases are
tabulated. It was significant that the Ca, Cu,
Na, and Mg content was at no time seriously dis-
burbed. Two patients in the series showed a rise
in total serum organic phosphate, and 2 showed a
rise in serum Cu. Serum cholesterol was low in
the average case and was the slowest factor to re-
turn to normal. (In the determination of all the
chemical values, muffle furnace methods are re-
quired to destroy the chelating agent.)
1468 Crepet, M. , and Gobbato, F. (Univ. Turin,
Italy): Alterazioni emodinamiche in corso
di colica saturnina. (HEMODYNAMIC CHANGES
IN THE COURSE OF LEAD COLIC.) Medicina
del Lavoro 45:523-32 (Oct.), 1954.
Three Pb poisoning cases, 25, 26, and 35 yr old
(founder, auto body repairman, painter), 2 of whom
presented colic, are described. Tests included
cardiac volume, vascular resistance, systolic and
diastolic pressure, renal hemodynamics, EKG, and
orthodiagraphic examination, which are described
in detail with results tabulated for each patient.
As summarized by the author, these tests showed
that hypertension in Pb colic is due to an in-
crease in peripheral resistance. A decrease of
the cardiac output takes place, as well as func-
tional rigidity of the arteries and an increase in
pulse rate. The afferent glomerular arteriole
takes part in the arteriolar systemic spasm. This
causes a fall in glomerular filtration rate. In
a case with toxic symptoms, not of the colic type,
with persistent arterial hypertension the increase
of peripheral resistance was localized in the kid-
ney and brain similar to essential hypertension.
In each case examined, removal from exposure
brought a return to normal circulatory equilibrium.
1469 Cupcea, S., Raucher, C., Derevenco, P.,
Deleanu, M., Pop, M., and Gross, E.:
Contributions au probleme de 1'examen de
la reactivitS dans le saturnisme. (EXAMI-
NATION OF REACTIVITY IN PLUMBISM.) Rev.
Sci. M£d. Bucharest. 2:106-15, 1954.
Since in excessive absorption of toxic substances,
including Pb, response to nervous stimuli is de-
layed before any clinical signs appear, the follow-
ing groups of workers were subjected to tests of
reactions to hearing the spoken word, and to vari-
ous electrical stimuli: I, not exposed to Pb; II,
exposed to Pb for a short time; III, exposed for a
longer time; IV, with definite signs of poisoning.
The longer the latent period between a signal and
response, the greater and more pronounced was the
absorption of Pb. Soviet investigators had es-
tablished the norm for the length of delay in re-
sponse; it is therefore suggested that this tech-
nique be used in evaluating the degree of absorp-
tion of Pb. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 31:46, 1956)
1470 DeLuca, S. (Ind. Physician, Soc. Mining
and Metallurgy, Pertusola, Italy): Inda-
gine di massa per la ricerca della porfir-
ine urinarie nei lavoratorl di P.b. (MASS
INVESTIGATIONS OF URINARY PORPHYRINS IN
LEAD WORKERS.) Rassegna di Medicina In-
dustriale 23:289, 350-2 (Sept.-Oct.), 1954.
The author considers the determination of copro-
porphyrin (CP) in urine to be an important method
of diagnosis of Pb poisoning. Normal elimination
is 20-60 ug/24 hr; 150 yg/24 hr constitutes a sign
of alarm. Of 50 foundry workers, 15 cases ex-
creted excessive amounts of CP. Of these, 8 cases
eliminating 250-500 yg CP/24 hr are listed in a
table together with clinical signs, hematology,
and whether compensated or not by the Insurance
Board. Aside from the usual findings, liver en-
largement, high hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy,
diffuse polyarthritis, hypertrophic gastritis,
bronchial asthma, and myocardial sclerosis were
observed. Compensation was granted in 3 cases,
the remaining were to be observed.
1471 Drogichina, E.A. , Okhnyanskaya, L..G.,
Ginzburg, u.A., Mumzhu, ii.i\., Sadchikova,
M.N., and Ryzhkova, M.N. (Acad. Med.
Sci., USSR): Rol' vysshikh otdelov tsen-
tral'noi nervnoi sistemy v razvitii i
techenii patologicheskogo protsessa pri
nekotorykh intoksikatsiyakh. (ROLE OF THE
HIGHER SEGMENTS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS
SYSTEM IN DEVELOPMENT AND COURSE OF PATHO-
LOGIC PROCESSES IN CERTAIN INTOXICATIONS.)
Trudy Akademii Meditsinkikh Nauk SSSR 31:
9-27, 1954.
284
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
The authors studied 130 patients with chronic Pb
or Hg poisoning, selected from a working popula-
tion of >500 in Pb and Hg works; in addition, 40
healthy persons were examined. The study group
was divided into subgroups of those who were ex-
posed but did not show overt signs of poisoning;
those with mild forms of intoxication, showing
asthenia, vegetative disorders, and, in the case
of Pb poisoning, blood disorders; those with se-
vere degrees of poisoning, including Pb colic and
encephalopathy. In addition to clinical examina-
tion, numerous tests were applied for the detec-
tion of disorders of the function of the nervous
system. These were based on tests developed by
Pavlov, and were carried out by the neurologic
and clinical physiology divisions. Specifically,
these included the olfactory reflex and optical
chronaxy; oculocardiac reflex; the biological
properties of the blood of the patients and rela-
tion to the condition of the higher segments of
the nervous system. For this, the isolated frog
heart and the dorsal leech muscle test was used.
Several cases are described as examples of the
findings which are presented.
1472 Editorial (R.T. Johnstone): HORRIBLE
DICTU.' Industrial Medicine and Surgery
23:381-2 (Aug.), 1954.
CaEDTA or Versene is the best known deleading
agent yet evolved. The author points out that
CaEDTA should be used only as a therapeutic agent.
As yet there is no proof as to its value as a
preventive measure. Skin cream containing CaEDTA
particularly should not be adopted because of the
danger that good industrial hygiene would be
ignored. The author emphasizes that there is no
substitute for rigid hygiene in industry.
1473 Field, J.B. (Univ. S. California School
Med., Los Angeles): SIMPLE MANAGEMENT OF
LEAD POISONING. California Medicine 80:
101-3, 1954.
Colic, nausea, vomiting and alternating constipa-
tion, diarrhea, and insomnia, that had set in ^1
mo before admission to the hospital, had increased
in severity in a 30-yr-old woman in the week of
admission (March 22, 1953). Several physicians
had diagnosed her condition as enteritis, but
treatment with antibiotics was ineffective. Since
1952, the patient had been working in a ceramics
plant as a sprayer of underglaze ("frit'' mixed
with silica containing ^5-20% Pb). She had not
been given a protective face mask, and the venti-
lator clearing the air of the fumes had been dis-
connected because of its noise. On March 20,
urinary Pb content was >0.5 mg/1 (normal; ^?0.08
mg/1). Blood Pb level was 0.365 mg/100 cc (normal;
=0.05 mg) . Hb was 8.8 g/100 ml, erythrocytes were
3.8 million/mm^, and there were 1.4% basophilic
stippled erythrocytes. Urine, blood and X-rays
were normal.
Therapy consisted of a high Ca diet supplemented
with Ca gluconate orally, Mg sulfate and atropine
sulfate, morphine and codeine sulfate, and bar-
biturate sedation. On March 25, treatment with
CaEDTA was started, 2 g in 1 1. of 57, glucose in
saline solution given intravenously (iv) over a 6-
8 hr period, and for 9 days thereafter. Patient
improved within 4 days after start of EDTA therapy.
Blood Pb content fell to <0.1 mg% (May 16).
Urinary Pb levels, remaining high during the phase
of increased excretion (>0.5 mg/1) fell rapidly to
<0.1 mg/1. The patient was discharged from the
hospital on April 3 on a high dosage of Ca glu-
conate and ferrous sulfate. Hb increased to 12
g/100 cc of blood (Apr 18) and to 13.5 g (June 6).
The author has used CaEDTA by iv drip in 10 other
cases to reduce the amount of Ca in the serum.
Reduction of as much as 50%, to near tetanic levels,
was observed. The amount of Ca to be bound and ex-
creted was easily calculated and verified by ex-
amination. No toxic phenomenon other than minor
venospastic pain in the cannulated vessel was ob-
served when as much as 2 g was administered at one
time.
He concludes that administration of CaEDTA re-
sults in pronounced enhancement of Pb excretion
and rapid subsidence of the symptoms of Pb intoxi"
cation. Use of CaEDTA (calcium versenate) in
doses of 1-2 g/day in an iv drip for rapid excre-
tion of body-stored Pb and relief of associated
symptoms is recommended by him. The drug can also
be given orally but then the excretion of Pb is
slower.
1474 Fourcade, J., and Caron, M. (France): Sur
une serie dramatique d'intoxications
saturnines d'origine hydrique. (A DRAMATIC
SERIES OF CASES OF POISONING BY LEAD FROM
THE WATER SUPPLY.) Annales de Medeclne
Legale et de Criminologie, Police Scientif-
ique et Toxicologie 34:191-6, 1954.
The high Pb content of a drinking water supply
(2.3 mg Pb/1 at the kitchen tap) which was con-
ducted through Pb pipes, caused Pb intoxication of
5 members of a farm family with lethal outcome for
2 or possibly 3 of them. The most prevalent symp-
toms were painful colics with occasional vomiting
and constipation, paresis and later paralysis of
the muscles and death from uremia. In 1 subject
erythrocytes with basophilic stippling were noted.
Analysis of the organs of 2, upon exhumation,
showed the following in mg Pb/kg: muscle 1.6, 3.5;
liver 30.0, 19.0; kidney 8.3, 8.3; brain 10.2, 7.7;
tibia (diaphysis) 43.0, 21.7; hair 124.0, 94.7;
teeth 85.3, 99.0. For comparison, the tibia of
the grandfather contained 9.9 mg Pb/kg.
1475 Griffith, G.C., Butt, E.M., and Walker, J.
(Univ. S. California, Los Angeles): THE
INORGANIC ELEMENT CONTENT OF CERTAIN HUMAN
TISSUES. Annals of Internal Medicine 41:
501-9, 1954.
Tables are given which show the average content of
Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, and Zn from 910 autopsied pa-
tients. Pb was found in constant amounts at all
times at all ages, but in the aorta after age 40
it increased 50-100Z concomitantly with the degree
of arteriosclerosis present, compelling the spec-
ulation that Pb, Ca, and perhaps other inorganic
elements compete for the role of catalyst in the
enzyme metabolism of the aorta. (From authors'
summary)
1476 Gobbato, F., and Monarca, G. (Univ. Turin,
Italy): Rilievi clinico-statistici su 89
casi di anemia saturnina. (CLINICAL AND
STATISTICAL FINDINGS IN 89 CASES OF LEAD
Man
285
-------
ANEMIA.) Proceedings of XI International
Congress of Industrial Medicine by Members
of the Institute of Industrial Medicine
of the National Accident Prevention Depart-
ment. Rassegna di Medicina Industriale
23:234-42 (July-Aug.), 1954.
Statistical studies on 89 workers suffering from
Pb anemia, 45 grinders (av age 37.4 yr, 2.7 yr
service), 29 founders (av age 42.9 yr, 7.2 yr
service), 15 in other occupations (av age 49 yr,
12.1 yr service), showed the following: The anemia
in these cases of active Pb poisoning was of mod-
erate severity and of normochromic type. The
degree of anemia was independent of the type of
occupation; the average period of exposure pro-
ducing anemia was greater in founders as compared
with grinders, and in other trades as compared
with founders. The severity of the anemia was
independent of the age of patients despite the
fact that the older workers had been exposed for
longer periods of time. In 89% the red cell count
was <4 million. Improvements in the blood picture
as seen in 58 cases about 2 mo after removal from
exposure showed no significant statistical differ-
ences in the various groups, ie, type of occupation
and age. (20 references)
1477 Graziani, G., Fusco, M., and Rossi, L.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): Ferro serico e
saturnismo. Nota III; La ferremia da ca-
rico nel saturnismo professionale. (SE-
RUM IRON AND LEAD POISONING. III. IRON
TEST IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Fo-
lia Medica (Naples) 37:643-53, 1954.
From the curve of serum Fe after oral or iv admin-
istration in 20 persons with mild Pb poisoning it
is concluded that there exists a disturbance of
absorption and utilization of Fe, as was observed
already in experimental Pb poisoning.
1478 Guichard, A., Roche, L., Collard, N., and
Dalmais, J. (Lyons, France): Polyart^rite
et polyarteriolite systematise^ des membres
avec pgriostite distale d'origine saturnine
probable. (GENERALIZED POLYARTHRITIS AND
POLYARTERIOLITIS OF THE EXTREMITIES WITH
DISTAL PERIOSTITIS PROBABLY CAUSED BY LEAD
POISONING.) Lyon Medical 86:73-88 (July
25), 1954.
The case described is that of a 57-yr-old shepherd
whose history revealed epidemic dysentery while a
prisoner of war in 1940, a moderate alcoholism
(2 l./day) with enlarged liver, chronic glaucoma,
a periostitis of the tibias which led to a radio-
logic study of the extremities, and chronic Pb poi-
soning. The findings revealed a generalized opaci-
fication of all extremities, distal periostitis of
the 2 tibias and elbows, absence of osteopathy,
diabetes, arterial hypertension, aortic, mesenteric
or iliac calcification. Pb poisoning as cause was
based on the fact that from 1928-38 the man had
worked in a storage battery factory in the plating
operation which was done in a closed room. While
he washed his hands before eating, changed his
clothing at the end of the day, never ate in the
workroom, consumed 1-1/2 1 milk/day and had a week-
ly mineral-springs bath, he did smoke at work and
drank lithia water directly from the bottle. While
seen by the authors in 1953, a BAL treatment re-
vealed prophyrins in urine and he suffered a small
attack of colic, interpreted as being due to mobil-
ization of Pb. The authors conclude that the man
was still suffering from Pb poisoning 15 yr after
exposure and that the conditions observed, which
they consider to be the first such case reported,
were due to metabolic interaction between Pb and
Ca.
1479 Gupta, M.N., and Harihara Iyer, C.R.
(Jamshedpur, India): URINARY PORPHYRIN
TEST FOR LEAD ABSORPTION. Proc. Soc.
Study Ind. Med. 6:176-92, 1954.
An investigation was carried out to ascertain
whether estimations of urinary porphyrin were as
valuable as indications of Pb absorption as
estimates of Pb in the urine or the blood. Six-
teen Pb storage factories were visited and 461
workers observed. The results of examining urine
and blood for Pb and urine for porphyrin in 172
cases are stated and portrayed in a series of
graphs. Normal Pb concentration in blood ranges
from 0.01-0.06 mg/100 ml whole blood; concentrations
>0.07 mg/100 ml indicate Pb exposure; and those
>0.10 mg/100 ml indicate considerable exposure.
The amount of porphyrin in the urine was found to
be closely correlated with the amounts of Pb found
in the blood and urine. Thus positive porphyrin
reactions occurred in some 85% of urines contain-
ing ^0.10 mg Pb/1 but in only some 21% of urines
containing <0.10 mg Pb/1; positive porphyrin
reactions occurred in 90% of persons with iO.08
mg Pb/100 ml blood. After careful examination of
all the many estimations made, the conclusion is
drawn that porphyrin examination might replace
costly blood Pb and urine Pb examinations. Esti-
mation of porphyrin is comparatively simple. In-
crease of urinary porphyrin can be used as an
early indication of Pb absorption. The findings
were also correlated with clinical observations.
(From Bulletin of Hygiene 30:420, 1955)
1480 Hardy, H.L., Elkins, H.B., Ruotolo, B.P.W.,
Quinby, J., and Baker, W.H. (Massachusetts
Gen. Hosp., lioston) : USE OF MONOCALCIUM
DISODIUM ETHYLENE DIAMINE TETRA-ACETATE IN
LEAD POISONING. Journal of the American
Medical Association 154:1171-5 (Apr. 3),
1954.
Three cases of chronic occupational Pb poison-
ing and 3 normal control patients were studied.
Urinary Pb was determined before treatment with
Ca-EDTA (Ross and Lucas method (1935), and
direct ashing method followed by dithizone
during and after Ca-EDTA) . Coproporphyrins
(CP) in urine were determined by Maloof's
method. The 3 cases of poisoning, 46-50 yr
old, are described in some detail. Treatment
was by daily iv administration of 3 g EDTA in
600 ml of 5% dextrose in distilled water, over
a 2-hr period in the 1st case. Treatment was
discontinued for 48 hr after the 1st day because
of nausea, watery bowel movements and rise in
temperature. The dosage was then resumed. In
the 2nd case treatment was by 3.5 g EDTA iv
daily for 7 days, as above, and in the 3rd,
4 g in 450 ml dextrose over 2 hr for 5 con-
secutive days. Favorable results in elimina-
tion of Pb were obtained. The authors believed
286
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
that the clinical course was favorably in-
fluenced by the treatment as seen in the re-
markable Pb excretion with coincident de-
crease in CP excretion and reversal of hema-
tologic abnormalities. It was noted that the
increased excretion of Pb showed decreasing
amounts over a period of sustained administra-
tion. No harmful effects were observed. The
theory of the action is discussed, and several
problems to be solved by additional research
are outlined. These include the cause of the
rapid return to pretreatment levels of urinary
Pb and CP when EDTA is discontinued.
1481 Harkanyi, I., and Bencze, G. (Budapest
Med. Coll., Hungary): Olommergezessel
kapcsolatos teves diagnozisok esetei.
(DIAGNOSTIC ERRORS IN LEAD POISONING.)
Orvosi Hetilap 95:766-8 (July 11), 1954;
Current List of Medical Literature 27:
26545, 1955.
14J2 Harris, W.H., Beauchemin, J.A., Hershen-
son, H.M., Roberts, S.H., and Matsuyama,
G. (Middletown, Conn.): STUDY OF METAL
IONS IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. I.
PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS. Journal of
Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
13:427-34, 1954.
Frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes,
and insula, basal ganglia, brain stem and cerebel-
lum from 4 human brains were wet ashed with HNO-j,
concentrated to 10 or 25 ml, and spectrographical-
ly analyzed. Al, Cu, Co, Cr, Ca, Hg, Mg, Mn, V,
Ni, Pb, Ti, and Zn were found at least once in all
of the 8 portions of the brain; the majority of
these metals were piesent in all areas of all 4
brains. Ag, Bi, and Mo were not detected. (32
references)
1483 Hickling, S. (Wellington, New Zealand):
LEAD POISONING IN CARPENTER'S SHOP. New
Zealand M. J. 53:423-5, 1954.
The cases reported here were discovered when a
carpenter employed on house construction reported
to his physician with a history of abdominal colic,
constipation, and general malaise. Clinical ex-
amination revealed a marked blue line on his gums.
Questioning of the patient indicated a probable
exposure to the dust of Pb at his work. The pa-
tient's condition was serious enough to necessi-
tate admission to hospital. When the patient's
workplace was visited, it was found that precut
wooden houses had been given a priming coat of red
Pb paint to preserve them in transit. Before erec-
tion they required smoothing and finishing in the
carpenter's shop. This process produced large
quantities of dust on the floor and in the air,
mainly in the vicinity of 2 sanding machines, but
it also spread practically throughout the shop.
Samples of the dust from various places were ana-
lyzed. Fresh dust under the sanding machines con-
tained 38% Pb by weight, old dust near sanding
machine 52% Pb by weight; floor dust 10 yd from
machine 48% Pb by weight. It was obvious that all
15 men employed in the carpenter's shop had been
freely exposed to inhalation of the dust in the
air, and to its ingestion when eating or smoking.
The symptoms, signs, and the results of blood ex-
amination in these 15 men indicated that the fore-
man alone escaped the ill-effects of chronic Pb
absorption. Exhaust ventilation and exhaust fans
were fitted to the sanding machines. An indus-
trial vacuum cleaner was obtained to keep the
floors, benches, and other parts of the premises
as free from dust as possible, and suitable filter-
pad respirators were provided for the workmen. The
hazards involved in their work and the precautions
necessary to avoid them were explained to the work-
men, and, in view of their Hb levels and stippled
cell counts, it was considered essential to trans-
fer 6 of the men temporarily to outside building
work. (From Journal of the American Medical Asso-
ciation 157:280 Abstracts, 1955.)
1484 Honing, C. (Gemeente-Apotheek, 's-Graven-
hage, Netherlands): (USE OF ETHYLENEDI-
AMINETETRAACETATE IN PHARMACY.) Pharm.
Weekblad. 89:840-4, 1954.
In Pb poisoning the following solution is used
intravenously: 1 g N32EDTA-2H20 in 25 ml H20
heated to boiling with 0.268 g CaC03, filtered,
and pH adjusted to 7. The volume was made up to
30 ml and the solution autoclaved for 0.5 hr at
115° before use. A similar preparation containing
950 mg Na2EDTA-2H20 and 250 mg CaC03/10 ml can be
used for Ca injections. A solution of 19.1 g
Na2EDTA-2H20 in 900 ml H20, adjusted to pH 7.5
with NaOH and sterilized, can be used to dissolve
kidney stones. Oxidation of a procaine-adrenaline
solution can be prevented for 2 mo by the addition
of 5 mg Na2EDTA-2H20/100 ml solution. (From
Chemical Abstracts A9.-4236, 1955)
1485 Horiuchi, K., and Takada, I.: STUDIES ON
THE INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING. I. AB-
SORPTION, TRANSPORTATION, DEPOSITION, AND
EXCRETION OF LEAD. 1. NORMAL LIMITS OF
LEAD IN THE BLOOD, URINE, AND FECES AMONG
HEALTHY JAPANESE URBAN HABITANTS. Osaka
City Medical Journal 1:117-25 (Jan.), 1954.
In Contributions from the Department of
Preventive Medicine and Public Health,
Osaka City University Medical School,
Vol. 1, April 1949-March 1959, pp. 71-9.
The content of Pb both in blood and urine followed
a logarithmic normal distribution curve. The
upper limit of the content of Pb in the whole
blood was 31 ug/100 g and that in urine, 159 pg/
day, both excluding 5% of the population. The
arithmetic mean of the content of Pb in the feces
was 240 Mg/day. There was no significant differ-
ence between monthly and yearly average contents
of Pb in blood. There was no correlation between
the content of Pb in the whole blood and age. Pb
is always abundant in the blood corpuscles and
scarce in the blood plasma.
A modification of the USPHS method was used
for the analyses. Blood samples were from 206
male and 38 female subjects; 78 24-hr urine
samples were available and 31 fecal specimens.
I486 Ida, N. (Osaka City Med. School, Japan):
STUDIES ON THE MAXIMUM TOLERABLE CONCEN-
TRATION OF LEAD IN AIR. J. Osaka City
Med. Center 3:194-206, 1954.
Man
287
-------
The maximum tolerable concentration of Pb in the
air is T/0.05 mg/m3 for Japanese male adults working
8 hr/day for over a year in the Pb industry.
(From Chemical Abstracts 49:1241, 1955)
1487 Imamura, Y.: STUDIES ON THE INDUSTRIAL
LEAD POISONING. I. ABSORPTION, TRANS-
PORTATION, DEPOSITION, AND EXCRETION OF
LEAD. 3. AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF LEAD
INTAKE IN HUMAN BEING. Osaka City Medical
Journal 3:167-94 (Jan.), 1954. In: Con-
tributions from the Department of Preven-
tive Medicine and Public Health, Osaka
City University Medical School, Vol. 1,
April 1949-March 1959, pp. 125-52.
Pb acetate was given by mouth to 2 normal Japanese
male adults in 4 stages: (1) at 3 mg (1.64 mg Pb)
daily for the 1st 61 days; (2) 6 mg (3.28 mg Pb)
daily for 60 days; (3) no Pb intake for 67 days;
(4) no Pb but medication for 98 days. The Pb
contents of the Pb subjects' diets were 70-299 lag/
day. One subject served as control. Aside from
determination of Pb in blood, urine, and feces,
the subjects received medical examinations in-
cluding red and white cell counts, stippled cells,
reticulocytes, coproporphyrin in urine, and liver
function tests by 6 different methods. Blood Pb
of the Pb subjects ranged from 14-108 yg/100 g,
in control, 9-59. Urinary Pb extremes were 20-613
pg/day, and 10-202 for the control. Fecal Pb was
>2 mg on the 2nd day of intake and 1 mg/day there-
after.
In summary, ingested Pb was recovered most
rapidly in the feces, followed by urine and blood
in that order. At the end of the experiment 70-80%
of the ingested Pb had been recovered in the ex-
creta while the rest remained in the body. The
only changes observed were a decreased erythrocyte
count and hemoglobin content and an increase in
urinary coproporphyrin during the Pb intake stages.
No clinical symptoms were noted and liver function
was normal.
1488 Kench, J.E., and Clarkson, T.W. (Univ.
Manchester, England): BIOCHEMICAL METHODS
FOR DETECTION OF LEAD AND CADMIUM ABSORP-
TION. Transactions of the Association of
Industrial Medical Officers 4:110, 1954.
The author reports that research is in progress to
find specific biochemical changes which could be
used in detection of Pb and Cd poisoning. The
intermediary metabolism of porphyrins in Pb workers
is being studied to ascertain if a characteristic
porphyrin pattern is present. Work is also being
done to determine if quantitative relationships
between individual amino acids may afford means
of distinguishing between normal and Pb workers'
urines.
1489 Kitzmiller, K.V., Cholak, J., and Kehoe,
R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): TREATMENT
OF ORGANIC LEAD (TETRAETHYL) INTOXICATION
WITH EDATHAMIL CALCIUM-DISODIUM. A.M.A.
Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occu-
pational Medicine 10:312-8 (Oct.), 1954.
Cases of TEL poisoning are described in detail.
Three of 6 patients were given EDTA treatment, 1
was treated with BAL, 1 was given supportive and
sedative treatment only, and 1 with no significant
exposure was not treated. Blood and urine tests
are reported in detail. No valid conclusions
could be drawn as to the useful therapeutic ef-
fects of EDTA from the review of these cases, but
the authors found that the drug was well toler-
ated. So harmful effects were observed. However,
no significance could be attached to transient
periods of clinical improvement with increase in
the elimination of Pb, since such episodes are
frequent when no specific treatment is given.
1490 Lachnit, V., and Frank, 0. (Univ. Vienna,
Austria): Zur Diagnose und Therapie der
beruflichen Bleiintoxikation. (DIAGNOSIS
AND THERAPY OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.)
Wiener Zeitschrift f(lr innere Medizin und
ihre Grenzgebiete 35:189-98 (May), 1954.
This is a survey of publications on the subject of
Pb exposure and its resulting toxic manifestations,
ranging from increased exposure to forms of severe
poisoning. The various signs, symptoms, and effects
on body organs and fluids, measurement of Pb levels
in blood and urine, porphyrin excretion, assess-
ment of white blood cells, and urea and nitrogen
values are discussed. Intoxication by TEL and its
effect on the central nervous system are discussed
separately. According to the authors, the only
treatment of Pb encephalopathy is by repeated
lumbar puncture. Other forms of Pb intoxication
such as colics are treated with spasmolytic agents
(papaverin, atropin, buscopan), saline enemas for
regular elimination, and Ca to reduce circulating
Pb. Mobilization of Pb from the bones and its
elimination by chelating agents are described.
The dangers of too rapid or massive Pb mobilization
are pointed out. The article includes therapeutic
experiences with BAL in humans and animals, and
treatment with Na citrate, EDTA and CaEDTA. Two
of authors' own cases of Pb intoxication treated
with CaEDTA are reported.
In a 48-yr-old worker with acute Pb colic and
other signs of Pb intoxication due to inhalation
of Pb vapors, the urinary coproporphyrin (CP)
excretion was 1056 yg/24 hr, urinary Pb was 500
yg/1. Few basophilic stippled erythrocytes were
seen in the blood, many in the bone marrow. After
CaEDTA treatment (daily iv dose, 0.5 g, increased
quickly to 4 g, making a total dose injected of
40 g after 3 days), the patient became symptom-
free. Urinary CP excretion returned no normal
levels, and the stippled cells and other signs
of intoxication disappeared. CaNa2EDTA was given
successfully in the 2nd case which is not described
in detail.
Treatment of the Pb-induced porphyrinuria with
liver extracts, total liver extract and lactoflavin,
prophylactic and therapeutic liver preparations and
folic acid, nicotinic acid and ascorbic acid in Pb
intoxication are mentioned. In several cases, the
authors have observed a marked reduction in CP
excretion with administration of vitamin BJ_J ,
accompanied in one case by disappearance symptoms.
Large parenteral doses of vitamin B]_, according
to many authors, have an excellent effect in toxic
neuritis. (123 references)
1491 Lane, R.E. (Univ. Manchester, England):
LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS IN SUSPECTED
INDUSTRIAL POISONING. British Medical
288
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Journal 1:978-80 (Apr. 24), 1954.
Addressing himself to the general practitioner,
the author stresses the need of consulting experi-
enced laboratories in cases suspected to be suf-
fering from industrial poisoning, or when the doc-
tor is supervising (as an industrial medical offi-
cer) the health of a group of workmen. While in
the latter case the fact of exposure is known, lab-
oratory tests are required to estimate its degree.
The more important use of laboratory investigations
lies in the prevention of poisoning. Unfortunate-
ly, this does not fall within the functions of
laboratories connected with the National Health
Service; therefore the practitioner has to make
special arrangements. Whether the laboratory test
is to be used for diagnostic or prophylactic pur-
poses, it must be carried out with care not only
in performance, but in the collection of specimens.
Exposure to a number of industrial poisons requir-
ing laboratory tests are discussed briefly. That
to Pb is given first and in greater detail on the
basis that it still continues to occur and the di-
agnosis is often missed. The author cautions that
reagents and glassware free of Pb, specially
cleansed, be used for collection and analysis of
specimens. Contamination of the specimens from Pb
must be carefully avoided, and no preservatives
should be added. The normal Pb content of urine
is glOO yg/1. Low-grade absorption will be indi-
cated by up to 150 yg Pb/1; repeated values of 200
yg indicate substantial absorption, and >300 yg in-
dicates excessive absorption and potential poison-
ing. Reliance should not be placed on single de-
terminations. Diagnosis must rest on the clinical
picture in conjunction with all laboratory findings
which include Pb in blood (0-80 yg/100 ml normal
range), coproporphyrin in urine, and stippled cell
counts (although not entirely specific, and not
for TEL exposure). The latter test, performed by
experienced technicians, together with hemoglobin
estimation and a limited number of urinary Pb de-
termination, provides a cheap and objective method
of supervising Pb workers.
1492 Langner, K.K. (USSR): Novokainovaya
blokada pri otravlenii svintsom. (NOVO-
CAINK BLOCK IN LEAD POISONING.) Klini-
cheskaya meditsina 32:82 (May), 1954.
Sixteen patients with Pb colic, who had been fol-
lowed by the author for a number of years, were
subjected to exploratory novocaine block accord-
ing to Vishnevski's method. Ten patients re-
sponded to a single block by disappearance of in-
testinal colic; the stool became normal, appetite
returned. In 3, blockade was repeated; in 3
others, it was ineffective. The author concludes
that novocaine block exerts its action by modi-
fying the regulatory function of the nervous
system.
1493 Lejeune, R.: A propos d'un cas de poly-
arterite et polyarte'riolite systematise^
des membres supgrieurs et inf£rieurs,
d'origine saturnine probable. Contribu-
tion a 1'etude des arterites et periosti-
tes saturnines. (A CASE OF GENERALIZED
POLYARTERITIS AND POLYARTERIOLITIS OF THE
UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES PROBABLY
CAUSED BY LEAD POISONING. CONTRIBUTION
TO THE STUDY OF ARTERITIS AND PERIOSTITIS
IN LEAD POISONING.) Thesis, Lyons, 1954.
This thesis forms the substance and contains the
bibliography of the publication by Guichard et al,
as mentioned in a footnote at the end of their
article. (See Abstract No. 1478)
1494 Lesage, R.: Les intoxications profession-
nelles. Saturnisme. (OCCUPATIONAL POI-
SONING. LEAD POISONING.) Concours Medi-
cal 76:855 (Feb. 27), 1954.
The author presents briefly the symptoms and signs
of Pb poisoning. Methods of determining the in-
toxication, and the interpretation of the findings
are mentioned and the paper concludes with briefly
stating the directions which should be followed.
1495 Levrat, M., Roche, L., Bret, P., and An-
jou, A.: La radiologie intestinale de la
colique de plomb; le mega-colon saturnin.
(INTESTINAL RADIOLOGY OF LEAD COLIC; LEAD
MEGACOLON.) Archives des Maladies de 1'
Appareil Digestif et des Maladies de la
Nutrition 43:206-9 (Feb.), 1954.
See following abstract.
1495 Levrat, M., Roche, L., Bret, P., and
Anjou, A. (Lyons, France): Radiologie
intestinale de la colique de plomb.
(RADIOLOGY OF THE INTESTINAL TRACT IN LEAD
COLIC.) Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles de M£decine du Travail et de
Securite Sociale 15, No. 2:113-8, 1954.
The authors point to the extreme difficulty in
obtaining X-ray pictures of the abdomen in the
acute stages of Pb colic. Patients do not reach
the hospital until the acute stage is over, by
which time any characteristic X-ray appearances
have disappeared. A study was made in which Ba
was given and observed by X ray while passing
along the intestines in 8 cases of Pb colic. The
movements of the Ba are shown in a series of
illustrations from which Pb colic seems to pre-
sent a picture of atony without distension. The
atony occurs throughout the intestine, in the
jejunum and on to the ileocecal valve. Generally,
intestinal atony is associated with distension.
This is not the case in Pb colic, and this may
help in differential diagnosis of doubtful abdomi-
nal disorders. The authors state that the patho-
genesis of this disorder is mysterious. Pb colic
can be induced by BAL. Atony of the intestine with
dilation is attributed to a hypertony of the
orthosympathetic; and rapid relief of Pb colic may
be produced by splanchnic infiltration.
1497 Ludovico, P. (Univ. Rome, Italy): Le
epatopatie nella medicina del lavoro.
(LIVER DISEASE IN OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 37:1058-82, 1954.
The pathology of liver diseases is reviewed with
reference to infections and poisoning with a num-
ber of substances including Pb. (86 references)
1498 Marconi, E. (St. Anna Hosp. Castelnuovo
Monti, Italy): Un saturnismo subacuto
da autoimpallinamento accidentale trattato
con mercaprolo (B.A.L.). (aspetti etio-
yatogenetici e medico-legali). (SUBACUTE
Man
289
-------
SATURNISM CAUSED BY ACCIDENTAL SELF-IN-
FLICTED WOUND TREATED WITH DIMERCAPROL
(BAL); ETIOPATHOGENIC AND MEDICOLEGAL AS-
PECTS.) Rlvista di Patologia Clinica 9:
263-78 (July), 1954.
The case described is that of a 56-yr-old man who,
from the age of 17-18 was an excessive drinker of
wine, as well as an excessive eater and smoker.
He was hospitalized with complaints of abdominal
pains, headaches, dyspepsia with vomiting, and
gastric acidity. The findings included anemia and
hypotension for which he was treated symptomatical-
ly. Forty-five days later a gingival Pb line
pointed to the possibility of Pb poisoning. Ques-
tioning revealed that 1 1/2 mo before hospitaliza-
tion he had accidentally shot himself, whereupon
treatment with BAL was instituted, and the bullet
was removed surgically. Analysis revealed in urine
0.07 mg% Pb, traces of As and Sb. The composition
of the bullet showed 93.72% Pb, 0.36% As and 5.91%
Sb. i'he diagnosis of subacute Pb poisoning is
justified by the author on the basis that the Pb
projectile was dissolved in the acid medium of the
patient's organs.
1499 Marine Pgrez, J. (Spain): Intoxicacion
Saturnina. (LEAD POISONING.) Medicina
Colonial (Madrid) 23:142-8, (Feb. 1) 1954.
The route of absorption of Pb (ingestion, inhala-
tion) , metabolism, signs in acute and chronic poi-
soning, diagnosis of the disease, and treatment
are reviewed.
1500 Mazzoleni, A. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Studio
sulla frequenza dell'ipertensione tra i
saturnini con coliche pregresse. (STUDY
OF THE INCIDENCE OF HYPERTENSION AMONG
WORKERS AFFECTED WITH LEAD POISONING WHO
HAD PREVIOUSLY SUFFERED FROM LEAD COLICS.)
Medicina del Lavoro 45:482-7 (Aug.-Sept.),
1954.
The incidence of hypertension was studied in 27
workers (age at last examination, 39-58 yr) who
had previously suffered from Pb colics. These
were grouped as follows: (1) Those with an
interval of <3 yr between 1st colic and last
pressure reading (7); with interval of 3-10 yr (9);
interval of >10 yr (11). The data collected showed
a rather remarkable percentage of hypertensives
(5/11) among workers reexamined 10 yr after the
1st colic. For a statistical assessment of the
results a control was carried out on a group of
11 workers who had never been in contact with Pb.
Also a comparison was made between the percentage
of hypertensives among workers affected with Pb
poisoning who had previously suffered from Pb
colics and the percentage of hypertensives among
the whole population (according to Weisz). Both
comparisons pointed to the probable existence of
a correlation between Pb colics which had occurred
>10 yr earlier and arterial hypertension.
1501 Merli, A.: Comportamento dell'emometria,
dei punteggiati basofili e delle porfirine
urinarie negli operai di una fabbrica di
accumulator! al piombo. (THE RELATIONSHIP
OF BLOOD COUNTS, BASOPHILIC STIPPLED
ERYTHROCYTES, AND PORPHYRINURIA IN WORKERS
OF A STORAGE BATTERY PLANT.) Abstracts of
Reports from the Institute of Industrial
Medicine of Milan. Rassegna di Medicina
Industriale 23:282 (Abstracts); 396-9,
1954.
After first describing the various operations in
the manufacture of batteries, ie, melting, mixing,
pasting, pouring and trimming of plates, etc, the
author reports the findings on all workers of a
battery plant in respect to Hb determination
(Sahli's method), basophilic stippling (fixing
smear in methyl alcohol, microscopic counts after
immersion in aqueous Azur II solution, adding a
small amount of soda), and urinary coproporphyrins
(gross comparison under Wood's light). The find-
ings are tabulated individually for each worker as
to sex, age, length of Pb work, history, objective
signs, and the criteria examined. The author con-
cludes that there was correlation of all the find-
ings, so that any one single abnormal finding
would justify the suspicion of Pb intoxication.
This in turn would permit the timely institution
of therapeutic measures (antianemic and detoxica-
ting) or of removal, either temporary or permanent,
of the worker from Pb risk.
1502 Messmer, E. (Heidelberg Med. Univ. Clinic,
Germany): Zur klinischen Begutachtung
gewerblicher Bleivergiftungen. (CLINICAL
EXPERT OPINION ON OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POI-
SONING.) Medizinische Klinik 49, No. 6:
218-23, 1954.
The author emphasizes the essential distinction
between Pb encephalopathy due to poisoning by in-
organic Pb, and the cerebral symptoms due to the
TEL contained in leaded (Pb) gasoline. The symp-
toms of TEL poisoning are always acute and cerebral:
a prodromal stage, lasting several days, of lassi-
tude, headache, loss of appetite, irritability,
and bradycardia, followed by mental confusion and
schizophrenic manifestations. Pb encephalopathy
following exposure to inorganic Pb is of a more
chronic nature, with headache, lack of concentra-
tion, sleeplessness, giddiness, and finally con-
vulsions. The pathologic lesions in the brain show
injury, in the case of TEL, chiefly in the gang-
lion cells; in Pb encephalopathy, in the vessels
with secondary atrophic degeneration. True chronic
Pb poisoning from the handling of Pb gasoline is
practically unknown, partly because the amount of
Pb in the volatilized gasoline is so small (1 1.
of Pb gasoline contains 0.6-1 ml of ethyl fluid,
the TEL content of which is about 60%) and partly
because the inorganic Pb compounds to which TEL
is converted in the body are so rapidly excreted.
Some risk of Pb poisoning, however, may occur in
aeroplane tank attendants, especially during the
cleaning of motor parts, when the burning of Pb
gasoline may give rise to fine inorganic Pb dust.
In the diagnosis of inorganic Pb poisoning the
most reliable criterion is the spectrographic
analysis of blood, since true Pb poisoning is
never found with a normal content of Pb in blood.
The "blue line" on the gums is never found in TEL
poisoning, and in poisoning by inorganic Pb it
must be carefully distinguished from a deposit of
Pb sulfide on the margin of the gums. In exposing
malingerers who claim a recrudescence of symptoms
towards the end of their period of compensation,
quantitative analysis of urine and feces is in-
290
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
dispensable. The occurrence of abnormally high
ratio of Pb in feces to Pb in urine indicates
recent ingestion of Pb, which can also be demon-
strated by abdominal radiography. An increase
of stippled erythrocytes to a maximum after several
days, followed by a decrease, is a further in-
dication of such ingestion. In discussing the
possible causal relationship between Pb poisoning
and injury to the kidneys and liver, hypertonia
and peptic ulcer, the author concludes that while
liver injury from direct toxic action on the
liver cells must be regarded as probable, Pb
nephritis and arteriosclerosis can only be associ-
ated with exposure to Pb in the sense of tending
to increase any disorder of the kidneys or
arterial system already present, and that a
causal association with peptic ulcer has not been
firmly established.
1503 Michelis, F. de: (STOMATOLOGY OF WORKMEN
EXPOSED TO OR AFFECTED BY OCCUPATIONAL
POISONING. 2. LEAD.) Med. Segur. Trab.
2:46-52 (June), 1954.
The effect of Pb poisoning on the teeth has been
studied in 76 workmen. They showed loss of sensi-
bility in their dental pulp, very edematous mucosa,
deep gingival bags, and, in some cases, rarefaction
of the alveolar bone. Painless caries were fre-
quent, as well as painful and recurrent abscesses.
The author deduces that paradental processes are
due to the direct action of Pb, since the gums act
as emunctories; the accumulation of Pb at a time
of excessive ingestion or mobilization, or when
the arterial walls are specifically injured, pro-
duces the concentration that is necessary to make
it act. Pulpar-necrosis (afterward infected)
occurs when the Pb passes through the blood stream
of the dentinal canals. Twelve patients with
chronic Pb poisoning were studied, 9 with no teeth
and the other 3 with a few loose teeth. They all
had very retracted alveolar processes, anemic and
edematous mucosa, and alveolar osteitis. The re-
maining teeth had lost sensibility and had painless
caries. Paradentitis (inflammation) and paraden-
tosis (noninflammatory pathologic conditions) can
be produced simultaneously. (From Industrial
Hygiene Digest 18:1254, 1954)
1504 Morel, P., Roche, L., and Baron, J.
(France): Le mye'logramme dans le satur-
nisme; valeur diagnostique. (THE MYELO-
GRAM IN LEAD POISONING; DIAGNOSTIC VALUE.)
Proceedings of the Society of Industrial
Medicine of Lyons. Archives des Maladies
Professionnelles de Medecine du Travail
et de Sgcuritg Sociale 15, No. 4:308-11,
1954.
Although the changes in blood produced in Pb poi-
soning have been studied extensively, relatively
little is known about those taking place in the
bone marrow. Therefore the authors studied the
myelogram of ^100 persons with definite or sus-
pected Pb poisoning. Biopsy material was obtained
by sternal puncture. As in blood, increased
numbers of stippled red cells appear in the marrow.
To illustrate, the counts of 5 smears that were
sufficiently homogeneous, are given: the stippled
cells in bone marrow and peripheral blood/million
erythrocytes, respectively, were: 8400, 800;
6200, 5500; 19,000, 15,000; 6000, 1600; 6200, 1800.
The marrow does not show changes occurring soon
in blood after Pb absorption (stippled cells, de-
crease in hemoglobin, and mild anemia) until much
later, by which time macrophages, which are nor-
mally rare in the marrow, are abundant, particular-
ly in chronic cases. This hyperplasia of macro-
phages is of considerable diagnostic value. When
once these changes have been established in the
marrow they persist for perhaps 3-4 mo; if
however, BAL has been used to eliminate the Pb,
the marrow quickly becomes normal, perhaps in 1
mo, which indicates the value of this treatment
for clearing Pb out of the system. In delayed Pb
poisoning, symptoms of blood change appear long
after exposure to Pb has ceased (>5 yr in one case)
and the myelogram changes persist longer still in
such cases. The execution of myelograms is dif-
ficult and can be done only by a fully qualified
hematologist, and the inconvenience of sternal
puncture limit the application of this test.
However, in certain cases it is indispensable for
the diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
1505 Morgan, J.L. (Emporia, Kans.): THE DIAG-
NOSIS OF LEAD POISONING. Journal of the
Kansas Medical Society 55:11-6, 1954.
Pb poisoning occurs when absorbed Pb produces
sufficient damage to cause disabling symptoms.
The diagnosis is based on the history, symptoms
and signs, coupled with the laboratory findings,
and is not based on any one specific laboratory
test. Certain simple tests are of practical
value in confirming a clinical diagnosis of Pb
poisoning. These tests are: Hb determination,
the stipple cell count and the urinary porphyrin
test.
The urinary porphyrin test is much easier to
perform than the stipple count. The porphyrin
test has a much clearer "end point," and is usual-
ly positive before the stipple count becomes ab-
normally elevated. The quantitative advantages of
the stipple count, however, would seem to preclude
its complete replacement by the porphyrin test.
(From author's summary; 17 references)
1506 Nunziante, Cesaro, A., Rao, M. , and Can-
navo, C. (Univ. Messina, Italy): Corn-
portamento del lipidi citoematici nel
rischio saturnine. (LIPIDS IN THE BLOOD
CELLS IN EXPOSURE TO LEAD POISONING.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 37:483-6, 1954.
The blood of 45 workers, exposed to Pb from 1-43
yr was examined; 2 of them were afflicted with Pb
poisoning. Hematologic findings (red and white
cells, etc) revealed no particular changes. Su-
danophil reaction (according to Sheedan and Sto-
rey) was minimum in 6 cases exposed from 1-7 yr;
average, in 19 cases exposed for 1-18 yr; and
maximum in 20 cases exposed for 3-30 yr, among the
latter, the 2 with clear signs of poisoning. The
authors conclude that sudanophilia and time of
exposure to Pb showed a certain, although not
strict, parallelism.
1507 Ohlsson, W.T.L. (Orebro, Sweden): Kalcium-
dinatrium EDTA vid kronjsk blyfBrgiftning.
(CALCIUM DISODIUM SALT OF ETHYLENEDIAMINE
TETRAACETIC ACID IN THERAPY OF LEAD POISON-
Man
291
-------
ING.) Svenska Lakartidningen 51:2324-9
(Sept. 3), 1954.
The effectiveness of EDTA therapy, based on pub-
lished reports, is substantiated in the treatment
of a case of occupational Pb poisoning which is
described.
1508 Okhnyanskaya, L.G. (Acad. Med. Sci., USSR):
Ol'faktometriya pri intoksikatsii rtut'yu
i svintsom. (OLFACTOMETRY IN MERCURY AND
LEAD POISONING.) Trudy Akademii Meditsin-
kikh Nauk SSSR 31:28-32, 1954.
Elsberg's test (1935) was used to determine dis-
orders of the sense of smell in patients with Pb
or Hg poisoning and in workers exposed to these
substances. In Hg poisoning, a lower threshold
and longer period of adaptation was found, and for
Pb poisoning, a heightening of threshold and short-
ened adaptation. The greatest changes were observ-
ed in respect to stimuli of predominantly sympathi-
cotropic action. The changes in activity of the
olfactory analyzer were found to correspond to the
degree and phase of intoxication and they were re-
versible.
1509 Olson, K.B., Heggen, G., Edwards, C.F.,
and Gorham, L.W. (Albany Med. Coll.;
Saratoga Springs Comm. Res. Lab., N.Y.):
TRACE ELEMENT CONTENT OF CANCEROUS AND
NONCANCEROUS HUMAN LIVER TISSUE. Science
119:772-3, 1954.
Twelve trace elements were studied by a spectro-
graphic method in the livers of 6 persons dying
of noncancerous disease, 2 persons dying of carci-
noma of the esophagus and portal cirrhosis of the
liver, 4 persons dying of gastrointestinal cancer
with metastasis to the liver, and 1 case of acute
lymphatic leukemia. Pb was present in a few sam-
ples but in most was below the level of detection
for the method of analysis used. In the case of
acute lymphatic leukemia with hepatic infiltration,
Pb was present in measurable amounts, but it is not
possible to say whether it is significantly in-
creased, since it is found erratically in other
livers.
1510 Ostapenya, P.V., Seleznev, A.F., and
Gel'fer, E.A. (USSR): Sluchai otravleniya
tetraetilsvintsom cherez vodu shakhtnogo
kolodtsa. (OCCURRENCE OF POISONING WITH
TETRAETHYLLEAD IN WELL WATER.) Gigiena i
Sanitariya 1954, No. 2:48-9.
In 1941 a peasant used a fluid contained in a met-
al barrel, which he had gotten from some army bar-
racks, to paint the walls in his home. The whole
family died as a result of this. A farmer in a
neighboring village also had in his possession a
barrel containing the same fluid, so he immediate-
ly got rid of it by pouring it into a hole dug on
his grounds about 25-30 m from a well (concrete
shaft) and covered it with earth. The barrel was
then rinsed with water and this rinse water was
dumped very close to the well. About 1-1/2-2 yr
thereafter, the water had an odor of rotting ap-
ples, and its use was discontinued for a while
after another well was dug. Then the water was
used continuously until 1953. Until 1950 the mem-
uers of the family (5) were well with the excep-
tion of the father who periodically complained of
general weakness and headaches. In 1950 the
eldest daughter died. Two other members died in
1953. The other 2 also became ill in 1953, but
recovered after a lengthy stay in the hospital.
The major signs were tearfulness, sensation of
hair in mouth and on lips. At the same time, a
cow on this farm became ill and died; some sheep
had died somewhat earlier. Only a dog survived.
Since no such manifestations were seen in neigh-
uoring farms, an investigation of the premises was
undertaken. A fruity odor was detected in the vi-
cinity of the well. Analysis of the water gave
10-15 mg TEL. Analysis of the soil showed only
traces of it. In the other well, 131 m away and
lower in slope, TEL was also found, but in smaller
quantities. In neighboring wells, situated high-
er, no TEL was detected. The reason for the oc-
currence of the poisoning after this period of
time is attributed to the slope of the ground and
to the lowering of the underground flow of water.
15H Pavlova, I.V., and Mumzhu, E.A.: (THE
ACTION OF DIGESTIVE ENZYMES IN LEAD POI-
SONING.) Trudy Akad. Med. Nauk. S.S.S.R.
98-102, 1954.
Patients with chronic Pb poisoning of varying
duration and gravity were studied. Pepsin-activi-
ty variations were greater in the controls; amy-
lase and lipase activity was lower than in health.
No parallelism was detected between the deviations
from normal and the severity of the Pb poisoning.
Some parallelism appeared between the deviations
in the enzyme activity and the state of the cen-
tral nervous system. (From Chemical Abstracts 50:
5165, 1956)
1512 Perales, N., and Gonzalez, T. (Natl. Inst.
Ind. Med. Hyg., Spain): Las cifras de Pb
en sangre y orina y diversos sintomas de
saturnismo. (Estudio estadistico.) (NU-
MERICAL VALUES OF Pb IN BLOOD AND URINE
AND VARIOUS SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POISONING.
(STATISTICAL STUDY.)) Medicina y Seguri-
dad del Trabajo (Madrid) 3, No. 9:46-8,
1954.
The frequency of blood Pb values from 1-200 ug/100
ml (at 25 pg intervals) was determined on 96 ex-
posed workers; the arithmetic mean obtained was
66.66 and standard deviation, 42.50. The fre-
quency of urinary Pb determined on 96 workers
(similarly) from 1-250 yg/100 ml gave an arith-
metic mean of 77.29 and standard deviation of
52.58. The correlation between blood and urine
values was +0.20. The correlation in 125 workers
showing > or <60 ug/100 ml in blood and urine and
the various signs of Pb poisoning (Pb gum line,
colic, tremor, polychromasia, stippled cells) led
the authors to conclude that all signs considered
pathologic or classical are only possible and not
always constant in a severe poisoning, for al-
though they indicate the existence of Pb poisoning
there is no correlation with the amounts of Pb in
blood and urine.
1513 Raymond, V. (Paris, France): Evolution des
maladies professionnelles: le saturnisme.
(DEVELOPMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES:
LEAD POISONING.) Proceedings of the Society
of Industrial Medicine and Hygiene.
292
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale
15, No. 5:496-9, 1954.
The author had followed 52 cases of Pb poisoning
over various periods of time, up to >3 yr after
onset of clinical signs. In all cases, except
one, the persons had been removed from exposure.
From the results of his observations, the author
feels that a period of 3 yr is insufficient to
consider such patients to have become stabilized.
In this last group of 30 patients, 10 had improved,
15 were essentially in the same condition, 5 were
in aggravated condition.
1514 Reinl, W. (Staatl. Gewerbearztes Nord-
rhein, Blisseldorf, Germany) : (OCCUR-
RENCE, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION OF LEAD
POISONING.) Z. Erzbergbau u. MetallhUt-
tenw. 8:325-9, 1954.
A discussion with 24 references. (From Chemical
Abstracts 49:13556, 1955)
1515 Reinl, W. (Supervisory Distr. State Ind.
Med. Officer., North Rhine area, Dusseldorf,
Germany): Uber den jetzigen Verlauf der
Bleivergiftungen unter besonderer Beruck-
sichtigung der Verhaltnisse in Nordrhein.
(THE PRESENT TREND IN THE INCIDENCE OF LEAD
POISONING WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO
CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH RHINE AREA.) Zen-
tralblatt fur Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeits-
schutz 4:102-7 (July), 1954.
The incidence of industrial Pb poisoning in the
North Rhine district in the years 1926-1952 is re-
corded with some comparison with the experience in
England. In 1931 a peak of incidence amounting to
460 cases occurred in the North Rhine area, after
which there was a gradual but irregular fall to
about 45 cases in 1938, followed by an increase to
85 cases in 1940. During the war years the inci-
dence fell to a very low level and in 1945 there
was a record of only 1 case. After that year the
number of cases increased each year to a maximum
of 142 in 1950 and then diminished again to 62 in
1952. The reasons for this post-war increase are
described and are to be found in the industrial
recovery of the country and also in the special
exposure to risk of workers engaged in the manipu-
lation of scrap metal covered with thick Pb paint.
At the time Pb comes second in importance to CO in
the list of substances causing industrial poison-
ings. A description of the various industrial
processes in which Pb poisoning constitutes a risk
is given. A list gives the percentage frequency of
symptoms recorded in 392 cases of Pb poisoning
during 1945-52. These symptoms are described.
Stippled erythrocytes were found in 83.7% of the
cases. The value of this sign is described and
discussed, as also is the occurrence of anemia and
the chemical determination of Pb in blood. It is
noted that saturnine encephalopathy was diagnosed
in only 2 cases in this series, and these are
described.
1516 Roche, L., and Lafon, F. (Lyons, France):
Syndrome neurologique atypique et intoxi-
cation mixte par le plomb et 1'arsenic.
(ATYPICAL NEUROLOGIC SYNDROME AND MIXED
INTOXICATION BY LEAD AND ARSENIC.)
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale
15, No. 5:366-70, 1954.
Struck by the coexistence of Pb and As intoxication
in 3 workers hospitalized in the authors' clinic,
one of them (L.) chose this for her thesis in 1953.
Each of the 3 cases is described in detail. They
were: (1) a 38-yr-old and (2) a 56-yr-old man,
both industrial plumbers for >20 yr, and (3) a
41-yr-old man who had been an orchardist until
1930, then a mechanic, and from 1947 had worked in
a metallurgic plant. Cases 1 and 2 exhibited signs
of subacute poisoning (colic, anemia, signs of
neuronal involvement), and Case 3, those of a more
gradual progress. Although a similar case of mixed
intoxication was reported by Sartorelli (1954), the
clinical picture was different in the 3 cases above;
the common element was the association of a change
in the peripheral and central neurons, the location,
however, was different: quadriplegia in Case 1,
associated with amyotrophy of all muscles; paraly-
sis involving the lower limbs, becoming generalized
and similar to Landry's syndrome in Case 2; attack
of the upper limbs and later, the lower.
Pb poisoning was evident in all, and Pb colic,
the classical blood changes (anemia, stippled
cells), and urinary porphyrins preceded the neuro-
logical manifestations. As intoxication was in-
dicated by the amount present in the hair (^25
mg/kg; 3 workers in the same plant as Case 3 showed
10-14).
The authors conclude that in any case of atypical
neurologic syndrome the possibility of a toxic
etiology should be considered. Since the combi-
nation of Pb and As seems to produce a particular
neurotropism, it is of major importance to investi-
gate the clinical and chemical indications of this
double intoxication in any Pb paralyses, because As
is often found as an impurity of Pb.
1517 Orlova, A.A. (USSR): Izmenenie serdechnoi
deyatel'aosti u bol'nykh s intoksikatsiei
svintsom i rtut'/u- (P° dannym elektro-
cardiografli.) (CHANGES OF HEART FUNCTION
IN LEAD AND MERCURY POISONINGS. (ELECTRO-
CARDIOGRAPHIC DATA.)) Trudy Akademii Me-
ditsinskikh Nauk SSSR 31:102-12, 1954.
The authors studied 234 patients, 104 with Hg poi-
soning and 130 with Pb poisoning. In addition to
general medical examinations, tiKG's were performed.
As summarized, in Hg and Pb poisoning cardiovascu-
lar function is altered. In a number of cases,
disorders of myocardial function occurred, charac-
terized by a decreased voltage of P, R and T waves.
By applying a physical load, it was possible to
effect myocardial changes which may be compensa-
tory. By means of the ocular cardiac reflex, in-
creased stimulation of the vagus nerve, could be
demonstrated. The type of disturbances shown by
EKG, in view of the known correlation of EKG and
functional state of the central nervous system
permitted the conclusion that changes in rhythm
and waves, the singular reaction of the ocular
cardiac reflex and of physical load are attribut-
able primarily to disorders of the higher segments
of the central nervous system by Hg and Pb. The
changes in cardiac function in these intoxications
reflect the complex of reactions of the organisms
to the toxic processes.
Man
293
-------
1518 Ruotolo, B.P.W., and Elklns, H.B. (Boston,
Mass.): LEAD AND COPROPORPHYRIN EXCRETION
OF PATIENTS TREATED WITH EDTA. A.M.A.
Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupa-
tional Medicine 9:205-9 (Mar.), 1954.
Pb poisoning continues to be a problem in Massa-
chusetts. The Division of Occupational Hygiene
has been evaluating Pb exposure by urinalysis and
during 1947-1952 ^700 workers were found to ex-
crete enough Pb to indicate a hazardous exposure.
In a study for the evaluation of the effective-
ness of EDTA treatment, 24-hr urine samples (ad-
justed to sp gr 1.024) of 10 Pb-intoxicated pa-
tients were analyzed (dry ashing method by Hardy
et al, and modified Ross-Lucas method, 1935), along
with samples of a control group, all of whom were
treated with EDTA. As a rule, 0.1 g CaEDTA/30 Ib
body weight was administered intravenously for
1-7 days. For this study the number of days of
treatment in most cases was 4-8; 3 received 10,
and 13, 25-day treatments, respectively, which re-
quired 1 or more rest periods. Samples of urine
immediately before treatment were obtained in all
but 2 patients. During treatment, begun at suit-
able periods, collection was daily and at varying
intervals after the last dose.
Concentrations of Pb in the urine at time of
diagnosis ranged from 0.17-1.2 mg/1, and copro-
porphyrin (CP) 0.1-14 mg/1 (estimates). Average
values obtained at hospitalization and thereafter,
for Pb and CP, respectively, in mg/1: in the 1st
samples, 0.56 and 6.4; pre-EDTA, 0.28 and 3.7;
1st day EDTA, 6.8 and 4.3; 2nd day, 9.0 and 3.8;
3rd day, 7.7 and 2.3; last day, 3.3 and 0.7; 2nd
day post-EDTA, 0.78 and 1.0, etc, to 4th week post-
EDTA, 0.22 and 1.1. Three controls (medical per-
sonnel) were given a single injection of EDTA;
their average Pb excretion on that day was 0.4 mg/1
vs 1.2 mg in the patient group on that day.
The authors conclude from these results that
EDTA is an excellent agent, provided there are no
harmful side-effects.
1519 Saita, G., and Moreo, L. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Le porfirine nella bile dei
saturnini. (PORPHYRINS IN THE BILE OF
LEAD POISONED SUBJECTS.) Medicina del
Lavoro 45:84-92 (Feb.), 1954.
Contents of porphyrins in the bile were determined
(by Vigliani and Sonzini's method, 1938) in 21
subjects, 12 of whom gave evident signs of severe
acute Pb poisoning and 9 were affected by chronic
poisoning. Particular attention was given to the
behavior of the coproporphyrin (CP) isomers in the
bile. The results showed that Pb poisoning causes
a higher biliary elimination of porphyrins (3
times normal). This increase is more evident in
the acute than in the chronic stage. CP and pro-
toporphyrin (PP) IX only are to be found in the
bile of subjects suffering from Pb poisoning in a
reciprocal ratio not differing from the normal.
Elimination of PP in the bile behaves almost the
same as that of PP in blood. Determination of the
isomers showed that the bile in Pb patients con-
tains both CP I and CP III in a varying percentage,
greatly in favor of CP III, as compared with the
ratio in normal subjects. The authors assume
that the higher contents of CP in the bile in Pb
poisoning are mainly due to an increased elimina-
tion of CP III. In the urine as well as in the
bile the elimination of CP I was slightly higher
than normal, whereas the elimination of CP III
strongly increased.
The authors conclude from this that Pb poisoning
produces a metabolic alteration affecting especial-
ly PP IX and CP III and therefore the porphyrins
of Series III. According to the findings, it does
not seem strictly necessary to ascribe to the
liver a special synthesizing function in respect
to porphyrins of Series III but only an eliminating
function competing with that of the kidneys, of the
porphyrins of this series, which are manifestly
increased in the blood because of a metabolic dis-
order in hemoglobin synthesis. (24 references)
1520 Saita, G., Moreo, L., and Fabiani, A.
(Univ. Milan, Italy): Studio sulle por-
firine nel sangue midollare e nel sangue
periferico nel saturnismo. (STUDY ON THE
PORPHYRINS OF THE BONE MARROW AND PERI-
PHERAL BLOOD IN LEAD POISONING.) Medicina
del Lavoro 45:293-9 (May), 1954.
The content of porphyrins in the marrow and peri-
pheral blood was studied in 21 workers affected by
Pb poisoning, 14 in the acute stage and 7 in the
chronic. The following were the mean values ob-
tained: in the acute stage the marrow porphyrins
(coprc—(CP) + protoporphyrins (PP)) reach an aver-
age of 471 pg/100 ml of red cells, and the blood
porphyrins 440 ug/100 ml of red cells. In chronic
Pb poisoning the total marrow porphyrins were 490
and blood porphyrins 460 Mg/100 ml of red cells.
In cases of advanced Pb "shrunken kidney," the
marrow and blood porphyrins remain normal. Any
other type of porphyrins are absent. In both forms
of Pb poisoning the marrow and blood porphyrins
are greatly increased compared with the normal,
without significant differences between the marrow
and peripheral blood. The same behavior is shown
only by the PP, which constituted by far the greater
and sometimes the exclusive part of the total por-
phyrins; on the other hand the earlier and more
severe the intoxication the higher is the value
of the CP, with higher values in the marrow blood
than in the peripheral blood where it is almost
always absent in cases of chronic Pb poisoning.
A certain relation was observed between urine CP
and rate of CP elimination. The marked increase
of the marrow CP, which in acute Pb poisoning
represents the forerunner of PP, shows that the
disorder of hemoglobin metabolism is more marked
in the acute stages of poisoning than in the
chronic. In the latter where the hemopoietic re-
generation is less intense, CP levels are low and
the metabolic disorder still in existence is
evidenced by the PP alone. CP decreases during
its passage through the peripheral blood, most
probably on account of the decrease in inhibition
exerted by Pb on its utilization for PP synthesis.
The persistent marked increase of the blood and
marrow PP in cases of chronic Pb poisoning, even
when urinary CP has returned to normal values, may
represent a diagnostic tool which should not be
neglected. (From authors' summary) (25 references)
1521 Saita, G., Zurlo, N., and Gattoni, L.
(Univ. Milan, Italy): Colica saturnina
seguita dopo pochi giorni da morte dosaggio
294
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
del piombo negli organ!. (LEAD COLIC FOL-
LOWED IN A FEW DAYS BY DEATH: DETERMINA-
TION OF LEAD IN THE ORGANS.) Medicina del
Lavoro 45:379-85 (June-July), 1954.
A 61-yr-old man, who had worked for 6 yr as a Pb
founder, died from acute heart insufficiency a few
days after having suffered from a typical Pb colic.
Autopsy findings revealed a diffuse myocardosis,
with cicatricial sequelae of old infarct, visceral
stasis, arteriosclerosis and nephrosclerosis. The
analyses for Pb content in the various organs showed
that the highest proportions were to be found in
the bones (sternocostal articulations, 15.5 mg;
femur, 5.4 mg; sternum, 2 mg/100 g) and in the
different sections of the reticuloendothelial sys-
tem (liver, 1.5 mg; spleen, 0.8 mg). Apart from
the absolute amounts, this distribution was not
unlike the one observed in normal subjects. The
Pb content in the kidneys was low (0.31 mg/lOOg)
and also the proportion between blood and urine Pb
was abnormal (Pb was very high in the blood (160-
185 ug%) and relatively low in the urine (150-210
Mg/D).
From these data, the authors conclude that in
their case there was a certain want of equilibrium
between the amount of Pb circulating and deposited
in the different organs and the amount eliminated
with the urine, which was perhaps one of the causes
of the occurrence of the acute intoxication. The
adrenal Pb was very high (3.9 mg/100 g). This may
support the modern theories which attribute to the
adrenal an important role in provoking the occur-
rence of Pb colic and its collateral manifestations.
In addition to the organs mentioned above, Pb was
also determined in large intestine (1.05 mg/100 g),
aorta (1.02), trachea (0.77), pancreas (0.67), thy-
roid (0.60), bone marrow (0.42), brain (0.40), lung
(0.35), muscle (0.275), stomach (0.22), testicle
(0.20), esophagus (0.18), heart (0.15), tongue
(0.14), prostate (0.11), small intestine (0.09),
bladder (0.09). All determinations were made on
fresh tissue. (12 references)
1522 Saitta, G. (Univ. Messina, Italy): I
lipidi etereestraibili nel saturnismo pro-
fessionale. (ETHER-EXTRACTABLE LIPIDS IN
OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 37:487-95, 1954.
The serum lipids extractable with alcohol-ether
showed in Pb poisoning, as determined on 18 pa-
tients, an increase even at low alcohol concentra-
tion and there was an increase of total extractable
lipids. The critical point denominating the mini-
mum alcohol concentration permitting extraction
showed a shift towards lower concentration. The
findings suggested to the author a lowering of the
immunity against infection on the part of the Pb
workers. (23 references)
1523 Saitta, G. (Univ. Messina, Italy): Corn-
portamento del 17-chetosteroidi urinari
nel saturnismo professionale. (17-KETO-
STEROIDS IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 37:590-6, 1954.
Having found in control normal subjects that the
av 24-hr excretion of 17-ke£osteroids was 17.49
mg, the author examined 15 workers who had been
exposed to Pb for 12-48 yr and who suffered f_rom
Pb poisoning. The average for those exposed from
10-20 yr was 9.31; from 20-30 yr, 8.30; from 30-40
yr, 7.56; and for those exposed for 40-50 yr, 6.70
mg. Thus, the effect of prolonged action of Pb on
the adrenal was evident. The author concludes
that a direct action of Pb on the adrenal can be
admitted; not to be excluded is the possible func-
tional interference with other components of the
prehypophyseal-adrenal-gonadal complex.
1524 Salvini, M., and Massignan, G. (Univ. Padua,
Italy): Gli aspetti psichici dell'awelen-
amento cronico da piombo tetraetile. (THE
PSYCHIC ASPECTS OF CHRONIC POISONING BY
TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Medicina del Lavoro
45:155-8 (Mar.), 1954.
A case of poisoning by TEL is described. The pa-
tient (1 of several observed) had worked in a plant
manufacturing TEL from 1940 on. After 1 mo work
he experienced acute TEL poisoning (because of
insufficient protection) with loss in weight,
anorexia, vomiting. He recovered after 6-7 mo.
Then he worked for 3 yr in the same factory, but
on another job with no exposure to TEL and no
further disturbances. After the war, he returned
to work with TEL. After 1 yr exposure, various
symptoms involving the nervous system began to
appear which became aggravated with time, with
brief remissions, and culminated in definite mental
deterioration of paranoid type.
The authors call attention to the existence of
chronic TEL poisoning. They raise the question
whether it would not be prudent to institute
periodic psychiatric examinations of workers ex-
posed to TEL.
1525 Sarkady, L.: TOmeges dlommergezes
cserepedenyekkel. (MASS POISONING CAUSED
BY USE OF A LEAD-GLAZED POTTERY.) Orvosi
Hetilap 95:758-62 (July 11), 1954.
1526 Sartorelli, E. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Su
di un caso di tetraplegia chiropodale da
intossicazione subacuta da arsenico e
piombo trattato con B.A.L. (CHEIROPODAL
TETRAPLEGIA FROM SUBACUTE ARSENIC AND LEAD
POISONING TREATED WITH BAL.) Medicina del
Lavoro 45:146-54 (Mar.), 1954.
A workman was engaged in the demolition of a Pb
foundry, using an 0 flame for cutting Fe girders,
and inhaled dust which was later shown to contain
from 10-20% Pb and from 0.11-0.43,0 As, as well as
fumes arising from the cutting process. He de-
veloped severe colic with vomiting and profuse
diarrhea lasting 10 days, paresthesias with loss
of sensation in all extremities, together with
pareses and paralyses of varying degree. The
urine contained 0.100 mg Pb/1 and 0.400 mg As/1
in addition to coproporphyrin; 0.135 mg/g of As
was found in the nails. As there was no improve-
ment in 4 mo, 300 mg of BAL was given daily for
7 days; this was followed by increased Pb but de-
creased As concentration in the urine. Detailed
blood and urine analyses are given. No clinical
improvement followed, and the authors suggest that
BAL may have a selective action on Pb and produce
biochemical conditions favorable to the fixation
of As in the tissues. (40 references)
1527
Schiotz, E.H. (Municipal Workers' Hosp.,
Man
295
-------
Oslo, Norway): Telling av basofilt punkterte
rode blodlegemer (B.P.) som ledd i blyfor—
giftningsprofylaksen. (BASOPHILIC STIPPLING
COUNTS IN THE CONTROL OF LEAD POISONING.)
Nordisk Hyg. Tidskr. 1954, No. 1/2:37-43.
As summarized by the author, in consequence of an
article appearing in a previous issue of this
journal, in which the value of stippled cell (SC)
counts, in the opinion of the author of this paper
is underrated, attention is drawn to the following
features: The apparently wide variation in the
number of SC from one day to another as occasion-
ally observed, may be explained by unavoidable
random sampling errors involved. These may inter-
fere markedly with the result, particularly when
there are few SC and when few fields are counted.
A diagram shows the deviation when 5000 and 20,000
red cells, respectively, are counted. If, 900 SC/
million erythrocytes are found after counting of
5000 cells, the margin or error will be 144% to
either side; the actual number of SC will conse-
quently be some figure between 0 and 2200. If the
figure is 19,000 SC/million after counting of
20,000 cells, the margin of error is merely 15%
and thus insignificant. Routinely, a total of
10,000 red cells should be examined to obtain a
reasonable degree of accuracy. If the number of
SC/million red cells is >2500, a double number of
fields should be examined (20,000 cells). Scru-
pulous care should be taken in the technical per-
formance of the counting. The dark-field method
should preferably be used. A detailed descrip-
tion of the technique is given. A single count of
up to 5000 SC/million is of no practical conse-
quence unless in the presence of other evidence of
Pb absorption. Additional procedures should al-
ways be performed if the number of SC is abnormal-
ly increased without definite occupational factors
being involved. An increased number of SC per se
is no specific sign. The author has thus observed
up to 17,000 SC/million in individuals not having
been exposed to Pb (17,000 in a patient with jaun-
dice and cholangitis). The term poisoning should
not be used unless in the presence of subjective
symptoms of disease or unhealthiness. (From Bul-
letin of Hygiene 29:497, 1954)
1528 Shiels, D.O. (Dept. Health, Victoria,
Australia): THE ELIMINATION OF LEAD IN
SWEAT. Australasian Annals of Medicine 3:
225-9 (Aug.), 1954.
After a survey of previous work concerning the
elimination of Pb by the skin, results obtained
with 7 subjects are reported (6 with Pb poisoning,
one (the author) without any significant exposure
to Pb but taking 5 mg Pb acetate daily by mouth
later in the experiment. Cotton pads (8x6 cm) were
attached to the skin of the persons with adhesive
tape on thoroughly cleansed parts of the skin and
left on for several days. The amount of Pb taken
up by the pads in each case was obtained by sub-
tracting the amount contained in the unused con-
trol pads and reagents from the total amount of
Pb. Final comparisons were made by the "1-color"
method in a photoelectric colorimeter and in the
last case, also by the "mixed color" method. The
values obtained by the 2 methods agreed very well.
Results showed that the Pb on the pads represented
a considerable amount relative to the total amount
excreted in the urine. External contamination by
Pb of the pads was not considered likely. Pb ex-
cretion through the sweat glands was significant
many days (11-19) after cessation of exposure and
during administration of Na thiosulfate for Pb
elimination by urine and feces. In the treated
patients, comparative data for blood, urine,
and sweat Pb were: 0.19-0.24 mg/100 ml; 0.28-1.78
mg (total Pb for period of pad); 0.008-0.165 mg
(total on pad) and 0.0016-0.03 mg/day. Author-
subject observed increased excretion of Pb in
sweat after increased ingestion of Pb and during
warmer weather as follows: When no Pb was taken,
no Pb was excreted in cool weather (Apr.), 0.012
mg (0.13 in urine) in warmer weather (Oct}, 0.024
mg (0.17 in urine) during administration of 5 mg
Pb/day for 3 days in October, and 0.050 mg during
administration of 10 mg/day for 3 days in December
(warm weather).
It was concluded that the amount of Pb excreted
by the skin of the entire body surface was probably
many times that excreted by the skin area covered
by the pads and that the total amount thus elimina-
ted may have greatly exceeded that eliminated in
the urine, a factor which should be considered in
any assessment of the excretion of Pb in man and
sweat-producing animals.
1529 Shiels, D.O. (Dept. Health, Victoria,
Australia): EARLY EFFECTS OF LEAD ON
LYMPHOID CELLS. Medical Journal of Aus-
tralia 1:30-3 (Jan. 9), 1954.
The author returns to a previous claim that a val-
uable early indication of Pb absorption is to be
found in the ratio of monocytes plus large lymph-
ocytes to small lymphocytes (L + M) . This ratio
S
is increased when significant amounts of Pb are
absorbed and remains increased so long as the ab-
sorption of Pb is not too great or too prolonged.
This ratio was determined in >2300 blood films in-
cluding those of persons not exposed to Pb, of
those exposed to an industrial Pb hazard, both
with and without symptoms, and of those recovering
and recovered from symptoms. Results are reported
for 5 persons at the beginning and end of their 1st
wk of industrial exposure to Pb. At the end of
the week the concentration of Pb in the urine was
0.09, 0.15, 0.11, 0.08, and 0.15 mg/1 respectively.
The technique pursued in examining the blood films
is stated in detail, since the blood counts will
vary greatly if it is not strictly followed. The
way in which the ratio increased for each person
is exhibited in a figure. This increase was not
due merely to an increase in the relative number
of monocytes; there was also a definite increase
in the ratio of the number of large to the number
of small lymphocytes.
The results indicate a very early effect of Pb
on the lymphoid cells, and a useful test in the
prevention and diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
1530 Shiels, D.O., Thomas, W.C., Palmer, G.R.,
Cornish, P., and Kearley, E. (Dept. Health,
Melbourne, Australia): THE EFFECT OF THE
INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF SODIUM THIO-
SULPHATE ON BLOOD LEAD CONTENT AND ON THE
EXCRETION OF LEAD IN URINE AND FAECES IN
CASES OF LEAD POISONING. Medical Journal
296
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
of Australia 2:773-82 (Nov. 13), 1954.
The value of the intravenous (iv) administration
of Na thiosulfate (TS) in Pb poisoning is consid-
ered to have been demonstrated. At Mt. Isa Pb
mines and works, this method had become routine,
with very rare remissions seen after adequate
treatment. It seemed important to know the effect
of the treatment on freely circulating Pb in the
body, whether it caused storage in a less soluble
form in the bones or whether it increased elimi-
nation in urine and/or feces. A dose of 30 grains
(2 g) in water was given iv every 2nd day. This
caused a rapid decrease in the urinary Pb as de-
termined by Taylor's method of precipitation with,
or adsorption on, Ca oxalate, dry ashing of the
precipitate, and subsequent comparison of turbidity
produced in the final Pb solution by Na bisulfite
with standard solutions of Pb. The authors
slightly modified the method, using silica dishes
instead of Pt, and HN03 instead of HC1 for the so-
lution of the precipitate prior to ashing. This
method is referred to as the modified Taylor's
method. Fourteen patients with Pb poisoning who
were treated with TS were in Group A, and 4 pa-
tients who did not receive this treatment served
as Group B. There was no significant difference
in the mean concentration of Pb in urine of the
2 groups prior to the commencement of the TS
treatment. There was a rapid fall in urinary Pb
in all those undergoing TS treatment except in 1
case, and there was no comparable fall in those
not receiving this treatment. The fall in uri-
nary Pb concentration was statistically signifi-
cant and not due merely to daily variations that
are known to occur in Pb excretion. More recent-
ly a considerable number of determinations of uri-
nary Pb were made, both by the modified Taylor
method and by a wet oxidation method, in which
oxidation by HNOj or nitrosyl sulfuric acid was
followed by determination of Pb concentration by
the mixed color dithizone method. While there
was no significant difference in the results of
analysis of urinary Pb content by the 2 methods
in persons not receiving TS treatment, there was
a significant difference in the results of the 2
methods in persons who received TS. The values
obtained by the wet oxidation methods were ^60%
higher. Further, in persons who received TS
treatment, the difference between the values as
determined by the 2 methods were greater for
urine collected during the 24 hr subsequent to the
injections than they were for the urine collected
prior to the injections. Studies made on some
patients are described in greater detail, not only
with regard to urinary Pb concentration but also
with regard to urinary Pb excretion and fecal Pb
excretion. With TS treatment the increased uri-
nary Pb concentration was not maintained for as
long as was the case with Na citrate treatment.
The difference in the dosages may have been the
reason for this. The daily average dose of TS
was 1 g (2 g every 2nd day), whereas the dose of
the citrate was 12-15 g daily. Thus it was hardly
to be expected that the TS would have as great or
as prolonged an effect as the citrate. However,
clinical experience indicated that the TS treat-
ment was as effective as the citrate treatment, and
it may be that the TS is effective because it sup-
plies S. S in various other forms has been use-
ful in the treatment of Pb poisoning. H2S, Na
tetrathionate, S baths, even BAI, have all been
used successfully for this purpose. There is no
evidence that the treatment with TS causes any
storage of the blood Pb content in organs or
tissues.
1531 Takaoka, K.: (INORGANIC ELEMENTS IN ENDO-
CRINE ORGANS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE.)
Folia Endocrinologica Japonica 30:499-520,
1954.
From 86 autopsies, including 7 embryos, the water,
ash, and trace element contents, analyzed by semi-
quantitative spectrographic methods are given.
Among the 24 elements examined, Pb was present in
approximately 50% of the samples. It was character-
istically found in ovaries and adrenal glands
(markedly in aged). (45 references)
1532 Tara, S. (France): Les saturnismes
ignores. (IGNORED LEAD POISONING.) Pro-
ceedings of the Society of Industrial
Medicine and Hygiene. Archives des Mala-
dies Professionnelles de Medecine du Tra-
vail et de Securite Sociale 15, No. 1:50-
1, 1954.
Four cases are presented to demonstrate the need
for being acquainted with the exact occupation of
workers when diagnosing any illness. A worker who
had been trimming Sn statuettes experienced 3
attacks of typical Pb poisoning which were not
diagnosed. Pb colic, constipation and stippled
red cells were present. The case of a 2nd patient
was similar, and he did similar work. A 3rd work-
er for 18 yr had engraved crystal from which fine
dust arose, which was inhaled, as the worker was
close to the crystal. He had definite saturnism,
which remained unrecognized. The 4th man worked
on dressing false diamonds composed of silicate
of Pb which contained some 50% Pb by weight.
Fine dust was generated in the process. Typical
symptoms of Pb poisoning were present. In this
last case, the authors consider that the Pb must
have become dissociated from the silicate in the
body. They wonder whether Pb in other silicates
or combinations with talc may not become similarly
dissociated in the body.
1533 Tolgskaya, M.S., and Reznikov, A.B. (Inst.
Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis., Acad. Med. Sci.,
Moscow, USSR): Morfologicheskie izmeneni-
ya v tsentral'noi nervnoi sisteme pri
otravlenii tetraetilsvintsom. (Kliniko-
anatoraicheskie parallel! i eksperimental'-
nye issledovaniya.) (MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES
IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM IN TETRA-
ETHYLLEAD POISONING. CLINICAL AND ANA-
TOMIC PARALLELS AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES.)
Trudy Akademii Meditsinskikh Nauk SSSR
31:168-89, 1954.
Extensive observations are described on TEL poi-
soning by ingestion and by inhalation in adults
and children, as well as of animal experiments
with rats and rabbits in acute, subacute and chron-
ic poisoning. Intake of a comparatively small
quantity of ethyl fluid (50-70 ml) by adults was
followed by a short latent period. A rapid devel-
opment of changes in the central nervous system
took place with the principal ones in the form of
Man
297
-------
motor excitation. A stuporous condition then gave
way to a delirious syndrome. The triad of brady-
cardia, hypotonia, and hypothermia, present in
subacute or chronic poisoning, were not always
prominent in the sudden intoxication by ingested
TEL. The histologic findings are described in de-
tail. In cases with death on the 3rd-4th day of
illness, significant neurovascular changes were
demonstrable. In deaths on the 9th-10th day, the
changes were more pronounced. In poisoning by in-
halation of high concentrations of TEL, accidental-
ly released in dwellings, the patients were in a
highly asthenic condition in the 1st days, fol-
lowed by signs of agitation and fear. There were
severe disturbances, such as dysmetria, ataxia
combined with psychopathologic signs of delirious-
amential nature. Within a day, bradycardia, alter-
nating with tachycardia, and fluctuations in arte-
rial pressure and temperature occurred. While the
symptoms were basically the same as those observed
in industrial poisoning, in accidental cases a
brief latent period was noted with rapid develop-
ment of the syndrome and death on 8th-10th day.
Coma which is not characteristic of TEL poisoning,
may develop in cases of massive disturbance of the
hemodynamics of the brain. Such a case in a 15-
yr-old is described.
In children, the latent period lasts several
hours; the younger the children, the shorter is
this period. Histologic findings in children dif-
fer from those found in the adult. The unique
course of the illness, violent progress of the
pathologic process, and signs of serous meningitis
are attributed by the authors to reactions that
are specific for the brain of children. The occur-
rence of pneumonia in the terminal stage, seen in
children, should not be explained by the action
of TEL on the respiratory system, for it is ob-
served in all cases of intoxication by ingestion
or inhalation.
The authors summarize their observations as fol-
lows: TEL produces in acute intoxication in man
and in rabbits diffuse damage of the nerve cells
of Layers II and III of the cortex and of the low-
er portions, as manifested by pronounced swelling
and vacuolation of the protoplasm and displacement
of the nuclei. In less acute, and in chronic in-
toxication, severe damage of the cells of the
thalamohypothalamic region is demonstrable, which
substantiates the clinical manifestations. Vas-
cular disturbances include pronounced hyperemia,
stases, hyaline thrombi, twistings and invagina-
tions of vascular walls, peri vascular edema and
hemorrhages. These produce disorders in the nu-
trition of brain tissue, accompanied by a degener-
ative process in the astrocytic glia and secondary
changes in the nerve cells in the form of pyknosis,
tigrolysis of the protoplasm and lysis of the
cells.
The latter changes and the highly pronounced de-
generative process in the astrocytes appear to be
indications of a hypoxia of nerve cells. Changes
in the higher nerve activity in rats in chronic
and subacute intoxication point to the significant
role played by the cortex of the cerebral hemi-
spheres in the pathogenesis of TEL intoxication.
The conditioned reflex test permits the demonstra-
tion of the functional dynamic disturbances of the
central nervous system. In the initial stages of
poisoning, this test shows the cortical involve-
ment. In subacute intoxication, parallel with
the pathologic process, the subcortical mechanisms
are also included (thalamohypothalamic region).
In chronic intoxication of animals with small dos-
es of TEL, degenerative changes in the cortical
cells and vascular disturbances develop. In chron-
ic and subacute intoxications, there are diffuse
vascular and degenerative changes in the brain.
As the pathologic process progresses, not only the
cortex, but also the lower portions of the brain
become involved in the damage, especially the
hypothalamic region where the nerve cells undergo
the greatest changes. (13 references)
1534 Vacher, J. (Paris, France): Le Saturnisme.
(LEAD POISONING.) Vie M6dicale 35:677-80
(July), 1954.
Types of Pb intoxication such as industrial and
non-industrial are listed. Of all the clinical
symptoms, "Pb colic" (abdominal pain of varying
intensity accompanied by constipation —never
diarrhea—) is the most typical. Arterial hyper-
tension is not a constant sign. Burton Pb lines
and Gubler's spots may be present. In chronic
forms, nephritis is typically azotemic. Periodical
laboratory analyses for proteinuria, uremia and
hypertension are indispensable in the examination
of Pb-exposed individuals. Typical but rarely
found is paralysis of the small muscles of the
hands. Also unusual is encephalopathy. Acute
forms of massive Pb intoxication are accompanied
by classical digestive disturbances and hepato-
renal conditions. The laboratory analyses in Pb
intoxication include tests for basophilic stippled
erythrocytes (in France, more often counted per
100 white cells). Absence of stippled cells does
not augur against Pb intoxication but their pres-
ence is a definite sign of it. The number of red
blood cells is counted to ascertain the presence
of anemia. Decrease of the red blood cells from
5-4.5 million by 100-200,000 every 4 mo must be
interpreted as a sign of Pb exposure. Blood Pb
levels are toxic if 800 pg/1 or more; copropor-
phyrinuria is abnormal at levels >500 lJg/1 of
urine; urine Pb levels are abnormal above 200 yg/1.
Many authors have shown that in Pb intoxication
the results of the various laboratory analyses do
not correlate.
The metabolism and pathogenesis of Pb intoxica-
tion are not completely understood. Introduction
of Pb into the body is by the oral and pulmonary
routes. Prevention is by legislation, excluding
all persons affected by liver, renal and other dis-
eases from Pb work. Other preventive measures such
as industrial hygiene are discussed. Milk is not
an antidote against Pb, while alcohol favors in-
crease of Pb levels. Treatment includes use of
drugs such as Ca, iv or oral, together with Na-
hyposulfite for acute manifestations, iv Mg sul-
fate and BAL for chronic forms. For colic, atro-
pine is used. Cortisone, vitamins PP, B;L2 and
folic acid have been recommended. CaEDTA has been
proposed.
Aspects of Social Security indemnity in industri-
al Pb intoxication are briefly discussed.
298
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1535 Vercellesi, P.Z. (Turin, Italy): La
spettrografia di massa nella prevenzione
del saturnismo professionale. (MASS
SPECTROGRAPHY IN THE PREVENTION OF OCCUPA-
TIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Proceedings of XI
International Congress of Industrial Med-
icine by Members of the Institute of In-
dustrial Medicine of the National Accident
Department. Rassegna di Medicine Industri-
als 23:271 (Sept.-Oct.), 1954.
For 3 yr some industries of Turin in which the
workers are exposed to danger of Pb poisoning (Pb
foundries, Pb paint industry, storage-battery
industry) in the course of periodic examinations
have been doing spectrographic analyses of Pb in
the blood, in addition to evaluation of red and
white blood cells and of urinary porphyrins. Pb
determination in the blood has proved to be of
great importance in the evaluation of the absorp-
tion level as well as for taking steps toward the
prevention of Pb poisoning.
1536 Videla Vial, E., Balmaceda, J.M., Schiller,
P., and Yerkovic, L. (Univ. Chile; Inst.
Ind. Med., Public Health Serv.): Las
Porfirinas. 1. Las porfirinas eritrocl-
ticas en el diagnostico del saturnismo y
su importancia medico legal. (PORPHYRINS.
1. PORPHYRINS IN ERYTHROCYTES IN THE DIAG-
NOSIS OF LEAD POISONING AND THEIR MEDICO-
LEGAL IMPORTANCE.) Revista Medica de
Chile 82, No. 1:39-48, 1954.
The authors state that the usual classical signs
of the presence of Pb in the human body, such as
the "Pb line," anemia, basophilic stippling (BS),
demonstration of Pb in blood and urine do not in-
dicate Pb poisoning, but merely individual reac-
tions to the presence of Pb, and individuals may
show these changes without actually suffering from
Pb poisoning. From a close study of the subject
they concluded that estimation of the red cell
porphyrin is of highest diagnostic value in this
disease. They have, therefore, investigated 100
persons, 80 workers exposed to Pb risk in battery
manufacture, in Pb foundries under bad conditions,
and 20 engaged in other industries, for control.
Attention was paid to the following: Hematocrit
value (normal, 43-50%); hemoglobin (Hb) (normal,
14.5 g); mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC)
(normal, 30-32%); the erythrocytic protoporphyrin
(PP) (normal, 30-40 yg/100 ml red cells), BS (nor-
mal, £.1.57,), Pb in the urine (normal, <250 ug/1) ,
plasma Fe (normal, 80-180 yg%); indirect bilirubin
(normal, £.10 nsg/1) and the reticulocytes (normal,
5!%). Tables show results in each of the 100 per-
sons; one gives the percentages of the usual clin-
ical signs, the Pb line being the commonest (50%);
headache in 31; metallic taste in 30; pallor in
29 etc. Also tabulated are the percentages of
cases in which the last 7 of the test results were
increased, diminished, or remained normal, the per-
centages among 16 who had been in the Pb industry
for 3 mo only, among 30 who had been in the plants
for 1 yr, among 20 who had been there for >5 yr
and among the 20 controls.
In summary, Pb, urinary Pb, bilirubin and reticu-
locytes were normal in all the controls, whereas
in those exposed to Pb, the 1st 2 were increased;
the figures for the other criteria varied. The
average increase in the 80 workers was most marked
in the PP, more so than in the same individuals
with increased urinary Pb. The authors' conclu-
sion was that the former is the best single test
of Pb poisoning and the grade of increase would
serve well as a standard for the degree of intoxi-
cation for compensation cases. (97 references)
1537 Vigliani, E.C. (Univ. Milan, Italy):
TREATMENT OF LEAD COLIC WITH CORTISONE AND
CORTICOTROPIN. A.M.A. Archives of Indust-
rial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine 10:
491-500 (Dec.), 1954.
Of 38 patients with Pb colic admitted to the Clinic
del Lavoro of Milan, Italy,between 1947 and 1953,
the first 19 were treated with Ca, 4 others were
given dimercaprol (BAL), and the last 15 were
treated with cortisone or corticotropin (ACTH).
The clinical follow-up of the patients and the
study of Pb metabolism indicated that the action
of Ca was nonspecific, antispasmodic, and rapidly
transient. BAL, though markedly affecting
the Pb metabolism, was found to be a dangerous
drug in Pb colic, having in some cases aggravated
and prolonged the duration of pain. Cortisone and
corticotropin showed a remarkably beneficial ef-
fect; pain disappeared within 1-2 days, and in
some patients within a few hr. In patients with a
positive reaction to the Thorn test, best results
were achieved by continuous intravenous infusions
of 15-20 mg of corticotropin in 500 cc of 2.5%
dextrose given twice daily at a rate of 60 drops/
min. The infusion of 1 1. of dextrose/day served
also to maintain the fluid balance during the
colic. Cortisone and corticotropin had no influ-
ence on Pb metabolism; their action is probably
on the host and not on the poison. As in Pb colic
the urinary output of 11-oxycorticosteroids is nor-
mal or high , it is believed that cortisone or cor-
ticotropin therapy does not fill a hormonal de-
ficiency but increases a defense of the body al-
ready in action. It is possible that the best re-
sults in treatment of Pb colic will be obtained
from the simultaneous use of drugs neutralizing
and eliminating Pb and of hormones aiding the body
in its defense against the poison. (From author's
summary; 19 references)
1538 Vigliani, E.C. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Prob-
lemi di alimentazione per i lavoratori es-
positi all'azione di sostanze tossiche.
(PROBLEM OF NUTRITION FOR WORKERS EXPOSED
TO THE ACTION OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES.) Medi-
cina del Lavoro 45:423-30 (Aug.-Sept.),
1954.
The problem of the most suitable diet for workers
exposed to the risk of occupational poisoning is
discussed. The author stresses first that no food
can replace technical control, personal and envi-
ronmental hygiene and sanitary provisions for the
workers.
The effect of alkalizing or acidifying diets on
Pb metabolism has not been definitely established.
nilk is a supplementary food rich in proteins, but
it has no antidotal action either against Pb or any
other occupational poisons. Other occupational
hazards considered for which certain dietary com-
ponents are indicated, are: exposure to benzene,
chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic
Man
299
-------
amines, CO, and penicillin. (20 references)
1539 Villaume, J. (Haguenau, France): Saturn-
isme debutant diagnostique par ponction
sternale. (STERNAL PUNCTURE IN DIAGNOSIS
IN EARLY SATURNISM.) Medecin d'Usine 16:
366-8, 1954.
Pb poisoning may be diagnosed early by examination
of the bone marrow material. In a workman exposed
to the risk of Pb poisoning, who suffered from
anemia and slight attacks of colic, no punctate
basophilia could be demonstrated in the circulating
erythrocytes, but in the bone marrow there were
20% red cells with punctate basophilia as seen in
smears stained according to May-Grunwald-Giemsa,
and confirmed by a method developed by K.B. Lehmann.
1540 Weaver, N.K.: INTEGRATION OF THE TOXICITY
AND PERIODIC EXAMINATION PROGRAMS. Medical
Bulletin, Standard Oil Company (N.J.) 14:
84-7 (Mar.), 1954.
The toxicity program at the Baton Rouge Refinery
is reviewed with particular emphasis on the medi-
cal plan for the prevention and detection of ill-
ness due to exposure to industrial hazards. The
author indicates that the examinations should be
directed only toward the detection of chronic
toxicity, since the acute manifestations cause the
individual to seek medical attention. It is reco-
mmended to list all toxic exposures for the dispen-
sary physician to be noted and to avoid question-
ing the sick patient. Simple indicators placed
on the examination form of each patient will direct
the attention of the examining physician to the
appropriate points on the medical information of
each toxic manifestation. The frequency of special
toxicity examinations will depend on the inherent
toxicity of the substance, the working conditions
and the previous industrial medical experience
with the hazardous situation.
In respect to TEL exposure, at the Baton Rouge
Refinery certain employees are examined semian-
nually, and a test for stippled erythrocytes is
done in addition to the usual laboratory work. In
addition, these employees may receive regular ex-
aminations by DuPont and Ethyl physicians accord-
ing to contract.
1541 Wieme, R.J. (Belgium): Een geval van acute
loodintoxicatie. (A CASE OF ACUTE LEAD
POISONING.) Belgisch Tijdschrift voor
Geneeskunde 10:560-2, 1954.
A 57-yr-old man accidentally swallowed a soupspoon-
ful of a Pb subacetate solution equivalent to 3g Pb
oxide. This was followed by vomiting and diarrhea
within 24 hr. After a "vague" period he suffered
from abdominal pains, anemia and extreme loss of
strength, especially in the upper limbs. Hospi-
talized on the 10th day, the following findings re-
sulted from a laboratory investigation: serious
normochromic anemia, large number of stippled red
cells, definite porphyrinuria and the beginning of
a Pb line; only modest signs of renal irritation;
no reflex aberrations; elimination of Pb was very
variable: 300-400 ug Pb/24 hr. Improvement set in
14 days. One month after hospitalization the pa-
tient had subjectively recovered; red blood cell
count was 4,000,000/mm , basophilic stippling had
disappeared, there still was a pronounced copro-
porphyrinuria, and Pb excreted in urine is still
abnormal: 100-400 yg/24 hr. He was treated with
Becaptan (2 ampules/day) intravenously for 30 days.
In the discussion the possibility of Pb poisoning
through drinking water from Pb pipes which were
used to ground electrical equipment producing a
high voltage was mentioned. Galvanic currents may
cause dissolution of Pb. A reported case was used
as illustration. The question was raised why BAL
was not used in the treatment, instead of Becaptan.
The author answers that though BAL enhances urinary
excretion there are strong doubts whether it im-
proves the clinical progress. The ingested 3g Pb
acetate = 3g Pb oxide is a high dose and the com-
pound is very soluble. Becaptan is used without
any danger.
1542 Wittgens, H., and Niederstadt, D. (Univ.
GUttingen, Germany): Untersuchungen {Jber
den Wert der Vollmilch als angebliches
Vorbeugungsmittel gegen gewerbliche Ver-
giftungen. (INVESTIGATIONS ON THE ALLEGED
VALUE OF WHOLE MILK AS A PROPHYLACTIC
AGENT IN INDUSTRIAL POISONINGS.) Zentral-
blatt f(]r Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz
4:185-91 (July), 1954.
The extensive literature on the subject of the pro-
phylactic value of milk in industrial poisoning
cases is reviewed and discussed. At one time the
opinion that milk had this value was accepted
throughout the world but it is here considered
that the opinion was not based on actual observa-
tion and was only a belief. Later observers cast
doubt on the tenability of this belief and in some
experiments it was recorded that animals fed on
milk suffered more readily from poisoning when Pb
was administered to them than did the control
animals without milk. Full details are given of
the authors' experiments with rats including the
variations in weight, hemoglobin and blood pic-
tures in a period of 15 wk. The conclusion is
reached that whole milk has no protective effect
against Pb poisoning and that it is highly prob-
able that it makes the poisoning more severe.
This finding, which is in accord with the results
of experiments of other workers, suggests that pai
taking of whole milk by workers in Pb and other
forms of industrial poisoning is not to be recom-
mended. For the protection of the workers reliant
should be placed on known technical and hygienic
precautions. (33 references)
1543 Wondrak, E. (Surg. Urol. Div. of OUNZ,
Litomerice, Czechoslovakia): Ein seltenei
Fall von Selbstkatheterisierung. (KHnnen
SphinkterkrHmpfe bei chronischer Bleiver-
giftung zur Harnverhaltung ftthren?) (A
RARE CASE OF AUTOCATHETERIZATION. (A
QUESTION OF POSSIBILITY OF URINARY RETEN-
TION CAUSED BY SPHINCTERAL SPASM IN CHRON
1C LEAD POISONING.)) Zeitschrift fUr Uro-
logie 47, No. 4:235-7, 1954.
A case of urinary retention caused by sphincteral
spasm is reported in a 51-yr-old mechanic special
1st. The patient had been handling materials
which consisted almost completely of pure Pb for
>20 yr. He had suffered periodically with anuria
since 1942 (during war duty) and had been cathe-
terized in a hospital. Upon his return in 1945,
300
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
he had a glass tube made for self-catheterization.
The present hospitalizatlon was occasioned because
during the current attack the glass tube broke and
part of it remained in the urethra. Further
investigations revealed that the man had suffered
from colics and constipation, headaches and pain
in the joint's; however, these were not serious
enough to keep him home from his well-paid job.
A Pb line was noticed on the lower gums, and after
18 days in the hospital his blood Pb level was
0.135 mg% and on the 25th day it was still 0.126
mg%. The examinations suggested that he suffered
from chronic Pb poisoning. Although contractures
of the muscle are not uncommon in chronic Pb
poisoning, the author could not find any litera-
ture data of urinary retention which resulted from
sphincteral spasm caused by chronic Pb poisoning.
Observation of further similar cases would be
necessary to clarify whether or not rare urological
complications are attributable to chronic Pb intox-
ication. (17 references)
1544 Wyllie, J. (Queen's Univ., Kingston,
Ontario, Canada): A FAMILY OUTBREAK OF
LEAD POISONING FROM THE BURNING OF STORAGE
BATTERY CASINGS. Canadian Medical Associ-
ation Journal 70:287-90, 1954.
A family outbreak of Pb poisoning is described,
due to inhalation of smoky fumes arising from dis-
carded storage battery casings in an old cook
stove in a slum dwelling. Three of the inmates'^x%
the father, a boy aged 14 and a daughter aged 10,
did not complain of subjective symptoms, but one
boy aged 7 died from Pb encephalopathy, another
boy aged 11 had abdominal colic and the mother had
paresis of the right wrist and a typical Pb line
in the gums. Although the mother stated she had
carried on this practice for the previous 3
winters without untoward effects, it is believed
that intensity rather than duration of exposure
was responsible for the outcome. A slaty-gray
deposit scraped from the interior of the battery
casings yielded ^90% Pb sulfate. The respiratory
tract is the most important portal of entry for
Pb into the human body; signs of intoxication
develop more quickly than when 10 times as much
Pb is ingested. (From author's summary)
1545 Yamaga, S., Saruta, K., and Furuya, H.
(Yokohama Med. Coll., Japan): A SURVEY ON
INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING. (REPORT II) .
Journal of Science of Labour (Japan)
30:178-82 (Mar.), 1954.
Seventy-four workers in an electric cable factory
were divided into 2 groups according to Pb concen-
trations in the air of the work environment, 1.63
mg/rn-^ and 0.20 mg/m^. Pb concentrations on the
right hand, in the mouth, hemoglobin, red blood
cells, reticulocytes, coproporphyrin in urine and
in the whole blood were estimated. It was noted
that, Pb concentrations both on the right hand and
in the mouth did not differ between the 2 groups.
Thus the degree of Pb poisoning could be considered
to be influenced mainly by inhalation of the Pb-
laden air. Manifestations of Pb intoxication were
the same in both groups. The authors conclude
that a 0.2 mg/m^ Pb concentration is not free from
danger and the threshold limit value of Pb concen-
tration, 0.5 mg/m^, should be considered inade-
quate. (From authors' English summary)
1546 Zeglio, P., and Vercellesi, P.Z. (Turin
Inst. Ind. Med. of ENPI, Italy): Sul
valore preventive e diagnostico della
piomboemia. (THE PREVENTIVE AND DIAGNOSTIC
VALUE OF BLOOD LEAD DETERMINATION.) Ras-
segna di Medicina Industriale 23:406-10
(Nov.-Dec.), 1954.
In the authors' Institute, >2000 blood analyses
were made since 1951 by use of spectrograph. After
citing concentrations reported by other authors,
results were obtained on 52 individuals not ex-
posed to Pb (both sexes, age 15-62 yr) and 354
typographers (exposed for >1 yr). In those not ex-
posed to Pb, 12 subjects showed no detectable con-
centrations; maximum value was 42 ug/100 ml blood,
and the average was 18 yg/100 ml. There were no
quantitative differences as to sex or age.
In the typographers, minimum value was 12 and
the maximum, 58 yg/100 ml. None of these showed
signs of intoxication. As based on observations
on VL600 cases in other industries, workers exposed
to excessive absorption, but showing no signs may
show from <30->100 yg/100 ml blood; those with
typical but recent signs of poisoning always ex-
hibit elevated levels, from 70-240 pg, most of them,
from 100-150 yg/100 ml. The authors conclude that
the average value in the Italian population is 20
yg/100 ml. Values twice as high as these are not
considered unusual. In Pb workers the level of Pb
in the blood is habitually elevated and varies
with exposure and elimination. Values >70 tJg/100
ml per se do not indicate Pb intoxication, but
they do show excessive exposure. An elevated level
of Pb in the blood can be considered a positive
sign of poisoning in the presence of confirmatory
findings. A low blood Pb level does not indicate
the absence of intoxication if the individual has
been removed from the exposure for some time and
if other signs, symptoms and positive laboratory
findings persist.
1955
1547 American Medical Association, Council on
Pharmacy and Chemistry: NEW AND NONOFFI-
CIAL REMEDIES. EDATHAMIL CALCIUM-DISODI-
UM. Journal of the American Medical Asso-
ciation 159:850-1, 1955.
The mechanism and safety of CaNa2EDTA therapy of Pb
poisoning is described on the basis of animal ex-
perimentation. CaNa2EDTA is administered by iv
drip in either isotonic NaCl solution or 57, dex-
trose solution in a concentration not to exceed 3%
by diluting 5 ml of a 20% solution (1 g) to 33 ml.
The maximum dose/4.5 kg (10 Ib) of body weight is
0.17 g/hr, 0.33 g/day, or 1.67 g/wk. The maximum
dose is 2.5 g/4.5 kg per course. It is advisable
not to exceed 2 such courses, allowing 7 days
rest between them. Interrupted courses are con-
sidered preferable to continuous therapy, and they
should be in accordance with demonstrable increased
titer of Pb in blood. A finding of >0.05 mg Pb/
100 ml whole blood or 0.1 mg/1 of a 24-hr specimen
of urine is considered pathognomonic of Pb poisoning.
1548 American Medical Association Report of
Chemical Laboratory: CHELATION AND SE-
Man
301
-------
QUESTRATION. Journal of the American
Medical Association 158:43-4, 1955.
The terminology used to describe the chemical ac-
tion of the group of compounds, that are capable
of forming stable complexes with multivalent pos-
itive ions, and some of the names that have been
used to identify them have been the cause of some
confusion and misunderstanding. The present mean-
ing of the words "chelation" and "sequestration"
is explained. Edathamil calcium disodium is the
generic name given by the Council on Pharmacy and
Chemistry to the CaNa2 salt of EDTA, which is used
in the therapy of Pb poisoning.
1549 Atchabarov, B.A., Aldanazarov, A.T., Ni-
kulicheva, V.S., Romakhov, A.A., and Sab-
denova, Sh.S. (Acad. Sci. Kazakh SSR) :
Nekotorye dannye kompleksnogo izucheniya
svintsovoi intoksikatsii. (SOME DATA OF A
COMPLEX STUDY OF LEAD INTOXICATION.)
Vestnik Akademii Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 11,
No. 6:89-94, 1955.
A survey of the current information on Pb poisoning
is followed by a brief account of new work carried
out on 666 workers in trades with high Pb risk.
general observations were that in Pb poisoning
there is arterial hypotension and venous hyperten-
sion. Generally, Pb poisoning leads to slowing of
hippuric acid synthesis and increase of bilirubln,
as well as a positive test in a few cases for uro-
bilin in the blood. Usually, the nervous system
shows disturbances before the circulatory system.
Muscular weakness is one of the most common signs.
Deafness also occurs frequently. Treatment with
folic acid and Pentoxyl (used in some forms of
anemia) gave favorable preliminary results.
1550 Battigelli, M. (Univ. Milan, Italy): L'in-
tossicazione saturnina nei demolitori di
accumulatori. (LEAD POISONING IN WORKERS
ENGAGED AT THE DEMOLITION OF MATERIAL CON-
TAINING LEAD.) Medicina del Lavoro 46:
35-8 (Jan.), 1955.
Eighteen cases of Pb poisoning in workers (18-65
yr old, at work 1-48 mo) engaged in the demolition
of motor car batteries and gasmeters are described.
Of the affected, 6 presented a typical Pb colic,
4 had suffered colic before admittance to the
hospital, the remaining were affected by toxic
anemia, accompanied in a few cases by enteralgic
manifestations. The mean value of blood Pb was
found to be 110 Mg/100 ml, and urine Pb was 210
pg/1. The cause of this high incidence of intoxi-
cation, in this type of work, was attributed to
the high concentrations of Pb-containing dust in
the atmosphere of work rooms (av 1.5-1.9 mg/m3).
1551 Bell, R.F., Gilliland, J.C., and Dunn, W.
S. (Univ. Colorado Med. Center, Denver):
URINARY MERCURY AND LEAD EXCRETION IN A
CASE OF MERCURIALISM. DIFFERENTIAL EX-
CRETION AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF EDATHAMIL
CALCIUM AND DIMERCAPROL. A.M.A. Archives
of Industrial Health 11:231-3 (Mar.), 1955.
A case of occupational Hg poisoning is described,
in which the effect of administration first of
EDTA and then of BAL on daily urinary Hg and Pb
elimination was studied. The urinary Hg excretion
decreased during EDTA therapy (0.23-0.06 mg), and
markedly increased with BAL (up to 0.48 mg). When
it was noted that the urinary Hg was not affected
by the administration of EDTA, determinations of
the urinary Pb were done as a check on the activity
of CaEDTA solutions. Pb excretion increased
markedly during EDTA therapy (0.04-0.21 mg) and
did not change significantly during BAL treatment.
1552 Bersworth, F.C., and Rubin, M.: ORGANO-
METALLIC DETOXICANTS. U.S. Patent
2,698,823, Jan. 4, 1955, to F.C. Bersworth.
Ca disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
and other similar nontoxic compounds are useful in
removing toxic metal compounds from the human body
in cases of heavy metal poisoning. Preparations
of EDTA, used intravenously, subcutaneously, oral-
ly, and superficially, solubilize Ni and Pb ions,
with the liberation of Ca ions, as nontoxic com-
plexes which are readily excreted. (From Chemical
Abstracts 49:Abstract No. 4244, 1955)
1553 Bessman, S.P., and Layne, E.G., Jr.
(Children's Hosp. Res. Found., Washington,
D.C.): DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN BLOOD AS
AFFECTED BY EDATHAMIL CALCIUM-DISODIUM.
American Journal of the Diseases of Child-
ren 89:292-4, 1955.
Five patients (2 adults and 3 children 3-5 yr old)
with history, physical examination, and X-ray
changes suggestive of Pb poisoning were given EDTA,
and the distribution of Pb in plasma and red cells
was determined at intervals. EDTA caused an in-
crease in plasma Pb and a marked shift of the ratio
plasma Pb/cell Pb to values >1. Although the plas-
ma Pb level rose manifold, the blood clearance of
Pb varied only ^2-fold. The marked stimulation of
Pb excretion seen with EDTA is therefore due mainly
to the increased plasma level. It is suggested
that EDTA renal excretion of Pb differs from that
of EDTA. (From authors' summary) (15 references)
1554 Buckup, H. (Ind. Med. Inst. of Sta,te Ind.
Med. Officers, Bochum, Germany): Arztliche
Massnahmen zur Verhlltung beruflicher Blei-
schadigungen. (MEDICAL CONTROL OF OCCU-
PATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Zentralblatt
fllr Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 5:1-
9 (Jan.), 1955.
The occupational hazards of Pb and various mea-
sures for the prevention of poisoning are dis-
cussed. The diagnostic tests currently in use are
evaluated. The author believes de Langen's rapid
method for the determination of urinary porphyrins
to be an ideal test for mass screening.
1555 Buckup, H., and Hesse, F.: Klimakuren
zur Prophylaxe und Therapie von Gesund-
heitsschadigungen durch Industriegifte,
insbesondere Blei. (CHANGE OF CLIMATE
FOR THE PREVENTION AND THERAPY OF ILLNESS
BY INDUSTRIAL POISONS, ESPECIALLY LEAD.)
Berufsgenossenschaft 1955, No. 10:421-9.
The benefits of rest cures in the North Sea region
for cases of incipient or established Pb poisoning
are discussed.
1556 Capellini, A., Parmeggiani, L., Sartorelli,
E., and Martelli, G.C. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Studio di 34 casi di intossica-
302
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
zione da arseniato di piombo in due fab-
briche di insetticidi. (STUDY OF 34 CASES
OF LEAD ARSENATE POISONING IN TWO FACTOR-
IES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF INSECTICIDES.)
Medicina del Lavoro 46:147-57 (Mar.),
1955.
Thirty-four cases of poisoning and 8 cases of high
absorption of Pb arsenate occurred in 2 factories
producing the insecticide. Repeated environmental
investigations revealed very high concentrations
of Pb and As in the air of workrooms. Up to 8
mg/m^ of Pb were found in the blending and 11 mg/
m3 in the packaging departments. In 1 plant the
intoxications were noted soon after a remarkable
increase of production, during a breakout of in-
fluenza; in the other a few months after beginning
operations. The average exposure prior to the
appearance of the disturbances had varied from 2
mo in the packaging to 6 mo in the pressing de-
partments. Findings consisted of abdominal pains
with constipation or constipation alternating with
diarrhea (seldom diarrhea alone), loss of appetite,
dyspepsia, distinct pains or palpation of the cho-
ledochoduodenal region, mild normochromic anemia
giving good response to liver extracts and vitamin
812- Cases with Burton's line, neurological mani-
festations and dermatitis were relatively rare.
Coproporphyrins were increased, values being even
>300 yg/100 ml. Urine Pb was >150 yg/1 (up to 700
Pg/1). Blood Pb was >65 ug/100 ml (185 yg/100 ml
in 1 case). Values >500 yg/1 of As were reached
in the urine. Compared with the elimination of Pb,
As disappeared rapidly from the urine (Pb elimina-
tion during work, av 120 yg/1; As elimination, 341
yg; 40 days after cessation of work, urine Pb was
181 yg; As 25 ug) . In Pb arsenate poisoning, signs
of Pb poisoning occur together with symptoms of As
poisoning. Elimination of As from the organism is
more intense in the presence of Pb. (From authors'
summary; 32 references)
1557 Dantin Gallego, J. (Natl. Inst. Med. Ind.
Safety, Madrid. Spain): Problemas clini-
cos en relacion con el origen profesional
o no profesional del plomo en la intoxica-
cion saturnina. (CLINICAL PROBLEMS IN RE-
LATION TO THE OCCUPATIONAL OR NONOCCUPA-
TIONAL ORIGIN OF LEAD POISONING.) Archiv
fUr Gewerbepathologie und Gewerbehygiene
13, No. 6:535-43, 1955.
As the example of difficulties encountered in the
diagnosis of occupational diseases, the author
chose Pb poisoning because of the frequency of its
occurrence and need of treatment. The generally
accepted diagnostic signs and symptoms are not
specific, as they may occur in other conditions,
ie, the blood picture (including stippled erythro-
cytes), the hepatic, neurologic, vascular and
renal syndromes. Of these, the author does accept
the Pb-induced liver disease, which generally is
accompanied by a low Pb content in blood which he
attributes to the heavy accumulation of Pb in the
liver. He summarizes 171 cases of occupational
and nonoccupational poisoning, in whom Pb was in-
vestigated; 40% of them showed anemia, and in 40%
of these the Pb content in blood was <60 yg%.
Among 59% with colic, only 18% were truly Pb-
induced colics; in ^50% of the cases with Pb-
induced hepatitis, blood Pb was <60 yg%, but ^80%
of Pb neuritis patients showed >60 yg% Pb in blood.
The combination of hepatitis and neuritis was found
in 2 cases. In 9 cases with vascular disorders,
-W0% had blood Pb >60 yg%.
Of even greater interest were the laboratory
findings: in only 2 cases was there considerable
elimination of Pb in urine in the absence of Pb in
blood. Usually, when elimination of Pb diminished,
the blood Pb rose. No relationship between Pb in
saliva and high blood Pb was found. There was un-
certainty in relation to elimination via the bile,
which never surpassed 30 yg%. In 3 cases, Pb was
found in the spinal fluid (10, 14 and 15 yg%) , all
accompanied by high urinary Pb (110-239 yg%). The
occupations of the persons investigated, the num-
ber showing active manifestations of Pb poisoning,
the ranges, means, and standard deviations of their
Pb content in blood are tabulated. Among them were
30 barmen, 16 of whom showed Pb poisoning (occupa-
tional or nonoccupational), with a mean of 59.9
yg% Pb in blood (20-120) . Some cases of Pb poi-
soning of nonoccupational origin, mainly by con-
sumption of carbonated water, heavy wine drinking,
or for other cause (contaminated food) , are brief-
ly presented.
1558 Desoille, H., Albahary, C., Gajdos, A.,
and Gajdos-To'ro'k, M. (Inst. Ind. Hyg.
Occup. Med., Paris, France): Recherches
sur la valeur des signes biologiques pre-
cedant 1'apparition du saturnisme clinique
professionnel. (STUDIES ON THE VALUE OF
BIOLOGICAL SIGNS PRECEDING THE APPEARANCE
OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Archives
des Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine
du Travail et de Securite" Sociale 16, No.
3:185-96, 1955.
The authors believe that the study of blood and
urinary Pb levels is not applicable to the occupa-
tional situation, because of "normal" variations,
mobilization, difficulty in estimating tissue
levels, knowledge of pre-intoxication states, dif-
ficulty in collection of samples. They report
studies on the urinary coproporphyrin (CP) levels,
stippled cells, blood protoporphyrins (PP) and
blood Pb levels as determined on rabbits given
orally 3 times/wk 6 mg Pb in aqueous solution; 2
rabbits absorbed 20 mg and 2, 30 mg. Six rabbits
received Pb intramuscularly. They found that
urinary CP were first elevated, followed by stip-
pling of erythrocytes then by rise in PP in blood.
Twenty-three workers exposed to significant Pb
risks, and 11 men exposed to a lower risk were
also studied. (No reference is made to levels of
exposure, to the nature of the offending Pb com-
pound, or physical state of this exposure.)
The conclusions are: Animal studies are not use-
'ful for extrapolation to human data. They are use-
ful only for the study of mechanisms of response
to exposure. It seems that the appearance of
stippled erythrocytes is the earliest sign of
clinical value which is consistent. (The authors
suggest the level of 40-50/100 white cells.) The
variability caused in levels of urinary CP by
other physical and disease states, and the failure
of response to low levels of exposure, make this
test of little value. For the latter reason,
blood PP too are of little value. The relation-
ship between stippling and porphyrins is so vari-
Man
303
-------
able as to be valueless in early stages of intoxi-
cation. The authors discard entirely the value of
blood and urinary Pb values in the determination
of early or subclinical Pb intoxication. The ex-
amination of the blood film, by its ease and con-
venience, appears to be the test of choice in the
early diagnosis of subclinical Pb poisoning. (10
references)
1559 Dinischiotu, G.T., Nestorescu, B.,
Radulescu, I., lonescu, C., Preda, N. ,
and Roventa, A.: Cercetari asupra forme-
lor chimice de eliminare ale plumbului
urinar. (STUDIES OF THE CHEMICAL FORMS IN
WHICH LEAD IS ELIMINATED IN THE URINE.)
Medicina interna 7:64-71 (Oct.-Dec.), 1955.
See Abstract No. 1899.
1560 Djuric', D. (Inst. Med. Res., Yugoslav
Acad. , Zagreb): Porfirinurija kod otrovan-
ja olovom. (PORPHYRINURIA IN LEAD POISON-
ING.) Arhiv za Higijenu Rada 6:315-25,
1955.
Chemical and physical properties and biosynthesis
of porphyrins are described. Production of methe-
moglobin from porphyrins and influence of Pb on
that process is discussed. Coporphyrin determina-
tion as a means of Pb-poisoning detection is re-
viewed. (32 references)
1561 Dorfman, S.I. , and Shipitsyn, S.A. (Ir-
kutsk Federal Med. Inst., USSR): Koli-
chestvennoe opredelenie nekotorykh metal-
lov v golovnom mozgu cheloveka. (THE QUAN-
TATIVE DETERMINATION OF SOME METALS IN THE
HUMAN BRAIN.) Biokhimiya 20, No. 2:136-9,
1955.
Samples of different parts of human brains of 50
persons who had died of accidents and of certain
somatic diseases were subjected to chemical analy-
sis and the results evaluated statistically. Brain
tissues were washed free from blood, weighed, dried
to constant weight, ashed and tested for Pb, Cu,
Si, Mn, Mg, Fe and Ca. By means of a curve of con-
centration distribution, Pb content of the cerebral
cortex was, in mg%, dry basis, 0.16; in the cere-
bellum, 0.25; in the hypophysis, 1.5. In the cere-
bral cortex values were practically the same for
the pars posterior, central anterior convolution
and the frontal pole.
1562 Dupelj, M. (Neurol. Psych. Clinic. Med.
Coll., Zagreb, Yugoslavia): Slucaj olov-
nog polineuritisa. (CASE OF POLYNEURITIS
CAUSED BY LEAD POISONING.) Neuropsi-
hijatrija 3, No. 3-4:268-9, 1955.
A 48-yr-old farmer was admitted to the clinic with
complaints of paresthesia of arms and legs. His-
tory revealed that he consumed 1 1. wine daily.
Examination showed among other findings, muscular
atrophy, and among laboratory tests, erythrocytes
3.5 million, hemoglobin 60, stippled erythrocytes
7,700/field, Pb in blood 67 yg%, and urinary por- ,
phyrin 266 ug%. These findings were considered to
confirm the diagnosis of Pb poisoning as cause of
the polyneuritis.
1563 Eilerson, P., Astrup, P., Fallentin, B.,
and Frost, J.: (TREATMENT OF LEAD POISON-
ING WITH ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE.)
Ugeskr. laeger 117:124-7, 1955.
Four patients with Pb poisoning (3 with clinical
signs of chronic Pb poisoning, the 4th with recent
characteristic symptoms) were treated with iv in-
fusion of 4 g CaNa2EDTA in 500 ml of 5% glucose
solution daily for 2 days. Examination of urine
for total Pb and inorganic Pb in 24-hr periods
before, during, and after treatments showed marked
increases during and immediately after the infu-
sion. Daily examination of urinary Ca showed in
3 considerable rise during and after treatment.
No toxic reactions were seen, and the patients were
subjectively free from symptoms on discharge. In
spite of the manifold increase in Pb excretion,
the total amount excreted was small in comparison
with the amount that had presumably accumulated
in the tissues during long exposure to Pb. The
greatest value of the treatment is therefore in
acute intoxication. (From Journal of the American
Medical Association 158:436 (Abstracts), 1955.)
1563d Farris, G., and Sicca, U. (Univ. Genoa,
Italy): Note istologiche sulle altera-
zioni gengivali da piombo in raffronto a
quelle da mercuric e bismuto. Considera-
zioni critiche sulla specificita' dei
metodi istochimici per il piombo, (HIS-
TOLOGY OF THE LEAD LINE VS MERCURY AND
BISMUTH LINES. CONSIDERATIONS OF THE AP-
PLICATION OF HISTOCHEMICAL METHODS FOR
LEAD.) Medicina del Lavoro 46:104-12
(Feb.), 1955.
Biopsies were made of the interdental papilla of
6 Pb poisoning patients showing gingival Pb line,
of 3 luetics treated with Bi and 2 treated with Hg
presenting a Bi and a Hg line respectively. Frag-
ments of tissues were prepared for histologic and
histochemical examinations. The most outstanding
findings were an acanthosis and edema of the epi-
thelium and a severe inflammatory process with
vascular alterations of the corlum. Metal grains
were found also in the epithelium. It was shown
that none of the histochemical methods tested can
be applied alone to define the exact nature of a
gingivitis caused by an accumulation of metal.
(From authors' summary; 13 references)
1564 Fernandez Rozes, F. : LEAD POISONING. AN
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE. Semana Med. (Buenos
Aires) 1955, 11:349-63, 465-82.
Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, report of cases,
and the legal aspects of Pb poisoning are dis-
cussed. (From Chemical Abstracts 50:1236, 1956)
1565 Foreman, H. (Univ. California, Los Alamos
Scientific Lab., N.M.): CHELATING AGENTS.
Industrial Medicine and Surgery 24:287-92
(July), 1955.
The structure, properties and requirements for ther-
apeutic use of metal chelates are discussed. Includ-
ed are BAL, citric acid, Na pyrocatechol disulfo-
nate and EDTA. CaEDTA is discussed in detail and
is recommended for treatment of Pb and Pu poisoning.
1566 Gallo, D. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Osserva-
zioni sull'orletto gengivale di burton nei
saturnini. (OBSERVATIONS ON BURTON'S BLUE
LINE IN LEAD POISONING.) Medicina del
304
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Lavoro 46:39-45 (Jan.), 1955.
The blue line was studied in 7 patients who were
suffering from Pb poisoning. When examined under
ultraviolet light of Wood's lamp, dental tartar
gives a red fluorescence which stands out against
the bluish color of the gum, and the blue line,
when present, is clear-cut and contrasts with these
other 2 colors. The blue line is itself made up of
2 sections, the more marginal of which is seen un-
der magnification to consist of many dark blue
spots; scaling of the teeth does not affect the ap-
pearance of this darker section. The rest of the
blue line, ie, the part which is further away from
the edge of the gum, is partly due to the dark color
of the tartar which shows through from underneath
the gum tissue. Its color may be uneven and show
darker where there are gum pockets full of tartar;
scaling of the teeth in front, by removing the tar-
tar, lightens the color of this part of the blue
line. In the absence of tartar, this 2nd part of
the blue line may not be evident at all. The tar-
tar which was obtained from 2 of the patients by
scaling contained in one case 142 mg of tartar con-
tained 15 yg of Pb and in the other, 2 yg Pb in 50
mg of tartar. The author considers that wereas the
darker, more marginal, part of the blue line is evi-
dence of Pb absorption and of its deposition in the
tissues, the other, and lighter, section of the
line is indicative only of exposure to Pb hazard.
1567 Gilsanz, V., Palacios, J.M., and Gilsanz
Rico, G. (Univ. Clinic, Madrid, Spain):
Tratamiento del saturnismo cronico con
calcio E.D.T.A. (TREATMENT OF CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING WITH CALCIUM ETHYLENEDI-
AMINETETRAACETATE (CaEDTA).) Revista
Clinica Espafiola 57:224-9 (May 31), 1955.
Intravenous (iv) administration of CaEDTA to the
patients was followed by an extremely rapid dis-
appearance of all symptoms except radial nerve
palsy, which is slow to disappear or does not re-
spond to treatment. Anemia disappeared after a
reticulocyte crisis. Urinary excretion of Pb in-
creased remarkably. In a case of Pb poisoning
colic CaEDTA gave relief of pain in 90 min. In-
travenous doses of 935 mg/day were given to some
patients for 22 days without causing toxic mani-
festations. A patient with radial nerve palsy
whose other symptoms of Pb intoxication had been
cured was given 2 g orally for 7 days. This re-
sulted in digestive disturbances, a rise in serum
Ca and P, and progressive anemia and leukopenia.
(From authors' summary) (25 references)
1568 Giubileo, M. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Un
caso di sindrome di Guillain-Barre' in un
operaio esposto ad assorbimento di piombo.
(A CASE OF GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME IN A
WORKER EXPOSED TO ABSORPTION OF LEAD.)
Medicina del Lavoro 46:162-6 (Mar.), 1955.
A 40-yr-old man, who for 17 yr had been engaged
from 7-8 mo/yr as a painter using Pb paints, was
struck by tetraparesis with absence of deep reflex-
es, paresthesias, albuminocytologic dissociation in
the spinal fluid 1 mo after cessation of work.
Treated with vitamin C and B-complex and galvano-
faradic messages of the limbs, the man recovered
completely within 2 mo. He was at first suspected
to be affected by Pb polyneuritis, but the Pb eti-
ology of the disease was rejected because of ab-
sence of any sign of Pb poisoning or even of an ex-
cessive absorption of Pb as well as because of the
fact that he was sound when he left the work and
had enjoyed good health for over a month thereafter.
Because of the rapid onset of the disease, the
brief course and benign evolution, the localiza-
tion (prevalent in the lower limbs), and the exist-
ence of an albumino-cytologic dissociation in the
spinal fluid, the diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syn-
drome was made. The differential diagnostic crite-
ria of Pb polyneuritis and Guillain-Barre syndrome
are illustrated; the onset of the disease in this
particular case is not to be related with Pb expo-
sure. (From author's summary)
1569 Goldblatt, M.W. (Imperial Chem. Ind., Ltd.,
Ind. Hyg. Res. Lab., Welwyn, England):
RESEARCH IN INDUSTRIAL HEALTH IN THE CHEM-
ICAL INDUSTRY. British Journal of Indust-
rial Medicine 12:1-20 (Jan.), 1955.
Health hazards in chemical industries are discuss-
ed from the point of view of diagnosis and control.
Clinical and experimental aspects of Pb intoxica-
tion are treated in relative detail, especially
mechanism and significance of blood changes. A
table is presented showing time lost by workers
with 60-65% Hb whose recovery took place away from
factory, and of 15 who remained at work; another
one shows period of recovery of Hb of a number of
workers. Toxic concentrations of various gases,
dusts, fumes, and metals in the atmosphere, as de-
veloped by the I.C.I. Industrial Products and
Health Research Committee are tabulated according
to concentrations causing severe toxic effects in
persons exposed for times stated; concentrations
which, if exposure continues for more than a short
time, may lead to symptoms of illness; and concen-
trations in general atmosphere of plant greater
than those given, indicating unsatisfactory condi-
tions. In the case of Pb (and salts), the latter
is given as 0.15 mg/m3 at 20°C. (17 references)
1570 Gorn, L.E., and Fridlyand, I.G. (Leningrad
Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis.; Leningrad Inst.
Adv. Educ. Physicians, USSR): 0 soderzhanii,
svintsa v moche zdorovykh lyudei. (CONTENT
OF LEAD IN URINE OF HEALTHY PEOPLE.) Gigi-
ena i Sanitariya 1955, No. 5:44-7.
Polarographic analyses performed on 500 individ-
uals who were not exposed to Pb gave the following
results: average content of Pb in urine, 0.01 mg/1
at 14-19 yr of age, 0.009 mg at 20-9, 0.010 mg at
30-9, 0.011 mg at 40-9, and 0.015 mg at 50 and
over. A level of 0.03-0.04 mg/1 is suggested as
the borderline between normal and excessive levels.
1571 Gratsianskaya, L.N., and Rozentsvit, G.F.
(leningrad Natl. Inst. Ind. Hyg., Occup.
Dis., USSR): Klinika rannikh form porazhen-
iya perifericheskoi nervnoi sistemy pri
khronicheskikh intoksikatsiyakh svintsom.
(THE DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY DAMAGE TO THE PERI-
PHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM IN CHRONIC LEAD POI-
SONING.) Zhurnal Nevropatologii i Psikhi-
atrii imeni S.S. Korsakova 55:748-9, 1955.
In view of good medical control in industries in-
volving exposure to Pb, severe cases of Pb poison-
ing are only rarely observed in Russia. Of greater
interest are incipient disorders of the nervous
Man
305
-------
system in chronic Pb poisoning; 42 such cases,
mainly from storage battery manufacturing plants,
had been diagnosed in the authors' Institute. The
afflictions were vegetative neuralgia, vegetative
polyneuritis, and mixed polyneuritis. The signs
observed in these disturbances are discussed and
stated that they do not always occur together with
the other general signs of chronic poisoning. Of-
ten the nervous disturbances will be observed in
the absence of other signs; 12 such cases were
seen. In other cases, the presence of Pb pallor,
Pb line, etc, supported the diagnosis. Final di-
agnosis of Pb polyneuritis is most often made when
other signs are present; hence it is a delayed
diagnosis. The need for early recognition of in-
volvement of the nervous system, treatment by re-
moval from exposure, vitamin B and C administra-
tion, are emphasized.
1572 Grigor'eva, L.V. (USSR Inst. Advanced
Med. Educ., Leningrad): Bytovoe svintso-
voe otravlenie, simuliruyushchee "ostryi
zhivot." (LEAD POISONING IN EVERY-DAY
LIFE SIMULATING "ACUTE ABDOMEN.") Vest-
nik Khirurgii imeni I.I. Grekova 76, do.
10:111-3, 1955.
The author points to the difficulty of diagnosing
Pb poisoning in cases where occupational history
of exposure does not exist. She describes brief-
ly 6 cases, hospitalized for surgery from 1949-
1954, with predominantly gastric signs. The
finding of anemia with stippled erythrocytes led
to a search for Pb exposure; this was found in
the use of cranberry preserves stored in glazed
earthenware. The diagnoses upon hospitalization
had been acute cholecystitis, acute appendicitis
in 3 cases, acute pancreatitis, and no diagnosis.
Therapy included injections of atropine, mor-
phine, oral administration of ascorbic acid and
Ca chloride. The principal signs of chronic Pb
poisoning are described briefly.
1573 Harada, A., Orita, Z., and Hamami, T.
(Univ. Kyoto, Japan): STUDIES ON THE
EFFECT OF VITAMIN B12 AND FOLIC ACID UPON
THE BLOOD PICTURES OF LEAD WORKERS. Japa-
nese Journal of the Nation's Health 24:
143-59, 1955.
The administration of vitamin 8^2 in combination
with folic acid to Pb workers resulted in an im-
provement of the blood picture not only by in-
creasing erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content
and specific gravity of whole blood, but by de-
creasing reticulocyte, basophilic, and polychromic
erythrocyte counts; there was also restoration of
the Price-Jones curve to normal. These effects
were also obtained by administration of vitamin
B^2 alone. Cessation of administration of vitamin
Bi2 with folic acid, the blood picture became
gradually worse, but resumption of vitamin dosage
again brought recovery. In this case also vitamin
Bi2 administered alone gave the same results.
(From authors' English summary)
1574 Hausdorf, G.: Blei im Blut. (LEAD IN
BLOOD). Deut. med. J. 1955:739-41.
Observations on Pb workers in accumulator factor-
ies are reported. Basophilic stippling of the
erythrocytes was demonstrable in some of the work-
ers as an indication of Pb inhalation a few days
after beginning work. In general, the author does
not regard basophilic stippling as proof of Pb ab-
sorption. Only when coproporphyrin in the urine
is clearly increased, is the assumption of a Pb
absorption justified, although Pb poisoning cannot
yet be said to exist. For diagnosis, determination
of the Pb content in blood is necessary (80 ug%
is considered as the limit value). The author rec-
ommends the dithizone method for Pb determination,
weighing the blood in a quartz crucible, ashing
with acid, separating Pb from other metals by
solution in ammonium acetate and extracting with
dithizone, then photometric comparison with Pb
standards. In the treatment of Pb injury, "Mosa-
til"-Bayer (Ca Na salt of ethylenediaminetetra-
acetic acid) effected a decrease in the blood Pb
from 185 yg-73 ug% within 8 days. Medicinal pro-
phylaxis is by administration of sulfhydryl-Ca
tablets. To what extent these prevent actual
damage, without leading to carelessness, cannot
yet be said. (From Deutsche Zeitschrift fUr die
Gesamte Gerichtliche Medizin 45:436 (Abstracts),
1956
1575 Henderson, D.A. (Queensland Inst. Med,
Research, Brisbane, Australia): CHRONIC
NEPHRITIS IN QUEENSLAND. Australasian
Annals of Medicine 4:163-77 (Aug.), 1955.
A high mortality from chronic nephritis in Queens-
land since 1890 is reported. At the height (1931)
^160 persons between the ages of 10-60 yr died
from this disease in excess of the normal rate.
The mortality has begun to decline in the youngest
groups first and if the present trend continues,
should drop in the 50-59 yr group to that of other
Australian states by 1990. The excess mortality
is explained by the action of a nephrotoxic agent
on the children which started to act about 1870
and is gradually diminishing since 1920. It af-
fected the kidneys leading to chronic nephritis
within 10-40 yr. The author will publish evidence
in a future paper that excessive Pb absorption in
childhood is responsible for this phenomenon.
1576 Horiuchi, K.., Fukumura, S., Ida N., and
Yoshida, Y.: STATISTICAL STUDIES ON THE
URINE COPROPORPHYRIN EXCRETION IN JAPANESE
ADULTS. Osaka City Medical Journal 2:73-
84 (June), 1955. In Contributions from
the Department of Preventive Medicine and
Public Health, Osaka City University Medi-
cal School, Vol. 1, April 1949-March 1959,
pp. 206-17.
Since increased coproporphyrin (CP) elimination
occurs in various diseases, especially of the liv-
er which may also be involved in Pb poisoning, the
authors wished to establish limits excreted by
healthy Japanese adults who were not exposed to
Pb, benzene, or other materials that increase CP
excretion. The 3-yr study involved 417 male sub-
jects, 16-66 yr and 392 females 15-60. CP was de-
termined by the method of Schwartz et al (1951) .
The results showed frequency distribution to fol-
low a logarithmic normal type: 95 subjects/100 ex-
creted <78.3 yg/day and 99 males excreted <114.6
yg/day. The authors consider that these values
would be applicable to a much larger similar popu-
lation since the frequency distribution of the
306
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
samples followed a statistical law. No significant
differences were obtained among yearly and monthly
average values nor any age differences in males.
The data obtained for the female subjects are re-
ported separately. (23 references)
1577 Horiuchi, K., Ida, N., Yoshida, Y., Suekane,
M., and Wada, N. (Osaka City Univ., Japan):
INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING. VIII. A SURVEY
ON THE ACTUAL CONDITIONS IN THE LEAD IN-
DUSTRY. 2. LABORATORY TESTS WITH LEAD
WORKERS. Igaku to Seibutsugaku 35:230-4,
1955.
Blood Pb contents tend to increase in workers work-
ing in high atmospheric Pb conditions. The urinary
coprophorphyrin excretion is the most simple and
the most useful indication of the degree of ex-
posure to Pb. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:1003,
1958)
1578 Horiuchi, K., Ida, N., Yoshida, Y., Sue-
kane, M. , and Wada, N.: SURVEY ON THE
ACTUAL CONDITION OF LEAD INDUSTRIES. 2.
RESULTS OF LABORATORY TESTS ON LEAD WORK-
ERS. Medicine and Biology (Japan) 35:
230-4 (June), 1955. In Contributions from
the Department of Preventive Medicine and
•Public Health, Osaka City University Medi-
cal School. Vol. 1, April 1949-March
1959, p. 34.
1579 Hunter, D.: THE DISEASES OF OCCUPATIONS.
Boston, Little, Brown and Company, 1955,
1046 pp.
This text is essentially a history of the clinical
aspects and of disease in relation to occupation
from the primitive conditions still prevailing, in
some parts of the world, and from ancient times to
the modern. The author's point of view is that of
the general physician, since he had never held a
post as factory doctor. His aim has been to put
together "something of what is known about occupa-
tional diseases in order to lay down a basis upon
which the practising doctor may build."
Exposure to Pb (pp 203-55) is handled under the
chapter on the ancient metals where the history of
uses is first reviewed, followed by 19th century
legislation; then follow description of the work
of the 1st medical inspectors of factories in En-
gland, France, Germany and US; exposure hazards
illustrated in photographs; diagnostic criteria,
signs of various types, and results of experimen-
tal and clinical observations on the physiology
and pathology and treatment based on classic works
in this century. The history of poisoning by TEL
is then reviewed, and the section ends with the
presentation of 4 cases of Pb poisoning which oc-
curred in 1930 (1) and in 1934 (2 cases).
J58Q Imbert, M. (Macon, France): Observations
sur des cas d'intoxication saturnine dans
une poterie. (OBSERVATIONS OF CASES OF
LEAD POISONING IN A POTTERY PLANT.) Med.
Usine 17, No. 10:508-9, 1955.
Pb poisoning (anemia, Pb colics) is described in
workers who immersed earthenware into glaze, con-
taining minium, and in workers who put this ware
into the oven for baking. Prophylaxis: in the
1st case wearing of rubber gloves, in the 2nd case
dustproof masks. (From Excerpta Medica, Sect. 17,
2:Abstr. No. 3511, 1956)
1581 Jamnicki, A., Kilibarda, M., and Ilijev, N.:
Eapazanja o promjenama krvnog pritiska kod
kronicne ekspozicije olovu. (THE INFLUENCE
OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO LEAD ON BLOOD PRES-
SURE.) Arhiv Hig. Rada Zagreb 6, No. 1:23-
7, 1955.
The purpose of this investigation was to find out
whether chronic exposure to Pb increases the blood
pressure. A group of 46 workers in a storage
battery factory was examined. The concentration
of Pb in air has been previously estimated (Arh.
hig. rada, 2/1951/19) to vary from 0-2 mg/m3, most
frequently from 0.2-0.4 mg/m->. In the present in-
vestigation the exposure to Pb has been measured
by the concentration of Pb in blood, the copropor-
phyrin level in urine and the number of stippled
cells. The control group consisted of 46 metal
workers with no known previous exposure to Pb, the
same examination being performed on this group ex-
cept for the determination of Pb in blood. Both
groups were examined under the same conditions and
were balanced with respect to age. The measure-
ments of the systolic blood pressure gave an arith-
metic mean of 106 mm Hg in the experimental group
(exposed to Pb) and 116 in the control group. Thus
the hypothesis that the chronic exposure to Pb in-
creases the blood pressure cannot be accepted on
the basis of this evidence. (From Bulletin of
Hygiene 30:1083, 1955)
1582 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): MIS-
USE OF EDATHAMIL CALCIUM-DISODIUM FOR
PROPHYLAXIS OF LEAD POISONING. Report to
the Council on Industrial Health and Coun-
cil on Pharmacy and Chemistry. Journal of
the American Medical Association 157:341-2
(Jan. 22), 1955.
In his introduction, the author points to the en-
thusiasm that has greeted the development of a
satisfactory compound of EDTA (CaNa2) for clinical
trial in the treatment of Pb poisoning; this fo-
cuses attention to the fact that despite the
availability of methods for the detection and con-
trol of hazardous absorption of Pb in industrial
workers and others, a high incidence of Pb enceph-
alopathy in children and dangerous absorption in
industry still exists. He then warns against the
suggested misuse of this promising therapeutic
agent as a preventive agent, administered orally.
Such application is reminiscent of the former at-
tempts by physicians and others to relieve the
effects of current excessive absorption of Pb with
milk, etc, for the purpose of "fixation" of Pb in
the skeleton, followed periodically by prophylac-
tic "mobilization," as based on the investigations
of Aub et al (1926) . Because of the inadequacies
of analytical methods at the time, it was believed
mistakenly that these opposed effects on Pb metab-
olism could be affected by shifts in the Ca metab-
olism in the corresponding direction. The fault
of any such method is that they were often used in
place of environmental control.
Kehoe points out that the iv or im administra-
tion of EDTA in limited dosage and over brief per-
iods of time is essentially safe, and that the
drug is well tolerated by adults and children. It
Man
307
-------
combines with Pb in the soft tissues and is rapid-
ly excreted, mainly via the kidney. As it is un-
able to penetrate into the erythrocytes, the Pb
content in blood is not reduced as promptly and
completely as by use of BAL. Administered orally,
it is comparatively poorly absorbed from the gas-
trointestinal tract. Although there is a slight
to moderate increase in urinary excretion of Pb,
there is a corresponding decrease in fecal excre-
tion. Thus, if a significant increase in elimina-
tion of Pb were to be achieved, the virtually con-
tinuous use of the drug would be required. As
there is no prediction of the consequences of such
a regimen, the subjection of men to it, except for
cautious investigation under proper safeguards,
could only be regarded as rash and irresponsible.
(14 references)
1583 Klopp, H.W. (Reutlingen, Germany): Ver-
kehrtsehen nach kurzdauernder ErblinCung.
(REVERSED VISION AFTER TRANSIENT BLINDNESS.)
Nervenarzt 26, No. 10:438-41, 1955.
The patient was first seen by the author in 1951
in connection with chronic Pb poisoning. The man,
49 yr old,had worked since 1929 with Pb cables and
later, as a truck driver, was in contact with Pb-
gasoline. Colic, occurring at night, and the loss
of all fingernails in 1942 were attributed to Pb
intoxication. The patient complained of repeated
weakness of the right leg, causing him to fall
occasionally. In the course of years, loss of sen-
sation occurred in the right hand and both legs,
followed during the war by a variable but pronoun-
ced motor weakness of the arms. These symptoms
were evident to the author in a tendency to fall
during Romberg's test. The patient had in earlier
years suffered from hazy vision, and more recently
noted decrease in libido. The course of illness
showed an intermittently progressive character
leading to the suspicion of a chronic encephalo-
myelitis disseminata. However, the history and the
findings of 2 examinations justified the author to
assume that the neurologic disturbances also were
sequelae of Pb poisoning. The patient was of av-
erage nutritional condition; blood pressure 155/80
mm Hg. Examination showed positive Romberg's sign,
lessened strength on the right side and spotty
lessened sensibility in both legs; the fundus was
normal, a presbyopia bilaterally was corrected.
EEC could not be done for technical reasons and
the patient would not submit to spinal fluid and
cerebral examination. Psychiatrically, the pa-
tient appeared poor in initiative and somewhat de-
pressed; mental ability was only slightly reduced.
In 1954 during a follow-up examination, there was
distinct uncertainty upon Romberg's test; the
right hand showed some extensor weakness, the mus-
cle tone was reduced; sure reflex differences
could not be observed. Arteriogram showed no dis-
order in the cerebral vessels. The patient re-
ported that he had not noticed for several years
any visual disturbances, but reported an attack
having taken place in the Spring of 1948 of sudden
blindness, followed soon thereafter by reversed
vision ("the world was upside down"); this righted
itself in 3 consecutive stages. This episode is
discussed by the author extensively on the basis
of reported cases and possible causation, and on
the basis of C.H. Sattler's opinion (published in
Schieck-Brdckner: Kurzes Handbuch der Ophthalmol-
ogie, Vol. VII, Berlin, Springer, 1932) that in
acute Pb poisoning a centrally related blindness
can occur which is not accompanied by any changes
in the fundus, while in chronic poisoning a papil-
loretinitis can lead to blindness, and on that of
Elschnig (not documented) that in the course of
a transient blindness after Pb poisoning a retinal
spasm was seen, the author feels justified in sug-
gesting chronic Pb poisoning as the cause of the
above symptom complex. He supposes the interplay
of 3 factors: a right cerebellar focus, transient
loss of sight, and vascular spasm. He assumes
that the decisive correction of the reversed visual
field proceeded from the right cerebellar focus.
1584 Kovalev, M.M.: (QUALITATIVE SPECTRAL AN-
ALYSIS OF DRINKING WATER AND URINARY CAL-
CULI.) Klin. Med. 33, No. 11:54-6, 1955.
Spectral analysis of urinary calculi obtained from
the parenchyma of the kidneys revealed the presence
of most of the trace elements found in drinking
water. The calculi contained Al, Ti, Va, Ni, Pb,
Li, Cr, Mn, Cu, Mo, Sr, Si, Ag, Fe, Bi, Zn, and
Ba. This suggests the possibility of drinking wa-
ter being the causative factor in formation of
calculi. (From Chemical Abstracts 50:7290, 1956)
J585 Kremer, H.U., and Frank, M.N. (Philadel-
phia General Hosp., Pa.): COEXISTING
MYXEDEME AND CHRONIC PLUMBISM. Annals of
Internal Medicine 42, No. 5:1130-6, 1955.
A 70-yr-old cabinetmaker was admitted in 1950 for
the 6th time for anemia and weakness; in previous
admissions, angina pectoris was also present. In-
quiry showed that from 1914-17 he had worked as
an automobile mechanic spraying Pb-containing
paint; in 1917 he had had an exploratory lapa-
rotomy for "gallbladder colic," when no intraab-
dominal pathology was found. His father had died
of "painter's colic." There was no exposure to
Pb after 1917. Upon examination, neurologic opin-
ion was a "classic case of myxedema." Laboratory
findings included stippled cells, 0.25%-1.2% nor-
mal bone marrow with stippling; Pb in blood 0.07-
0.11 mg% (normal in authors' laboratory, 0.01-
0.03 mg%, by Letonoff and Reinhold's method,
1940); in an addendum, it is noted that urinary
excretion of Pb before 5 g CaEDTA iv was 0.0033
mg/24 hr, and after, 1.2 mg/24 hr. In discussing
the case, the authors state that this was evident-
ly a low-grade chronic Pb poisoning which has con-
tinued to be active for 36 yr after first expo-
sure, and that myxedema did not appear until that
time. Although the patient had had no contact
with Pb within those years, he still had a signi-
ficant elevation of blood Pb level in 3 analyses.
They conclude that the presence of significant
amounts of Pb in the blood had toxic effect on the
hemotopoietic and nervous systems. (16 refer-
ences)
1586 Lauer, D.J. (Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp.,
Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, Pa.): CLINI-
CAL LEAD INTOXICATION FROM BRASS-FOUNDRY
OPERATIONS. A.M.A. Archives of Industrial
Health 11:107-12 (Feb.), 1955.
Over a 2-yr period 219 brass-foundry workers were
observed; of these, 37 suffered at least once from
308
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
acute Pb poisoning.
The foundry was equipped with an abundance of
exhaust ventilation but this was ineptly planned
and resulted in unpredictable diffusion patterns
of fumes and dust. In spite of efforts to cor-
rect the situation, an acute outbreak of Pb in-
toxication occurred, culminating in 23 cases of
acute illness in a 3-wk period.
Though no racial difference was demonstrated, 25
of the 37 were negroes who generally worked in
more highly polluted areas. The length of expo-
sure ranged from
-------
Various questions concerning blood Pb levels in Pb
poisoning are examined: Methods of measuring blood
Pb levels (dithizone, Kohn-Abrest, electrolytic and
spectrographic); blood Pb levels as indicator of
Pb poisoning compared to other signs (Burton's
line, stippled erythrocytes, porphyrinuria); the
fluctuations of Pb levels in blood (the level, al-
though varying at certain intervals depending on
Pb storage and elimination, is believed to reflect
the severity of Pb poisoning to some degree);
causes of error in blood analysis; reliability of
results: ie,different results obtained by 3 methods
(dithizone, and Cu and Bi spectrography). In the
author's experience, results obtained by dithizone
were 8 times higher than those obtained by Bi
spectrography on the same blood specimens. Due to
the imprecision of analysis, the author does not
believe blood Pb levels to be an infallible diag-
nostic tool but valuable only in confirming and
monitoring the presence of Pb intoxication.
1590 Mellemgfird, K., and Sjirensen, G.: (ACUTE
LEAD INTOXICATION TREATED WITH ETHYLENE-
DIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID.) Ugeskr. laeger
117:127-9 (Feb. 3), 1955.
Few cases of acute Pb poisoning treated with EDTA
have been published. In the instance described,
in a 17-yr-old girl with acute Pb intoxication
after ingestion of Pb oxide, 2 g CaNa2EDTA in 5%
glucose was administered intravenously daily for 6
days. During the first 2 days the excretion of Pb
in the urine was greatly increased and thereafter
moderately increased. The amount eliminated was
only a small amount of the Pb deposited in the
organism. The continued increased Pb excretion a
month after treatment ended and the persisting
anemia also showed that not all the Pb had been
excreted. EDTA can apparently combine with only a
certain mobile fraction, probably the circulating
Pb. The treatment is thus first and foremost in-
dicated in acute cases. Intermittent treatment
may perhaps be useful in chronic cases. (From
Journal of the American Medical Association 158:
436, (Abstracts), 1955)
1591 Mokranjac, M.S., and Radmic, S. (Farm.
faculty, Belgrade, Yugoslavia): NORMAL
CONTENT OF LEAD IN HUMAN BLOOD. Glasnik
Khem. Drushtva, Beograd 20:563-8, 1955.
A study was made of the quantity of Pb contained
in the blood of the citizens of Belgrade, in con-
trast to that of the country people from various
parts of Yugoslavia, by a method previously des-
cribed (Mokranjac and Radmic, 1954). The blood Pb
content of Belgradians was 30-50 yg/100 ml, while
in the blood of country people it averaged 31.5
Vig/100 ml of blood. In citizens exposed occupa-
tionally to Pb, the average content was ^100 pg.
It was concluded that in the regions investigated,
content of Pb >50 ug/100 ml of blood should not be
considered as normal. (From Chemical Abstracts
52:15696, 1958)
1592 Owada, K., Ida, N., Horiguchi, S., and
Wada, N.: EFFECTS OF VITAMIN Bl2 ADMINIS-
TRATION ON THE RESULTS OF LABORATORY TESTS
FOR LEAD OR DYE-STUFF WORKERS. Public
Health (Japan) 18:40-2 (Sept.), 1955. In
Contributions from the Department of Pre-
ventive Medicine and Public Health, Osaka
City University Medical School. Vol. 1,
April 1949-March-1959, p. 34.
1593 Paparopoli, G. (Univ. Palermo, Italy) :
Ricerche sulle plasmoproteine nel saturnis-
mo. (PLASMA PROTEINS IN LEAD POISONING.)
Bollettino della Societa Italiana di Bi-
ologia SptTimentale 31:1426-8, 1955.
Fifteen patients with mild Pb poisoning were ex-
amined either at the workplace (ceramics plant) or
at the author's Institute (typographers, painters).
The patients, 35-55 yr old, had been employed for
10-30 yr. They complained of digestive disturban-
ces; frequently slight blood disorder was observed;
blood pressure was normal; 60% exhibited a slight
liver enlargement. In 8, X rays showed catarrhal
gastroduodenitis and in 4, cholecystic dysfunction.
In order to explore liver function, the protein
content of blood was examined by paper electro-
phoresis. The results gave normal values for the
various fractions, only in the case of y-globulin
was there some slight increase over the normal.
The author concludes that in Pb poisoning, at
least in mild cases, the plasma protein picture is
not modified.
1594 Paparopoli, G., and Terranova, S. (Univ.
Palermo, Italy): Rilievi clinico-stru-
mentali sull'apparato cardiovascolare in
soggetti con piccolo saturnismo. (CARDIO-
VASCULAR EXAMINATIONS OF SUBJECTS WITH
MILD LEAD INTOXICATION.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 38:1080-98, 1955.
Data were collected of clinical, laboratory, elec-
trocardiographic and ballistocardiographic exami-
nations conducted in a ceramics plant, on a group
of 30 workers, 21-66 yr old and employed for 5-50
yr. Many of the workers showed Burton's line,
enlarged liver and damage of the cardiovascular
system (50%) which was prevalent in men >50 yr of
age. Basophilic stippling was found in some of
the subjects and in 10 men tested, urinary Pb and
coproporphyrin ranged from 100-260 yg% and 60-
140 yg%, respectively. The findings indicated in
most cases an attenuated form of Pb intoxication.
(13 references)
1595 Parmeggiani, L., and Zurlo, N. (Univ.
Milan, Italy): Sul rischio di saturnismo
nelle operazioni di trafileria e di tempra
a piombo. (ON THF HAZARD OF LEAD POISON-
ING IN DRAWING AND LEAD PATENTING OPERA-
TIONS.) Medicina del Lavoro 46, No. 3:
176-84, 1955.
From 1945-1954, 194 cases of Pb poisoning were
hospitalized in the Clinica del Lavoro. Of these,
12 were workers who had been engaged in cold draw-
ing and Pb patenting operations. Atmospheric con-
tamination of Pb was determined in 2 mills, and
22 men engaged at work were examined. The main
source of contamination was found to be the Pb
dust formed on the surface of the wire immediately
after Pb coating. The hazard is concentrated in
some of the working areas (at the outlet of the
wires from the Pb bath, at the handling of the
skeins, at the reels, at the dies). The same
hazard is produced by die-dressing of rubber tubes
with Pb coating and by all operations involving
310
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
the cold working of Pb in which particulates of
dust from surface cracks due to mechanical and
thermal stresses set up during processing are pro-
fusely dispersed. Six cases of Pb colic, 5 cases
of anemia, and 1 case of wrist-drop are described.
The importance of the hazard of Pb poisoning from
these operations is emphasized.
1596 Passow, H., and Tillmann, K. (Univ. Ham-
burg, Germany): Untersuchungen uber den
Kaliumverlust bleivergifteter Menschen-
erythrocyten. (POTASSIUM LOSS OF LEAD
POISONEDnHUMAN ERYTHKOCYTES) Pflu'ger's
Archiv fur die Gesamte Physiologie des
Menschen und der Tiere 262:23-36, 1955.
In the presence of Pb the erythrocytes lose K and
become less resistant to hemolysis by hypotonic
saline. The effect increased with the concentra-
tion of Pb. At constant Pb concentration, de-
creased pH increased K loss. The effect was attri-
buted to an action on the cell membrane. The
action of Pb was reversible.
1597 Piazza, G. (Univ. Padua, Italy): I sub-
strati organic! della dispepsia saturnina.
(ORGANIC SUBSTRATES OF SATURNINE DYSPEP-
SIA.) Quaderni di Radiologia 20:585-92,
1955.
The author concludes from his review of the liter-
ature that the term of saturnine dyspepsia is
usually used to delineate a subjective symptomatic
complex of the gastrointestinal tract in chronic
Pb poisoning. However, this term is too general
since saturnine dyspepsia includes only inflamma-
tion of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and prob-
ably jejunum.
1598 Piazza, G., and Ruffato, C. (Univ. Padua,
Italy): Rilievi radiologici sull'apparato
digerente in malatti professionali di non
frequente riscontro. (X-RAY FINDINGS ON
THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM IN RARELY ENCOUNTERED
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.) Medicina del
Lavoro 46:498-503 (Aug.-Sept.), 1955.
Radiological alterations of the digestive system
as they occur in some of the industrial intoxica-
tions (C disulfide, TEL, P, Br, Cd, CO, phenol and
formaldehyde), by distinguishing alterations of
the folds of the mucosa and modifications of the
motility and of tone. The various patterns ob-
served are interpreted to be an unbalance of the
vegetative nervous system. (From authors' summary)
(28 references)
1599 Piccoli, P. (Univ. Naples, Italy): La
reazione di flocculazione alcool-sublimato
e la velocita' di eritrosedimentazione
nell'intossicazione professionale da piombo.
(ALCOHOL-MERCURIC D1CHLORIDE FLOCCULATION
AND ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE IN OCCU-
PATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 38:494-501 (May), 1955.
On the basis of 20 cases of Pb poisoning (these
are shown individually as to age, occupation, cli-
mate data and results of above tests), the author
found that both reactions are positive in many
cases and show parallelism.
1600 Pinto Grote, C. (Inst. Physiol. Pathol.,
Tenerife, Spain): Intoxicacio'n por tetrae-
tilo de plomo. (TETRAETHYLLEAD POISONING.)
Revista Clinica Espaiiola 59:44-6 (Oct. 15),
1955.
A 34-yr-old male chemist who was working with TEL
intermittently for periods of months, exhibited
cyanosis of the skin, mucosa and extremities,
spasms interchanging with muscular hypotonia, in-
terosseous atrophy, tachycardia and some diarrhea.
Blood tests showed 4,000,000 erythrocytes, 8,400
leukocytes, 1% polynuclear basophilic cells. He
reported that he had had similar spells previously.
Urinalysis on 3 different days yielded a Pb con-
tent of 0, 0.135 and 1.21 mg/1, respectively.
Treatment is discussed. Although he was removed
from further exposure to TEL, he suffered a slight
relapse with identical symptoms.
1601 Pletscher, A. (Univ. Basel, Switzerland):
Zur Behandlung der Bleivergiftung mit
Calcium-Hthylendiamin-tetraacetat. (TREAT-
MENT OF LEAD POISONING WITH CALCIUM ETHYL-
ENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE.) Schweizerische
Medizinische Wochenschrift 85:128-31 (Feb.
5), 1955.
Two workers in a Pb foundry developed chronic Pb
poisoning. Case 1 had no subjective complaints
and clinical findings showed 8/1000 basophilic
stippling (BS) 33% reticulocytes, 4.05 million red
cells, 71% Hb, 73.5 pg% coproporphyrin (CP) in
urine, 140 yg% Pb in blood, 4 ug Pb/1 urine and a
clear Pb line. Case 2 suffered from fatigue, head-
ache, slight abdominal pains, nervousness, and
pains in the joints. Clinical examination showed
esophageal diverticulum and hypoacidity of the
gastric juice, 83% Hb, 8/1000 BS, 20% reticulo-
cytes, 5.75 million red cells, 17.2 yg% CP in
urine, 5 pg% Pb in blood, 42 vg% Pb in stool, 44
Ug Pb/1 in urine, and a clear Pb line. The pa-
tients were treated intravenously daily for 45
days with 2.5-g doses of CaEDTA (50% solution) and
then they went back to work. They were examined
at the end of the treatment and 18 wk later. BS
and CP had dropped to zero at the end of treatment
and then increased again after 18 wk. Reticulo-
cytes decreased during treatment. Hb and red cells
stayed the same. The Pb blood level in Case 1
decreased to normal while in Case 2 it increased
from normal to pathologic values during treatment.
After 18 wk, the fecal Pb concentration had in-
creased, while both blood and urine Pb concentra-
tions were normal. In Case 1, there was a manifest
intoxication and in Case 2 a latent intoxication.
Possible explanations for increased fecal Pb were
(1) method error, (2) increased oral Pb absorp-
tion after concluding the CaEDTA treatment, (3)
mobilization of Pb from stable depots by CaEDTA.
The author tended toward the third explanation.
Intermittent CaEDTA treatments were suggested as
having better results than one single treatment.
1602 Pollet, L., Gaultier, M., Moreau, J., and
Valty, J. (Soc. Ind. Med. Hyg., Paris,
France): Note sur le traitement des coli-
ques de plomb par la chlorpromazine (lar-
gactil), (NOTE ON THE TREATMENT OF LEAD
COLIC WITH CHLORPROMAZINE (LARGACTIL).)
Proceedings of the Society of Industrial
Medicine and Hygiene. Archives des Mai-
Man
371
-------
adies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Sfecurite Sociale 16, No. 3:
247-8, 1955.
While 5 patients treated by the usual methods
(atropine) only had relief after the 3rd day, those
treated with chlorpromazine appeared to have re-
lief more rapidly. Two of 3 cases were treated by
combined methods, and within a few hours obtained
relief. One treated with chlorpromazine alone
also was relieved as rapidly. Intestinal transit
time was not shortened by this treatment.
1603 Portheine, F., and Zimmermann, H. (Inst.
Hyg. Ruhr area, Gelsenkirchen, Germany):
Erfahrungen und Ergebnisse bei der Bestim-
mung und Beurteilung des Bleigehaltes von
3000 Blutproben. (DETERMINATION AND EVAL-
UATION OF THE LEAD CONTENT OF 3000 BLOOD
SAMPLES.) Klinische Wochenschrift 33:474-
7, 1955.
On the basis of their numerous investigations the
authors came to conclusion that the determination
of Pb content of blood by wet digestion with ni-
tric acid-sulfuric acid does not prevent loss in
comparison with dry ashing. Their own experiments
to clarify possible Pb loss are described. The
dithizone method based on that of Cholak, et al,
as used by the authors, is not described. By this
method, their Pb values were lower than those ob-
tained by other authors. The Pb quantities desig-
nated as "normal" are accordingly graded lower by
the authors. According to their method, values up
to 40 yg% of blood are considered "normal," con-
tents of 40-70 ug% are regarded as elevated Pb ab-
sorption. A Pb hazard exists at values >60 ug%.
Even though the analysis gives an insight into the
momentary level of toxic concentrations of Pb in
blood, the authors are of the opinion "that often
one can arrive at a prognosis in an individual case
only after full consideration of the complicated
intermediate Pb metabolism and sometimes possibly
only on the basis of control and Pb-exposure experi-
ments. "
1604 Puccini, C. (Univ. Florence, Italy): Gli
avvelenamenti da arseniato di piombo; A
proposito di una intossicazione collettiva
con particolare riguardo all'anemia emo-
litica da arseniato di piombo. (POISONING
BY LEAD ARSENATE. MASS POISONING WITH
PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO HEMOLYT1C ANEMIA
DUE TO LEAD ARSENATE.) Minerva Medicole-
gale (Torino) 75:77-84 (May-June), 1955.
Members of 1 peasant families (8 persons, 20-64 yr
old) fell ill after eating home baked bread. The
symptoms were regarded as gastroenteritis and the
physician prescribed a diet of white bread. The
symptoms then disappeared but reappeared after
they started eating the home made bread again.
The symptoms were vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, dif-
fuse abdominal pains, facial edema, weakness and
headaches. A 64-yr-old woman died 15 days after
the first episode. Two others developed symptoms
of hemolytic anemia. Examination of the bread,
flour and yeast showed positive reaction for Pb
and As; in the grain, no traces were detected.
The white, flour-like powder, Pb arsenate, used
as insecticide had been accidentally mixed with
the flour. (From author's summary; 54 references)
1605 Reinl, W. (State Ind. Physician, Nordrhein,
Dtlsseldorf , Germany) : Zur modernen Thera-
pie der Bleivergiftung. (Ein Beitrag zur
Behandlung mit CalciumdinatriumHthylendi-
amintetraessigsaure.) (MODERN THERAPY OF
LEAD POISONING. (CONTRIBUTION TO THE
TREATMENT WITH CALCIUM DISODIUM ETHYLENE
DIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID.)) Archiv f(lr
Gewerbepathologie und Gewerbehygiene 13,
No. 7:721-35, 1955.
Following a review of the literature, own experi-
ences in treatment of Pb poisoning with EDTA are
described. The course and results in 4 cases are
tabulated.
The author concludes as follows: "Mosatil" cor-
responds in its effectiveness to the "Versene"
used in USA. It is well tolerated and there are
no side effects, nor are blood pressure and Ca
metabolism altered. In spite of the unequaled ef-
fectiveness of eliminating Pb, no acute exacerba-
tion of symptoms occurs. The elimination is great-
est in the 1st 3 hr. The effectiveness in removal
of signs and symptoms is emphasized. The extent to
which EDTA treatment should be accompanied by ad-
ditional therapy will be evident with further ex-
perience. The author considers that additional
medication with Carlsbad salt may be advisable.
(60 references)
1606 Rieders, F. (Jefferson Med. Coll., Phila-
delphia, Pa.): EFFECTS OF INTRAVENOUS DI-
SODIUM CALCIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRAACETATE
(EDTA) ON URINARY EXCRETION OF Pb, Fe, Cu,
AND Zn IN MAN. Federation Proceedings 14:
Abstract No. 1235 (Mar.), 1955.
Slow, intravenous administration of EDTA in dosage
of 0.1 mg/kg body weight as 1% solution in 5% glu-
cose markedly enhances urinary excretion of Pb,
Fe, Cu and Zn. The amounts of these metals in 24-
hr urine specimens after administration of the drug
were as follows (mg/1 of urine, corrected to a
specific gravity of 1.020). In 11 normal controls,
Pb 0.126-0.614; Fe 0.43-1.07; Cu 0.544-1.461; Zn
12.6-32.1. In 17 men exposed to Pb but free of
signs or symptoms of Pb poisoning and showing Pb
levels <0.60 mg/100 ml whole blood, Pb
1.934-6.878; Fe 0.331-0.972; Cu 0.483-1.228; Zn
14.2-40.2. In 6 individuals with hemochromatosis,
Pb 0.133-0.731; Fe 8.11-28.5; Cu 0.286-1.714; Zn
10.3-35.7. In 5 individuals with transfusion hemo-
siderosis, Pb 0.382-0.659; Fe, 14.3-31.5; Cu 0.622-
1.631; Zn 12.9-36.5. In 5 individuals with Wil-
son's disease, Pb 0.107-0.681; Fe 0.63-1.15; Cu
0.769-2.841; Zn 16.9-44.1. The possibility of
using EDTA as an aid in the diagnosis of Pb poi-
soning and in Fe storage diseases will be dis-
cussed. Implications of the enhanced excretion of
Cu and Zn will also be considered. (From author's
abstract)
1607 Rieders, F., and Brieger, H. (Jefferson
Med. Coll., Philadelphia, Pa.): EDATHAMIL
DISODIUM CALCIUM (Na2CaEDTA): ABSORPTION
BY THE ORAL ROUTE - INTERACTIONS WITH
METALS IN VIVO - DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEU-
TIC USE, Proceedings of Seventh Annual
Meeting of the American Academy of Occupa-
tional Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa., Feb.
10-12, 1955, pp. 83-4.
312
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Orally administered CaNa2EDTA is apparently not
absorbed as such. Its total effect is a transfer
of metal from the intestinal to the urinary route
of excretion without appreciable removal of metal
from the tissues. Experimental evidence support-
ing this statement is presented. Increases of
urinary Pb excretion by 1 parenteral administra-
tion of Na2CaEDTA are much greater in Pb poison-
ing than in other pathologic or normal conditions
and hence are of diagnostic significance. In
chronic occupational Pb poisoning, intravenous
treatment with 1 infusion/wk mobilizes more Pb/
infusion than if the drug is given daily. Clin-
ical improvement under such intermittent therapy
is as rapid and as lasting as under continuous
therapy. The effect of this reagent on excretion
of Fe, Cu, and Zn is discussed briefly.
1608 Rieders, F., Dunnington, W.G., and Breiger,
H. (Jefferson Med. Coll. Philadelphia,
Pa.): THE EFFICACY OF EDATHAMIL CALCIUM
DISODIUM IN THE TREATMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING. Industrial Medicine and
Surgery 24:195-202 (May), 1955.
The evaluation of treatment of chronic Pb poison-
ing with CaNa2EDTA was made on the basis of 9
cases, selected from a total of 37 patients, using
2 different schedules: Series 1, 5 cases received
the drug daily by intravenous drip as follows: (1)
3 g in 300 ml 5% glucose, over a 3-hr period, for
10 days followed by a 2nd course for 8 days after
an interval of 7 days: (2) 5 g in 500 ml 5% glu-
cose, over 5-hr, for 5 days; and after a rest of
7 days, another course over 4 days; (3) as in 2,
for 6 days, followed 11 days later by a 4-day
course; (4) and (5) as in 2 over 5-6 hr, follow-
ed 10 and 20 days later, respectively, by another
5-day course. Series 2, treatment at intervals of
2 or more days of 4 additional patients as follows:
(6) 4 infusions of 5 g EDTA in 500 ml 5% glucose
over 4-5 1/2 hr, at 5, 3, and 3-day intervals;
(7) 5 infusions as in 6, over 4 1/2-6 hr, at 3-
day intervals; (8) 4 infusions of 4 g in 400 ml
5% glucose over 4-5 hr, at 5-day intervals; (9)
5 infusions of 6 g in 300 ml 5% glucose over 6-8
hr, at 3, 3, 4, 7, and 7-day intervals. The work
history, complaints, and findings before and after
treatment are briefly stated for each of the
patients. Eight figures and 5 tables show urinary
and blood Pb, coproporphyrinuria, and calculated
values of mobilized Pb in terms of PbEDTA in body,
in circulation, and excreted.
The 2 types of treatment schedules appeared to
be fully comparable with respect to the rate and
extent of clinical improvement. The average num-
ber of mg Pb mobilized by each mg EDTA administer-
ed increased as the interval between treatments
was increased up to ^7 days.
The authors conclude that parenteral administra-
tion of EDTA is rapidly and lastingly effective in
relieving symptoms and signs of chronic poisoning
and its acute episodes. Improvement continues af-
ter cessation of therapy, and there are no side
effects. The rapid and marked decrease of urinary
coproporphyrin excretion is most striking, indica-
ting that toxic effects of Pb on the erythrocytic
cells are arrested when EDTA is administered.
However, treatment at weekly intervals appears to
offer the following advantages over daily treat-
ment: (1) greater efficiency of the individual
dose with respect to Pb excretion; (2) administra-
tion on an outpatient basis, necessitating little
interruption of employment; (3) lessened likelihood
of depletion of essential trace metals which may
be chelated by EDTA and excreted along with Pb;
(4) lessened chances for the development of phle-
bitis; (5) possibility of more or less complete
deleading of soft tissues by periodic removal of
Pb accumulated in the course of metabolic turnover
of skeletal stores. (33 references)
1609 Rossi, L. (Univ. Naples, Italy): La pi-
ombemia e la piomburia nei normali e nei
saturnini. (LEAD IN BLOOD AND URINE IN
NORMAL PERSONS AND IN LEAD POISONING.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 38:1099-1108 (Oct.),
1955.
In view of conflicting data on the normal levels of
Pb in blood and urine, reported in the literature,
the author obtained such values on 100 healthy
subjects not exposed to Pb, using a method devel-
oped in his laboratory; this is a colorimetric
method, the results of which are read on the Beck-
man spectrophotometer. The results showed levels
of 10-90 ug/100 ml blood and 10-130 pg/24 hr urine.
More than half of the subjects showed from 40-60
and only 15 had 70-90 ug/100 ml blood; as to uri-
nary Pb, most showed 30-70 and only 8 eliminated
>100 ug/24 hr. Of 260 workers exposed to Pb, 64
with poisoning showed blood Pb from 30-210 yg/100
ml (overall range 10-140 pg) and urine Pb ranging
from 50-800 pg/24 hr. The author concludes that
even in persons with Pb poisoning some cases
showed normal values, and that those exposed to Pb
rarely gave strictly pathologic values. iHor this
reason he considers that the blood Pb test for the
determination of whether an abnormal absorption of
Pb exists is of little importance. (18 references)
1610 Saita, G., and Arrigoni Martelli, E. (Univ.
Milan, Italy): Aspetto, decorso e tratta-
mento dell'anemia saturnina in 103 intossi-
cati ricoverati nella Clinica del Lavoro
dal 1948 al giugno 1954. (APPEARANCE,
EVOLUTION AND TREATMENT OF ANEMIA IN 103
CASES OF LEAD POISONING HOSPITALIZED AT
THE CLINICA DEL LAVORO FROM 1948 TO JUNE
1954.) Medicina del Lavoro 46:199-210
(March), 1955.
The appearance and evolution of anemia was studied
in 106 cases of Pb poisoning hospitalized in the
authors' Clinic from 1948-June 1954. Findings
were as follows: In 66 cases of the acute phase
of Pb colic anemia was evident by 62% Hb, and red
cells 3.2 million; in 37 cases of chronic poison-
ing, Hb was 67%, red cells 3.5 million. Red cells
were never <2 million red cells. Stippled cells
(SC) were always present in the colic cases. Re-
ticulocytes and SC were more numerous in cases of
colic than in the chronic cases. On the average
their increase was proportional to the severity
of the anemia, but in individual cases the values
for the SC were widely scattered.
Anemia appeared early in several cases ( a few
months and 1 case, a few days following exposure
to Pb). It improved in most of the cases during
hospitalization (4-6 wk). However, only ^18%
reached normal values; 18% remained stationary
Man
313
-------
and a decrease, though slight, was sometimes noted.
SC diminished with improvement of anemia, but they
rarely disappeared completely during hospitaliza-
tion. (From authors' summary)
1611 Saita, G., and Gattoni, L. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): La prova da carico con tromexan
nel saturnismo. (TOLERANCE TEST WITH
TROMEXAN IN LEAD POISONING.) Medicinadel
Lavoro 46:623-7 (Nov.), 1955.
The tolerance test using a single dose of 300 mg
Tromexan was performed in 6 cases of Pb poisoning
(2 with acute colic, 4 with chronic poisoning)
showing normal prothrombin activity. The fall of
prothrombin activity at the 24th hr was greater
than in normal subjects and at the 48th hr, re-
covery was only partial.
A previous investigation had shown the frequency
of a decrease in the prothrombin activity in Pb
poisoning. This study indicated to the authors
that even in those cases of Pb poisoning in which
prothrombin activity is normal, the existence of a
latent defect of the factors of the prothrombin
complex and of a delay in a return to normal can
be demonstrated.
1612 Saita, G., Gattoni, L. , and Sartorelli,
E. (Univ. Milan, Italy); Le modifica-
zioni dell'attivita' protrombinica nel
saturnismo. Azione della vitamina K.
(MODIFICATIONS OF PROTHROMBIN ACTIVITY IN
LEAD POISONING. ACTION OF VITAMIN K.)
Medicina del Lavoro 46:541-8 (Oct.), 1955.
The behavior of prothrombin activity was studied
(by the method of Quick) in 15 cases of Pb colic
and in 24 cases of chronic Pb poisoning. In ad-
dition, in 8 cases of colic and 10 of chronic poi-
soning, changes in factor V and factor VII were
followed. In more than half of the cases of
chronic Pb poisoning the prothrombin activity was
decreased (values of 50-75%) ; even more in number
were the cases deficient in factor VII. During Pb
colic the number of cases showing a decrease of
prothrombin activity was higher than in chronic Pb
poisoning; the decrease was sometimes more evident
(40%) and reduction of factor VII was almost con-
stant. The decrease of prothrombin activity was
sometimes transitory during colic and values re-
turned spontaneously to normal some time after the
colic was over. Modifications of factor V were
infrequent and slight. With administration of
vitamin K a rapid return to normal values was ob-
served in some cases; in other cases increases
were slight and return to normal was delayed.
Only in some cases of Pb poisoning did decrease of
prothrombin activity indicate slight functional
liver damage; in other cases the decrease was
caused by a reduced supply of vitamin K. (46 ref-
erences)
1613 Saita, G., Moreo, L., and Petrocchi, V.
(Univ. Milan, Italy): Sideremla e trans-
ferrinemia nel saturnismo professionale.
II quadro biochimico dell'anemia saturnina.
(SERUM IRON AND UNSATURATED IRON BINDING
CAPACITY IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.
THE BIOCHEMICAL PATTERN OF ANEMIA DUE TO
LEAD POISONING.) Medicina del Lavoro 46:
463-72 (Aug.-Sept.), 1955.
Twenty-five cases of occupational Pb poisoning (6
with Pb colic, 10 with recent chronic Pb poisoning
and 9 with protracted chronic Pb poisoning) were
studied as to the behavior of serum Fe and of the
unsaturated Fe binding capacity (UFBC). Almost
all the cases showed increase in serum Fe, de-
crease of the UFBC and slight decrease of the
total Fe binding capacity (TFBC); values were
normal only in 3 cases of chronic Pb poisoning.
The increase of serum Fe was much more marked in
the cases of Pb colic than in the cases of chronic
Pb poisoning, both recent and protracted. The
UFBC showed a decrease with an increase of the
serum Fe. Free blood protoporphyrin was determin-
ed for the completion of the biochemical pattern
of the anemia due to Pb poisoning and was always
found to be greatly increased, the values in the
cases of colic and in the cases of chronic Pb
poisoning being very similar.
Therefore, no close relationship exists between
the increase of serum Fe and the increase of the
blood protoporphyrins. In cases of colic the in-
crease of the serum Fe is not only due to the in-
hibition of the binding between the Fe and porphy-
rin, but also to hyperhemolysis, as shown by the
increase in hemoglobin metabolism. It is useless
to treat Pb anemia with Fe because its biochemical
pattern never shows a state of hyposideroris. (20
references)
1614 Saita, G., Moreo, L., and Sartorelli, E.
(Univ. Milan, Italy): La vitamina B-^ nel
saturnismo: azione sulla crasi ematica,
sulla punteggiatura basofila e sul ricambo
porfirinico. (VITAMIN B12 IN LEAD POISON-
ING: ITS ACTION ON THE BLOOD PICTURE, ON
THE STIPPLED CELLS AND ON THE PORPHYRIN
METABOLISM.) Medicina del Lavoro 46:404-
10 (June-July), 1955.
The sequelae noted during treatment of 9 cases of
anemia due to Pb poisoning with very high doses of
vitamin Bi2 (500 ug on alternate days for 24 days)
were: (1) Average increase of erythrocytes of
12.5%; slight increase of the reticulocytes after
1-2 injections. (2) Rapid and considerable dis-
appearance of stippled erythrocytes. (3) Rapid
disappearance of blood coproporphyrin (CP) , de-
layed disappearance was noted only in 1 case fol-
lowing a transitory high increase; progressive de-
crease of urine CP; in 3 cases after a temporary
increase; considerable increase of blood proto-
porphyrin (PP) followed by a decrease down to
levels below those prior to treatment.
This behavior is interpreted as an initial re-
moval of the inhibitory action of the Pb on the
maturation of CP to PP followed by the removal of
inhibition to the binding of PP with Fe. However,
the normalizing action of vitamin Bj^ on porphyrin
metabolism is not so efficient as that of other
vitamins (vitamin PP and its amide), and the in-
crease of blood cells is below that produced by
highly active liver extracts. (From authors' sum-
mary) (21 references)
1615 Saitta, G. (Univ. Messina, Italy): Ri-
cerche sul comportamento del potere liso-
zimico e della colesterolemia nel saturnis-
mo professionale. (LYSOZYME AND BLOOD
CHOLESTEROL IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISON-
314
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ING.) Folia Medica (Naples) 38:718-26
(July), 1955.
Lysozyme activity was determined in the blood serum
of 12 workers afflicted with chronic Pb poisoning
by its lytic action at various dilutions on Micro-
coccus lysodeikticus. There was a marked decrease
in lysozyme activity as compared with normal per-
sons. The cholesterol in the serum increased in
direct proportion with the time of exposure to Pb.
A relation to the reticuloendothelial system was
advanced.
1616 Salvini, M. (Univ. Padua, Italy): II
chelato calcico dell'etilendiaminotetra-
cetato disodico nel trattamento del
saturnismo. (THE CALCIUM CHELATE OF DI-
SODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRAACETATE IN THE
TREATMENT OF SATURNISM.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 38, No. 2:111-26, 1955.
Six volunteers were treated iv with a daily dose
of 1 g CaNa2 EDTA in 10% aqueous, solution for 7
days; of the 9 workers exposed to Pb and hospi-
calized because of suspected poisoning, although
they showed no clinical signs, 5 received the
EDTA orally at 4g/day, and 4 received the same
dose for 4 days and then were treated iv the same
as the volunteers. No untoward manifestations
other than diuresis were noted during the treat-
ment and an observation period of 1 mo. In the
subjects exposed to Pb, urinary Pb excretion in-
creased while the excretion pf coproporphyrins and
the number of stippled erythrocytes decreased un-
til normal values were reached when EHTA was ad-
ministered iv, increased urinary Pb excretion be-
came evident during the first 24 hr and reached
a maximum on the lst-2nd day. In oral treatment
with EDTA the maximum Pb excretion was reached on
the 3rd-5th day. The initiation of iv treatment
after 4 days of oral administration showed that
the 16 g of EDTA did not produce the displacement
of chelatable Pb in the organism of such magnitude
as would have diminished the effectiveness of 1
or 2 g EDTA iv. From this, the author concludes
that present knowledge indicates that iv admini-
stration of the drug is preferable; also, that
the slow and controlled infusion of isotonic dex-
trose solution is not compulsory, because the
direct injection iv of hypertonic solutions was
devoid of side effects.
1617 Salvini, M. (Univ. Padua, Italy): Piom-
buria, porfirinuria ed emazie granulobaso-
file nel trattamento con EDTA. Contribute
alia diagnosi del saturnismo, (EXCRETION
OF LEAD IN THE URINE: PORPHYRINURIA AND
STIPPLED CELLS IN TREATMENT WITH EDTA.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD
POISONING.) Minerva Medica 46, No. 31:
1119-22, 1955.
In a study of 16 cases treated with CaNa2EDTA the
author points out 3 different phases characterized
by urinary Pb excretion, coproporphyrinuria(CPU)
and number of stippled cells (SC) as follows:
Immediate (increase in daily elimination of Pb in
relation to chelatable Pb); delayed (decrease to-
ward normal values of CPU and number of SC); post-
treatment , (variable changes in CPU, urinary Pb
and number of SC daily). Each stage can be inter-
preted diagnostically, particularly the post
treatment results. Treatment with EDTA also pro-
vides a practical means for the diagnosis of sub-
clinical Pb poisoning. (16 references)
1618 Salvini, M., and Vidali, U. (Univ. Padua,
Italy): La elitninazione urinaria del
piombo nella fase successiva al tratta-
mento con EDTA. (URINARY ELIMINATION OF
LEAD FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH EDTA.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 38, No. 6:579-92,
1955.
A daily dose of 1 g CaNa2EDTA was administered iv
to 3 patients suffering from Pb poisoning, for 6
successive days, and to 2 patients for 12 and 3
days, respectively. The case histories are de-
scribed for each of those patients. The urinary
elimination of free and chelated Pb was determined
spectrophotometrically. Free Pb appeared im-
mediately after cessation of the treatment while
the excrption of Pb chelate continued for some
days. The authors conclude that the excretion of
Pb chelate in man and experimental animals (rab-
oit) lasts longer than excretion of Ca chelate.
(12 references)
1619 Shay, D.E., Haddox, J.H., and Richmond,
J.L. (Baltimore Coll. Dent. Surg., Univ.
Maryland, Baltimore): INORGANIC QUALI-
TATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF GREEN
STAIN. Journal of the American Dental
Association 50:156-60, 1955.
Green stain of teeth, dried at 100°, contained
>10% Ca; 1-10% K, Na, Si, Mg, P; <1% Al, Fe, Pb,
Mn, B, Cu, Ag, Ti, Hi, Ba, Sr, as determined by
examination of the arc spectrograph in a pro-
jection comparator densitometer. Both green
stain and brown stain contained Ca, Fe, Si, Mg,
Pb, Mn, P, Ag, Na. The chemical elements found
only in green stain were Al, Ba, Ni, B, Cu, Ti,
Sr, K, and Sn and Cl only in brown stain.
1620 Shiels, D.O.: THE COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF
RADIATION AND OF LEAD ON CERTAIN ASPECTS
OF THE STRUCTURE OF LYMPHOID CELLS.
Australasian Ann. of Med. 4, No. 2:145-8,
1955.
The author has previously shown that, for a group
of people exposed to stray X-radiation, the mean
ratio of monocytes plus large lymphocytes to small
lymphocytes was significantly greater than the
value for persons not so exposed; further, that
the mean percentage of lymphocytes which showed
granules in the protoplasm (Leishman staining) was
significantly less in the irradiated group (Shiels,
1954) . The present paper deals with similar ex-
aminations of the systemic effects of Pb in the
system and of Pb poisoning. Regarding the latter,
it was found that the mean percentage of lympho-
cytes which show granules in the protoplasm is
significantly greater than in a group of normal
persons. The ratio mentioned in the text (above)
for irradiated people was found to be higher than
for a group of people with Pb poisoning. (From
Bulletin of Hygiene 30:1087, 1955)
1621 Shiels, D.O. (Dept. Health, Melbourne,
Victoria, Australia): INDUSTRIAL LEAD
POISONING IN RELATION TO CLIMATE. Austral-
asian Annals of Medicine 4:178-82 (Aug.),
Man
315
-------
1955.
Studies carried out in Melbourne revealed that
there is a greater incidence of industrial Pb poi-
soning in the colder than in the hotter months.
The author also studied the relationship between
the climate, as measured by the maximum annual
temperature, and the fraction of the total of
those subjects with urinary Pb content >0.3 mg/1
who had Pb poisoning. When the number of those
who had Pb poisoning was expressed as a fraction
of those with urinary Pb content of 0.3 mg/1 or
over, the fraction was 1.00 for those experiencing
Pb exposure in the hot climate and 0.622 for those
in the temperate climate. In earlier studies the
author had shown the importance of sweat as a
means for the elimination of Pb. One may assume
that in a hot climate the daily excretion of
fluid was of the order of 1 1. of urine and 2.5-3.0
1 of sweat/day. With 0.3 mg/1 of Pb in the urine
and a like concentration in the sweat, the total
daily excretion in fluids would be >1 mg of Pb.
In the temperate climate the daily excretion of
fluid may be assumed to be of the order of 1.5 1
of urine and 0.5 1 of sweat. With a concentration
of 0.3 mg/1 of Pb in the urine and a like concen-
tration in the sweat, the total daily excretion in
body fluids would be 0.6 mg of Pb. In the former
case the blood, organs and tissues of the body
would be in contact with >1 mg of Pb/day and, in
the latter, with 0.6 mg of Pb. There would thus
be a greater chance of finding cases of Pb poison-
ing among persons excreting 0.3 mg/1 of urine in
the hot climate than among those excreting 0.3 mg/
1 in the temperate climate. On the other hand,
from a constant amount of Pb absorbed daily, more
would be excreted in body fluids in the hotter
months than in the colder, so that there would be
less storage in the tissues. There would there-
fore be less chance of Pb poisoning developing in
the summer than in the winter if the conditions
of exposure were the same.
1622 Sidbury, J.B., Jr. (Emory Univ. School
Med., Atlanta, Ga.): LEAD POISONING.
TREATMENT WITH DISODIUM CALCIUM ETHYLENE-
DIAMINETETRAACETATE. American Journal of
Medicine 18:932-46 (June), 1955.
The mechanism of action of EDTA in Pb poisoning
and its pharmacologic properties are described.
The results of treatment of 9 patients with Pb
poisoning (1 child, the others adult) indicated
that CaNa2EDTA is superior to previous modes of
therapy. Pb poisoning was established by history,
physical examination and laboratory findings, in-
cluding determination of the Pb content of blood
and urine. Dosage for adults by iv route was 1 g
on 1st day, 2 g/day thereafter for a total of 5
days, in divided doses twice/day in 250 ml 5%
glucose. For children, 30 mg/kg twice daily.
Oral administration for both children and adults
was 30 mg/kg body weight before breakfast and
supper with liberal amounts of water. The 2nd
plan called for 0.4 g EDTA diluted to 5 or 10 ml
with saline iv once or twice daily, either as out-
patients or in the hospital, depending on the
severity of disease. Symptoms were relieved and a
marked increase in the urinary excretion of Pb was
effected. A suggested dosage regimen which is
convenient for administration in the doctor's
office or in the plant dispensary is presented.
The different routes of administration and their
limitations are discussed. No toxic reactions
have been encountered from the use of EDTA in >35
patients. The role of internist and the general
practitioner in the diagnosis and treatment of Pb
poisoning is emphasized. The importance of early
recognition is accentuated by the availability of
an effective agent for treatment which, it is be-
lieved, will prevent the permanent sequelae of Pb
poisoning if appropriate therapy is instituted
early. (58 references)
1623 Skripnichenko, Z.M. (Ukrainian Res. Inst.
Eye Dis., USSR): 0 rannei diagnostike
khronicheskogo porazheniya svintsovym ben-
zinom. (EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF CHRONIC INTOX-
ICATION BY LEADED GASOLINE.) Oftalmolo-
gicheskii Zhurnal 4:231-2, 1955.
The author had followed 18-25-yr-old workers expos-
ed to Pb-containing gasoline for 3 mo-6 yr; most
of them, 32, had been so exposed for 3 yr. All of
them exhibited deficit in vision, especially adap-
tation to light, before any other indicators, such
as blood pressure, etc, showed any deviations from
normal. The disturbances included also changes in
color perception and those of "elastotonometric"
tracings. It is recommended that eye examinations
be performed every 3 mo in workers exposed to Pb-
gasoline.
1624 Timofeev, N.N., Spivak, L.I., and Deini-
chenko, .I.M. (S.M. Kirov Inst. War Med.,
USSR): 0 narusheniyakh vysshei nervnoi
deyatel'nosti pri otravlenii tetraetil-
svintsom. (DISORDERS OF THE HIGHER NER-
VOUS FUNCTION IN TETRAETHYLLEAD POISON-
ING.) Zhurnal Nevropatologii i Psikhi-
atrii 55:781-9, 1955.
Neurological tests on male patients (23-43 yr old)
with chronic TEL poisoning are described. The
motor reflexes were studied on 24 patients to
whom the association method was also applied;
electroencephalograms were taken in 14 cases,
knee reflexes were registered in 11, chronaxy in
7 cases and tactile observations were made on 30
patients. The diagrams and case histories are
analyzed and used for classification of the indi-
vidual patients into 2 groups: (1) those in an
advanced stage and (2) those in a mild stage of
poisoning. (15 references)
1625 Vidoni, G.: Su di un caso di avvelenamen-
to mortale da piombo tetraetile. (A CASE
OF FATAL TETRAETHYL LEAD INTOXICATION.)
Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni 3,
No. 1-2:1121-8, 1955.
A 23-yr-old man had been working in a TEL plant
for 2 yr without showing any clinical signs at the
regular physical tests by the plant physician when
he collapsed at work. The diagnosis was "hematoma
in the frontal parietal region and possible skull
fracture," resulting from a contradictory report
of a fall. He died 3 days later. Interrogation
of attending physicians revealed that the patient
was not lucid upon admission to the hospital. He
complained of headache, had tremors and chills,
then exhibited psychomotor excitation with deliri-
um. He also told that for 2 nights before his
316
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
accident he had felt excited and had not slept.
The night before his death the state of his psycho-
motor excitement became so intense that he had to
be restrained by force. Shortly before death he
became comatose. The gross and histologic necropsy
findings are described. The changes in the brain
are stated to duplicate those found earlier in
TEL poisoning in man by Bin! and Bollea (1947) and
in animals by Lacroix (1942). Chemical tests re-
vealed a significant amount of Pb in the brain.
On the basis of these findings death was attributed
to chronic TEL poisoning.
1626 Vouk, V.B., Voloder, K., Weber, O.A., and
Puree, L. (Inst. Ind. Hyg., Yugoslav
Acad. Sciences & Arts, Zagreb, Yugoslavia):
NORMAL VALUES OF LEAD CONCENTRATION IN
HUMAN BLOOD. Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i
Toksikologiju 6:277-87, 1955.
An investigation is reported which was undertaken
to establish the range of normal values of Pb con-
centration in the blood of the population living
in Zagreb and environs. Two 5-ml samples of ve-
nous blood were taken from each of 100 men and 95
women chosen at random. Analyses for Pb were per-
formed by a monocolor dithizone method. The re-
sults were statistically evaluated and shown in
tables and graphs. The final conclusion was that
for the population of Zagreb and its environs a
value of Pb in blood exceeding 60 ug/100 ml would
indicate an abnormal exposure to Pb, probably of
occupational origin. A slight difference between
urban and rural populations was considered of no
practical significance, possibly being due to ur-
ban persons eating more canned food. (20 refer-
ences)
1627 Wade, J.F., Jr., and Burnum, J.F. (Med.
Coll. Alabama; Vet. Admin. Hosp., Birming-
ham) : TREATMENT OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING WITH DISODIUM CALCIUM VER-
SENATE. Annals of Internal Medicine 42:
251-9, 1955.
Five patients with acute or chronic Pb intoxica-
tion successfully treated with CaNa2EDTA are re-
ported. EDTA produced a marked increase in urin-
ary Pb excretion which was maximal during the
first 12 hr of therapy. Loss of body Pb into the
urine was accompanied by: (1) rapid and striking
amelioration of all signs and symptoms, including
an "acute abdomen"; (2) disappearance of gingival
Pb line; (3) return to normal values of baso-
philic stippled red blood cells and serum indirect
bilirubin; (4) no immediate reversal of decreased
erythrocyte osmotic fragility. No toxic effects
from CaEDTA were observed. EDTA affords a safe
and effective means of therapy of acute and chron-
ic Pb poisoning. (From authors' summary; 16
references)
1628 Wagner, K.H. (Acad. Justus Liebig High
School, Giessen, Germany): LEAD CONTENT
OF SULFITE YEAST. Voedlng 16:753-7, 127-
31, 1955.
When 30-100 g Brewers' or sulfite yeast were fed
daily to men and animals for at least 30 days, no
toxic symptoms developed following feeding of
Brewers' yeast, but pathologic symptoms were not-
ed soon after feeding 75-100 g sulfite yeast.
Sulfite yeast was found to contain 15-64 mg Pb/kg.
The amount of Pb causing toxic symptoms in man
varied from 1-2 mg/day. (From Chemical Abstracts
54:7884, 1960)
1629 Wilentz, W.C., and Meola, A. (Perth
Amboy, N.J.): "PLUMBO-PHOBIA": RECENT
TREND IN FREQUENCY OF INDUSTRIAL LEAD
POISONING. American Practitioner and
Digest of Treatment 6:355-7 (Mar.), 1955.
The survey of industrial Pb intoxication cases at
the National Lead Co. covers the period from 1939-
1953, during which period of the 450-650 men em-
ployed only 85 were treated for Pb poisoning. Of
these 43 were hospitalized and the others treated
as ambulant patients. The largest number treated
during any 1 yr was 19, 9 of whom were hospital-
ized. Close cooperation of the executive, engi-
neering and other departments resulted in the fact
that over the last 3 yr (1952-1955) no cases of Pb
poisoning have occurred. It has been estimated
that in New Jersey of the 20,000 men occupied in
the various Pb industries from 1941-1952, 689
cases of Pb were reported, the largest number re-
ported during any 1 yr was 94 (1942), and the
smallest group was 22 (1950). There has been a
steadily decreasing trend in the statistics.
The authors include a table showing the number
of Pb poisoning cases in 38 states from 1948-1952;
the same downward trend is noted there for the
whole country, with only 20 fatal cases among the
total of 2337. There were 25 totally disabled,
209 with partial permanent disability, and 2083
with temporary disability. In 1936, 132 deaths
occurred; in 1942, 71; in 1943, 47.
1630 Wyllie, J. (Queen's Univ., Kingston, On-
tario, Canada): URINARY PORPHYRINS IN
LEAD ABSORPTION. A.M.A. Archives of In-
dustrial Health 12:396-405 (Oct.), 1955.
The author describes a method for the determina-
tion of porphyrins in urine, as well as an appara-
tus constructed at the University. The method was
applied to the determination of urinary porphyrins
in presumably normal subjects, in employees with
mild exposure to Pb (repair of auto bodies and
glazing wall tiles) and those liable to severe
exposure in a storage-battery plant.
The results obtained showed that in porphyrin
analysis of morning urine samples from normal per-
sons, urines with a strongly positive qualitative
test for urobilinogen generally had high uropor-
phyrin (UP) values. There was evidence that this
feature occurs in persons on a high-vegetable diet
as well as in certain liver diseases. In a cor-
relation of stippled cell counts with quantitative
coproporphyrin (CP) determinations in employees
mildly exposed to Pb for the first time, it was
found that as the stippled cell counts increased to
1000 and 1500/1,000,000 erythrocytes, the urinary
CP values tended to increase. Employees with a
mild exposure to Pb for several years had higher
urinary CP and UP values than those found in nor-
mal persons. Employees liable to a severe exposure
to Pb showed high values for urinary CP as the
stippled cell counts exceeded 1000 or 1500/1,000,000
erythrocytes. The UP values were also increased.
The author considered it interesting that in this
type of exposure the CP/UP ratio increased from
Man
317
-------
the normal 1:1 or 2:1 to 3:1 and even reached 6:1.
1631 Yamamoto, T. (Osaka City Univ. Med. School,
Japan): THE LEAD CONTENT IN DAILY FOOD IN
JAPAN. Journal of the Osaka City Medical
Center 4, No. 3:308-32; English Summary,
359, 1955.
Pb in food was analyzed from the public health
viewpoint, to study the total amount of Pb in-
gested daily in a typical diet in Japan. The re-
sults were as follows: Fresh fruits contained a
considerable amount of Pb. They may become con-
taminated with Pb from agricultural insecticides.
Washing the fruit with running water was apparent-
ly effective in reducing the Pb content. Pb
ranging from 30-180 yg/kg was found in fresh small
fish. Canned foods contained rather large amounts
of Pb, which in part is attributed to contamina-
tion by Pb in the solder used to cement the seams
of a can. From the results of these chemical
analyses, it was possible to calculate, approxi-
mately, a total amount of Pb ingested daily in a
typical diet. It may be assumed that the amount
of Pb ingested in food excluding water by a normal
Japanese adult in ordinary circumstances is an
average of ^190 ug daily. A total amount of Pb
ingested in food and water daily by a normal indi-
vidual in ordinary urban circumstances may be
^240-320 yg on the basis of analysis of several
kinds of usual cooked meals. (23 references)
1632 Zambrano, A. (Inst. Ind. Med., Italy):
L'azione del calcio etilendiamino tetra-
cetato sulla eliminazione urinaria del
piombo e delle coproporfirine e sulla con-
centrazione ematica del piombo. (THE AC-
TION OF CALCIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRA-
ACETATE ON THE URINARY ELIMINATION OF LEAD
AND COPROPORPHYRINS AND ON THE CONCENTRA-
TION OF LEAD IN BLOOD.) Abstracts of
Meeting of the Campana Society of Legal and
Industrial Medicine. Medicina del Lavoro
46:283 (Apr.), 1955.
EDTA was administered to 6 workers exposed to Pb
risk who exhibited a clinical picture of mild in-
toxication, with distinct rise in urinary Pb, and
urinary coproporphyrins, and lesser changes in
blood Pb. Experiments with rabbits are also under
way. In rabbits the changes in the electrolyte
balance are being studied as well. No changes in
the electrolyte balance were observed in the ani-
mals; however, there was progressive diminution of
alkaline phosphatase values as a result of Pb in-
toxication and progressive increase in values as
a result of EDTA administration.
1633 Zambrano, A., and Rossi, L: (EDATHAMIL
CALCIUM-DISODIUM IN TREATMENT OF OCCUPA-
TIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Riforma Med.
69:398-404, 1955.
Good results in treating Pb poisoning with CaNa2
EDTA were obtained in 6 Pb workers who were given
the drug iv in a 20% hypertonic solution in daily
doses of 2 g for 7 consecutive days. Some patients
received a 2nd course of treatment after a 7-day
treatment-free period. No side-effects were noted.
The urinary excretion of Pb increased and that of
coproporphyrin decreased progressively, while the
Pb blood levels were changed only slightly.
EDTA acts to make a Pb complex by exchanging the
Ca contained in its molecule for Pb to form a
chelate, which does not have the; toxic action pecu-
liar to the free metal. The effectiveness of Ca
N32EDTA in Pb poisoning is definitely greater than
that of other agents that have been used for the
purpose, but greater clinical experience with the
drug is needed. (From Journal of the American
Medical Association 159:229, (abstracts), 1955.)
1634 Zambrano, A., Rossi, L., and Mantovano, S.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): II calcio disodico
versentao nella diagnosi di saturnismo
professionale. (EDATHAMIL CALCIUM-
DISODIUM IN DIAGNOSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD
POISONING.) Folia Medica (Naples) 38:
1248-59 (Nov.), 1955.
The determination of Pb in the urine after admini-
stration of CaNa2 versenate gives more reliable
results than in the blood. After daily injection
of 2 g of the salt in hypertonic solution the
determination is performed daily for 3 or 4 days.
Normal persons never excrete >0.25 mg/day; persons
exposed to Pb absorption or with Pb poisoning ex-
crete always >0.5 mg/day. (13 references)
1956
1635 Aldanazarov, A.T., and Sabdenova, Sh.S.:
(EXPERIMENTAL FOLIC ACID AND PENTOXYL
THERAPY OF LEAD POISONED PATIENTS.) Trudy
inst. Kraevol Patol., Akad. Nauk. Kazakh.
S.S.R. 4:120-7, 1956.
Sixty-six patients suffering from Pb poisoning
were treated with folic acid in doses of 0.01 g 3
times daily and with pentoxyl in doses of 0.2 g
also 3 times daily. Results indicated that either
one of the 2 drugs and particularly the combina-
tion of the 2 rapidly obviated symptoms of anemia
in Pb poisoning. (From Referat. Zhur. Khim.,
Biol. Khim. 1957, Abstr. No. 24079; Chemical Ab-
stracts 52:6614, 1958)
1636 Aleksieva, Ts., and Kiryakov, K. (Sci.
Res. Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis., Bul-
garia) : Vurkhu olovnoto vuzdeistvie pri
boyadzhiite, raboteshchi s minium. (EF-
FECTS OF LEAD ON PAINTERS USING MINIUM.)
Suvremmenna Meditsina 7, No. 4:61-6, 1956.
The work processes and the occurrence of Pb poison-
ing among 164 painters of transport equipment
(railroad cars, etc) were studied. The amount of
minium handled daily was on the average of 1-1.5
kg/day and in some, up to 15-20 kg . The workers
examined ranged from >20->60 yr with up to >20 yr
service. The frequency of complaints, and the
various findings are described and shown in tables.
About 15% of the workers showed incipient poison-
ing, and fully developed chronic poisoning occurred
in 1% (those who had worked for a long time). Ner-
vous system disorders predominated in most and 1
showed hemiplegia. The authors conclude with rec-
ommendations for improvement of working conditions.
1637 Anonymous: LEAD POISONING. AN UNUSUAL
CASE REPORT. A.M.A. Archives of Industrial
Health 14:408-9 (Oct.), 1956.
A man and his wife in an eastern city both com-
318
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
plained of generalized aching, nausea, some vomit-
ing, and gastric pains. The wife was constipated,
while the husband had some diarrhea. Blood and
urine examination revealed that both were suffering
from Pb poisoning which was traced to some recently
purchased brightly colored highball glasses. The
glasses had been used for highballs or similar
drinks 3 or 4 times a week, and 2 or 3 drinks were
consumed at each occasion over a period of about
1 hr. Three consecutive tests were tried on new
glasses, using a solution of 20% alcohol and soft
drink. The liquid was left in the glass for 15
min, then ashed with HNC>3 and analyzed by the di-
thizone method. The 1st test showed 11.0, the
2nd 7.0 and the 3rd 3.0 mg Pb/sample. The manu-
facturer of the glasses submitted a list of con-
signees to whom the glasses had been shipped and
health directors of the States concerned have
been notified.
1638 Anonymous: URINARY PORPHYRINS AND LEAD
TOXICITY. Nutrition Reviews 14:100-1,
1956.
Studies of the relationship of porphyrinuria to Pb
poisoning are reviewed. It is concluded that
these studies may provide a clue to the mechanisms
of Pb toxicity which is at least as significant as
the existence of a reliable sensitive test for de-
tection of Pb toxicity.
1639 Asgar, K. (Univ. Michigan, Ann Arbor):
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF HUMAN TEETH. Jour-
nal of Dental Research 35:742-8, 1956.
The dentin (D) and the enamel (E) of teeth from
Americans (A) and Greeks (G) were analyzed sepa-
rately; each sample was derived from 10 teeth.
The percentages found were: Ca, DA 30.25, EA
36.16, DG 2b.21, EG 32.83; Mg, DA 0.75, EA 0.96,
DG 0.43, EG 0.54; P, DA 13.25, EA 16,37, DG 12.51,
EG 14.58; C02, DA 3.54, EA 4.80, DG 3.51, EG 2.27.
Spectroscopic examination revealed that both the
enamel and the dentin of teeth of both national-
ities contained Pb, Zn, Si, Ag, Cu, Fe, Al, Sn,
Na, Cl, F, but in different concentrations. (24
references)
1540 Bekkering, J.H.Th. (Municipal General
Hosp., Rotterdam, Netherlands): De Be-
handeling van Loodintoxlcatie met calcium-
versenaat (Dinatrium-calcium-ethyleen-di-
amino-tetra-acetaat): (LEAD POISONING
TREATED WITH CALCIUM VERSENATE (DISODIUM
CALCIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRAACETATE.))
Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde
100:3078-82 (Oct. 27), 1956.
CaNa2EDTA as a new drug for the treatment of Pb
poisoning is discussed after a survey of the con-
ventional methods of treatment. The advantages
of the EDTA are compared with drugs formerly used,
eg, vitamin D, Ca, BAL. The author summarizes the
practical value of EDTA and points to its property
of forming complex compounds with many metals.
The recommended dosage differs greatly. For
children 1 g/15 kg body weight/day, for adults 1-4
g/day. He presents 2 cases of chronic Pb intoxi-
cation treated with EDTA and notes that the drug
considerably increased the urinary elimination of
Pb.
1641 Belknap, E.L. (Marquette Univ. School
Med., Milwaukee, Wise.): NEW METHODS OF
DELEADING HEAVY LEAD ABSORPTION USING CAL-
CIUM MONO SODIUM ETHYLENE DIAMINE TETRA
ACETATE (EDTA). Henry Ford Hospital
Medical Bulletin 4:210-3 (Dec.), 1956.
CaEDTA was used by the author in 7 cases of Pb
poisoning under hospital control (5 ml iv diluted
in 250 ml of 5% glucose in distilled water over a
period of 20 min twice a day for 5 days, followed
by rest period of 2 days, with resumption of 5-
day course; then 2-day rest period and 4-day
course as before), and in 13 outpatients with
heavy Pb absorption but no evidence of disabling
Pb intoxication. These men were treated in the
doctor's office 1 hr each day: 5 ml CaEDTA iv
for 20 min, rest for 30-45 min. No untoward symp-
toms were seen. Pb lines of gums disappeared,
stippled cells dropped markedly.
Intravenous CaEDTA is believed to be effective
and safe as a deleading agent, but is to be con-
sidered an emergency measure. Proper engineering
protective devices to prevent Pb exposure and Pb
absorption are still the best treatment.
1642 Bell, R.F., Gilliland, J.C., Boland, J.R.,
and Sullivan. B.R. (Univ. Colorado Med.
Center, Denver): EFFECT OF ORAL EDATHAMIL
CALCIUM-DISODIUM ON URINARY AND FECAL LEAD
EXCRETION. COMPARATIVE EXCRETORY STUDIES
WITH INTRAVENOUS THERAPY. A.M.A. Archives
of Industrial Health 13:366-71 (Apr.),
1956.
It is concluded from this study of the fecal and
urinary Pb excretions of 3 Pb-poisoning cases
treated daily with 3 g of CaNa2EDTA orally or
iv, that: (1) Oral administration given while
men are out of exposure causes a significant in-
crease in both the fecal and the urinary Pb ex-
cretion. There is a 2-1/2-3-fold increase in the
combined urinary and fecal Pb excretion with oral
administration. (2) In these cases the combined
fecal and urinary Pb-excretion response is approx-
imately 2/3 as much on oral as on iv therapy.
(3) There is a marked shift to urinary Pb excre-
tion with both oral and in iv therapy. This shift
is much greater with iv therapy. (4) Data on
these cases suggest that fecal Pb excretion is
diminished during iv therapy, but uncontrolled
environmental factors may be the cause of this
observation. (From authors' summary)
1643 Berdan, C., Preda, N., Pompilian, V.,
and lonescu, C.: Cercetari asupra expun-
erii la plumb si asupra saturnis-mului
intr-o intreprindere poligrafica'. (IN-
VESTIGATIONS INTO EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND
LEAD POISONING IN A PRINTING WORKS.)
Igiena (Bucharest) 5, No. 3:56-64, 1956.
A study was made of the possibilities of Pb poi-
soning in a printing works. Emphasis is laid on
the importance of intermittent diffusion of the
toxic substance during the cleaning of machines,
etc, when the Pb concentration in the air is
higher. Of all cases, 27.5% were found in the
stereotype department. The clinical picture is
that of chronic progressive Pb poisoning. (From
Excerpta Medica Section XVII, 4:2848, 1958)
Man
319
-------
1644 Beritlc, T., and Faligevac, J. (Inst.
Occup. Hyg. Acad., Zagreb, Yugoslavia):
Bleiencephalopathie und schwere Bleiver-
giftungen durch den Genuss bleihaltigen
Weines. (LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY AND SEVERE
LEAD POISONING BY INGESTION OF LEAD-CON-
TAINING WINE.) Archiv fUr Toxikologie
FUhner-Wieland's Sammlung von Vergiftungs-
falien 16:8-15, 1956.
Three cases of poisoning by wine containing large
amounts of Pb, one of them with fatal outcome, are
described. The wine had been stored or cooked in
glazed earthenware. In 1 case acute encephalopathy
developed, in the 2nd gastroenteric symptoms, in
the 3rd paralysis. For verification, wine was
placed and heated in the jugs used in the house-
holds of the victims. Pb concentrations found
were 1.94, 4.95, and 14.1 mg/100 ml. The authors
point out that in contrast to occupational poison-
ing, the alimentary intoxication most often does
not come to light until the classical symptoms
become evident.
1645 Beritic', T., and Vandekar, M. (Yugoslav
Acad. Sci., Zagreb): SOME OBSERVATIONS ON
THE MORPHOLOGY OF ERYTHROPOIETIC CELLS IN
HUMAN LEAD POISONING. Blood 11:114-22,
1956.
Morphologic changes of erythropoietic cells in the
bone marrow of 19 Pb intoxicated patients are re-
ported. Of these, 17 were male, 2 female; all but
2 were occupational in origin and the others were
due to food contamination from Pb-glazed earthen-
ware. All were admitted to the hospital with
colic; 3 also had Pb palsy. In addition to clin-
ical manifestations the toxic action of Pb was
verified by the laboratory findings: high Pb
blood values (59-195 ug/100 ml) increased copro-
porphyrinuria, and characteristic findings in
peripheral blood. Qualitative changes of erythro-
blasts were constantly present in all smears ex-
amined. Abnormalities most frequently observed
were: (a) basophilic stippling, (b) polyploidy,
(c) nuclear alterations ("karyorrhexis"), and (d)
aberrant chromosomes. The mechanism by which
these changes might be brought about is discussed;
the role of interruption of cytokinesis and karyo-
kinesis is emphasized. (33 references)
1646 Blanke, R.V. (Chicago, 111.): CORRELATION
OF URINARY COPROPORPHYRIN III WITH LEAD
INTOXICATION. Journal of Forensic Scien-
ces 1:79-87 (July), 1956.
Coproporphyrin (CP) was determined quantitatively
by the method of Schwartz et al (1951) and quali-
tatively by a modified McCord method (1951). Pb
was determined in urine by polarography. Details
of the methods were given. Comparison of the
qualitative CP test with the quantitative CP test
(22 cases; normal <180 yg/day) and the urinary Pb
test (140 cases; normal <80 yg/1) showed that the
qualitative CP test could differentiate sufficient-
ly between normal and abnormal excretion of CP, so
that it should be of value as an aid in the diag-
nosis of Pb poisoning.
1647 Brown. W.J.: LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS IN LEAD
ABSORPTION AND INTOXICATION. Australasian
J. Med. Technol. 2, No. 1:21-3, 1956.
Discussion. (From Chemical Abstracts 50:11415,
1956)
1648 Brudevold, F., and Steadman, L.T. (Univ.
Rochester, N.Y.): THE DISTRIBUTION OF
LEAD IN HUMAN ENAMEL. Journal of Dental
Research 35:430-7 (June), 1956.
The distribution of Pb was determined in pooled
ground samples of successive layers of enamel from
unerupted and erupted teeth and in some mottled
teeth of people of different ages. Pb was present
in the enamel of both unerupted and erupted teeth.
The Pb concentration was higher in the surface
enamel of fully formed unerupted teeth than in
that of incompletely formed ones and in the outer
enamel of erupted teeth compared with that of un-
erupted ones. Pb increased with age in the outer
enamel, and in the over 50-yr-group reached a
maximum of 550 ppm. In all groups of teeth the
highest Pb content was found in the outermost ena-
mel layer; decreasing Pb amounts were found in the
subsurface layers until a constant level was
reached which represented the concentration in the
bulk of the enamel. This level was ^ 30 ppm in
teeth of young persons and ^ 90 ppm in those of
persons >50 yr of age. The enamel of mottled
teeth contained less Pb than that of normal erupted
teeth. The significance of these relatively high
concentrations of Pb in the outer enamel has not
yet been established. (From authors' summary;
31 references)
1649 Buckup, H. (Bochum, Germany): Die heutige
Form der Bleierkrankung and ihre Verhutung.
(THE PRESENT FORM OF LEAD POISONING AND ITS
PREVENTION.) Taschenbuch der Prophylak-
tischen Medizin, 10 pp.
In his discussion of Pb poisoning, the author
points out that while it still constitutes a large
percentage of occupational diseases, the cases ob-
served today are generally mild and frequently are
caused by other disease states, principally in-
flammatory rheumatism; accordingly, they may be
superimposed and could lead to severe liver damage.
In the prevention of poisoning, emphasis is now
laid on technical and organizational measures. How-
ever, methodical and critically evaluated medical
examinations represent part of the program. Nutri-
tional factors also can have a decisive influence
on susceptibility to Pb.
1650 Butt, E.M., Nussbaum, R.E., Gilmour. T.C,
and Di Dio, S.L. (Los Angeles Co. Hosp.;
Univ. S. California School Med.; Univ.
California, Los Angeles): TRACE METAL
PATTERNS IN DISEASE STATES. I. HEMOCHRO-
MATOSIS AND REFRACTORY ANEMIA. American
Journal of Clinical Pathology 26:225-42,
1956.
Spectrographic analyses of liver tissue reveal in-
creased amounts of Pb, Mo, Cu, and Ca associated
with Fe storage of hemochromatosis and refractory
anemia. Zn and Mn levels are unaffected while Al
values are decreased. This pattern is also found
in other Fe-storage diseases, and can be repro-
duced in rats and rabbits by the administration of
Fe.
1651
Carlln, C.E., and Ferrandiz, J.J. (Dept.
320
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Hyg. Ind. SCISP-MSPAS, Lima, Peru): Al-
gunas consideraciones sobre saturnismo
entre los trabajadores de una fundicion.
(SOME CONSIDERATIONS ON LEAD POISONING
AMONG WORKERS IN A FOUNDRY.) Revlsta de
Medicina Experimental 10:43-52, 1956.
Complete medical examinations, including X-rays
and laboratory tests, were performed on 1,468 per-
sons employed in all departments of a foundry
where metal containing Pb was smelted. There was
definite evidence of Pb poisoning in 138 employees.
In 247 others there was evidence of Pb absorption
but no symptoms of poisoning. In each of these
groups there were 3 who had worked in the foundry
for only 1 mo. The commonest symptoms in the 138
poisoning cases, most of whom were 25-29 yr old,
were: abdominal pain 85; headache 58; general
weakness 46; vomiting 26; metallic taste 24; ano-
rexia 21; constipation 15. Two were seen during
a severe attack of Pb colic. The signs observed,
as tabulated, were: In 78, gingival Pb line; in
58, jaundice; in 57, pallor; in 29, exaggerated
reflexes; in 22, diminished muscular strength <32
kg on Oschner's dynamometer; in 12, increased sys-
tolic blood pressure (140+mm). The authors point
out that all were at work at the time of the exam-
inations. Laboratory findings in the poisoning
cases compared with those in a group of 100 whose
work did not expose them to Pb fumes and who in
clinical examination appeared to be normal, showed
the arithmetic mean in the amount of hemoglobin
(Hb), hematocrit test and red cell count to be
significantly lower in the poisoning group than in
the normal. But in both groups the range was con-
siderable for all 3 tests. The maxima in the poi-
soning group overlapped the maxima in the normals.
The arithmetic mean of Pb in blood of the poison-
ing cases was 0.162 mg/100 g of whole blood; in
the urine it was 0.507 mg/1 (taken in 100 ml sam-
ples) . Porphyrinuria was regarded as an early
diagnostic sign of Pb poisoning. It preceded the
appearance of basophilic stippling (BS) of the red
cells. The diagnosis in the 247 who were exposed
to Pb but were not suffering from poisoning was
based on exposure to Pb, the absence of signs and
generally of symptoms, the presence of slight
changes in the blood picture such as some erythro-
penia, some reduction in Hb, the presence of BS
grade I, and of Pb in the blood and urine just
above the normal limit. They were subclinical
cases. In the 138 definite cases there were signs
and symptoms of poisoning, BC grade III, aniso-
cytosis, poikilocytosis and Pb in the blood and
urine above the normal maxima.
The authors conclude that Pb in the blood is a
better guide to plumblsm than Pb in the urine.
But for accurate diagnosis laboratory findings are
not enough. The history and clinical examination
are equally important. The main point is that
among the 1,468 at work in this foundry 138 cases
of Pb poisoning were discovered. (12 references)
1652 De Caturla Jimenez, M. (Ins. Bd., Min.
Labor, Havana, Cuba): Diagnostico y pro-
nostico de la intoxicacion por el plomo
industrial (saturnismo). (THE DIAGNOSIS
AND PROGNOSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISON-
ING.) Med. latina 15:3, 1956.
Pb poisoning is one of the most frequent occupa-
tional diseases in Cuba. Based on his experience
the author considers 700-800 stippled cells/
1,000,000 and a Pb concentration of 60 yg in the
blood and 150 pg in the urine as threshold values.
He does not recognize hypertonia, kidney damage
and gastrointestinal ulcers as consequences of Pb
poisoning, nor liver cirrhosis and multiple scle-
rosis as sequelae of Pb poisoning. The possibility
of an appendicitis or an acute inflammatory pro-
cess in the abdominal cavity in Pb workers should
not be overlooked; diagnosis of Pb colic in such
cases may lead to fatal outcome. (From Zentral-
blatt fUr Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 7:258
(Abstracts), 1957)
1553 Chaidron, E. (Military Hosp., Brussels,
Belgium): A propos d'une maladie profes-
sionnelle meconnue parmi le personnel
travaillant dans les services de radio-
diagnostic. (A MISUNDERSTOOD OCCUPATIONAL
DISEASE AMONG PERSONNEL IN THE RADIODIAG-
NOSTIC SERVICE.) Journal Beige de Radiol-
ogie 39, No. 6:932-41, 1956.
Attention was drawn to the possibility of Pb poi-
soning in personnel of a diagnostic X-ray depart-
ment by direct contact of hands or skin with Pb
cassettes and plates. In the author's department,
11 out of 20 people showed basophilic stippling
(BS) of 10-240/10,000 red cells. No Burton lines
were found, but some patients complained of ab-
dominal pains, diarrhea or constipation. The
people were instructed to wash their hands before
eating and the Pb materials were covered or coated.
A distinct improvement in the blood picture was
observed after 2 mo. Another case of increased BS
(50-100/10,000 red cells) was found in another
radiologlc unit, causing the author to recommend
that BS determinations be included in the normal
hematologic examination. The author pointed out
that abnormal blood pictures in radiology workers
have been attributed to X-rays, but the possibility
of Pb poisoning could be checked if the following
tests wer;e run: blood and urine Pb content, co-
proporphyrin, determination of modifications in
the chronaxy of extensors, BS counts by means of
a dark-ground condenser. There were as many in-
toxications in smokers as in non-smokers. The
main cause was thought to be ingestion of Pb
through the mouth, but the possibility of absorp-
tion through the skin was mentioned, as well as
the possibility of sensitization of the skin by
developing and fixing baths.
The author recommends a periodic check of the
quality of protective gloves, better ventilation
of the examination and development rooms, and
treatment of Pb poisoning with vitamin C, nicotin-
amide, K iodide and Na bicarbonate. He concluded
that milk did not prevent Pb poisoning.
1654 Clarkson, T.W., and Kench, J.E. (Univ.
Manchester, England): URINARY EXCRETION
OF AMINO ACIDS BY MEN ABSORBING HEAVY
METALS. Biochemical Journal 62:361-72,
1956.
Single urinary specimens were collected from each
of 50 men in a light-engineering plant (used as
controls) from heavy-metal workers variously ex-
posed to Pb, Hg, U and Cd. The Pb workers were
drawn from a Pb accumulator factory (exposed main-
Man
321
-------
ly to Pb oxide dust), a smelting works (Pb fume),
and a Pb chromate factory (mainly acidic and basic
Pb chromates, Pb oxide, nitrate and sulfate).
Hg workers were engaged in the repair of
-------
broken up and melted down in a "kuali" over an
open wood fire. Evidence of Pb intoxication was
found in 3 other individuals who had worked in
the same place. The other patient, an 11-yr-old
Chinese boy, lived with his parents, a brother and
a baby sister in the ground flood of a shop-house
where his father had been engaged for years in
storage battery repair, which consisted in scraping,
repasting and soldering the Pb plates carried
out under very unsanitary conditions in the room
that was used for eating, sleeping and living.
X-ray photographs of the brother and baby sister
are reproduced to show the Pb lines in the bones.
Of interest is the mention of sources of Pb,
other than occupational, which have caused plumb-
ism in reported cases in Malaya, ie, (1) Chinese
face powders which were found to contain up to 50%
Pb carbonate (see Bulletin of Hygiene 5:891, 1930)
and in 1 instance 70% red Pb oxide, and (2) a
sample of "chu sha," a Chinese medicine powder adul-
terated with up to 34% Pb. Reference is made to
the possibility that black market "chandu" (opium
prepared for smoking) and "chandu" dross may cause
Pb poisoning through adulteration with Pb to in-
crease the weight. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 32:
52-3, 1957)
1658 Dinevich, L.S.: TRACE-ELEMENT CONTENT OF
MOTHER'S MILK. Sbornik Trudov Moldavsk.
Nauch .-Issledovatel. Inst. Epidemiol.,
Mikrobiol. i Gigieny 1956, No. 2:187-96.
The method of emission spectral analysis was used.
Results are expressed in % in ash: Mn 10~5-10-4;
Cu 10-3-10-2;Ti 10-3-10-2; Pb 10-3-10-2; Cr 10-3-
10-2; Si 10-2-10-1; Al 10-2-10-2; Ag 1Q-5-10-*;
in cases with hypogalactia Mn, Cu, Ti, Pb, and Ag
were lowered. (From Referat. Zhur. Khim., 1958,
Abstract No. 9132; Chemical Abstracts 52:16539,
1958)
1659 Dror, K.: (LEAD POISONING.) Harefuah
51, No. 7:161-4, 1956.
The clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment, pre-
vention and medico-legal aspects of Pb poisoning
are discussed. (English Summary)
1660 Feil, A, (Inst. Hygiene, Paris, France):
Un signe important pour le diagnostic du
saturnisme; les he'maties a granulations
basophiles. I. and II. (IMPORTANT SIGN
IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISONING; ERYTH-
ROCYTES WITH BASOPHIL GRANULATIONS. I.
AND II.). Medecin d'Usine 18, No. 5:215-
6, 219-20, 223-4, 226, 1956. Ibid. 19, No.
4/6:379, 381-2, 385-6, 389-92, 1957.
The author introduces the reprinting of an earlier
paper as follows: "Judging by the numerous arti-
cles published on the subject, erythrocytes with
basophil granulations or stippled erythrocytes as
they are observed in Pb poisoning, have aroused
great interest. However, the opinions of the
authors differ widely as to the techniques of de-
tecting them, the method of counting, and their
importance for diagnosis and prognosis. We think
that it might be of interest to reprint the article
which we published in La Semaine des Hopitaux de
Paris, March 26, 1926, almost 30 yr ago now. We
reproduce it as it was published, because in gen-
eral it still expresses our present thoughts on
the value of a sign to which we have devoted nu-
merous investigations, many of which have not yet
been published. This is a study of the Institute
of Industrial Hygiene (Medical College of Paris)
directed by Helm de Balsac."
1661 Garreton, U.I., Godoy, B.L. , Valenzuela,
R.A., Pinto, A.A., Geraldino, S.M., and
Gonzalez, R. : Bronquitis cro'nica en 8
casos de intoxicacidn plumbica. (CHRONIC
BRONCHITIS IN 8 CASES OF LEAD POISONING.)
An. Med. Concepcion 13, Nos. 3/4:143-50,
1956.
The authors give details of respiratory compli-
cations in 8 patients with Pb poisoning. The
poisoning was the result of working in an enclosed
space on the cutting up of steel sheets, coated
with Pb paint, by means of an oxy-acetylene blow-
pipe. Clouds of Pb-containing vapor were inhaled.
The working day was 12 hr. The authors are sur-
prised that they can find no reference in the
literature of Pb poisoning to the effect of the
inhalation of Pb fumes on the lungs. The 8 charts
are reproductions of the summaries of the case
papers of each of the patients and show graphical-
ly the symptoms, physical signs, amount of sput-
um, bacteriological and radioscopic findings and
the results of bronchoscopy. The age range was
19-39 yr. The length of exposure to the Pb fumes
had been between 30-167 days. The investigations
were made 3-6 mo after the exposure had ended.
In 7 men the symptoms of lung involvement appeared
between 2-12 wk from the date the work was started
and while still working there, but in the 8th man
not until 6 wk after the work had been abandoned.
The first symptom was a dry cough followed within
a few days by expectoration. The sputum varied
in quantity and was the color of Pb or black,
turning to yellow in 2. In 4 there were no phy-
sical signs or radiological abnormalities in the
lungs. The laboratory reports showed, in most,
hemolytic streptococci or Staphylococcus albus;
in 6 Pb, either metallic, Pb oxide or Pb sulfide,
was found in the sputum; in amount it varied from
37.7 to 85.5 ug/100 ml of the sample. Particles
of Pb were seen microscopically in the sputum.
Progress was observed by bronchoscopy. At the
first examination there was generally diffuse con-
gestion in the lower third of the trachea and in
the main bronchi, together with patches of diffuse
edematous inflammation several centimeters in
size in the lung tissue. In 5 of the patients
these cleared up. The treatment given was anti-
biotics for 7-10 days, followed by Meticorten
(prednisone) for 30 and then "balsams" for 10 days.
But the cessation of exposure to Pb fumes was no
doubt an important contributory factor in the im-
provement. It is suggested that fumes, possibly
nitrous, from the blowpipe accentuated the harm-
ful effect of the Pb and made the bronchitic in-
flammation irreversible in some cases, especially
where there was a preceding bacteriological in-
fection of the lungs. The medico-legal importance
of discovering and treating such cases early is
emphasized. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 33:52,
1958)
1662 Gherardi, M. (Univ. Parma, Italy):
Impiego del versenato disodico calcico
Man
323
-------
nel trattamento del personale esposto all'
azione del plombo tetraetile. (DISODIUM
CALCIUM VERSENATE IN THE TREATMENT OF
PERSONS EXPOSED TO TETRAETHYLLEAD.)
Folia Hedica (Naples) 39, No. I*:349-64,
1956.
Persons exposed occupationally to TEL but showing
no signs of poisoning were treated daily with
0.5-1 g Na~Ca versenate given iv for 5-7 days in
10% solution. There was no undesirable effect of
the treatment and increased excretion of Pb in the
urine was observed. The amount of Pb stored in
the organisms of such workers was small. It is
mentioned that in the early phase of poisoning
with TEL 8-mercaptoethylamine is useful as it
neutralizes the compound directly, whereas the
versenate does not have a direct action on the
organic compound. (18 references)
1663 Giammarco, R, (Bussi Div. Montecatini
Soc., Pescara, Italy): Importanza dell'-
awicendamento mensile nei reparti di pro-
duzione del piombotetraetile attraverso
1'esperienza di cinque anni di osserva-
zione clinica. (IMPORTANCE OF MONTHLY
SHIFTS IN LEAD TETRAETHYL PRODUCTION DE-
PARTMENTS, AS SEEN AFTER FIVE YEARS OF
CLINICAL EXAMINATION.) Medicina del Lav-
oro 47:539-47 (Oct.), 1956.
This is a report of the medical surveillance of
^200 workers, some of whom were veterans in TEL
production work going back to prewar days, over a
56-mo period. The frequency of subjective symp-
toms and objective signs, laboratory examination
results, and measures of prevention and treatment
are discussed at length. Among the most frequent
complaints were insomnia, asthenia, neuromuscular
pain, nausea with attempts at vomiting, tremors,
low blood pressure, and loss of weight. Urobilin-
uria was an early sign. The excretion of Pb with
the urine was never >300 yg/1. Technical preven-
tion lowered the concentration in the air to <150
Vig/nH. However, as far as reducing clinical symp-
toms were concerned, the best results were obtain-
ed by alternating the working groups for 1 mo at
TEL production and for 1 mo at work in the open
air. Tabulation of the frequency of complaints
before this rotation went into effect (1949-51),
when it was partially practiced (1952), and when
fully practiced (1953) showed clearly the effective-
ness of the measure. (20 references)
1664 Giannattasio, R.C. (Kings County Hosp.,
Brooklyn, N.Y.): BAL THERAPY IN LEAD
POISONING. New York State Journal of
Medicine 56, No. 22:3510-1, 1956.
The literature concerning treatment of plumbism
with BAL and CaNa2EDTA is reviewed. BAL is con-
sidered by the author as the preferable thera-
peutic agent in acute Pb encephalopathy. It
should be administered im in a dose of 4 mg/kg
body weight as a 10% solution in benzyl benzoate
and oil every 4 hr around the clock for 10-20
days. Treatment should not end after control of
the acute phase but ought to be continued with
either BAL (in courses of 10-20 days) or with
CaNa2EDTA (in oral doses of 50-75 mg/kg/day for
5-9 days, followed by a repeat course after 2
days' rest). A continuous program of deleading
with BAL or CaNa2EDTA should be instituted for
chronic plumbism.
1665 Giel, C.P., Kleinfeld, M., and Messite, J.
(Div. Ind. Hyg., New York State Dept.
Labor, New York): LEAD TOXICITY IN A
STORAGE-BATTERY PLANT. A.M.A. Archives
of Industrial Health 13:321-5 (Apr.),
1956.
A medical and environmental study of a storage-
battery plant known to have areas of hazardous
exposure to Pb is described. Air analyses since
1951 had shown concentrations exceeding permissible
limits (up to 0.65 mg Pb/m3). In spite of this,
from 1949-1953 cases of Pb intoxication were in-
frequently identified; 3 were diagnosed, with 1
needing hospitalization. There were some trans-
fers from exposed areas because of high stippled
cell counts and mild illness. In 1955, the time
of this study, medical evaluation, including lab-
oratory findings of 29 workers, disclosed the pres-
ence of Pb toxicity of a mild form in 12. The sud-
den rise in the incidence of Pb intoxication during
the period from Nov. 1954-Mar. 1955 is attributed
to the increased quantity and rate of production
per worker as a result of extensive layoffs and to
the transfer to hazardous areas of persons not
previously exposed to Pb.
The authors conclude that this study emphasizes
the need for the industrial physician to be alert
to such socioeconomic changes and to intensify his
control program at such times. The mild, insidious
nature of Pb intoxication to low-grade cumulative
exposure seen today is emphasized. Recommendations
for the control of the Pb hazard in this plant, in-
corporating medical and engineering phases, were
outlined.
1666 Giel, C.P., Kleinfeld, M., and Messite,
J. (New York State Dept. Labor, New York):
LEAD TOXICITY IN A STORAGE-BATTERY PLANT.
New York State Department of Labor Monthly
Review Division of Industrial Hygiene and
Safety Standards 35:21-4, 1956.
See preceding abstract.
1667 Glo'mme, J., and Swensson, A. (Karolinska
Inst., Stockholm, Sweden): Behandling av
akut och kronisk blyfo'rgiftning med EDTA.
(TREATMENT OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC LEAD POI-
SONING WITH EDTA,.) Svenska Lakartidningen
(Stockholm) 53:753-60 (Mar. 23), 1956.
The treatment of Pb poisoning including use of BAL
before discovery of the effectiveness of EDTA in
1948 is discussed. Two cases, one of acute and
one of chronic, poisoning, treated with CaEDTA
(Mosatil) are described. The author concludes
that this drug is effective in both types of poi-
soning, and considers that it could be used also
as a preventive of Pb poisoning.
1668 Gonsette, R., and Montanini, R. (Army
Cen. Neuropsychiatry, Charleroi, Belgium):
A propos d'une intoxication au plomb
d'allure familiale; aspects cliniques et
e'lectroence'phalographiques . (A CASE OF
LEAD POISONING IN A FAMILY; CLINICAL AND
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC ASPECTS.) Acta
Neurologica et Psychiatrica Belgica 56:
324
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
813-26, 1956.
Pb intoxication in a family, due to Pb-contaminated
drinking water, was reported. Although the expo-
sure was the same, the individual members reacted
differently. The 54-yr-old father developed Pb
encephalopathy without peripheral manifestations.
The 52-yr-old mother showed the typical intestinal
syndrome and a severe polyneuritis, but the deep
osteotendinous reflexes were unchanged. The 4
children had no subjective complaints but a clini-
cal test revealed the presence of stippled cells
in the blood and irregularities in the EEC. The
authors conclude that some individual or external
factors may induce different clinical reactions
under identical circumstances of poisoning. The
persistence of bone-sinew-reflexes despite severe
polyneuritis suggests, in addition to the nervous
and muscular lesions, a medullar lesion. Based on
the fact that various EEC's were taken during the
intoxication process (the first mentioned in the
literature) and compared with others taken in in-
toxication cases by various agents affecting the
central nervous system, the authors insist on the
usefulness of EEC's, as they reveal slight changes
even when no clinical symptoms are found. (38
references.)
1669 Granati, A., Scavo, D., and Peruzy, A.D.
(Univ. Rome, Italy): II ricambio pro-
tidico nel saturnismo professionale
cronico. Nota I. Le alterazioni della
protidemia serica. (PROTEIN REPLACEMENT
IN CHRONIC OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.
I. BLOOD PROTEIN CHANGES.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 39:853-63, 1956.
Electrophoretic determinations in 14 persons with
occupational Pb poisoning showed a general reduc-
tion in total protein and in serum albumin and a
relative increase in globulin. The 012" and $-
globulins, B-lipoproteins, and a- and B-glyco-
proteins were particularly increased.
1670 Graziani, G., Pecora, L., and Rossi, L.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): Ferro serico e
saturnismo. Nota V. - II comportamento
della transferrina e della protoporfirina
libera eritrocitaria nel saturnismo pro-
fessionale. (SERUM IRON AND LEAD POISON-
ING. V. BEHAVIOR OF TRANSFERRIN AND FREE
PROTOPORPHYRIN IN THE ERYTHROCYTES IN OC-
CUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 39:217-31 (Mar.), 1956.
Oral administration of Fe to 16 normal persons
produced a progressive increase in serum Fe with
a maximum after 4-6 hr. The transferrin decreased
proportionally, the total Fe-binding capacity re-
maining almost constant. The percentage satura-
tion of transferrin with Fe increased from an av
of 28% to a maximum of 74%. The percentage satur-
ation of transferrin in persons with Pb poisoning
was higher (av 44.5%) from the beginning, in ac-
cord with a higher Fe content of the serum. The
maximum obtained after 4 and 6 hr was 78 and 77%,
respectively. After iv administration of Fe the
percentage saturation in normal persons increased
from 34 to 100% within 3 min, dropped to 86% at 30
min, to 66% at 3 hr, and to 48% at 6 hr. The cor-
responding figures in Pb poisoning were 44, 98,
80, 63, and 52%. The free erythrocyte protoporphy-
rin (PP) was normally 30-40 yg/100 ml cells. In
most cases of Pb poisoning an increase to an av
of 140 ug was found. There was no parallelism be-
tween PP and the increase on Fe of the serum.
The authors conclude that the anemia in Pb poison-
ing is characterized by high blood Fe and high
blood PP, giving a picture resembling that of a
plastic anemia of inhibition.
1571 Groth, 0., and Rigner, K.G.- Ny blyfBr-
giftningsriek. (A NEW RISK OF LEAD POISON-
ING.) Nordisk Hyg. Tidksr. 37, No. 9/10:
238-41, 1956.
Two cases of severe Pb poisoning occurring in
workers at a small workshop producing Pb glass
reflectors are described, the clinical picture
being typical in both cases. Pb and coproporphy-
rin were found in the urine, and blood examination
showed basophilic stippling of the red cells and
a transient thrombocytopenia. Inspection of the
workshop showed that protection against Pb dust
was grossly inadequate and that personal hygiene
was below the standard required for Pb workers.
These cases illustrate that the occupational risk
can be great when new methods are used or new pro-
ducts are manufactured in small workshops, especi-
ally when knowledge of the risks involved is lack-
ing. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 32:157, 1957)
1672 Gryglewicz, E.: Zapobiegawcze stosowanie
etyleno-dwuamino-czterooctanu-dwusodowo-
wapniowego w stanach przedoZowiczych.
(PREVENTIVE APPLICATION OF ETHYLENEDI-
AMINE TETRAACETIC ACID CALCIUM-DISODIUM IN
PRE-PLUMBIC STATES.) Polski Tygodnik
Lekarski 11:817-21 (May 7), 1956.
1673 Hadengue, A., Albahary, C., and Le Breton,
R. (France): Hematies ponctuees Chez des
ouvriers exposes au cuivre et au cadmium.
Impregnation saturnine meconnue. (BASO-
PHIL STIPPLING IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO COPPER
AND CADMIUM. IGNORED EXPOSURE TO LEAD.)
Proceedings of the Society for Industrial
Medicine and Hygiene, Paris. Archives
des Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine
du Travail et de Se'curite' Sociale 17:472-7
(Sept.-Oct.), 1956.
The authors point out that the demonstration of
basophilic erythrocytes is specific for exposure
to Pb. Two cases are presented, in one of which a
bronze polisher, and in the other a worker exposed
to Cd salts, exhibited signs of Pb poisoning.
Animal experiments using the metallic dusts, to
which the men had been exposed, also produced in-
crease in basophilic cells. Chemical analysis of
the dusts showed Pb contamination to the extent of
1.9% in the one case, and "far from negligible"
amounts in the other.
1674 Hancox, N. (Liverpool Univ., England):
THE OSTEOCLAST. In G.H. Bourne, ed.:
The Biochemistry and Physiology of Bone,
New York, Academic Press, 1956, pp. 213-
50.
In this chapter in discussing the stimuli of osteo-
clasts (p 234-5) , the author summarizes certain
facts as follows: 1. injury or damage to bone
results in the appearance of osteoclasts; 2. me-
Man
325
-------
chanlcal pressure has the same effect; 3. injec-
tions of the parathyroid gland or even mere propin-
quity to gland substance lead to intense osteo-
clastic absorption; 4. certain substances of known
chemical constitution acting by parenteral injec-
tion or by local diffusion can be made to produce
a similar effect. One of these substances is Pb
salts. Essential change in all these conditions
is the appearance of large numbers of osteoclasts
and an absorption of bone in all parts of the skel-
eton.
1675 Hanusova, V., and Michalova, C.: SOME NEW
NOTIONS ON HIGHER NERVOUS ACTIVITY AND
SOME HUMORAL FACTORS IN PERSONS WORKING
WITH LEAD. Casopis lekafu ieskych 95:
1409-12, 1956.
The authors investigated the higher nervous activi-
ty, ascorbic acid, and cholesterol (as humoral
factors) in 23 persons exposed to toxic effects
of Pb. The examinations of higher nervous activ-
ities were brought into relationship with labora-
tory and clinical findings. Changes in higher
nervous activity were more frequent than patho-
logical laboratory findings. A significant deficit
of ascorbic acid was found in almost all exposed
subjects (20), with no difference between manifest
and symptomless cases of intoxication. No rela-
tionship was found between ascorbic acid deficit
and cholesterol. A hypothesis is advanced that
the deficiency of vitamin C is due to direct ef-
fect of Pb on the oxidation processes in tissues
and not caused by any disorder of the functional
system: central nervous system, adrenals, which
regulate the steroid hormone balance. (From
Abstracts Prague Institute of Industrial Hygiene
and Occupational Diseases, Science Reports 1952-
56, p. 38)
1676 Herrera, J.M.: Algunas observaciones
histopatologicas en la intoxicacion satur-
nina; a proposito de dos casos mortales en
un episodic colectivo de intoxicaci6n con
tetraetilato de plomo. (SEVERAL HISTO-
PATHOLOGIC OBSERVATIONS ON CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING: TWO FATAL CASES IN A MASS POI-
SONING WITH TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Archives
Medicos Panameftos 5, No. 1:8-23, 1956.
A mass intoxication of 18 workers occupied with
cleaning out the sediment in a tank that had been
filled with TEL-containing aviation gasoline is
described. Two fatal cases were subjected to
histopathology. Regressive disturbances of the
central nerve cells, frequently preceded by pseudo-
hypertrophic manifestations, and toxic damage of
the oligodendroglia were observed. The intersti-
tial cells showed alterations without exhibiting
signs of the characteristic progressive reaction
lability of the mesodermic component. Damage was
also noted in the endothelium, the adventitial
cells and the components of the perivascular re-
ticulum in the small blood vessels. Similar ef-
fects have been described in intoxications by oth-
er metals and their salts. It is assumed that a
large part of the damage is reversible since 16
subjects of the group reached complete remission
of the neurologic and psychic symptoms. (23 ref-
erences)
1677 Holecek, V.: Vylucovani koproporfyrinu
moci pri otrave olovem. I. Hladina prekur-
soru koproporfyrinu a preformovaneho kopro-
profyrinu v derstve' moci. II. Rozlozeni
isomeru koproporfyrinu I a III v moci.
(EXCRETION OF URINARY COPROPORPHYRIN IN
LEAD POISONING. I. LEVEL OF THE PRECURSOR
OF COPROPORPHYRIN AND PREFORMED COPROPOR-
PHYRIN AND PREFORMED COPROPORPHYRIN IN
FRESH URINE. II. DISTRIBUTION OF URINARY ,
COPROPORPHYRIN ISOMERS I AND III. Pracovni
Lekarstvi'8:333-6, 415-9, 1956.
See Abstract No. 1802.
1678 Horiuchi, K., Yamamoto, T., and Tamori, E.:
STUDIES ON THE INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING.
1. ABSORPTION, TRANSPORTATION, DEPOSITION,
AND EXCRETION OF LEAD. 2. A STUDY ON THE
LEAD CONTENT IN DAILY FOOD IN JAPAN. Osaka
City Medical Journal 3:84-113 (June),
1956. In Contributions from the Depart-
ment of Preventive Medicine and Public
Health, Osaka City University Medical
School. Vol. 1, April 1949-March 1959,
pp. 95-124.
The Pb content of a number of fresh and processed
Japanese foods was determined by ashing, chemical
treatment, and finally a modified dithizone meth-
od. Values of Pb were tabulated in yg/kg for
fresh and dried materials, and compared with lit-
erature data. From these values was calculated
the daily Pb intake from typical Japanese menus,
with tabulation of the foods, weights, protein
contents, caloric values, and estimated Pb con-
tents. For 4 menus given the calculated average
daily intake in pg was: 112.6-146.5, 37.3-60.8,
63.8-84.0, 206.7-265.7. Additional theoretical
diets were made up according to results of a
Japanese national nutrition survey. For these
diets, the Pb contents were estimated from food
values; then the meals were ashed and total Pb
determined. Foods, weights, protein, fat, caloric,
and Pb contents were tabulated. Daily intake of Pb
in Pg was: 5-mo bottle-fed infants, estimated
32.7-48.7, determined 61.2, estimated 75.2-135.5,
determined 146.1; 10-mo weanling, estimated 49.9-
104.1, determined 126.0; 3-4-yr-old, estimated
86.6-137.3, determined 157.6, estimated 94.4-
155.3, determined 169.7; 10-yr-old, estimated
122.3-225.4, determined 254.6; ordinary adults,
estimated 99.4-171.8, determined 238.7, estimated
117.0-195.9, determined 317.6, estimated 96.6-
178.9, determined 273.5; laborers, estimated 91.3-
247.8, determined 299.1; hard laborers, estimated
153.3-407.1, determined 454.7.
Conclusions from the study were that: Fresh
meat, fruit, and vegetables contain comparatively
a large amount of Pb; the Pb content decreases
somewhat after washing with water; a fairly large
amount is found in the intestines of some kinds of
small fish; the Pb content in perishables in-
creases as a rule after they are dressed or cooked;
a large amount of Pb is present in canned and bot-
tled foods. The approximate Pb content in a daily
menu for adults was calculated to be an av 105-139
yg. The oral intake could be set at ^239-318 yg,
and the total intake by adults through respiratory
and digestive tracts, at ^200-400 ug daily. (15
references)
326
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1679 Kitzmiller, K.V.: THE ORGAN SYSTEMS IN
RELATION TO OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE. THE
HEMOPOIETIC SYSTEM. Proceedings of Eighth
Annual Meeting of the American Academy of
Occupational Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio,
Feb. 15-17, 1956, pp. 20-5.
The influence of industrial and environmental con-
ditions on blood and blood-forming organs, and in-
terpretation of findings are discussed. The ne-
cessity of establishing a range of normal values
for any industrial group based on surveys of such
a population, as well as that of unexposed or con-
trol groups is stressed. In the Pb trades, confi-
dence remains in the role of stippled cells (SC)
as an index of Pb absorption in comparison with
similar counts on persons unexposed to Pb. A pro-
gressive increase in SC over a period of several
weeks requires, however, quantitative analysis of
Pb in blood and urine, as well as periodic blood
counts and Hb determinations. Once anemia devel-
ops, the presence or absence of SC alone is insuf-
ficient for the diagnosis of Pb poisoning. Cor-
relation of all diagnostic aids, including porphy-
rin determinations, is recommended. (12 refer-
ences)
1680 Koch, H.J., Smith, E.R., Shimp, N.F., and
Connor, J. (Sloan-Kettering Inst. for
Cancer Res., New York, N.Y.): ANALYSIS OF
TRACE ELEMENTS IN HUMAN TISSUES. I. NOR-
MAL TISSUES. Cancer 9, No. 3:499-511,
1956.
The analytical methods used for the determination
of trace elements in human tissues and fluids In
this study and the precision of each method is
first reported. The concentrations of Al, Bi, Cd,
Cr, Co, Cu, Ga, Pb, Mo, Ni, Sn, Ti, V and Zn in 20
different organs from 8 normal human subjects and
normal blood values for Cr, Co, Cu, Pb and Zn are
given in graphs and discussed as follows: For Al,
negligible amounts were found in liver and spleen
when compared with the concentration in the lungs.
Bi was detected only in 1 bladder sample in a con-
centration of 10 ug/g ash. For Cd, the highest
concentration was found in the kidney (which was
5-7 times that in the liver) and increased with
age, the next highest was in the liver. Cr was
detected in all organs studied, with highest con-
centration in the small intestine and thyroid; as
plasma 0.7-5.2 lag Cr/100 ml (mean, 2.2 ug ± 1.2)
was found. The concentration of Co in the organs
was very low, the highest value of 30 ug/g ash
being in the kidney. The highest mean of Cu was
in the liver and the highest maximal, in the
prostate. Ca was found only in 2 lung samples in
the amount of 3.5 and 6 ug/g ash, respectively.
Fe is shown only in a graph, indicating highest
values in muscle (>20,000 ug/g ash). Spectro-
chemical analysis of 17 plasma samples for Pb gave
a range of 0.7-7.7 ug/100 ml, mean 3.9 + 2.0 yg.
All organs studied contained detectable amounts
of Pb, the highest concentration being in bone.
Mo was found in the liver and lung, small amounts
in kidney, muscle, spleen and small intestine.
Ni in plasma ranged from 1-8.5 ug/100 ml mean 3.0
±1.9 ug. Ni occurred in all tissues studied,
bladder and small intestine showing the highest
level. Sn also was present in all tissues studied,
with highest amounts in bladder, lung, liver,
prostate. Ti was detected only in 2 subjects; in
one of them only in the lungs (140 ug/g ash), in
the other in all organs studied (70-550 ug/g ash).
V was found only in 1 lung sample in the amount of
11 ug/g ash. Zn was present in most organs, main-
ly prostate (2000-15,000 ug/g ash). (40 referen-
ces)
1681 Larens, W. (Univ. Heidelberg, Germany):
Zum Krankheitsbild der Bleiencephalopathie.
(CLINICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY.)
Nervenarzt 27:229-32 (May), 1956.
The case of a 43-yr-old worker in a paint factory,
who was admitted to the hospital with acute cere-
bral involvement, is described. His main job had
been in the removal of old paint, by sandblasting,
from tanks and steel structures. In the 2 yr he
had done this, physical examinations showed no
disorders of any sort. More recently, he and 2
other men had to use cutting torches on a job
where sandblasting could not be done. Although
they wore respirators, all 3 became afflicted with
gastric disorders, and in his case, the disturb-
ances led to 2 epileptic attacks. Acute Pb en-
cephalitis was the diagnosis on the basis of the
acute nature of the illness, of blood findings,
Pb line, Pb in blood of 119 ug% and 333 ug% in
urine. Spinal puncture showed 77 ug% Pb in spinal
fluid.
The author reviews the pathologic findings in Pb
encephalopathy, and in closing points to the dan-
ger of removing paint from steel structures by use
of cutting torches in enclosed areas.
1682 LeBlond, C.P., and Greullch, R.C. (McGill
Univ., Montreal, Canada): AUTORADIOGRAPH-
IC STUDIES OF BONE FORMATION AND GROWTH.
In G.H. Bourne, ed.: The Biochemistry and
Physiology of Bone, Academic Press, New
York, 1956, pp. 325-58.
This chapter examines information related to the
dual type of growth of bone (from minerals and
matrix) obtained by the use of the autoradiograph-
ic (or radioautographic) technique. Pioneer iso-
toplc investigations of mineral acquisition by
bone were carried out using Pb isotopes (radium
D, thorium B). However, these have become obso-
lete by the use of less physiological "bone-seek-
ing" elements and recent comprehensive works on
the subject have been carried out either with 32p
or ^5Ca, 45ca being generally preferred (p. 325).
1683 Lecocq, J., and Guyotjeannin, C. (France):
Le dosage de 1'uree sanguine dans la pre-
vention du saturnisme professionnel. (DE-
TERMINATION OF BLOOD UREA IN THE PREVEN-
TION OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Pro-
ceedings of the Society of Industrial
Medicine and Hygiene, Paris. Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Securite Sociale 17:466-9
(Sept.-Oct.), 1956.
In 1952, the authors had called attention to the
proposal that the determination of urea in blood
could constitute a valuable diagnostic sign for
the prevention of Pb poisoning, but emphasized
the difficulty of interpretation of results. Since
this test has become obligatory under the law
adopted in 1955 for preemployment examinations for
Man
327
-------
work involving Pb exposure, they repeat their ear-
lier caution. The basis of their objection is that
an abnormal level may be due to some passing phase
in metabolism; free sweating may be a cause, or
abnormal protein diet, especially if associated
with alcoholism. Attention to diet may easily
abate the abnormal level. An industrial doctor,
examining for work entailing a Pb hazard, should
proceed with caution. A refusal to pass the indi-
vidual may label him with a low capacity for em-
ployment and do him harm in the labor market. The
same applies to removal from the hazard to safer
work. The doctor must proceed carefully, pass the
person and keep a watch on his further health.
Notes on 24 instances are cited: Some with ex-
posure to Pb and an abnormally high level of urea
which became normal under dietary control; some
with high blood pressure or chronic nephritis
with no abnormal level of urea; some with Pb ex-
posure but no signs of Pb absorption, but an ab-
normally high urea level; some intended to face a
Pb hazard who were found to have an abnormally
high level; and some with Pb absorption and a high
level. What should be regarded as a dangerous
limit has not been decided.
1684 Lowicki, N. (Duisburg-Hamborn): Das
Schrifttum Uber die Bleikrankheit aus den
Jahren 1949-1952. (BIBLIOGRAPHY ON LEAD
POISONING FOR THE YEARS 1949-1952.)
Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Schriften der Gesell-
schaft Deutscher Metalhtltten- und Bergleute
e.V., No. 5, 1956, 73 pp.
A survey is presented of the literature on Pb poi-
soning. The large number of 246 references indi-
cates that in spite of measures for the control of
poisoning, this disease still maintains its pre-
dominance among the occupational diseases. The
listing of the references is preceded by a critical
review of Pb hazards, diagnosis, treatment, pre-
vention, as well as Pb poisoning in animals.
(From Zentralblatt ftlr Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeits-
schutz 6:268 (Book Reviews), 1956)
1685 Masiak, M.: Wykrycie olowiu w kamieniach
nerkowych wydalonych w przebiegu choroby
Recklinghausena. (PRESENCE OF LEAD IN
RENAL CALCULI ELIMINATED IN RECKLING-
HAUSEN'S DISEASE OF BONE.) Pol. Ty. Lek.
11:1708-10, 1956.
Renal and urinary calculi from a 40-yr-old woman
with Recklinghausen's disease of bone were exam-
ined by spectral analysis. In addition to Ca and
Mg phosphates, they contained Pb, Mn and Si. The
Pb was presumably derived from breakdown of the
bone tissue in which it had been stored as a re-
sult of occupational exposure (the patient worked
in a printing shop) . This is further evidence of
the formation of renal calculi from minerals lib-
erated by the destruction of bone. (From Excerpta
Medica, Sect. II, 10:Abstr. No. 2895, 1957)
1686 Merklen, A. (Xertigny, France): J'aurais
du penser au saturnisme. (I THOUGHT OF
LEAD POISONING.) Revue Medicale de Nancy
81:334-5 (Apr.), 1956.
Two cases of Pb poisoning are described. In one,
a pregnant woman was examined in January and mis-
carried soon thereafter. She was pale, thin,
tired, had abdominal pains and was hospitalized
for appendicitis. Surgery showed no inflamed
appendix and no signs of intestinal obstruction.
In March, the author "subconsciously" diagnosed
the case as Pb poisoning. The husband affirmed,
"My wife is fond of dandelions which she cuts
during the day and leaves overnight in vinegar in
a salad bowl with a Pb spoon." A Burton line was
found and the patient died a few days later. Case
2 was a woman who suffered from minor intestinal
obstruction and pain in the legs. Surgery re-
vealed a gangrenous appendix with pus around the
gallbladder. She suffered from gradual weakening
of vision and increased blood urea, which was
diagnosed as an "amaurosis by a central vascular
spasm of uremic origin." Five years later, symp-
toms were vomiting, constipation, buzzing in the
ears and she was treated with drugs for renal in-
sufficiency. The next year, her hands were bent
and a diagnosis of Pb poisoning caused by the water
pipes was made.
1687 Merlevede, R.: Perturbations biochimiques
en toxicologic industrielle. Le mecanisme
des intoxications dues au plomb, aux hydro-
carbures volatils et au sulfure de carbone.
(BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN INDUSTRIAL TOXICOL-
OGY: MECHANISM OF POISONING BY LEAD, VOLA-
TILE HYDROCARBONS AND CARBON DISULPHIDE.)
Arch, beiges med. sociale, hyg. med. du
travail et med. le'gale 14:194-222 (Apr.),
1956.
The author has undertaken a study of the biochemi-
cal changes and the mechanism of intoxication due
to some of the principal causal agents of compen-
sable industrial disease in certain sections of
Belgian industry: Pb, volatile hydrocarbons and C
disulphide.
The 1st symptoms of Pb poisoning occur when the
blood Pb reaches a level of 70-80 g/100 ml. When
absorbed into the blood, Ph.. combines with the SH
groups in the red corpuscles, and Pb anemia is
attributed partly to hemolysis and partly to uri-
nary elimination of coproporphyrin III, necessary
for the synthesis of hemoglobin. Pb in the form
of tertiary phosphate (Pb2(PO^)2) is deposited to
the extent of 90-95% in the bones. The recent
method of mobilizing Pb from the bones by the che-
lating agent CaEDTA is based on the capacity of
this salt to form a non-toxic Pb complex which is
eliminated unaltered by the kidney. Subjective
symptoms disappear within 24 hr of a dosage of 1
g, and basophil granulation and coproporphyrinuria
after 2 or possibly 3 5-day courses. Longstanding
lesions, such as toxic nephritis with hypertension
and nerve palsies, are considered irreversible.
(From Bulletin of Hygiene 32:51-2, 1957)
1688 Meyers, G.B. (Electric Storage Battery Co.,
Philadelphia, Pa.): LEAD ABSORPTION EX-
PERIENCES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRIC
STORAGE BATTERIES. Industrial Medicine
and Surgery 25:4-9 (Jan.), 1956.
There is considerable exposure to Pb in the manu-
facture of electric storage batteries. To deter-
mine the extent of Pb absorption, the author re-
viewed the records of 1379 Pb workers who had pro-
cessed 41,870,000 Ib Pb over a 24-mo period. He
starts with the premise that Pb control consists
328
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
basically of the control of Pb in the environment
(ventilation, protective clothing and respirators
where needed, good housekeeping and clean eating,
clothing change and bathing facilities); education
of supervisors and personnel; an adequate medical
program.
Two departments with relatively high and low
amounts of Pb in air were chosen for evaluation of
stippled erythrocytes, urinary Pb, and porphyrin
values with the following, respectively, indicat-
ing above average levels: >12 cells/50 oil emer-
sion fields (Wright's stain); >0.12 mg/1 freshly
voided urine; specimens examined under UV light
showing pink fluorescence of surface ring were
considered to give positive porphyrin reaction.
Air concentrations >1.5 mg/10 m3 (dithizone method)
were considered above average. Urine analyses
were done every 4-8 wk on all workers, and in the
study areas findings were closely related to Pb in
air.
For the program, Pb levels of 0.01-0.06 mg/1 are
taken as nonoccupational normal absorption; 0.06-
0.15 as occupational normal absorption; 0.15-0.20
as hazardous absorption, and higher levels to re-
present Pb intoxication. Workers with 0.15 mg/1
are rechecked at 2-4 wk intervals. Those with >20
mg/1 are subjected to blood Pb determination,
hemoglobin, erythrocyte counts, routine urinalysis,
history and physical examination. This is re-
peated at 1-4 wk intervals until a safe Pb level
is reached. Criteria for blood Pb findings are
based on: 0.02-0.04 mg% nonoccupational normal ab-
sorption; 0.04-0.07 mg% occupational normal; 0.07-
0.08 mgZ occupational hazardous; JO.O mg% Pb in-
toxication.
The authors conclude that urine Pb determina-
tions are superior to stippled erythrocyte counts
or porphyrin determinations for screening Pb work-
ers. Pb workers should be examined routinely for
urinary Pb excretion at intervals of 4-8 wk or
more often if indicated. About 85% of the Pb work-
ers at his plant have urine Pb excretion of <0.15
mg/1. A hazardous Pb absorption zone of urine Pb
levels from 0.15-0.20 mg/1 and of blood Pb levels
from 0.07-0.08 mg/100 ml is useful and practical in
a Pb absorption control program. Approximately
12% of the Pb workers in the plant described have
urinary Pb excretion of 0.15-0.20 mg/1. Blood
Pb determinations are necessary to supplement
urinary Pb findings. Approximately 6% of these
Pb workers require such examination. Less than 3%
of these Pb workers required a complete work-up
because of excessive Pb absorption. Under such a
program, signs and symptoms of hazardous Pb
absorption and of early Pb intoxication are scanty.
Transfer to a non-Pb job is all the treatment re-
quired in a hazardous Pb absorption or in early
Pb intoxication. Lost time due to a Pb intoxication
can be eliminated by early diagnosis.
Ifigg Minogue, S.J. (Sydney, Australia): KORSA-
KOFF'S DISEASE DUE TO LEAD AND ARSENIC
POISONING. Medical Journal of Australia
2:16-7 (July 7), 1956.
Three middle-aged women with a history of alcohol-
ism showed signs and symptoms of Korsakoff's dis-
ease. However, restlessness persisted for weeks,
acute exacerbations of symptoms occurred repeated-
ly and the peripheral neuritis was also atypical.
The Pb and As levels in the urine were well above
normal in all 3 patients; in one case the Pb level
was up to 0.37 mg/1. The readings returned grad-
ually to normal without special treatment. The
authors state that it is accepted that Korsakoff's
disease may be due to Pb and As poisoning. This
has been so rarely diagnosed that its possibility
is often overlooked in a differential diagnosis.
1690 Montero Marchena, J. (Moron de la Fron-
tera, Seville, Spain): Ambliopia tdxica
en el saturnismo cronico. (TOXIC AMBLYO-
PIA IN CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Hispalis
Medica 13:493-4 (Oct.), 1956.
The diagnosis of the probably Pb-induced amblyo-
pia in a 54-yr-old typographer was based on the
color of the skin, occupational history, liver
disorder evidenced by the presence of urobilin
(which occurs frequently in Pb poisoning), hypo-
chromic anemia, discrete depigmentation of the
temporal portion of the optic disk and absence of
other causes. Treatment with "Cocarbil" brought
recovery of vision within 3 mo.
1691 Mosci, L. (Univ. Genoa, Italy): Occlusione
dell'arteria centrale della retina in un
lavoratore del piombo. (Contribute clini-
co e considerazioni generali.) (OCCLUSION
OF A CENTRAL RETINAL ARTERY IN A LEAD
WORKER. (A CLINICAL CONTRIBUTION AND GEN-
ERAL CONSIDERATIONS.)) Ann. ottalmo e
clin. occulist. 82, No. 8:397-402, 1956.
Reference is made to the observation of a case of
occlusion of the central retinal artery with sub-
sequent optic atrophy in a Pb worker . The pos-
sibility is discussed that 2 different pathogenic
factors have coincided here: ischaemia, due to
alterations of the vascular apparatus, and direct
action of the metal on the nerve fibers. The
fact that arterial pressure measured in the upper
arm was lower than normal confirms the modern views
on pressure values in cases of Pb poisoning. (From
Excerpta Medica, Sect. 12, ll:Abstr. No. 1500, 1957)
1692 Mueller, J. (Dept. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis-
eases, Prague, Czechoslovakia): FACTORS
INFLUENCING THE MECHANISM OF LEAD POISON-
ING. Osaka City Medical Journal 2:129-40,
1956.
This is an English translation of the author's
article published in 1950; see Abstr. No. 1235.
1693 Njemirovskij , Z.: (DENTAL CALCULUS IN
LEAD WORKERS.) Arhiv Hig. Rada 7:263-5,
1956.
In examining the oral cavities of workers in a
storage battery plant, in a Pb mine and a smelting
plant the author noticed a high incidence of dental
calculus. Analysis of the dental calculus showed
a higher percentage of Pb particles in the Pb
workers than in nonexposed persons. The Pb in
dental calculus may be deposited in the surrounding
gum tissue. (From Industrial Hygiene Digest 21:
840, 1957)
1694 Nunziante Cesaro, A., Granata, A., and
Saitta, G. (Univ. Messina, Italy): Le
fosfatasi acide ed alcaline nel sangue
periferico di soggetti normali e di sog-
Man
329
-------
getti affetti da alcune tecnopatie. Pro-
cedimento per la colorazione delle fos-
fatasi aclde negli element! figurati del
sangue periferico. (ACID AND ALKALINE
PHOSPHATASES IN THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD OF
NORMAL PERSONS AND THOSE WITH OCCUPATIONAL
AILMENTS. HISTOCHEMICAL DETERMINATION OF
PHOSPHATASES IN THE FORMED BLOOD ELE-
MENTS.) Folia Medica (Naples) 39:132-9
(Feb.), 1956.
For acid phosphatase the smears were fixed with
formaldehyde vapor, washed with water, incubated
24 hr at 37° in a substrate consisting of 10% Na
g-glycerophosphate, 4 ml, 15% Pb nitrate 2 ml,
acetate buffer pH 4.7 15 ml, washed with water,
treated 20-25 min with 10% ammonium sulfide, and
washed with water for 10 min. For alkaline phos-
phatase the method of Gomori-Takamatsu, modified
by Rabat and Furth was used. Both phosphatases
were found in the lymphocytes, monocytes, neutro-
phil and eosinophilic granulocytes, mast leuko-
cytes and platelets. There was no difference be-
tween normal persons and patients with Pb poison-
ing, silicosis, acetonic and acetic acid poisoning,
and men employed in P treatment of metals and
Parke process.
1J95 Odescalchi, C.P. (Univ. Padua, Italy):
Richerche sulla prevenzione medicamentosa
del saturnismo. (RESEARCH ON THE MEDICAL
PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING.) Minerva
Medica 47:150-4 (July 11), 1956.
The author first reviews rather extensively the
various agents used or studied in the prevention
of Pb poisoning, such as EDTA (more useful in
diagnosis than in cure), levulose, liver extracts,
vitamin B-J^J folic acid, Ca, amino acids, and
milk (which has been subject to great debate).
His own work has been the study of the effective-
ness of tablets composed of serum albumin (total
N 13-15%), P and Ca ions. These were first tested
in vitro, in a homogenized aqueous suspension to
which 1% solution of Pb nitrate was added in in-
creasing doses (0.5-20 ml). After centrifugation,
the supernatant liquid was reacted with Na sulfide.
In all samples the reaction was negative, while in
the control without the suspension it was positive.
Next, 50 workers of several Pb industries were
subjected to the urinary and fecal Pb excretion
test to reveal the degree of exposure and absorp-
tion, using Kehoe's criteria. Determination of Pb
was by the method of Kehoe et al (1939). The
preparation was administered before meals at a
dose of 2-4 keratinized tablets (400 mg each)/day.
The concentrations found in urine before and after
administration, in rag/1, and in feces, in mg/24 hr,
were: in manual compositors, 0.054-0.175 and
0.040-0.150; 0.61-1.71; in accumulator factory
workers 0.12-0.186 and 0.08-0.90; 0.67-2.70 and
0.90-3.80; in PbO manufacture workers, 0.17-0.33
and 0.13-0.22; 2.26-3.09 and 2.57-4.10, respective-
ly-
The author concludes that the PbO workers were
exposed to greatest risk and that the P-Ca-protein
preparation (supplied under the trade name "Preval-
ba") was effective in binding the absorbed Pb, and
forming insoluble compounds in the intestinal
tract.
1J96 Oltramare, M. (Policlinique Med. Univ.,
Geneva, Switzerland): Intoxication
saturnine professionnelle avec manifesta-
tions cerebrales, resales et sanguines
chez une ouvriere de poterie. (OCCUPA-
TIONAL LEAD POISONING WITH EFFECTS ON THE
BRAIN, KIDNEY AND BLOOD IN A POTTERY WORK-
ER.) Praxis 43, No. 8: 173-8, 1956.
Severe Pb poisoning occurred in a 44-yr-old woman
who had been working in a pottery for 3 yr. Her
job consisted in hand-dipping plates into an enam-
el bath which contained >25% (vol) Pb. No pre-
cautionary measures were taken, the workers did
not even wash their hands before eating. Com-
plaints of vomiting after ingestion of fatty food
started after VL yr's work. Other symptoms,
such as fatigue, anorexia and visual disturbances
developed during the 2nd yr. A physician whom she
consulted diagnosed an anemia which responded
readily to transfusions and liver extract. After
she went back to work, her symptoms soon returned
in aggravated form; epileptic convulsions occurred
and a blood test showed the presence of stippled
cells and Pb content of 140 mg/100 ml. Since
treatments with BAL (400 mg/day for 2 days, then
100 mg/day for 2 days) made her condition worse,
iv administration of EDTA was started which re-
sulted in disappearance of the nervous symptoms,
coproporphyrinuria and stippled blood cells. The
residual anemia was treated with vitamin Bi2,
ACTH and cortisone, but a moderate anemia and
some edema still persisted 2 yr after the intoxi-
cation.
1697 Paterni, L. (Univ. Rome, Italy): ARTERIO-
SCLEROSIS IN OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE. AR-
TERIOSCLEROSIS FROM WORK AND FROM TECHNI-
CAL DISEASE. Folia Med. (Naples) 39:573-
603, 1956.
A typical type of arteriosclerosis is produced by
muscular work and another by the effects of in-
dustrial poisons such as As, Pb, Mn, Hg, nitrates,
CO, and C$2. (179 references) (From Chemical
Abstracts 50:15992, 1956)
169g Pecora, L., Fati, S., Vecchione, C., and
Brancaccio, A. (Univ. Naples, Italy): RE-
LATION BETWEEN LEAD IN THE BLOOD AND IN
VIVO SYNTHESIS OF FREE PROTOPORPHYRIN OF
THE ERYTHROCYTES. Folia Med. (Naples)
39:1133-46, 1956.
Pb in Pb poisoning circulates mainly in the plasma
and the small part bound to the erythrocytes is
adsorbed to the surface. Pb injected into the
blood stream in vivo does not interfere with the
protoporphyrin synthesis although this happens
in vitro, because in the latter case the protec-
tive action of the serum is absent. (From Chemi-
cal Abstracts 51:8934, 1957)
1699 Pendini, A., and Odescalchi, C.P. (Univ.
Padua, Italy): II midollo nel saturnismo.
(THE BONE MARROW IN LEAD POISONING.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 39:335-48 (Apr.),
1956
Bone marrow studies were carried out on 12 patients
with various degrees of Pb poisoning. A constant
depression of the Karyokinetic global index with
a definite prevalence in the erythrocyte series
330
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
was found. (From authors' summary; 20 references)
1700 Pendini, A., and Odaleschi, C.P.: (PLUMB-
ISM AND THE COLOPATHIC SYNDROME.) Gior.
Clin. med. 37:241-58 (Feb.), 1956.
The authors studied the colopathic syndrome in 25
patients with plumbism. Eleven patients had colic
only once. Four had it 2 or 3 times. These 4
patients had had appendicostomies, 2 after 1 yr of
work, 1 after 10 yr, and 1 after 22 yr of exposure
to Pb. According to some authors, recurrent ap-
pendicitis is frequent among patients with plumb-
ism. Hypochromia was present in all patients.
The number of red blood cells with granular baso-
philic degeneration was high. Porphyrinuria had
increased in almost all patients. The renal func-
tion was normal in only 16 patients. Three showed
a slight decrease in the power of concentration or
dilution. The blood pressure was normal. Some
hyperchlorhydria was present in 8. Radiology
showed acceleration in the passage of the motor
test meal through the gastrointestinal tract.
Signs of spastic or hypertpnic colitis were present
in all patients. Duodenal ulcer was present in 1,
but the authors doubt that it had anything to do
with the patient's plumbism. The age of the pa-
tient and the length of the exposure showed no re-
lation to the frequency with which the colopathic
syndrome occured. Frequency of colic and the whole
syndrome were independent of the spastic colitis
caused by plumbism. Anemia and porphyrinuria were
not correlated with the degree of intensity of the
colopathy. Disturbances of the gastric juices had
nothing in common with the syndrome. All the pa-
tients showed clinical or radiologic evidence of
colitis. The authors think that use of alcohol,
excessive smoking, poor hygienic habits, poor and
unregulated diet, and other bad physical and
psychic factors must be considered together with
the toxic effect of Pb to which these patients
were exposed during their work. (From Journal of
the American Medical Association 161:1425 (Ab-
stracts), 1956)
1701 Perrault, M., Clavel, B., and Chain, F.
(Paris, France): IntSret actuel de la
che"lation on th^rapeutique. (PRESENT VALUE
OF CHELATION IN THERAPEUTICS.) ThSrapie
11, No. 4:735-44, 1956.
The results of CaNa^EDTA treatment of occupational
Pb poisoning in a 31-yr-old battery plant worker
(N. African), who after having been employed for
1 yr guffered from a typical Pb colic and pain in
the lower extremities, are described. At admission
in hospital examination showed a great number of
stippled cells, no coproporphyrins and a blood Pb
concentration of 115 yg/100 ml (normal 40 yg). The
drug (prepared by the authors since it was not
available in France) was infused iv in a dose of
0.50 g in a 250 ml saline solution over 2-3 hr
twice/day for 4 days. After an interval of 3 days
the course was repeated, but then 1 injection/day
of parathormone was added in order to mobilize the
Pb from the bones. At the end of the 1st course
the clinical symptoms had completely disappeared,
the number of stippled erythrocytes had dropped
from 47,400 to 14,000/million. The blood Pb level
had decreased to 85 ug/100 ml. After a 3-day rest
period the urinary Pb was 1.5 mg/day. During the
1st 2 days of the 2nd course, Pb excretion in-
creased again to 3.3-5.7 mg/24 hr. At the end of
the treatment the patient was much improved; the
blood-picture normal without stippled cells, the
blood Pb had dropped to 40 yg/100 ml.
The authors recommend the CaNa2EDTA in cases of
Pb poisoning over the use of BAL and indicate the
modes of'application, stressing the originality
of their method and review other diseases for
which it has been re-commended. (23 references).
1702 Perrault, M., Truhaut, R., Klotz, B.,
Boudene, C., Dreux, C., Clavel, B., and
Chain, F. (Lab. Toxic. Ind. Hyg., Univ.
Paris, France): Sur 1'efficacite de
1'E.D.T.A. calcique dans 1'intoxication
saturnine professionnelle. (THE EFFECTIVE-
NESS OF CaEDTA, IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POI-
SONING.) Archives des Maladies Profes-
sionnelles de Medecine du Travail et de
Securite Sociale 17:423-9; discussion 470-
2, 1956.
A case of acute occupational Pb poisoning is de-
scribed. The man, who was employed in making
storage batteries, had been handling for ] yr a
mixture containing Pb. He had paroxysms of ab-
dominal pain and suffered from constipation, se-
vere headaches and pains in the legs. There was
an absence of coproporphyrinuria, but moderate
anemia with very large number of stippled cells,
and Pb content in blood of 115 ug/100 ml. CaEDTA
was given by intravenous (iv) perfusions, with
rapid removal of all pains and feeling of malaise.
The perfusion was given over a period of 2-3 hr
twice a day for 4 days and this course was re-
peated after an interval of 3 days. The headaches
and joint pains persisted until the 2nd course.
Stippled red cells soon disappeared from the blood
and large amounts of Pb were excreted in the urine.
The action of CaEDTA is considered at length.
It is a chelating agent which means that it cap-
tures Pb or other metals from the tissues, con-
verting them into soluble and non-toxic salts;
these salts are promptly carried to the kidneys to
be excreted. Pb in the soft tissues and blood is
first chelated; the Pb stored in the bones passes
into the blood where it is chelated in turn.
Metals which may be chelated are Ca, Cu, Pb, Hg,
Fe and Cr. In order to avoid chelation of normal
Ca, leading to hypocalcemia and tetany, the Ca
salt is used instead of the Na salt. The Pb ex-
creted in the urine may reach 4 mg in a child and
10 mg in an adult/day. The authors prefer iv ad-
ministration, since the contents of the stomach
may neutralize some of the chelating power before
the drug reaches the blood. In the discussion, a
plea is entered for oral administration in less
acute cases to hospitalized patients or treated as
ambulatory cases. Possibly EDTA might be used
prophylactically for workers unavoidably exposed
to a Pb hazard. EDTA is far less toxic than BAL;
in fact, no injurious side effects have been seen.
Its possible value in other conditions besides Pb
poisoning has yet to be assessed. A successful
ambulatory case is described.
In the discussion, Albahary discusses his ex-
perience with the drug. He agrees with the above
authors that oral administration in milder cases
would be more convenient, and raises the question
Man
331
-------
of prophylactic treatment for heavily exposed
workers. The optimum procedure still needs to be
determined.
1703 Perrault, M., Truhaut, R. , Klotz, B.,
Dreux, C., Clavel, B., and Chain, F.:
Traitement par un che"lateur (EDTA calci-
que) d'un cas d'intoxication saturnine
professionnelle re"cente premiere observa-
tion francaise; interet general de la
methode. (TREATMENT OF A RECENT CASE OF
OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING WITH A CHELAT-
ING AGENT, CALCIUM SALT OR ETHYLENEDIAMINE
TETRAACETIC ACID; FIRST FRENCH CASE; GEN-
ERAL VALUE OF THIS METHOD.) Bull. Mem.
Soc. Med. Hop. Paris 72:262-9 (Mar.),
1956.
See preceding abstract.
1704 Picard, R. (Nantes, France): Saturnisme
d'origine hydrique dans les regions grani-
tique. (LEAD POISONING FROM WATER CONTAMI-
NATION IN GRANITIC REGIONS.) Revue de
Pathologie Ge'ne'rale et Compare'e 56:1770-82,
1956.
The danger of Pb poisoning from the use of Pb pipes
for conducting drinking water in granitic regions
is explained on the basis that (1) water is low in
mineral content; (2) is poor in Ca carbonates
(where these are present, an insoluble Pb carbonate
is formed and acts as a protective layer); (3) con-
tains nitrates and chlorides which, with the aid of
atmospheric C02 form soluble Pb compounds. Three
epidemics of Pb poisoning of 27, 18 and 11 cases,
respectively, due to contamination of water were
observed since 1923 in the eastern part of France.
Numerous cases had first been mistaken for intesti-
nal obstruction, appendicitis, cholecystitis, renal
lithiasis or even cancer. Arterial hypertension,
stippled erythrocytes and coproporphyrinuria were
considered as reliable signs of Pb poisoning.
Analysis of the water which had caused the poison-
ings showed Pb contents of 1-3 mg/1. The author
points out that Pb pipes for drinking water should
not be permitted.
1705 Pollini, R.R.: Considerazioni sulla morte
di una intera famiglia per il presunto
awelenamento da piombo tetraetile.
(DEATH OF AN ENTIRE FAMILY BY THE PRESUMED
POISONING BY TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Rassegna
di Medicine Industriale 25:56-62 (Jan.-
Feb.), 1956.
In 1946 Cavallazzi reported the poisoning of an
entire family by the vapors of a liquid used as a
disinfectant in a home. The same incident was
reported again in 1947 by Luccarello and Provasoli.
These authors attributed the poisoning to TEL.
Pollini questions the validity of their conclusions
on the basis that pure ethyl fluid could not have
been used since it is not available commercially;
also that leaded gasoline contains an insufficient
quantity of ethyl fluid to have caused such dra-
matic and rapid poisoning. Also such gasoline is
not sold as disinfectant. He believes that the
liquid in question was a solution of methyl bro-
mide. The signs of intoxication by methyl bromide
and TEL are discussed. (21 references)
1706 Prato, V., and Fiorina, L. (Univ. Turin,
Italy): II midollo osseo nell'intossica-
zione professionale da piombo. (THE BONE
MARROW IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.)
Minerva Medica 47:1937-45 (Dec. 8), 1956.
The behavior of the bone marrow was studied in 17
cases of occupational Pb poisoning. It was found
to be stimulated in an attempt to counteract the
increased destruction of the erythrocytes; in a
second stage, with diminution of the hemolysis,
the erythroblastic proliferation returned to the
initial value, and subsequently, the rapid matura-
tion was also slowed down. Several hypotheses to
explain the reaction of bone marrow are discussed.
(38 references)
1707 Ramsak, M.: (A CASE OF MANIFOLD POISONING
AFTER AUTOGENOUS WELDING IN A CLOSED SPACE.)
Arhiv Hig. Rada 7:89-93, 1956.
A case is described of a manifold poisoning which
occurred after autogenous welding. It consisted
of metal fume fever, welders' jaundice, N oxides
poisoning, and Pb poisoning. Pb poisoning is par-
ticularly emphasized as it occurred in a man ex-
posed to Pb for the 1st time, and for 4 hr only.
(From Industrial Hygiene Digest 21:598, 1957)
1708 Reich, J. (Fed. Railway Board, Mainz,
Germany): Zur Kasuistik der BleigefHhrde-
ten. (CASUISTICS OF PEOPLE EXPOSED TO
LEAD.) Jtrztl. Dienst DB 17:73, 1956.
In control examinations of Pb workers a 39-yr-old
signal mechanic attracted attention by the re-
peated occurrence of punctate cells. No other
signs of Pb poisoning were noted. Since the man
had formerly suffered from stomach trouble, the
physician in charge took X rays which revealed a
large carcinoma of the stomach. Author points out
that the presence of punctate cells should be
interpreted by differential diagnosis and that the
industrial physician should follow up all com-
plaints. (From Zentralblatt ftlr Arbeitsmedizin und
Arbeitsschutz 8:301 (Abstracts), 1958)
1709 Reinl, W. (Diisseldorf, Germany): Prophy-
laxe bei Bleiarbeitern mit oralen Gaben
von Dikalziumathylendiami ntetraessigsMure
(Ca2EDTA) . (PROPHYLAXIS OF LEAD WORKERS
WITH ORALLY ADMINISTERED Ca2EDTA.) Zen-
tralblatt fur Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeits-
schutz 6:5-8 (Jan.), 1956.
The oral administration 3 times/day for 6 wk of
"Mosatil" tablets containing 1 g Ca2EDTA, to 17
workers in a Pb foundry, exhibiting established
porphyrinuria, was effective in controlling it
completely in all but 2 cases. In the latter,
medication had been interrupted. The Pb content
of the blood was also greatly diminished. The
control group of 10 workers who received no EDTA
also showed a certain improvement, indicating that
strict supervision of precautionary measures had
a favorable influence. On the basis of this in-
vestigation, the oral administration of 1 g
Ca2EDTA 3 times/day to Pb workers who exhibit
signs of Pb absorption, brings about improvement
in the condition and prevents the establishment
of Pb poisoning. The effect is seen as a certain
elimination of Pb from the blood by way of the
urinary system and in the binding of the Pb, in-
332
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
gested in the course of work, into a nonabsorbable
compound.
1710 Rizzo, A., and Sbertoli, C. (Univ. Milan,
Italy) : La diagnosi della nefropatia
saturnina alia luce della moderna fisio-
pathologia renale. (DIAGNOSIS OF NEPHRO-
PATHY CAUSED BY LEAD POISONING IN LIGHT OF
THE NEW PHYSIOPATHOLOGY OF THE KIDNEY.)
Medicina del Lavoro 47:117-28 (Feb.),
1956.
Kidney function was studied in 6 cases of Pb poi-
soning by new selective methods (glomerular fil-
tration by Newman et al method; renal plasma vol-
ume by Simes', and Smith et al; tubular secretion
by Simes', etc). Each case is described and blood
pressure findings, urinalyses and blood chemistry,
as well as indices of clearances are tabulated in
detail. The findings showed 2 of the men to have
no signs of renal impairment; at the examination,
1 was confirmed to be normal, but the other pre-
sented the functional picture of hypertensive
nephropathy. The other 4 showed: (1) a glomer-
ulotubular pathologic process; (2) 1 case of in-
cipient and 1 of advanced vascular nephrosclero-
sis; (3) a renal angiospastic state evidenced 1
mo after remission of colic during which signs of
renal disturbance had been noted.
The authors conclude that the number of cases
was too small to permit any general or definitive
opinion. However, the point of attack of Pb on
the kidney was found to be prevalently vascular
and its action clearly sclerogenous. This work
confirmed the authors' opinion, shared by other
investigators, that renal function tests, commonly
used in clinics, are insufficient to permit an
early evaluation of the nature, localization and
severity of a kidney lesion, while selective renal
clearances do accomplish this, and that the prob-
lem of the pathogenesis of Pb-induced kidney les-
ion can be studied only by means of them. (28
references)
1711 Roche, L.: Les formes latentes de 1'in-
toxication saturnine. (LATENT FORMS OF
LEAD POISONING.) Revue Lyonnaise de M£de-
cine 5:351-3, 1956.
Due to improvements in industrial hygiene the
classic form of acute Pb poisoning is becoming
rare today. Latent poisonings, however, still
occur frequently. Author describes in detail the
symptoms and subjective complaints which are char-
acteristic for these latent cases, such as atony
of the intestines, constipation, general physical
and psychical asthenia, frequent headaches and
dizziness. A slight increase of the blood pres-
sure is frequently present; the Pb line is often
missing. The presence of stippled erythrocytes and
urinary excretion of coproporphyrin are important
signs. Special equipment is required for Pb anal-
yses in the blood. The etiology must be consid-
ered. Also, nonoccupational Pb poisonings are
frequently observed. (From Zentralblatt fur Ar-
beitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 8, No. 12:301 (Ab-
stracts), 1958).
1712 Rossi, L. (Inst. Ind. Med. Univ. Naples,
Italy): La funzionalita renale nel
saturnismo professionale. (KIDNEY FUNC-
TION IN CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) La
Riforma Medica 70:841-51, 1956.
Twenty-two subjects in whom the history, objective
examination and laboratory tests demonstrated a
chronic Pb intoxication were submitted to modern
tests for renal function.
In the majority of the cases a decrease of renal
plasma flow was found, with little or no altera-
tion of glomerular function. In the cases in
which tubular function was determined by maximal
excretion capacity, a tubular lesion was noticed
which was a result of the ischemic condition of
the organ as shown by the behavior of the ratio of
renal blood flow to maximal excretion capacity.
The author concludes that on the basis of these
results and in agreement with the most recent
investigations, renal impairment in chronic
saturnism should be considered a vascular nephro-
pathy. (From author's summary)
1713 Rubino, G.F., Prato, V., and Fiorina, L.
(Univ. Turin, Italy): Meccanismi emolitici
nell'anemia saturnina. (HEMOLYTIC MECH-
ANISM IN ANEMIA CAUSED BY LEAD POISONING.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 39:1117-32 (Dec.),
1956.
Erythrocytes of 14 patients with anemia caused by
Pb poisoning had a higher resistance to hemolysis
by hypotonic solutions than erythrocytes from
healthy individuals. There was no difference in
the resistance to lysocythins. Tests for the pres-
ence of auto- and heteroagglutinins and lysins to
the blood of the same patients were negative. The
resistance to osmotic influence is caused by modi-
fications in the structure and permeability of the
cell membrane. (18 references)
1714 Salinas, M.: Comentarios de orden clinico
a tres afecciones dermatologicas profesion-
ales. (CLINICAL COMMENTARIES ON THREE
OCCUPATIONAL SKIN DISEASES.) Med. y Seg-
uridad del Trabajo (Madrid) 4:61-71 (Apr.-
June), 1956.
Two cases of dermatitis in patients with plumbism
are described. One patient, a barman for 14 yr,
had an exudative papulo-vesicular lesion on the
backs of his hands; the palms were smooth and
edematous; the creases of the fingers had disap-
peared and there were fissures with hyperkerato-
sis. Pb in the blood was 135 yg/100 ml and in the
urine 300 yg/1000 ml. Patch tests with metals
were negative. The skin lesions persisted after
treatment for plumbism. Patch tests with soap
containing Na and K and a bleaching solution were
strongly positive, showing it was a clear case of
soap dermatitis. The other patient was a printer
aged 56. For 2 yr he had had a rash (erythroder-
mia, deep red, raised, exudative) on the trunk,
limbs and scalp. There were patches in the mouth
and there was itching and fever. The skin was
thickened and fissured in the flexures. Pb in the
blood was 160 ug/100 ml and in the urine 150 yg/
1000 ml. The blood picture was that of hypochro-
mic anemia. In patch tests against metals the
only positive one was with Cr. A Zn oleate oint-
ment was prescribed for the skin and the usual
treatment for plumbism and anemia. After 25 days'
treatment the skin improved concurrently with a
reduction of the Pb in the blood and urine to 25
Man
333
-------
yg/100 ml and 120 pg/1000 ml, respectively. This
was a true toxicodermy. Black and white photo-
graphs of the skin lesions of both patients are in-
cluded. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 31:1241, 1956)
1715 Sassi, B., and Zerah, A.: Le saturnisme
en Tunisie. Enqu£te medico-sociale parmi
les ouvriers d'une fonderie de plomb.
(LEAD POISONING IN TUNISIA. MEDICO-SOCIAL
INVESTIGATION OF WORKERS OF A LEAD FOUNDRY.)
Tunisie Medicale 34:335-91, 1956.
Pb poisoning is the chief and oldest occupational
disease in Tunisia. The first Pb mine, Djebel
Ressas, began to be exploited in 1868. Pb ex-
posed workers number 4000. The authors present
a brief historical outline of Pb production in
Tunisia, listing tonnage, foundries, number of
workers, illustrated by photographs, and organ-
izational and other tables.
The foundry used as a study site was that of
Megine which employs 70% of the metallurgic labor
force and produces 80% of the Tunisian Pb output.
The investigation included 196 workers, V52% of the
total number of workers in the factory, who were
screened by questioning, physical examinations
(digestive, cardiovascular and nervous systems)
and laboratory analyses (Hb level, number of baso-
philic stippled cells, urinary coproporphyrin (CP)
levels). Some individuals were given more special-
ized examinations such as gastroscopy, rectoscopy,
EKG, and radiologic and biologic studies for azo-
temia, blood Pb levels, and hepatic flocculation.
The results of the routine questioning and exami-
nation of all workers are set forth in 6 tables.
Examination of the digestive tract revealed a
large degree of oral and dental lesions. Only
15.2% had no such lesions with the exception of
dental caries; 21.5% had defective dentures and
63.3%, stomatitis (total number of workers exam-
ined, 177). Practically 93.9% of the workers >40
yr had severe oral defects. The gastrointestinal
complaints, early and frequent, in appearance,
were too unspecific to be ascribed to Pb poisoning
in all cases; 62% of the workers had dyspeptic
episodes of various types, from simple anorexia to
white vomit (Pb chloride). Two typical cases are
described.
In the cardiovascular studies, the 177 workers
were grouped as follows: 85 workers (88%) with
normal or low blood pressure (BP); 52 workers
(29.3%) with slightly elevated BP; and 40 workers
(22.7%) with hypertension. Of the 40, the majority
(52%) were 40-50 yr of age. Blood urea was normal
in 31 and elevated in 12. Hyperazotemics were
numerous. Dyspnea, due to anemia, was frequently
observed. The results indicated the slowness of
the cardiovascular response to Pb intoxication
since it was found chiefly in aged workers.
One case of brachial paralysis, severe stomatitis
and cephalic impairment with visual disturbances
and Pb induced nephritis is described. About 1/5
of workers examined neurologically had diminished
reflexes.
In the Hb studies, 3 groups of workers emerged
as follows: 40 (22.1%) had Hb values >80%; 96
(55.8%) had Hb from 60-80%; and 40 (22.1%) <60%.
For the determination of stippled cells, the Man-
son-Schwarz method as modified by L. Muller, was
used. Of the 177 workers, 82 (46.6%) had up to
1000 stippled cells/million red cells; 46 workers
(25.5%) had 1000 stippled cells/million. Thus,
128 (72%) had stippled cells; 28% had none.
Urinary CP values (Harlay and Malangeau, 1939,
modified by Sennelart) in 68 workers (39%) were
<50 ug, 46 (26.4%) showed 1+ (50-100 yg), 30
(17.3%), 2+ (100-500 yg), and 30 3+ (>500 yg) . It
seemed that the frequency and severity of the
moderate-to-severe urinary CP corresponded to the
intensity of exposure the same as was observed in
the case of the stippled cells.
The authors examined the relationship between
biological criteria such as Hb levels in relation
to stippled cells and the latter in relation to
urinary CP, as well as the relationship between the
various clinical and biological signs.
In recapitulating the findings, 63% of the work-
ers had stomatitis, 62% dyspepsia, 63% Pb colics,
22.7% hypertension, 22.1% <60% Hb values (av 69%),
25.5% had >1000 stippled cells/million, and 35.6%
had elevated urinary CP excretion. Thus, a high
level of Pb intoxication with frequent exacerba-
tions and a marked degree of oral and gastric
defects was found among the workers in the Pb
foundry of Megrine.
The authors conclude with a general survey of Pb
intoxication, its causes, prevention, diagnosis and
therapy, and discuss legislation concerning its
prevention, personal hygiene, and governmental and
social security measures for the protection, educa-
tion and rehabilitation of the working population
in Tunisia.
1716 Savicevic, M. , and Petrovic", L.: (DETER-
MINATION OF PUNCTATE BASOPHILIC ERYTHRO-
CYTES IN WORKERS ENGAGED IN THE LEAD IN-
DUSTRY.) Glasn. Hyg. Inst. (Beograd) 5,
No. 1-2:103-10, 1956.
LHffler's and Lehmann's methods were used together
with the dark field method, the latter being sim-
pler and more efficient in revealing a larger num-
ber of punctate basophilic erythrocytes. A max-
imum allowable upper limit of punctate basophilic
erythrocytes in Pb workers is proposed. (From
Excerpta Medica, Sect. 17, 3:Abstr. No. 2565, 1957)
1717 Schmitt, F., and Schlenzig, H. (City
Hosp., Berlin-Charlottenburg, Germany):
Untersuchung zur Bleiprophylaxe. (PREVEN-
TION OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.)
Medizinische Monatsschrift 10:508-14 (Aug.),
1956.
To illustrate the problems of prophylaxis and
treatment of Pb intoxication, the authors briefly
describe the action of Pb in the organism and in-
clude a survey of the literature on the subject.
The authors' own research concerns the effects
of various salts of thiosulfate given orally to
normal persons and Pb-exposed workers, after hav-
ing obtained good results with Na thiosulfate given
intravenously. The thiosulfates used in these
experiments were the Na, K, Ca, Mg and Sr, and
their effects upon blood Pb level, urinary Pb ex-
cretion and Na-K concentrations in plasma and
erythrocytes were observed.
Any of the thiosulfates, given daily at a dose of
6 tablets of 0.35 g each, resulted in a lowering of
the blood Pb level to normal values. Three tab-
lets/day kept the level constant. A moderate
334
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
urinary Pb excretion was observed in normal per-
sons, and in the case of K and Sr thiosulfate,
also in the Pb-exposed individuals. The Pb level
sank more rapidly in plasma than in the erythro-
cytes and it was assumed that more ionized Pb was
eliminated. Based on this, only Sr and K thio-
sulfates were given to the factory workers. Both
drugs were tolerated well. After several weeks'
medication, the workers felt well and had no com-
plaints. Na thiosulfate resulted in storage of
Na in the tissues causing water retention, while
K thiosulfate caused water elimination from the
tissues. It is well tolerated and was therefore
given to Pb-exposed workers during the working
hours. The thiosulfate expected to have a double
effect upon the Pb metabolism (ie, Ca thiosulfate)
has to be given in solution, is difficult to dose,
lowers the blood Pb level to normal but is not
tolerated well. Mg thiosulfate is well toler-
ated, lowers the blood Pb level rapidly but causes
fatigue and cannot be used during working hours.
Noteworthy is the fact that all normal individuals
not exposed to Pb showed increased blood Pb levels.
Numerous tables illustrate the effects of the var-
ious thiosulfates tested. (26 references.)
1718 Shiels, D.O., Thomas, D.L.G., and Kearley,
E. (Ind. Hyg. Div., Dept. Health, Mel-
bourne, Victoria, Australia): TREATMENT
OF LEAD POISONING BY EDATHAMIL CALCIUM-
DISODIUM. A.M.A. Archives of Industrial
Health 13:489-98 (May), 1956.
Five subjects with industrial Pb poisoning and an
8-yr-old boy with pica-caused Pb poisoning were
given CaNa2EDTA orally; the adult dose was 2 g
twice a day for several days, followed by omission
for Tj days and then by a 2nd course similar to
the 1st. Five were in hospital and watched in
detail; the urine was analyzed for Pb and copropor-
phyrin (CP); blood was examined for Pb content and
stippled cell counts. Details of the.case histo-
ries of these 6 patients are given. (The child's
case, presented by McCoy at a meeting, is briefly
noted in Medical Journal of Australia 1:662, 1955.)
Treatment was also given to 14 ambulatory patients.
The drug caused pronounced increase in the concen-
tration of Pb in the urine and in the total daily
excretion in the urine. In some cases the increase
amounted to 5-35 times for the concentration and
to 5-22 times for the total Pb excreted. In some
cases this occurred on the 1st day of treatment.
Fecal Pb excretion was also increased. As to
blood Pb, there was an immediate drop then subse-
quent rise in some cases; in one case there was a
steady fall. These increases continued for sev-
eral days after cessation of treatment. During
the 2nd course of treatment the increases were
substantial, but not so excessive. In most in-
stances the amounts excreted in the urine alone
greatly exceeded the amount circulating in the
blood prior to treatment. In connection with
elimination of Pb from body tissues, the authors
found it of interest to examine the latter in re-
lation to the amounts present in the body at the
start of treatment. On the basis of analyses
performed by them and published data, they esti-
mate that in cases of poisoning such as theirs,
the amount of Pb in blood and soft tissues might
be ^70 mg and ^800-1000 mg in bones. During the
course of treatment, 1 patient eliminated a total
of 31.5 mg, or V5 times the amount of Pb in the
blood, and ^20 times the amount of Pb which would
have been absorbed during the course from food.
The effect on excretion of CP in the urine var-
ied; before treatment the weight of CP excreted ex-
ceeded 6-fold the weight of Pb excreted; shortly
after treatment commenced the weight of CP ex-
creted daily fell to 2/3 of the weight of Pb. The
clinical results of treatment were favorable
throughout, and a comparison of the effects of Na
citrate and EDTA indicated a much greater in-
crease in the excretion of Pb with EDTA than with
Na citrate in an equal period of time. The treat-
ment was capable of removing Pb from the bones.
The possible metabolic changes which determine the
changes observed are discussed.
1719 Slnkulova, L.: Otravy oloven v Cs.
promyslu v letech 1918-1920. (LEAD POI-
SONING IN CZECHOSLOVAKIAN INDUSTRY IN THE
YEARS 1918-1920.) Pracovni Lekarstvi 8:
56-62 (Jan.), 1956; Current List of Medi-
cal Literature 30:44096, 1956.
1720 Suntych, F. (Clinic Occup. Dis., Ind. Hyg.,
Prague, Czechoslovakia): EFFECT OF VITA-
MIN B12 ON CHRONIC LEAD POISONING. Pra-
covni Lekarstvi 8:169-72, 1956.
Treatment of Pb poisoning in man with intramuscu-
lar injections of vitamin B^2 brought about a sig-
nificant decrease of basophilic stippled cells,
whereas the erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content,
porphyrin value in the urine, plumbemia, and ex-
cretion of Pb in the urine were not affected. In
view of the results this medication is not recom-
mended. (From Chemical Abstracts 50:15961, 1956)
1721 Suntych, F. (Clinic Occup. Dis., Ind.
Hyg., Prague, Czechoslovakia): Einfluss
des Vitamin B12 auf chronische Bleiver-
giftung. (EFFECT OF VITAMIN Bl2 IN
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Zeitschrift
fur Arztliche Fortbildung 50:803-6
(Oct.), 1956.
See preceding abstract. (From Current List of
Medical Literature 31:39598, 1957)
1722 Sutherland, D.A., and Eisentraut, A.M.,
with assistance of Minster, M. (Veterans
Hosp.; Univ. Texas, Dallas): THE DIRECT
COOMBS TEST IN LEAD POISONING. Blood 11:
1024-31, 1956.
The changes in the erythrocyte membrane in chronic
Pb poisoning in humans and in experimentally in-
duced acute and chronic intoxication in dogs were
studied on the following material: blood samples
from 29 workers with chronic asymptomatic Pb poi-
soning who had been exposed to Pb at a local smelt-
er over prolonged periods and selected because
serial hematologic evaluations had revealed anemia
or reticulocytosis; controls came from a group of
20 normal hospital employees. Dogs were injected
iv with a solution of Pb acetate at 0.5 g/6 ml.
As summarized, the anemia produced by Pb intoxi-
cation in humans as well as experimentally induced
Pb poisoning in dogs results in a positive direct
Man
335
-------
Coombs test. The direct antiglobulln test will
become positive within 24 hr in cases of severe
Pb poisoning in dogs. The blood will form a layer
phenomenon when allowed to stand, with the forma-
tion of a supernatant fraction of cells above the
packed erythrocytes. These cells remain suspended
in the plasma for many hours. This superior frac-
tion on a column of blood has a high per cent of
reticulocytes, and cells with coarse basophilic
stippling. The direct Coombs test is positive in
the superior fraction of such a column. The pos-
itivity decreases as the sampling approaches the
bottom. In many instances the direct Coombs test
of the whole blood may be negative and the cells
from the superior portion of the column be strong-
ly positive. The latter phenomenon was also found
in the above workers. The possible significance
of the correlation of the direct antiglobulin re-
action and cell immaturity of chemical trauma to
the membrane is briefly discussed. (13 references)
1723 Teisinger, J., and Srbova, J. (Clinic
Occup. Dis., Ind. Hyg., Prague, Czecho-
slovakia) : Zur Frage der Therapie der
chronischen Bleivergiftung mit dem Cal-
ciumdinatriumsalz der Kthylendiamintetra-
essigsaure. (TREATMENT OF CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING WITH CALCIUM DISODIUM ETHYLENE
DIAMINETETRAACETATE.) Archiv filr Gewer-
bepathologie und Gewerbehygiene 14, No. 6:
579-93, 1956.
Since CaNa2EDTA was not available commercially at
the time in Czechoslovakia, the authors prepared
the salt using Komplexon II of Swiss and local
origin. The toxicity of the preparation was test-
ed on mice; and found to be 4.5 g/kg which agrees
with data reported in the literature.
In the course of 1-1/2 yr the authors treated
25 cases of Pb poisoning, and in 5 additional
cases showing no signs of poisoning, they tested
the value of the drug for the diagnostic mobiliza-
tion of Pb while the persons continued work. The
25 patients were mild to moderately severe cases;
in some colic and pronounced anemia were observed.
In 11, sternal puncture showed signs of erythro-
poietic disorder in addition to some other minor
deviations. Signs of nervous system damage were
found in only 1 female patient. All patients were
followed daily as to elimination of Pb and porphy-
rin in the urine; stippled erythrocytes, hemoglo-
bin and Pb content in blood were frequently checked
in the course of treatment.
In 9 patients, 250 ml EDTA (0.5-1% in physiologic
solution) was administered 2 times daily by intra-
venous (iv) infusion (2.5-5 g within 2-3 hr) for 2-3
days followed by an interval of 1-4 days. The
total number of infusions and dose differed, but
usually was over 14-35 days. Another group of 12
were treated with iv injections (10 or 20% solu-
tion) at a daily dose of 3 g, the treatment day
being followed by a 2 or 3-day pause. Four pa-
tients received the drug as an aerosol. All treat-
ments were well tolerated. Having first determin-
ed the urinary elimination of Pb in nonexposed in-
dividuals to be 0.050-0.130 mg/1, and in those
with chronic Pb to average M). 300-1.2 mg/24 hr,
they found in all cases following each treatment
considerable elimination of Pb, up to 15.75 mg/24
hr.
In the evaluation of the different types of
treatment, the authors concluded that iv injection
is preferable to infusion. Although its effec-
tiveness is somewhat smaller, it is more conven-
ient and enables an ambulant therapy. They rec-
ommend a 20% aqueous solution in a dose of 3 g
every 3rd-4th day until all symptoms have dis-
appeared. They also suggest aerosol inhalation
of EDTA for prevention of poisoning; however this
needs further investigation. They also found iv
administration to be most suitable for diagnostic
mobilization of Pb. (26 references)
1724 Teisinger, J., and Srbova, J. (Clinic
Occup. Dis., Ind. Hyg., Prague, Czecho-
slovakia) : TREATMENT OF CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING WITH CALCIUM VERSENATE . Pra-
covni Lekafstvi 8:163-9, 1956.
See preceding abstract.
1725 Trelles, J.O., Polack, F., and Guerra, G.:
(LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY.) Rev. neuro-psiqui-
at. 19:293-321, 1956.
Familial Pb poisoning occurred in both parents and
3 infants from 1-3 yr of age. The father worked
at home preparing Pb plates for batteries of auto-
mobiles. The course of the disease was relatively
slow in all but 1 patient. One of the infants was
treated with CaEDTA. The Pb impregnation of the
tissues diminished, but the clinical course of the
disease was unchanged. In 1 of the infants the
disease followed a rapid course for 1 mo. The pa-
tient died with an acute Pb encephalopathy. Au-
topsy revealed that the predominant lesions were
meningeal, neuronal, and vascular. The changes in
the cerebral and cerebellar cortex and the inferi-
or olive were similar to those of experimental Pb
poisoning, but without glial reaction. The level
of Pb content in the tissue was not correlated
with intensity of the lesions. (From Journal of
the American Medical Association 164:814, 1957)
1726 Van Bogaert, L. (Antwerp, Belgium): tlber
bleibedingten Parkinsonismus mit begleiten-
der AugenmuskellHhmung (anatomische Studie).
(PARKINSON'S DISEASE CAUSED BY LEAD EX-
POSURE WITH ACCOMPANYING OCULAR MUSCLE
PARALYSIS.) Mschr. Psychiatr. (Basel) 131:
73-88, 1956.
This report deals with a printer, 42 yr old at the
time of his death in 1933, who had handled Pb type
since age 20. In 1918 he developed rheumatic com-
plaints; in 1920 "typical Pb colic," then recover-
ed; in 1926, visual disturbances, tremor and stiff-
ness of left limbs; in 1927, headaches. Diagnosis
at that time was myocarditis, chronic nephritis,
and incipient Parkinson's disease. In 1933, he
showed high blood pressure, 200/100, cardiac in-
sufficiency, constant edema in legs, bilateral
tremors at rest, then acute paralysis of the left
side. A further rise in blood pressure, rise in
temperature, and a urea content of 3.9 mg% was
seen. A detailed description of histopathologic
examination of the brain is given (5 micrographs)
which led to the following conclusion: Pb poison-
ing can produce a true Parkinson's symdrome, which
results from depigmentation of the substantia
nigra with gliosis. However, the disease picture
differentiates itself clinically and pathological-
336
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ly from the hypertonic-akinetic form of Mn poison-
ing. The diagnosis of such a case can be essen-
tially of forensic medical interest. Similar re-
ports recorded in the literature are pointed out,
and another case of Parkinson's disease by Pb is
mentioned in a Pb solderer in whom an autopsy
could not be done. (The existence of Parkinson's
disease caused by Pb does not seem to the reviewer
(Symanski) to be proved in any way by the de-
scription of the work history and clinical data).
(From Zentralblatt fur Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeits-
schutz 7:69 (Abstracts), 1957)
1727 Vaughan, J.M. (Nuffield Dept. of Med., Ox-
ford, England): THE EFFECTS OF RADIATION
ON BONE. In G.H. Bourne, ed.: The Bio-
chemistry and Physiology of Bone, Academic
Press, New York, 1956, pp. 729-65.
In discussing pathological changes induced in bone
by internal radiation, the author states (p 753)
that the damage to the ends of long bones is es-
pecially pronounced in young people who have been
exposed to Ra while their epiphyses are still
active. Closure may always remain incomplete or
increased calcification may result giving a so-
called "Pb line" which is possibly similar in
pathology to the growth lines produced by infec-
tion or the transverse dark lines following exter-
nal radiation.
1728 Veiling, E.I.: (HEMATOLOGIC CHANGES IN
INDUSTRIAL POISONINGS.) Materialy po
Voprosam Gigieny Truda i Klin. Profession-
al. Boleznef (Gorki) Sbornik 1956, No. 5:
174-80.
In the first stages of acute poisoning with
cyanides, TEL or Hg the following symptoms were
observed in the peripheral blood: erythrocytosis,
an increase of hemoglobin, a moderate reticulocy-
tosis, the appearance of single normoblasts and
considerable qualitative changes. Hypochromic
anemia, basophilic granularity of erythrocytes,
reticulocytosis, increase of the amount of immature
cells of the erythroblastic series in bone marrow
and a change of the physicochemical properties of
the blood are recorded in acute Pb poisoning.
(From Chemical Abstracts 53:13392, 1959)
1729 Villaume, J., Me'niel, M. , Lambert, G.,
and Deleplanque, G.: Les signes biologi-
ques du saturnisme. (BIOLOGICAL SIGNS OF
LEAD POISONING.) Medecin d'Usine 18, No.
5:243-8, 1956.
See Abstract No. 1875.
1730 Viniegra, G., Morales, F.M., Lopez Martinez,
A., Gerni, R.L., and Izaguirre, B.L.:
TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING WITH DISODIUM
CALCIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE IN A
FACTORY MANUFACTURING LEAD OBJECTS. Bol.
Epidemiol. 20:172-83, 1956.
Ten patients suffering from saturnism were treat-
ed by administering EDTA at a daily dose of 1.5
g. This treatment was satisfactory, but some
minor disagreeable symptoms were observed during
treatment. EDTA cannot be used as a prophylactic
agent. It is believed that interrupted injections
may hold the danger of sensitization or action of
EDTA as a toxic substance. Only industrial hygiene
is suitable for prevention of saturnism. (From
Chemical Abstracts 52:17567, 1958)
1731 Wegelius, 0., and Harjanne, A. (Maria
Hosp., Helsingfors, Finland): TREATMENT OF
LEAD POISONING WITH CALCIUM ETHYLENEDI-
AMINETETRAACETIC ACID. Scandinavian Jour-
nal of Clinical and Laboratory Investiga-
tion 8:335-7, 1956.
No untoward effects were noted when patients with
chronic Pb poisoning were treated with 2.5 g CaEDTA
in 1 1 5% glucose administered iv over 2-3 hr for
10 days. The results, based on daily Pb excretion
and coproporphyrin determinations, showed a rapid
and favorable effect on the excretion of circula-
ting Pb. (16 references)
1732 Yamaga, S.( Saruta, K., and Shimazu, Y.
(Yokohama Med. Coll., Japan): (A SURVEY
ON INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING.) (Report
III). Journal of Science of Labour (Ja-
pan) 32:991-5 (Dec.), 1956.
Comparative studies of several common tests done
on a group of 70 Pb workers and on 57 painters
were made. It was found that a decrease of blood
specific gravity and of hemoglobin was more fre-
quent among painters than among Pb workers, with
significant difference (a=0.05); positive reaction
of urobillnogen in urine was more frequent among
Pb workers than among painters, with significant
difference (a=0.05); and abnormalities in other
tests, ie, decline of blood cell counts and of A/G
ratio, and positive reaction of coproporphyrin and
of albumin in urine, were not different between
the 2 groups. (From authors' English summary)
1733 Yanev, P., Panitsa, D., and Papazov, G.
("I.P. Pavlov" Hosp., Plovdiv, Bulgaria):
Ostra khemolitichna anemiya pri olovno
otravyane. (ACUTE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA IN
LEAD POISONING.) Suvremenna Meditsina
(Sofia) 7, No. 1:106-9, 1956.
The case described is that of a 21-yr-old farmer,
whose blood picture showed 1,900,000 erythrocytes,
40% Hb, 13,950 leukocytes, 120,000 basophilic
stippled erythrocytes, among other findings which
included icteric coloration. Pb in blood was
99.88 ug%, in spinal fluid, 7.35 ug%, in stomach
juice, 1.19%. His history revealed that 4 yr
earlier he had had malaria, then grippe, and the
year before hospitalization, pleuritis. The
source of Pb poisoning was traced to consumption
of marmalade kept in Pb-glazed containers. Treat-
ment was with Ca gluconate, vitamin C, glucose,
iodine, etc. Recovery took 2 mo. The authors
state in their summary that in cases of acute
hemolytic anemia, it is necessary to consider Pb
poisoning, and that it does not occur only in
acute, but also in chronic poisoning.
1734 Yoshida, Y.: STATISTICAL STUDIES ON THE
URINE COPROPORPHYRIN EXCRETION IN JAPA-
NESE FEMALE ADULTS. Journal of Osaka City
Medical Center 5:33-48 (Jan.), 1956. In
Contributions from the Department of Pre-
ventive Medicine and Public Health, Osaka
City University Medical School. Vol. 1,
^pril 1949-March 1959, p. 41.
Daily coproporphyrin (CP) excretion was measured
Man
337
-------
in 392 healthy Japanese female adults and 160 nor-
mal Japanese pregnant women. Statistical studies
were performed on the theoretical distribution
type and the upper normal limit for the 2 groups.
The theoretical distribution followed the log-
normal type. The results showed that 95 and
99% excreted 75.9 and 105.4 yg/day, respectively.
No significant seasonal variation was observed
except in the 50-yr group. No significant dif-
ference was observed among age groups. Among the
pregnant group, 95 and 99% excreted 58.9 and 77.7
Ug, respectively. No significant differences were
observed in the different stages of pregnancy.
Significant differences between healthy males and
females also were not seen.
1735 Zahorski, W., MySlak, 7,., and Chmielowski,
J. (Inst. Med. Pracy, Zabrze, Poland):
(THERAPEUTIC AND PROPHYLACTIC ACTION OF
CALCIUM VERSENATE IN LEAD POISONING. II.
POLAROGRAPHIC STUDIES ON THE BEHAVIOR OF
LEAD IN THE BLOOD AND URINE OF TREATED
PATIENTS.) Medycyna Pracy 7:189-98, 1956.
Administration of CaEDTA to Pb-poisoned subjects
quickly mobilized Pb deposited in tissues: blood
Pb level increased from 112-189 ug% to 400-600
Ug% (1st day of treatment), and urine Pb level
was raised from 9-44 ug% to 800 ug% (2nd-3rd day
of treatment). Serum Ca and P levels were not
affected by the drug. The clinical importance of
the observations is discussed. (From Chemical
Abstracts 53:18294, 1959)
1736 Zannini, D., and Odaglia, G. (Univ. Genoa,
Italy): Contribute all studio del circolo
periferico nei saturnini. Sull'azione
degli alcaloidi idrogenati della segale
cornuta. (PERIPHERAL CIRCULATION IN LEAD
POISONING PATIENTS. THE ACTION OF HYDR.O-
GENATED ALKALOIDS OF ERGOT.) Gazzetta
Medica Italiana 115:223-30, 1956.
Five cases of chronic Pb poisoning suffering main-
ly from digestive disorders, having recovered from
acute attacks, for whom laboratory findings as to
elevated urinary and blood Pb and coproporphyrin-
uria have been recorded, are described. In addi-
tion they presented disturbances of acroparesthe-
t>ia and acroasphyxia. Treatment, im, with hydro-
genated ergot alkaloids brought about definite
changes in the various areas of the peripheral
vascular system, as evidenced particularly by pho-
toplethysmographic and capillaroscopic examina-
tion of an increase in the digital pulse and of an
improved capillary circulation. (24 references)
J737 Zosin, P., and Gavrilescu, S. (Med. Clinic
I, Timisoara, Romania): Consideratii^
asupra leziunilor renale si hepatice in
saturnism. (KIDNEY AND LIVER LESIONS IN
LEAD POISONING.) Medicina Interna 8:257-
63 (Apr.-May), 1956.
Examination of 150 workers (17-64 yr old, 81% of
them male) with signs of Pb poisoning were sub-
jected to liver and kidney function tests, and
blood pressure measurements. Urinalysis on 100 of
them showed albumin in 13, 9 of whom were hyper-
tensive; slight hematuria was found in 4, and
cylinders in 4. Twenty, with moderate poisoning,
selected for further study, were separated into
the normotensive and hypertensive. It was found
that the functional changes were more frequent
and marked in the hypertensive, leading to the
conclusion that these changes in kidney function
were secondary to this state. Liver function
tests were positive in 11% of the cases followed.
The changes were discrete and could be attributed
in part to Pb poisoning. (16 references)
1957
1738 Albahary, C., and Boudene, C. : (St. Denis
Hosp., Paris, France): Saturnisme alimen-
taire par bouchon-verseur de vinaigrier.
Remarquable effect d'un detoxicant: le
versenate de calcium disodique (Ca EDTA).
(ALIMENTARY LEAD POISONING FROM THE POUR-
ING SPOUT OF A VINEGAR CRUET. REMARKABLE
EFFECT OF A DETOXICANT: CALCIUM DISODIUM
VERSENATE (CaEDTA).) Semaine Hopitaux de
Paris 33, No. 14:1-5, 1957.
A 42-yr-old woman who worked as a book-binder in
a library, over a period of 2 yr developed an
anemia which did not respond to the usual treat-
ment. Within the following 2 yr she suffered re-
peated attacks of violent epigastric pain and
vomiting. Clinical tests revealed an intensely
gray gingival line (Burton's), slight hypertension
and enlargement of the liver. The blood contained
0.1 mg Pb/100 ml. A diagnosis of Pb poisoning was
made; upon treatment with CaEDTA her symptoms dis-
appeared but a slight anemia remained. Analysis
of her drinking water showed a Pb content of 150
pg/1 which was considered too small to cause the
poisoning. However, it was found that she had
been using a vinegar cruet with a pouring spout
made of an alloy containing 59% (weight) Pb. The
vinegar poured through this spout contained 1.6
mg Pb/ml or 16 mg/tbs (1 tbs = 10 ml).
The action of CaEDTA as a detoxicant in Pb poi-
soning is discussed: While the urinary copropor-
phyrins drop rapidly and the Pb concentration in
the urine increases greatly, the decrease of
stippled erythrocytes is delayed for a few days
and there is little change in the Pb level of the
blood. The optimum dose of CaEDTA by injection
should not exceed 3 g/day for an adult of 50 kg
weight, a daily oral dose of 4 g is tolerated but
not as effective. It is pointed out that subacute
Pb poisoning is best diagnosed by the presence of
stippled erthrocytes and urinary coproporphyrins.
(22 references)
1739 Albahary, C., Truhaut, R., and Boudene, C.
(Inst. Ind. Hyg., Coll. Pharm., Paris,
France): Saturnisme et detoxication par
le versenate de calcium: nouvelles obser-
vations. (LEAD POISONING AND DETOXICATION
BY CALCIUM VERSENATE: NEW OBSERVATIONS.)
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medeclne du Travail et de Securite Sociale
18, No. 1:40-6, 1957.
The results of treatment of 3 cases of Pb poison-
ing, 2 of them occupational, the 3rd of alimentary
origin, are described. CaEDTA was used iv, or
orally, or both. In discussing the results, the
authors raise the question of the safety of iv
administration; in any event, dosage should not
exceed 3-4 g/day in adults. Orally, this dose is
338
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
well tolerated. They also suggest that It may be
administered orally before any sign of poisoning
has appeared to workers exposed to high concentra-
tions of Pb.
1740 Ambrosino, C., Liberator!, J., Lovisetto,
P., Sibour, F., and Turco, G.L. (Univ.
Turin, Italy): Studi sul comportamento
elettroforetico delle emoglobine di sog-
getti normali e di soggetti con anemia da
piombo. (ELECTROPHORETIC BEHAVIOR OF
HEMOGLOBIN IN NORMAL INDIVIDUALS AND IN
PATIENTS WITH LEAD ANEMIA.) Rassegna di
Fisiopatologica Clinica e Terapeutica 29:
1241-61 (Nov.), 1957.
Six normal individuals and 14 Pb poisoning pa-
tients were examined. The free phase electropho-
resis (phosphate or cacodyl buffers) showed for
all subjects only 1 component (phosphate buffer)
or several (cacodyl) in both the ascending and
descending branches of the pherogram. For a 20-
hr electrophoresis 7 such components were found;
they showed no analogy with those obtained for
normal adult CO-hemoglobin by Derrien and Reynaud
(1953) . By paper electrophoresis (barbital buffer,
8-9 hr) also no marked difference between normal
individuals and Pb patients was observed. (From
authors' summary; 71 references)
1741 Ambrosio, L., Serra, C., and Mazza, V.
(Italy): ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC STUDY IN OCCU-
PATIONAL POISONING. In XII International
Congress on Occupational Health, Helsinki,
Finland, 1957, Vol. II, Summaries, p. 74.
Workers subject to occupational poisoning often
show subjective troubles (paresthesia, pain in
limbs) or actual insufficient motorial function.
A study of the action potentials of the brachial
biceps, body-flexor, abductor, gastroenemip, an-
terior tibial muscles was made to this end by
means of an electromyograph furnished with 3 cath-
odic tubes with coaxial electrodes. The following
cases of poisoning were examined: acute CO poison-
ing, 15 cases; C disulfide, 22; Pb poisoning, 23.
Electromyograms in CO poisoning showed in all the
muscles examined, a slight innervatory deficit,
with very wide voltage potentials, often polyphasic,
of increased duration, rarefied; the findings were
reversible as time went by; in most serious cases
lasting many days, minute fibrillatory potentials
occurred. In laboratory studies on rabbits, simi-
lar potentials appeared as early as 8-10 days after
the acute event. In C di-sulfide poisoning, is-
chemic factors preliminated especially in the ab-
ductor, gastroenemic, anterior tibial muscles,
while pathologic potentials of a "neurogen" type
were present'especially after long exposure. In
Pb poisoning, the biceps brachial, body-flexor mus-
cles were mostly affected; often troubles of a
neurogenic type were present due to trophic dis-
turbances; "myogen" blended signs were rarely found.
On the basis of their studies, the authors be-
lieve that the electromyographic test should be
considered as a modern supplement of considerable
value in the diagnosis and prognosis of the action
by occupational poisons on the neuromuscular sys-
tem.
1742
Antoniotti, F., and Murino, P. (Univ. Rome,
Italy): Osservazioni casistiche ed inda-
gini sperimentali sull'intossicazione da
arseniato di piombo. (CASE REPORTS AND
EXPERIMENTAL FINDINGS ON LEAD ARSENATE
POISONING.) Acta Medicinae Legalis et
Socialis (Liege) 10:249-63 (June-Sept.),
1957.
Following a literature review 2 cases of criminal
poisoning by Pb arsenate are described. (1) A
40-yr-old man had been given small doses of Pb ar-
senate for 3 mo. The first signs of intoxication
consisted of continued nausea, anorexia, gastric
pyrosis, sleepiness, vomiting, headache and inter-
mittent fever; the urine contained traces of al-
uumin, some hemoglobin and hyaline cylinders. Af-
ter 3 mo a neurologic syndrome, characteristic of
As poisoning, was obvious. A slight Pb line indi-
cated Pb poisoning. Urine analyses about 6 mo af-
ter the first nervous signs had appeared showed
the presence of Pb and As in an amount corre-
sponding to 69 rag Pb arsenate/1. (2) A farmer's
wife, 37 yr old, showed general malaise, intermit-
tent fever and vomiting, diarrhea and epigastric
pain. She seemed to recover, but ^1 mo after the
appearance of the first symptoms she developed as-
thenia and paresthesia. Urine and blood tests
showed no pathologic changes. She improved, later
was operated on for hysterectomy and again was
given a single dose of Pb arsenate. About 17 mo
after the first signs of poisoning and 3 mo after
the last administration her urine was found to
contain 0.032% Pb but no As. After 20 mo no Pb
nor As was found in the urine while the hair con-
tained 0.43 g% Pb and 0.30 g% As (10 times nor-
mal) . The authors state that both cases took a
similar course, starting with gastrointestinal
disturbances and resulting in a paretic polyneuri-
tls.
Experiments were made yith 13 rabbits, 1-2,1 kg
weight, which were given by gastric tube, for 2-60
days a daily dose of 0.04-0.2 g of a commercial Pb
arsenate containing 19.1% As and 58.9% Pb. Gastro-
intestinal disturbances were followed by paresis,
muscular tremor and death within 2-60 days. The
authors conclude that the resulting syndrome was
solely that of As poisoning and not Pb intoxica-
tion. (37 references)
1743 Ardaillou, R. (Paris, France): L'utilisa-
tion des chelateurs dans 1'intoxication
par les metaux lourds. (THE USE OF CHELA-
TING AGENTS IN INTOXICATION BY HEAVY MET-
ALS.) Vie Me'dicale (Paris) 38, No. 8:
1045-6, 1049-51, 1957.
The use of CaEDTA >in Pb, Cr, Co, Be and Pu poison-
ing is discussed. V-(13 references)
1744 Ashbel, S.I., Gulina, O.M., and Kornakova,
A.A.: (METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF VITA-
MIN K AND OF ITS CONTENT IN BLOOD, IN NOR-
MAL CASES AND IN CERTAIN CASES OF POISON-
ING.) Materialy po Voprosam Prom. Toksi-
kol. i Kliniki Professional. Bolenznei,
Sbornik 8:97-108, 1957.
A new method for the quantitative determination of
vitamin K in blood serum, using a reaction with
CgH5NH2, is described. Data obtained for normal
people (24 medical students) ranged from 1.74-3.29
mg% with a prothrombin time of 17-25 sec. Low
Man
339
-------
levels in blood, 0.58-1.62 mg%, were observed in
11 out of 28 cases of chronic benzene poisoning and
13 cases of chronic Pb and TEL poisoning. Pro-
thrombin time remained normal. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 55:21230, 1961)
1745 Baldi, G., and Sbertoli, C. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Evoluzione delle alterazioni
renali che possono condurre al rene grinzo
saturnine: un caso dlmostrativo. (THE
DEVELOPMENT OF RENAL LESIONS LEADING TO A
SATURNINE CONTRACTED KIDNEY: DEMONSTRATIVE
CASE.) Hedicina del Lavoro 48, No. 10:
533-8, 1957.
A workman employed for 11 yr as Pb scrap smelter,
suffering from chronic poisoning with repeated
colics, still showed decreased blood N and hypos-
thenuria 1 mo after he had recovered from the
last colic. Selective functional tests showed a
decrease of renal blood flow (-23%) and a corres-
ponding decrease of glomerular filtration rate
(-25%), with unimpaired tubular function. These
data suggested a spasm of glomerular afferent
arterioles. The spasm could be considered as
transient and the renal insufficiency as reversible;
but a stage of the development of Pb damage evolv-
ing into arteriosclerotlc organic changes could
also be surmised by the authors. A second renal
function test, 1-1/2 mo later, showed a marked de-
crease of renal blood flow and of glomerular fil-
tration rate as well as an evident impairment of
the tubular secretion.
The authors consider that since the tubular se-
cretion is not much impaired by the transient
ischemia due to a spasm, but is always altered by
the ischemia due to arteriosclerosis, the decrease
of secretion capacity suggested the onset of arter-
iosclerotic lesions. This, they state, is the
first case described so far where a saturnine kid-
ney condition has been studied in its evolution
passing from the stage of functional lesion to
that of organic change. This confirms the modern
theory on the pathogenesis of chronic saturnine
kidney, which considers the contracted kidney as
the result of an arteriosclerotlc process due to
repeated angiospasms and not a consequence of in-
flammatory glomerular lesions. (From authors'
summary; 14 references)
1746 Baltimore Department of Health: LEAD POI-
SON EXPOSURE IN A GLASS MANUFACTURING
PLANT. Baltimore Health News 34, No. 8:
164-6, 1957.
In a glass container manufacturing plant the Pb
content of the blood of 6 workers ranged from
0.057-0.12 mg/100 g. Determinations carried out
on 47 samples from 28 employees showed that in 21
cases the Pb content of the blood was >0.06
mg/100 g but only 1 employee of this group had any
symptoms of Pb poisoning. Air samples at 2 points
of the factory contained 0.237 and 1.973 mg Pb/m ,
respectively. Improvements in the factory re-
sulted in lower Pb values in the air and in the
blood of the workers.
1747 Barry, P.S.I. (Assoc. Ethyl Co. Ltd.,
England): A RECENT CASE OF MILD TETRA-
ETHYL LEAD INTOXICATION. Transactions of
the Association of Industrial Medical Of-
ficers 7, No. 2:71-3; discussion, 73-4,
1957.
A man, ^40 yr old, had been engaged In maintenance
work in a TEL plant for VLO mo when he complained
of anxiety, sleeplessness, headache and metallic
taste. On examination, he was found to be in a
state of extreme agitation, with a marked tremor
of his outstretched hands but otherwise normal re-
flexes and no other signs of the central nervous
system. He had a previous history of neurasthenia
and amnesia while serving in the army. He admitted
to exposure to TEL: while working in a pumphouse
(almost saturated atmosphere) his airline became
accidentally disconnected for 2 min; it is assumed,
however, that repeated exposure must have occurred.
He was sent home with the diagnosis of mild TEL
poisoning and his symptoms diminished within ^2 mo
when he resumed work. Although he was restricted
from work in the TEL plant, he had spells of head-
ache for the following 3 mo. Urinary Pb, measured
at weekly intervals, ranged from 583 yg at the on-
set of his illness to 60 pg/1 at his recovery. Pb
in the blood during the same period ranged from
112-53 ug/100 g, stippled cells from 6000-K3000->-
11,500+400/million, hemoglobin from 90-106%. The
feces contained 280 Mg Pb/g ash at the onset of the
illness and 110 pg/g ash 2 mo later. The author
concludes that the case described is typical for
mild TEL intoxication and occurred as a result of
a failure fully to appreciate the necessity for
maintenance of the highest levels of safety mea-
sures.
One of the discussants was concerned with the
risk in the storage of Pb gasoline in enclosed
spaces in ships. Barry pointed out that the small
amount of TEL contained in gasoline would be haz-
ardous only when the gasoline became evaporated
to ^1/3 of its volume, in which case gasoline fumes
would be the risk. Other answers were that in
England there had been 1 case of TEL poisoning in
manufacture, and a number of incidents among tank
cleaners (vl_0 cases since the war). As to a
question of the significance of the time lag be-
tween the highest point of urinary output of Pb
and the highest stipple cell count, Barry could
not explain it, and said that it was not usual in
TEL poisoning to find any rise in stipple cell
count.
1748 Barsi, C. (Inst. Ind. Med., Florence,
Italy): Su alcuni casi di saturnismo
nella produzione del minio. (SOME CASES
OF LEAD POISONING IN THE PRODUCTION OF
MINIUM.) Rassegna di Medicina Industriale
26:315-9 (July-Aug.), 1957.
Nine cases of Pb poisoning in 2 factories producing
minium are reported. Clinical signs, such as
colic, anemia or gastritis.appeared after an ex-
posure of 1-5-1/2 mo. Erythrocyte counts ranged
from 3.0-5.6 million, Hb from 57-80%, basophilic
cells (in 7 subjects) 1500-16,000/million; urinary
porphyrin was increased; the Pb level in the blood
was 22-57 ug%. It is pointed out that technical
deficiencies in the factories were responsible for
the poisonings.
1749 Bastenier, H., Deslypere, P., and De Graef-
millet (Mme) (Belgium): Un test utile pour
le diagnostic du saturnisme. (A USEFUL
340
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
TEST FOR DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISONING.)
In XII International Congress on Occupa-
tional Health, Helsinki, Finland, 1957,
Vol. Ill, Proceedings, pp. 243-5.
Intravenous injections of CaEDTA were administered
in order to produce a rapid urinary excretion of
Pb. Comparisons were made between Pb elimination
in the urine by normal subjects and by subjects
with Pb poisoning. A standard test is presented
which may be useful for medico-legal diagnosis of
Pb poisoning.
1750 Beritic, T., Grgic, Z., and Sirec, A. (Yu-
goslavia) : IRON CONTAINING BLOOD CELLS IN
HUMAN LEAD POISONING. In XII International
Congress on Occupational Health, Helsinki,
Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill, Proceedings, pp.
184-5.
The Fe-containing inclusions in erythrocytes and
in their precursor were studied in 10 cases of Pb
poisoning in the aim of detecting morphologically
the presence of nonutilized Fe deposits.
It was found that the number of erythroblasts
with Fe-positive granules was invariably high in
the bone marrow of the patients, ranging from 74-
96%. Fe-containing erythrocytes in the peripheral
blood of the same group, however, were present in
much smaller numbers. A relatively high number of
the marrow reticuloendothelial cells with stair.able
Fe content was also found.
Basophilic stippling (BS) was frequently seen in
the siderocytes and sideroblasts. As explained
by the authors, in addition to Fe-positive granules
which stain blue (Prussian blue reaction), the
above forms in Pb poisoning contain Fe-negative
granules which stain red (with counterstain), thus
giving distinct color contrast; but they differ
distinctly in number, shape and position within
the cell. BS granules are the more numerous, al-
most invariably round, regular and well defined,
while the Fe granules vary in shape and size and
are often ill-defined. BS granules are diffusely
scattered within the cell; the Fe granules are
usually situated close together or in the center
or periphery of the siderocyte or in the peri-
nuclear zone of the sideroblast.
1751 Berrod, F. (Dijon, France): Les methodes
biologiques de diagnostic du saturnisme.
(BIOLOGICAL METHODS FOR DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD
POISONING.) Vie Medicale (Paris) 38, No.
8:1021-7, 1957.
A review with 18 references, including chelate
mobilization tests in questionable cases.
1752 Besancon, M. (Metallurgy Soc., Normandy,
France): Plomb et hyperazotemie chez les
jeunes. (LEAD AND HYPERAZOTEMIA IN YOUTHS.)
Mede'cin d'Usine 19, No. 9:641-4, 1957.
Samples of air and dust taken in a galvanizing
workshop were examined for Pb content by polarog-
raphy. Results were (in p(sic)/l air) 4.6 (vapor)
and 0.81 (dust) above the preheating bath and 0.91
(vapor) and 3.6 (dust) atove the retort, much high-
er than the MAC of 0.15. The dust was 10% Pb and
could be inhaled or swallowed. Case histories were
presented of 2 20-yr-old workers who showed baso-
philic stippling (BS) (36 and 22/100 leukocytes)
and high blood urea values (0.82 and 0.59), but no
albuminuria or previous nephropathy. One also
showed blood Pb content of 170 ug/100 ml. When
they were removed from the Pb source,the values
decreased without treatment. They are described
as cases of "isolated hyperazotemia, coinciding
with exposure to the poison and disappearing more
or less quickly with it." A 30-yr-old worker
showed blood urea of 0.61, no albuminuria or prev-
ious nephropathy, and BS of 25/100 leukocytes.
After being removed from the Pb source, the blood
urea remained high for 4 mo. Hospital examination
showed blood urea 0.45, Ambard constant 0.116,
PSP 58%, normal EKG and blood cholesterol. It was
described as a case of "slight, isolated N reten-
tion yielding only slowly to removal of the toxic
deposit."
The author concluded that (1) the N retentions
were caused by Pb; (2) it was not necessary to con-
sider these N retentions of Pb origin as incipient
nephritis; and (3) to prevent Pb nephritis, the
factory doctor should determine blood urea at pre-
employment, determine blood urea yearly in exposed
subjects, and follow-up the azotemia after removal
from work because of disease. If a young worker
shows a normal blood urea at preemployment, slight
N retention not yielding to removal of the Pb, no
nephropathy foreign to the work, and clear signs
of Pb absorption, he should consider a declaration
of occupational disease.
1753 Bidstrup, P.L. (London Hosp., England):
CALCIUM DISODIUM VERSENATE. (SODIUM
CALCIUM-EDETATE.) Practitioner 179,
No. 1071:314-21, 1957.
The literature on the therapeutic uses of CaNa2EDTA
is reviewed. It is of value in the treatment of
Pb poisoning, and in the case of Pb encephalo-
pathy in children is the only therapeutic agent
known which dramatically alters the course of the
disease and results in rapid relief of symptoms,
with no sequelae due either to Pb or to the drug.
A case is described in which CaNa2EDTA was used in
the treatment of Pb palsy. (15 references)
1754 Boccia, D.: Prevencion medicamentosa y
tratamlento actual del saturnismo. (CUR-
RENT MEDICAL PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF
LEAD POISONING.) Semana Medica (Buenos
Aires) 111:985-8 (Nov. 14), 1957; Current
List of Medical Literature 34:11553, 1958.
1755 Boglevskaya, N.M.: Bioelektricheskaya
aktivnost kory i bazal'nykh otdelov mozga
pri svintsovoi intoksikatsii. (BIOELEC-
TRIC ACTIVITY OF THE CORTEX AND BASAL SEG-
MENTS OF THE BRAIN IN LEAD POISONING.) In
Trudy Yubileinoi Nauchnoi Sessii Posvyash-
chennoi 30-Letnei Deyatel'nosti Instituta
1924-1954. Leningrad, Ministerstvo
Zdravookhraneniya RSFSR, Institut Gigieny
Truda i Profzabolevanii, 1957, pp. 426-34.
EEC's were performed on 15 patients with various
degrees of Pb poisoning and 6 controls. Charac-
teristic changes in central nervous system func-
tion of varying degree of severity were seen in
the Pb cases. These changes were attributable to
the appearance of changes in the frontal portions
of the cerebral cortex and subcortical regions.
In the other portions of the brain, depending on
Man
341
-------
the severity of poisoning, functional changes of
varying degree were observed.
175g Bonzel, J., and Bonzel, H. (France): Un
curieux cas de saturnisme. (A CURIOUS
CASE OF LEAD POISONING.) Annales de Bio-
logie Clinique (Paris) 15:731 (Oct.-Dec.),
1957.
The case described is that of an X-ray technician
who, with her mother lived in an apartment above
an X-ray laboratory in which both worked. She was
referred to the authors by her family physician
for a complete examination because of repeated com-
plaints of intestinal disorders and pain in the
liver region. History revealed her father to have
had liver cancer. Thorough examination showed only
a slight anemia. In the meantime, her mother also
required an examination; she also exhibited a slight
anemia accompanied by an unexplained pronounced
neutropenia. Radiation injury, first suspected,
was excluded because of the normal blood formula.
Having observed the Pb line on the gums of the
patients, Pb poisoning was then confirmed by the
presence of basophilic stippling of erythrocytes
(120/100 leukocytes in the mother), Pb in blood
(130 ug/100 ml in the daughter, 90 in the mother),
coproporphyrinuria (90/1000 and 100 respectively).
Analysis of tap water for Pb showed 0.3 mg/1. The
entire plumbing of both the laboratory and apart-
ment was of iron and copper. However, several
meters of Pb pipe extended below and above the
meter, and were probably the site of electrolysis
by way of ground wire; in fact, the X-ray apparatus
was grounded to the water pipe.
The authors state in conclusion that numerous
cases of Pb poisoning due to water have been re-
ported. However, in a similar case which was re-
ported to them, the manipulation of Pb letters used
for revising the name plates by X-ray technicians,
was incriminated as the only cause.
1757 Borello, E., Lovisetto, P., Turco, G.L.,
and Sibour, F. (Univ. Turin, Italy):
Studi sulla emoglobina nellTanemia da
piombo. IV. Spettroscopia nell'infrarosso.
(HEMOGLOBIN IN LEAD ANEMIA. IV. INFRARED
SPECTROSCOPY.) Bollettino della Societa
Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale 33:303-4,
1957.
The infrared spectrum of hemoglobin from 8 cases
of Pb poisoning did not differ from that of normal
hemoglobin.
1758 Boudouresques, J., and Guillot, P.
(France): Oedeme papillaire, manifesta-
tion solitaire d'une intoxication par le
plomb. (PAPILLEDEMA, SOLITARY MANIFESTA-
TION OF LEAD POISONING.) Marseilles Medi-
cal 94, to. 10:693-5, 1957.
The case described is that of a 23-yr-old woman
who presented bilateral papillary stasis with
edema, History revealed that for 1-1/2 mo she
had had headaches with vomiting. Hematologic
findings revealing the presence of 130 stippled
cells/10,000 led to consideration of Pb poisoning,
which appeared to be justified since the woman
worked in an unventilated workroom for enameling
operations in a tile manufacturing shop. Finding
Pb in blood confirmed the diagnosis (80 yg/100 ml;
Pb in urine, 90 ug/1). Treatment was first with
Mg sulfate iv and BAL im every 4 hr for 2 days,
followed by injections every 6 hr for 3 days,
and 2 injections/day for 10 days. The authors
found the effectiveness of BAL astounding; all
signs disappeared.
1759 Boulding, J.E., and Baker, R.A. (Crease
Clinic Psychological Med., Essondale,
British Columbia, Canada): THE TREATMENT
OF METAL POISONING WITH PENICILLAMINE.
Lancet 2:985 (Nov. 16), 1957.
A worker in a Pb smelter with an increased number
of stippled red blood cells and a urinary Pb ex-
cretion of 510 pg/1 was removed from exposure.
After 2 days' treatment with 0.3 g penicillamine 3
times/day, 1/2 hr before meals, urinary Pb excre-
tion was >2000 ug/1 and he became free of symp-
toms. (The case was not considered as definitely
confirmative for the effect of penicillamine due
to the mildness of the symptoms.) A woman worker,
intermittently exposed to Pb vapors for several
years and suffering from abdominal colic, anemia
and symptoms suggesting peripheral neuritis, did
not improve after 1 mo of conventional treatment
for Pb poisoning. When given 0.3 g penicillamine
3 times/day 1/2 hr before meals for 14 days, urinary
Pb excretion rose from an initial 530 pg/1-1530
yg/1 after 4 days and 2000 pg/1 after 13 days and
symptoms disappeared soon. A man with liver dis-
ease and other signs of Fe poisoning and a urinary
Fe excretion of 2.8 mg/24 hr, was given 0.3 g peni-
cillamine 3 times/day 1/2 hr before meals for 3
days. Urinary Fe was 2.5 mg/24 hr on the 2nd and
5.5 mg/24 hr on the 3rd day of treatment. A woman
with hemochromatosis and bronze diabetes did not
respond to the penicillamine treatment. The
author points out that further investigations are
needed in order to determine the value of treat-
ment with penicillamine in metal poisoning.
1760 Boyd, P. (Assoc. Ethyl Co., Ltd., London,
England): TETRAETHYL LEAD POISONING.
(Letter to the Editor.) Lancet 1:430
(Feb. 23), 1957.
In reply to a letter (Abstract No. 1850), Boyd
states: The case described by Dr. G.L. Robinson
in his letter last week is not really typical of
TEL poisoning because neither a marked anemia nor
punctate basophilia are characteristic of this
form of Pb poisoning, and the central nervous sys-
tem is always affected. Scaling of tanks which
have contained Pb gasoline usually results in ex-
posure to inorganic Pb salts combined with other
Pb compounds which are the result of the breakdown
of TEL. It would seem that the brief description
of this particular case is substantially that of
ordinary Pb poisoning. It should also be mentioned
that Pb can always be found in the urine of normal
people who have had no specific exposure, since
this metal is invariably present in very small
amounts in the atmosphere and food of an industrial
community. Accurate methods of analysis have
proved these facts. Finally, Boyd doubts much if
any case of ordinary Pb poisoning with normal kid-
ney function would have typical symptoms and signs
unaccompanied by an excretion of Pb in the urine
in excess of normal.
342
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1761 Boyd, P.R., Walker, G., and Henderson, I.
N. (Assoc . Ethyl Co., Ltd.; Middesex Hosp.,
London, England): THE TREATMENT OF TETRA-
ETHYL LEAD POISONING. Lancet 1:181-5
(Jan. 26), 1957.
Five men had worked for 6 wk cleaning underground
gasoline tanks. They had been provided with pro-
tective clothing and face masks, but had disre-
garded the safety instructions. One, who remained
on the surface showed no signs of poisoning. The
others, 3 with moderately severe and 1 with severe
central nervous system signs of TEL poisoning (an-
orexia, anxiety, fatigue, depression, insomnia
with nightmares, etc, confusion, paranoia, hallu-
cinations and violence) as well as gastrointesti-
nal and other complaints were hospitalized and
treated with CaNa2EDTA, orally and intravenously
(iv) as well as with oral penicillamine.
During hospitalization, urine was collected
daily for estimation of Pb, coproporphyrin (CP) and
creatinine; Pb analyses were also made on feces
daily; and on blood frequently. Cases 1-3 were
treated for 3-day periods with 1 g EDTA/30 Ib body
weight/day by iv infusion over 4-6 hr; with 300 mg
3 times daily and with 1 g EDTA 4 times daily
orally. In each case treatment was preceded by 2
days (under sedation) control period. The mean
urinary and fecal levels of Pb before treatment
were, respectively, in yg daily: Case 1, (with the
longest exposure, 10 yr) 688 and 1000; Case 2, 270
and 540; Case 3, 222 and 710. The details and
means of daily output during specific treatments
of these 3 cases are shown in a table and sum-
marized in terms of percentage of pretreatment
figures (mean, 100%) as follows for urine, feces,
and total: Iv EDTA, 705, 93, 279; during interval,
222, 103, 136; penicillamine, 231, 69, 118; inter-
val, 163, 62, 91; oral EDTA, 240, 69, 118; inter-
val, 254, 75, 123; iv EDTA for urine of Case 1
only, 452. Therefore, iv EDTA increased urinary
Pb 7-fold and total excretion 3-fold, while oral
EDTA and penicillamine had much less effect. No
drug affected the fecal excretion which fell pro-
gressively.
There was no change in the blood-Pb content as
a result of treatment in cases 1-3, whose mean
blood-Pb figures on admission were 51, 63 and 56
yg/100 g, respectively. The urinary CP excretion
varied considerably from patient to patient and
from day to day. The mean pretreatment levels
in cases 1, 2 and 3 were 12, 46 and 13 yg/day and
there was no significant change during or as a
result of treatment.
After discharge, EDTA was given orally, 1 g 4
times/day, every other week until the clinical
condition was satisfactory and Pb excretion nor-
mal. The total duration of illness was: Cases 1
and 2, 11 wk; case 3, 7 wk.
Case 4 was not treated with this regimen and data
were scanty because of the severity of his illness.
He was transferred to a mental hospital where drug
treatment did not calm him. Electroconvulsion
treatment (ECT) was given which enabled the patient
to start on EDTA iv for 2 days, followed by another
ECT on the 3rd day because of recurring restless-
ness, and EDTA infusions on the next 3 days with
further improvement. His blood Pb content was as
follows: On admission, 86 yg/100 g and 89 ug/100
g on consecutive days; within 1 mo, the level fell
to 50-60 yg/100 g. Urinary CP excretion before
treatment averaged 142 yg/day which fell to 30-60
yg/day within 1 mo. The average daily Pb excre-
tion before treatment was 5123 yg (urine 789 yg,
feces 4334 yg). After 2 mo treatment, his urinary
Pb dropped to 133, and the fecal, to 190 yg/day.
After discharge, the patient received oral EDTA as
above. Six additional ECT's were given to prevent
his recurring depression and paranoia from becoming
an ingrained part of his personality. The total
duration of his illness was 6 mo.
After discharge all but one patient said that
they felt better when taking EDTA by mouth, but
there was no other correlation between treatment
and the relief of symptoms. The exception (Case
2) complained that the abdominal discomfort and
diarrhea were aggravated by oral edathamil CaNa2-
No other symptoms referable to treatment were
noted. No patient showed any desire to commit
suicide. (22 references)
1762 Brandt, H.H. (Municipal Hosp. Friedrichs-
hain, Berlin, Germany): Zur klinischen
Problematik der Bleivergiftung. (CLINICAL
PROBLEMS OF LEAD POISONING.) Zeitschrift
fUr die Gesamte Innere Medizin und Ihre
Grenzgebiete 12, No. 1:7-12, 1957.
The salient points of this discussion, based upon
the literature, are as follows: Adults ingest
daily 40-250 yg Pb with their food and in some
cases even more since, eg, a hard salami was found
to contain 700 yg Pb/kg. A person drinking daily
2.5 1. water containing 2.9 mg Pb/1, showed the 1st
signs of poisoning after 2 yr. Inhalation of Pb
fumes has resulted in damage of the reproductive
organs and women living in the neighborhood of Pb
industries were found to suffer from recurrent ab-
ortion. A mother who acquired Pb poisoning after
parturition, by her milk transferred Pb to a
healthy infant who subsequently developed blood
changes characteristic of Pb intoxication. Pb en-
tering the lungs passes directly into the blood-
stream and is thus distributed in all tissues.
Ingested Pb, by way of the portal vein is deposit-
ed in the liver and from there excreted in the
bile. Circulating Pb occurs as easily soluble
colloidal di-Pb-phosphate, stored Pb as difficult-
ly soluble tri-Pb-phosphate; the latter forms an
easily mobilizable fraction adhering to the tra-
beculae of the spongiosa and a more difficulty
mobilizable subperiosteal fraction. Possibly, a
rearrangement from the 1st to the latter causes
the Pb level in the blood to rise without a con-
comitant increase of fecal or urinary Pb excretion.
It may be assumed that Pb, by reacting with some
enzymes, inhibits the synthesis of hemoglobin and
thus leads to coproporphyrinuria. The ratio of
the Pb content of whole blood to plasma is 3:1.
Pb is excreted primarily by bile into the gut and
secondarily by the kidneys. In chronic plumbism
the feces contain 0.3-3.0 mg Pb/100 g; a content
of >4 mg/100 g indicates "plumbophagia."
The tolerance for Pb varies individually. A Pb
level of 100 yg% has been found in the blood of Pb
workers without manifest toxic signs. An alkaline
vegetable diet seems to act protectively while
food rich in fat promotes susceptibility. The
threshold dose by ingestion which is about 2-3 mg/
day, is higher than that by inhalation. Daily
Man
343
-------
doses of 2-3 mg Pb in the drinking water led to
poisoning within several months, daily doses of 10
mg within some weeks. Reexposure to Pb after a
previous Pb poisoning causes more serious signs
within a shorter period. Symptoms may recur even
without a 2nd exposure due to some drugs or febrile
diseases. Excessive intake of alcoholic beverages
increases the storage of Pb in organs rich in
lipoids such as brain, adrenals and testes. An
increase of stippled red cells to 10-20% is a
serious warning though it is not specific for Pb
poisoning. Coprophyrinuria, however, is a definite
early sign. Anemia, icterus, increased reticulo-
cytes develop later. The Pb gum line is also not
specific. Severe and chronic plumbism may lead to
encephalopathy. Treatment consists in removal from
exposure, administration of laxatives. Na citrate
or CaEDTA, supported by vitamin B-j^, folic acid
and cystine. BAL is not recommended. Protective
measures in industry and frequent examinations of
the workers in all Pb plants are the best means
to prevent poisoning. The syndrome caused by TEL
differs from that of other compounds. TEL is easi-
ly absorbed by the skin and causes cerebral poison-
ing. The ganglia cells are affected directly and
acutely without previous vascular damage. Clinical
signs are headache, irritability and bradycardia.
1763 Breton, J., and Mars, F.: Une anorexie
qui n'etait pas "mentale." (ANOREXIA THAT
WAS NOT MENTAL.) Presse Medicale 65:1888
(Nov. 20), 1957.
On September 3, a frightfully emaciated (33 kg)
24-yr-old woman with "nervous anorexia" was ad-
mitted. The condition had begun to appear in
June, with intense abdominal pains and greenish
vomiting. Treatment by her physician for bacteri-
uria improved her condition until July 14 when the
pain reappeared accompanied by constipation, an-
orexia and insomnia. Her character changed dras-
tically from "good-natured girl" to raving maniac.
Largactil, prescribed on the basis of "nervous
history," had no effect. The physician had her
committed for "mental anorexia" in the terminal
stage.
After treatment of collapse and several hours'
rest, hospital examination revealed subnormal
temperature ; accelerated pulse due to the rigors
of the examination; a slightly muffled cardiac
rhythm; a distinct murmur; azotemia 0.66 g; dry,
transparent skin; scaly nails; sparse, brittle
hair, no alopecia. Trichosis was slight but there
was some fine growth in places normally hairless,
a sign noted in descriptions of classical mental
anorexia. Auscultation and lung X ray were normal.
Neurologic examination was negative. The abdomi-
nal pains were ascribed by the patient to an 8-yr-
old appendectomy scar. Pains improved with heat
application. Vagina and uterus were normal, his-
tory of painful menstruation. Amenorrhea, the
main classical sign of mental anorexia, was lack-
ing. Psychiatric examination revealed no symptoms
of manic-depressive state, dissociation, confusion,
hallucination or delirium. Intelligence was nor-
mal. The reason for her total refusal of food,
patient stated in these words: "Why should I eat
if I vomit it out afterwards?"
The patient's history, revealing a difficult
personal and family situation, is briefly described.
Patient, despite her situation, exhibited satis-
factory maturity in behavior and a great extent of
cooperation with the plan of treatment. Her con-
dition improved. Laboratory tests on blood, urine,
and liver, kidney and endocrine functions were
normal. Blood test showed 1,900,000 red cells
and 10,600 white, slight neutropenia and marked
monocytosis, but, most important: 35 stippled
erythrocytes/100 leukocytes, proof of Pb intoxica-
tion because elevated above the upper normal limit
of 10/100 accepted by the Labor Department. Uri-
nary coproporphyrin excretion was 3500 pg/24 hr
(normal: 50-120 yg). Blood Pb level could not be
determined because the first specimen was lost.
A second specimen showed the level to be within
normal limits: 70 yg Pb/1 blood.
The patient left hospital on October 26. The Pb
intoxication was believed to be due to contaminated
drinking water in the patient's locality which
showed 25 mg Pb/1, an unusually high level in view
of the maximum acceptable level of 0.1-0.3 mg/1.
1764 Brugsch, J. (Municipal Hosp. Friedrichs-
hain, Berlin, Germany): Toxische Leuko-
Porphyrie durch Bleivergiftung als Pra-
porphyrieform. (TOXIC LEUKOPORPHYRIA BY
LEAD POISONING AS A FORM OF PREPORPHYRIA.)
Zeitschrift fur die Gesamte Innere Medizin
und Ihre Grenzgebiete 12, No. 15:704-6,
1957.
While cutaneous porphyria in adults is character-
ized mainly by formation of uroporphyrin, acute
porphyria is an earlier stage in the disturbance
of heme synthesis, ie, a preporphyria or porpho-
bilinogen porphyria. The case of a pregnant woman
is described who had taken 20 g yellow Pb oxide as
an abortive. She exhibited anemia, icterus, swell-
ing of liver and spleen, gastric colic and abdomi-
nal pains. Urinary coproporphyrlns were greatly
increased, basophil stippled erythrocytes were
found. Only traces of uroporphyrin were detected
in the urine but large amounts of leukouroporphyr-
ins were present for about 3 mo. Crystallization
and separation of the leukouroporphyrins yielded
mainly the uroporphyrin-III- and some type I. No
porphobilinogen was found. Liver biopsy revealed
no free uroporphyrin.
The author points out that the metabolic state
in pregnancy may have been a predispositional fac-
tor for the cell damage leading to increased for-
mation of leukouroporphyrin. In contrast to real
porphyria this leukoporphyria was reversible. In
conclusion, he states that the present form of pre-
porphyria was characterized by the absence of uro-
porphyrins and porphobilinogen in the fresh urine;
only coproporphyrins were present. A prestage of
uroporphyrins could be transformed into uroporphyr-
in-III and crystallized as such. This prestage of
uroporphyrin which is called leukoporphyrin dis-
appeared upon recovery of the patient.
1765 Caccuri, S. (Italy): Hemopathies dans la
toxicologie industrielle. (BLOOD DISORDERS
IN INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY.) In XII Inter-
national Congress of Occupational Health,
Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. I, Reports,
pp. 192-206.
Changes observed in the blood as a result of occu-
pational exposure to Pb, benzene, N and Cl com-
344
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
pounds, aniline and CO are reviewed, particularly
in respect to Pb.
1786 Cataldi, R., and Odaglia, G. (Italy): THE
BLOOD COAGULATION IN ACUTE LEAD POISONING.
In XII International Congress of Occupa-
tional Health, Helsinki, Finland, 1957,
Vol. II, Summaries, p. 56.
See Abstract No. 1896.
1767 Cataldi, R. , Odaglia, G., and Zannini, D.
(Univ. Genoa, Italy): Aspetti fisiopato-
logici del circolo periferico nei saturni-
ni. (PHYSIOPATHOLOGY OF PERIPHERAL CIR-
CULATION IN LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medi-
ca (Naples) 40:710-9 (Sept.), 1957.
A group of 38 patients (18-o9 yr old) , hospital-
j-zed with Pb poisoning in various stages of the
disease were studied by capillaroscopy and photo-
plethysmography, as well as by physical (immersion
of hands in hot and cold water) and pharmacody-
namic tests (administration of papaverine, etc).
Data for each case are tabulated as to clinical
findings, duration of illness, blood pressure, red
cell number, condition of arterioles and capil-
laries. The results showed that in chronic Pb
poisoning the capillary bed was frequently re-
duced, which the authors attribute to a precapil-
lary sphincter, probably due to hypertonia of the
muscular cells. (22 references)
1768 Corbin, J.L. (Internal Hosp., Paris,
France): Les agents chelateurs dans le
traitement du saturnisme. (CHELATING
AGENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF LEAD POISON-
ING.) Progres Medical 85, No. 7-8:159-60,
1957.
Following a brief mention of the classical thera-
peutic agents, Ca, Mg sulfate, etc, followed by
BAL, the discussion is limited to EDTA, specific-
ally CaNa2EDTA, as to chemical and physical prop-
erties, dosage, results, and tolerance.
1769 Crepet, M., and Corsi, G.C. (Italy): IRON-
STAINING NORMOBLASTIC INCLUSIONS IN THE
STUDY OF LEAD POISONING ANEMIA. In XII
International Congress of Occupational
Health, Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. II,
Summaries, p. 51.
Among biochemical data and morphological charac-
teristics relating to Pb poisoning anemia, investi-
gation was made on bone marrow sideroblastosis.
Fourteen subjects suffering from Pb poisoning ane-
mia of varying severity were studied. The findings
are summarized as follows: Intense sideroblasto-
sis (higher percentage of sideroblasts, coarse
granules in greater number) were observed in those
subjects who had suffered from anemia for a long
period of time, with no relation to the severity
of the anemia itself. In such cases, Fe-containing
granules were obviously present even in normoblasts
with no evidence of hemoglobin formation. A sig-
nificant relation was found between the entity of
bone marrow normoblastosis and the percentage of
normoblasts with Fe-positive granules. A differ-
ent distribution between basophilic stippling (BS)
and Fe-containing granules was observed in the
normoblasts. While the latter seemed to form a
ring around the nucleus, the former were scattered
all over the cytoplasm. Sideroblasts with abundant
and coarse Fe-containing granules were more numer-
ous than normoblasts with BS. In strongly sidero-
blastic bone marrow, a higher number of BS and
siderocytes could be found; in such cases these
often appear in circulating blood. Any relation
with reticulocyte counts, though quite clear, was
not so significant. The relationship between Fe-
containing granules in normoblasts and sternal
marrow storage of hemosiderin was not quite clear.
The erythrocyte coproporphyrin concentration close-
ly paralleled the Fe contents of normoblasts with
occasional deviation from this relationship. The
same could not be said for the erythrocyte PP
which showed no consistent linear correlation with
the sideroblastic values. Finally, there was no
correlation between sideroblastosis and bilirubin-
emia.
1770 Danilovic, V., Djurisic, M., Mokranjac, M.,
Stojimirovic, B., Zivojinovic, J., and Sto-
jakovic, P.: Nephrites chroniques provo-
quees par 1'intoxication au plomb par voie
digestive (farine). (CHRONIC NEPHRITIS DUE TO
LEAD POISONING BY DIGESTIVE ROUTE (FLOUR).)
Presse Me'dicale 65:2039-40 (Dec. 11), 1957.
See Abstract No. 1897.
1771 Danilovic', V., Djurisid, M. , Mokranjac, M. ,
Stojimrovic, B., Zivojinovic", J., and
Stojakovic, P. : Porodic'na obolenja bubrega
u selu Sopic izazvana, hronicnom intoksi-
kacijom olovom. (FAMILIAL KIDNEY DISEASES
IN THE VILLAGE SOPIC CAUSED BY CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING.) Srpski Arhiv Za Celokupno
Lekarstvo 85:1115-25 (Oct.), 1957.
See Abstract No. 1897.
1772 De Leon, D.E.M.: Loodintoxicatie en haar
behandeling met calcium-dinatrium-versenaat
(CaEDTA) . Ervaringen bij zes patienten.
(TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING WITH CaEDTA) .
Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde
101, No. 12:532-8, 1957.
A description is given of the pathophysiology,
clinical picture and treatment of Pb poisoning.
In 6 of the author's cases, CaEDTA treatment re-
sulted in a marked increase of the excretion of
Pb, a significant decrease of coproporphyrin ex-
cretion, and subjective improvement, the latter
being of short duration. The only side effect was
a temperature peak in several patients. The serum
level of inorganic phosphorus in one patient rose
from 5.0-7.68 mEq/1, without any other disturban-
ces of the electrolyte spectrum. Shortly after
discontinuation of therapy the subjective symptoms
of Pb poisoning returned in both patients. The
further course was uneventful; recovery was com-
plete in all cases 2 mo later (From author's
English summary)
1773 Desoille, H., Albahary, C., Truhaut, R.,
and Boudene, C, (Paris, France): Le test
de la plomburie provoque'e par 1'edathamil-
calcium-disodlum. (THE LEAD MOBILIZATION
TEST USING CaNa2EDTA.) In XII Interna-
tional Congress of Occupational Health,
Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill, Pro-
ceedings, pp. 287-90.
Man
345
-------
The EDTA mobilization test was applied in iv in-
fusion (1 g/250 ml 5% glucose) or orally (4 g/24
hr), in Pb poisoning cases and in controls. Four-
teen cases are described and the results of uri-
nary, fecal, and blood Pb, as well as the course
of azotemia are shown in tables. On the basis of
the results, the authors conclude that usually a
dose of 0.50-1 g suffices for iv infusion. The
following 8-hr urine must be examined. The 0.50 g
dose can be injected directly without infusion, in
30 ml of the solvent. In this case the subject
should empty his bladder before injection, and
examination can be limited to the following 6-hr
voidings. Except in acute, severe poisoning,
there is no advantage in administering higher
doses nor in performing >2 inject ions/wk. Such
doses are not contraindicated for patients with
nephritis, in fact may be of benefit if the ail-
ment is due to Pb. Oral EDTA (4 g in 2 doses) is
without danger, but does not produce Pb elimination
of a magnitude obtained iv. So administered only
10-15% of the chelate penetrates the intestinal
wall. The PbEDTA there formed is more capable of
passing into the circulation to be finally elimin-
ated in the urine; this results in a slight de-
crease in fecal Pb, which could lead to error in
interpretation. Persons never exposed to Pb elim-
inate 10 times the normal amount of Pb when EDTA
is administered. A positive test of Pb mobiliza-
tion is represented by urinary Pb of 500 pg/1 when
given orally, and 800-1000 yg/1 when given iv.
Since the principal route of industrial exposure
to Pb is the respiratory, causing rapid absorption,
the iv mobilization test will best reveal the de-
gree of risk, especially for those excessively
exposed for the 1st time.
Aside from this, the test is easily performed
within the industry, and could perhaps be utilized
prophylactically in workers who are insufficiently
protected. However, these tests should in no way
compete with technical control of occupations at
risk of exposure. (13 references)
1774 Dinischiotu, G.I., Nestorescu, B., Radu-
lescu, I., lonescu, C., Freda, N., and
Roventa, A. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis.
Bucharest, Romania): Recherches sur les
valeurs de la plomburie determinees par
les methodes de mineralization et de co-
precipitation et leur signification clin-
ique. (STUDIES ON URINARY LEAD VALUES
OBTAINED BY MINERALIZATION AND COPRECIPI-
TATION METHODS AND THEIR CLINICAL SIGNIFI-
CANCE.) Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles de Medecine du Travail et de Secu-
rite Sociale 18, No. 2:138-44, 1957.
Groups of workers exposed to Pb in varying degrees
were studied: (1) 6 cases presented an increase'd
but not pathological Pb absorption; (2) 20 cases
had chronic Pb poisoning; (3) 10 cases exhibited
an acute period of colic. There were 44 controls.
A total of more than 600 determinations of Pb in
urine were made. Results obtained by the copre-
cipitation and by the mineralization method were
compared. The following mean results were ob-
tained by coprecipitation and mineralization, Pb
in yg/1, respectively: controls, 42.6, 43.0; group
1, 98.53, 122.50; group 2, 112.53, 183.41; group 3,
183.60, 296.58. The authors conclude that the
values obtained by the mineralization method re-
flect indisputably the total Pb eliminated in the
urine, while those of the coprecipitation method
do not do so. It is pointed out that the methods
do not appreciably differ in the urinary analyses
of the controls. (13 references)
1775 Dinischiotu, G.T., Radulescu, I.C. and
Miuca, N.: Cercetari asupra modificarilor
hemodinamice in saturnism. (STUDIES OF
HEMODYNAMIC CHANGES IN LEAD POISONING.)
Med. interna (Bucuresti) 9, No. 9:1326-42,
1957. „
See article published in Archiv fur Gewerbepatho-
logie und Gewerbehygiene 17, No. 2:148-b7, 1959.
1776 Djuric, D. (Inst. Med. Res., Zagreb, Yugo-
slavia): Analize urina kod porfirinurija
i porfirija. (ANALYSIS OF URINE IN POR-
PHYRINURIA AND PORPHYRIA.) Arhiv za
Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju 8:61-71,
,1957.
The definitions of porphyrinuria and porphyria are
given, also the classification of porphyria accord-
ing to Watson. The causes of porphyria and porphy-
rinuria are presented on the basis of Rimlngton's
hypothesis of enzymatic block. The most pronounced
symptoms and laboratory findings are described, and
the findings in urine, ie, the characteristic color
of urine, porphobilinogen, and other porphyrins are
discussed more fully. Detailed instructions are
given for the determination, both spectrophotomet-
ric and fluorimetric, of coproporphyrin, total uro-
porphyrin (UP) and UP III, and for the indirect
determination of UP I. The results of comparative
determinations of these porphyrins are also given.
The determinations of UP have been carried out in
2 cases of porphyria cutanea tarda, while the ex-
perience concerning porphyrinuria has been gained
on the basis of the observation of numerous cases
of Pb poisoning. (From author's English summary)
1777 Djuric, D. (Inst. Med. Res., Zagreb, Yugo-
slavia) : 0 potencijalnoj opasnosti otro-
vanja olovom prilikom upotrebe grncarije sa
olovnom glazurom. (POTENTIAL DANGERS OF
LEAD POISONING AFTER USE OF POTTERY WITH
LEAD GLAZING.) Medicinski Pregled 10, No.
4:210-3, 1957.
In Yugoslavia, poisoning following the use of
glazed pottery has been detected among the rural
population. Such pottery is widely used in vil-
lages and also in towns. In 6 cases of Pb poison-
ing in villagers the incriminated vessels and food
specimens were tested. It is concluded that the
solubility of Pb is dependent on: (1) mechanical
properties of the glaze', (2) chemical properties
of the glaze, (3) acidity (pH) of the material in
the vessel, (4) chemical structure of the material
in the vessel, and (5) temperature in the vessel.
(From author's English summary)
1778 Dulong de Rosnay, C., Labadie, P., and
Debot, P.: Recherches sur 1'hemoglobine
alcalinore'sistante. Sa presence au cours
de 1'intoxication saturnine. (STUDIES ON
THE ALKALI RESISTANT HEMOGLOBIN. ITS
PRESENCE IN LEAD POISONING.) Proceedings
of the Society of Industrial Medicine and
346
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Hygiene, Paris. Archives des Maladies
Professionnelles de Me'decine du Travail
et de Se'curite' Sociale 18, No. 4:474,
1957.
Studies on alkali-resistant hemoglobin in mani-
festations of Pb poisoning and in the experimental
Pb poisoning of a dog were carried out. In mild
exposure the increase is variable and cannot be
used as a test. In severe exposure, however, the
increase is constant and becomes more noticeable
as the intoxication becomes more intense. In-
creased alkali-resistance seems to be a part of
the biochemical syndrome of Pb poisoning.
1779 Egli, R. , Grandjean, E,, Marmet, J., and
Kapp, H. (Tech. Coll., Zlirich, Switzer-
land) : Die Verbreitung der chronischen
Bleivergiftung in Akkumulatoren- und
Bleifarbenfabriken. (THE INCIDENCE OF
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING IK ACCUMULATOR AND
LEAD PAINT FACTORIES.) Schweizerische
Medizinische Wochenschrift 87, No. 37:
1171-4, 1957.
This is the full report of the investigation cover-
ed by the following abstract.
1780 Egli> R- > Kapp, H., Marmet, J., and Grand-
Jean, E. (Switzerland): RELATIONSHIP BE-
TWEEN LEAD EXPOSURE AND LEAD EXCRETION IN
MAN AND CLINICAL SYMPTOMS. In XII Inter-
national Congress on Occupational Health,
Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill, Pro-
ceedings, pp. 281-2.
Ninety-four workers from 2 storage battery plants,
3 Pb-paint producing factories and 1 machine
factory were examined clinically, according to a
form designed for prophylactic examination of Pb
workers, Issued by the Swiss National Insurance
Company. Only 40 out of the 94 subjects had ex-
posures <0.15 mg Pb/m , the others had been ex-
posed to higher Pb concentrations. The Pb level
in blood was >0.05 rag/100 g in 59 men and >0.10
mg/100 g in 9 of these 59. Urinary Pb excretion
was <0.15 mg/1 in 41 subjects while the remaining
53 excreted higher amounts. Figures are given for
hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocytes and basophil stip-
pled cells. It was concluded that a definite Pb
hazard exists in storage battery and Pb-paint pro-
ducing plants in Switzerland.
In an analysis of clinical findings with labora-
tory results, the best correlation was found be-
tween Hb and coproporphyrin (CP) in urine. From
the correlations, the authors arrived at the fol-
lowing threshold limits: Pb in blood 0.058 mg/100
g; Pb in urine 0.145 mg/1; CP in urine 0.767 mg/1;
average exposure 0.235 mg/m^. Although the latter
figure is higher than the generally admitted MAC
of 0.15, since various factors have to be taken
into account, ie, individual sensitivity, they do
not suggest that the established limit of 0.15 mg
be raised. A tolerance limit of 0.7-0.08 mg/1 for
CP excretion was proposed.
1781 Fabre, R. , Truhaut, R., Boudene, C., and
Albahary, C. (France): Le rapport erythro-
plasmatique du plomb au cours des intoxi-
cations chroniques chez 1'homme et chez
1'animal - influence de 1'E.D.T.A.Ca-.
(ERYTHROCYTE-PLASMA PARTITION OF LEAD IN
THE COURSE OF CHRONIC POISONING IN MAN AND
IN ANIMALS AS INFLUENCED BY CaEDTA.) In
XII International Congress of Occupational
Health, Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill,
Proceedings, pp. 173-6.
The experiments described were undertaken for the
reason that although in 1942 Kehoe et al had con-
firmed the findings of some authors in their
classic experiments that almost all of the Pb ab-
sorbed into the circulation is localized in the
erythrocytes, there have been many who have ad-
vocated that Pb be determined in the serum of Pb
exposed subjects, rather than in whole blood. For
the measurement of Pb distribution in blood, the
authors chose the dithizone method of Cornish and
Shields (1954), modified for the analysis of 10 ml
plasma.
The results obtained on 20 normal subjects and
Pb-exposed subjects, they found that 95% of the
Pb is deposited in the erythrocytes. The same re-
jults were obtained in the blood of rabbits sub-
jected to various degrees of chronic poisoning;
this was slightly higher than Kehoe's findings
(90%), but close to Mortensen and Kellogg's (97-
99%), utilizing radio-Pb. In tests to determine
in human subjects the percentage of Pb fixed in
the plasma, after CaEDTA treatment, only partially
successful results were obtained, since it was
never possible to make analyses in samples collect-
ed in the 1st hr of the iv infusion. Samples col-
lected in a minimum of 6 hr after the end of
infusion never revealed any signigicant rise in
plasma Pb >5 jjg/100 ml. In rabbits with chronic
Pb poisoning, ip injection of 300 mg EDTA gave a
rise in plasma Pb up to 18 Mg/100 ml at the end of
1-1/2 hr; after 6 hr the level dropped to 3 yg.
Experiments were also performed with PbEDTA injec-
ted ip to rabbits in a dose of 3 mg Pb/kg and for
comparison, with ionic Pb by injecting the same
dose as Pb nitrate. The plasma/cellular Pb ratio
in the 1st case was 1.53 1-1/2 hr after injection
and 0.05 6 hr after injection; in the 2nd, Pb was
not detectable in plasma 1 and 3-1/2 hr after in-
jection, but 30 yg/100 ml was found at the same
times in the cells. In in-vitro experiments on
rabbit blood, the plasma/cell ratio was for che-
lated Pb, 1.90 and for ionic Pb, 0.01.
In conclusion, the authors state that their
studies confirm an almost total fixation of Pb in
the cells, with almost total absence in plasma and
serum, even under pathologic conditions. It is
only under chelation with CaEDTA that a transient
but tangible rise in plasma Pb takes place which
is in direct relation to the degree of urinary
elimination.
1782 Filippova, N.G.: Analiz materialov
periodicheskikh meditsinskikh osmotrov
rabochikh Leningradskoi promyshlennosti
za period 1948-1953 gg. (ANALYSIS OF THE
RESULTS OF PERIODIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION
OF WORKERS OF LENINGRAD INDUSTRIES IN THE
PERIOD 1948-1953.) In Trudy Yubileinoi
Nauchnoi Sessii Posvyashchennoi 30-Letnei
Deyatel'nosti Instituta 1924-1954. Lenin-
grad, Ministerstvo Zdravookhraneniya
RSFSR, Institut Gigieny Truda i Profzabo-
levanii, 1957, pp. 464-9.
The results of periodic medical examinations here
Man
347
-------
reported pertain to workers exposed to silica,
TEL-containing gasoline, Hg, Pb, benzene and Mn.
1783 Francheteau, M. : Sur la prophylaxie du
saturnisme des peintres dans un chantier
de construction navale. (THE CONTROL OF
LEAD POISONING IN A NAVY YARD.) Proceed-
ings of the Society of Industrial Medi-
cine and Hygiene, Paris. Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Securite Sociale 18, No.
4:439-40, 1957.
Among 125 painters, occupied in a navy yard where
75 tons minimum/yr were used, only 4 men had con-
tracted Pb poisoning within 9 yr. Two of them de-
veloped anemia with 3,500,000 RBC and 2 had Pb
colic. They recovered rapidly when removed from
exposure. This is attributed to careful selection
of workers, to safety measures, and to strict med-
ical control. In the discussion following the
paper, it is pointed out that minium presents a
rather stable, little soluble form of Pb which may
explain the infrequency of poisoning caused by it.
1784 Gaffuri, E., and Gobbato, F. (Univ. Padua,
Italy): La risposta al "cold pressor
test" nella intossicazione cronica da Pb.
(COLD PRESSOR TEST IN CHRON7.C LEAD POI-
SONING.) Folia Medica (Naples) 40:583-7
(July), 1957.
The cold pressor test was carried out on 3 normal
subjects, 2 cases of essential hypertension, and
in 9 workers who had been exposed for a long time
to Pb and who presented signs of poisoning. The
results (as shown in a table) suggested to the
authors that the hypertension in chronic Pb poi-
soning is of renal origin.
1785 Gajdos, A. : (PORPHYRIN METABOLISM IN LEAD
POISONING.) Folia Med. (Naples) 40:1-14,
1957.
On the basis of data gathered from the literature
the importance of porphyrln determination in the
diagnosis of latent Pb poisoning is stressed; it
is also of value in the evaluation of developing
poisoning and the completeness of recovery. A new
point is the frequency and early appearance of in-
creased protoporphyria in the blood cells which is
the longest-lasting evidence of Pb poisoning.
(From Chemical Abstracts 51:9926, 1957)
1786 Ghislandi, E. (Univ. Milan, Italy):
L'aminoaciduria negli intossicati da
piombo. (AMINOACIDURIA DURING LEAD POI-
SONING.) Medicina del Lavoro 48:566-71
(Oct.), 1957.
Urinary excretion of amino acids was studied in 20
patients in different stages of Pb poisoning by
means of a qualitative (chromatographic) and quan-
titative analysis, both during fasting and after
oral administration of amino acids. The average
elimination was found to be 9.3 mg/hr during fast-
ing and 13.6 mg/hr after oral administration.
These results are within normal limits. The find-
ing of an increased urinary elimination of amlno
acids in Pb poisoning, recently reported by Gra-
aati, Scavo and Andreani, is therefore not con-
firmed. Keeping in mind the pathogenic mechanisms
of an increased aminoaciduria it is not clear what
theoretical reasons could justify this finding in
saturnine patients. In fact it is not possible to
claim a renal mechanism as its origin, since no
prevalent tubular hypofunction is observed. Nei-
ther can the "overflow" mechanism which derives
from hyperaminoacidemia be accepted because the
amino acids in the blood are at a normal level in
saturnine patients and they have no severe liver
lesions such as those found in aminoaciduric
liver diseases. (From author's summary) (13
references)
1787 Grailly, de, Leger, H., Biessy, and Seil-
han: Un cas de saturnisme fruste. (A
BAFFLING CASE OF LEAD POISONING.) Pro-
ceedings of the Society of Industrial Med-
icine and Hygiene, Paris. Archives des
Maladies Prof ess ionnelles de Me"decine du
Travail et de Se'curite' Sociale 18, No.
4:473-4, 1957.
A 33-yr-old painter, working with minium, lost
weight, developed a hypochromic anemia, 14-20%
basophils, marked increase in chronaxy of exten-
sors, and traces of albumin in the urine. Uri-
nary coproporphyrin was 350/1, Pb in blood 85/yg/
100 ml, Pb in urine 130 (ig/1. A diagnosis of Pb
poisoning was made although the signs, taken
singly, were not decisive.
1788 Granati, A., and Scavo, D.: 11 comporta-
mento dell'aminoaciduria nella intossica-
zione professionale da piombo. (AMINO-
ACIDURIA IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.)
Folia Medica (Naples ) 40:832-44 (Oct.),
1957.
In 14 patients with chronic Pb poisoning the uri-
nary excretion of free N was determined by the
method of Frame and Runel and that of the various
amino acids by chromatography. The excretion of
these substances was increased ^140%. The occur-
rence of aminoaciduria and its qualitative charac-
teristics permitted its differentiation from that
which is observed in Pb poisoning and nephropathy.
It expressed, however, the incapability of the
tissues to utilize the amino acids in a normal
manner. (From Medicina del Lavoro 49:313 (Ab-
stracts) , 1958)
1789 Grandls, C., Lovisetto, P., Sibour, F.,
and Turco, G.L. (Univ. Turin, Italy):
Studi sulla emoglobina nell'anemia da
piombo. III. Richerche mediante spettro-
fotometria nell'ultravioletto. (HEMOGLO-
BIN IN LEAD ANEMIA. III. STUDIES BY USE
OF ULTRA-VIOLET SPECTROPHOTOMETRY.)
Bollettino della Societa Italiana di Bio-
logia Sperimentale 33:301-3, 1957.
The ultraviolet spectrum of hemoglobin from 10
cases of Pb poisoning did not differ from that of
normal hemoglobin.
179Q Graziani, G., and Calabro, F. (Italy):
THE BIOCHEMICAL SETTING OF THE ANEMIA BY
LEAD. In XII International Congress on
Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland,
1957, Vol. II, Summaries, p. 52.
The behavior of serum Fe and of the unsaturated
Fe binding capacity in experimental poisoning and
in several cases of occupational Pb poisoning was
348
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
studied; also, after oral and iv load of Fe. A
considerable increase of the amount of Fe in blood
was observed, followed, when the poisoning was
very advanced, by a decrease beyond the starting
values. The iv load curve revealed more consider-
able increases in comparison with those obtained
before the poisoning and with those of normal sub-
jects. The oral load curves were more flattened
in the human cases and in the experimental, from
which the authors infer a disturbance of Fe absorp-
tion. The behavior of the unsaturated Fe binding
capacity in basal conditions and after oral and
iv load, reflects that of serum Fe, so that the
mechanism of Fe transport from deposits to tissues
appears affected. The free erythrocytic porphyrin
showed very high values, proportional to the de-
gree of anemia.
The authors consider that this research completes
the biochemical setting of Pb anemia. Apparently
it is a question of a hypersideremic hyperprotopor-
phyrinemic anemia, of the type of aplastic anemias.
It is primary because of the direct action of Pb
on the blood-forming system; it is complicated by
some other pathogenetic moments, such as the dis-
turbance of Fe absorption, but surely depression
of some enzymic systems.
1791 Great Britain, Ministry of Labour and
National Service: ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES OK INDUSTRIAL
HEALTH FOR THE YEAR 1957. London, Her
Majesty's Stationery Office, 50 pp.
Fifty-five cases of Pb poisoning, none of them
fatal, were reported in Great Britain during 1957,
Seven of these cases occurred in Pb smelting fac-
tories, 13 in shipbreaking, 6 in foundries, 6 in
white and red Pb works, 12 in accumulator works,
2 in paint and color works, 2 in painting of
buildings and 7 in other industries.
1792 Greaud, H. (Lab. Biol. Anal. Ethyl-Kuhl-
mann-Paimboeuf, France): Prophylaxie du
saturnisme dans 1'usine francaise de fab-
rication du plomb te'tra-ethyle: Ren-
seignements concernant les pre'levements
pour dosages de plomb dans les matieres
biologiques. (PREVENTION OF LEAD POISON-
ING IN A FRENCH TETRAETHYL LEAD PLANT.
(COLLECTION OF SAMPLES FOR THE DETERMINA-
TION OF LEAD IN BIOLOGIC MATERIALS).)
Mddecin d'usine 19, No. 9:647-51; 653-5,
1957.
The manufacture of TEL, the risks of workers from
TEL vapor, and the measures of protection (venti-
lation and other equipment, gas masks, protective
clothing and gloves) are briefly described. Phys-
ical examinations, follow-up and supervision by the
industrial health officer are outlined. In the
author's laboratory, since 1949 when the opera-
tions began, 20,500 analyses had been performed.
In 1956, 1726 samples of urine, 578 of blood, and
381 of feces were analyzed for Pb. In 1956, out of
250 employees, 100 were directly exposed to TEL
risks. The examinations performed showed the fol-
lowing: No cases of intoxication, none showed Pb
gum lines, <4,000,000 red cells, >10 stippled
erythrocytes/100 leukocytes, >0.2 mg/1 urinary
Pb. Only 10 had >0.1 mg/1 urinary Pb, 4 had
>0.12 mg/1, none had >0.15 mg/1. The results of
Pb blood levels in the same group were: 27 had
>0.050 mg/100 g, 9 had >0.060 mg, 2 had >0.07 mg,
none had >0.080 mg. The results on the urinary Pb
of 1171 workers part-time exposed were: 0.17%,
>0.200 mg/1; 1.7%, 0.15-0.2 mg; 4%,0.12-0.15 mg;
<27.2%, 0.08-0.12 mg; 66.8%,<0.08 mg. Thus there
were no bioclinical signs of excessive absorption
or poisoning, and this shows the effectiveness of
the preventive measures taken in this industry. A
form used by the firm shows instructions for the
collection of samples for the determination of Pb
in urine, feces and blood. This states that blood
and feces samples be taken twice/yr, and in times
of accidents or particular risks; for urine, every
month for those regularly exposed and 4 times/yr
for the others.
1793 Greaud, H.: Effets biologiques d'un agent
chelateur. Traitment d'un cas grave de
saturnisme. Elimination du plomb uri-
naire dans 1'impregnation plomblque.
(BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF A CHELATING AGENT.
TREATMENT OF A SERIOUS CASE OF LEAD POI-
SONING. URINARY ELIMINATION OF LEAD IN
CASES OF LEAD ACCUMULATION.) Medecin
d'usine 19:657-64 (Nov.), 1957.
Apart from their remarkable effectiveness in the
treatment of Pb poisoning, it seems that in cer-
tain cases chelating agents can be an important
factor in enabling the industrial medical officer
to assess the degree of Pb accumulation in exposed
persons. The author gives an account of his ex-
perience in this field. (From Occupational Safety
and Health Abstracts 8, No. 3:3133, 1958;
1794 Greenfield, I. (Woodmere, N.Y.): LFAD
POISONING. X. EFFECTS OF LEAD ABSORPTION
ON THE PRODUCTS OF CONCEPTION. New York
State Journal of Medicine 57:4032-4 (Dec.
15), 1957.
A brief review is given about the controversy in
the literature about the consequences of exposure
to and intoxication by Pb on the frequency of
stillbirths and state of health of the fetus.
A case is reported of a 21-yr-old woman who had
worked for 7 yr at the soldering bench on an as-
sembly line where radio and phonograph wires were
soldered to contact spots. She wore no mask and
thus inhaled fumes of the molten solder. Al-
though she began to complain of abdominal cramps,
constipation and a run-down feeling, she remained
on the job another 9 mo when she stopped work be-
cause of progressively increasing symptoms. A
diagnosis of Pb poisoning was made; polychromasia,
basophilic stippling and anisocytosis were present
on occasion; no Pb deposits were found in the
epiphyses of the long bones. After therapy the Pb
level in the urine diminished and practically dis-
appeared in the blood. Analyses made at the be-
ginning of pregnancy, 2 mo later,showed 0.005 mg
Pb/100 g of blood and 0.11 mg/984 ml of urine;
during the 1st 3 mo the Pb concentration in the
urine became normal. Gestation and delivery were
normal. A trace of Pb, too small to be estimated,
was found by spectroscopy in the maternal blood; •
neither the cord blood nor the placenta contained
detectable amounts of Pb; 0.02 mg Pb were found
in 886 ml urine 6 mo postpartum.
The author states that although no conclusions
Man
349
-------
may be drawn from a single case, Pb did not affect
adversely gestation or fetus, thus did not traverse
the placental barrier. (10 references)
1795 Guarino, A., and Giordano, C. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): STUDY OF THE BLOOD HEMO-
GLOBIN IN LEAD POISONING BY TESTING ALKA-
LINE DENATURATION. Folia Med. (Naples)
40:815-9, 1957.
The alkaline denaturation test supposedly reveals
changes in the bond between hem and globin and was
carried out according to the method of Singer, et
al (1951). There was no evidence of an increase
in the alkali-stable fraction. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 52:5653, 1958)
1796 Guarino, A., and Giordano, C. (Italy):
Etude des fractions alcali-stabile et al-
cali-labile de I'h&ioglobine dans les
an&nies saturnines. (STUDIES ON THE ALKA-
LI-STABLE AND ALKALI-LABILE FRACTIONS OF
HEMOGLOBIN IN Pb-ANEMIAS.) In XII Inter-
national Congress on Occupational Health,
Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill, Pro-
ceedings, p. 184.
See preceding abstract.
1797 Haeger, B. (Malmd Gen. Hosp., Sweden):
INCREASED CONTENT OF A 5-AMINOLAEVULINIC
ACID-LIKE SUBSTANCE IN URINE FROM WORKERS
IN LEAD INDUSTRY. Scandinavian Journal of
Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 9:
211-2, 1957.
Among Pb workers, 20 men (23-60 yr old), the in-
creased urinary excretion of ALA, the precursor of
porphobilinogen was more frequent than the in-
creased excretion of PEG (range 19-267 yM/ml x
10-*) . This may be a more sensitive index of ex-
posure to Pb than the determination of CP or hema-
tologic changes. Urinary ALA in 60 control sub-
jects was a mean of 0.0165 vs 0.0028 yM PBG/ml.
1798 Harashima, S. (School Med., Kelo Univ.,
Japan) : DISTRIBUTION AND STATE OF LEAD
IN DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF BLOOD. In XII
International Congress on Occupational
Health, Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill,
Proceedings, pp. 180-3.
Studies were carried out by using blood of Pb work-
ers, and of Pb poisoned dogs, as well as of normal
dogs. Ionic or inorganic Pb was separated from the
nonionic or organic, by means of the coprecipita-
tion method with Ca oxalate as reported by Ross
and Lucas.
From the results the author concludes that when
Pb is absorbed into the body, it is accumulated
more abundantly in blood cells than in plasma.
The mode of its accumulation in blood cells is
that of adsorption on the surface of blood cells
following Freundlich's adsorption isotherm. As
the weak, physical adsorption continues, Pb tends
gradually to be dissolved in the internal fluid
of blood cells to form strong and stable organic
compounds. Ionic or inorganic Pb in the blood
can be easily chelated by CaEDTA to form soluble
PbEDTA which is finally excreted in the urine; it
is difficult to chelate the organic Pb compounds
dissolved mostly in the blood cells.
1799 Harashima, S. (Keio Univ. School Med.,
Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan): HEMATOLOGICAL
STUDIES IN JAPAN OF INDUSTRIAL TOXIC SUB-
STANCES. A REPORT OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE
OF THE JAPAN ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIAL
HEALTH. In XII International Congress on
Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland,
1957, Vol. Ill, Proceedings, pp. 220-2.
This report was prepared for the purpose of sum-
marizing the results of scientific papers on hema-
tologic studies published in Japan in the past 10
yr. In the summary of the report here presented,
attention was focused on morphological changes in
erythrocytes and leukocytes; however, chemical or
other changes where these are concerned with form-
ed elements of the blood were also considered.
For the sake of brevity, description was restrict-
ed to findings in chronic poisoning or exposure
of man in industry, excluding acute or accidental
cases. Aside from metals, including Pb, the fol-
lowing exposures were involved: CO, S02, Se, Ni
carbonyl, Hg, Mn, As, Sb, Cr, benzene, xylene,
chloronitrobenzene, nitrobenzene, trinitrotoluene,
chlorinated diphenyl, benzidine, pentachlorophenol,
nitroglycerine, trichloroethylene, carbon disul-
fide, chlorinated naphthalene, monochloromethane,
hexa-, di- and monochlorobenzene, and yperite.
Pb is stated together with metals to cause definite
anemia and a slight change in differential leuko-
cyte counts. Workers exposed are those in storage
batteries, Pb refineries, printing works, pipe
or tube soldering and porcelain coloring processes.
As to special studies, in a paragraph on Pb, the
work of Sano (1955, 1956) on basophilic granules
is cited.
1800 Henderson, D.A., and Inglis, J.A.: THE
LEAD CONTENT OF BONE IN CHRONIC BRIGHT'S
DISEASE. Australasian Annals of Medicine
6, No. 2:145-j4, 1957.
In an attempt to discover evidence of excessive Pb
absorption in persons who had died from chronic
nephritis, the incidence of which is high in
Queensland, bone samples from subjects without and
with chronic Bright's disease were analyzed for Pb.
In all, material was obtained from 669 autopsies in
Brisbane, Queensland, and from 197 in Sydney.
Bones contain very little Pb in the 1st year of
life; but the Pb content increases rapidly in the
first 2 decades and more slowly thereafter. The
mean Pb content of people born in Queensland was
only slightly higher than of those born elsewhere.
female bones contained on the average less Pb than
male bones (question of occupational factor).
Throughout all age groups, rib bones in both sexes
contained on the average less Pb than the skull.
The mean Pb content of both skull and rib in males
and females with Bright's disease was about twice
that of subjects without chronic Bright's disease
up to the 50-59 yr age group; then it fell to the
level of subjects without the disease. The mean
Pb content of 67 subjects from Queensland with
chronic Bright's disease was (males and females,
respectively): skull 7.31, 7.97 mg/100 g, rib
3.48, 4.14 mg/100 g. Bones from cases of Bright's
disease (in 50+ age group) in Sydney contained
5.65, 3.32 and 3.26, 2.85 mg/100 g, respectively.
The means for subjects in the same age group with-
out chronic Bright's disease were: skull 3.91,
350
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
3.34; rib 1.48, 1.26; these corresponded rather
closely to values found in the Sydney autopsies.
Authors concluded that the high Pb content of bone
in the Queensland cases of chronic Bright's dis-
ease was not due to retention of normally ingested
Pb by failing kidney function but to excessive ab-
sorption caused by excessive exposure during child-
iiood.
1801 Hesse, F. (Norderney, E. Frisian Islands,
Germany): Behandlung von Gesundheits-
schk'den durch Industriegifte, insebesondere
Blei, mit Klimakuren auf der Nordseeinsel
Norderney. (CLIMATOTHERAPY IN THE NORTH
SEA ISLAND, NORDERNEY, IN INJURIES TO
HEALTH CAUSED BY INDUSTRIAL POISONS, ES-
PECIALLY LEAD.) Archiv fur Physikalische
Therapie 9, No. 4:362-8, 1957.
Because toxic phenomena never occurred in infec-
tious diseases on Norderney (no deaths due to
scarlet fever over a period of 40 yr), patients
suffering from Pb diseases were sent there in 1954
to see what effect the climate and change in envi-
ronment had. The patients were tested as follows:
coproporphyrin (CP) content of urine (de Langen)
3 times a day, amount and specific gravity of
urine, basophilic stippling (BS) (Hanson stain)
every other day, protein lability (Mancke and
Sommer, Weltmann), Ca, blood serum electrophoresis,
pH, blood and urine Pb contents (dithizone) 3-5
times/patient. Patients usually remained for 3-4
wk, during which they received food enriched with
lactalbumin and ascorbic acid. Symptoms were
temporal headaches, vertigo, weakness, loss of ap-
petite, constipation, stomach pains, nausea, loss
of weight, anemia, and sometimes an extensor weak-
ness or paralysis of the upper limbs. In 1954, 50
patients were treated. After a few days, all sub-
jective complaints due to Pb intoxication were
eliminated. During therapy, the patients showed
a weight increase of 2-3 kg, 13% average increase
of hemoglobin content, almost complete disappear-
ance of BS and CP, normalization of erythropoiesis,
blood pigment metabolism, and blood electrophore-
sis, and an increase of blood Pb content in those
patients with initial Pb values up to 80 pg/100 g
blood, mainly due to mobilization of Pb deposits.
r'orty out of 45 patients showed an improved earning
ability. The author mentioned the purity of the
air, the low pH of the dust and the shifting be-
tween a good climate and an irritating climate on
Norderney as possible influences. He theorized
about the possibility that the deposited Pb (quadri-
valent) was converted to the water-soluble divalent
Pb by the low pH and increased oxygen supply and
then eliminated.
1802 Holecek, V. with the technical assistance
of Penickova, M. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Dis., Prague, Czechoslovakia): EXCRETION
OF URINARY COPROPORPHYRIN IN LEAD POISON-
ING. PART I: LEVEL OF THE PRECURSOR OF
COPROPORPHYRIN AND PREFORMED COPROPORPHY-
lilN IN FRESH URINE. PART II: DISTRIBU-
TION OF URINARY COPROPORPHYRIN ISOMERS I
AND III. British Journal of Industrial
Medicine 14:198-201; 201-8 (July), 1957.
Part I. Although Saillet had found as early as
1896 that coproporphyrin (CP) is partly eliminated
in the form of a nonfluorescent precursor, this
problem has been studied in more detail only since
1951; however, it has not yet been isolated, but
appears to be a 4-pyrrole compound which is read-
ily oxidized to CP. The authors are of the opin-
ion that the urinary CP had passed through the
kidneys in the form of the precursor, and for this
reason they investigated experimentally the theory
that in Pb poisoning only the precursor of CP and
not the CP is present in fresh urine.
CP was determined on Beckman's spectrophotometer
by Rimington and Sveinsson's method (1950). For
the determination of preformed CP, adsorption on
Ca phosphate in an alkaline medium (Askevold, 1951)
was used to minimize spontaneous conversion of the
precursor to CP; for the same reason, an acid
medium was avoided. Ca phosphate was precipitated
within 5 min of micturition. All determinations
were performed in subdued light, and before chem-
ical treatment, urine samples were kept in com-
plete darkness. In some samples, determination of
the precursor in the alkaline supernatant was car-
ried out in a room from which all daylight had
been excluded, illuminated by a 25-watt lamp at a
distance of 3 m.
The analytical procedure and calculations are
described in detail. All determinations of pre-
formed and total CP were carried out twice in
parallel. The values obtained on 28 samples of
freshly voided urine (15 Pb-poisoned, 4 after
treatment, and 9 normal subjects) for total CP,
preformed, precursor calculated and found, and
preformed CP + precursor found, are tabulated, as
is the breakdown and conversion of the precursor
to CP under conditions of aging urine samples and
whether kept in a dark refrigerator or at room
temperature in dark or light. As summarized, the
total CP in completely fresh urine in Pb poison-
ing was found to be formed of 1-12% preformed CP,
and 88-99% precursor of CP. Preformed CP was not
excreted in increased amounts in Pb poisoning.
The increased level of total urinary CP in Pb poi-
soning is due to excessive excretion of the CP
precursor. After micturition, the precursor is
rapidly transformed to CP in the dark in the pres-
ence of oxygen in the air. In the light it disin-
tegrates rapidly to nonporphyrin substances.
Urines were examined in which this disintegration
took place almost completely when they were ex-
posed to the effect of diffuse daylight for 2 hr.
In these cases the content of total CP fell to
only a small percentage of the original value. It
is imperative that urine samples for CP estima-
tions are not exposed to light even for a short
period.
In Part II, the conversion of the CP precursor
was examined in the urine of both Pb-poisoned and
healthy subjects immediately after micturition in
order to decide whether the relative representa-
tion of the 2 CP isomers is produced by the nature
of the precursor itself or whether it depends on
the treatment of the urine when isolating the CP.
Fresh urine was divided into 5 parts and each part
treated immediately after micturition so that all
the routine methods of extraction of urinary CP
were used. The conversion was brought about under
5 conditions: spontaneously in untreated urine,
in urine made alkaline by adding Na carbonate,
in untreated urine by heating to 100° C., oxida-
Man
351
-------
tion with I in the ethyl acetate, by the action
of HC1 on ethyl acetate extract. In this way,
large volumes of urine of 3 cases of Pb poisoning
were treated and the amounts of porphyrin ob-
tained were purified by column chromatography and
in the obtained CP fraction. The specific meth-
ods used are stated and the procedure described
in detail.
The results, as summarized, showed that the CP
precursor in the urine in Pb poisoning was for
the most part the precursor of CP III and to a
very small extent precursor of CP I. The type of
chemical treatment of the urine had no effect on
the relative values of the resulting isomers I
and III. In an alkaline medium, partial decar-
ooxylation and the production of other porphyrins
took place with the conversion of the precursor,
but the relative values of the CP isomers were
not changed. The CP precursor in the urine of
healthy subjects was, on the other hand, formed
by both isomers in equal amounts. The type of
chemical treatment of the urine was here also of
no effect on the ration of the resulting isomers.
1803 Holecek, V. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis.,
Prague, Czechoslovakia): Vylufovani
koproporfyrinu moci. III. Srovnani cel-
koveho obrazu vylucovanf koproporfyrinu
itiocf pri otravg olovem s j inyini pathologic-
kymi stavy. (URINARY EXCRETION OF COPRO-
PORPHYRINS. III. COMPARISON OF TOTAL
URINARY COPROPORPHYRIN EXCRETION IN LEAD
POISONING WITH OTHER PATHOLOGICAL CONDI-
TIONS.) Pracovni" Lekarstvi' 9, No. 6:513-
5, 1957.
The mode of excretion of coproporphyrins (CP) in
the urine was studied in 8 patients with liver
cirrhosis, 3 cases with acute porphyria, 1 case of
chronic Pb poisoning, 5 patients with normal CP
levels and 4 healthy individuals. It was found
that in all cases both CP isomers were excreted in
the form of their precursors. The author advances
that the pathophysiologic mechanism responsible
for the increased level of total CP III in the
urine is identical in the above diseases, or very
similar. By following the influence of the col-
lecting period of urine on the level of preformed
CP it was found that a transformation of precursor
to CP can occur in the bladder. By determining CP
precursors in an alkaline medium, the author
demonstrated that under these conditions part of
the precursors could not be determined. In chronic
Pb poisoning a great predominance of the isomer
CP III over isomer I was found; in cirrhosis of the
liver, a slight predominance of I over III, and in
normal urine there was a slight predominance of
III over I. The results were irregular in acute
porphyria. (From author's summary)
1804 Horiguchi, S., Iwataki, N., Nagao, Y.,
ilashimoto, K., Watanabe, S., and Oda, K. :
A CASE OF LEAD POISONING COMPLICATED WITH
INTESTINAL ADHESION, WITH SPECIAL REFER-
ENCE TO Ca-EDTA THERAPY. Nippon Geka
Hokan 26:579-85 (July), 1957. In Contri-
outions from the Department of Preventive
Medicine and Public Health, Usaka City
University Medical School. Vol. 1, April
1949-March 1959, p. 36.
Following surgical intervention for intestinal ad-
hesion, the diagnosis of Pb poisoning was con-
firmed by laboratory tests. The results of treat-
ment with Ca-EDTA are charted, which showed a
rapid increase in urinary and fecal Pb excretion.
Clinical signs and symptoms were greatly improved;
Pb colic was cleared. Intravenous drip infusion
was found to be more effective than oral adminis-
tration. No significant side effects were ob-
served .
1805 Horiuchi, K., Tamori, E., and Sugiyama,
H.: A METHOD OF SYNTHETIC DIAGNOSIS OF
MILD OR LATENT LEAD POISONING. AN APPLI-
CATION OF THE STATISTICAL DISCRIMINANT
FUNCTION. Osaka City Medical Journal 3:
195-200 (Jan.), 1957. In Contributions
from the Department of Preventive Medicine
and Public Health, Osaka City University
Medical School. Vol. 1, April 1949-March
1959, pp. 153-3.
A synthetic method has been devised for the diag-
nosis of latent or mild Pb poisoning, using the
statistical method of discriminant function with
the findings of several examinations. In order to
construct a useful discriminant function in cases
of mild or latent Pb poisoning for Pb workers, the
following had been tested: (1) erythrocyte count,
(2) Hb content, (3) Pb in blood, (4) Pb in urine
and (5) coproporphyrin in urine. A number of Pb
workers were examined with regard to the above
and other clinical signs and were classified by
experts in occupational medicine, into the follow-
ing 2 groups: (A) those free from signs of Pb
poisoning and (B) those recognized to be affected
by Pb poisoning. The values of these 5 criteria
were statistically worked out into numbers indi-
cating normality or a certain degree of deviation,
possibly depending on the intoxication. A nomo-
gram was made for quickly finding a limit above
which intoxication had to be diagnosed. By this
method 5% and 1%, respectively, of each group A
and B were considered to have been classified into
the wrong group.
1806 Humperdinck, K. (Ruhr Miners' Org., Bochum,
Germany): Sammelreferate: Arbeitsmedizin.
(LITERATURE REVIEWS: INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE.)
Medizlnische Klinik (Berlin) 52, No. 44:
1930-1, 1957.
A brief discussion of treatment of Pb poisoning
with CaNa2EDTA is included.
1807 Jecklin, L. (Basel, Switzerland): Blei in
den Knochen von chronisch Rheumakranken.
(LEAD IN THE BONES OF PATIENTS WITH CHRON-
IC RHEUMATISM.) Zentralblatt fur Arbeits-
medizin und Arbeitsschutz 7:213-5 (Sept.),
1957.
The Pb content in the vertebral column of 3 normal
subjects and 4 patients was determined by the
dithizone method. In the 3 subjects with healthy
vertebral column (2 men, 1 woman, age 56-71 yr) a
Pb content of 735, 660 and 500 lag Pb/100 g bone
substance, respectively, was found. The high con-
tent in the 1st is explained by his occupation,
sanitary mechanic, which involved exposure to Pb.
The 4 patients with arthropatia deformans (2 men,
2 women, age 49-80 yr) showed 418, 638, 178 and
352
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
143 pg Pb/100 g bone, respectively. The first
case (418 ng) had worked in a printing plant
where he had been exposed to Pb and Pb fumes.
Author concludes that Pb cannot be the cause of
chronic rheumatism of the joints.
1808 Johnstone, R.T. (Los Angeles, Calif.):
A RE-EXAMINATION OF THE PICTURE OF PLUM-
BISM. Industrial Medicine and Surgery 26:
323-6 (July), 1957.
After 20 yr of Intimate experience with Pb intoxi-
cation the author believes that the picture of
this disease has undergone great changes. Because
of greater attention to industrial hygiene the
disease has recently become rare and mild, and it
is now Pb absorption rather than Pb poisoning which
is observed. However, instances will occur where
ordinary illness is ascribed to Pb, owing to the
mistaken impression that the patient has been ex-
posed to Pb, eg, when he has used paint for inside
purposes, though paint now no longer contains Pb
in the US. Modern textbooks often rely on old-
fashioned authors rather than on modern experi-
ence, and postulate a relationship between hyper-
tension, arteriosclerosis, gastric ulcer, hepati-
cis and other general diseases without sufficient
foundation. Industrial Pb poisoning today shows
itself by constipation with fatigue and dull head-
aches; mild or severe intestinal colic may follow
and nausea, vomiting and anorexia may be present.
A Pb line on the gums should not be relied upon as
evidence of intoxication. Abdominal tenderness
about the umbilicus is usual. Encephalopathy and
peripheral neuritis are unusual and so are tremor,
wrist drop, and weakness of the extensor muscles.
Laboratory reports on specimens of urine or blood,
by mentioning the presence of Pb, although within
normal limits, may suggest plumbism. The author
cautions against interpretation of a laboratory's
findings without knowledge of its qualifications
for Pb analyses, complete occupational and per-
bonal history of the patient, and containers used
for collection of urine samples. He illustrates
this by briefly describing 2 cases. Pb in the
urine must be in excess of 0.07 mg/100 g of blood
before being regarded as abnormal in amount. Or-
dinary mild Pb absorption, if the patient is re-
moved from exposure,calls for no treatment. Colic
may be removed by intravenous Ca gluconate at in-
tervals of 3 or 4 hr, and 0.5 oz MgS04 daily will
relieve constipation. EDTA is seldom needed and
it is indefensible as a preventive measure. Pre-
vention should be a matter of good industrial
hygiene, and in these conditions if Pb intoxica-
tion does occur it is a mild gastro-intestinal
condition only.
1809 Kadlec, _K., and Vyskoc'il, J.: Diagnos-
ticky vyzam komplexonu (CaNa2 EDTA) u
saturnismu. (DIAGNOSTIC IMPORTANCE OF
COMPLEXON (CaNa2, EDTA) IN LEAD POISONING.)
Pracovni' Lekarstvi 9, No. 2:134-7, 1957.
1810 Kahnemann, F.: Miosi monolaterale transi-
toria da intossicazione piombo-arsenicale.
(TRANSITORY MONOLATERAL MIOSIS CAUSED BY
LEAD ARSENATE POISONING.) Annall di Ottal-
mologia e Clinica Oculistlca 83:653-62
(Nov.), 1957.
1811 Kaliteevskaya, T.N. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Dis., wcad. Med. Sci. USSR): Rentgenolo-
gicheskie nablyudeniya nad izmeneniyami
zheludochno-icishechnogo trakta pri svints-
ovoi intoksikatsii. (ROENTGENOLOGIC EX-
AMINATION OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL CHANGES
IN LEAD POISONING.) Sovetskaya Meditsina
21, No. 4:96-8, 1957.
The author examined 105 patients hospitalized in
the clinic of the Institute with varying degrees
of Pb poisoning. As summarized, in colic, X rays
point to the presence of distinct and characteris-
tic changes in the gastrointestinal tract which
confirm the findings of other authors. It was al-
so found that even in mild poisoning some dis-
orders of gastric or intestinal function take
place although they are not always present and are
not characteristic. In addition to X rays, gas-
tric acidity was determined.
1812 Karlsen, E.O., and Aanonsen, A.: Blye-
ksposisjon; noen vurderinger av verdien
ved telling av basofilt punkterte r8de
blodlegemer og bestemmelse av blyutskil-
lese i urinen. (LEAD POISONING: ESTIMA-
TION OF THE VALUES FOUND BY COUNTING BASO-
PHIL PUNCTATED ERYTHROCYTES COMBINED WITH
A DETERMINATION OF THE EXCRETION OF LEAD
IN THE URINE.) Nordisk Hygienlsk Tidskrift
38, No. 11/12:259-62, 1957.
1813 Kastariak, N., Onen, K., and GUlcUler,
A.C. (Univ. Instanbul, Turkey): Bir
kronik kursun intokalkasyonu vak'asi.
I.CASE OF CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Turk
Tip Cemiyeti Mecmuasi 23, No. 4:252-6,
1957.
The case described is that of a 25-yr-old storage
battery worker who was admitted to the hospital
with epigastric pains. The clinical and laborato-
ry findings which included EKG, basal metabolism
rate, ^ll uptake, are presented. The signs and
symptoms of Pb poisoning and treatment are dis-
cussed at some length.
1814 Koch, H.J., Jr., Smith, E.R., and McNeely,
J. (Sloan-Kettering Inst. Cancer Res.,
New York City) : ANALYSIS OF TRACE ELE-
MENTS IN HUMAN TISSUES. II. THE LYMPHOMA-
TOUS DISEASES. Cancer 10, No. 1:151-60,
1957.
The following ranges of Pb concentrations (pg/g
dry tissue) were found for normal subjects and
patients with lymphomatous diseases, respectively:
kidneys 1.3-48.7, 3.2-ilO.O; liver 4.2-26.0, 4.1-
7.4; lung 4.7-21.9, 1.2-85.0; spleen 3.4-9.6, 3.7-
8.0. (29 references)
1815 Lands, F., and Penalver, R. (Cuba): Valor
de la coproporfirinuria III en la determin-
acidn de la exposicidn al plomo. (IMPOR-
TANCE OF COPROPORPHYRINURIA III IN THE
DETERMINATION OF LEAD HAZARD.) In XII In-
ternational Congress on Occupational
Health, Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill,
Proceedings, pp. 280-1.
The determination of the percentage of workers witf
high coproporphyrin III (CP) urine, is more prac-
ticable than the determination of Pb in air, not
Man
353
-------
requiring specific and expensive equipment.
A survey was done at 1 of the storage battery
companies in Havana. Workers were classified in 2
groups. Those with high exposure to Pb were found
with high values of CP in urine (24 out of 26) ,
and in the group with limited exposure only 1 out
of 14 show this high value.
1816 Larens, W. (Univ. Heidelberg, Germany):
Bin Fall von Bleiencephalopathie. (A CASE
OF LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY.) Archiv fUr Tox-
ikologie Fllhner-Wieland' s Sammlung von
Vergiftungsfallen 16:220-3, 1957.
A case of acute Pb poisoning with encephalopathy
in a 43-yr-old nan who had been engaged for almost
10 yr in the removal of old paint (by sandblast-
ing) from boilers and iron structures is de-
scribed. No previous manifestations of exposure
to Pb had been evident, although the patient had
been examined every 2 yr. Gastric disturbances
occurred only in the course of the last job when,
together with 2 other workers, he was removing
paint by means of a cutting torch from a metal
conveyor in a cellar. In spite of the fact that
the workers wore masks and adequate fresh air was
provided, all 3 developed gastric disturbances
during the first week. The other 2 workers took
sick leave at the end of the 2nd wk, while the
patient continued working on another job in the
open. On this job he came in contact with red Pb.
His condition worsened until he was admitted to
the hospital. At the time of admission, his blood
Pb was 119 pg/100 ml; urinary Pb, 333 yg/100 ml.
Lumbar puncture on the 10th day showed among cer-
tain deviations from normal, Pb content of 77 yg/
100 ml. The course of treatment is not described.
The patient recovered almost completely 6 mo later.
(13 references)
1817 Leger, H.: Donne'es actuelles sur 1'hema-
tologie du saturnisme. (PRESENT STATUS OF
THE HEMATOLOGY OF LEAD POISONING.) Pro-
ceedings of the Society of Industrial
Medicine and Hygiene, Paris. Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Securite Sociale 18, No.
4:472, 1957.
The hematological picture in Pb poisoning is dis-
cussed. The most distinct syndrome develops in
severe Pb poisoning as is the case of foundry
workers, welders and in the manufacture of bat-
teries. An isochromic anemia with marked poly-
chromatophilia, but without poikilocytosis often
occurs. Basophilic stippling (BS), although they
are not specific for plumbism, are of diagnostic
aid. A gradually increasing or a constantly ele-
vated percentage of BS are an almost certain sign
of Pb poisoning. A slow drop in the number of red
blood cells with BS and their final disappearance
is an additional proof. Other hematologic changes
caused by plumbism are a moderate thrombopenia,
leucocytosis, polynucleosis and rarely mononucle-
osis. The bone marrow usually shows an erythro-
ulastic reaction, BS are seen in the myelogram.
In cases of mild but chronic Pb absorption as it
occurs in printers and plumbers, a slight iso-
chromic anemia with a few BS is noted. However,
renal damage with hypertension and hyperazotemia
is more important in these cases. In acute poi-
soning anemia with polychromatophilia and occa-
sional poikilocytosis is very pronounced; but no
BS is present. Determination of Pb and free pro-
toporphyrins in the blood are a valuable aid in
diagnosis.
1818 L°b, M. (Lausanne, Switzerland): Les
intoxications professionnelles par les
metaux. (OCCUPATIONAL POISONING BY
METALS.) Praxis 46, No. 6:121-5 (Feb.),
1957.
In this discussion of hazards, the most frequent
industrial metal poisoning is stated to be Pb poi-
soning. The order of toxicity of Pb and Pb salts
is as follows: basic carbonate, oxides, metallic
Pb, monosilicates. A concentration of 0.15 mg/m3
is considered as threshold value for Pb in the
atmosphere. Symptoms and signs of Pb poisoning
and its therapy are discussed. The syndrome of
TEL poisoning is briefly described. The effects
of exposure to Mn, Hg, Cd, Cr, Be and V, are also
briefly discussed.
1819 Lombardi, A.R., and Lurie, A.S. (Smoky
Hill Air Force Base, Salina, Kan.):
HEALTH HAZARDS ENCOUNTERED IN REPAIR OF
JET AIRCRAFT FUEL CELLS. Journal of the
American Medical Association 164, No. 5:
531-3, 1957.
Twelve airmen, average age 23 yr, assigned to the
repair of fuel cells were subjected to physical
examinations and laboratory tests. All findings
were within normal limits. A number of men not
wearing masks occasionally exhibited reactions of
the central nervous system, such as dizziness,
ataxia, headache; these did not occur among men
wearing masks. No definite evidence of chronic
toxic effect was found in the 12 airman examined.
The composition of the jet fuels listed did not
include TEL, although it is stated that "most jet
engines can and do burn aviation gasoline occasion-
ally, producing a potential Pb hazard." A brief
summary is given of the safety measures. Because
of the fact that the type of safety mask used at
the station (positive pressure hose mask) has a
very limited efficiency (effective only at con-
centrations <1000 ppm) additional precautions
should be taken before entering the fuel cells.
1820 Lovisetto, P., Sibour, F., and Turco, G.L.
(Univ. Turin, Italy): Studi sulla emo-
globina nell'anemia da piombo. I. Ri-
cherche mediante cromatografia su carta.
(HEMOGLOBIN IN LEAD ANEMIA. I. STUDIES
WITH PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHY.) Bollettino
della Societa Italiana di Biologia Speri-
mentale 33:149-51, 1957.
Hemoglobin from 14 cases of chronic Pb poisoning
was studied by monodimensional ascending and bi-
dimensional chromatography. All 14 subjects were
affected by Pb colic; 12 showed anemia from 3-3.5
million red cells, coproporphyrins (CP) in urine
of 300-500 yg; 2 who were observed during an
attack of colic had CP up to 900 yg and severe
anemia (2 million red cells). A denaturation
process of the alkali-sensitive fraction could be
detected which was superimposed over the other
changes in the pigment produced by the chromato-
graphic manipulations. (30 references)
354
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1821 Lovisetto, P., Turco, G.L., and Sibour, F.
(Univ. Turin, Italy): Studi sull'emoglo-
bina nell'anemia da piombo. II. Ricerche
mediante denaturazione alcalina. (HEMO-
GLOBIN IN LEAD ANEMIA. II. STUDIES BY
MEANS OF ALKALINE DENATURATION.) Bollet-
tino della Societa Italiana di Biologia
Sperimentale 33:151-2, 1957.
Using Singer's method (1951, 1953), in 14 cases of
Pb anemia, denaturation of hemoglobin by alkali
treatment was found to be very rapid; the amount
of alkali-resistant hemoglobin was <1%. Thus the
possibility of a superficial modification of the
hemoglobin molecule is excluded. (25 references)
1822 Ludwig, G.D. (Univ. Penn., Philadelphia):
SATURNINE GOUT. A SECONDARY TYPE OF GOUT.
A.M.A. Archives of Internal Medicine 100:
802-11 (Nov.), 1957.
A 57-yr-old house painter who for 38 yr had worked
with paints containing Pb, developed weakness,
heart and joint trouble. In addition he had dysp-
nea, trepopnea, occasional chest pain and episodes
of vertigo. He felt weakness in his hands, swol-
len wrists and ankles and had lost weight. Hemo-
globin (Hb) values varied between 13.7 and 14.3
g/100 ml, RBC 4,200,000-4,700,000/mm3 with slight
anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, but no excessive
basophilic stippling. The only abnormal finding
was blood uric acid, 8.8-9.0 mg/100 ml. X-rays
showed degenerative changes of the right sacroili-
ac joint and both hip joints. Surgery for a toxic
nodular goiter was performed. Laboratory tests
made 9 yr after this acute illness showed Hb 13.7
g/100 ml, erythrocytes 4,310,000/mm^, urinary co-
proporphyrin 1100 yg/24 hr, Pb in blood 69 yg/100
ml, blood uric acid 4.1 mg/100 ml. It was assumed
that the patient had stored Pb in his bones over a
period of years where it had remained dormant until
mobilized by the development of thyrotoxicosis.
After the stimulus to mobilization of Pb was re-
moved by thyroidectomy, elimination of circulating
Pb by excretion may have taken place.
A 60-yr-old machinist, exposed for many years to
molten Pb and Pb dust from a grinding operation,
complained of weakness and swelling of his hands,
episodes of pain in his feet and toes, pains in his
shoulders, neck and low back, and slight deafness.
Blood values were generally normal; the blood uric
acid level was elevated. Roentgenographically,
slight hypertrophic changes in spine, pelvis, dis-
tal phalanges and mild degenerative joint changes
were noted. Pb in blood was 0.06-0.161 mg/100 ml.,
urinary coproporphyrin 357 and 406 yg/24 hr on 2
occasions. Urinary Pb excretion after intravenous
administration of CaNa2EDTA was 0.550 mg/24 hr; 2
control determinations 0.250 and 0.370 mg/24 hr.
The authors emphasize that they do not want to
imply that saturnine gout is common or that Pb is
an important etiological agent in gout but that
saturnine gout may be a secondary type of gout.
(50 references)
1823 Magan, C., and Grinsteln, M. (Med. Dept.
Directorate Milit, Mat. Prod., Buenos
Aires, Argentina): La coproporfirinuria
como elemento de diagnfistico precoz de la
intoxicacidn por plomo. (COPROPORPHYRIN-
URIA AS A FACTOR IN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF
LEAD POISONING.) Semana Medica (Buenos
Aires) 110, No. 4:125-32, 1957.
Coproporphyrinuria (CP) and hematological data
were studied in normal males and in employees of
the Fabrica Militar de Derivadas del Plomo (Ramos
Mejfa). CP content in 24-hr urine samples and in
1 single voided morning sample was determined ac-
cording to the method of Schwartz et al (1951).
CP levels in 33 normal males (18 24-hr samples and
15 morning samples) ranged from 82-303 yg/24 hr
urine (10.1-27.5 ug/100 ml) and from 9.6-33.5
yg/100 ml in the single morning specimens. These
levels were comparable to the normal limits stated
by Zieve et al (1953) for the North American
population.
Of the employees of the Fabrica Militar, who
were exposed to Pb or Pb oxides, the great major-
ity had markedly elevated levels of CP, while the
hematological data (erythrocytes, Hb and baso-
philic stippled cells) showed no correlation to
the CP levels. There was a correlation between
the CP levels and the length and intensity of
exposure to Pb or Pb oxides. CP levels (in 1954)
in these persons (42) ranged from 153-2863 yg/24 hr
(16-675 yg/100 ml). The majority had levels >300
yg, the upper normal limit and, with one excep-
tion, no stippled cells were present. Erythro-
cytes averaged 5 million/mm3, Hb values averaged
100%.
The data show CP to be a sensitive indicator for
the early detection of Pb intoxication at a time
when the hematological data give no indication of
its presence. (23 references)
1824 Marlet, J.J.C. (Univ. Hosp. Utrecht, The
Netherlands): Een gecompliceerd geval van
chronische chroom-en loodvergiftiging. (A
COMPLICATED CASE OF CHRONIC CHROMIUM AND
LEAD POISONING.) Nederlandsch Tijdschrift
voor Geneeskunde 101, No. 19:863-9, 1957.
The case of a 39-yr-old man who had worked in a
metal factory for a few years, is described.
First signs of abdominal cramps, headache and
bronchitis appeared after 3 yr. One year later,
his hand became swollen, he developed abdominal
and back pains, fatigue and listlessness. Neuro-
logical tests revealed impairment of his reflexes;
X-ray tests, changes of the lumbar vertebrae. His
urine was found to contain 600-750 ug Pb and 10-
14 mg Cr/1. He was treated with CaEDTA. The
author points out that the particular signs of in-
toxication in this case might be associated with
general neurologic degeneration in the subject
since his coworkers were not likewise affected.
1825 Merli, A. (Milan, Italy): Considerations
concernant 1'emploi de sero-albumine dans
la prophylaxie de 1'intoxication dSrivant
du plomb. THE USE OF SERUM ALBUMIN IN THE
PROPHYLAXIS OF LEAD POISONING. In XII
International Congress on Occupational
Health, Helsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill,
Proceedings, pp. 294-5.
In a Pb-acid accumulator factory in Northern Italy,
workmen of various departments were given only
serum albumin or together with vitamins PP and C.
It was given by means of capsules in variable
doses and for a certain period of time. By com-
paring clinical data and laboratory examination
Man
355
-------
before and after treatment, it was found that on
the basis of complete clinical examinations with
pressure readings and weight control, laboratory
tests as to stippled red cell counts, determina-
tion of hemoglobin, urinary coproporphirins and
complete urinalyses, the results obtained might
be considered as favorable.
1826 Meyers, J., and van Dommelen, C.K.V.:
(CALCIUM VERSENATE IN LEAD POISONING.)
Nederlandsch Tljdschrift voor Geneeskunde
101:1252-4 (July 6), 1957.
Calcium versenate (EDTA) has been widely accepted
as the most effective drug for the treatment of
Pb poisoning, but opinions are still divided about
the dosage. Some recommended intravenous (iv) in-
jection of 0.6 g of EDTA in 10 ml of water on 3
successive days, and others give 3 g of the drug
in 500 ml of water by iv infusion daily for 3 days.
The authors used these doses alternately in a 49-
yr-old man in whom Pb poisoning developed while
working in a factory producing storage batteries.
They found that iv infusion of 3 g of EDTA re-
peatedly induced more copious urinary excretion of
Pb than did the iv injection of 0.6 g. Therefore,
they recommend that the larger dose be used in the
treatment of Pb poisoning. (From Journal of the
American Medical Association 165, No. 13:1752,
1957)
1827 Mikhailov, M.N.: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF
SALIVARY CALCULI. Stomatologiya 1957, No.
3:43-6.
Calculi consisted of Ca 32-36, P 12-16, and Mg
3-3.5%; Na was found in considerable quantity.
Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, K, and Pb were found as trace ele-
ments. (Referat. Zhur. Khim., Biol. Khim. 1957,
Abstr. No. 24894.) (From Chemical Abstracts 52:
6574, 1958)
1828 Minden, H., and Opitz, H. (Acad. Social
Hyg., Ind. Hyg., Med. Educ., Berlin-
Lichtenberg, Germany): Bleiexposition und
Bleiintoxikation. (EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND
LEAD POISONING.) Archiv ftir Gewerbepatho-
logie and Gewerbehygiene 15, No. 3:230-j,
1957.
The results of serial laboratory examinations
(hemoglobin levels, erythrocyte counts, basophilic
erythrocytes, urinary porphyrins) of 219 workers
exposed to Pb fumes and dusts are summarized in
graphs and compared with corresponding findings on
56 patients with established Pb poisoning. The
overlapping of the curves facilitated the recogni-
tion of the early stages of the disease, thus
timely prevention, and the diagnosis of existing
intoxication. The limit values of intoxication
were found to be: 77.5% hemoglobin, 4.38 million
erythrocytes, 4.5/1000 basophilic cells, 74 yg% Pb
in blood, >100 ng% urinary porphyrins. The find-
ings are interpreted as follows: It is not essen-
tial that in a case of Pb poisoning all laboratory
values should lie on the side of greater proba-
bility. However, in no established case did all
values lie to the left of the point of intersec-
tion of the curves. Where this does occur, a dif-
ferent etiology must be sought. The findings in-
dicated that there was no single case of Pb poi-
soning without increase in the number of basophil-
ic cells, while recurrent poisoning cases with
normal porphyrin elimination in the urine did ex-
ist. For this reason basophilic stippling is more
important diagnostlcally than porphyrinuria. Al-
though blood Pb values showed a wide scatter, in
certain cases Pb levels are decisive and indis-
pensable for expert testimony. Determination of
Pb in urine and feces may be necessary in sus-
pected cases of massive poisoning, but otherwise
is of little value.
1829 Merer, A.: Das tagliche Blutbild. IV.
Blutbild bei akuter Bleivergiftung.
(THE DAILY BLOOD PICTURE. IV. BLOOD
PICTURE IN ACUTE LEAD POISONING.) Medi-
zinische, 1957:225.
Using a case of Pb poisoning in a dock worker as
an example, the author recommends the testing of
blood for stippled cells in a thick droplet in the
belief that this is the simplest procedure. Be-
sides stippled erythrocytes, anemia, anisocytosis
and poikilocytosis, colics and Pb line were ob-
served. Because of subfebrile increases of the
temperature, the diagnosis of uncertain febrile
infection had been made first. (From Zentralblatt
fur Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 7:258 (Ab-
stracts), 1957)
1830 Moeschlin, S. (Med. Clinic, Mun. Hosp.
Solothurn, Switzerland): Zur Klinik und
Therapie der Bleivergiftung mit Bericht
liber eine to'dliche toxische Nephrose durch
Ca-EDTA (Calciumversenat). (CLINICAL MAN-
IFESTATIONS AND THERAPY OF LEAD POISONING
WITH REPORT OF A FATAL TOXIC NEPHROSIS
CAUSED BY Ca-EDTA (CALCIUM VERSENATE.)
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
87, No. 34:1091-6, 1957.
The author reports that automobile fuel presently
used in Switzerland contains 425 mg Pb/1 as TEL
and aviation gasoline 530 mg/1. Since 52-76% of
the Pb compounds are dispersed into the air with
the exhaust gases, he calculates that 200,000-
300,000 kg Pb are spread annually into the atmos-
phere of a country as small as Switzerland. As-
suming that the threshold limit for inhaled Pb is
100 pg/m , he points out that the motorcycle driver
on roads heavily traveled by motor vehicles may be
exposed to the risk of Pb poisoning. Poisoning in
2 auto mechanics due to inhalation of TEL is re-
ported. Both men exhibited the usual symptoms and
clinical findings of TEL poisoning. The presence
of coproporphyrin III in urine and feces and of
punctate erythrocytes in the blood was considered
as indicative of Pb poisoning. In addition, 2
fatalities, precipitated by EDTA treatment of
workers exposed to white Pb are described. Dis-
turbances of the central nervous system occurred
after each infusion of 2 g CaEDTA and the men died
with signs of toxic nephrosis. Another lethal
case of a 52-yr-old man with previous Pb poison-
ing, due to treatment with EDTA, is mentioned.
The author points out that intravenous treatment
with CaNa2EDTA even in the presently recommended
doses of 50-60 mg/kg/day may produce lethal dam-
age to the kidneys. (Many references)
1831 Monaenkova, A.M. (Inst. Labor Hyg. Occup.
Dis., Acad. Med. Sci., USSR): FUNCTIONAL
356
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
STATE OF THE THYROID GLAND IN CHRONIC IN-
TOXICATION WITH SOME INDUSTRIAL POISONS.
Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabol-
evaiya 1, No. 2:44-8, 1957. Translation
in U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of
Technical Services: Soviet Research in
Toxicology. Document OTS 63-31382, 1963,
pp. 9-17.
Thyroid gland function, using *"I, and^ the basal
metabolic rate were determined in 40 patients with
chronic Hg poisoning and 41 with Pb poisoning, in
addition to an extensive general examination. Of
those with Hg poisoning, 18 showed a high, 16 a
normal, and 6 a low uptake of 131I. Of the 41
with Pb poisoning, there were 7 women and 34 men,
21-60 yr old, most of them 31-50, exposed to Pb
for 3-10 yr. Twenty had a mild form of poisoning,
19 a moderate, and 2 a severe form. The 131I test
showed 29 to have normal I uptake, 2 an increase
and 10 a reduction. The increase in I uptake was
seen in patients =30 yr, and the decrease in those
540 who had longer contact with Pb. The author
admits that clear signs of hypothyroidism or com-
plaints pointing to it were not found in these
patients. Comparison with the basal metabolic
rate in 33 showed in most (21) an absolute co-
incidence of both indexes. The author concludes
that thyroid gland function is changed by both
poisons and that a significant role is played by
the thyroid in the mechanism of the appearance
and development of these poisonings. More sig-
nificant changes occur in Pb poisoning.
1832 National Safety Council: LEAD. Data
Sheet, D-443, 1957.
A discussion of properties of Pb and TEL manifes-
tations of poisoning, determination of Pb concen-
tration in air, prevention, selection and place-
ment of employees and training of employees.
1833 NiemHller, H.K.: Zur Prophylaxe der Blei-
vergiftung. Inhalationsversuche mit ver-
chiedenen Chemikalien. (THE PROPHYLAXIS
OF LEAD POISONING: TRIALS WITH VARIOUS
INHALANTS.) Deut. med. Woch. 82, No. 18:
738-40, 1957.
This is an account of an investigation of the pro-
phylactic effect, as judged by a rise in hemoglo-
bin level, a fall in basophilic stippling (BS),
the level of Pb in the blood and porphyrinuria, of
various chemical compounds given by inhalation in
the form of aerosols to persons exposed to Pb.
The compounds chosen for a preliminary examina-
tion were Ca, Na citrate, Zr citrate and methio-
nine. Only methionine was found to give definite-
ly favorable results; these, following its inhala-
tion, as a 10% aqueous solution, for 10 consecu-
tive days, by means of a normal (Drage) aerosol
apparatus, were compared with those in which an
electroaerosol apparatus was used.
The most definite variation was shown in the
hemoglobin (Hb) level, where the normal aerosol
inhalation was followed by a slight decrease in 6
out of 10 cases, the electroaerosol by a slight
rise in all; BS showed a decrease in 7 of the nor-
mal aerosol patients as compared with 5 of the
electroaerosol, the porphyrinuria a decrease in 5
compared with 7, and the Pb blood content no dif-
ference.
On the basis of the more favorable effect on the
Hb level, which the author attributes to stimula-
tion of the bone marrow by the electric current,
and to the fact that with the electroaerosol meth-
od there were no complaints of an unpleasant taste
of methionine, it is claimed that the electro-
aerosol apparatus is the better prophylactic agent.
(As noted by the abstractor, E. Browning, this
article is not convincing; the assumption that
bone-marrow stimulation by the electric current is
responsible for the slight and variable altera-
tions of Hb is unwarrantable, and the number of
cases investigated is too small on which to base
accurate conclusions.) (From Bulletin of Hygiene
32:870, 1957)
1834 Nishino, S. (Gifu Med. School, Japan):
EFFECT OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF CALCIUM
ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE IN LEAD POI-
SONING. Kokumin Eisei 26:90-5, 1957.
EDTA was administered continuously to Pb-poisoned
subjects for 60 days to 1 group and intermittently
every 10 days to another group. The toxic symptoms
and signs of Pb poisoning were more or less im-
proved by the administration of EDTA without any
harmful effect. EDTA showed favorable effect on
anemia in chronic Pb poisoning especially in the
group of continuous administration. Stipple cells
disappeared or decreased more extensively in that
group than in the group of intermittent adminis-
tration. (From Chemical Abstracts 51:18309, 1957).
1835 Nishiyama, K, (Tokushima Univ., Japan):
SIGNIFICANCE OF LEAD CONTENT OF HAIR IN
LEAD POISONING. PART III. LEAD CONTENT
OF THE HAIR OF LEAD WORKERS. PART IV.
LEAD ANALYSIS OF HAIR AS AN INDICATOR OF
EXPOSURE TO LEAD. Shikoku Acta Medica 11:
64-9; 164-70, 1957.
Part III. The Pb content in the hair of 112 work-
ers of various industries was found to be as fol-
lows (yg/g): storage battery plants 37.5-550 (av
217.3); rayon manufacture 46.7-616.8 (av 168.1);
measuring instruments manufacture av 11.3; auto-
mobile painting av 6.1; bobbin painting av 22.5;
printing, newspaper off ice -av 30.9 (male), 93.3
(female); small printing offices 106.4 (male),
116,3 (female). Pb content in hair was propor-
tional to the degree of Pb exposure. Thus Pb
analysis of hair in Pb workers indicates the de-
gree of exposure to or absorption of Pb. (13
references)
Part IV. The relation between the Pb content in
hair, blood and urinary Pb, coproporphyrin and
stippled blood cell count was studied in 57 Pb
workers. The following data were found for Pb
content in hair, yg/g, and blood Pb, yg/100 ml,
and urinary Pb, ug/1, respectively: male printers
3.9-196.1 (av 75.9), 48.3, 60.0; female printers
13.4-215.3 (av 115.4), 32.7, 61.4: rayon manufac-
ture 13.9-616.8 (av 163.3), 51.9, 72.6: storage
battery plants 37.5-550 (av 217.2), 135.5, 115. A
statistical correlation was observed between Pb in
hair and blood and urinary Pb. Pb contents in
hair <30 yg/g indicate nonoccupational, normal Pb
exposure; 30-110 yg/g occupational Pb exposure,
and >110 yg/g dangerous exposure. There was no
correlation between general symptoms of Pb poison-
ing, stippled blood cell count and specific gravi-
Man
357
-------
ty of blood. (From author's English summaries)
(30 references)
1836 Nishiyama, K., Ishizawa, M. , and Oshima,
M.: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LEAD CONTENT OF
HAIR IN LEAD POISONING. Proceedings of the
30th General Meeting of Japan Association
of Industrial Hygiene. Journal of Science
of Labour (Japan) 33:549 (July), 1957.
The Pb content of the hair can be used as an indi-
cation of the degree of exposure to Pb. The fol-
lowing three grades are mentioned: Pb content of
hair (yg/g) at negligible, moderate and serious or
dangerous exposure, respectively: <30, 30-110,
>110. (From Occupational Safety and Health Ab-
stracts 8, No. 3:Abstr. No. 3132, 1958.
1837 Nogaki, K. (Kyushu Univ. Med. School, Ja-
pan) : (ON THE ACTION OF LEAD ON THE BODY
OF LEAD REFINERY WORKERS: PARTICULARLY ON
THE CONCEPTION, PREGNANCY AND PARTURITION,
IN THE CASE OF FEMALES AND ON THE VITALITY
OF THEIR NEWBORN.) Igaku Kenkyu 27, No.
6:1314-38, 1957.
The Pb content of the blood was examined in 157
workers at a refinery. Pb levels ranged from
0.317 mg/100 ml to 0.110 mg/100 ml which is con-
siderably higher than in normal subjects. General
health was less favorable than in normal subjects,
but was not significantly related to the Pb con-
tent of the blood. Fertility was reduced, the
frequency of abortion increased, not significantly
related to the Pb level. There was a significant
prevalence in the number of boys over girls among
the newborn, higher in workers with higher Pb con-
tent of the blood. (From Excerpta Medica, Sect.
17, 4:Abstr. No. 2176, 1958)
1838 Nunziante Cesaro, A., and Granata, A.
(Inst. Ind. Med., Messina Univ., Italy):
Recherches d'he'mocytochimie quantitative
dans la silicose, le saturnisme, le ben-
zolisme, le suflocarbonisme et 1'oxycar-
Qonisme professionnels. (QUANTITATIVE
HEMOCYTOCHEMISTRY IN SILICOSIS AND IN OC-
CUPATIONAL POISONING BY LEAD, BENZENE,
CARBON DISULFIDE AND CARBON MONOXIDE.) Ar-
chives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale
18:412-27 (July-Aug.), 1957.
The studies were limited to a quantitative analy-
sis of the polysaccharides, ribonucleins and des-
oxyribonucleins. In silicosis the polysaccharides
were slightly increased in the neutrophlls and
monocytes. The desoxyribonucleins were normal in
the neutrophils but slightly decreased in the lym-
phocytes and monocytes. The ribonucleins were de-
creased in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the neu-
trophils and in the monocytes and lymphocytes. In
Pb poisoning the polysaccharides were decreased in
the neutrophils and monocytes. The desoxyribonu-
cleins were clearly increased in the neutrophils
and lymphocytes and the ribonucleins were de-
creased in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the neu-
trophils and in the monocytes and lymphocytes. In
benzene poisoning, the polysaccharides were de-
creased strongly in the neutrophil granulocytes
and less in the monocytes. The desoxyribonucleins
were increased in the neutrophils, eosinophils,
monocytes and lymphocytes while the ribonucleins
were decreased in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the
neutrophils and lymphocytes and increased in the
monocytes. In CS2 poisoning the polysaccharides
were increased in the neutrophil granulocytes, less
in the monocytes. The desoxyribonucleins were in-
creased in the neutrophils, monocytes and lympho-
cytes. The desoxyribonucleins were increased in
the neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. The
ribonucleins were decreased in the nucleus and
cytoplasm of the neutrophils, in the monocytes and
lymphocytes. In CO poisoning the polysaccharides
were increased in neutrophils and monocytes. The
desoxyribonucleins were increased in the neutro-
phils, slightly decreased in the lymphocytes. The
ribonucleins were decreased in the nucleus and
cytoplasm of the neutrophils, in the nucleus of
the eosinophils and in the monocytes and lympho-
cytes, but slightly increased in the cytoplasm of
the eosinophils.
1839 Nunziante Cesaro, A., Saitta, G., and
d'Urso (Inst. Ind. Med., Univ. Messina,
Italy): Analyse he'mocytochimique de 1'acide
ascorbique des Elements cellulaires du s
sang pe'riphe'rique dans certaines maladies
professionnelles (saturnisme, silicose,
intoxication par cyanures et par anhydride
sulfureux). (HEMOCYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
OF ASCORBIC ACID IN THE CELLULAR ELEMENTS
OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD IN SOME OCCUPATIONAL
DISEASES (PLUMBISM, SILICOSIS, CYANIDE AND
SULFUR DIOXIDE POISONING).) Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Me"decine du
Travail et de Securite1 Sociale 18:643-54
(Nov.-Dec.), 1957.
A method for the detection of ascorbic acid in the
cellular elements of peripheral blood, based on
the reaction of Szent-Gyorgi is described. The
peripheral blood of 10 patients affected by dis-
eases listed in the title was examined. A defi-
nite decrease in ascorbic acid was observed in
silicosis and lead poisoning. A smaller decrease
was found in cyanide poisoning whereas in S02 poi-
soning a distinct increase of ascorbic acid was
noted.
1840 Nunziate Cesaro, A., Saitta, G., and
d'Urso, S. (Italy): Etude cytochimique
de 1'acide ascorbrique dans les elements
cellullaires du sang peripherique chez les
malades professionnels. (CYTOCHEMICAL
STUDY OF THE CONTENT OF ASCORBIC ACID IN
PERIPHERAL BLOOD CELLS IN OCCUPATIONAL
DISEASE.) In XII International Congress
on Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland,
1957, Vol. Ill, Proceedings p. 185.
See preceding abstract.
1841 Ohta, N. (Metropolitan Univ. Tokyo, Setaga-
ya-Ku, Japan): STUDIES ON INORGANIC CON-
STITUENTS IN BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS. THE
INORGANIC CONSTITUENTS IN HUMAN STONES.
Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan
30:833-41, 1957.
Average analyses of mineral stones, cholesterol-
pigment-Ca stones and cholesterol stones were given
in ppm: Fe 728, 124, 40; Cu 3274, 387, 43; Zn 333,
142, 56; Pb 105, 67, 36; Mn 482, 90, 13. Values
358
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
in human gall bladder bile, blood, urine, in ppm
were: Fe 25.6, 494, 1.88; Cu 10.9, 1.20, 0.18;
Zn 9.4, 7.57, 1.52; Pb 0.35, 0.29, 0.068; Mn 1.35,
0.37, <0.01, respectively.
The author points to the correlation between Pb
and the calcification phenomenon in biological
material; Pb showed the highest concentration
ratio in every case of gallstones (203 times that
of bile) and urinary calculi (500 times that of
urine). Zn and Pb were contained in relatively
high quantities in pancreatic calculi. The inter-
nal portion of gallstones seemed to contain a
greater quantity of heavy metals than the external
portion. (60 references)
1842 Okada, A.: A STUDY ON THE CONTENTS OF
LEAD IN THE BLOOD, URINE, AND FECES OF THE
HEALTHY JAPANESE RURAL POPULATION. Jour-
nal of the Osaka City Medical Center 6:50-
79 (Nov.), 1957. In Contributions from
the Department of Preventive Medicine and
Public Health, Osaka City University Medi-
cal School, Vol. 1, April 1949-March 1959,
pp. 36-7.
No significant differences were observed between
rural and urban dwellers in the Pb content of
blood, urine and feces per day, although some dif-
ference was observed in respective amounts in
urine. The theoretical distribution of blood Pb
concentrations for 120 healthy rural dwellers
showed a log-normal type. On the basis of this
curve, 95 and 99% of the population showed <0.01
and O.u38 mg/100 g, respectively. In the daily
urine, such distribution was also a log-normal
type, while that in the feces was a normal type.
A total of 0.020-0.23 mg Pb was found in the me-
conium of the newborn. After birth, Pb amounts in
urine and feces were found to increase with age.
Significant correlations were observed between age
and Pb concentrations in urine and feces. How-
ever, no such relationships existed after 2-1/2 yr
in the feces, because of growing individual dif-
ferences. The total Pb intake per day of bottle-
fed babies and weaning infants was fairly higher
than that excreted. It was assumed that a daily
Pb storage is MD.060 mg in the former and ^0.043
mg in the latter, and that storage is less in the
other age groups. (From author's English summary)
1843 Pecora, L., Fati, S., and Vecchione, C.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): BEHAVIOR OF POR-
PHYRINS IN VARIOUS OCCUPATIONAL INTOXICA-
TIONS AND OTHER MORBID CONDITIONS. Folia
Med. (Naples) 40:24-43, 1957.
Disturbances of porphyrin metabolism, attributed
only to porphyria, Pb poisoning, and some anemias,
were found to occur in a large number of occupa-
tional and other types of illness. (From Chemi-
cal Abstracts 51:9884, 1957)
1844 Peters, H.A., Woods, S., Eichman, P.L.,
and Reese, H.H. (Univ. Wisconsin Med.
School, Madison): THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE
PORPHYRIA WITH CHELATING AGENTS: A REPORT
OF 21 CASES. Annals of Internal Medicine
47:889-99, 1957.
The authors' studies include 26 acute intermittent
cases, 1 mixed hepatic porphyria and 3 latent
types, 21 of whom were subjected to treatment with
BAL and EDTA. In their laboratory, the following
are accepted as upper normal values in urine: por-
phobilinogen, 1 mg/1; ALA, 2.5 mg/1; Zn, 0.5 mg,
and Pb 0,05 mg/1. Uro- and coproporphyrins were
graded 0-5+. The clinical symptomatology is de-
scribed, and 2 cases are presented in detail. In
discussing the results, the authors noted in-
creased Zn and Pb (0.08 mg/1) before chelation,
indicating accumulation of heavy metals which
could form an enzymatic block in the transforma-
tion and thus resulting in excretion of important
metabolites. They caution all porphyria cases to
avoid exposure to barbiturates, sulfonamide, heavy
metals, oil paints and solvents.
1845 Piazza, G. (Univ. Padua, Italy): L'esame
radiologico del tubo digerente negli in-
tossicati cronici da piombo. (RADIOLOGICAL
EXAMINATION OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT IN PA-
TIENTS WITH CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Ri-
vista degli Infortuni e delle Malattie Pro-
fessional! 44, No. 5:700-7, 1957.
X-ray observations made on 65 subjects with chronic
Pb poisoning are discussed. Functional and organic
alterations are reviewed on the basis of prior
literature. (12 references)
1846 Prato, V., Conterno, G., Fiorina, L., and
Rasetti, L. (Univ. Turin, Italy): EARLY
SIGNS OF ABSORPTION OF, AND POISONING WITH
LEAD. Folia Med. (Naples) 40:570-82,
1957.
The earliest signs of Pb absorption are increase
of the free protoporphyrin in the erythrocytes,
followed by a marked level of Pb in the blood,
then appearance of free coproporphyrin in the
erythrocytes and in the urine. Anemia appears
later and only occasionally basophil granulation
of the erythrocytes is evident. In addition to
the increase of protoporphyrin in the blood, the
reticulocyte count is an early diagnostic sign.
(From Chemical Abstracts 52:573, 1958)
1847 Preda, N., Dinishiotu, G.T., Pilat, L.,
and lonescu, C. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Dis., Bucharest, Romania): Etudes sur la
decharge plombique par le B.A.L. et son
utilisation pour le diagnostic du saturn-
isme. (STUDIES ON THE MOBILIZATION OF
LEAD BY BAL AND ITS UTILIZATION FOR THE
DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISONING.) Archives
des Maladies Professionelles de M^decine
du Travail et de Securite Sociale 18, No.
^.-145-51, 1957.
The influence of BAL injections on the urinary ex-
cretion of Pb was studied in 89 patients treated
with either a single injection of 2.0 mg BAL (10%
oil solution) or repeated after a 48-hr interval.
The chelating effectiveness was followed by deter-
mination of urinary Pb 3 hr before and 21 hr after
injection. The patients were placed into 4
groups: (A) 29 cases of obvious plumbism; (B) 29
men working daily in Pb-polluted atmospheres, hav-
ing a urinary Pb excretion of 80-300 yg/1, Pb lev-
el in the blood 70 pg/100 ml, and occasional in-
crease in basophils and urinary porphyrins; (C) 19
workers exposed daily to minimal amounts of Pb
without clinical symptoms; (D) 12 subjects without
occupational Pb exposure. In group A the urinary
Man
359
-------
Pb concentrations were scattered over a wide range
reaching a maximum of 5100 yg/1; 64% were between
2000-3000 iJg/1; only 2 samples were <1500 ug/1.
In group B, the majority of samples contained up
to 500 ug Pb/1. In groups C and D the Pb level in
most cases was <200 ug/1. The authors point out
that the effect of BAL on the urinary Pb excre-
tions in Pb poisonings may be used as a diagnostic
aid.
1848 Radulescu, C., Dinischiotu, G.T., Maugsch,
C., lonescu, C., and Teodorescu-Exarcu, I.
(Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis., Bucharest,
Romania): Recherches sur 1'atteinte du
rein dans le saturnisme industriel par
1'etude du clearance de la creatinine et
de 1'uree. (STUDIES ON THE INVOLVEMENT OF
THE KIDNEY IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING
BY THE DETERMINATION OF CREATININE AND
UREA CLEARANCE.) Archives des Maladies
Professionnelles de Medecine du Travail et
de Securite Sociale 18, No. 2:125-37, 1957.
After a review of the literature, the functional
renal disturbances which precede the anatomic
changes of the kidney in the advanced stage of Pb
poisoning were studied. The rate of glomerular
filtration was determined by measuring the clear-
ance of endogenous creatinine and the Van Slyke
urea coefficient was determined by the method of
Holler, Mclntosh and Van Slyke. Eighty-two cases
(80 men, 2 women; 2/3 of them aged 20-40 yr, 8
above 50 yr) with chronic plumbism with and without
acute complications, were studied. Seventeen of
them were in the stage of colic, 18 had had colics
in the past. None of them had typical urinary
signs of nephritis or nephrosis. Frequently, a
microscopic hematuria and in exceptional cases a
proteinuria was noted. No edemas were observed.
The hematologic syndrome was characterized by a
moderate N retention (50-70 mg% urea) in about 1/3
of the cases tested, with return to normal values
within a short time. Only 2 patients exhibited a
chronic glomerular nephritis and in 3 subjects the
N retention receded very slowly. The rate of glo-
merular filtration and the Van Slyke coefficient
were below normal (<80 ml/1 and <50%, respective-
ly) in -25% of the subjects; the rate of glomeru—
lar filtration was <120 ml/1 in 47% and the Van
Slyke coefficient <70% in 70% of the subjects.
The reductions occurred more frequently and more
intensely in the stage of colic. The milder the
poisoning, the more rapid was the return to normal
values.
It is assumed that Pb has a vasospastic effect
on the kidney thereby limiting the clearance of
creatinine and by its action on the capillaries
decreases the rate of filtration. The urinary ex-
cretion of Pb is small at the height of the renal
vasoconstriction but increases as the rate of glo-
merular filtration returns to normal, as illus-
trated in the case of a 32-yr-old man working with
PbO. (30 references)
1849 Radulescu, I.C., Dinischiotu, G.T.,
Maugsch, C., lonescu, C., and Teodorescu-
i^xarcu, I.: Recherches sur 1'atteinte du
rein dans le saturnisme industrial par
1'etude du clearance de la creatinine et
de 1'uree. (STUDIES ON RENAL INVOLVEMENT
IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING BY MEANS OF
CREATININE AND UREA CLEARANCE TESTS.)
Medicina Interna 9, No. 5:724-36, 1957.
See preceding abstract.
1850 Robinson, G.L. (Devanport Lab., Greenwich,
London, England): TETRAETHYL LEAD POI-
SONING. Letter to the Editor. Lancet
1:378 (Feb. 16), 1957.
The author states that TEL due to cleaning tanks
may occur in seamen. He reports the case of a
Polish sailor who was an inpatient in the Sea-
men's Hospital (under the care of Dr. Alec Win-
field) from Oct.-Dec., 1956, suffering from ab-
dominal colicky pain, tightness in the chest,
and vomiting. His sclerae were slightly icteric;
he had a hemolytic anemia (hemoglobin 8.2 g/100
ml, mean corpuscular fragility slightly decreased,
reticulocytes 6%, active normoblastic marrow,
serum-billrubin 2 mg/100 ml), and 0.8% of his red
cells, showed the coarse basophilia of Pb poison-
ing. Urinary Pb excretion was 0.3 mg/24 hr. He
said that the haze of rust in the atmosphere dur-
ing scaling of the tank gave rise to cough with
rusty sputum. The author compared this seaman
with a case of Pb poisoning in an accumulator
worker who happened to be in the hospital at the
same time: this patient's complaint was also
colicky abdominal pain (he had been thought to
have a perforated peptic ulcer), but he had no
anemia and excreted no Pb in the urine, though
he showed characteristic stippling of his red
cells. Both patients responded very definitely
to therapy with intravenous CaNa2EDTA.
1851 Sagara, Y. (Kyushu Univ., Japan):
(STUDIES OF LEAD POISONING. I. CLINICAL
STUDY OF ORAL CHANGES IN WORKERS EXPOSED
TO LEAD.) Igaku Kenkyu 27, No. 6:1360-8,
1957.
Oral changes in 108 workers handling material con-
taining Pb in a newspaper plant were examined
clinically. A Pb line was detected in 51%. It was
more frequent in the incisors than in the molars,
and more frequent in the lower jaw than in the
upper. This finding indicates that Pb which is
dissolved in the saliva from the air is apparently
absorbed by the gingiva. No definite correlation
was observed between the Pb line and gingival
affections. The Pb line was more frequent in the
longer exposed than in the recently employed.
There was no distinct difference among those who
had different kinds of work. The condition of the
teeth was neither worse nor better than that of
workers in other occupations. (Excerpta Medica,
Sect. 17, 5:Abstr. No. 3121, 1959)
1852 Saita, G. (Univ. Milan, Italy): La tera-
pia del saturnismo. (TREATMENT OF LEAD
POISONING.) Medicina del Lavoro 48:307
28 (May), 1957.
The causal therapy of Pb poisoning was mainly
based, until some 10 yr ago, on the use of Ca and
alkalizing substances favoring the storage of Pb
in the bones and of Mg, ammonium chloride, para-
thormone, iodides as favoring the mobilization and
elimination of the poison. Na citrate was also
used, because it is capable of chelating Pb into a
compound which can be easily dissolved and elimi-
360
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
aated. Towards the end of the last decade BAL was
also widely experimented, but its use was not
quite safe, particularly in acute stages. Pb
elimination with these treatments was always rath-
er limited and therefore there was little detoxi-
fying action. The recent introduction of CaEDTA
in the treatment of Pb poisoning opened new per-
spectives, because this drug has a low toxicity
and effects Pb elimination quickly and intensely,
particularly by renal route.
The mechanism of action of EDTA is reviewed: it
consists in chelating the Pb into a non-ionized
soluble compound which can be readily eliminated.
The author reports the results obtained at the
Clinic for Occupational Diseases in Milan in 46
cases of Pb poisoning treated with EDTA in doses
of 2 g daily. Pb elimination in the urine was
found to be as high as 20 nig daily and up to 70 mg
in 9 days of treatment. Pb elimination was great-
er when the drug was administered by intravenous
(iv) injection rather than by oral route. If the
drug is administered by slow iv infusion, its ac-
tion is more effective than when it is rapidly
injected as a 10% solution.
The Pb content in the blood shows a tendency to
decrease in the cases where it is initially high,
while it remains unchanged in the cases with in-
itial values <100 pg%. Coproporphyrinuria de-
creases rapidly and more so with the iv than the
oral administration. Clinical conditions improve
and the duration of the colic is definitely re-
duced. Slight activity or none at all is shown by
the drug in repairing the anemia. This is prob-
ably due to the fact that EDTA, while rapidly de-
creasing the Coproporphyrinuria, has no similarly
rapid activity in reducing the protoporphyrinemia
and therefore the obstacle to the synthesis of
heme. EDTA must be administered in successive
cycles to obtain the best results on the ratio be-
tween Pb elimination and dose of administration.
The author reports his own experience on the si-
multaneous treatment with CaEDTA and BAL: admin-
istration of BAL, after some days of EDTA treat-
ment is capable of producing a new increase in the
elimination of Pb.
As far as the symptomatic treatment is con-
cerned, mention is made of the recent use of cor-
tisone and ACTH in the treatment of the colic and
the results of vitamins and liver extracts in the
treatment of anemia. (From author's summary)
1853 Saita, G., and Moreo, L, (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Mielogramma, ricambio porfirinico,
sideremia nel saturnismo sotto trattamento
con versenato di calcio. (MYELOGRAM, POR-
PHYRIN METABOLISM, SIDEREMIA IN LEAD POI-
SONING TREATED WITH CALCIUM VERSENATE.)
Medicina del Lavoro 48:130-40 (Feb.),
1957.
Blood analysis in 25 cases of Pb poisoning treated
with CaEDTA showed that this drug has a very lim-
ited effect on the recovery from anemia, in spite
of its potent detoxifying action and of its strik-
ing effect on many symptoms of poisoning. An in-
vestigation, to find out why the hematologic effect
of the drug was so delayed, was carried out by a
follow-up of 6 cases before, during and after
treatment with 2 courses of EDTA. Sternal myelo-
gram, Coproporphyrinuria, protoporphyrinemia,
sideremia and transferrinemia were determined.
The behavior or sternal myelogram before and after
treatment enabled the exclusion of a depressive
action of EDTA on the bone marrow. Bone marrow
function was quite satisfactory at the end of the
treatment as far as both number of cells and matu-
ration and mitotic rates were concerned. Only in
subjects observed during colic, a decrease of the
erythroblastic hyperplasia typical of the pretreat-
ment myelogram was noted. This finding appeared
logical to the authors apart from any effect of
EDTA, because the end of the colic puts a stop to
the intense erythropoietic stimulation which is
interpreted as a reaction against the hyperhemoly-
sis always present during an aggravation of Pb
poisoning to an acute stage. Sideremia was always
high, both before and after treatment. As far as
porphyrin metabolism is concerned, while EDTA rap-
idly decreased Coproporphyrinuria, it did not to
any extent modify the very high protoporphyrinemia.
The authors conclude that the biochemical picture
of the anemia is therefore unchanged. This, to-
gether with the persistence of the obstacle to the
synthesis of heme are given as causes for the lim-
ited action of EDTA in the recovery from anemia.
(From authors' summary; 31 references)
1854 Sans, J. (Soc. Hyg. Ind. Med., Normandy,
France): Problemes du Medecin du Travail
devant les Maladies Professionnelles, en
particulier le Saturnisme. (PROBLEMS OF
THE INDUSTRIAL MEDICAL OFFICER IN RELATION
TO OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, PARTICULARLY
LEAD POISONING.) Medecin d'Usine, No. 9:
635-9, 1957.
The practical problem facing the industrial physi-
cian occurs in the recognition of excessive ab-
sorption, notification of the disease, and return
to work. The author considers: (1) that a form
for notification of occupational disease (at its
onset) be provided by legislation, so that the
physician may intervene in time to save the worker
and possibly impose preventive measures to be
taken by the factory. (2) To provide that notifi-
cation may be made jointly by the physician treat-
ing the patient and the factory physician. (3)
That the worker be returned to exposure only after
careful and extensive clinical and laboratory
tests have been performed. Also that the factory
medical inspector study those cases where the em-
ployee and employers do not agree. (From author's
summary)
1855 Saruta, N., and Yamaguchi, S.: A NEW
DIAGNOSTIC METHOD OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD
POISONING FOR GROUP INSPECTION. Proceed-
ings of the 30th General Meeting of Japan
Association of Industrial Hygiene. Jour-
nal of Science of Labour (Japan) 33:540
(July), 1957.
Three hundred and sixty-nine workers in the print-
ing shop of a newspaper office were examined as
follows: (1) Pb content of the urine was deter-
mined; (2) each worker received 2 g of CaEDTA by
mouth; (3) the Pb content of the urine was exam-
ined 3-6 hr later. It was considered that the
difference between (3) and (1) represented more
precisely the degree of Pb absorption than (1)
alone. (From Occupational Safety and Health Ab-
Man
361
-------
stracts 8, No. 3:Abstr. No. 3:3130, 1958)
1856 Schmltt, F., Drassdo, A., and Trost, W.:
Untersuchungen liber die HBhe des Blut-
bleispiegels bei der Berliner Bevtilkerung
in den Jahren 1954 und 1955. (STUDIES ON
THE LEAD LEVELS IN THE BERLIN POPULATION
IN THE YEARS OF 1954 AND 1955.) Medizin-
ische Monatsschrift 11, No. 6:362-4, 1957.
The serum Pb levels were determined by the dithi-
zone method in 120 healthy persons representing
the average population of Berlin, during the years
of 1954/55. These subjects had never been exposed
to Pb occupationally. They had basophilic stip-
pling of erythrocytes of <100/million. Eighteen
(15%) had a serum Pb level >100 yg% with a maximum
of 122.5 ug%. The average value was 76.31 ug%;
the highest 122.5 ug%; 25 (20.8%) had a serum Pb
level between 70 and 80 ug%. Since no signs of Pb
intoxication were noted at Pb serum levels up to
120 Wg%, the authors propose this figure as a
threshold under present conditions of life.
1857 Sessa, T., and Guarino, A. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): Su di un caso di miocardiopatia
saturnina: considerazioni diagnostiche e
medico-legali. (A CASE OF SATURNINE MYO-
CARDIOPATHY; DIAGNOSTIC AND MEDICOLEGAL
ASPECTS.) Folia Medica (Naples) 40, No. 4
273-99, 1957.
The fatal case of a 53-yr-old man who had worked
in a Pb foundry for ^22 yr and whose final hospi-
talization was in Jan 1956 is described. He had
begun work in the foundry in 1929. First signs of
discomfort, such as vertigo, headache, asthenia
and slight arterial hypertension had appeared
after VL7 yr on the job. An enlarged liver, myo-
cardial damage and visual disturbances were diag-
nosed 4 yr later. The man had a slight hypochromic
anemia, urinary coproporphyrin (CP) was 200 pg/24
hr. As a result of this he was granted 40% dis-
ability on account of Pb poisoning and was removed
from foundry work. In 1951 disability was in-
creased to 50%. He was readmitted to the hospital
in 1952, whereupon his disability was increased to
80% and he gave up work entirely. The clinical
findings upon his hospitalization in 1956 which
terminated in death 1 mo later are described in
detail. Among laboratory findings, basophilic
cells were absent, Pb in urine 3 yg%, Pb in blood
5 ug%; CP in urine 4 ug%. Necropsy findings in-
cluded lesions of the kidney, typical in Pb poi-
soning, arteriosclerosis, myocardiosclerosis,
hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex and broncho-
pneumonia. Tissue analysis by the dithizone method
gave the following concentrations of Pb (yg/mg):
heart 920, kidney 2600, liver 2850, suprarenals
2500, spleen 1200, lungs 2000. The importance of
cardiac lesions in occupational Pb poisonings from
the medicolegal aspect is pointed out. (61 ref-
erences)
1858 Srbova, J., and Teisinger, J. (ClinicnOc-
cup. Dis., Prague, Czechoslovakia): Uber
die Resorption des Calciumdinatriumsalzes
der Athylendiamintetraessigsaure bei der
peroralen Verabreichung zur Therapie der
Bleivergiftung. (ABSORPTION OF CALCIUM
DISODIUM SALT OF ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRA-
ACETIC ACID AFTER ORAL ADMINISTRATION IN
THE TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING.) Archiv
fUr Gewerbepathologie und Gewerbehygiene
15, No. 6:572-80, 1957.
A new complexometric titration method for the de-
termination of EDTA, using methylthymol blue and
xylenol orange as indicators, is described. After
oral administration of CaNa2EDTA, Ca and possibly
Na are split off in the acid gastric juice while
EDTA remains unchanged. CaNa2EDTA is readily solu-
ble in the duodenal juice. Probably no Ca is split
off due to the alkalinity of the medium.
In an experiment with 12 adult rats, fasted for
24-48 hr, after ligation of their duodenum, 1 cc
of a 20% solution of CaEDTA was injected into the
duodenum. The rats were killed after 2 hr and the
CaEDTA in the intestines was determined. An ab-
sorption of 6.5-26%, av 17.6% of CaEDTA was found.
In a control experiment when the animal was killed
directly after the injection, 100% of the injected
CaEDTA was found.
Four healthy persons were given each a total oral
dose of 250 mg CaNA2EDTA in tablets over a period
of 8-11 hr; 3 other subjects received the same dose
in solution together with alkaline mineral water.
An average of 2.5% of the dose was excreted in the
urine within 24 hr. After 26 hr, in 2 of the sub-
jects the urine was negative, and for this reason
the remaining were not investigated further. Five
subjects were given each 6 wafers, consisting of
0.5 g CaEDTA, glucose and syrup, in 3 doses spaced
4 hr apart. An average of 2.8% of the administered
CaEDTA was excreted in the urine over 24 hr. It is
calculated that 53 yg EDTA/min was excreted by the
kidneys and that the EDTA level in the blood was
4 yg%.
According to the authors, the mechanism of the
CaEDTA effect is based on the acceleration of the
spontaneous exchange of Pb among the blood cells
and the surrounding medium. The rate of exchange
cannot be increased by administration of high EDTA
doses which, furthermore, would cause diarrhea.
Another limitation of the EDTA-therapy is based on
the fact that EDTA combines in the intestines with
metals other than Pb, such as Fe and Cu which may
lead to a deficiency of these essential elements.
They advise that EDTA be used only for short-term
therapy of mild Pb poisonings.
1859 Stitch, S.R. (Med. Res. Council Radiobiol.
Res. Unit, AERE, Harwell, England): TRACE
ELEMENTS IN HUMAN TISSUE. I. SEMIQUANTI-
TATIVE SPECTROGRAPHIC SURVEY. Biochemical
Journal 67:97-103, 1957.
A method is described for the semiquantitative de-
termination of some trace elements in human soft
tissue and bone, by cathode-layer arc spectro-
graphy. Results are presented for the distribu-
tion of Al, Cd, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, and Rb. Cr, Ni, '
Ag, and Ti were detected infrequently in some or-
gans. Accumulation of lome elements in certain
organs was observed; relatively high concentra-
tions of Cd in kidney, Cu and Mo in liver, and
Al in lung were observed regularly. A comparison
of the distribution and concentration of certain
elements in the tissues of various age groups is
presented and discussed. The sensitivity for Pb
was not good and it was generally detected in the
liver only. The values obtained for Pb in this
362
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
organ (80 ppm) were in reasonable agreement with
those reported by Kehoe et al (1940) ie, 130 ppm.
Pb was found in the bones of some adults but not
in those of infants or children. It was detected
in some specimens of heart, kidney, lung, pan-
creas and the thymus.
I860 Sudo, Y. (Tokyo Jikeikae Med. Coll., Ja-
pan) : STUDIES ON FRACTION OF SERUM PRO-
TEIN IN LEAD WORKERS. (PART I) ON THE
INCREASE OF Yi-globulin. Journal of Sci-
ence of Labour (Japan) 33:978-92 (Dec.),
1957.
Studies of the serum from 38 Pb workers showed
that total protein did not significantly vary
while Yi~Sl°bulin and consequently Yi~globulin in-
creased. It was found that Yi~globulin in the
serum increased with the years of service of the
Pb workers. (From author's English summary)
1861 Suzuki, Y., and Matsuka, Y.: ON THE
STRENGTH AND ELONGATION OF HAIR OF LEAD
AND MANGANESE WORKERS. Proceedings of the
30th General Meeting of Japan Association
of Industrial Hygiene. Journal of Science
of Labour (Japan) 33:541 (July), 1957.
The hair of 30 Pb workers and 14 Mn miners was ex-
amined in terms of denier, absolute strength and
elongation. Although no correlation was observed
between the Pb content of the hair and hair elonga-
tion, it was considered that the hair of Pb and Mn
workers was less strong than that of normal
healthy persons. (From Occupational Safety and
Health Abstracts 8, No. 3:Abstr. No. 3131, 1958)
1862 Szewczykowski, W. (Univ. Marie Curie-
Sklodowska, Lublin, Poland): Symptomato-
logia wczesnej oHowicy i wartosc badan
laboratoryjnych w jej rozpoznawaniu.
(SYMPTOMATOLOGY OF EARLY LEAD POISONING
AND VALUE OF LABORATORY TESTS FOR ITS DI-
AGNOSIS.) Annales Universitatis Marias
Curie-Sklodowska, Lublin-Polonia 120:173-
217, 1957.
A study was made of 65 workers of tile factories,
examined in their work places and of 50 who were
hospitalized. History was obtained on all; physi-
cal examination included Pb analysis in urine,
urinary porphyrins, and basophilic stippling of
erythrocytes (BSE). The Pb content of air was al-
do determined. Fifty workers showing positive
laboratory tests were subjected to clinical exami-
nation which included bone marrow biopsy, radiolo-
gy of the alimentary canal, examination of the
stomach contents, oscillometry of the vessels,
Volhardt's water test, and examination of the eye
fundus. In 15, liver function tests were also
performed. The results pointed to the fact that
at the time when laboratory tests are positive,
systemic disorders are already present. These are
hematopoietic, as observed in the myelogram, spas-
ticity of the colon, disorders in the motor and
secretory activity of the stomach. In 30% a de-
crease in oscillation of the vessels of the upper
limbs was found; in isolated cases there were dis-
turbances in the water metabolism. There were no
symptoms on the part of the central or peripheral
nervous system or disturbances of liver function
pointing to early Pb poisoning. The most useful
test was the examination of urine for porphyrins
which the author considered to be a sensitive,
constant, and easily performed test. Other tests
(Pb in blood and urine, BSE) were found to be less
sensitive and connected with a greater risk of
error. (30 references)
1863 Tada, 0. (Inst. Sci. Labor, Tokyo, Japan):
'DETERMINATION OF LEAD WITH DITHIZONE (REP.
II). Journal of Science of Labour (Japan)
33:850-61 (Nov.), 1957.
A quantitative method which was described in the
1st report was precisely examined especially for
the analysis of Pb in blood of workers with differ-
ent occupations. The results were as follows, with
number examined in parentheses, in ug/100 g: Bat-
tery (54), 13-117; electric wire (23), 18-102; re-
finement of metals (100), 6-98; treatment of oxide
(41), 13-81; printing (122), 4-76; telegraph (Pb
pipe (70), 4-59; waterworks (Pb pipe) (86), 4-53;
sulfuric acid (112), 5-62; others (24), 6-61; un-
related to Pb (22), 2-30. (From author's English
summary and table)
1864 Tahir, H.A., Dahi, M.A., and Samra, H.M.
(Ministry Justice, Cairo, Egypt): NORMAL
LEAD IN TISSUES, URINE, AND BLOOD OF EGYP-
TIAN INDIVIDUALS. Journal of the Egyptian
Medical Association 40:491-500, 1957.
The following tissues of 20 normal individuals,
without Pb exposure, were analyzed by the dithi-
zone method for Pb mean concentrations: stomach
0.037 ± 0.022 mg/100 g fresh weight; liver 0.122
± 0.067; kidney 0.074 + 0.049; blood 0.021 ± 0.013;
and urine 0.030 ± 0.014 mg/1. No correlation was
found between Pb concentrations and age or occupa-
tion.
1865 Takata, T. (DETERMINATION OF VITAMIN B12
IN BLOOD BY THE EUGLENA METHOD. II. VITA-
MIN B12 CONCENTRATION IN WHOLE BLOOD OF
HEALTHY ADULTS AND PATIENTS WITH BLOOD
DISEASES, AND IN HUMAN TISSUES AND ORGANS.)
Bitamin 13:205-3, 1957.
The mean value of vitamin 8x2 concentration in
whole blood of 6 anemic subjects (including Fe
deficiency anemia and anemia due to Pb poisoning)
was 0.58 ± 0.15 yg/ml. (range 0.45-0.80). (From
Chemical Abstracts 54:7870, 1960.)
1866 Tara, S., and Francon, F. (Colombes,
France): Deux cas de goutte saturnine a
modalite mineure. (TWO CASES OF LEAD GOUT
OF MINOR MODALITY.) Rhumatologie No. 5:
238-43 (Sept.-Oct.), 1957.
A 47-yr-old man working as a plumber for 30 yr had
been afflicted with rheumatic signs resulting in
gout for about 10 yr without exhibiting any other
symptoms of Pb poisoning; blood findings and blood
pressure were normal. No stippled cells were
found. The authors explain that the patient, being
a plumber, was exposed only to cutaneous exposure
to Pb. Since his work involved filing Pb pipes
with a rasp before soldering (the latter operation
releasing only minimal amounts of respirable Pb)
absorption was by the percutaneous route. (One of
the authors had found this to be the case also with
typesetters.) However, the constant daily exposure
is apt to result in accumulation of Pb over a pe-
Man
363
-------
riod of 15-25 yr, thus giving rise to the gout.
Another case of mild gout was observed in a 53-yr-
old worker in the Gas Works in Paris who had been
handling Pb for 25 yr. Here also, no signs of Pb
poisoning (colic, stippled cells, etc.) were found.
in contrast to these 2 slight cases of saturnine
gout, 2 others previously described which were more
severe were mentioned.
V
1867 Teisinger, J. and Fiserova-Bergerova, V.
Vliv sodnovapenate soli kyseliny ethylen-
diamintetraoctove na hladiny zeleza a medi
v krvi a v moci. (THE INFLUENCE OF Na-Ca
SALT OF EDTA ON IRON AND COPPER LEVELS IN
BLOOD AND URINE.) Casopis L£karu Ceskfch
(Prague), 96:1605-10 (Dec. 20), 1957.
Changes in the levels of Fe and Cu in serum and
the excretion of both metals,after the administra-
tion of NaCaEDTA in a group of subjects with
chronic Pb poisoning, have been observed. After
injection, serum Fe and Cu increased in both
groups to a maximum level from 4-5 hr later. The
urinary excretion of both metals was also the same
in control and experimental groups. On the day of
injection about 12 times more Fe and 4 times more
Ca appeared in the urine. With repeated adminis-
tration Fe excretion decreased which suggests ex-
uaustion of body stores. (From authors' summary)
(From Bulletin of Hygiene 33:366, 1958).
1868 Thiebaut, F. (Strasbourg, France): Paral-
ysie saturnine d'origine hydrique. (LEAD
PARALYSIS CAUSED BY WATER.) Strasbourg
Medical 8, No. 10:831-2, 1957.
A 54-yr-old woman showed a bilateral and symmetric
radial paralysis of the upper extremities charac-
teristic of Pb poisoning. Blood tests revealed a
moderate anemia. Since her drinking water was
found to contain 3-iO mg Pb/1 the conclusion was
drawn that the Pb poisoning had been caused by the
water.
1869 Tietz, N.W., Hirsch, E.F., and Neyman, B.
(Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hosp., Chicago,
111.): SPECTROGRAPtilC STUDY OF TRACE ELE-
MENTS IN CANCEROUS AND NONCANCEROUS HUMAN
TISSUES. Journal of the American Medical
Association 165:2187-92 (Dec. 28), 1957.
Autopsy and biopsy specimens of the lung, liver,
and kidney, analyzed by spectrography for content
of metals, showed in lung tissue of patients with
neoplastic and inflammatory diseases more often
greater amounts of Pb, Cd, Fe, Cr, Si, and Ag than
in patients without cancer. The liver of patients
with neoplasms, regardless of the primary site,
contained significantly more Pb, Mn, Fe, Be, Cr,
Ni, Si, and Ag, and the kidney showed significantly
higher Mo, Cr, and Ag. The ranges of Pb in the
lung, liver, and kidney, respectively, were:
0->1.0, 0->1.3, and 0->1.5 mg/100 g dry tissue.
It is concluded that the high content of metals in
these organs of cancer patients suggests that since
the metal content in the tumor tissue itself was
found to be lower than that of the surrounding tis-
sue, the storage of metals took place prior to the
development of the disease rather than after.
1870 Trost, W.: Untersuchungen liber die Hohe
des Bleispiegels im Blut in den Jahren
1954 und 1955 in Berlin. (STUDIES ON THE
LEAD LEVELS IN BLOOD DURING THE YEARS OF
1954 and 1955 in Berlin.) Berlin Med. 8:
149-52, 1957.
With the analytical method used on 120 normal peo-
ple who had not been exposed occupationally to Pb,
an average Pb level of 76 yg% was found in the
blood. The highest value was 122 yg%. It is
pointed out that in present-day Berlin higher nor-
mal Pb levels in the blood are to be expected and
an upper normal limit of 120 yg% must be consid-
ered. (Abstractor's comment: The extent to which
the relatively high normal values are due to ana-
lytical error could be evaluated by the interested
reader. Unfortunately in addition to typographical
errors, the sentence structure is subject to ques-
tion.) (From Deutsche Zeitschrift fUr die Gesamte
Gerichtliche Medizin 46:641 (Abstracts), 1957)
1871 Tsuchiya, K., and Tanaka, D.: AN ELECTRO-
PHORETIC STUDY OF LEAD WORKERS' SERA. Pro-
ceedings of the 30th General Meeting of
Japan Association of Industrial Hygiene.
Journal of Science of Labour 33:536 (July),
1957.
On the basis of an extensive study, the authors
conclude that the rise in the percentage of y-
globulin in the early stages of Pb absorption is
due to the increase in the Pb content of the blood.
They consider that it might be based on a form of
immunological reaction to Pb or Pb combined with
some component of the serum. (From Occupational
Safety and Health 8, No. 3:3129, 1958).
1872 US Public Health Service, National Office
of Vital Statistics: CHEMICAL POISONING.
Morbidity and Mortality 6, No. 17:2, 1957.
Dr. J.D. Martin, Louisiana State Department of
Health, reported the occurrence of 3 cases of Pb
poisoning in 1 family. The patients experienced
abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and
metallic taste from 45 min-2 hr after eating duck.
The duck had been killed in the southwestern part
of the State and had been stored in a freezer for
approximately 2 mo prior, to consumption. Chemical
analysis of the remaining portion of the meat re-
vealed the presence of 0.12% of Pb.
1873 Vartiainen, A.: Etylendiamintetraetik-
kahapon (EDTA) kHytto laaketieteessa.
(MEDICAL USE OF ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRA-
ACETIC ACID (EDTA).) Suomen iHHkHrilehti
12:802-7 (Aug. 1), 1957.
1874 Viaud, M., Baron, A., Colas, J., Greaud,
H., and Lhermitte, R.: Encephalopathie
saturnine grave avec stase papillaire;
resultat du traitement par les chelateurs.
(SEVERE LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY WITH PAPILLARY
STASIS; RESULTS OF CHELATING THERAPY.)
Medicin d'usine (Paris) 19, No. 9:667-8;
passim., 1957.
See Abstract No. 1973.
1875 Villaume, J., Meniel, M., Lambert, G., and
Deleplanque, G.: Les signes biologiques
du saturnisme, les problemes qu'ils posent
au me'decin du travail. (BIOLOGICAL SIGNS
IN LEAD POISONING; PROBLEMS FOR THE 1NDUS-
364
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
TRIAL PHYSICIAN.) Proceedings of the So-
ciety of Industrial Medicine and Hygiene,
Paris. Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles de Medicine du Travail et de Secu-
rite Sociale 18:697-8 (Nov.-Dec.), 1957.
At the request of the Factory Inspection Bureau in
Strasbourg the following tests were made on 20
workers who were exposed to Pb: (1) Complete
hematological study before starting work; (2)
daily count of stippled cells (SC) at the begin-
ning, the middle and end of work; (3) determina-
tion of urinary coproporphyrins (CP) at the start
and end of work; (4) determination of blood Pb at
end of work; (5) observation of clinical signs
(usually discrete). From the results, it was con-
cluded that the usually observed signs do not per-
mit early recognition of Pb poisoning; laboratory
results are inconclusive, and reciprocal varia-
tions have no significant relation; anemia devel-
ops at a rather advanced stage of poisoning and
signs may appear before the number of RBC is de-
creased; Pb levels in blood and urine and CP do
not permit recognition of state of poisoning ex-
cept when these figures are greatly increased;
toxic symptoms may appear at practically normal
values of these biologic functions. The variation
in SC in the course of one day was surprising.
Several counts should be made during the day.
Only a constantly elevated figure (>3000/million
RBC) presents a warning signal of acute poisoning.
1876 Vogt, W., and Cottier, H. (Univ. Bern,
Switzerland): Nekrotisierende Nephrose
nach Behandlung einer subakutchronischen
Bleivergiftung mit Versenat in hohen
Dosen. (NECROTIZING NEPHROSIS AFTER
TREATMENT OF A CASE OF SUBACUTE-CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING WITH CaEDTA IN HIGH DOSES.)
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
87, No. 22:665-7, 1957.
A 38-yr-old man suffering from subacute-chronic
Pb poisoning was treated with an erroneously high
dose of CaNa2EDTA. The dosage was ^600 mg/kg body
weight/day. After a therapy of 5 days' duration
an anuric uremia complicated by a massive lobar
pneumonia occurred. The autopsy, which was per-
formed immediately after death, revealed a necro-
tizing nephrosis with extreme swelling, desquama-
tion, small-vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of
the epithelial cells in the proximal tubules and
in the loops of Henle. The Pb content of the
kidneys was significantly higher than that of the
liver, suggesting that CaEDTA was promoting Pb
excretion by the kidneys. The possible toxic
effect of CaEDTA and its chelate with Pb are
discussed. (From authors' summary; 22 references)
1877 Vol'fovskaya, R.N.: Klinicheskie osoben-
nosti i otdalennye posledstviya khroni-
cheskoi intoksikatsii etilirovannym ben-
zinom. (CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND
SEQUELA OF CHRONIC INTOXICATION BY ETHY1-
ATED GASOLINE.) In Trudy Yubileinoi
Nauchnoi Sessii Posvyashchennoi 30-Letnei
Deyatel'nosti Institute 1924-1954. Lenin-
grad, Ministerstvo Zdravookhraneniya
RSFSR, Institute Gigieny Truda i Profza-
bolevanii, 1957, pp. 399-405.
In summarizing her observations, the author states
that poisoning by TEL-containing gasoline exhibits
a unique course of illness progressing from signs
of nervous system disorders to those of internal
organs which may progress even when removed from
exposure. In other words, it is distinct from
TEL poisoning. For this reason she considers
that part of the illness is attributable to the
chronic action of CO, since in 33 of 90 patients
followed by her the COHb levels in blood were in-
creased, so that a potentiating or additive action
of CO may be assumed. In addition, the effect of
inorganic Pb in the picture cannot be excluded.
18/0 Weber, M. , OpaXko, S., and Robakiewicz,
M. (Poland): L'administration du compose
calcique du sel disodique de 1'acide
ethylenediaminotetracetique (Ca-Na2~EDTA)
dans les cas cliniques du saturnisme.
(USE OF SODIUM CALCIUM SALT OF ETHYLENE-
uIAMINOTETRAACETIC ACID IN CLINICAL CASES
OF LEAD POISONING.) In XII International
Congress on Occupational Health, Helsinki,
Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill, Proceedings, pp.
284-7.
The authors' experience was on 11 cases of acute
intoxication by TEL (9 by exposure to vapor, and
2 by aspiration of the fluid); 49 exacerbated
chronic cases exposed to poor working conditions
in Pb trades; 26 chronic cases of moderate degree
of poisoning. Administration was iv infusion of
EDTA at 4.2 g in 250 ml isotonic saline solution
over 3 hr; infusions were repeated 3 or 4 times at
2-day intervals. In severe cases both iv and oral
EDTA was given, and in the mild cases, only oral.
As summarized, the efficacy of EDTA can not be
denied. In all patients it was found that the cir-
culating Pb dropped rapidly and clinical signs soon
abated. It was just as efficient in treatment of
TEL poisoning as in Pb poisoning. The most effica-
cious form of treatment is the iv. Neither route,
iv nor oral,was ever accompanied by signs of intol-
erance. On the basis of their experience, the
authors believe that EDTA is capable of eliminating
not only the circulating Pb, but also that stored
in tissues. It can also serve as a means of diag-
nosis in doubtful cases of Pb poisoning.
1879 Weber, M., Opajko, S., and Rabakiewicz,
M. : Stosowanle soli dwusodowo-wapniowej
kwasu etyleno-dwuamino-czterooctowego
(EDTA-Ca-Na2) w klinicznych przypadkach
ojowicy. (USE OF SODIUM CALCIUM SALT OF
ETHYLENEDIAMINOTETRAACETIC ACID IN CLINI-
CAL CASES OF LEAD POISONING.) Polskie
Archiwum Medycymy Wewnetrznej (Warsaw) 27,
No. 2:215-28, 1957.
See preceding abstract.
1880 Worms, R., Albahary, C., and Schlumberger,
H.G. (Paris, France): Saturnisme hydrique
a Paris. (LEAD INTOXICATION FROM WATER IN
PARIS.) Presse MSdicale 65, No. 9:177-9,
1957.
A normally healthy man, 52 yr old, complained of
fatigue, lack of appetite and dyspnea. Medical
examination showed nothing remarkable. Examina-
tion of the nervous system revealed radial paraly-
sis on the right side, pointing by its character-
istic signs to Pb poisoning which was confirmed by
Man
365
-------
an anemia witri 2,860,000 erythrocytes and 60% baso-
philic cells. Urinary coproporphyrins in the 1st
4 days in the hospital ranged from 492-1590 ug/1,
rising during BAL treatment to 3000 and then de-
creasing to 146-212. The corresponding values for
blood protoporphyrins were 317, 479 and 352 pg/100
ml, respectively; urinary Pb 0.11-0.20, O.U6-0.30
and 0.20-0.35 mg/1; blood Pb 60, 60, and 65-125
yg/100 ml, respectively. Pb in hair was 1.4 mg/100
g-
The authors believe BAL treatment to have been
ineffective. Improvement during the hospital
stay was very slow. The man had never been ex-
posed to Pb occupationally. He had lived on the
6th floor of a commercial building and used a
faucet on the stair landing for his drinking wa-
ter. Analysis of a sample taken during the day
showed the presence of 0.3 mg Pb/1. Further in-
vestigations revealed that water taken directly
out of the feeder pipe in the basement contained
800 mg Pb/1 and 2.5 mg/1 after it was allowed to
run for a few minutes. A sample taken from the
tap on the 6th floor after it had not been used
for some time contained 0.9 mg Pb/1. It is
pointed out that the concentration of 800 mg Pb/1
at the feeder pipe was due to remnants of Pb fil-
ings in the pipe which should have been rinsed out
thoroughly at the time of installation. Blood,
protoporphyrin and coproporphyrin tests done on
the wife of the patient also suggested Pb expo-
sure although she did not exhibit pathologic
symptoms.
1881 Zahorski, W., and Myglak, Z. (Inst. Ind.
Med., Zabrze, Poland): L'application du
Ca-^DTA dans une action organisee centre
le saturnisme dans l'Industrie. (USE OF
Ca-EDTA IN THE ORGANIZED ACTION AGAINST
PLUMBISM IN INDUSTRY.) In XII Interna-
tional Congress on Occupational Health,
iielsinki, Finland, 1957, Vol. Ill, Pro-
ceedings, pp. 242—3.
As first tested on 60 cases of Pb poisoning, oral
doses of 2-3 g EDTA/day in 0.25-g tablets given
every 2 hr for a total dose of 20 g gave good re-
sults. Since a 2-g oral dose every other day pro-
duced an elimination of Pb that was similar or even
greater than that obtained by a daily dose, frac-
tions of a total dose of 20 g were subsequently
administered every other day over a period of 12-14
days. Counts of stippled erythrocytes, urinary
coproporphyrin (CP), and Pb, and blood Pb were used
as diagnostic criteria. Having established that
the CP elimination by nonexposed subjects given
EDTA does not exceed 1 mg/24 hr in the 1st 3 days,
the mobilization test was used to confirm diagnosis
of Pb poisoning. Based on these experiments, a
prophylactic program for the nonferrous smelting
industry was developed with the active participa-
tion of factory physicians. In industries with
high exposure, Pb poisoning recurred 2-3 mo after
return to work. A 2nd treatment allowed the work-
ers to return to work for a number of months with-
out further signs of Pb absorption. The authors
conclude that a greater application and systematic
and frequent examination would diminish the number
of workers who would be forced to leave these in-
dustries.
1958
1882 Albach, E. (Evangelian Hosp., Berlin
Spandau, Germany): Zur gewerblichen
Bleivergiftung. (OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISON-
ING.) Deutsche Medizinische Wochenscrift
83, No. 31:1323-7, 1958.
Symptoms of Pb poisoning are reviewed and discuss-
ed. The value of determining blood Pb and urinary
porphyrins, in addition to detection of anemia
and red cell basophilic stippling, is emphasized.
Dietary effects on blood Pb and urinary Pb and
porphyrin excretion are indicated and control of
this variable to avoid misinterpretation of labora-
tory data is stressed. (33 references)
1883 Albahary, C.5 Truhaut, R., and Boudene,
C. (Inst. Ind. Hyg., Med.; Toxicol. Lab.,
Coll. Pharmacy, Paris, France): Depistage
du saturnisme par le test de la plomburie
provoquee par le versenate de calcium
disodique. (THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISON-
ING FOLLOWING URINARY ELIMINATION OF LEAD
INDUCED BY CALCIUM DISODIUM VERSENATE.)
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale
19:121-31 (Mar.-Apr.), 1958.
CaSa2EDTA was administered to about 50 individuals
by different routes and the urinary Pb excretion
induced by the versenate was measured polarograph-
ically. The authors conclude from their experi-
ments that determination of the rate of urinary
Pb excretion induced by iv administration of EDTA
provides a very good means for the diagnosis of
saturnism, particularly in cases of unrecognized,
disputable or hysterical and atypical cases. The
following series of tests were made: (1) Four men
with signs of Pb poisoning and 3 controls were
given iv infusions of 2 g EDTA/day for 3 days; a
5th subject received 0.50 g/day for 3 days. (2)
The results on urinary Pb excretion in a welder
from the above group were compared when EDTA was
administered by iv infusion (2 g/day for 3 days,
or 1.0, 0.5, 0.5 g, respectively, per day), by iv
injection (0.50 g/day for 2 days), or when BAL
(450 mg/day for 3 days) was administered. Three
other subjects and 6 controls were given 1-3 iv
injections of 0.50 g EDTA each. (3) Six subjects
and 3 controls were treated orally with 4 g EDTA/
day, distributed in 2 daily doses, for 3-6 days.
(4) Ten subjects and 1 control inhaled 1 g EDTA
as an aerosol.
Venous infusion with 2 g EDTA/day for several
days is generally considered to be the best method
of detoxication, but it is complicated and cumber-
some. Intravenous injection with 0.5 g EDTA has
proved to be satisfactory both therapeutically and
for the purpose of diagnosis. The authors are
unable to ascertain whether an iv dose of 1 g EDTA
is more efficacious than a 0.5 g dose since the
induced Pb excretion varies widely in different
subjects. They believe that induced Pb excretion
increases with the degree of poisoning; however,
if the Pb exposure has been far in the past, mo-
bilization of Pb by the versenate may be slow. An
excretion curve reaching a plateau is more indi-
cative of Pb poisoning than a bell-shaped curve.
Controls sometimes show abnormal, transient in-
creased Pb excretion. The period elapsed between
366
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
injection of EDTA and maximum Pb excretion and the
threshold limit of Pb excretion are significant
criteria for the diagnosis.
In the cases studied the maximum excretion was
reached between 3-10 hr, usually after 6 hr. The
threshold limit was estimated as 800 ug Pb/1; val-
ues above this limit call for diagnosis of saturn-
ism. Oral treatment with EDTA is not efficient.
The threshold limit of urinary Pb excretion by this
method is 400 yg/1 within 24 hr. Inhalation of 1
g EDTA as aerosol in a 20% suspension for 20-30
min is unsatisfactory therapeutically but it is a
convenient method for diagnosis. The urinary Pb
excretion increases 2-6 fold; the threshold limit
is about 400 ug Pb/1. The mobilization of Pb is
so rapid that the urine needs to be tested only
for 10 hr following inhalation. The authors sug-
gest that inhalation of small quantities of EDTA
may possibly be used for protection in occupation-
al Pb exposure provided further studies confirm
its innocuousness. EDTA does not act as a detoxi-
cant in Hg poisoning. Furthermore the authors do
not expect that EDTA will activate the urinary
elimination of essential metals, such as Fe, Cu,
Cd, Mn and others or that it may promote vitamin
deficiency. (26 references)
1884 Albahary, C., Truhaut, R., and Boudene, C.
(Soc. Ind. Med. Hyg., Paris, France); Im-
pregnation plombique; epreuve de plomburie
provoquee par aerosol de versenate de cal-
cium disodique. Possibilite d'une prophy-
laxie. A propos d'une enquete dans une en-
treprise d'accumulateurs. (LEAD INTOXICA-
TION; MOBILIZATION OF LEAD BY AN AEROSOL OF
DISODIUM CALCIUM VERSENATE. POSSIBILITY OF
PROPHYLAXIS. A STUDY IN A STORAGE BATTERY
FACTORY.) Proceedings of the Society of
Industrial Medicine and Hygiene, Paris.
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale
19:485-7 (Sept.-Oct.), 1958.
The Pb content of dust in a storage battery factory
was 36% in malaxation operations, 34% in filing and
70% in soldering. A blood test of 13 volunteers
from different departments gave the following data
for stippled cells/100 leukocytes: 2 employees 0;
4, 10-50; 2, 50-100; 5, 100-200. In 6 men out of
the 2 last groups Na2CaEDTA inhalation gave a uri-
nary Pb excretion 3-30 times that of the initial
one. No anemia was noted in any case but 1 of the
men showed a notable increase of non-hemoglobin
globular Fe. Administration of EDTA by the respi-
ratory route is recommended for diagnostic purposes
and possibly as prophylaxis but not for therapy.
However, the loss of Zn and other metals by prophy-
lactic administration of EDTA as aerosol must be
considered.
1885 Baader, E.W. (Univ. Munster, Germany):
L'aspect clinique de 1'intoxication sa-
turnine professionnelle. (CLINICAL ASPECT
OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Maroc
Medical 37, No. 395:409-15, 1958.
The symptoms of Pb intoxication, diagnosis, and
pathogenesis are reviewed. The gingival Pb line,
the occurrence of punctate blood cells, chronic
saturnine nephritis, saturnine paralysis and en-
cephalopathy and the effect of Pb on the genital
glands are discussed in detail. The author points
out that fraudulent Pb intoxication can be recog-
nized by an analysis of the feces; since the Pb
content of the feces during occupational Pb intox-
ication is not higher than 2.8 mg/100 g, a concen-
tration of 4 mg/100 g found by the author in a man
4 wk after removal from exposure indicated that
the subject had swallowed Pb voluntarily.
1886 Balbo, W., and Patrizi, L.: Contribute
allo studio dell'azione del sale calcio
disodico dell'acido etilendiaminotetrace-
tico nell'intossicazione acuta e cronica
da piombo. (EFFECT OF THE CALCIUM DI-
SODIUM SALT OF THE ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRA-
ACETIC ACID IN ACUTE AND CHRONIC LEAD POI-
SONING.) Zacchia 21:315-33, 1958.
Seven Pb workers, 3 of whom showed definite signs
of Pb intoxication, were given iv 1.2 g CaEDTA/day
for 20 days. Urinary Pb excretion increased im-
mediately and the Pb level in the blood decreased
simultaneously. Stippled cells disappeared and
the patients improved subjectively and objectively
although polyneuritic symptoms remained and there
was little or no effect on the coproporphyrinuria.
Prophylactic CaEDTA treatment was proposed. (From
Deutsche Zeitschrift fttr die Gesamte Gerichtliche
Medizin 49:490 (Abstracts), 1960)
1887
1888
Bartos, V.: Zkus'enosti zavodniho lekafe
s 16cenim otrav olovem komplexonem EDTA.
(EXPERIENCES OF INDUSTRIAL PHYSICIANS WITH
COMPLEXON EDTA THERAPY OF LEAD POISONING.)
Pracovni lekarstvi 10:48-51 (Mar.), 1958.
Belamaric, T., and Dcrid, D. (Army Hosp.,
Zagreb, Yugoslavia): 0 nekim problemima
trovanja tetraetil-olovom i etiliziranim
benzinom. (CERTAIN PROBLEMS RELATED TO
POISONING WITH TETRAETHYL LEAD AND ETHYL
GASOLINE.) Vojnosanitelski Pregled 15,
No. 4:304-7, 1958.
A review with 28 references.
1889 Berard-Magistretti, A. (Aosta, Italy):
Paralisi parziale del terzo paio di destra
ed altri segni oculari in operaio intossi—
cato da piombo. (PARTIAL PARALYSIS OF THE
RIGHT OCULOMOTORIUS IN ADDITION TO OTHER
EYE SYMPTOMS IN A WORKER WITH LEAD POISON-
ING.) Lavoro Umano 10:449-59, 1958-.
In the reported case of chronic Pb poisoning, the
signs included monolateral partial paralysis of
the oculomotorius, pupillary disorders, moderate
temporal pallor and vascular and retinal distur-
bances. (From author't, summary)
1890 Biondi, S. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Sull'-
artlgianato in rapporto all'automobilismo.
(WORKERS IN AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOPS AND
SERVICE STATIONS.) Rassegna di Medicina
Industriale 27:579-97 (Nov.-Dec.), 1958.
Work performed in automobile repair shops is de-
scribed and illustrated in 13 figures. Work encom-
passes that of mechanics, body repairmen, electri-
cians, tire repairmen, and pump attendants. These
men are exposed to various types of poisoning, such
as by TEL, CO, solvents, and nitrates. They are of-
ten compelled to work in uncomfortable or tiring po-
Man
367
-------
sitions, and pump attendants are subject to work in
inclement weather. Clinical examination, however,
showed only a considerable frequency of respiratory
diseases among pump attendants. (12 references)
1891 Boulet, P., and Mirouze, J. (Fac. Med.,
Montpellier, France): CHELATION. ITS
IMPORTANCE IN THERAPY OF METAL POISONING.
Therapeutique, Semaine H6\>. 34-.TH 816-TH
818, 1958.
The principal metallic intoxicants which can be
treated by chelating agents are Pb, products or
nuclear fission, Cu, Zn, Pu, Fe, Cr, Co, Be, Ca,
Mn, Cd, and Ni. Chelating agents have also been
used in hypercholesterolemia. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 53:4573, 1959)
1892 Boulet, P., Mirouze, J., Barjon, P.,
Paulet, C. de, Paulet, C. de (Mrs.), and
Schmouker, Y.: USE OF CHELATING AGENTS IN
SATURNISM (CHRONIC LEAD POISONING) . The"-
rapeutique Semaine H6p. 34:Th 819-Th 823,
1958.
Four cases of Pb poisoning treated with CaEDTA are
presented. The 1st and 3rd cases had greatly in-
creased urinary elimination of Pb, while the 2nd
and 4th showed only a moderate increase. Never-
theless, the Pb intoxication was cured in all 4
cases. The high level of Pb found in the blood
was not diminished under treatment, but was ren-
dered non-toxic by the formation of a stable Pb
complex. Many of the clinical manifestations of
chronic Pb poisoning then disappeared. (From
Chemical Abstracts 53:3494, 1959)
1893 Bracken, B.C., Beaver, D.L., and Randall,
C.C. (Vanderbilt Univ. School Med., Nash-
ville, Tenn.) HISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF
VIRAL AND LEAD-INDUCED INTRANUCLEAR BODIES.
Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology 75,
No. 2:253-6, 1958.
Intranuclear inclusion bodies which characteris-
tically develop in kidney and liver cells in cases
of Pb poisoning are compared to those of viral
origin in order to establish whether heavy-metal
induced inclusions do not contain DNA and thus
differ from virus-induced inclusions.
Pieces of human kidney with hyaline intranuclear
inclusions of the renal convoluted tubules and
pieces of liver from hamsters infected with the
Kentucky A (hamster-adapted) strain of equine
abortion virus were used. The kidney pieces came
from a 21-mo-old white male who had died of Pb
poisoning caused by eating interior paints. Aside
from a hemoglobin level of 8.2 g/100 ml, strongly
positive test for coproporphyrins, X-ray lines in
long bones and granular radiopaque material in the
colon, the blood contained 0.29 mg Pb/100 g (whole
blood), the urine, 0.40 mg Pb/1. Autopsy revealed
severe cerebral edema and atrophy with ventricular
dilatation; Pb levels in the liver, kidney, and
feces were 3.1, 1.8, and 157.0 mg/100 g, respec-
tively, and 0.90 mg/1 in the urine. Due to the
clear-cut case of Pb poisoning, no examination for
a possible viral infection was made.
Sections of both materials were stained with
Schiff's reagent and by a modified Feulgen proce-
dure. All sections stained with Schiff's reagent
without prior hydrolysis showed essentially nega-
tive staining of the inclusions. Both the viral
and the Pb-induced inclusions stained strongly
positive by the Feulgen procedure.
On the assumption that inclusions might not con-
tain deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and that the
staining might be a false-positive reaction, sec-
tions were hydrolyzed and extracted in lipoid sol-
vents before and after being stained. This re-
sulted in negative Feulgen staining. Cells con-
taining intranuclear inclusions of viral origin
were treated in parallel in the same way as chem-
ically induced inclusions and gave identical
Feulgen staining. The authors conclude that there
is no clear-cut experimental evidence that chem-
ically induced inclusions do not contain DNA. It
is likely that viral intranuclear inclusions are
abnormal products of cellular metabolism rather
than virus particles embedded in a cellular matrix.
1894 Buckup, H., and Remy, R. (Ind. Med. Inst.
of State Ind. Med. Officers, Bochum, Ger-
many) : Die Therjpie und Prophylaxe von
Bleierkrankungen. (THERAPY AND PREVENTION
OF LEAD POISONING.) Jtrztliche Forschung
12, No. 2:92-100, 1958.
As summarized by the authors in their review,
CaNa2EDTA, administered in the earliest possible
stages of Pb-poisoning, is the therapy of choice
in this disease. Besides this, a manifold sympto-
matic treatment which includes ascorbic acid,
vitamin B complex, and SH-groups is necessary.
Dietetic and climatic measures are also important.
The prophylaxis against Pb damage is primarily a
problem of organization and technique. The char-
acteristic early stage, the so-called "pre-saturn-
ism," offers the best chance to recognize the
disease in time in endangered persons and to con-
trol it by regular supervision. These persons can
be removed from Pb exposure and can be subjected
to prophylactic treatment. In addition, a lacto-
vegetarian diet and the avoidance of a high uptake
of fat and alcohol is advocated. For a limited
period and under the supervision of a doctor the
following measures appear to be also of use: Ad-
ministration of CaNa2EDTA ascorbic acid, vitamin
B complex, and amino-acids poor in saccharides
(such as methionine). (50 references)
1895 Caccuri, S. (Univ. Naples, Italy): HEPATO-
PATHY AND INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY. Recent!
Prog. Med. 25:211-41, 1958.
Pb was among the elements reviewed for its effects
on the liver. (145 references) (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 55:12631, 1961)
1896 Cataldi, R., and Odaglia, G. (Inst. Ind.
Med., Genoa Univ., Italy): Observations
sur la coagulation du sang dans 1'intoxi-
cation professionnelle aigufe1 de plomb.
(OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE COAGULATION OF
BLOOD IN ACUTE OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISON-
ING.) Archives des Maladies Professionnel-
les de Medecine du Travail et de Securite
Sociale 19:467-71 (Sept.-Oct.), 1958.
In 13 cases of acute Pb poisoning, the coagulation
time of the blood during a colic attack was slight-
ly increased in 5 and significantly increased in 2.
The prothrombin activity of the plasma and the
serum prothrombin conversion accelerator (SPCA)
368
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
were slightly reduced in 8 of the cases. Residual
prothrombin remained unchanged with the exception
of 2 cases in which it was slightly increased.
These 2 patients, who suffered from serious ab-
dominal colics and vomiting with constipation in
1 case and diarrhea in the other, showed a 60%
reduction of prothrombin activity and 65% of SPCA.
They also revealed a marked change of global co-
agulability and an increase of residual prothrom-
bin but no quantitative alterations of platelets.
A thromboelastogram after dosage with vitamin K
confirmed a deficiency of thromboplastin-thrombo-
genesis. (15 references)
1897 Danilovic, V. (Belgrade, Yugoslavia):
CHRONIC NEPHRITIS DUE TO INGESTION OF
LEAD-CONTAMINATED FLOUR. British Medical
Journal 1:27-8 (Jan. 4), 1958.
Since a high incidence of chronic nephritis had
been noted among the inhabitants of villages along
the Serbian river Kolnbara, a study of 12 families
living in 1 of the affected villages was under-
taken. Thirty-seven members of these 12 families
had died from chronic nephritis during the last
15 yr; of the 44 members still living, 23 were
suffering from nephritis, the remaining 21 healthy
ones being mostly children and young adults. A
history of Pb colic in a number of patients point-
ed to a possible contamination of food by Pb. It
was found that the corn flour which was used, was
ground in an old watermill heavily contaminated
with Pb. Samples of the flour had a Pb content
5-10 times above the safety margin. The patients
complained of lassitude, headache, abdominal and
muscular pains; 4 had suffered from Pb colics;
the blood pressure was elevated in 20 cases and 2
presented a Pb line. Most of them revealed a mild
hypochromic anemia; 2 had punctate basophilia.
Azotemia was present in 19 cases. The Pb content
of the blood was =100-200 yg/100 ml; urinary co-
proporphyrins were increased, proteinuria was
present in 16 cases. Postmortem examination of a
fatal case showed 600 yg Pb/100 g in the liver,
320 yg/100 g in spleen and kidneys, 4 mg/kg in the
scalp hair and 10 mg/kg in the axillary hair (nor-
mal 0.2-0.6 mg/kg). It was pointed out that the
disease may exist in a mild form for many years
while the blood urea is slowly rising. When it
exceeds 100 mg/100 ml, the condition of the pa-
tient deteriorates and death may occur within a
few months-2 yr.
J89g Dantin Gallego, J. (Natl. Inst. Ind. Med.,
Safety, Spain): Epidemiologia y trata-
miento de las intoxicaciones profesionales
debidas a metales pesados. (EPIDEMIOLOGY
AND TREATMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL POISONING
DUE TO HEAVY METALS.) Revista Ibys 3:175-
208 (May-June), 1958.
A short historical review of Pb poisoning is fol-
lowed by a report concerning the occurrence and
frequency of Pb poisoning in Spain and the distri-
bution of blood Pb levels in the various occupa-
tions with Pb exposure. In a tabulation of some
of the values obtained by the Institute, blood Pb
ranged from 8-239 yg/100 g and the mean, 12-175
yg. Manifestations of Pb intoxication, symptoma-
tology, and the role of proto- and coproporphyrin
in the metabolism of Pb poisoning are discussed.
Statistics of blood Pb levels in acute, subacute
and chronic occupational poisoning are given.
Treatment, discussed in detail, covers the general,
symptomatic and chelating therapies of Pb poison-
ing and includes the history and philosophy of
chelation, the various methods in use in the past
and present, and their beneficial and harmful ef-
fects. The chemical composition of EDTA, CaNa2EDTA
and Ca Hausmann, and the mode of chelation by these
drugs, are described in detail. The review closes
with a brief report of author's own cases treated
by various drugs such as Na citrate, CaEDTA, BAL-
CaEDTA, and Lambratene, and the results of Pb and
Mn chelation, are illustrated in graphs showing
Pb levels in blood, urine, feces and cerebrospinal
fluid. (83 references)
1899 Dinischiotu, G.T., Nestorescu, B., Rad-
ulescu, I.e., lonescu, C., Preda, N., and
Ilutza, G. (Inst. Igiena si Sanatate pub-
lica, Bucharest, Romania): (CHEMICAL
FORMS OF ELIMINATED URINARY LEAD.) Acad.
rep populare Romine, Inst. terap.,
Probleme terap. 9, No. 4:69-79, 1958.
In a group of 44 subjects with a physiological ab-
sorption of Pb and in 77 subjects under conditions
of occupational Pb absorption, the urinary elimina-
tion of Pb was determined both by mineralization
and coprecipitation. A non-coprecipitable Pb
fraction was found in the urine of only those ex-
posed to elevated occupational Pb absorption, and
in direct connection with the process of the ac-
cumulation of the toxic substance. The relation
between the total urinary Pb/the coprecipitable
Pb is 1 in healthy subjects, increases to 1.47 in
those with elevated absorption, and reaches 2 in
patients with recognized symptoms of saturnism.
The non-coprecipitable fraction of urinary Pb con-
sists of large organic molecules, cannot be di-
alyzed, and is of nonpolar character. (From
Chemical Abstracts 53:15344, 1959)
1900 Dinischiotu, G.T., Preda, N., Radulescu,
I.C., lonescu, C., and Iluta, G.: INVES-
TIGATIONS ON THE TREATMENT OF LEAD INTOXI-
CATION BY MEANS OF Ca EDTA Na2 (THE MONO-
CALCIUM DISODIUM SALT OF ETHYLENEDIAMINO-
TETRAACETIC ACID).) Rumanian Medical Re-
view 2:20-1 (Jan.-Mar.), 1958.
1901 Duchateau (Med. Inspectorate, Libramont
Center, Belgium): Un cas d'intoxication
professionnele a minima par le plomb.
(MILD CASE OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.)
Archives Beiges de Medecine Sociale,
Hygiene, Me'decine du Travail et Medecine
Legale 16, No. 4:175-7, 1958.
A 34-yr-old man, engaged in Pb soldering for 5 yr
had been subjected to annual basophil stippled
erythrocytes (BS) blood tests which never revealed
the presence of basophil stippled erythrocytes.
In the 5th yr a count of 30 BS/100 leukocytes was
found and a few days later he complained of colics
and fatigue. The author points out that according
to the literature the threshold for BS is 100-300
in a light field or 2000 in a dark field. He ex-
plains that the higher rate obtained by counting
in a dark field is due to the fact that cells
which appear as chromatophils in a light field,
Man
369
-------
appear as stippled cells in a dark field. A blood
count of the worker repeated 1.5 mo later showed
400 BS. After removal from Pb exposure the count
returned to normal. However, shortly after he
started to work again, the colics recurred and a
blood test showed 500 BS. He returned again to
work after recovery and by employing certain pre-
cautionary measures no relapse occurred.
1902 Dyskin, A.A. (USSR): Pnevmoniya kak
sledstvie aspiratsii etilirovannogo ben-
zina. (PNEUMONIA AS A RESULT OF ASPIRA-
TION OF ETHYLATED GASOLINE.) Kliniches-
kaya Meditsina 36:117-9 (Dec.), 1958.
In the cases described, 4 men, 20-23 yr old, suf-
fered from aspiration pneumonia attributed to the
aspiration of gasoline while sucking it through a
hose to start a flow from one container into
another. Clinical symptoms appeared in all cases
1-2 hr after exposure: labored breathing, pres-
sure in the chest, cough with bloody mucus, sharp
pains in the right side, shortness of breath;
other symptoms developed: headaches, weakness,
euphoria, stomach disorders, sleeplessness. First
aid was given 2-6 hr after exposure. It consisted
of gastric lavage, laxatives. Three men were
hospitalized after 1st aid, the 4th after 24 hr.
Upon hospitalization, body temperature was 37.6-
38.4°C; it returned to normal very gradually with-
in 4-6 days. Results of urine, blood, X-ray anal-
yses, etc, are given. The urine of one patient
contained Pb (no values). Therapy consisted of
heavy doses of antibiotics combined with sulfanila-
mide compounds, cardiac glucosides, glucose, oxy-
gen and vitamins. The clinical symptoms disappear-
ed within 7-10 days. No complications occurred.
It is concluded that the symptoms of pneumonia as
a result of gasoline aspiration differ considerably
from those found in cases of common aspiration
pneumonia.
1903 Fautrel, M. (Paris, France): Exploitation
statistique de donnees biologiques sur le
pre'-saturnisme clinique professionnel.
(STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL DATA
FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING.) Archives des Maladies
Professionnelles de Medecine du Travail et
de Securite Sociale 19:5-20 (Jan.-Feb.),
1958.
The author chose the findings reported by Desoille,
et al (1955) in the "presaturnism" stage for a
statistical analysis of their relative values dia-
gnostically, prognostically or therapeutically.
Since significant typographic errors had appeared
in that printing, he reproduces the 2 tables in
corrected form. The variables analysed were:
stippled erythrocytes, Pb concentrations in blood
and urine, coproporphyrin (CP) in urine, and proto-
porphyrin (PP) in blood of 23 workers exposed to
high levels of Pb and 11 exposed to small risk.
The mean levels and the standard deviations of
serial measurements on the same person in the un-
exposed group were then used to set physiological
limits for the variation of those measures in un-
affected men. The t test of student and a non-
parametric test developed by Mann and Whitney gave
an indication of the clinical measures which dif-
ferentiated significantly between those exposed to
Pb and the others. Urinary Pb levels in the 2
groups seemed to be the only measure which differed
by no more than would be reasonably attributed to
chance variation.
The practical value of any one of these indices
of chronic Pb poisoning depends on its correlation
with the others. It is pointless to duplicate
measures which give substantially the same answer.
The author points out that the ordinary product
moment correlation coefficients may not be appro-
priate for the distributions concerned and suggests
Kendall's t coefficient based on rank orders. By
its use, he shows that in the exposed group, the
results of the 2 types of porphyrin estimations
are closely associated with each other but not with
the stipple cell count. Both stipple cell count
and the urinary CP level may be used in the detec-
tion of an occupational Pb hazard in groups of men.
Similar methods can be applied in the medical
supervision of individuals, and the author gives
examples of the application in this context of
some of the newer nonparametric statistical tech-
niques. On the basis of the limited experience
reported in this study, he suggests that stipple
cell counts repeated at least twice, are of diag-
nostic value in the early detection of Pb poison-
ing.
1904 Fleischhacker, M., and Djuric, D. (Inst.
Med. Res., Zagreb, Yugoslavia): Vliv
vitaminu B-^ na koproporfyrinurii pfi
otrave olovem. (EFFECT OF VITAMIN B12 ON
COPROPORPHYRIN IN LEAD POISONING.)
Pracovni lekafstvi 10, No. 1:3-7, 1958.
The authors followed urinary coproporphyrins (CP)
in 9 cases of Pb poisoning over a period of 36
days during treatment with vitamin 6^2. This
therapy did not influence the excretion of CP. In
cases where there was a tendency for decrease in
CP they assumed that this was due to interruption
of exposure rather than to the effect of vitamin
B12. (23 references)
1905 Frank, R.W.: HEALTH CONTROL IN THE CERAMIC
INDUSTRY. Proc. Porcelain Enamel Inst.
Forum 20:138-40, 1958.
See Abstract No. 2005.
1906 Callus, A.: Najczestsze choroby zawodowe,
wywoXane czynnikami szkodliwymi, wystepu-
jacymi przy obsZudze silnikow spalinowych
(THE MOST COMMON OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
CAUSED BY NOXIOUS INTERNAL COMBUSTION EN-
GINES.) Wiad. Lek. 11, No. 3:97-105,
1958.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is the most common
accident observed in working with these engines.
Intoxication with petrol vapors and TEL is also
sometimes observed. Virtually no other harmful
influences should be anticipated. (From Excerpta
Medica, Sect. 17, 5:Abstr. No. 964, 1959)
1907 Gandois, R. (Limoges, France): Le saturn-
isme dans les industries du decor de la
ce'ramique et sa prevention. (LEAD POISON-
ING IN INDUSTRIES ENGAGED IN DECORATING
CERAMICS AND ITS PREVENTION.) Archives
des Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine
du Travail et de Securite Sociale 19:40-5
370
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
(Jan.-Feb.), 1958.
Compared with conditions 40 yr ago, the occurrence
of Pb poisoning in the ceramics decorating pro-
cess has virtually disappeared. Nonetheless, the
author cautions against ignoring a risk that still
exists, as based on his 5-yr experience in industry.
The main risks occur with applying the paints with
wads and spray, as is done in decalcomania. The
decorators become exposed to Pb dusts in the paint-
ing operation and in buffing. The compounds con-
tained in the paints are Pb oxide, alkaline borate
or ferrite, silicate or borosilicate.
At the onset of the surveillance program, signs
of excessive absorption were found. The results,
after preventive measures were instituted, showed
a disappearance of severe poisoning. The preven-
tive measures in the work rooms are described.
The importance in Pb exposure of the test for
stippled erythrocytes and methods for their deter-
mination are discussed. The author prefers to
count the number of stippled cells in reference to
normal erythrocytes. A count of 1 stippled cell/
1000 normal cells is considered as the threshold
value. A content of 2.5/1000 requires removal of
the subject from exposure. The difference of the
stippled count in venous and peripheral blood is
pointed out, so that 2 successive counts are re-
commendable. (13 references)
1908 Gaultier, M. (Paris, France): Le
saturnisme alimentaire. (NUTRITIONAL LEAD
POISONING.) Vie Medicale (Paris) 39, No.
4:406-8, 1958.
Since the incidence of occupational Pb poisoning
has been greatly reduced by rigorous medical su-
pervision and progressive industrial hygiene, Pb
poisoning by the oral route has gained in impor-
tance. If the usual daily intake of 0.5 mg of Pb,
which is fully excreted in feces and urine, is in-
creased by only 1 mg, Pb accumulates in the body
sufficiently to cause disease. The author pre-
sents a review of the signs and symptoms in chron-
ic poisoning, which include nervous impairment as
a characteristic sign pointing the way to correct
diagnosis; paralysis of the muscles; confused
mental states etc; the various diagnostic tests,
including mobilization with chelates, and treat-
ment with EDTA concludes the discussion.
1909 Griggs, R.C., and Harris, J.W. (Cuyahoga
County Hosp.; Western Reserve Univ. School
Med., Cleveland, 0.): ERYTHROCYTE SURVI-
VAL AND HEME SYNTHESIS IN LEAD POISONING.
Clinical Research 6:188 (May), 1958.
The survival time of autotransfused erythrocytes,
tagged with 51cr, was observed in 4 adult males
with industrial Pb intoxication. The half-life
of the erythrocytes was observed to be 20, 20, 25
and 26 days compared to a normal of 30 days.
There was no indication for any preferential organ
accumulation as an indication of erythrocyte se-
questration. Quantitative determinations of the
heme precursors, ALA, and porphobilinogen (PEG)
were made for all persons exposed to Pb. The ex-
cretion of ALA temporarily decreased to normal
levels after intravenous EDTA administration, but
elevated urinary levels persisted for months. In
contrast, in 3 patients with acute intermittent
porphyria the excretion of ALA and PBG was marked-
ly elevated.
The authors conclude that these studies provide
additional evidence that heme synthesis is altered
and the rate of erythrocyte destruction is accel-
erated by Pb poisoning. The determination of
urinary ALA excretion appears to be a sensitive
indicator of Pb poisoning.
1910 GUlzow, M., and Minden, H. (Acad. Social
Hyg., Med. Education, Berlin-Lichtenberg,
Germany): Das abdominelle Syndrom Blei-
kranker. (THE ABDOMINAL SYNDROME OF LEAD
POISONING.) Das Deutche Gesundheitswesen
13:1375-80 (Oct. 23-30), 1958.
Signs and symptoms of 100 patients with Pb poi-
soning and of 228 workers exposed to Pb are
tabulated and the following conclusions are
drawn: Massive Pb intoxication produces a char-
acteristic spastic-atonic abdominal syndrome
which is localized in the whole digestive tract
and mainly in the intestine. In the stomach dis-
turbances of secretion (sub- and anacidity) and
changes of the mucosa (swelling, hyperemia) are
noted. These phenomena are reversible as other
signs of intoxication abate. Late damage of the
intestine (colitis) and stomach (chronic gastri-
tis) is rare. The occurrence of gastroduodenal
abscesses is denied, and that of ulcers due to Pb
poisoning can be accepted only under extreme res-
ervation. (From authors' summary)
1911 Guerdjikoff, C., and Desbaumes, P. (Dept.
Ind. Hyg., Lab cant, chem., Geneva, Swit-
zerland): Un probleme peu connu d'liygiene
industrielle: 1'intoxication profession-
nelle par le stearate de plomb. (A LITTLE-
KNOWN PROBLEM OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE: OCCU-
PATIONAL POISONING CAUSED BY LEAD STEAR-
ATE.) Revue Medicale Suise Romande 78,
No. 5:320-33, 1958.
Two cases of industrial poisoning by Pb stearate
are reported. (1) A 47-yr-old man had been em-
ployed in a factory making Pb-sheathed telephone
cables for 4 yr, 3.5 yr of these in manual con-
tact with Pb. During the last 6 mo he was en-
gaged in the manufacture of Pb sheaths for subter-
ranean cables. For this purpose, he was cutting Pb
pipe of different diameter which were dipped first
in a bath of liquid stearic acid at 180° and then
in a tin bath. Each operation taking about 30 sec,
he processed several hundreds of jackets daily, on
3-4 days/wk. The man did not notice any untoward
effects for 5 mo when suddenly severe epigastric
pains, nausea, vomiting, asthenia and anorexia
started. Numerous erythrocytes with basophil
granulations (% not given) were found in the blood;
the whole syndrome indicated Pb poisoning. Neither
the cutting of the pipes (Pb content in air at eye
level 0.047 mg/m-') nor the tinning which was done
at a temperature well below the melting point of
Pb, could have caused the Pb intoxication. How-
ever, above the baths, the Pb level in the atmos-
phere was 3-3.6 mg/m-' and the Pb was found to be
present as stearate. Laboratory tests reproducing
the process revealed the formation of white fumes
consisting of stearic acid and organic Pb com-
pounds when the pieces wetted in stearic acid were
steeped into the Sn bath, and the stearic acid bath
was found to become enriched with Pb , containing
Man
371
-------
0.99% Pb after 2 days' use and 2.09% after 8 days.
The possibility of a similar Pb pollution in the
food canning industry is pointed out. (2) A 40-
yr-old man worked for 11 wk in the manufacture of
synthetic resin where he handled a mixture contain-
ing 3-6% Pb compounds (carbonate or stearate) as
stabilizer. No signs of intoxication were noted
while Pb carbonate was used. However, 18 days
after he started to use a mixture of 60% Pb carbon-
ate and 40% Pb stearate for 75 min/day, he devel-
oped severe abdominal pains typical of Pb poison-
ing, besides pyrosis, anorexia, pallor, asthenia
and sensation of heaviness in the extremities. He
recovered readily after treatment with versenate.
The Pb content in the air at different stages of
the operation ranged from 0.16 to 3.9 mg Pb/m^ for
Pb carbonate and to 30.2 mg/m for carbonate-
stearate.
The author assumes that the stearate particles
remain longer suspended in the air while the Pb
carbonate particles settle down more rapidly. A
worker using solely Pb carbonate as a stabilizer
showed the first manifestations of poisoning after
4 yr on the job (12 references.)
1912 Hadengue, A., and Lamberton, J.N. (Inst.
Med. Travail, Paris, France): Valeur
pratique des hematies a granulations baso-
philes dans le depistage du saturnisme
professionnel. (PRACTICAL VALUE OF ERYTH-
ROCYTES WITH BASOPHIL GRANULES IN THE DE-
TECTION OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.)
Maroc Medical 37, 416-9 (Apr.), 1958.
The authors point out that blood cells with baso-
phillc stippling are typical for early Pb poison-
ing. They may not be found in patients with Pb-
induced paralysis or nephritis who have been re-
moved from Pb exposure for a certain time. The
specificity of basophilic stippling for Pb poison-
ing is still under dispute. Determination by
staining and counting methods is discussed. A con-
centration in the leukocytes of 30% is suspicious,
and increased levels repeatedly found at 8-day in-
tervals are indicative of Pb intoxication. Regu-
lar tests for basophilic granules represent good
practice in occupational medicine. A regular
schedule of examinations is proposed although the
costs for these tests are admittedly high.
1913 Haeger, B. (Malmo General Hosp., Sweden):
STUDIES ON A 6-AMINOLEVULIC ACID-LIKE
SUBSTANCE IN URINE FROM LEAD WORKERS.
Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Lab-
oratory Investigation 10, No. 2:229-30,
1958.
Urine collected from a Pb worker with a daily ex-
cretion of ^0.03 mg/ml of the unknown substance
was used to determine whether it was ALA or a
related substance. Four experiments, described
briefly, strongly suggested that the ALA-like
substance consisted at least mainly of ALA. The
experiment will be dealt with in greater detail
in a future paper.
1914 Harishima, S., Tsuchiya, K. , Kondo, H.,
Motouchi, M., Sakaguchi, T., and Mori, A.
(Keio Univ. Japan): (THERAPY AND PREVEN-
TION OF LEAD POISONING WITH CALCIUM VER-
SENATE.) Keio J. Med. 7 (Mem. No.)-.93-
105, 1958.
When Pb poisoned dogs were treated parenterally
with EDTA, plasma Pb increased greatly while the
Pb content of liver and kidneys was markedly de-
creased compared to untreated Pb poisoned dogs.
EDTA administration did not prevent the decrease
in the albumin/globulin ratio. Clinical and pro-
phylactic use of EDTA in Pb exposed workers gave
the following results: (1) iv therapy did not
increase Pb in the blood; urinary Pb was at the
highest level 3 hr after administration; (2) oral
therapy was ineffective; (3) oral prophylaxis for
>6 mo decreased blood and urinary Pb and prevented
anemia and other symptoms. (From Excerpta Medica,
Sect. 17, 6:Abstr. No. 1589, 1960)
1915 Harris, C.E.C. (St. Mary's Hosp., Montreal,
Canada): A COMPARISON OF INTRAVENOUS CAL-
CIUM DISODIUM VERSENATE AND ORAL PENICIL-
LAMINE IN PROMOTING ELIMINATION OF LEAD.
Canadian Medical Association Journal
79:664-6 (Oct.15), 1958.
The effects of iv administered EDTA and oral peni-
cillamine, respectively, were studied in 2 patients
(both foundrymen) suffering from Pb poisoning.
Both versenate and penicillamine increased Pb ex-
cretion, elimination was slightly greater with
EDTA. But it is felt that the ease of administra-
tion of pencillamine and its lowered toxicity com-
bine to outweigh the trifling superiority of EDTA.
1916 Henderson, D.A. (Queensland Inst. Med.
Res., Brisbane, Australia): THE AETIOLOGY
OF CHRONIC NEPHRITIS IN QUEENSLAND. Medi-
cal Journal of Australia 1:377-86 (March
22), 1958.
The paper is mostly a review of earlier studies
(38 references). The author combines the results
of the studies in 4 summaries: (1) On the basis of
mortality data between 1876 and 1947, the excess
mortality from "chronic nephritis" in Queensland
is best explained by the action of a nephrotoxic
agent on the children of Queensland. Such an
agent would have commenced acting about 1380, ini-
tiating changes in the kidney leading to death
from chronic renal disease 10-40 yr later, and
gradually ceased to act after 1920. (2) Clinico-
pathologic analysis of a sample of chronic renal
disease in the 20-i9-yr age group in Queensland
showed that only a small proportion of illnesses
are due to generally recognized causes such as
glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis or hypertension.
The majority of cases which produce the excess mor-
tality in Queensland do not present the features
of these diseases, and are due to some other cause.
(3) No direct evidence that childhood Pb poisoning
was responsible for the high incidence of chronic
renal disease in Queensland can be obtained today.
However, the several lines of circumstantial evi-
dence reviewed in this section are independent and
consistent. There was a high incidence of renal
disease in persons known to have had Pb poisoning
in childhood; a frequent history of childhood
plumbism was obtained in the chronic renal disease
group investigated; a significantly raised bone Pb
content was found in that group; there was a cor-
relation in familial incidence; bone Pb values
correlated with the age incidence of chronic renal
disease, and with the historic sequence in child-
372
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
hood plumbism; and there was a correlation between
the frequency of high bone Pb values and the ex-
cess mortality from chronic renal disease in that
state. Of greatest significance is the finding
that a history of childhood Pb poisoning and ex-
cess bone Pb values occurred only in a particular
group of cases which had been separated on inde-
pendent clinicopathologic grounds. This combina-
tion of findings it is held, leaves no room for
doubt that the excess mortality from chronic renal
disease in Queensland has been due solely to Pb
absorption in childhood. (4) There is a great deal
of evidence that Pb can produce a chronic renal
lesion in man. Critical analysis of a number of
surveys of Pb workers, in which a high incidence
of hypertension, arteriosclerosis or renal disease
was not found, shows that they cannot be used as
evidence against this general statement.
1917 Herbert, F.K. (King's College, Newcastle
upon Tyne, England): THE COPROPORPHYRIN
PRECURSOR OF HUMAN URINE AND ANOTHER PIG-
MENT FORMED FROM A CHROMOGEN. Biochemical
Journal 69:10P-11P, 1958.
Ether extracts (with or without acetic acid) of
human urine obtained and kept in the dark were
examined for coproporphyrin precursors after re-
moval of porphyrin with 1% HC1. The extracts were
concentrated and examined for absorption spectrum
and then exposed to light and reexamined. With
the exception of 5 Pb poisoning cases no absorp-
tion was observed prior to irradiation which pro-
duced coproporphyrin. The 5 cases of Pb poisoning
had metalloporphyrins, as well as the precursor,
A 2nd pigment was formed from a chromogen under
similar conditions with a spectrum in ether having
an absorption spectrum maximum at 637 my.
A
1918 Horiuchi, K., and Horiguchi, S. (Osaka
City Univ., Japan): LEAD INTOXICATION.
RinshS to Kenkyu 35:544-51, 1958.
A review with 39 references. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 53:7424, 1959)
1919 Hsll, J.H., and Yao, K.P. (Shanghai 1st
Labor Hosp., China): SODIUM CITRATE IN
THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF LEAD POI-
SONING. Chinese Journal of Internal Med-
icine 6:97 (English summary); 836-42
(Sept.), 1958.
Fourteen cases of Pb poisoning were treated by oral
administration of Na citrate at 8-15 g/day. Of
the 14 cases treated with Na citrate, 11 received
8-15 g/day for 14-25 days orally, and 3 were treat-
ed iv. Pb colic was present in 13, and in 3 Ca
gluconate had to be used to control it before ad-
ministration of Na citrate. Colic usually subsided
in 1-4 days but tenderness persisted for 4-7 days.
A rapid increase in urinary Pb was observed, reach-
ing a peak in 2-5 days (4 times the pretreatment
value). A decrease then occurred to pretreatment
levels and even lower in ^2 wk; resumption of ther-
apy for a few days resulted in new peaks, with a
gradual levelling off. The authors consider that
intermittent therapy with Na citrate is preferable.
Based on this experience, they studied the preven-
tive action of the drug on 56 workers in 2 storage
battery plants over a 5-mo period by giving each
orally 2 g 2 times daily 6 days/wk. Observation
over 6 mo showed that within 2 wk-1 mo, appetite
was increased and in 3 mo fatigue and weakness
were considerably decreased in most cases. At the
beginning of administration, 1/3 of the workers
felt soreness in joints, and a few felt dizziness,
both of which subsided alter 1 mo of treatment.
The authors conclude that in factories where pro-
tective measures are not yet available, this meth-
od of preventing Pb poisoning is effective and
economical. (31 references)
1920 Karlog, 0., and Mjiller, K.O. (Univ. Copen-
hagen, Denmark): THREE CASES OF ACUTE
LEAD POISONING. ANALYSES OF ORGANS FOR
LEAD, AND OBSERVATIONS ON POLAROGRAPHIC
LEAD DETERMINATIONS. Acta Pharmacologica
et Toxicologica 15, No. 1:8-16, 1958.
A simplified polarographic method for the deter-
mination of Pb by using commercial dithizone with-
out previous purification, is described. The Pb
content was determined in the organs of 3 women,
18-21 yr old, who had died after ingestion of PbO
in attempts to produce abortion. The dose of PbO
was unknown in 2 cases; in the 3rd case it was
VL5 g. Death occurred after 2.5, 7 and 30-33 days,
respectively. Autopsy showed yellow pigmentation
of the tissues and organs, petechial bleeding in
the skin and serous membranes and degeneration of
liver and kidney. The Pb content, Pg/g, in the 3
cases was determined as follows: stomach wall -,
5-; stomach contents 13, 15, -; small intestine
contents -, 51, 3 (however, in 20 cm of intestine,
6500 mg found as PbO); large intestine contents -,
10,000, 5; blood -, 5, -; bone marrow -, 7, -;
liver 16, 95, 40; kidney 46, 41, 4; muscle 7.3,
2, -; bone -, -, 2; spleen 5, 3, 8; uterus -, 3,
-; brain 1, 3, -. Fetus bones, liver, kidney and
muscle of case 1 contained 21, 21, 1, 1 pg/g Pb,
respectively. The fact that the liver of the
fetus contained more Pb than that of the mother
supports the view that Pb-poisoned mothers may
bear infants with severe Pb damage.
1921 Kikyo, S., Inami, I., Serizawa, S., and
Yoshimura, Y. (Yokohama Univ. School Med.,
Japan): AUTOPSY CASES OF ACUTE TETRA-
ETHYL LEAD POISONING. Acta Pathologica
Japonica 8 (Suppl.):917-23, 1958.
In the reported 7 cases of TEL poisoning, death
occurred ^1 mo after initial exposure to 1.52
mg Pb/m3 as TEL. Urine and blood showed 4-837 (jg
and 79-420 ug Pb/100 ml, respectively. Autopsy
revealed no unique pathologic changes, but find-
ings included dilatation of small blood vessels,
renal tubular degeneration, fatty liver and edema-
tous swelling of leptomeninges. The highest Pb
values were found in liver (1.8-3.3 mg/100 g),
followed by kidney, pancreas, brain, heart, spleen
and lung. (From Chemical Abstracts 54:23015, 1960)
1922 Kissel, P., Hartemann, P., Debry, G., and
Jerome, M. (France): Forme ataxique de
la polyneVrite saturnine. (ATAXIC FORM
OF LEAD POLYNEURITIS.) Revue Neurologique
99:581-5 (Nov.), 1958.
The case of a 65-yr-old woman suffering from
paralysis of both forearms is reported. Blood
tests confirmed the presence of Pb poisoning.
The woman admitted drinking water which frequently
Man
373
-------
had been standing in the pipes for 8-10 days while
she was away. She recovered after treatment with
EDTA. (11 references)
1923 Labadie, P. (Reg. Fund, Social Sec.,
Bordeaux, France): L'interpretation
statistique des tests hematologiques.
Application au depistage et a la preven-
tion des maladies professionnelles. (STA-
TISTICAL INTERPRETATION OF HEMATOLOGIC
TESTS. THEIR APPLICATION FOR THE DIAGNO-
SIS AND PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DIS-
EASES.) Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles de Medecine du Travail et de Secur-
ite Sociale 19:149-60 (Mar.-Apr.), 1958.
Based on statistical calculations, average values
and physiological variations were established for
red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin and
polynuclear neutrophils in normal males and fe-
males. The method used showed that only relative
significance was attached to the Hb level, poly-
nuclear counts and particularly to the white cell
count. The most significant value is the red cell
count because its distribution is perfectly gaus-
sian in normal conditions and appears not to be
influenced by minor physiopathologic incidents in
everyday life. Every confirmed decrease below
4,000,000 in females and 4,300,000 for males sig-
nifies the existence of an abnormal phenomenon,
the occupational or nonoccupational nature of
which remains to be determined. Experience has
shown that in such cases a change of occupation
is often a wise measure. The author concludes
that as applied by him for latent Pb and benzene
poisoning, group studies show that the noxious
influences have not yet been eliminated; they have
only been decreased in intensity to such a degree
that they may be considered harmless for a healthy
organism. It is therefore still necessary to carry
out regular biological controls in order to test
the efficacy of the preventive measures and to
sort out, in time, individuals who are not in per-
fect health and who are therefore more susceptible.
1924 'Lasch, F., and Schneider, G. (Regional
Hosp. Villach, KHrnter, Austria): Die
Bedeutung von Blei-und Porphyrinbestim-
mungen in Blut und Harn bei der BevHlkerung
von Gegenden mit Bleigewinnung und -ver-
arbeitung fUr die Differentialdiagnose und
Begutachtung von Bleigefahrdung und Blei-
intoxikation. (SIGNIFICANCE OF LEAD AND
PORPHYRIN DETERMINATION IN BLOOD AND URINE
OF POPULATION IN AREAS OF LEAD PRODUCTION
AND MANUFACTURE FOR DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
AND EXPERT TESTIMONY INJURIOUS EFFECTS OF
LEAD AND POISONING.) Wiener Zeitschrift
fur Innere Medizin 39, No. 7:274-85, 1958.
Extensive and comparative investigations were car-
ried out on the blood and urinary Pb levels and
the excretion of porphyrin in Pb-exposed workers
(40) and inhabitants (50) of an area with inten-
sive Pb mining and manufacture (Bleiberg mines
and Gailitz near Arnoldstein). The findings on Pb
blood, urinary Pb and porphyrinuria were for the
workers at risk and with Pb poisoning: 20-340 yg%,
7.7-292 yg/1 and 22-2540 iag/1 respectively; inhabi-
tants not exposed occupationally showed: 14-206
ug/%, 5-146 yg/1 and 8-120 yg/1. The findings
showed that the levels found in people not exposed
to Pb occupationally in a great many cases corre-
sponded to those of the Pb workers and in some
cases even to the Pb intoxication levels, although
no signs of poisoning were evident. The authors
considered that the Pb content of the regional
drinking water might account for this. Analyses of
several wells and water supplies used by the inhab-
itants gave low Pb levels (4-7 ug/1) in Arnoldstein
and much higher content (30-70 yg/1) in Gailitz;
drinking water of the resort near Bleiberg contain-
ed 12 ug%. Although under prevailing circumstances
parallel analyses of blood and water Pb levels
could not be performed, it appeared that the higher
Pb levels in the water were responsible for the
high blood Pb levels. For this reason it was be-
lieved necessary to establish "normal" values by
taking into consideration the increased Pb con-
tents in the water in regions with extensive Pb
mining and processing in order to get valid com-
parative values for differential diagnoses. The
symptomless "worker at risk" must therefore be
viewed differently under these conditions, so that
any needed preventive and therapeutic measures can
be introduced correctly.
1925 Leckie, W.J.H. , and Tompsett, S.i,. (Univ.
iidinburgh, Scotland): THE DIAGNOSTIC AND
THERAPEUTIC USE OF EDATHAMIL CALCIUM DI-
SODIUM (EDTA.VERSENE) IN EXCESSIVE INOR-
GANIC LEAD ABSORPTION. Quarterly Journal
of Medicine 27 = 65-82 (Jan.), 1958.
There has been some difference of opinion on the
optimum dose and mode of administration of EDTA in
cases of excessive Pb absorption. An investiga-
tion was therefore planned to determine the fac-
tors responsible for modifying the action of this
chelating agent in vivo. Eight men constantly
exposed to Pb absorption in a wire mill were se-
lected and 8 other men suffering from pulmonary
tuberculosis served as controls. Symptoms of
acute Pb poisoning were present in only 1 patient;
in 4 others the level of urinary coproporphyrin
was significantly raised. Others, though all
showing stippled erythrocyte, had no symptoms
other than a metallic taste in the mouth. Pa-
tients with excessive absorption of Pb without
symptoms and with an excretion of Pb within nor-
mal limits will excrete abnormally high amounts
as a result of EDTA therapy, which thus becomes
of diagnostic value. The optimum dose of EDTA was
found to be 2 g and was best administered in an iv
infusion of saline over 6 hr daily for 5 days, the
courses were separated by 3 or 4 days and the to-
tal dose was limited to 5 g/30 Ib body weight.
After such an infusion all patients with excessive
Pb absorption excreted Pb in the urine at the rate
of over 1.5 mg/24 hr. Pb excretion in the con-
trols similarly treated varied between 0.22 mg and
0.65 mg/24 hr. The clinical procedures leading up
to these conclusions are described in considerable
detail. Also discussed are the elective sites of
Pb storage in the body and how this stored Pb may
be released under stress. One of the authors' pa-
tients given parathormone with EDTA showed no
change in urinary Pb, and hydrocortisone actually
depressed excretion. Earlier it had been suggested
that EDTA might transiently depress the bone mar-
row and produce T-wave changes in the electrocar-
374
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
diogratn. In this series patients whose hemoglobin
values were low at the beginning of treatment
showed rises during treatment from 72-90% in 3 wk.
No other toxic effects in nearly 100 iv infusions
were noted. (22 references)
1926 Leonard, A.R., and Lynch, G. (Berkeley City
Dept. Pub. Health, Calif.): DISHWARE AS
A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF LEAD POISONING. Cali-
fornia Medicine 89:414-6 (Dec.), 1958.
California public health officials in 1958 were
advised by a housewife that applesauce placed in
an imported oriental bowl had removed considerable
pigment from the interior of the bowl. The bowl
and samples of other dishes, still unused, were
subjected to qualitative and quantitative analyses.
These were part of improperly fired dishware re-
ceived in a large shipment from Japan in 1955,
which were found to have soluble pigmented glazes
containing large amounts of Pb. Analyses of some
of these dishes showed Pb content per dish from
800-1000 mg, which is well above the acute, toxic
dose. The adhesive quality of the glazes varied
considerably from very loose to very tight. The
improperly fired dishes had been distributed to
commercial markets, eating places and homes
throughout the country. Since the issuance of pub-
lic warnings many reports of fading pigment on such
dishes after periods of acid exposures were re-
ceived. In 1 family reporting this, the wife was
under medical care for vague abdominal distress.
Both she and her husband showed %10 days after ex-
posure to the bowls had ceased, urinary Pb of 0.094
and 0.072 mg/1 (both higher than normal values).
1927 Lerza, P., and Fierro, D. (Univ. Genoa,
Italy): Contribute allo studio radiologico
dell'apparato digerente nel saturnismo.
(CONTRIBUTION TO THE X-RAY STUDY OF THE
GASTRO-INTESTINAL TRACT DURING LEAD POI-
SONING.) Medicina del Lavoro 49:787-810
(Dec.), 1958.
In an X-ray study of the gastrointestinal tract of
72 patients with Pb poisoning, it was observed
that the rather frequent functional changes are
mostly hypertonic-spastic and involve all sections
of the digestive tract. There are diffuse and
localized cordlike contractions or irregular and
deep colon haustrations, gastric hypertony and
persistent antral hypertony, hypertony and ir-
regular segmentation of the ileum and a spastic
condition of the duodenum. The changes observed
are tabulated in detail for each patient, and
illustrated in 15 figures.
Such a radiological syndrome is not considered
by the authors to be typical enough of Pb poison-
ing for the purpose of differential diagnosis from
other pathologic conditions of the digestive
tract. (36 references)
1928 Lyaonau (Leonov), V.A. (White Russ. SSR
Acad. Sci.): Medyka-Biyalagichnae znach-
enne mikraelemantau. (MSDICOEIOLOGTCAL
IMPORTANCE OF TRACE ELEMENTS.) Vestsi
Akademii Navuk Belaruskai SSR, Seryya
Biyalagichnykh Navuk 1958, No. 1:71-80.
The importance of microelements for the normal bi-
ological functioning of human organism is discussed.
Data are tabulated for the contents of I, As, Sn,
Pb, Cu, Zn, and/or Al, Si, Mn, Ti, Ag, Ni, Cr, Ba,
Li, Cd, Co, Mo, W, and Ga in various internal or-
gans and glands, blood, bones, hair, nails, and
the intestinal wall, muscle, and/or brain tissue,
respectively. The Pb values were derived from
the data published by Kiroi and Voinar.
1929 Mackiewicz, J. (Psych. Clin., Warsaw,
Poland): (PSYCHIC DISORDERS IN CERTAIN
OCCUPATIONAL POISONINGS.) Arch, med.
sadowej 10:43-6, 1958.
The author describes cases of occupational poison-
ing from the point of view of the psychiatrist.
In 4 yr, 40 cases of occupational poisoning were
admitted with various diagnoses, eg, schizophrenia,
psychoneurosis, depression. She elaborates on
only those cases where poison had been responsible
for the illness. Apart from the well known poi-
sons such as Co and Pb, the less well known agents
which but seldom cause psychic symptoms (CS2,
naphtha, gasoline, S, Cl, T1) are discussed in
detail. The question why not all persons, working
under the same conditions, show psychic altera-
tions is considered on the basis of type of ner-
vous activity, resistance, and such circumstances
as hunger, fatigue, alcoholism, and psychic trau-
mas. For these reasons occupational health per-
sonnel point out that in occupational poisoning
any psychic symptoms should be observed. (From
Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Gesamte Gerichtliche
Medizin 48:471 (Abstracts), 1959)
1930 Maranzana, P.: Manifestazioni oculari
monosintomatiche da saturnismo cronico
professionale. (OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS AS
SOLE SYMPTOM IN CHRONIC OCCUPATIONAL LEAD
POISONING.) Med. legale e assicuraz. 6:
76-89, 1958.
Three cases of suspected Pb poisoning were de-
scribed in whom the sole and 1st symptom was a
neuroretinic optic lesion. Two received indemnity;
1 of these was a worker in a Pb foundry, the other
a plumber and both showed an increase of copropor-
phyrinuria. The possibility was pointed out that
in these cases eye lesion may have appeared sud-
denly after a time of well-being, as a consequence
of some occupational exposure many years ago, with-
out apparent damage at the time of exposure.
(From Medicina del Lavoro 50:389 (Abstracts), 1959)
1931 Marmet, J.: Industrietoxikologische Un-
tersuchungen bei Bleiarbeitern. (TOXICO-
LOGIC STUDIES OF LEAD WORKERS.) Disser-
tation, Eidgenossische Technische Hoch-
schule, Zurich, 1958, 128 pp.
The Pb concentration in air was measured in 7 Pb-
processing plants. The methods used for the col-
lection of samples (membrane filter), and for the
determination of Pb in air (dithizone method of
Snyder and Cholak) and in blood (Woessner and
Cholak) are described in detail. In many work
sites a level greatly exceeding the MAC was found.
Analyses of the Pb content of blood and urine and
of the urinary porphyrin in Pb workers also mostly
gave values beyond the tolerated limits. The cor-
relations between urine, blood and porphyrin val-
ues were studied. A correlation was found between
urinary Pb content and exposure. The author con-
cludes that the hazard at any one location is de-
Man
375
-------
termined best by analysis of the Pb content in
air at the breathing level of the worker. At a
Pb concentration in air of 0.15 rng/m^ the thresh-
olds of urinary and blood Pb are not exceeded; a
urinary porphyrin excretion of 0.6 mg/1 corre-
sponds with these values. The final conclusion
is that a hazard in Pb-producing plants in Swit-
zerland still exists. (205 references)
1932 Marrubini, G. (Univ. Milan, Italy): II
criterio chimico-tossicologico nella di-
agnosi medico-legale di alcune tecnopatie.
Intossicazione da piombo, da mercurio, da
tricloretilene. (CHEMICAL-TOXICOLOGICAL
CRITERIA IN THE FORENSIC DIAGNOSIS OF SOME
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES: LEAD, MERCURY AND
TRICHLOROETHYLENE INTOXICATION.) Riv.
Infort. Mai. prof. 45:954-73, 1958.
A review of the literature is presented. (From
Deutsche Zeitschrift f(lr die gesammte gerichtliche
Medizin 49, No. 2:321 (Abstracts), 1959)
1933 Merville, R., Dequidt, J., Corteel, M.L.,
and Fontaine, G. (Lab. Toxicol., Lille,
France): Etude electrophoretique des
prot^ines se'riques dans le saturnisme pro-
fessionnel. (ELECTROPHORETIC STUDY OF THE
SERUM PROTEINS IN CHRONIC OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING.) Lille Med. 3, No. 3:139-
43, 1958.
The subjects of the study were 21 employees of an
accumulator factory, all of whom showed some signs
and symptoms of Pb poisoning. Eleven of them were
given ambulant treatment with CaNa2EDTA, at the
end of which the serum was examined again. The
electrophoreses were carried out for 4 hr at 310 v
on S and S paper 2045 a Mgl. In 16 cases a de-
crease of albumins and increase of Y-gl°bulins was
found. The effects of treatment on the protein
pattern were variable. It also appeared that there
was no correlation between the degree of disturb-
ance of the protein pattern and the severity of
poisoning or the duration of exposure. (From
Excerpta Medica, Sect. 17, 5:Abstr. No. 222, 1959)
1934 Mignolet, F., Dejace, J., Compere, A., and
Kerry, J.: Traitement de deux cas de
petit saturnisme par le tetracemate calci-
que. (TREATMENT OF TWO CASES OF MINOR
LEAD POISONING WITH EDATHAMIL CALCIUM.)
Revue Medicale de Liege 13:154-6 (Mar. 1),
1958.
1935 Minden, H., and Thiele, H. (Acad. Soc.
Hyg., Ind. Hyg. and Med. Educ., Berlin-
Lichtenberg, Germany): Der Porphyrinstoff-
wechsel bei der Bleivergiftung. (PORPHY-
RIN METABOLISM IN LEAD POISONING.) Archiv
fUr Gewerbepathologie und Gewerbehygiene
16, No. 4:396-404, 1958.
The porphyrin metabolism was studied in 100 sub-
jects with Pb poisoning; in 13 cases the urinary
porphyrins were separated by paper electrophoresis.
The quantity of porphyrins with a higher number of
COOH groups increased as the poisoning became more
severe. In chronic poisoning the damage was ad-
ditive. No protoporphyrins were found in the
urine. A general disturbance of the heme synthe-
sis was assumed.
Four rabbits (and 1 control) were treated sc,
twice weekly, with 100-150 mg Pb acetate/kg for 2
wk. The porphyrin elimination was variable, reach-
ing a maximum of 320 yg%. Electrophoretic tests
revealed an increase of porphyrins with growing
numbers of COOH groups, concomitant with progres-
sive damage. In another experiment, using 5 rab-
bits and 2 controls, the addition of cocarboxylase
during the 1st 3 days of Pb poisoning did not in-
fluence significantly the course of the Pb intoxi-
cation. (27 references)
1936 Moeschlin, S. (Med. Clinic, Mun. Hosp.,
Solothurn, Switzerland): Klinik und Thera-
pie der Bleivergiftung. (THE CLINICAL
PICTURE AND THERAPY OF LEAD POISONING.)
Zeitschrift fdr Unfallmedizin und Berufs-
krankheiten 51, No. 2:129-49, 1958.
This is a long paper in which the author gives an
account, with many references, of Pb poisoning as
it occurs and is treated at the present time. Al-
though Pb poisoning has become much less common,
typical cases of it still occur but many of these
remain undiagnosed. The account deals with the
ways in which Pb is absorbed into the body and the
sources of the poison in industry with mention of
TEL in engine exhausts. The mode of action of Pb
particularly on the blood and nervous system, and
the amounts of Pb found in the blood serum and the
urine, are described. Clinical symptoms and signs
are considered at length with an account of meth-
ods used for the analysis of the urine for porphy-
rins and of the blood for cellular changes. There
is a discussion of the significance of the findings
of these examinations. Specific and symptomatic
therapy in cases of Pb poisoning is described at
some length, with particular reference to the
value of Na citrate in some circumstances and of
CaNa2EDTA. Particular attention is given to the
latter, which though very powerful in bringing
about rapid excretion of Pb may have adverse ef-
fects. These have been recorded by other workers,
and have been experienced in the author's prac-
tice. It is recommended that EDTA should be used
in doses lower than those that have often been
employed. The recommended treatment for adults is:
not >20 mg of EDTA/kg of body weight given by drip
infusion or not >2.0 g orally daily for 3 days,
then 3 days' pause. This sequence may then be re-
peated 5-10 times according to the clinical pic-
ture. This treatment must be carefully controlled
by urine examinations and stopped at once if marked
albuminuria is found.
The author comments that although the industrial
worker is so well shielded from exposure to Pb, it
is a tragedy that in Switzerland V300.000 kg of Pb
derived from TEL in gasoline are annually exhausted
into the atmosphere. In the course of time this
Pb may exert its toxic action on the general pop-
ulation. (50 references)
1937 Mokranjac, M.S., Radmic, S., Stojimirovic,
B., Danilovic', N., and Durisic, M. (Fac.
Pharm., Beograd, Yugoslavia): THE ACTION
OF PENICILLIN IN MAN EXPOSED TO AN IN-
CREASED ABSORPTION OF LEAD. Acta Pharm.
Jugoslav. 8:27-30, 1958.
The results of studies on the effect of penicillin
on the change of Pb content in the blood and urine
376
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
of persons exposed to an increased absorption of
Pb of long duration (several years) are given.
It was found that penicillin mobilizes the Pb sig-
nificantly. (From Chemical Abstracts 52:17511,
1958)
1938 Mokranjac, M.S., Radmic, S., and Soldato-
vic , D. (Coll. Pharmacy, Belgrade, Yugo-
slavia) : Normalno olovo u krvi raznih
zivotinja i delovanje penicilina na mo-
uilizaciju olova kod normalnih zovotinja
i ljudi. (NORMAL CONCENTRATIONS OF LEAD
IN THE BLOOD OF VARIOUS ANIMALS AND THE
MOBILIZATION OF LEAD BY PENICILLIN IN NOR-
MAL ANIMALS AND MAN.) Acta Pharmaceutica
Jugoslavica 8:41-5, 1958.
The method developed by the authors was used to
determine the normal concentrations of Pb in the
blood of numerous animals (in yg/100 ml): cattle,
12-15; pig, 18-23; horse, 10-15; sheep, 10-16;
calf, 6-12; dog, 6-10; turkey, 5; duck, 5-7;
chicken, 5-6; hen, 8-y. Experiments were then
performed to determine whether the administration
of penicillin modified the Pb content of blood of
rabbits and pigs, as well as of healthy subjects
not exposed to Pb (before penicillin, 35-42 pg/100
ml). The results showed that the Pb content of
blood of normal animals or of persons not exposed
to increased Pb was not changed by penicillin.
1939 Myslak, Z. (Inst. Med. Pracy, Zabrze, Po-
land) : (THERAPEUTIC AND PROPHYLACTIC AC-
TION OF CALCIUM VERSENATE IN LEAD POISON-
ING. IV. DIAGNOSTIC MOBILIZATION OF LEAD
BY CALCIUM VERSENATE.) Medycyna Pracy 9:
285-91, 1958.
Urinary Pb levels were determined polarographically
in 23 patients with Pb poisoning treated with Ca-
EDTA: in cases with acute poisoning excretion was
2.1-17.9 mg/day; in chronic cases, 1.5-9.1 mg;
in mild cases, 1.2-8.1 mg. In controls (no occupa-
tional Pb exposure) 0.203-0.980 mg Pb/day was
eliminated. Daily excretion >1.0 mg Pb was, there-
fore, considered to constitute evidence of Pb poi-
soning. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:18294, 1959)
1940 Nello, P.R., Panesi, M., and Villani, C.:
Rilievi sui soggetti esposti al rischio
della intossicazione professionale da
piombo. (OBSERVATIONS ON SUBJECTS EXPOSED
TO OCCUPATIONAL LEAD INTOXICATION.) Bol-
letino Soc. Med. Chir. Pisa 26:302, 1958.
In 6 out of 12 typographical workers engaged in
manual or automatic composition, the authors found
a reduction of the glomerular filtration rate, of
the renal plasma and blood flow, and of the tubular
"mass Pai"; in no case was an increase of azotemia
noted; 2 showed slight albuminuria and microhema-
turia. One man had an elevated arterial pressure
and his EKG showed an overload of the left ven-
tricle. The signs observed are due, according
to the authors, to the harmful action of Pb upon
the kidney and parenchymal and vascular structures.
(From Medicina del Lavoro 50:388 (Abstracts),
1959)
1941 Nicolet, S.: La prevention du saturnisme.
(PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING.) Ztschr.
Unfallmed. u. Berufskrankh 51, No. 2:122-
9, 1958.
A list of 15 industries and occupations is given
in which a Pb hazard may exist, with short accounts
of 10 cases of Pb poisoning, and the ways in which
the patients had absorbed the metal. Pb intoxica-
tion is slowly diminishing in frequency in Switzer-
land, where the annual number of persons compensa-
ted has been reduced from 37 in 1945 to 26 in
1954. A short account is given of the prevention
of Pb poisoning which is based on: (1) recogni-
tion of the risk, (2) elimination of the risk,
(3) general hygienic measures, (4) personal hy-
giene, (5) medical examination before engagement
and at intervals thereafter, and (6) education in
security of all who may be at any time working
with Pb, which includes engineers, foremen and
workers. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 34, No. 1:58,
1959)
1942 Nowacki, J.: OXowica w kaflarniach wiel-
kopolskich. (LEAD POISONING IN GLAZED
TILE PLANTS.) Med. Pracy 9, No. 5:367-
72, 1958.
Medical examinations of 162 workers in 9 different
glazed tile plants were carried out. In addition
to the medical examination, determinations of Hb,
the number of reticulocytes and coproporphyrin
level in the urine were performed. It is stated
that the frequency of Pb poisoning in the glazed
tile industry is much greater than the number of
working places with direct exposure to Pb would in-
dicate. The greatest frequency of Pb poisoning
was seen among workers employed at kilns. Among
women employed in tile glazing, the frequency of
Pb poisoning is twice as great as among men doing
the same work. (From Excerpta Medica, Sect. 17,
5:Abstr. No. 2732, 1959)
1943 Pagnotto, L.D., Elkins, H.B., and Bayka, I.
(Massachusetts Div. Occup. Med., Boston):
ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF EDATHAMIL CALCIUM
DISODIUM (CALCIUM DISODIUM VERSENATE):
A.M.A. Archives of Industrial Health 17:
29-33 (Jan.), 1958.
Two subjects, A and B, treated themselves orally
(Jan.) with a total of 10 g CaNa2EDTA in tablet
form over a period of 4 days. Urine samples were
collected daily at Vj PM. Pb excretion in the
urine increased during the 1st days of treatment
but fell off when EDTA was discontinued. In sub-
ject A, a maximum Pb excretion of 0.47 mg/1 urine
was reached; in subject B, it was elevated but
less high than in subject A. About 6 mo later,
subject A and a new subject C repeated the experi-
ment, ingesting a daily dose of 1.4 g CaNa2EDTA
(half of the amount of experiment 1) until the
urinary Pb excretion reached pretreatment levels.
This 2nd course did not stimulate Pb excretion in
subject A to the previous level while Pb values of
subject C parallelled the earlier results in sub-
ject A.
A method for the determination of free EDTA in
the urine by adding excess Pb was worked out and
it was found that each molecule of EDTA prevented
the precipitation of ^2 Pb atoms. Thus, the EDTA
in experiment 1 complexed in the urine of subject
A and B 26 and 19 mg Pb, respectively, while in
experiment 2 the complexed amount of Pb was 31 and
40 mg, respectively, for subject A and C (after
Man
377
-------
totals of 10 and 11 g EDTA). Based on the esti-
mate that each molecule EDTA precipitates 2 atoms
of Pb, the absorption of EDTA was <0.3% although
there was enough free EDTA in the urine to complex
up to 7 mg Pb/1 urine. After treatment was stop-
ped, EDTA was fairly rapidly eliminated, and after
3 days little or none was found in the urine. The
coprecipatation method for the determination of Pb
in the urine of patients treated with EDTA is de-
scribed. It consists in adding excess dichromate
to the urine, reducing with arsenous acid and pre-
cipitating the freed Pb by Ca oxalate.
1944 Pentschew, A. (Sofia, Bulgaria): Intoxi-
kationen. (INTOXICATIONS^) In Handbuch
der Speziellen Pathologischen Anatomie.
Berlin, Julius Springer, 1958, XIII/2,
8:2399-2502.
The action and pathology of Pb and TEL on the
brain are included in the sections of the "general
part" discussing poisons which produce structural
changes in the central nervous system without af-
fecting to any extent the energy metabolism; poi-
sons which affect the braia secondarily by their
effect on certain organs and systems; blood-brain
barrier; the time factor in acute and chronic poi-
soning - allobiosis. In connection with the time
factor, the author states that although formerly
it was held that the small amounts of Pb circulat-
ing in the blood could cause an accumulation of
Pb in the brain, thereby producing toxic signs in
it, Straub (1911) observed that no Pb can be de-
tected in the brain of men or animals poisoned by
Pb in spite of the presence of characteristic ce-
rebral changes. Straub termed this "cumulation
of insults" which in turn was defined as "allobio-
sis" by Heubner (1937), ie, numerous repetitions
of single states of intoxication, which in them-
selves are ineffective and imperceptible, may ef-
fect an organic change which persists when the poi-
son itself is no longer present. In experiments
with rabbits, the author observed a phenomenon re-
lated to allobiosis: Repeated administration of
suboccipital injections of fractions (1/4-1/20)
of the MLD of Pb (as acetate) at 2-4-day intervals
was tolerated without harm until suddenly, after
another injection, grave cerebral signs of intoxi-
cation appeared and the animals died within a
short time. It was found that the total amount of
Pb administered to the time of death was always
the same and corresponded to the MLD. It was ap-
parent that repeated administration of ineffective
amounts produced a hypersensitivity to Pb. The
author points out that this sensitization is not
of an allergic nature, but a peculiar abnormal
state which is a habituation in reverse. This phe-
nomenon has been observed clinically in man. The
incalculability of Pb encephalopthy may have a
plausible explanation, eg, a dramatic outbreak of
acute encephalopathy after a simple angina or some
other disease in which minimal amounts of Pb are
mobilized from deposits, although the patient had
been considered to be healthy for many years. In
exploring this question with other heavy metals,
6 chosen at random, Al, Au, Th, Fe, Hg, and Mn,
acted in a similar manner. With Ag and Cu, a ha-
bituation took place. A "special part" (pp 1929-
87) is devoted to Pb poisoning. This includes an
appendix covering TEL poisoning, where this condi-
tion as observed in children is pointed out as
being of interest. The review is based principal-
ly on Tolgskaya and Reznikov's observations, and
closes by stating that in contrast with Pb enceph-
alopathy induced by Pb, that by TEL is character-
ized particularly by an insufficient vascular ten-
sion. The fact that Pb attached to the ethyl rad-
ical is incapable of exerting its pressure-increas-
ing action on vessels, is probably connected with
the simultaneous onset of disturbance of the cen-
tral blood pressure regulation in the direction of
a hypotension. For this reason the epileptic at-
tacks, so characteristic as a sign of Pb encepha-
lopathy, are absent. Some relationship probably
exists also between blood pressure and vascular
tension to the increase in brain volume in the
form of edema or swelling of the brain. This is
generally absent in TEL encephalopathy. An appen-
dix on porphyrias completes the section on Pb.
1945 Popescu, I.Gh., loanid, N., Bors, Gh., and
Radian, I. (Inst. Legal Med. "Prof, Dr.
Mina Minovici," Bucharest, Romania): Re-
lazione fra le lesioni saturnine e la
ripartizione del piombo negli organi di
un bimbo nato morto da madre affetta da
saturnismo. (RELATION BETWEEN LESIONS
AND THE LEAD DISTRIBUTION IN ORGANS OF A
STILLBORN FROM A MOTHER, WITH LEAD POISON-
ING. ) Zaccia 21:62-72, 1958)
The study of 1 case showed that Pb passes from
mother to fetus through the placenta, is taken up
chiefly by some organs, and produces lesions in
liver and kidney. By a polarographic method (af-
ter ashing) the following Pb concentrations were
determined, in mg/100 g: placenta 0.145, fetus
lung 0.075, intestine 0.112, liver 0.145, skin and
muscle 0.158, umbilical cord 0.308, bladder 1.65,
heart 0.451, kidney 0.632, blood 1.808, spleen
1.995, stomach 1.123, mother's blood 0.191.
1946 Popescu, I.G., loanid, N., and Bors, Gh.
(Fac. farm., Bucharest, Romania): THE
PROBLEM OF SATURNISM. ACUTE AND CHRONIC
INTOXICATION WITH LEAD. Lucrarile presen-
tate conf. natl. farm., Bucharest 1958,
pp. 241-7.
Post-mortem examinations carried out on patients
who had died of Pb poisoning indicate that in the
case of chronic intoxications Pb accumulates in
all organs, but in bones, cartilage, teeth, nails,
and hair in quantities 3-5 times as great as in
organs well supplied with blood. Acute intoxica-
tions affect mostly the brain, nerves, and glands.
The quantities of Pb eliminated by the organism
through the urine correspond to the total Pb
quantity in the organism. The polarographic meth-
od can be used to determine the Pb in the urine.
(From Chemical Abstracts 53:6437, 1959)
1947 Popper, L. (City Hosp., Vienna, Austria):
Das heutige Bild der Bleivergiftung.
(THE CURRENT STATE OF LEAD POISONING.)
Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift 70, No.
1:9-12, 1958.
Symptoms and signs of Pb intoxication are dis-
cussed. The author points out that due to hygien-
ic measures in the industry, occupational haz-
ards are today widely eliminated and that no con-
378
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
crete cases of Pb poisoning due to exposure from
exhaust gases in city air have become known. The
author summarizes his discussion as follows: Pb
intoxication today hardly ever proceeds to the
serious stage of permanent hypertension, contract-
ed kidney and Pb encephalopathy. An increase of
stippled erythrocytes and of elimination of por-
phyrin as well as the Pb line indicate only an in-
creased absorption of Pb. The first signs of poi-
soning are headache, dyspeptic trouble and consti-
pation; the typical colic may occur; occurrence of
anemia or of a moderate transitory rise of blood
pressure is infrequent and slight motor neuritis
is still more infrequent. In the differential
diagnosis occupational history and blood and urine
analyses must be considered as well as the type of
colic and neuritis; painful neuritis is not indica-
tive of saturnism- Pb analyses in blood and urine
are useful in doubtful cases but must be evaluated
with regard to the whole picture.
1948 Portigliatti Barbos, M. (Univ. Turin, Ita-
ly): Sulla valutazione dell'intossicazione
da piombo da ritenzione di proiettili.
(EVALUATION OF LEAD POISONING CAUSED BY
RETENTTION OF PROJECTILES.) Minerva Medi-
colegale 78, No. 1:32-7, 1958.
A moderate anemia and the presence of stippled red
cells were observed in a 46-yr-old man 4 mo after
he had been hit accidentally by a shotgun. A blood
analysis gave 66 yg% Pb and X-ray tests showed 29
pellets in his body. Two similar cases were re-
ported. A 30-yr-old farmer showed 153 pellets;
his blood contained 88.8 yg% Pb and 23 pg% proto-
porphyrin and his urine 26 yg% coproporphyrin/1.
A 36-yr-old laborer had a Pb content of 80 yg% and
300 yg% protoporphyrin in the blood and 82 yg%
urinary coproporphyrin/1. Other cases were cited
from the literature. (20 references)
1949 Preiskel, D. (Hornsey Central Hosp., Lon-
don, England): CHRONIC LEAD POISONING:
MYOPATHY OR NEURITIS? Annals of Physical
Medicine (London) 4:293-6 (Nov.), 1958.
A 60-yr-old man had been a metal polisher for over
16 yr. In the beginning he had polished Al and
stainless steel, for the last 3.5 yr he had worked
with gunmetal castings made of 85% Cu, 5% Sn, 5%
Zn and 5% Pb. When seen at the hospital he com-
plained that for 3 wk he had felt weakness of the
wrists and was unable to hold things firmly.
X-ray tests showed some weakness of the wrist ex-
tensors and paralysis of both long extensors of
the thumbs. No gum line was detected. Blood
studies indicated a mild hypochromicity with ob-
vious polychromasia and punctate basophilia. The
urine showed increased coproporphyrins. A con-
siderable degree of recovery was obtained by ther-
apy with a chelating agent for 3 wk.
The author points out that clinically, this case
falls within the definition of so-called Pb myo-
pathy (Pb "neuritis"). Electromyographic studies
revealed no myopathic pattern. If the muscles
were the primary site of the Pb intoxication, the
myopathy would be expected to mask the neuropathy.
But the findings which were those of a motor poly-
neuritis support the opinion that Pb causes paral-
ysis by its action on nerve cells and not on mus-
cle.
1950 Radosevic, Z., Saric, M. , Knez'evic, J. ,
and Beritic, T.: CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS
ON THE EFFECT OF LEAD ON THE KIDNEY.
Arhiv Za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju..
9:233-57, 1958.
In a study of 54 Pb-poisoned patients lasting
kidney changes were observed only in 2 subjects
who had been exposed to high Pb concentrations for
20-35 yr. Twenty-four patients showed functional
kidney alterations with no abnormality in the
urine. Six patients had increased blood pressure;
2 of these were the subjects mentioned above; in
the others the hypertension was transitory. The
authors conclude that kidney injuries in Pb poi-
soning should not be called nephropathia saturnina
since only at high or repeated exposures progres-
sive kidney changes occur; otherwise, the possible
renal alterations are functional and reversible.
(From authors' summary) (81 references)
Reith, J.F. (Univ. Utrecht, Netherlands):
RESIDUES OF TOXIC ELEMENTS DERIVED FROM
PESTICIDES ON AND IN VEGETABLES AND FRUIT.
TOXIC HIES; TOLERANCES; SAFETY FACTORS.
Voeding 19, No. 6:297-313, 1958.
The hazards involved in consumption of vegetables
and fruit containing residues of inorganic pesti-
cides are discussed. Cause for concern is the pos-
sible chronic effect of continually eating food-
stuffs treated with pesticides. In this report the
chronic toxicities of Sb, As, Br, Cu, F, Hg, Pb and
Se are considered. In applying data obtained by
long-term experiments in rats to men, calculations
in this report are based on the comparison of the
caloric intakes of rat and man. Concerning Pb the
following statements are made: 200 g of vegetables
and fruit containing 7 ppm Pb would correspond to
1.4 mg Pb. Continual ingestion by human beings of
>1 mg Pb/day is considered hazardous. However, in
general only a small part of vegetables and fruit
will be treated with pesticides.
1952 Rimniceanu, R., Beuran, T., Florescu, P.,
Arama, 0., Nestor, A., and Vasiliu, I.:
Consideratii pe marginea unei actiuni de
depistare a saturnismului intr -o intre-
prindere poligraflca. (A DETECTION CAM-
PAIGN OF LEAD POISONING IN A POLYGRAPHIC
PLANT.) Med. Interna (Bucharest) 10, No.
2:285-91, 1958.
The clinical and laboratory examination of 175 work-
ers at a printing-plant demonstrated a low percent-
age of Pb poisoning (1.14%) and the absence of mass-
ive increased absorption. These beneficial results
are due to prophylactic measures and to modern tech-
nological conditions. In many cases, the clinical
signs preceded manifestations which could be demon-
strated by means of laboratory methods. (From Ex-
cerpta Medica, Sect. 17, 5:Abstr. No. 2094, 1959)
1953 Ringoir, S.: Loodintoxicatie. (LEAD IN-
TOXICATION.) Belgisch Tijdschrift voor
Geneeskunde 14, No. 7:363-6, 1958.
The author reports the case of a 57-yr-old farmer,
who was hospitalized because of complaints about
increasing loss of strength especially in the
hands. At the time of his hospitalization he did
not suffer from paresthesia any more but he showed
bilateral radial paralysis of the arms. Many blue-
Man
379
-------
black dots were seen near the bottom of the lower
incisors. This led to the investigation of a pos-
sible intoxication. Urinary Pb was 25 vig/24 hr
which is regarded to be normal, porphyrinuria was
negative, basophilic granulation 10/1000, no Pb
line in the long bones. Because of the clinical
findings a test therapy with CaEDTA was carried
out. For 4 days 2.5 g CaEDTA/day was adminis-
tered (Mosatil-Bayer) in an intravenous infusion
of 0.5 1 of 5% glucose for 4 hr. Dutch authors
recommend 2-4 g/24 hr for 5 days, the French 500 mg
every 8 or 12 hr for 5 days. As a result of the
therapy it was found that Pb excretion was respec-
tively 3.36 mg and 4.07 mg/24 hr on the 1st and 2nd
days of the treatment. The Pb in blood was 662
yg%. This, together with a 230/130 blood pressure,
and the finding of 18.9 mg/1 Pb in his drinking
water at home made the author conclude that the
patient had been intoxicated by Pb.
As a reason for reporting this case the author
mentions that while no Pb was originally found in
the urine, it was mobilized by CaEDTA. Also, a
rare phenomenon was noted, ie, bilateral extensive
paralysis (maximum 1.5%), which began in the index
finger, while normally it starts in the 3rd or 4th
finger. The case is interpreted to illustrate the
wide individual difference in sensitivity to Pb,
since the other members of the family showed no
obvious signs of Pb poisoning.
1954 Rubino, G.F., Pagliardi, E., Prato, V.,
and Giangrandi, E. (Univ. Turin, Italy):
ERYTHROCYTE COPPER AND PORPHYRINS IN LEAD
POISONING. British Journal of Haematology
4, No. 1:103-7 (Jan.), 1958.
Twenty-two patients (21 men, 1 woman) with clini-
cal symptoms and/or hematologic or urinary signs
of Pb poisoning were examined. All had been ex-
posed occupationally to a high risk of Pb poison-
ing. Some (14) had Pb concentrations in the blood
>60 yg/100 ml and a urinary Pb excretion >100 ug/
24 hr. Others (8) had previously had attacks of
Pb colic, but at the time of this study their Pb
concentration in the blood and their urinary Pb
excretion was within normal limits (except 1).
Clinical tests gave the following results: mean
erythrocyte count 3.94 million/nun^ (range 1.99-
5.51); mean Hb concentration 11.2 g/100 ml (range
5.2-14.9). Mean protoporphyrin concentration
241.9 ug/100 ml (range 84-832, excluding 1 case).
Erythrocyte CP mean 3.05 yg/100 ml, maximum 10 yg;
9 cases <1.5 ug/ml, which is within normal limits.
Urinary CP excretion >100 yg/24 hr in 14 cases and
normal in the remaining patients whose contact
with Pb had ceased at least 1 yr previously.
Plasma Fe was increased in ^10 cases, maximum val-
ue was 210 yg/100 ml. Plasma Cu was normal in
almost all cases. Erythrocyte Cu was increased in
all but 3 cases.
The hypothesis is advanced that Cu increase is
related to the abnormal permeability of the eryth-
rocyte membrane which occurs in this type of anemia
and that the excess Cu accumulates in the erythro-
cytes as a consequence of damage to the surface of
the cells. (21 references)
1955 Sadchikova, M.N. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Dis., Acad. Med. Sci., USSR.): CLINICAL
ASPECTS OF ETHYLATED GASOLINE INTOXICA-
TION IN AUTOMOBILE DRIVERS. Sovetskaya
Meditsina 21, No. 4:99-102, 1958. In
Levine, B.S.: U.S.S.R. Literature on Air
Pollution and Related Occupational Dis-
eases. Washington, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Office of Technical Services,
1960, Vol. 2, pp. 245-50.
While no evidence of poisoning by exposure to TEL-
containing gasoline has been reported by foreign
authors, Soviet authors (Mytnuk, Ravkin, Drogi-
china, Kevork'yan, Reznikov, and others) from
1934-55 have observed that prolonged contact with
TEL-gasoline causes chronic poisoning symptoms
similar to those produced by small doses of TEL.
Such poisoning has been observed occasionally in
refuelers of airplanes, workers in testing sta-
tions, gasoline mixers, etc. The clinical syn-
drome includes asthenia and typical autonomic
nervous system disturbances: bradycardia, hypo-
thermia, vascular hypotonia, abnormal salivation,
headaches, vertigo, undue fatigability, interrupt-
ed sleep, nightmares, and emotional disturbances.
Graver forms of chronic poisoning were seen during
World War II, but in recent years poisoning by TEL
and by TEL-gasoline has occurred comparatively
rarely. While in 1953 Reznikov had found some
mild acute and subacute intoxications, but no
chronic cases; the Leningrad Institute of Indus-
trial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases has diag-
nosed TEL-gasoline poisoning rather frequently:
28 drivers from 1950-54. In most, this was due to
swallowing some gasoline while clearing the gaso-
line feeding system by blowing through it, or by
engine defects permitting fumes to enter the truck
cab, or by failing to comply with the rules of
personal hygiene. The findings in this group are
detailed; aside from the "triad" of classical
signs of bradycardia, hypothermia, hypotonia
(occurring only isolatedly in most), reflex re-
sponse, dermographic changes, etc, were observed.
None showed typical symptoms of Pb poisoning
(stippled cells, urinary porphyrin). Some of the
patients were heavy alcoholics which exaggerated
the severity of the mental disturbances. Personal
idiosyncrasies and individual sensitivity also
were observed (infections, physical and mental
traumas, etc). The mild forms were generally re-
versible and ended in complete recovery. The
most effective treatment was extended sleep com-
bined with 40% glucose solution iv, vitamins,
pine baths, physiotherapy. Excerpts from case
histories of a subacute and a chronic poisoning
are presented. The author recommends that for
the prevention of poisoning, trucks be inspected
regularly, and that prescribed safety regulations
for handling TEL gasoline be followed strictly;
also that greater effort be exerted during rou-
tine examinations to detect early symptoms.
1956 Saita, G., and Moreo, L. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Piombo e porfirine nella bile
del saturnini trattati con versenato di
calcio. (LEAD AND PORPHYRINS IN THE BILE
OF PATIENTS WITH LEAD POISONING TREATED
WITH CALCIUM VERSENATE.) Medicina del
Lavoro 49:376-84, (May), 1958.
Fourteen cases of saturnism were studied for Pb
content in urine, bile and feces during treatment
with CaEDTA given for 3-4 days at a dose of 2 g
380
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
daily by iv or oral administration. The Pb con-
tent in the bile followed the usual pattern, ie,
a rapid increase. The increase was lower in bile
than in the urine, when compared to initial val-
ues: in the bile the increase was 1.3-6.3 times
the values obtained before treatment (in the urine
up to 75 times). In the bile Pb values >2 mg/1
were seldom found; larger amounts were found in
urine in most cases. Fecal excretion was also
increased; the increase was similar to that ob-
served in the bile. The average increase of Pb
content in the bile and feces was almost the same
for iv and oral administration of the drug. Uri-
nary Pb was much higher after iv administration.
Coproporphyrins in the bile decreased after EDTA
treatment, the same as in urine. Bile excretion
of protoporphyrin IX was scarcely influenced. (14
references)
1957 Sano, S. (Kyoto Univ., Japan): 1. THE
EFFECT OF MITOCHONDRIA ON PORPHYRIN AND
HEME BIOSYNTHESIS IN RED BLOOD CELLS.
Acta Haematologica Japonica 21, No. 2
(Suppl.):337-50, 1958.
As summarized by the author in his review, based
on 42 references, mitochondria play a very impor-
tant role in the 3 steps of porphyrin and heme
synthesis: condensation of glycine and active suc-
cinate; oxidative decarboxylation from uro- and co-
proporphyrin (CP) into protoporphrin; Fe incorpora-
tion into porphyrin rings. In Pb poisoning, disor-
der of porphyrin biosynthesis is in the step of syn-
thesizing ALA from glycine and inhibition of ALA
dehydrase and porphobilinogenase; increased CP in
urine is derived from the increased CP and ALA in
the blood. Increased ALA may result in CP in
urine through the action of kidney mitochondria.
1958 Scoca, G., and Atella, P. (Univ. Rome,
Italy): DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF BLOOD AND
URINARY LEAD FOR ASCERTAINING SATURNISM.
Zacchia 21:334-51, 1958.
Determinations in 220 cases (workers exposed to
the danger of Pb poisoning) by the dithizone meth-
od (after destruction of the organic matter),
showed the following blood Pb values (yg/100 ml):
(1) <30 in nonpathological cases, (2) 30-80 when
the limit of tolerance began to be passed, (3)
80-164 in cases of clear intoxication. The uri-
nary Pb excretion values had no diagnostic meaning
and were not correlated with those of blood.
(From Chemical Abstracts 53:18266, 1959)
1959 Sharaevskaya, Z.N.: SPECTRAL ANALYSES OF
HARD TISSUES OF TEETH AND ALVEOLAR PROCESS
OF MAN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND IN
PARADONTOSIS. Stomatologiya No. 2:12-14,
1958.
Ca, P, Mg, Na, Al, Si and traces of Fe, Mn, Cu,
and Pb were found in salt form in the enamel, den-
tine, and alveolar process. The content of mem-
bers of the 1st group changed imperceptibly in
health or pathological conditions, except for Mg.
The content of members of the trace element group,
Cu in particular, was easily affected by shifts in
metabolic processes. (From Referat Zhur., Khim.,
Biol. Khim. 1958, Abstr. No. 29612; Chemical Ab-
stracts 53:5471, 1959)
I960 Sharaevskaya, Z.N.: THE CONTENT OF TRACE
ELEMENTS IN HARD DENTAL TISSUES IN THE
ALVEOLAR PROCESS IN HEALTH AND IN PARADON-
TOSIS. Problemy Stomatologii (Kiev:
Gosudarst. Izdatel. Med. Lit., Ukr. SSR),
Sbornik 4:99-102, 1958.
Among other elements Pb and Mn were found by
spectral analysis in the enamel, dentine and in
the alveolar process of teeth in normal subjects
and patients with paradontosis and dental caries.
Pb was increased in patients with paradontosis.
(From Referat. Zhur. Khim., Biol. Khim. 1959, Ab-
stract No. 24698; Chemical Abstracts 54:13374,
1960)
1961 Silvestri, U. (Univ. Bologna, Italy): Ri-
cerche spettrografiche sulla composizione
in element! in tracce del siero di sangue.
(SPECTROGRAPHIC RESEARCH ON THE AMOUNTS OF
TRACE ELEMENTS IN BLOOD SERUM.) Bollettino
della Societa Italiana di Biologia Speri-
mentale 34:1745-7, 1958.
In human serum, Pb is among the elements (with Zn,
Sr, Co), that appear in variable and prevalently
high amounts.
1962 Spiegelberg, H., and Spiegelberg, U.
(Psych, and Neurol. Clinic Univ. Hosp.,
Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany): Zur Frage
zentralnervBser SpHtschHden nach schwerer
akuter BleitetraHthylvergiftung. (LATE
DISORDERS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
AFTER SEVERE ACUTE TETRAETHYL LEAD POISON-
ING.) Fortschritte der Neurologie, Psy-
chiatrie und Ihrer Grenzgebiete 26, No. 5:
248-59, 1958.
At age 25, while serving in the Air Force, the
patient was exposed to acute inhalation of TEL.
A severe deliriant psychosis and disturbances of
the digestive and circulatory system developed.
When the patient was examined 14 yr later a psy-
chopathologic syndrome still persisted. The syn-
drome was characterized by cerebral changes and
decreases in the affective faculty. A study of
the dream life of the patient also supported the
diagnosis of deliriant psychosis. Many references.
1963 Stankovic', M., and Stankovic, B.: THE
EFFECT OF SULPHUROUS WATER ON LEAD EX-
CRETION FROM THE ORGANISM. Glas. Hig.
Inst. SRBYE 7, No. 3-4:75-80, 1958.
The problem of the effect of sulfurous water on
urinary Pb excretion was studied. A group of 25
workers, and also a control group of 15 workers,
both exposed to Pb in their working areas, were
removed from the job and treated in a sulfurous
mineral bath. The average amount of Pb excreted
in the urine during 21 days of treatment showed
a slight increase in the middle of the course.
The concentration of Pb in the blood decreased
in the 1st day of the course and then increased
slightly, but it was still lower than the level
in the pretreatment period. The coproporphyrin (CP)
level in the urine dropped to 43% of the pre-
treatment level. There was no direct proportion-
al correlation of Pb and CP amounts excreted in
the urine during the course of treatment. It was
found that this mode of treatment caused some
elimination of Pb from the organism, but not so
Man
381
-------
considerable that it could be used as efficient
treatment of Pb-exposed workers. (From Excerpta
Medica, Sect. 17, 6:Abstr. No. 434, 1960)
1964 Sudo, Y. (Tokyo Jikeikai Med. Coll., Japan)
STUDIES ON FRACTION OF SERUM PROTEIN IN
LEAD WORKERS. (PART II.) ON THE EFFECT
OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF Ca-EDTA. Journal
of Science of Labour 34:738-48 (Sept.),
1958.
After Pb workers, as referred to in a previous re-
port, were given oral doses of CaEDTA for a period
of 2 mo, the reticulocytes and the content of yj-
globulin decreased while the Hb level, the speci-
fic gravity of the blood and the total protein and
albumin in the serum increased. (From author's
English summary)
1965 Suntych, F.: CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICATIONS.
Prakt. lekar. 38:343-6, 1958.
The author presents a report on some patients with
proved chronic Pb intoxication which started in
hazardous occupations; in a few cases the intoxi-
cation was not occupational. (From Scientific
Reports on Industrial Hygiene and Occupational
Diseases in Czechoslovakia 1958 3:Abstr. No. 132,
1959)
1966 Suzuki, Y., Nishiyama, K., and Matsuka, Y.
(School Med., Tokushima Univ., Japan):
STUDIES ON LEAD CONTENT AND PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES OF THE HAIR OF LEAD POISONING.
Tokushima Journal of Experimental Medicine
5:111-9, 1958.
Pb content and physical properties of the hair were
studied in rabbits with experimental Pb poisoning
and in humans handling Pb in their occupation. In
rabbits, the Pb content of hair began to increase
^2-4 wk after hematological symptoms of Pb poison-
ing. Pb (as acetate) was injected sc in doses of
1-10 mg/kg in 8 rabbits for 3 mo (total, 280 mg/
kg); 2 rabbits served as controls. The increase
of Pb content of hair continued until 2 mo after
the last administration of Pb. Four months after
administration Pb in hair was greater than in vis-
ceral organs as was almost the same as Pb in bone.
In man Pb in hair was determined in 112 workers;
on 57 of them, Pb in blood and urine, urine CP,
sp g of blood, and stippled cell counts were made;
22 workers not exposed to Pb served as controls.
With increased absorption, Pb content of hair in-
creased; along with this increase, elongation and
strength of hair decreased. The degree of Pb expo-
sure could be found by measuring the Pb content of
hair as follows: <30 yg/g, nonoccupational normal
Pb exposure; 30-110 yg/g, occupational normal Pb
exposure; >110 yg/g, dangerous Pb exposure. This
applies only to men, as the Pb content of women's
hair may be larger. The diagnostic and medico-
legal aspects of the findings are pointed out.
1967 Szegedy, L,. (Budapest, Hungary): Adatok
a chronicus 61om-tetraaethyl m^rgeze'shez.
(DATA ON CHRONIC TETRAETHYL-LEAD POISON-
ING.) Orvosi Hetilap 99, No. 30:1037-9,
1958.
Based on observation of 2 cases the relatively
rare chronic form of TEL poisoning was discussed.
In both cases the clinical picture was dominated
by neurological symtoms such as ataxia, tremor,
and atrophy of the small hand muscle.
1968 Teisinger, J., and Fiserovd-BergerovS, V.
(Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis., Prague,
Czechoslovakia): Uber den Einfluss des
zur Therapie der Bleivergiftung angewendeten
Calciumdinatriumsalzes der Xthylendiamin-
tetraessigsaure auf den Eisen- und Kupfer-
spiegel im Blut und Urin. (THE INFLUENCE
OF Na-Ca SALT OF EDTA ON IRON AND COPPER
LEVELS IN BLOOD AND URINE.) Archiv fur
Gewerbepathologie und Gewerbehygiene 16,
No. 4:478-89, 1958.
See Abstract No. 1867.
1969 Tishkoff, G.H., Granville, N.B., Rosen,
R., and Dameshek, W. (New England Center
Hosp., Boston, Mass.): EXCRETION OF 6-
AMINOLEVULINIC ACID IN LEAD INTOXICATION.
Acta Haematologica 19, No. 6:321-6, 1958.
Three female patients, age 41, 3, and 39 yr, re-
spectively, with clinical and hematological find-
ings of Pb poisoning, were treated with 1.5 g
CaEDTA and CaNa2EDTA twice daily for 2 days. Uri-
nary levels of ALA and porphobilinogen (PEG) were
determined in 7 normal subjects and the 3 patients.
The average normal levels were 31.4 ± 5 and 3.5 ±
0.7 uM x 10~3/mi Of urine, respectively. Two pa-
tients had elevated levels of ALA with normal or
low levels of PEG. The 3rd patient initially had a
normal value of ALA with an elevated PEG concen-
tration. Following therapy with EDTA the ALA
level increased markedly while the PEG concentra-
tion decreased to normal or low values. All pa-
tients had increased urinary Pb levels during
treatment. The authors point out that urinary
levels of these 2 substances may serve as a diag-
nostic aid in Pb intoxications and in the dif-
ferential diagnosis from acute intermittent por-
phyria.
1970 Tolot, F., and Czuchro (France): Fr£-
quence comparee des manifestations satur-
nines chez les sujets exposes au risque.
Elements de pronostic. (COMPARISON OF THE
FREQUENCY OF SATURNINE MANIFESTATIONS IN
EXPOSED SUBJECTS. PROGNOSTIC SIGNS.) Pro-
ceedings of the Society of Industrial Medi-
cine and Hygiene, Lyons. Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Securite Sociale 19:606-11
(Nov.-Dec.), 1958.
The following conclusions were drawn on the basis
of 44 cases of Pb poisoning: the frequency of Pb
colics is indicative of the poisoning; the diges-
tive manifestations are concomitant with the oc-
currence of basophilic stippling of erythrocytes,
true polyneuritis is infrequent, while 50% of
subjects exposed for >10 yr and almost all subjects
exposed for >15 yr exhibit a chronic hypertensive
nephritis. Chelating agents are valuable in
therapy. Subjects showing blood disorders and
colics should be removed from exposure.
1971 Unseld, D.W. (Wlirzburg, Germany): Ein
neuer Test ("Mosatiltest") zum Nachweis
von Bleiablagerungen im KBrper. (A NEW
TEST (MOSATIL-TEST) FOR THE DETECTION OF
382
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
LEAD DEPOSITS IN THE BODY.) Klinische
Wochenschrift 36, No. 7:328-30, 1958.
The effect of Mosatil on urinary Pb excretion was
studied in 2 groups of 4 subjects each. Group A
had never been exposed to Pb; group B consisted of
subjects with previous Pb poisoning, but all symp-
toms of Pb poisoning had disappeared due to treat-
ment and their Pb content in blood and urine had
returned to normal. In group A the Pb values be-
fore Mosatil treatment were 13-36 yg% in the blood
and 5-28 yg/1 in urine; after Mosatil, 9-31 yg%
and 42-104 yg/1, respectively. The corresponding
values for group B were: before Mosatil 21-40 yg%,
20-75 yg/1; after Mosatil 15-34 yg%, 360-650 pg/1.
The authors conclude that obviously Mosatil does
not only promote Pb elimination from the blood via
the kidneys, but it also mobilizes deposited Pb and
causes its elimination by the urine. (Fecal Pb was
not determined.) Thus, any significant increase of
urinary Pb caused by Mosatil indicates that the body
has stored Pb. Urinary Pb values between 100 and
300 yg/1 and blood values >40 yg% were considered
as indicative of Pb storage. The test is carried
out in practice as follows: Urine is collected
for 3 days and a blood sample is taken once. Dur-
ing the following 3 days 1 ampulla of Mosatil is
injected intravenously daily and the urine during
these 3 days is collected; no 2nd blood sample
needs to be taken. The Pb level in the blood of
41 normal persons was found to range between 17
and 37 yg%.
1972 US Public Health Service, National Office
of Vital Statistics: LEAD POISONING.
Morbidity and Mortality 7, No. 17:2, 1958.
Dr. J.M. Bruce, Louisiana State Dept. of Health,
reported a case of Pb poisoning in an adult woman.
The woman had been suffering from anemia for sev-
eral years; during the past year, repeated uri-
nalyses showed that she was excreting excessive
amounts of Pb in her urine. Her living quarters
were over a saloon which her husband operated.
Investigation of the premises revealed the source
of Pb to be a 1/2-in slab of Pb in the bottom of
an ice chest on which rested a 25-lb block of ice.
Ice was chipped from the block with a sharp,
multipronged instrument and then scooped directly
into glasses for drinks. A sample of ice was ob-
tained; it was noted that there was a residue of
grayish powder resembling Fe filings on the bot-
toms of the sample bottles in which the ice had
melted. Analysis of this material revealed that
it was Pb. The woman suffering from plumbism is
an alcoholic and, presumably, in her husband's bar
imbibed freely of drinks served with the ice con-
taining relatively large amounts of Pb.
1973 Viaud, M., Greau, H., Colas, J., Baron, A.,
and Lhermitte, R. (Nantes, France): L'en-
cephalopathie saturnine avec stase papil-
laire; intere't du traitement par les
chelateurs; (a propos d'un cas). (LEAD
POISONING ENCEPHALOPATHY WITH PAPILLEDEMA;
VALUE OF TREATMENT WITH CHELATING AGENTS;
(REPORT OF A CASE).) Revue Oto-neuro-
ophtalmologie 30, No. 3:191-8, 1958.
A 29-yr-old woman showed anemia, temporary aphasia
and hemiplegia, violent headache, bilateral papil-
ledema, visual disturbances and facial paralysis.
Her husband, though treated for nephritic colics,
showed Pb pallor and gingival line. The couple
had lived for 2 yr in a flat where tap water pass-
ed through a long Pb pipe; the water contained
9.5 mg/1 (mm in text probably misprint). Intra-
venous treatment with 1 g EDTA/day, divided into
2 doses, for periods of 5, 5 and 4 days with
intervals of 4 and 5 days, respectively, was well
tolerated and yielded good results.
1974 Vol'pert, E.I. (Sci. Res. Inst. First Aid,
Leningrad, USSR): 0 diagnostike svintso-
voi kollki v praktike neotlozhnoi khirurgii.
(DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD COLIC IN EMERGENCY SUR-
GERY.) Vestnik Khirurgii im Grekova I.I.
80, No. 5:88-90, 1958.
During the last 5 yr 27 patients with Pb colic
were admitted to the author's clinic with errone-
ous diagnoses of: intestinal obstruction, 8 cases;
acute abdomen, 4; appendicitis, 2, etc. The case
histories were reanalyzed, and 2 of them are de-
scribed. The author stresses that the presence
of anemia with a background of acute intestinal
occlusive manifestations requires a thorough as-
sessment of past history, together with repeated
general and specific blood and urine laboratory
studies to exclude the possibility of Pb colic.
1975 Weber, M.: Zaburzenia czynnosci nerek w
olowicy. (KIDNEY DISORDERS IN LEAD POI-
SONING.) Medycyna Pracy 1958 (Nov.-Dec.):
435-43.
On the basis of observations made on 80 cases of
Pb poisoning, the author considers that cases of
nephritis due to Pb poisoning are at present very
rare. Kidney disorders appear in general at the
more severe stages of chronic poisoning. They
are related to the vasoconstrictive action of Pb
and appear when the Pb content of the blood reaches
high values. No kidney effects were observed in
the cases of poisoning with TEL. (From Occupational
Safety and Health 9:Abstract No. 2150, 1959)
1976 Weinig, E., and Schwerd, W.: Nil nocere!
Gefahren bei der Behandlung der Bleiintoxi-
kation mit Calciumversenat ("Mosatil,"
"Komplexon"). (NIL NOCERE! HAZARDS OF
TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING WITH CALCIUM
VERSENATE ("MOSATIL," "COMPLEXON").)
Munch, med. Wochschr. 100:1788-9 (Nov. 14),
1958.
The author cautions against the use of CaEDTA on
the basis that 3 fatal cases have been reported in
the literature in connection with the use of the
drug in the treatment of Pb poisoning, and describes
another case. Polarographic determination of the Pb
content of the kidney showed at autopsy 340 yg% Pb.
In cases of disturbed kidney function the tubular
epithelium becomes damaged by spastic vascular con-
tractions and secondary ischemia, leading to an
acute tubular necrosis. A mild hypertension and
an incipient azotemia serve as warning symptoms.
EDTA treatment leads to an increased mobilization
of Pb. As the above cases show, in chronic cases
with acute flare-up great care must be taken.
(From Zentralblatt filr Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeits-
schutz 10:269 (Abstracts), 1960)
1977
Wittgens, H. , and Heider: Sehnervenentztln-
Man
383
-------
dung und Bleivergiftung. (INFLAMMATION OF
THE OPTIC NERVES AND LEAD POISONING.)
Xrztliche Dlenst DB 19:71-3, 1958.
A 57-yr-old male had been employed by the National
Railway Service from 1942-1948 in the casting of
bearings, working 35-38 hr/wk. In 1948, he was
transferred to other work due to optic distur-
bances. In 1946, he had had an injured right cor-
nea. Other entries in his medical history included
Pb neuritis in Jan-Feb 1948 and inflammation of the
optic nerve June-Sept 1948. According to the pa-
tient, he had been supervised medically every 6
mo. Other complaints had included gastric and in-
testinal catarrh, inflammation of the gastric muco-
sa (1956) and flu (1956). In 1956, he felt pres-
sure on the stomach but no ulcer was found. This
pressure, constant and independent of meals, re-
curred at the time of the visual disturbances.
Patient stated he smoked 3-4 cigarettes/day, did
not drink and had had no venereal disease.
The ophthalmologic and neurologic clinics of
the university gave the following information:
Treatment in 1948 for edema of the papilla (right)
and a moderate partial post-neuritic papillary
atrophy (left). At that time, the physician con-
sidered the possibility of Pb intoxication but no
other signs of Pb intoxication (such as toxic forms
of erythrocytes) were found. There were no signs
of cerebral processes; encephalogram and spinal
fluid were normal. The cause of the optic distur-
bance was assumed to be a nerve inflammation. No
basis for a Pb neuritis was found.
The ophthalmologist consulted in the case in
1956 (?) found bilateral atrophy of the optic
nerve as a result of inflammation of the nerves in
both eyes in May 1948. The atrophy had caused a
significant limitation of the visual field and a
moderate reduction in the visual acuity of the
right eye.
The etiology of the illness was not clarified.
Pb intoxication was ruled out as unlikely on the
basis of lack of circumstantial evidence.
1959
1978 Antonov, Y.G.: (TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE
THYROID GLAND OF MAN.) Nauk. Zap. Stani-
slavs'k Med. Inst. 1959, No. 3:175-9.
The presence of Pb in the normal human thyroid
gland was shown* by spectral analysis. The trace
element concentrations are generally reduced in
diseased thyroids. (From Chemical Abstracts 58:
14515, 1963)
1979 Belknap, E.L., and Belknap, E.L., Jr.
(Marquette Univ. School Med., Milwaukee,
Wis.): CLINICAL CONTROL OF HEALTH IN THE
STORAGE BATTERY INDUSTRY. Industrial Med-
icine and Surgery 28:94-9; discussion,
100-1 (Mar.), 1959.
Progress made over the years in protecting workers
in the storage battery industry was described. Pb
concentrations in air which during 1944-56 ranged
from 1.22-23.56 mg/10 m3, in 1958 were reduced to
0.22-3.3 mg/10 m^. In 1958 a study was made on 15
men who had worked for 3-32 yr. Clinical and qual-
itative tests included presence of Pb line, stip-
pled cells (SC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit and
urinary porphyrins, quantitative tests of Pb level
in urine and blood. In analyzing the results of
the qualitative and quantitative tests the follow-
ing conclusions were drawn: Qualitative tests
proved effective in 14 out of 15 cases in estima-
ting levels of Pb absorption and never failed in
warning of heavy Pb absorption in time for pro-
tecting the men. Quantitative examination of the
urine for Pb is a useful supplementary aid in eval-
uating Pb absorption and blood tests are of great
value for medical-legal and research problems.
Qualitative and quantitative blood or urine tests
for Pb are not of themselves diagnostic of Pb in-
toxication but are merely signs of Pb absorption
to be judged in the whole clinical picture. Quali-
tative studies of blood for Hb and SC carried out
serially every few days and occasional urine por-
phyrin tests are advisable for the protection of
workers in the storage battery industry. (15 ref-
erences)
1980 Bencini, A. (Univ. Florence, Italy): La
piruvicemia in soggetti esposti al rischio
di idrargirismo e saturnismo cronico pro-
fessionale. (PYRUVEMIA IN SUBJECTS EX-
POSED TO THE RISK OF CHRONIC OCCUPATIONAL
MERCURY AND LEAD POISONING.) Bollettino
della Societa Italiana di Biologia Speri-
mentale 35:1350-2, 1959.
A study was made on 32 subjects of whom 15 were
exposed to Pb and 17 to Hg. The blood level of Pb
and Hg, urinary Pb and coproporphyrins were de-
termined. Pyruvic acid, as determined by Friedman-
Haugen's method, was increased particularly in the
Pb subjects and did not seem to correspond to the
Pb level in the biological fluids and the duration
of exposure. The values were in Pb poisoning,
2.30 mg%, in Hg poisoning 1.80, in controls, 1.20.
The hyperpyruvemia seemed to be accompanied in 10
of 12 Pb cases by a typical neurologic syndrome.
The hyperpyruvemia was found to be related to the
action of Pb and Hg on the sulfhydryl groups of
pyruvic oxidases with subsequent inactivation of
the enzyme.
1981 Beritic, T. (Yugoslavia): Trovanje olovom
i problem endemskih nefropatija. (LEAD
POISONING AND THE ROLE OF ENDEMIC NEPHROP-
ATHY.) Lijecnicki vjesnik 81:523-5 (July-
Aug.), 1959.
The relationship between endemic nephropathy and
Pb as the cause of it is reviewed on the basis of
23 references.
1982 Bersworth, F.C., and Rubin, M.: PROPHY-
LACTIC CALCIUM CHELATE COMPOSITIONS FOR
HEAVY METAL POISONING. U.S. Patent
2,875,129 (Feb. 24), 1959, to Dow Chemical
Co.
The use of certain Ca chelate such as EDTA com-
positions, blended with food products, for pro-
phylactic treatment of metal poisonings, such as
Pb poisoning, was reported. These prophylactic
food products, for consumption or injection, con-
tain 1-3% by weight of a neutral or alkali metal
salt of the Ca chelate. (From Chemical Abstracts
53:10672, 1959)
1983 Botha, S.E., Brossa, S.Q., and Martinez,
E.F.: (PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF LEAD-
384
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
POISONING WITH THE USE OF COMPLEXES.)
Med. y seguridad trabajo 6:43-51 (Jan.-
Mar.), 1959.
The use of EDTA is discussed. (From A.M.A. Ar-
chives of Industrial Health 21:75 (Jan.), 1960)
1984 Brieger, H., and Rieders, F. (Jefferson
Med. Coll. Philadelphia, Pa.): CHRONIC
LEAD AND MERCURY POISONINGS: CONTEMPORARY
VIEWS ON ANCIENT OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.
Journal of Chronic Diseases 9:177-84 (Feb.),
1959.
The paper outlines how recently published results
of clinical observations and research have im-
proved and enlarged theoretical insight and
practical experience. Chronic Pb poisoning in
children is greater today than in adults and oc-
cupational poisoning is still frequent in spite of
the fact that exposure to Pb has been greatly re-
duced in the known "hazardous" industries. A
history of hazardous exposure to Pb supports a
diagnosis of Pb poisoning and in order to diagnose,
symptoms and signs of Pb poisoning have to be in
evidence. New information now available to help
in diagnoses includes: present threshold limit
value of Pb dust and fumes in air (8 hr daily
exposure) is 0.02 mg/m^; Pb concentration in whole
blood (American population) ranges from 0.01-0.05
mg/100 mg (mean 0.03) with 95% of the Pb being in
the erythrocytes; Pb concentration in urine is
0.01-0.08 mg/1000 ml (mean 0.03+ mg); EDTA can
be used to successfully determine latent excess
deposition of Pb (>1.0 mg Pb/24 hr indicates in-
creased Pb deposits although 0.5 mg/24 hr has
been mentioned as a critical value); Pb in the
spinal fluid may be increased in Pb poisoning, as
high as 0.35-0.493 mg/100 ml being reported;
coproporphyrinuria is a marked effect of excess
Pb absorption and coproporphyrin III should not
exceed 0.08 mg/24 hr; steady increase of stippled
cells in persons exposed to Pb indicates absorption;
reticulocytosis and hemolysis are also indications.
Of the organic Pb compounds, TEL is the most
important one and it has been questioned recently
whether poisoning by TEL is true chronic poisoning
or, rather, subacute poisoning. At present the
use of EDTA for the treatment of Pb poisoning is
highly successful in preventing the continuation
of injury by the metal. However, damage already
done must continue to be treated by conservative
methods. Other chelating agents such as pencil-
lamine are under investigation as orally effective
prophylactic and therapeutic agents in metal poi-
soning. (39 references)
1985 Brugsch, H.G. (Massachusetts Dept. Labor,
Ind., Boston): FATAL NEPHROPATHY DURING
EDATHAMIL THERAPY IN LEAD POISONING. AMA
Archives of Industrial Health 20:285-92
(Oct.), 1959.
A review of the title subject, based on 41 ref-
erences is summarized as follows: EDTA is still a
good drug to be used when needed, but as in so
many recently introduced drugs, the time may not
be too distant when it will be substituted by a
safer chelating agent. EDTA should be given only
with proper evaluation of the patient's renal
status before, during, and after therapy. This
should include a renal function test (PSP and
concentration-dilution), NPN or BUN, and at least
2 urinary sediments at the beginning of therapy
and repeated whenever necessary. Courses of
therapy by slow iv infusion should be short (prob-
ably not >3 days), widely spaced (>2 wk apart),
and with a daily total dose of not >2 g in adults.
1986 Burstin, M. : Coliques de plomb et appendi-
cite. (LEAD COLIC AND APPENDICITIS.)
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale
20:189-91 (Mar.-Apr.), 1959.
The author presents a case of Pb colic incurred
by a worker in a storage battery plant, which had
been diagnosed as appendicitis with subsequent
operation. He points to the difficulty of dif-
ferential diagnosis and reviews earlier reported
cases. A differential diagnosis should be based
on the following: job of the patient; Burton's Pb
line; a basophil count of >10%; persistent por-
phyrinuria of >100 yg/24 hr; urinary Pb of >0.07
mg/1; absence of fever; dull periumbilical or
epigastric pains which radiate into the lumbar
region, the rectum and genital organs; absence of
true muscular contractions; rectal palpation does
not induce additional pain in the cecal region;
the pulse is hard and corresponds to a rise in
hypertension.
1987 Byers, D.H. (US Dept. Health, Educ., Wel-
fare, Cincinnati, 0.): AN EVALUATION OF
BLOOD LEAD ANALYSES. Industrial Medicine
and Surgery 28:117-20; discussion, 120-1
(Mar.), 1959.
The determination of Pb in blood is one of the
most valuable tests for Pb poisoning. Figures
established abroad for normal limits of Pb in
blood generally agree with those in the USA. Sig-
nificant deviations are found in Japan (upper nor-
mal limit of 0.03 mg/100 g) and Italy (0.09-0.10
mg/100 g). Pb concentrations in blood >0.06-0.08
mg/100 g indicate a greater than normal absorption
of Pb. In view of the importance of accurate
blood Pb analyses and the difficulties and exacting
requirements of reliable microanalysis for Pb in
blood a project for the evaluation of Pb analyses
from a group of cooperating laboratories was
started by the US Public Health Service. Final
results have not yet been obtained at the present
time. (30 references)
1988 Camerada, P., Congiu, M., Leo, P., and
Piredda, P. (Univ. Cagliari, Italy): Sul
comportamento del livello serico delle
mucoproteine e dell'acido siallco in lavo-
ratori del piombo. (THE SERUM LEVEL OF
MUCOPROTEIN AND SIALIC ACID IN LEAD WORK-
ERS.) Bollettino della Societa' Italiana
di Biologia Sperimentale 35:1502-4
(Nov. 30), 1959.
Tests were made in 20 subjects who had been work-
ing in the Pb industry for >15 yr. Analyses of
urinary Pb and coproporphyrin and punctated baso-
philic cells indicated a modest degree of Pb in-
toxication. For mucoprotein in blood a medium
value of 132.2 ±24.3 mg% was found in 30 controls,
while the optical density of sialic acid was
0.163 ± 0.028 which was 24% below the value for
normals.
Man
385
-------
1989 Caraerada, P., Congiu, M., Leo, P., and
Piredda, P. (Univ. Cagliari, Italy): II
comportamento della fibrinolisi euglobu-
linica in lavoratori del piombo. (EUGLO-
BULIN FIBRINOLYSIS IN LEAD WORKERS.)
Bollettino della Societa' Italiana di
Biologia Sperimentale 35:1504-5 (Nov. 30),
1959.
The fibrinolytic activity was studied in the blood
of 27 Pb foundry workers, none of whom showed se-
rious clinical signs of Pb intoxication. However,
routine tests of urinary Pb and coproporphyrin and
punctated basophils indicated a certain degree of
saturnism. Euglobulin fibrinolysis ranged from
150-328 min with a medium value at 216.5 ± 41.6
min which is practically the same as in normal sub-
jects. The extremely high values had been found
in 2 men exposed to Pb for >20 yr (303 min) and in
a subject with signs of hypertensive arteriosclero-
sis (328 min).
1990 Camerada, P., Congiu, M., Leo, P., and
Piredda, P. (Univ. Cagliari, Italy): Sul
comportamento del potere fibrinolitico,
della colesterolemia e delle f^-lipopro-
teine in soggetti intossicati da piombo.
(FIBRINOLYTIC ACTIVITY, CHOLESTEREMIA,
AND BL-LIPOPROTEINS IN SUBJECTS WITH LEAD
POISONING.) Rassegna Medica Sarda
61:1197-1206 (Nov.-Dec.), 1959.
The investigation was carried out on 67 male work-
ers of a Pb foundry (20-59 yr old, av 43.23; dura-
tion of exposure 4-27 yr, av 14.2.) None exhibited
clinical signs of poisoning, but in all a certain
degree of intoxication was evident in laboratory
tests. The results of the tests performed showed
decreased plasma fibrinolytic activity was found
in persons exposed to Pb intoxication. Normal
cholesterol and high f^-lipoproteins levels were
observed in sera of almost all these subjects.
These findings are discussed in relation to the
development of atherosclerosis in Pb poisoning.
(48 references)
1991 Camerada, P., Congiu, M., Leo, P., and
Piredda, P. (Univ. Cagliari, Italy): Sulle
modificazioni del seromucoide e dell'acido
sialico nel siero di soggetti esposti
all'intossicazione da piombo. Possibile
ruolo dell'acido sialico nella patogenesi
del saturnismo. (MODIFICATIONS OF THE
SERUM MUCOID AND OF SIALIC ACID IN THE
SERUM OF SUBJECTS EXPOSED TO LEAD POISON-
ING.) Rassegna Medica Sarda 61:1259-67
(Nov.-Dec.), 1959.
Studies on 51 Pb workers, 25-59 yr old, employed
for 6-27 yr, showed increased seromucoid and
significantly decreased sialic acid levels in
blood. It is suggested that sialic acid probably
acts as a chelating agent for Pb in blood as well
as in tissues. (24 references)
1992 Casula, D., Cherchi, P., Piredda, S., and
Spinazzola, A. (Univ. Cagliari, Italy):
Ricerche sul comportamento del quadro
siero-enzimatico nell'intossicazione
saturnina. Nota I - La colinoesterasi,
la procainoesterasi e la aspirinoesterasi.
Nota II - Attivita' transaminasiche, atti-
vita' aldolasica e attivita' malico e
lattico-aeidrogenasiche. (RESEARCH ON
THE BEHAVIOR OF THE SERUM ENZYME PICTURE
IN LEAD POISONING. I. CHOLINESTERASE,
PROCAINESTERASE AND ASPIRINOESTERASE.
II. TRANSAMINASE ACTIVITY, ALDOLASE AC-
TIVITY AND MALIC AND LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE
ACTIVITY.) Rassegna Medica Sarda 61:839-
46; 847-53 (Nov.-Dec.), 1959.
I. A group of 47 Pb foundry workers, a number of
whom were hospitalized in the authors' clinic for
evaluation as to Pb poisoning, were examined for
the cholinesterase (ChE), procainesterase (PrE) ,
and aspirinesterase (AsE) activities in serum;
the remainder were so examined during periodic
visits to the plant. The method of Stedman and
Easson (modified) was used for ChE; Paget and
Hue's (modified by Camerada and Leo) for PrE, and
Vincent and Parrant's for AsE. ChE activity was
normal in 1/2 of the cases; reduced values were
found in 17, and in 4 they were considered patho-
logic. PrE values were pathologic in only 2
cases, subnormal in 10; all others were normal.
AsE determination showed no pathologic values in
any of the cases; in 9 they were subnormal. The
authors conclude that the variations of the 3
enzymes could probably be related to a diminished
production of these enzymes by the liver. (24
references)
II. The same number of workers were followed
for the evaluation of glutamic oxalacetic and
glutamic pyruvic transaminases, the aldolases and
the malic and lactic dehydrogenases activities.
It was found that the activity of none of the en-
zymes examined were affected in chronic Pb poi-
soning. (16 references)
1993 Cumings, J.N.: HEAVY METALS AND THE
BRAIN. Springfield, 111., Charles C.
I'homas, 1959, 161 pp.
The heavy metals reviewed are Cu, rig, and Pb, with
a brief historical summary for each metal. Cu is
discussed in detail from the standpoint of hepa-
tolenticular degeneration. The presentation of Hg
poisoning covers inorganic Hg (chronic intoxica-
tion only), organic mercurial compounds, and acro-
dynia. Pb is dealt with only in relationship to
the findings of Pb encephalopathy as seen in chil-
dren and in adults. Points covered are: etiology,
clinical features in relationship to inorganic and
TEL intoxication, radiology, electroencephalogram
patterns, clinical pathology, histopathology,
chemistry, and treatment. The 3 main sources of
Pb poisoning reviewed in reference to the above
categories are: (1) industrial processes involving
inorganic Pb compounds, (2) those involving or-
ganic Pb compounds, (3) nonindustrial. (546 ref-
erences for Cu, 60 for Hg, 274 for Pb)
1994 David, A.: (SIDEROBLASTS AND SIDEROCYTES
IN LEAD POISONING.) Pracovnf Lekarstvf
11:290-3 (Aug.), 1959.
In chronic Pb poisoning the non-hemoglobin Fe in
the bone marrow is elevated, which manifests it-
self by an increased number of sideroblasts (av-
erage 60%, maximum 97% in 22 patients) their gran-
ules being mostly coarse and multiple and usually
(contrary to other types of anemia) in the close
vicinity of the nucleus. The impaired Fe metab-
386
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
olism is not confined to normoblasts but affects
also reticuloendothelial cells, as can be proved
by the accumulation of Fe in these elements.
These changes provide evidence of the dyshemo-
poietic character of the anemia produced by Pb.
The author discusses the possibility that the Fe
utilization is not only impaired in the normoblasts
but also in the reticuloendothelial cells. The
marrow contains a higher number of siderocytes
while in the peripheral blood no significant in-
crease as compared with normal values was detected.
Therefore counting of siderocytes cannot be recom-
mended for the diagnosis of Pb poisoning. (English
summary)
1995 David, A.: (BONE MARROW IN CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING.) Pracovnf Lekarstvi 11:285-9
(Aug.), 1959.
See article published in Archiv fur Gewerbepatho-
logie und Gewerbehygiene 17, No. 3:329-38, 1959.
1996 David, A. (Occup. Dis. Clinic, Prague,
Czechoslovakia): Das Knochenmark bei
gewerblicher Bleivergiftung. (THE BONE
MARROW IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.)
Archiv fUr Gewerbepathologie und Gewerbe-
hygiene 17, No. 3:329-38, 1959.
Bone marrow was studied in 35 patients (34 men, 1
woman), aged 17-60 yr, who .had been exposed to Pb
for 2 mo-31 yr and exhibited signs of chronic Pb
poisoning. The myelograms showed the following
quantitative and morphological changes which are
illustrated in 12 figures: (1) hyperplasia of
the bone marrow, increase of erythroblasts, often
accompanied by a shift to the left though without
increased mitotic activity; (2) basophil stippling
of the erythroblasts, atypical nuclei (polyploidy,
karyorrhexis) of the erythroblasts, failure of
hemoglobin formation. The granulocytopoiesis was
unchanged. In the erythroblasts (sideroblasts)
and in the reticuloendothelial cells the cyto-
chemically detectable Fe increased, indicating a
disturbance of the Fe metabolism in these cells.
The findings supported the theory of a dyshemato-
poietic and simultaneously hemolytic Pb anemia and
indicated an inhibition of the maturation of the
erythroblasts and a disturbance in the process of
plasma and nuclear division and hemoglobin forma-
tion. The increased activity of the phagocytes
pointed to a hemolytic component. After therapy
with EDTA the myelogram became normal within a
short time. However, 3 out of 7 patients tested
showed a marrow poor in cells following therapy.
Care in the regulation of the dosage of EDTA is
recommended to avoid disturbance of the mineral
metabolism which is indispensable for erythro-
poiesis. (Modified author's summary) (37 ref-
erences)
1997 De Fallois, G. (Nantes, France): Mani-
festations digestives atypiques de 1'in-
toxication saturnine non professionnelle.
Resultats du traitement par les che'lateurs.
(ATYPICAL DIGESTIVE MANIFESTATIONS OF NON-
OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Archives
des Maladies de L'Appareil Digestif et
des Maladies de la Nutrition 48:1126-32
(Oct.), 1959.
Two cases of Pb intoxication caused by Pb pollu-
tion of the drinking water in a village are re-
ported. A 29-yr-old woman suffered from severe
colic-type pain with vomiting and subicteric con-
junctiva. Laboratory findings showed red cells,
2,510,000; white cells, 10,600; basophilic stip-
pling, 3.207,. A diagnosis of Pb colic with hemo-
lytic anemia was made. A 44-yr-old man with a
medical history of Steinert's disease, with bi-
lateral paralysis of the extensors of the fingers,
complained of abdominal pain and vomiting. Clin-
ical examination revealed a slight Burton's line
and Gubler stains, 3.23% basophilic stippling,
coproporphyrinuria and albuminuria. Examination
of his wife who also complained of pain showed a
very distinct Burton's line and Gubler stains,
3.26% of basophilic stippling and traces of copro-
porphyrin in urine. Amounts of Pb in the blood
of both husband and wife were 172 and 146 pg/100
ml, respectively. Analysis of the water showed
0.40 mg Pb in the well-water and 15 mg/1 in the
tap water after the water had been standing for
12 hr. The Pb content of the water was attributed
to contamination from the soil. Therapy consisted
of CaNa,EDTA perfusions of 20 ml daily in 500 ml
serum glucose for 8 days, supplemented by 6 tab-
lets/os for 24 hr. In all cases the cure of the
acute state of Pb intoxication was achieved.
1998 De Nicola, P., Giordano, M., and Moncalvo,
F. (Univ. Pavia, Italy): L'applicazione
della biopsia Intestinale alle malattie
professional!. II. La biopsia intestinale
nel saturnismo. III. La biopsia intes-
tinale nel benzolismo. IV. La biopsia
intestinale nelle complicazioni tuberco-
lari della silicosi. (INTESTINAL BIOPSY
IN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES. II. INTESTINAL
BIOPSY IN LEAD POISONING. III. INTES-
TINAL BIOPSY IN BENZENE POISONING. IV.
INTESTINAL BIOPSY IN THE TUBERCULOUS COM-
PLICATIONS OF SILICOSIS.) Omnia Ther. 11,
No. 1:1-21, 1959.
Intestinal biopsy in cases of chronic Pb poisoning
revealed hyporegeneratlve atrophic duodenitis with
degeneration of the mucous cells, parvicellular
infiltration, atrophy of the glands, hyperemia,
and diffuse hemorrhages. (From Excerpta Medica,
Sect. 17, 7:Abstr. No. 849, 1961)
1999 Dinischiotu, G.T., RSdulescu, I.e., and
Muica, N. (Univ. Clinic Occup. Dis.,
Bucharest, Romania): Hflmodynamische
Studien in der industriellen Bleikrankheit.
(HEMODYNAMIC STUDIES IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD
POISONING.) Archiv fur Gewerbepathologie
und Gewerbehygiene 17, No. 2:148-67, 1959.
Twenty cases (27-47 yr old) with chronic Pb poi-
soning were subjected to the tests prescribed by
the Wezler-BHger method; 12 of the cases, with
colic, were tested during and soon after the
attack; 7 were tested after a long interval after
recovery from colic. In addition to the tests
prescribed by the above method (heart rate, sys-
tolic, diastolic, median blood pressure, minute
volume, etc.) the Hines and Brown cold pressor
test was carried out in some instances; altogether
200 circulatory determinations were made.
The results, as summarized by the authors, show-
ed tha_t in the course of chronic Pb poisoning,
Man
387
-------
without acute exacerbation, the values for heart
output, peripheral total resistance, 2nd phase of
ventricular systole, minute volume, pulse wave
rate, elastic resistance of air chamber, peripheral
total resistance, and heart function, were within
normal limits. The median blood pressure showed
somewhat low values. In the course of Pb colic,
there was a pronounced increase in peripheral
resistance, causing a condition similar to that
produced by noradrenalin. In the period following
Pb colic, over a rather long period manifestations
of poor regulation occurred with a tendency to
hypotonia and dysmetric reactions during the cold
pressor test. These disturbances were attributa-
ble to the action of Pb on the vegetative nervous
system. (37 references)
2000 Dinischiotu, G.T., Radulescu, I.C.,
Preda, N., and Georgescu, A.M. (Occup.
Dis. Clinic, Univ. Bucharest; Inst. Hyg.
Health, Romania): Die klinischen Katego-
rta des industriellen Saturnismus. (CLIN-
ICAL CATEGORIES OF INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISON-
ING.) Archiv fUr Gewerbepathologie und
Gewerbehygiene 17, No. 2:127-47, 1959.
The etiologic factors of Pb poisoning (1), the in-
dividual variations in reaction to Pb (2), and
the mechanism of Pb poisoning and its relation to
the "time" factor (3) are reviewed. In part 1 the
authors point out that although in the Pb industry,
various other contaminants exist, which may be con-
tributing factors, Pb plays the principal role in
producing the Pb syndrome. In part 2, the princi-
pal signs resulting from Pb exposure are discussed,
with tabulation of the number of basophils, the
degree of coproporphyrinuria and the occurrence
of the 1st colic, in relation to the period of ex-
posure of Pb-affected workers examined by the
author. In part 3 the different phases of Pb poi-
soning are discussed. With regard to diagnosis
the following distinctions are made: Pb-poisoned
individuals, those suspected of having Pb-poison-
ing, those with increased Pb absorption, and the
unaffected. A scheme is proposed which illustrates
the development of saturnism as the author sees it
in a number of categories from "physiological ab-
sorption" to "detoxification." The theoretical
and practical applications of these categories
in the medical control of Pb poisoning are dis-
cussed. (32 references)
2001 Dorfman, J. and Davis, M. (Rocky Hill,
Conn.) PLUMBISM FOLLOWING THE USE OF A
BLOW-TORCH ON PAINT. Connecticut Medicine
23:460-2 (July), 1959.
A 52-yr-old white male, who, as a house painter,
had recently worked with a blow-torch to remove old
paint from a nearly 100-yr-old house, was admitted
to the State Veterans Hospital, Rocky Hill, Conn.,
on March 26, 1957. The patient complained of weak-
ness in the legs, poor appetite, a low back pain,
and mild diarrhea. His medical history included
appendectomy at age 27, peptic ulcer about 20 yr
ago, and hospitalization for coronary occlusion
with myocardial infarction in 1954. There was a
history of chronic bronchitis. Abnormal physical
findings at the present hospitalization were eden-
tulous mouth, tenderness in the lower quadrants of
the abdomen, atrophy of the right testis, small ex-
ternal hemorrhoids and slight enlargement of the
left lateral lobe of the prostate. There was no
evidence of disease involving the nervous system.
The laboratory reported an unusual number of
stippled red cells in the blood smear. White blood
cell count and differential were not remarkable.
Hb was 11.5 g. Samples of blood and urine taken on
April 2 disclosed 0.30 mg of Pb/1 urine (normal
0.01-0.08 mg/1) and 0.14 mg Pb/100 g blood (normal
0.01-0.05 mg Pb/100 g). Bone marrow showed hyper-
plasia, predominantly of the myeloid elements, with
stippled red cells. A reticulocyte count on April
9 was 3.2%, a platelet count on April 15 was
167,000/mm3. X-ray findings included widening of
the mucosal folds throughout the stomach. Gastro-
scopy was recommended but refused by the patient.
Treatment was with Probanthine, Demerol, multi-
vitamins and a nutritional formula to relieve mal-
nutrition. Small doses of saturated solution of 1C
iodide were given, starting April 5, for 2 wk.
The patient's symptoms gradually subsided, with
the backache being the last one to disappear. The
anemia responded to hematinic. When last seen,
the findings were 0.07 mg Pb/100 g of blood and
0.19 mg Pb/1 urine which contained 4+ porphyrins.
He was deemed to have had recovered sufficiently
to be discharged on May 2. The poisoning was
probably caused by the inhalation of Pb fumes re-
sulting from the application of the blow torch to
painted wood without a face mask or any other pre-
cautions. Upon discharge the patient was advised
to observe the rules of safety when working with
paint and to continue taking the hematinic, unless
otherwise instructed by his physician.
2002 Dune, D., Sarifi, M., and Malek, D. (Inst.
Med, Res., Zagreb, Yugoslavia): Vrijed-
nosti olova u nekim organima kod osoba,
koje za z'ivota nisu bile specificno
izloz'ene olovu. (LEAD VALUES IN SOME
ORGANS OF PEOPLE SPECIFICALLY NON-EXPOSED
TO LEAD DURING THEIR LIFETIME.) Arhiv za
Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju 10, No. 3:
217-20, 1959
Pb values were determined in spleen, liver and kid-
ney of 15 persons (15-82 yr old) who had died a
natural or violent death. None of these subjects
had been specifically exposed to Pb during their
lifetime. The Pb analyses were carried out by a
dithizone method modified by Weber, Vouk and
Voloder. As tabulated, the Pb contents ranged in
mg/100 g fresh tissue as follows: spleen, 46-613;
liver, 12-510; kidney, 46-405 and compared with
literature data on normal Pb values.
2003 Fallani, M. (Univ. Florence, S. Maria
Nuova Hosp., Florence, Italy): Considera-
zioni sopra alcuni casi di intossicazione
saturnina nei demolitori di accumulator!.
(NOTES ON SEVERAL CASES OF LEAD POISONING
IN DEMOLISHERS OF STORAGE BATTERIES.)
Revista' degli Infortuni e delle Malattie
Professional! 46:371-6 (Mar.-Apr.), 1959.
Subacute Pb poisoning was described in 6 demolish-
ers of electric accumulators and in a doubtful
7th case with only 10 days' exposure. Signs of
Pb poisoning, such as nausea and abdominal colics,
occurred in the 6 men, aged 24-43 yr, after ^20
days' work, i'heir Pb content in blood and urine
338
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ranged from 20-190 yg% and 75-260 yg/1, respective-
ly; urinary coproporphyrln values were 18-170 yg%;
basophillc stippled cells were present in all of
the 6 patients.
2004 Fleischhacker, M., and Skuric, Z. (Hyg.
Inst. GNO, Zagreb, Yugoslavia): Profesion-
alno otrovanje olovnim stearatom. (OC-
CUPATIONAL POISONING BY LEAD STEARATE.)
Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju 10,
No. 2:187-8, 1959.
Pb stearate is used as a stabilizer for polyvinyl
chloride. A 37-yr-old worker after 3-mo work
with Pb stearate, developed severe headache, vomit-
ing, constipation and abdominal pain. He was ad-
mitted to the hospital and a diagnosis of Pb poi-
soning and duodenal ulcer was made. Clinical tests
showed 45,000 stippled cells/1,000,000 RBC,
77/1000 reticulocytes, and 723 yg porphyrin/24 hr.
Recovery was very slow.
20Q5 Frank, R.W. (Ferro Corp., Cleveland, 0.):
HEALTH CONTROL IN THE CERAMIC INDUSTRY.
Industrial Medicine and Surgery 28:102-4;
discussion 104-5 (Mar.), 1959.
In the ceramic industry fritted glasses, porcelain
enamel for metal and glaze for clay bodies may con-
tain 2-70% Pb. In the beginning all employees ex-
posed to Pb were screened for stippled cells.
However, the urinary porphyrin test was found to
provide a 13% greater accuracy. A porphyrin test
is now made in each pre-umployment physical exam-
ination. Under normal circumstances, an employee
will produce a negative porphyrin test at the pre-
employment examination; from 2-6 wk following
start of work urinary porphyrins will be elevated
to the +1 or +2 level and the elevation will dis-
appear within the next 2-6 wk. Three hundred em-
ployees are checked/month. Trace and +1 positives
indicate individual or group trends; +2's are re-
ferred to the physician and supervisor.
The author proposes that the allowable concentra-
tion of 20 yg Pb/m^ of air should be revised to
provide an allowable concentration for each Pb
compound. In his experience a Pb content in air
up to 60 mg/m was not accompanied by signs of Pb
absorption. Temperature and valence may influence
the toxicity.
2006 Fratianne, R.B., Griggs, R.C., and Harris,
J.W. (Cuyahoga Co. Hosp.; Western Re-
serve Univ. School Med., Cleveland, 0.):
AUTOSURVIVAL OF ERYTHROCYTES TREATED IN
VITRO WITH LEAD CHLORIDE. Clinical Re-
search 7:384, 1959.
Erythrocyte abnormalities in patients with chronic
Pb intoxication are: a significantly shortened
autosurvival time; a normal or slightly decreased
osmotic fragility (OF) that after 24 hr sterile
incubation, becomes abnormally resistant to os-
motic stress even though the mechanical fragility
(MF) becomes abnormally increased (Aub's "brittle,
contracted cell"). Identical OF and MF altera-
tions are induced when normal cells suspended in
saline or serum are incubated with PbCl2- Sterile
defibrinated blood samples were obtained from 4
hematologically normal males, appropriate amounts
of Pb"1"1" and Cr were added and the mixture incu-
bated for 1 hr at 37°C. Tests showed that the de-
sired osmotic and mechanical fragility abnormali-
ties had been reproduced. The cells were then re-
infused into the donors and survival times deter-
mined: the erythrocyte half-lives were observed
to be 18, 22, 26 and 32 days, compared to a normal
minimum of 30 days. By special tests it was dem-
onstrated that the alterations in osmotic fragili-
ty did not persist after reinfusion. In view of
the largely irreversible K"1" efflux lesion induced
by Pb it is of interest to note that the in vitro
treatment of erythrocytes with Pb induced an ir-
reversible lesion associated with a shortened sur-
vival time on the basis of an acquired intrinsic
cell defect. (From authors' abstract)
2007 Galambos, J.T., and Dowda, F.W. (Atlanta,
Georgia): LEAD POISONING AND PORPHYRIA.
American Journal of Medicine 27:803-6
(Nov.), 1959.
A review of the literature revealed only a single
documented case of acute intermittent porphyria
(AIP) associated with Pb poisoning. Another case
of Pb poisoning in a 44-yr-old man, followed by
AIP is described. This man had been working as a
grinder, removing Pb solder from automobile bodies,
for 9-10 wk. Although he used precautionary mea-
sures, he often got flakes of Pb into his mouth
and nose. His Pb level was 0.98 mg% in the blood
and 0.53 mg/1 in the urine. Family history was
noncontributory. Urinalysis showed white cells;
Hb, 13 g/100 mg red cells, 4.5 million and large
number of stippled cells. Large numbers of
uroporphyrins (UP) in urine, coproporphyrins
2572.5 yg/24 hr. After EDTA treatment and 2 mo
after discharge CP was 1086.8 and UP 657.2 yg/24
hr; erythrocyte protoporphyrin 41 ug and CP 1.0
yg/100 ml.
The relationship between Pb poisoning and por-
phyria is discussed. The fact that only a single
documented case and one questionable one of AIP
associated with Pb poisoning have yet been re-
ported, makes it rather unlikely that Pb can cause
AIP in a person with otherwise normal porphyrin
metabolism. (28 references)
2008 Galambos, J.T., and Peacock, L.B. (Emory
Univ., Atlanta, Ga.): THE USE OF CHELAT-
ING AGENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE POR-
PHYRIA. Annals of Internal Medicine 50:
1056-61 (April), 1959.
A 50-yr-old worker in a casket manufacturing com-
pany had been exposed to Zn and Pb dust for 17 yr.
He had been well until Dec. 1956, when he began
to have abdominal cramps and marked constipation,
followed by progressive weakness in the upper ex-
tremities. His urine Pb was 1.412 mg/1 and blood
Pb, 8 yg/100 g. CaNa2EDTA was begun (1 g twice
daily iv); his muscle weakness became more marked.
The patient noted that his urine became reddish
in color. Routine blood and urine examination
upon transfer to another hospital showed no ab-
normality, no stippled cells on repeated examina-
tions, white cell count was 17,700/mm3, Hb, 12
g%. Before the 2nd course of EDTA, urinary Pb
was 430 yg/24 hr, coproporphyrin was 3120 and uro-
porphyrins, 8250 yg/24 hr, porphobilinogen was
positive. After 2 additional courses of EDTA the
condition worsened rapidly, he developed broncho-
pneumonia and complete muscular and respiratory
Man
389
-------
paralysis and died ^1 mo after 1st admission. The
most significant autopsy finding was marked de-
generation of the myelin, with clumping and form-
ing of fat globules within they myelin sheaths.
In conclusion, the authors caution against indis-
criminate use of chelating agents in the therapy
of acute intermittent porphyria. In this case,
each course of treatment was followed by worsen-
ing, necessitating discontinuation of therapy.
They suggest that the clinical usefulness and the
mechanism of action of chelates in the treatment
of porphyria require further evaluation. (13
references)
2009 GastoZ, B. (Provincial Consultant Ind.
Hyg., Cracow, Poland): Spostrzezenia
dotyczace przewlekXego zatrucia benzyna
etylizowana wsrdd zatrudnionych na stacjach
benzynowych. (CHRONIC INTOXICATION IN
GASOLINE PUMP ATTENDANTS DUE TO GASOLINE
TETRAETHYLLEAD.) Medycyna Pracy 10:39-42
(Jan.-Feb.), 1959.
In a group of 232 petrol pump attendants, 30%
showed signs of chronic TEL poisoning, with insom-
nia, headaches, vertigo and anxiety. The author
suggests periodical health examinations every 6 mo.
(From author's summary)
2010 Gentile, G. (Univ. Messina, Italy): Pud
il metil-2-n-propil-2-propandiolo-l,3-di-
carbamato (meprobamato, tniltaun, perequil)
essere utilmente usato nell'avvelenamento
cronico da piombo? (THE POSSIBLE USE OF
METHYL-2-N-PROPYL-2-PROPANDIOLO-1,3-DICAR-
BAMATE (MEPROBAMATE, MILTOWN, PEREQUIL) IN
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica (Na-
ples) 42:819-24 (July), 1959.
Following a review of the literature and his experi-
ments with rabbits, the author concludes that mepro-
bamate is not effective as a preventive of chronic
Pb poisoning; however, he believes the drug to be
useful as an adjuvant in the treatment of poisoning
by Pb compounds.
2011 Georgia Medical College, Department of
Medicine: CHRONIC LEAD POISONING. Medi-
cal Grand Rounds. Journal of the Medical
Association, Georgia 48:468-73 (Sept.),
1959.
The case, presented by E.T. Avret, was that of a
36-yr-old Negro male, admitted with the chief com-
plaint of pain of 3 mo duration in the abdomen,
back, and legs, beginning with sudden blurring of
vision and convulsions. The findings upon hos-
pitalization are described in detail, and include
Pb gum line, Hb 9.5 g/100 ml, 10,200 white count,
presence of stippled red cells. Spinal fluid
gave a positive Pandy test, but showed no cells.
Urine Pb was at first 80 ug/24 hr and 6 days lat-
er, 408 yg. Urinary porphyrin test was strongly
positive. EKG showed left ventricular hypertro-
phy, EEC was normal; skull X rays demonstrated an
old depressed fracture; iv pyelogram showed de-
pression of renal function bilaterally. After
treatment with CaNa2EDTA abdominal pain disap-
peared; at discharge, the patient was completely
asymptomatic and the Pb line had faded consider-
ably. The neurologic aspects and metabolism of
Pb of the case are discussed at length. Since
occupational exposure was excluded, the source
of Pb was thought by the patient's local physi-
cian to be illicit whiskey, for this was impli-
cated in the death of another man in the community
recently.
2012 Gimbert de Fallois, A.: Manifestations
digestives atypiques de 1'intoxication
saturnine non professionnelle. Re'sultats
du traitement par les chelateurs. (ATYPI-
CAL DIGESTIVE MANIFESTATIONS OF NON-OCCUPA-
TIONAL LEAD POISONING. THE RESULTS OF
TREATMENT BY CHELATORS.) Quest Med. 12,
No. 8:264-7, 1959.
Poisoning originating in a fountain due to bad
plumbing was reported. The patients were treated
successfully with CaNa2EDTA. (Excerpta Medica,
Sect. 17, 6:Abstr. No. 1002, 1960)
2013 Giraud, G., Latour, H., Levy, A,, Puech,
P., Olivier, G., and Hertault, J.: Ex-
pressions diverses d'une intoxication
familiale par le plomb tetra-ethyl. (SEV-
ERAL MANIFESTATIONS OF TETRAETHYLLEAD
POISONING IN A FAMILY.) Montpellier Med-
ical 55:120-1 (Jan.), 1959.
TEL intoxication due to exhaust gases from an out-
board motor and from spilling a fuel can was ob-
served in 3 members of a household. The symptoms
varied in these subjects, 1 showed digestive
troubles, 1 developed cardiac symptoms and the
3rd person became psychopathic. Treatment with a
chelating agent was successful in all 3 cases.
2014 Giraud, G., Latour, H., L6vy A., Puech,
P., and Hertault, J. (Soc. Med. Biol.
Sci., Montpellier, France): Action du
calcite'trace'mate disodique dans une intox-
ication saturnine aiguH. (EFFECT OF CAL-
CITETRACEMATE DISODIUM IN ACUTE LEAD POI-
SONING.) Montpellier Medical 55:122-4
(Jan.), 1959.
A 44-yr-old worker in an accumulator factory de-
veloped symptoms of Pb intoxication after 2 mo on
the job. A clinical examination showed 3,300,000
red blood cells, 180 stippled cells/100 leukocytes,
a blood and urinary Pb content of 818 and 285
ug/1, respectively, and 2.5 mg/1 coproporphyrin.
EDTA was administered in 2 daily doses of 0.5 g (in
a 250 ml glucose solution, each in 2 series of 5
days each, separated by an interval of 5 days of
rest. Its effect on blood and urine is presented
in a graph.
The rapid development of poisoning could be ex-
plained by the fact that at work the man was in
direct contact with the plates and neglected to
wear gloves, which in part caused a marked atrophy
of the skin of the finger.
2015 Granati, A., Lenzi, R., and Angeleri, F.:
Considerazloni su due casl di encefalopatia
saturnina. (CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT TWO CASES
• OF LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 42:1441-8 (Dec.), 1959.
Neuropsychic alterations and electroencephalo-
graphic anomalies indicating pathologic focal ac-
tivity of irritative character were observed in
2 men >60 yr of age who for a long period had
worked as decorators in the ceramics industry. In
390
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
spite of absence of case history data, and the fact
that laboratory tests characteristic of Pb intoxi-
cation were negative, the authors made a diagnosis
of chronic Pb encephalopathy. (From Medicina del
Lavoro 51:493 (Abstracts), 1960)
2016 Great Britain Ministry of Labour and
National Service: ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES ON INDUSTRIAL
HEALTH. London, Her Majesty's Stationery
Office, 1959, 61 pp.
Reported cases of industrial Pb poisoning in 15
different industries employing Pb are tabulated for
the years 1910-1958 (table 3, p 12). In Chapter
2, pp 13-8, cases of Pb poisoning reported during
1958 in the smelting of metals, ship-breaking,
other contact with molten metal, white and red Pb
workers, electric accumulator works, paint and
color works and other industries are discussed in
some detail. On p 31 a fatal poisoning by TEL is
described.
A 26-yr-old male laboratory technician, soon
after swallowing an unknown quantity of TEL,
complained of "lack of air" and developed diarrhea,
followed within 1 hr by a burning sensation in
eyes, mouth and throat. When he presented himself
at the hospital 1.5 hr later, he was in an excited
state, complaining of nausea, slight pains in the
jbints, coldness of the extremities, diarrhea and
headache. Oral administration of Mg sulfate did
not change his condition. He began to vomit, 4 hr
later he was unconscious and convulsed, and ^11
hr after ingestlon of TEL he died. Autopsy showed
congestion and small hemorrhages in several organs,
notably lungs and brain; the presence of Pb in
his organs and fluids was demonstrated.
2017 Great Britain Ministry of Labour and Na-
tional Service: INDUSTRIAL HEALTH. A SUR-
VEY OF THE POTTERY INDUSTRY IN STOKE-ON-
TRENT. A report by H.M. Factory Inspector-
ate. London, Her Majesty's Stationery
Office, 1959, 78 pp.
Chapter 9(pp 49-52) is on Pb risks in the industry.
Due to the replacement, in the making of glazes,
of soluble Pb oxides by Pb compounds relatively
insoluble in the body fluids, no case of Pb poi-
soning has been reported from an English pottery
since 1952. Pb processes in the pottery industry,
causation, diagnosis and protective measures
against poisoning were reviewed. Routine medical
examinations and special investigations carried
out on Pb workers were described. Blood tests of
glaze workers handling a low-solubility and a Pb-
less glaze, respectively, showed no evidence of Pb
absorption or any other difference between either
group. A study of 17 color workers (9 men, 8 wo-
men) who had been employed in the pottery for an
average of 15 yr, showed that none of the men had
a level of punctate basophilia >300/million
red blood cells while 2 of the women had 750 punc-
tate basophils/million RBC and a hemoglobin value
of 70%.
2018 Green. W.J. (Southwest Clinic Assoc.,
Dallas, Texas): AN UNUSUAL ASPECT OF LEAD
POISONING. Texas State Journal of Medicine
55:829-30 (Oct.), 1959.
A 48-yr-old man was working in a storage battery
company which involved minimal exposure to Pb. He
had been treated with EDTA for Pb poisoning ^6
times over a period of 9 yr and convalescence was
complete. After the 6th occurrence he was trans-
ferred permanently to essentially Pb-free work.
Two years later he consulted the author with the
complaint of swelling in his knees and general
tightness in the joints. Intravenous EDTA was
given daily for 5 days (1.0 g in 250 ml saline
solution twice/day) and he became asymptomatic.
Blood and urine specimens demonstrated Pb dis-
charge from his body stores. (Urinary excretion
tapered off from 1.4 mg/100 ml after the 1st in-
jection.) Nine mo later he still felt well and
had no recurrence of symptoms.
2019 Grossdorfer, K. (Graz, Austria): Grenz-
fHlle der gewerblichen Bleivergiftung.
(BORDER CASES OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISON-
ING.) Zentralblatt fdr Arbeitsmedizin und
Arbeitsschutz 9:108-14 (May), 1959.
The difficulties of making a definite diagnosis of
Pb poisoning in occupational exposure are reviewed
and it is pointed out that significant increases
of urinary porphyrins and of the Pb concentration
in blood and urine present the most indicative
findings for the presence of Pb poisoning. Nine
cases of past years, most of them fatal, of long-
term exposure in Pb smelters were reported in de-
tail. Signs and symptoms and pathological findings
were described but in some cases the findings have
been interpreted as not indicative of Pb poisoning
and death was attributed to chronic peritonitis or
chronic nephritis. A 10th case described was that
of a worker who by mistake had swallowed an un-
known quantity of fuel while filling a barrel from
a tank by means of a rubber hose. He developed
nausea, dizziness and vomiting within 2 hr and
died after 10 hr from circulatory collapse. Ne-
cropsy showed hemorrhagic swelling of brain, lungs,
blood vessels and gastric and intestinal mucosa;
no metals were detected in the organs. Although
a diagnosis of gasoline poisoning was made, the
author considers an intoxication by TEL as another
possibility.
2020 Gruenagel, H.H., and Niesel, P. (Univ.
Bonn, Germany): Beitrag zur Frage des
Krankheitsblldes der chronischen Bleiintox-
ikation. (SYNDROME OF CHRONIC LEAD INTOXI-
CATION.) Xrztliche Wochenschrift 14:433-6
(June 5), 1959.
Symptoms and pathogenesis of chronic Pb poisoning
are reviewed and the case of a 34-yr-old glass
painter is reported. The man had been working
with Pb-containing paints for 3 yr when he devel-
oped headache, amnesia, restlessness, dizziness,
impaired vision in the right eye and weakness in
the left extremities. He showed a Pb line, but no
stippled cells nor porphyrinuria. Pb content in
blood and urine before and after administration of
mosatil was, respectively: 37 and 54 yg%, urine
40 and 9000 pg/1000 cc. Ophthalmological tests
showed changes in the fundus. The case is consid-
ered as an example for a Pb poisoning associated
with a vascular disorder, the etiology of which
cannot be attributed definitively to the effects
of Pb.
Man
391
-------
2021 Guerdjikoff, C. (Caisse Nat. Suisse
d'Assur., Geneve, Switzerland): De quel-
ques risques saturnlns peu connus du corps
medical. (SOME HAZARDS OF LEAD POISONING
NOT WELL KNOWN AMONG DOCTORS.) Z. Prav.
Med. 4, No. 9:292-6, 1959.
The article emphasizes the difficulties in the
diagnosis of occupational Pb poisoning. Some well-
known forms of Pb poisoning are mentioned, drawing
attention to the necessity for adequate legisla-
tion. (From Excerpta Medica, Sect. 17, 6:Abstr.
No. 3348, 1960)
2022 Hadengue, A. (Univ. Paris, France): Le
saturnisme. (LEAD POISONING.) Concours
Me'dical 81:5619-24 (Dec. 19), 1959.
This is a general discussion of Pb poisoning. The
author points out the fact that most cases of Pb
poisoning are accidental, due to the improved
working conditions. He discusses some of the
clinical signs of Pb poisoning (digestive troubles,
constipation, hypertension, neurologic syndrome,
Burton line, high blood pressure) and some bio-
logical signs (basophilic stippling/leukocytes,
blood and urine Pb contents, urinary coproporphy-
rin). He also points out possible causes, both
occupational and those of alimentary origin, and
possible treatments, such as BAL, cortisone, chlor-
promazine, CaEDTA, CaNa2 versenate, di-Na calcite-
tracemate. The chelates were found to be best.
2023 Hadengue, A., and Lamberton, J.N. (France):
Saturnisme ou pre'saturnisme accidentels.
(PLUMBISM OR ACCIDENTAL PREPLUMBISM.)
Proceedings of the Society of Industrial
Medicine and Hygiene, Paris. Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Securite Sociale 20:87-9
(Jan.-Feb.), 1959.
Three cases of accidental Pb poisoning were dis-
covered by a check of stippled cell counts re-
corded at the previous routine examination. The
accidental massive exposure occurred in a storage
battery plant during mixing operations. The im-
portance of semiannual tests for basophilic stipp-
ling is stressed and the preventive use of chelat-
ing agents in the presence of an increased count
without other clinical signs of poisoning is rec-
ommended.
2024 Higuera Rojas, J., Salvatierra Rios, D.,
Sillero, J., and Aguado, F. (Coll. Med.,
Granada, Spain): Ocho casos de intoxica-
cion saturnina familiar. (EIGHT CASES OF
LEAD POISONING IN A FAMILY.) Revista
Clinica Espanola 72:338-40 (March 15),
1959.
The 8 cases of acute Pb poisoning occurred from the
ingestion of bread made from flour that had been
ground on a millstone repaired by using Pb. An-
alysis of the urine (sic, (orina) perhaps misprint
for flour (harina?)) showed Pb content of 1 g/kg,
and visually, Pb particles in the flour. The
quantity ingested differed as to the various mem-
bers of the family as did the intensity of the
poisoning. Two cases, both male, 61 (or 66?) and
25 yr old, are described. They are also included
in a tabulation of the findings. The others were
59, 30, 24, 21, 19, and 18 yr old (sex not indica-
ted). Among the findings, the most frequent were
colic, black stool, constipation, vague pains, Pb
line, pallor, hypertension, dark urine, asthenia,
renal pain; liver enlargement was found in 2(-H- in
the 25-yr-old, and + in the 21-yr-old). Treatment
differed according to the severity of symptoms,
and included Iv administration of Ca gluconate, Na
citrate, chlorpromazine for colic, liver extracts
and vitamin Bj^s hydrazine phthalazine and corti-
sone for those who exhibited hypertension, and
EDTA infusions in 2 of the cases. The authors
found chlorpromazine to be most effective in re-
lieving colic.
2025 Horiuchi, K., Horiguchi, S., and Suekane,
M.: STUDIES ON THE INDUSTRIAL LEAD POI-
SONING. I. ABSORPTION, TRANSPORTATION,
DEPOSITION AND EXCRETION OF LEAD. 6. THE
LEAD CONTENTS IN ORGAN-TISSUES OF THE NOR-
MAL JAPANESE. Osaka City Medical Journal
5:41-70 (March), 1959. In Contributions
from the Department of Preventive Medicine
and Public Health, Osaka City University
Medical School. Vol. 1, April 1949-March
1959, pp. 248-77.
Tissues obtained from autopsy and post-operative
specimens of adults who had not been overexposed to
Pb, and from aborted or stillborn fetuses, >5 mo
old, were analyzed for Pb by a modified dithizone
mixed color method. The following adult organs
were analyzed, with arithmetic mean ug/100 g shown
in parentheses: Cerebrum (18); cerebellum (14);
thyroid gland (20); lungs (30); heart (22); liver
(190); pancreas (32); stomach (40); spleen (54);
kidneys (140); large intestines (70); small in-
testines (29); muscle (25); skin (27); femur
(1194); rib (739); vertebra (528); humerus (976);
skull (840); scapula (769); bone marrow (1377);
fatty tissue (0); uterus (21); ovary (0); blad-
der (1); placenta (57); spinal fluid (23); umbili-
cal blood (55); human milk (9); teeth (3396).
In tissues from adults highest concentrations
(ug/100 g) were found in teeth (av 3396), bone
marrow (1377) and bones, particularly the femur,
(1194). In fetal tissues a maximum of 156 pg/100
g was found in bone; placental tissue 120, um-
bilical blood 90. The Pb level in soft tissues
was not related to age, while it increased with
age in bones: the yearly increase in the femur
was ^37 yg/100 g.
Frequency distribution curves for the various
organs were studied. Total body Pb of Japanese
(54 kg average normal adult) was calculated at 78
mg in adolescence and 131 mg in old age. (Amer-
icans, 100-400 g for adults.) Results indicate
that Pb passes from the mother through the placen-
ta to the fetus which, in cases of long-term ex-
posure of the mother, could lead to toxic effects
in the fetus. However, since the Pb content of
bone increases with the development of the fetus
at the expense of the Pb content in blood, bone
tissue may have a protective function, (43 ref-
erences)
2026 Horiuchi, K., and Sugiyama, H.: OUR STAND-
POINT IN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCHES. In
Contributions from the Department of Pre-
ventive Medicine and Public Health, Osaka
City University Medical School, Vol. 1,
392
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
April 1949-March 1959, pp. 232-43.
The authors review the epidemiologic investigations
of their Department and the methods used for sta-
tistical evaluation. Control in occupational dis-
eases included industrial Pb poisoning for which
the contents of Pb in blood, urine and feces had
to be determined in the healthy Japanese urban
population. The frequency distribution curves of
Pb content in blood (244 specimens) and urine (78)
showed the log-normal type. The upper tolerance
limits were: blood, 31 yg/100 g; urine, 159 yg/
day; the arithmetic mean of Pb in feces (31 speci-
mens) was 240 ug/day.
2027 HsUeh, H.L.: (CaEDTA IN TREATMENT OF
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Chinese Journal
of Internal Medicine 7:212-9 (Mar.), 1959.
2028 Hunold, G.A.: Uber die Bedeutung der max-
imalen Arbeitsplatzkonzentrationen (MAK-
Werte) gesundheitsschHdlicher Arbeitsstoffe
und ihre analytische Erfassung. (SIGNIFI-
CANCE OF MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CONCENTRATIONS
OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRON-
MENT AND THEIR ANALYTICAL DETERMINATION.)
Pracovni Lekafstvi 11:168-70 (Apr.), 1959.
Author discusses the significance of maximum per-
missible concentrations of toxic substances in
industrial environment and their analytical deter-
mination. The methods should be specific for the
particular substance, easily carried out, furnish
consistent results and should not require expensive
equipment. In some cases, additional clinical
chemical tests should be made. Thus, determina-
tion of porphyrin and Pb blood levels should be
used for diagnostic purposes in Pb poisoning.
2029 Ippen, H. (Med. Acad., Dtisseldorf, Ger-
many) : Porphyria cutanea tarda und Beruf.
(PORPHYRIA CUTANEA TARDA AND OCCUPATION.)
Berufsdermatosen 7:256-66 (Oct.), 1959.
The increasing incidence of cutaneous porphyria in
later life has aroused the suspicion that exogen-
ous as well as congenital factors are involved.
A case of porphyria cutanea tarda is described in
a 65-yr-old electric welder who had been exposed
to Pb fumes for 14 yr. He had no clinical symp-
toms of Pb poisoning, but a higher than normal ex-
cretion of copro- and uroporphyrin. The bone mar-
row showed increased erythropoiesis and there was
a hemosiderotic fatty cirrhosis in the liver. A
survey by occupation of 168 cases of cutanea tarda
patients indicated a possible etiology of alcohol,
exposure to light and to Pb in 80%. Among the Pb
group the most important single class of workers
(11.9%) were automobile drivers. Author states
that porphyria cutanea tarda seldom causes an in-
capacity for work of >30%, but in rare cases le-
sions resembling sclerodactyly may follow. (85
references)
2030 Johnstone, R.T. (Los Angeles, Calif.):
COMMON ERRORS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PLUMBISM.
Industrial Medicine and Surgery 28:126-7;
discussion, 127-33, 1959.
The author points out that Pb poisoning should not
be referred to as a "protean" disease, for factors
which once permitted months or years of exposure to
hazardous concentrations of Pb dust or fumes no
longer exist. Any physician now sees extremely
rarely an industrially induced case, characterized
by the neuromuscular syndrome or encephalitis.
Therefore, it is erroneous to attribute the bizarre
findings perpetuated in the literature to Pb poi-
soning. Errors in the diagnosis of Pb poisoning
arise out of an inadequate history, insufficient
knowledge of the occupational environment and re-
liance upon laboratories whose experience and ef-
ficiency are not known. A common source of error
arises out of faulty collection of materials as
well as the interpretation of reports submitted by
the laboratory. The figures presented by the
report must be evaluated in relation to the history
of exposure and the clinical picture. Pb poisoning
is not difficult to diagnose if these common errors
are avoided.
2031 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): RE-
SPONSES- OF HUMAN SUBJECTS TO LEAD COM-
POUNDS . PROGRESS REPORT ON AN EXPERIMEN-
TAL INVESTIGATION OF FACTORS WHICH INFLU-
ENCE THE RESPONSES OF HUMAN SUBJECTS TO
FINELY DIVIDED LEAD COMPOUNDS IN THE ATMO-
SPHERE. Industrial Medicine and Surgery
28:156-9; discussion, 159-61 (Mar.), 1959.
A preliminary report is presented on 6 experiments
with 4 subjects, 2 of which have been duplicated.
The experimental subject is placed in a respira-
tory chamber which is equipped as an office where
he can carry out his day's work on 5 days of each
wk for 7.5 hr/day. This procedure simulates the
conditions of industry. Pb sesquioxide produced
by combustion of TEL in a stream of propane is fed
into the atmosphere of the chamber at a. known con-
centration and known particle size. The experi-
mental subject is requested to collect precise
duplicate samples of everything he eats and drinks
and to collect all urine and feces. This regimen
applies to the whole period of observations in-
cluding an introductory period of not <6 mo.
The duration of the 6 experiments was 5-1/6, 4-1/3,
2-1/2, 2-7/12, and 2 yr, respectively, with the
last experiment still in progress. When the res-
piratory exposure is discontinuous, ie, 5 days/wk
rather than 7 days, the individual reaches within
6-8 mo a plateau with respect to urinary excretion
and concentration of Pb in blood, whereas at daily
oral ingestion 7 days/wk the Pb concentration in
the urine and body tissues goes up at a steady
rate throughout the whole period of exposure for
as long as 5 yr. A change of the particle size
from 0.5 y-^1 y leads to an increase of pulmonary
Pb retention from 35-40% to 40-50%. For a more
complete report, see Abstract No. 2287.
2032 Kiryakov, K. (Sofia, Bulgaria): Za
khronichnite nevrointoksikatsii s tetra-
etilolovo v usloviyata na aviotransporta.
(ON CHRONIC NEURO-INTOXICATION WITH TETRA-
ETHYL LEAD IN COMMERCIAL AVIATION.) Suvra-
menna Meditsina (Sofia) 10, No. 8:42-8,
1959.
A study on 35 workers in civil aviation, 21-40 yr
old, employed for 1-10 yr, is presented. I: 5 men
working in the mixing of ethyl fluid with gasoline;
II: 12 repair men from the motor and aircraft
shop; III: 18 men employed in current maintenance
and cleaning of the motors. Air samples from the
Man
393
-------
working areas contained 0.000018-0.000024 mg TEL/1,
or 6-8 times the allowable concentration. Signs
of intoxication were most pronounced in Group I and
least in Group III; subjective complaints were con-
tinuous or occasional headache, sleeplessness,
paresthesia, agitation, excessive perspiration,
impairment of memory, stomach disorders, etc. The
objective signs included tremors, disturbances in
coordination, impeded speech, Romberg's sign, etc.
A typical asthenic condition was observed in 3
cases with bradycardia, hypotonia and hypothermia
as well as increased perspiration and salivation.
Pulse rate, blood pressure and body temperature as
well as results from blood and urine analyses are
tabulated. Tests involving higher nerve responses
before and after work period demonstrated the pre-
sence of neurotoxic effects. The author emphasizes
the need for prevention of hazards and education of
personnel.
2033 Lachnit, V. (Med. Univ. Clinic, Vienna,
Austria): Die Therapie der Bleiintoxika-
tion. (THERAPY IN LEAD INTOXICATION.)
Wiener Z. Inn. Med. 40:321, 1959.
Based on the literature, therapy with chelates,
mainly CaEDTA, and damages due to this treatment
are discussed. Intravenous administration of 1 g
CaEDTA twice/day for 5 days, and repeated after a
2 day interval, is considered as harmless. In
oral therapy the same dose is tolerated over a
longer period of time. (Zentralblatt fUr Arbeits-
medizin und Arbeitsschutz 10:97, 1960)
2034 Lange, J., Pickardt, E. , and Weinig, E.
(Univ. Bonn; Ltniv. Erlangen, Germany):
Zur Diagnostik und Therapie von Blei-
schMden mit Komplexbildnern. (DIAGNOSIS
AND THERAPYnOF LEAD INJURY BY COMPLEX
FORMERS.) Arztliche Wochenschrift 14:
105-11 (Feb.), 1959.
Methods for the mobilization of Pb are reviewed.
Results of treatment with CaNa2EDTA (Mosatil
"Bayer") in 2 cases of occupational poisoning are
described in detail. Data are also presented for
4 workers exposed to Pb and 6 patients not so ex-
posed who were given EDTA. The authors conclude
that Mosatil also mobilizes older Pb deposits and
that determinations of urinary and blood Pb before
and after treatment are helpful in diagnosing late
damage by Pb. They consider iv treatment to be
more effective than the oral and that a dosage of
25-30 mg/kg is just as effective as the recom-
mended 50 mg dose. (52 references)
2Q35 Merville, R., Dequidt, J,, and Fontaine,
G. (Med. and Pharm. Coll., Lille, France):
Le traitement ambulatoire du saturnisne
professionnel par 1'ethylene diamino-
tetrace'tate de calcium et de sodium.
(AMBULAROTY TREATMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING BY CALCIUM DISODIUM EDETIC
ACID.) Lille Med. 4, No. 5:291-3, 1959.
Twenty-eight cases of chronic Pb poisoning are
discussed, including that of 1 patient with a
polyneuritic form involving both upper limbs.
Oral administration of CaNa2EDTA (60 mg/kg) for 7
days caused diminution of the gingival line, gen-
eral improvement, and normalization of blood val-
ues. Short treatment with EDTA (for 7 days) ^3-4
times a year is recommended for prevention of
major Pb poisoning accidents. (From Excerpta
Medica, Sect. 17, 7:Abstr. No. 859, 1961)
2036 Michigan Department of Health: EFFECTIVE
MEDICAL CONTROL OF LEAD. Michigan's Oc-
cupational Health 5:1-5 (Fall), 1959.
The following recommendations have been made for
an effective Pb control program: (1) urine
sampling every 1-3 mo; (2) blood sampling of all
workers whose urine samples indicate critical
Pb excretion; (3) removal of workers from Pb ex-
posure when blood samples show critical Pb levels;
(4) medical examination of all workers exposed
to excessive Pb absorption; (5) correcting source
of high Pb exposure. Diagnostic tests of excess-
ive Pb absorption include stipple cell count of
blood samples, quantitative or semiquantitative
determination of urinary coproporphyrin III and of
Pb in urine or blood. Urinary Pb determinations
are considered as superior to stipple cell counts
or coproporphyrin analyses. It is emphasized that
EDTA is not a substitute for adequate control of
Pb within the plant.
2037 Mikosha, A.: (TRACE ELEMENTS IN HUMAN
EMBRYOS.) Naukovi Zapiski Stanislavs'k
Medical Institute 1959, No. 3:85-9.
Embryos of 3.5 mo were found to contain the fol-
lowing trace elements: Mn, Ni, Al, Ti, Pb, Cr,
Ag, and Cu. The concentrations of these elements
increased between 4.5 and 6 mo and at 8 mo of
intrauterine life showed a 2nd period of maximum
concentrations; during the 7th mo, only Cr in-
creased. The concentrations of Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti,
Ag, Al, and Cr dropped sharply at the time of
delivery while Cu increased in the embryo liver
through the entire period of intrauterine life.
(From Chemical Abstracts 59:7969, 1963)
2038 Miller, L.H. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): EDTA
THERAPY IN PERSONS WITH EXCESSIVE LEAD AB-
SORPTION FROM INDUSTRIAL EXPOSURE. Indus-
trial Medicine and Surgery 28:144-7; dis-
cussion, 151-5 (Mar.), 1959.
The mechanism of the pharmacologic action of EDTA
in Pb and TEL poisoning is discussed. The dosage
and conditions under which administration is con-
tinued are presented. At present, it is believed
that EDTA is most useful in the treatment of the
acute phase of the illness. The routine, frequent,
or infrequent use of it, or other present or fu-
ture drugs, as prophylaxis against the absorption
of excessive quantities of Pb cannot be condoned.
Prophylaxis can be achieved safely only by control-
ling the sources of exposure by proper hygienic
measures. (17 references)
2Q39 Moreo, L. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Su una
sorgente poco nota di saturnismo: la
fabbricazicme di virole per lampadine
elettriche. (A LITTLE KNOWN SOURCE OF
LEAD POISONING: THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL
LIC PARTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT BULBS.) Med-
icina del Lavoro 50:673-8 (Nov.), 1959.
Two workers employed in the manufacture of electric
394
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
light bulbs were hospitalized due to abdominal
cramps and anemia characteristic of Pb poisoning.
One had signs of kidney lesions. When vitrite
which is used in the bulbs as insulating material
(Pb content of 0.35-6%) is melted during manufac-
ture at 800°C, Pb vapors are produced which con-
tain 0.15% of the Pb present in the vitrite. Cases
of Pb poisoning may occur whenever a vitrite with
a high Pb content is used.
2040 Nago, Y.: A STUDY ON THE PROTEIN METABO-
LISM IN LEAD POISONING. REPORT 1. A NEW
APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS PAPER ELECTRO-
PHORESIS. REPORT 2. LEAD CONTENT OF
SERUM PROTEIN FRACTIONS. Journal of Osaka
City Medical Center 8:499-509 (Apr.),
1959. In Contributions from the Depart-
ment of Preventive Medicine and Public
Health, Osaka City University Medical
School, Vol. 2, April 1959-March 1961,
pp. 51-4; 55-7.
1. The apparatus devised is briefly described and
diagrams illustrating it and tracings of the re-
sults are presented.
2. Blood was obtained from patients with acute
industrial Pb poisoning, individuals of suspected
latent poisoning, Pb workers, and normal persons
without exposure to Pb. Electrophoresis of pro-
teins was performed by use of the above apparatus.
After drying, the drip point of the phoresis paper
was cut off and sprayed with a 0.1% dithizone
chloroform solution. Clear coloration of dithi-
zone-Pb was found at the position of albumin and
a^-globulin. The density of the dithizone-Pb was
then estimated by an automatically controlled den-
sitometer connected with a recorder. The values
obtained were compared with the standard curve
prepared earlier. The results showed that Pb in
the serum protein fraction was found mostly at the
position of albumin and ai-globulin, with a trend
to increase as the concentration of Pb in whole
blood or serum protein increased. In the group
with blood Pb >60 yg/100 g, 85-99% of total Pb in
the protein fraction was in the above fractions.
In the group with blood Pb <60 pg/100 g, the amount
of Pb in whole blood was in proportion to the
amount of Pb in albumin and a^-globulin. In the
1st group (>60 vg Pb), however, there was no sig-
nificant correlation between Pb in whole blood and
that in albumin and ct^-globulin.
2041 Nasel'skii, N.B.: (EFFECT OF AGE ON THE
TRACE-ELEMENT COMPOSITION OF HUMAN SKIN.)
Naukovi Zapiski Stanislavs'k Medical
Institute 1959, No. 3:90-7.
The composition of 63 skin samples from persons up
to 72 yr age was studied. The concentration of Cu
in the skin of embryos and children up to 9 yr of
age was insignificant; it began to rise at the age
33-37 yr, then decreased at 52-54 yr of age. The
Mg content was not affected by age. Maximum
Si concentration was noted in the skin of embryos
and newborn; it was low between the ages of 9-51
yr and then rose again. The Al and Ti values were
highest in embryos and remained relatively constant
during maturity and old age. The concentration of
Pb was highest in the embryo skin, fell to lower
levels at birth, and reached a minimum at 18 mo of
age. It was insignificant from age 20-25 yr, but
then reached a new maximum at 72 yr. The same was
true for Ag. Cr content reached a maximum during
the embryonic stage, fell to a minimum at 18 yr,
rose again at 25 yr, dropped to a low level at
maturity and again rose during old age. (From
Chemical Abstracts 59:14372, 1963)
2042 Nunziante Cesaro, A. (Univ. Messina,
Italy): (HEMATOLOGICAL HISTOCHEMISTRY IN
PROFESSIONAL PATHOLOGY.) Minerva med.
50:1383-90, 1959.
The histochemical changes in silicosis, silico-
tuberculosis and chronic poisoning by Pb, benzene,
CO, C disulfide, tetrachloride, methanol, acetic
acid, hexane and Zn are discussed. In all cases
of poisoning, cellular deoxyribonucleic acid was
below normal. (From Chemical Abstracts 54:588
1960)
2043 Odaglia, G., and Sacchitelli, F. (Univ.
Genoa, Italy): Sul comportamento del
potere plasmalipasico nel saturnismo.
(BEHAVIOR OF THE BLOOD LIPASE ACTIVITY IN
SATURNISM.) Folia Medica (Naples) 42:508-
13 (Apr.), 1959.
The plasma lipase was decreased in patients with
Pb poisoning (22 cases were studied). This was
most evident in acute and severe cases. With the
regression of the symptoms of poisoning the plasma
lipase returned to normal values.
2044 Oltramare, M.: La valeur des examens
medicaux perlodiques pour la prevention du
saturnisme dans une fonderie. Essai de
classification des sujets suivant le degre
d'impregnation par le plomb. (THE VALUE
OF PERIODIC MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS IN THE
PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING IN A FOUNDRY.
AN ATTEMPT TO CLASSIFY THE SUBJECTS AC-
CORDING TO THE DEGREE OF LEAD ABSORPTION.)
Z. PrHventivmed. (ZUrich) 4:302-9 (Sept.),
1959.
Periodic medical examinations, including basophil
granular counts as the main criterion, were under-
taken in a brass foundry in Geneva, as some of the
measures designed to assess and control the Pb
hazard when sevenal cases of Pb poisoning had
suddenly occurred. Production at higher temper-
atures had been increased, though the same bronze
alloy containing 25% of Pb had been made for 25 yr.
Atmospheric concentrations of Pb are shown; they
were well above the MAC and near the furnace
reached 12 mg/m . Additional and improved venti-
lation hoods were installed, a partition was built
and the workers were provided with masks to be
worn during certain processes. No new cases of
poisoning developed. A table of the criteria and
of the results during the following year shows the
improvement of health in the workers. The baso-
phil granular picture permitted the detection of
men with marked absorption before symptoms appear-
ed. A graph shows the correlation between baso-
phil granulation and Pb exposure in a worker after
he had returned to work following recovery from
Man
395
-------
severe poisoning. The whole examination is per-
formed at the factory and the result discussed
with the individual, and if positive with the
management. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 35:230,
1960)
2045 Oltramare, M., Lang, R., and Le Coultre,
J.: Sur la numeration des hematies a
granulations basophiles dans le examens
periodiques des ouvriers exposes au plomb.
(ENUMERATION OF PUNCTATE BASOPHIL CELLS IN
PERIODICAL EXAMINATIONS OF WORKERS EX-
POSED TO LEAD.) Z. Unfallmed. u. Berufs-
krankh. 52:235-42 (Sept. 15), 1959.
The authors classify basophil granulations accord-
ing to size as large, medium and fine and consider
punctate cells specific for Pb absorption when
they number from 1-10/1000 erythrocytes. They use
alkaline methylene blue for staining and work
preferably in direct light. Among 50 Pb workers,
those with no symptoms showed almost entirely fine
or medium granulations; in those with slight
symptoms of nervousness, constipation, occasional
abdominal pain and a hemoglobin (Hb) level not
<80%, some cells contained large granulations;
with overt intoxication (anemia, colic and renal
symptoms) the punctate count was never <8/1000,
and coarse granulations were always present.
It is concluded therefore that an increase in the
number of punctate cells practically always pre-
cedes the appearance of manifest clinical symptoms
and that the special value of this enumeration
lies in the prevention of the passage of those
showing fine and medium granulations to those with
coarse. A typical case is quoted of a workman who
felt well and had a Hb level of 85%, but who show-
ed 10.6/1000 punctate basophils, of which 2% had
coarse granulations. He was therefore removed im-
mediately from all contact with Pb. In order to
reduce the time necessary for counting 10,000
cells, a mathematical calculation of the statisti-
cal variation of blood samples has been evolved
which it is claimed allows a sufficiently exact
estimation for periodical examinations when 4000
cells are minutely examined; this takes M./2 hr,
as opposed to >l-l/2 hr for the generally accepted
minimum number of 10,000. (From Bulletin of Hy-
giene 35:229, 1960)
2046 Oshima, M.: (STUDIES ON LEAD POISONING.
PART 1. ON THE DAILY VARIATION OF LEAD
QUANTITY IN URINE. PART 2. ON THE RELA-
TION BETWEEN COPROPORPHYRIN IN URINE AND
LEAD CONTENT OF URINE AND OF BLOOD.
Shikoku Acta Med. 14:855-60 (May); 25-34
(June), 1959.
1. Urine was collected from a worker of a battery
factory for 2-4 successive days 3 times/day sev-
eral times during the warm (July-Sept.) and the
cold seasons (Jan.-March). Specific gravity,
quantity of Pb, Pb concentrations were determined.
The author points out that (1) the absolute quan-
titity of urinary Pb excretion is more important
than urinary Pb concentration which depends on
the volume of urine. (2) Due to the wide daily
variation of urinary Pb excretion, spot urine
samples should be analyzed. (3) Large quantities
of Pb were found in urine collected at night.
(4) Urinary Pb concentration varies more in the
warm season than in the colder months. (5) The
following correlation coefficients were found:
volume/specific gravity (spg) of urine, -0.733;
volume/Pb content, +0.667; spg/Pb content, -0.479;
spg/Pb concentration, +0.348.
2. A study of 178 Pb workers did not reveal
a close correlation between urinary CP and Pb
content of urine and blood, but the mean value of
Pb concentration in urine and blood showed a cer-
tain degree of relationship to the CP in urine.
Many workers after <1 yr exposure showed a posi-
tive reaction of urinary CP which suggests that
the CP test is helpful in the diagnosis of early
or latent Pb poisoning. The specific gravity of
whole blood was <1.049 in 12 of 158 men and the
Hb value was <12.9 g/100 ml in 10 of 114 workers.
Positive reaction to urinary CP was found in 121
of 178 subjects and intensive positive reaction
in 43. Only 4 workers of 146 had <11 basophilic
stipples/10,000 red blood cells; all of these
subjects showed positive reaction to urinary CP
and 3 of them showed an intense positive reaction.
(From Bulletin of Hygiene 34:1265, 1959; 35:113,
1960)
2047 Paoletti, G. (Natl. Inst. Health Insurance,
Arezzo Prov., Italy): Contributo allo
studio della diagnosi precoce del satur-
nismo professionale. (CONTRIBUTION TO THE
STUDY OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING.) Rassegna di Medicina
Industriale 28:386-99 (Sept.-Oct.), 1959.
Three cases of Pb poisoning recently observed in
a pottery, 1 in an early stage and 2 in a more ad-
vanced stage, are discussed with particular empha-
sis of old and new diagnostic methods. The in-
crease in blood protoporphyrin is recognized as an
early, constant and specific symptom of Pb intoxi-
cation. (From author's summary) (15 references)
2048 Pedinelli, M., and Stringari, M. (SOLI,
Trento, Italy): Osservazioni sul tratta-
mento "per os" con chelanti in lavoratori
addetti alia produzione del piombo tetra-
etile. (OBSERVATIONS ON THE TREATMENT
"PER OS" WITH CHELATING AGENTS IN TETRA-
ETHYL LEAD PRODUCTION WORKERS.) Rassegna
di Medicina Industriale 28:514-25 (Nov.-
Dec.), 1959.
The principal stages of TEL production and the
occupational hazards of each stage are described.
EDTA in the form of 0.25 g tablets was given to 10
TEL production workers in daily doses of 1.0-1.5
g for 8-12 consecutive days. All these subjects
had a urinary Pb concentration of ^200 ug/1. One
of the men was successively treated with cysteamine
and an llth man was given only cysteamine treat-
ment. Graphs illustrating the urinary Pb excretion
for each man during treatment show that the Pb
excretion increases considerably to the 3rd-5th
day of treatment with EDTA and returns to low
values by the 10-12th day. The increase is larg-
est in workers who had been exposed to metallic
Pb in addition to TEL. Similar though less pro-
nounced results were obtained with cysteamine.
Both drugs were well tolerated in the doses ad-
ministered .
396
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
2049 Pernis, B., and Bairati, A., Jr. (Univ.
Milan, Italy): II midollo osseo nel
saturnismo al microscopic elettronico.
(STUDY OF THE BONE MARROW WITH THE ELEC-
TRON MICROSCOPE IN LEAD POISONING.) Med-
icina del Lavoro 50:447-57 (Nov.), 1959.
Ultrathin sections of bone marrow of 2 patients
with Pb poisoning were studied with the electron
microscope. In both cases the same submicroscopic
alterations were found in many erythrocytes and
erythroblasts which had been noted previously in
guinea pigs experimentally poisoned with Pb.
(Pernis, et al (1959)). These alterations are
thought to be due to Pb-induced disturbances of
heme synthesis which to a large extent takes place
in the mitochondria.
2050 Perry, H.M., Jr., and Perry, E.F. (Wash-
ington Univ. School Med., St. Louis, Mo.):
NORMAL CONCENTRATIONS OF SOME TRACE METALS
IN HUMAN URINE: CHANGES PRODUCED BY ETHYL-
ENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE. Journal of Clini-
cal Investigation 38:1452-63 (Aug.), 1959.
Mean urinary concentrations of Zn, Cd, Mn, Pb, V,
Mo, Ni, Ag and Sn were determined for 24 normal
American adults; day-to-day variations were meas-
ured for 1 normal adult. The urinary excretion of
these metals was compared for healthy Americans
and hospitalized Africans. Metal content in con-
secutive 24-hr urines from hypercholesterolemic
patients before, during and after iv administration
of CaNa2EDTA, which had been observed to lower the
level of cholesterol in human plasma, was also de-
termined. A spectrographic method was used. The
mean urinary Pb content of the 24 adults was 120
Vg/1 of 24-hr specimens; the mean of 12 specimens
from 1 normal adult, 24 yr old, was 91.1, and single
specimens from 12 hospitalized African patients
gave a mean of 38.9 Vg/1. The hypercholesterol-
emic patients excreted 208 lag Pb/1 before, 120- ^
625 during, and 270 after EDTA.
2051 Pettinati, L., Rasetti, L., and Rubino,
G. (Univ. Turin, Italy): Intossicazione
da naftenato di piombo contenuto negli
olii lubrificanti per sistemi idropneu-
matici. (INTOXICATION WITH LEAD NAPHTHE-
NATE IN LUBRICATING OILS FOR HYDROPNEU-
MATIC SYSTEMS.) Rassegna di Medicina
Industriale 28:379-85 (Sept .-Oct.), 1959.
A study of 4 men working with hydropneumatic
hoists revealed signs of Pb exposure in 3 of them
although only one of them developed the typical
syndrome of Pb intoxication. The pathological
picture in 2 of the patients included an inter-
mittent hydrarthrosis which responded to EDTA
treatment. One of the men showed slight anemia.
Analysis of the lubricating oil used gave a Pb con-
centration of 260 mg%.
2052 Pinizzotto, G. (Univ. Messina, Italy): A
proposito di un caso di atropatia saturnina.
(ABOUT A CASE OF ARTHROPATHY DUE TO LEAD
POISONING.) Rassegna di Medicina Indus-
triale 28:1-10 (Jan.-Feb.), 1959.
The case of a 47-yr-old varnisher and decorator
was described. The man had been working continu-
ously for 36 yr in the ceramic industry, using
materials which contained Pb compounds. The man
reported that 3 of his co-workers had died from
occupational Pb poisoning. His first symptoms were
vertigo, dyspeptic trouble, pain along the colon
and in the back, fatigue, asthenia. The Burton
line was evident. Laboratory tests revealed mark-
ed traces of urinary albumin, porphyrinuria 3+,
red blood cells 4 million, Hb 75%, etc. X-ray-
pictures of his hands showed pathologic changes
in the joints.
The author points out that in some regions of
Italy where the workers consider themselves as
artisans, no hygienic or prophylactic measurements
are observed, and calls attention to the necessity
of stricter hygienic controls. (12 references)
2053 Pott, R. (North German Refinery, Hamburg):
1st die Prophylaxe der Bleikrankheit mit Ca-
EDTA mtfglich? (IS PROPHYLAXIS OF LEAD
POISONING WITH EDTA POSSIBLE?) Archiv fUr
Gewerbepathologie und Gewerbehygiene 17,
No. 4:354-64, 1959.
A statistical study is presented covering 95 work-
ers of a Cu-Pb mine who showed definite signs of
Pb poisoning (20 stippled cells/50 fields, strong
porphyrinuria, starting anemia) and were treated
orally with 3 g EDTA/day for 4 wk while remaining
on the job. Urinary Pb concentrations on the 6th
and 20th day of treatment in ranges from <400-
>4000 yg/1 are tabulated. The treatment appeared
to be successful in 66 of the workers tested.
However, the following sequelae raised doubts about
the effectiveness of EDTA as prophylactic in Pb
poisoning: (1) Signs of Pb intoxication reoccur-
red in 29 out of these 66 subjects within 2-3 mo
after treatment; (2) 14 out of the 66 men had to
be temporarily removed from Pb exposure within 3
mo and 2 others were given a 2nd treatment; (3)
38 developed gastric complaints within 7 mo.
Differences between iv and oral administration
of EDTA are reviewed and presented in a diagram.
A continuous oral treatment with daily doses of
0.5-1.0 g EDTA during the period of Pb exposure
is proposed and experiments in this direction are
suggested. (25 references)
2054 Radosevid, Z., Radonid, M., and Horvat, Z.
(Med. Coll., Zagreb, Yugoslavia): Klin-
icka zapazanja o "endemskoj nefropatiji"
u Hrvatskoj. (CLINICAL ASPECTS OF "EN-
DEMIC NEPHROPATHY" IN CROATIA.) Lijec-
nicki Vjesnik 81:445-56 (July-Aug.), 1959.
The clinical findings in 48 patients with endemic
kidney disease in the region of Salvonski Brod are
described. This disease occurs in >5% of the in-
habitants. The authors' opinion is that this
nephropathy is a primary chronic interstitial ne-
phritis. Renal biopsies performed on 8 patients
and autopsy studies in 1 favored this diagnosis.
The main characteristics of the disease are de-
scribed. The functional and histological pattern
of the early stage could not be identified. A
group of 11 young patients with some slight patho-
logic findings in the urine was examined. Since
neither function tests nor biopsy revealed any ab-
Man
397
-------
normalities, initial focal lesions were suspected.
The authors point out that the etiology of this
endemic disease is still unsolved; many sources
have been considered, but chronic Pb poisoning,
claimed by Danilovic et al could not be accepted
by them on the basis of blood Pb findings, stip-
pled cells and coproporphyrin in urine in 36 pa-
tients. They call attention to the facts that the
illness becomes manifest only in the 3rd decade of
life; women are affected twice as much as men;
family incidence is obvious; the basis of this
nephropathy is a primary chronic interstitial ne-
phritis; the causal agent shows also affinity to
the hemopoietic system. (19 references)
2055 Reinl, W. (State Ind. Physician, Nordrhein,
Dusseldorf, Germany): Zur gewerblichen
Bleivergiftung. (OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISON-
ING.) Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift
84:1748-9, 1959.
Referring to Albach's publication (1958) the author
points out that hypertonia and nephritis are not
indicative of Pb poisoning and that damage to the
nervous system is rare. However, constipation,
colic, basophilia, and porphyrinuria are definite
signs of Pb poisoning. A dietetic treatment pre-
ceeding the diagnosis, as recommended by A., does
not appear feasible to R. (From Zentralblatt fiir
Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 10:17 (Abstracts),
1960)
2056 Rubino, G.F., Prato, V., and Fiorina, L.
(Univ. Turin, Italy): L'anemia da piombo:
sua natura e patogenesi. (ANEMIA PRO-
DUCED BY LEAD POISONING. ITS NATURE AND
?ATHOGENESIS.) Folia Medica (Naples) 42:
1-20 (Jan.), 1959.
Erythrocyte survival in 10 persons with Pb poison-
ing was determined by the differential agglutina-
tion technique, by -"Icr, and the reticulocyte
method. The daily hemoglobin destruction and
erythrocyte regeneration were evaluated. Pb
causes hyperhemolysis even in absence of anemia.
In some instances the daily hemoglobin destruction
obtained values as high as 4 times normal. Evi-
dently, Pb is permanently attached to the erythro-
cytes and causes changes which lead to hemolysis
even if they have been removed to a normal medium.
The erythropoietic activity of the bone marrow was
not damaged. (From Chemical Abstracts 53:15359,
1959)
2057 Sadoklerski, W.: OZowica w wojewodztwie
biajostockim. (LEAD POISONING IN THE
DISTRICT OF BIALYSTOK.) Med. Pracy 10,
No. 6:393-7, 1959.
Among 3 groups of a total of 130 workers from tile,
graphic, and electric industries, the 1st group
was exposed to Pb poisoning, and the morbidity
rate was 42% in this group, of which women were
most affected (no data). Safety measures are sug-
gested. (From Excerpta Medica, Sect. 17, 6:
Abstr. No. 3347, 1960)
2058 Saita, G. (Univ. Milan, Italy): II dos-
aggio della protoporfirinemia e dell'elimi-
nazione del piombo dopo versenato di cal-
cio nella diagnosi di saturnismo pregresso.
(DETERMINATION OF PROTOPORPHYRINEMIA AND
LEAD EXCRETION AFTER CALCIUM VERSENATE IN
THE DIAGNOSIS OF PREVIOUS LEAD POISONING.)
Medicina del Lavoro 50:659-72 (Nov.), 1959.
The diagnosis of previous Pb poisoning is difficult
in cases where the worker has been removed from
exposure for a long time. The diagnosis is facil-
itated by the determination of urinary Pb and blood
protoporphyrin (PP) after iv injection of 2g CaEDTA.
Thirty-three subjects hospitalized for suspected
Pb poisoning who had left hazardous exposure for
variable periods of time were studied. In 6 cases,
treated with EDTA 1-7 mo after the occurrence of
acute poisoning, the urinary Pb was 2-3 nig/24 hr
and the PP level in the red blood cells was 250-430
ml%, while the Pb level in blood, stippled cell
count and urinary Pb and porphyrin level were nor-
mal. In 6 other workers removed from Pb exposure
for 2-8 yr, increased PP in the blood (>100 Rg%)
and urinary Pb excretion of >1 mg/24 hr following
EDTA administration were the only signs of chronic
Pb poisoning. In 12 of the 33 workers PP in the
blood was normal but urinary Pb excretion was
increased. In 2 of these who had been removed
from Pb exposure for 9-11 yr, Pb poisoning was
recognized, while in the remaining 10 who had been
removed from Pb exposure for 15 days-4 yr, the
diagnosis of Pb poisoning was not confirmed. In-
creased PP in the blood with normal urinary Pb ex-
cretion following EDTA is not indicative of Pb
poisoning. (20 references)
2059 Saita, G., and Moreo, L. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Talassemia ed emopatie profes-
sional!. Nota II - Talassemia e saturnis-
mo cronico. (THALASSEMIA AND OCCUPATIONAL
BLOOD DISORDERS. II. THALASSEMIA AND
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Medicina del
Lavoro 50:37-44 (Jan.), 1959.
Three cases of Pb poisoning in subjects with
thalassemic manifestations were reported. The men
showed typical signs of Pb poisoning such as colics
and anemia a few weeks after having been exposed
to the hazardous work. The hypochromic anemia
along with microcytosis, severe poikllocytosis and
increased osmotic globular resistance suggested
the simultaneous occurrence of thalassemia, which
was confirmed by comparisons with other family
members and by determination of the alkali-resist-
ant hemoglobin. Pb poisoning was manifested by a
high level of urinary coproporphyrin and blood
protoporphyrin. The presence of stippled cells,
increased serum Fe and indirect hyperbilirubinemia,
being common to both syndromes, could not be used
for a differential diagnosis. The course of the
anemia was not much different from that seen in
Pb poisoning and regression resulted after treat-
ment with the usual detoxifying agents.
The authors point out that the occurrence of
early and severe signs of Pb poisoning in these
subjects indicates that men with constitutional
blood disorders should not be exposed to occupa-
tional Pb hazards. (63 references)
2060 "saric, M. , and Hlebec, F. (Inst. Med. Res.,
Yugoslav Acad. Sci.; Central Inst. Hyg.,
Zagreb, Yugoslavia): Ispitivanja o moguc-
398
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
aosti pojave bubreznih bolesti kod seoskog
stanovnista izlozenog olovu. (STUDIES ON
THE INCIDENCE OF KIDNEY DISEASES IN THE
RURAL POPULATION EXPOSED TO LEAD.)
Lijecnickl vjesnik 81:457-64 (July-^oig.),
1959.
The frequency rate of albuminuria and specific
weight of the urine were determined in 496 inhabi-
tants of the village Bedenec (43% of the whole
population). In this village out of 120 house-
uolds 45 are engaged in the making of Pb-glazed
pottery, while all the households, without excep-
tion, use that kind of pottery for storing milk
and fat, for milk fermentation, and other purposes.
The analysis of stippled cells and reticulocytes
showed increased absorption of Pb in part of the
inhabitants. There was no difference in the fre-
quency rate of albuminuria in the inhabitants of
the village (though no catheter was used for the
urine analysis in women) and the workers of an
enterprise in Zagreb with no specific exposure to
Pb. Jowever, the percentage of the individuals in
the village Bedenec with albumin in the urine was
considerably lower than the percentage of albumin-
uria recorded in the inhabitants of certain vil-
lages in Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia with a high
number of diagnosed chronic nephropathies. There
was also no greater deviation from normal in the
specific gravity of urine in the inhabitants of
Bedenec. The results obtained give no evidence of
a significant incidence rate of chronic nephropa-
thies in the inhabitants of the village Bedenec.
Nor do they support the assumption that Pb plays
the role of an etiologic factor in tne incidence
of endemic nephropathies in certain parts of this
country. (From authors' summary; 21 references)
2061 Saric, M., Kosokovic, S., Zorica, M. ,
3eriti<5, £. (Inst, Med. Res., Yugoslav
Acad. Sci. and Arts and Internal Clinic,
Zagreb, Yugoslavia): Profesionalni
saturnlzam u radnika zaposlenih na iz-
gradnji "Mosta Slobode." (OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING IN WORKERS EMPLOYED IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE "LIBERTY BRIDGE".)
Lijecnicki vjesnik 91:803-9 (Nov.-Dec.),
1959.
Pb poisoning in riveters and electric welders is
reported. The steel plates of the girders had
been painted with red Pb paint and Pb fumes de-
veloped when the red-hot rivets were set. Two
of the riveters showed manifest signs of Pb poi-
soning while laboratory signs were present in the
majority of the rest of the workers. From the
results of the examinations it became apparent that
the riveters were considerably more exposed to Pb
than the electric welders. The authors consider
this case of interest because this source of oc-
cupational poisoning had not been recognized in
Yugoslavia and because of future construction
projects planned in their country.
2062 Savic'evic', M., Petrovie?, L., Stankovic, M. ,
and Djordjevicf, S. (Inst. Ind. Hyg., Bel-
grade, Yugoslavia): Unsere Erfahrungen
mit CaNa2E.D.T.A. (Mosatil-Bayer) bei
chronischer Blei-Exposition. (EXPERIENCES
WITH CaNa2EDTA (MOSATIL BAYER) IN CHRONIC
Pb EXPOSURE.) Zentralblatt fUr Arbelts-
medizin und Arbeitsschutz 9:6-12 (Jan.),
1059.
Thirty foundry workers with an exposure time of 5-
16 yr (av 9.9 yr), were treated with CaNaiEDTA
for 7 days; 11 patients received iv 2.4 g/day, 5
a daily dose of 1.2 g; 7 men were given 1.2 g/day
im and 7 others 3 g/day orally; 4 were left with-
out therapy. Hemoglobin and erythrocyte values
increased, punctate cells did not change signifi-
cantly; reticulocytes tended to decrease slightly.
Urinary Pb excretion was particularly high during
the 1st day in the parenterally treated groups,
less so in the orally treated men. Urinary co-
proporphyrins and urinary and blood Pb concentra-
tions returned to normal during treatment. A de-
crease in the Pb line on the gvms was noticed in
all patients and finally disappeared in 26% of the
cases, however, more rapidly so in those treated
iv. Arthralgies disappeared in 30% and the pallor
in 56%; in the control group, however, it did not
change. EDTA had no clinically demonstrable toxic
effect except possible diarrhea in 5 cases the
origin of which was, however, uncertain.
2063 Savic'evic, M. , Petrovic, L., Stankovic, M. ,
and Djordjevic', S. (Inst. Ind. Hyg., Bel-
grade, Yugoslavia): Prophylaktische orale
Verabreichung von Ca2EDTA (Mosatil-Bayer)
bei Arbeitern, welche einer Vergiftung mit
Blei ausgesetzt sind. I. Tell: Verab-
reichung von 2 g C32EDTA pro Tag. (PRO-
PHYLACTIC ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF Ca2EDTA
(MOSATIL-BAYER) TO WORKERS EXPOSED TO LEAD.
I. ADMINISTRATION OF 2 G Ca2EDTA PER DAY.)
Zentralblatt fUr Arbeitsmedizin und Ar-
beitsschutz 9:180-5 (Aug.), 1959.
Nine men exposed to Pb were treated with 2 g
Ca2EDTA/day for 40 days. Urinary and blood Pb,
coproporphyrin, stippled erythrocytes and clinical
symptoms were compared with those in 8 controls.
The treated subjects excreted in the urine an av-
erage of 13,960 mg/1 of Pb during the 1st 10 days,
13,560 mg/1 during the 2nd 10 days and 9180 mg/1
during the 3rd 10 days. By the end of the treat-
ment an av 46,760 mg/1 was excreted, whereas the
untreated were required 158.5 days to excrete the
same amount. The decrease of the coproporphyrin
was ^3 times greater than in the control group,
ie, 6070 mg/1 and 16,320 mg/1 respectively. The
decrease in the number of stippled cells was
greatest from the 10th-20th day of treatment.
Authors conclude that oral administration of
Ca2EDTA is useful in prophylaxis of chronic saturn-
ism. Research is suggested whether smaller amounts
of Ca2EDTA may not suffice. Furthermore, the bal-
ance of electrolytes should be tested.
2064 Savicevic, M., Petrovic, L., Stankovic,
M., and Poleti, D. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Bel-
grade, Yugoslavia): Prophylaktische orale
Verabreichung von Mosatil bei bleigefahr-
deten Arbeitern. II. Tell: Verabrei-
chung mit 1- und 3-g- Mosatil Tabletten
pro Tag. (PROPHYLACTIC ORAL ADMINISTRA-
TION OF MOSATIL IN LEAD EXPOSED WORKERS.
II. ADMINISTRATION OF 1- AND 3-G, MOSATIL
TABLETS PER DAY.) Zentralblatt fUr Ar-
beitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 9:289-92
(Dec.), 1959.
Man
399
-------
Two groups of 8 Pb-exposed workers each were treat-
ed orally for 8 days with 1 and 3 mg Mosatil, re-
spectively, while remaining at their regular work
at an average atmospheric concentration of 0.637
mg Pb oxide/m3. Blood and urinary Pb levels,
urinary coproporphyrin and stippled cells were de-
termined every other day. The urinary Pb excretion
in the 2 groups over 8 days amounted to 13.332 and
17.890 mg/1, respectively. These amounts are
higher than those obtained in previous tests when
the subjects were treated with the corresponding
dosages in the hospital. However, the workers in
the present test remained under the exposure of Pb
while being treated which may account for part of
the increased excretion. No untoward effects of
the treatment were noted in any case. The authors
emphasize, however, that clinical supervision dur-
ing EDTA administration is required.
2065 SaviSevic, M., and Stankovic, R.: (SATURN-
ISM AND NEPHROPATHIA PROBLEMS.) Glas. hig.
inst. Srbije 8:51-6, 1959.
The authors discuss the problem of the influence of
toxic concentrations of Pb oxide aerosol on kidneys
of 40 persons working under such conditions for a
period of 3-23 yr. All these workers were medical-
ly investigated twice a year (systematic, medical
and laboratory examinations) and subsequently taken
to hospitals for clinical and laboratory examina-
tion. Neither nephropathia nor lesions of the
vascular apparatus were noted as consequence of the
chronic exposure to Pb poisoning. The authors con-
clude that the old concept of the great vulnera-
bility of the kidneys and of the cardiovascular and
renal system to Pb, should be reviewed by using
more precise methods of testing for urea, creatin-
ine, etc. (From Excerpta Medica, Sect. 17, 6:Abstr.
No. 2647, 1960)
2066 Seignette, W.T.F,, Haanen, C.A.M., Jansen,
A.P., and Majoor, C.L.H. (Univ. Nijmegen,
The Netherlands): De werkzaamheid van peni-
cillamine en versenaat bij de behandeling
van de ziekte van Wilson en van loodintoxi-
catie. (THE EFFECTS OF PENICILLAMINE AND
VERSENATE IN THE TREATMENT OF WILSON'S DIS-
EASE AND LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica
Neerlandica) 2:65-78 (June), 1959.
The effect of penicillamine! EDTA and some other
drugs upon urinary excretion was studied in a Pb-
poisoned patient. Pb excretion was more efficient-
ly promoted by EDTA than by penicillamine. The ad-
vantage of penicillamine is the possibility of oral
treatment. Therefore, further study of this drug
for prophylactic treatment is suggested. (19 ref-
erences)
2067 Shlopak, T.V.: (CONCENTRATIONS OF MACRO
AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE CLEAR AND CATA-
RACT-AFFECTED CRYSTALLINE LENSES OF MAN.)
Nauk. Zap. Stanislavs'k. Med. Inst. 1959,
No. 3:227-32.
Seventy-three cataract-affected and 23 clear crys-
talline human lenses were examined. Analyses
showed the presence of high concentrations of Na,
K, Ca and Mg and traces of Cu, Mn, Pb and Si. The
Pb concentration increased as the cataract develop-
ed. (From Ref. Zh., Biol. Khim. 1963, Abstr. No.
8 F 1092; Chemical Abstracts 59:10618, 1963)
2068 Silvestri, U. (Univ. Bologna, Italy): Ri-
cerche spettrografiche sulla composizione
in element! in tracce nelle emazie di in-
dividui sani e di ustionati. (SPECTRO-
GRAPHIC STUDIES ON THE COMPOSITION OF TRACE
ELEMENTS IN THE BLOOD OF HEALTHY INDIVID-
UALS AND THOSE WITH BURNS.) Bollettino
della Societa Italian! di Biologia Speri-
mentale 35:1113-5, 1959.
In the red cells of 16 healthy subjects, Pb was
among the elements occurring in moderate trace
amounts and among those that showed most frequent
and intense variations. In 11 burns patients, Pb
followed the same pattern.
2069 Soos, G., Rozsahegyi, I., and Erdodi, Z.:
(THERAPY OF LEAD POISONING BY HUNGARIAN-
MADE CALCIUM DISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE
TETRAACETATE (CaEDTA) MARKED AS E. Gy. T.
1271.) Orvosi Hetilap 100:1081-4 (July
26), 1959. (I.M. 1:A-1205, 1960)
2070 Tada, 0.: (ON THE LEAD CONTENT OF THE
WHOLE BLOOD.) J. Sci. of Labor (Tokyo)
35:401-9 (May), 1959.
The Pb content in whole blood was studied for 1 mo
in 11 healthy men and variations of the Pb level
in blood were examined in 5 men, 20-30 yr of age,
and 5 men, 30-40 yr old. An average Pb content of
14 ± 5 yg/100 g blood was found; variations due to
age were indistinct. On the basis of data from 33
subjects a normal range of 2-30 ug Pb/100 g blood
(av 15 yg/100 g) was established; 60.6% of the
subjects tested were in the range of 11-20 pg/100
g. Studies of Pb-exposed workers in various work-
shops over a period of 12 yr showed that operations
yielding Pb dust raised remarkably the Pb concen-
tration in air. On the other hand, operations
generating Pb fumes raised the Pb level in the
blood of workers although the atmospheric Pb con-
centration was not so high. Among 656 men exposed
to Pb dust or fume, 35.9% had a Pb level of >30
yg/100 g blood and 6.3% showed >60 ug/100 g.
(From Bulletin of Hygiene 34:1023, 1959)
2071 Teisinger, J. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Diseases, Prague, Czechoslovakia): Tests
biologiques d'exposition. (BIOLOGICAL
TESTS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF EXPOSURE.)
Pracovnl LeTcarstvl 11:153-61 (Apr.), 1959.
The importance of biological tests in toxicology
is discussed in general and in reference to the
following substances: Pb, As, Hg, Cd, CO, CS2,
trichloroethylene, benzene, toluene, aniline and
nitrobenzene. Exposure to Pb is determined mainly
from the Pb levels in the urine and also in the
blood. The average normal Pb content of the blood
ranges from 0.020-0.040 mg% and most investigators
consider 0.070 mg% as the threshold. This is in
contrast to a statement from the USSR and from
Japan according to which toxic symptoms have been
noted at Pb concentrations of as low as 0.03 and
0.05 mg%, respectively. The relation between Pb
concentrations in the air and in the blood and
urine and the mobilization of Pb by chelating
agents for diagnostic purposes is discussed.
(87 references)
400
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
2072 Teisinger, J., and Srbova, J. (Clinic
Occup. Dis.; Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis.,
Prague, Czechoslovakia): THE VALUE OF
MOBILIZATION OF LEAD BY CALCIUM ETHYLENE-
DIAMINE-TETRA-ACETATE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF
LEAD POISONING. British Journal of Indus-
trial Medicine 16:148-52 (Apr.), 1959.
In a control group of 50 patients who had never
been exposed to Pb, the average urinary excretion
in 24 hr was 0.031-0.043 mg, with a maximum of
0.100 mg. After iv injection of EDTA Pb in urine
rose considerably but the maximum excretion of Pb
did not exceed 0.350 mg/24 hr (av 0.143-0.153 mg/
24 hr). In a group of 47 individuals who had for-
merly worked with Pb or were still engaged in work
with Pb, with none of them showing symptoms of Pb
poisoning, the urinary Pb excretion before and
after EDTA averaged 0.067-0.082 mg/24 hr (maximum
0.268 mg) and 0.612-0.629 mg/24 hr (maximum 3.212
mg), respectively. Studies of 20 patients with
chronic Pb poisoning showed that the degree of
severity of Pb poisoning is proportional to the
urinary Pb level after injection of EDTA; however,
this rule is not without exception. It is con-
cluded that mobilization of Pb may be of consider-
able value in the diagnosis of atypical cases of
chronic Pb poisoning. However, the question
whether the mobilization test is of greater sig-
nificance for the hygienist than biological tests
cannot be answered at present. (17 references)
2073 Timar, M. (Natl. Ind. Hyg. Inst., Buda-
pest, Hungary): Vorschlage zur Bestimmung
der biologischen Grenzkonzentration eini-
ger Staffe. (PROPOSED BIOLOGICAL DETERMI-
NATION OF MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CONCENTRA-
TIONS OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES.) Pracovni
L£karstvi 11:167-8 (Apr.), 1959.
See Abstr. No. 2341
2074 Vallee, B.L., Stein, E.A., Sumerwell,
W.N., and Fischer, E.H. (Harvard Med.
School; Peter Bent Brigham Hosp., Boston,
Mass.; Univ. Washington, Seattle): METAL
CONTENT OF a-AMYLASES OF VARIOUS ORIGINS.
Journal of Biological Chemistry 234:2901-
5 (Nov.), 1959.
Spectrographic analyses of o-amylases from human
saliva, hog pancreas, Bacillus subtilis and Asper-
gillus oryzae showed the presence of insignificant
quantities of Mn while Pb could not be detected.
(42 references)
2075 Verbanck, M., Toussaint, C., Toppet, N.,
Bastenier, H., Deslypere, P., and Degraef-
Millet (Found. Queen-Elizabeth; Univ.
Brussels, Belgium): Etude metabolique des
effets de 1'E.T.D.A. calcique dans le
saturnisme latent. (METABOLIC STUDY OF
THE EFFECTS OF CaEDTA ON LATENT PLUMBISM.)
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Soclale
20:21-33 (Jan.-Feb.), 1959.
Latent plumbism often occurs in workers who have
been exposed to Pb over an extended period of time.
After the signs of acute Pb poisoning have dis-
appeared a moderate number of basophil cells per-
sist and the urine contains 100-400 pg Pb/day.
Six patients, aged 27-63 yr, with latent plumbism,
were maintained on a non-milk diet and treated
with CaEDTA by im and iv injections. Study of
blood and urine samples led to the following con-
clusions: While, on the basis of the limited num-
ber of subjects, it could not be said that, in
the latent course, Pb exposure necessarily causes
diminution of glomerular filtration, still this
specific finding in 2 of the 6 patients indicated
Pb to have been the cause of decreased kidney
function. EDTA in the doses applied (1.2 g/day
im, 2.4 g/day iv) did not appear to be nephrotoxic.
An increased P excretion which was noted in 2
patients was probably due to Pb since the same
anomaly was observed during acute plumbism.
It is suggested that EDTA depresses P excretion
(by 207.) and thereby decreases the activity of the
parathyroid. Since the parathyroid stimulates bone
destruction, a reduction of its activity immobili-
zes Ca in the bones and decreases liberation of Pb
from the bones of the Pb-poisoned patients. As
to the metabolism of other ions, K elimination was
decreased by EDTA by 10-30% while Mg excretion
remained unchanged. Urinary Pb excretion before
administration of EDTA was found to be 117 pg/day
(av); on the 1st day of treatment it rose to 383
Mg and then dropped to 166 and 140 yg, respective-
ly, on the 2nd and 3rd day. (32 references)
2076 Vigliani, E.C. (Univ. Milan, Italy):
Criteri di orientamento sulle cosiddette
"massime concentrazioni biologiche toller-
abili." (INFORMATIVE CRITERIA ON THE SO-
CALLED "MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE BIOLOGICAL CON-
CENTRATIONS.") Medicina del Lavoro 50:
323-7 (May), 1959.
Some industrial poisons or their metabolites are
found in the blood and/or urine of workers during
and/or after exposure. Their determination is
important because it indicates the degree of ab-
sorption and storage of the poison in the body and
permits correlation of the clinical symptoms with
the amount of toxic substance or its metabolites
in blood and urine. The determination of toxic
substance in the body fluids permits the evalua-
tion of occupational hazards sometimes better than
a measurement of concentrations in the air. Max-
imum allowable biological concentrations, as
adopted by the Institute of Industrial Hygiene in
Milan, are listed for a number of substances. The
following data are given for Pb and TEL, respec-
tively in Pb/1: urine 0.15 and 0.12; blood 0.08
and 0.07; coproporphyrin in urine 0.10.
2077 Vinogradova, L.M.: (CONTENTS OF LEAD,
COPPER, MANGANESE, TITANIUM, ALUMINUM, AND
SILICON IN THE BLOOD OF WORKERS IN CONSTANT
CONTACT WITH LEAD AND ITS COMPOUNDS.)
Nauk. Zap. Stanislavs'k. Med. Inst. 1959,
No. 3:242-8.
Examination of 305 workers showed that the Pb con-
tent in the blood of all workers in contact with
Pb was 30-40 times higher than in normal individ-
uals. It depended on the form in which Pb enters
the organism and on adaptation to the effects of
Pb. Cu, Si, and Mn contents were also elevated.
Ti did not exceed the norm. (From Ref. Zh. Khim.
1963, Abstr. No. 51303; Chemical Abstracts 59:
15845, 1963)
Man
401
-------
2078 Waldman, R.K., and Borman, E.K. (Connecti-
cut State Dept. Health, Hartford): A NOTE
ON SERUM TRANSAMINASE ACTIVITY AFTER LEAD
ABSORPTION. A.M.A. Archives of Industrial
Health 19:431-3 (Apr.), 1959.
Examination of 25 persons industrially exposed to
Pb showed that the serum glutamic oxalacetic trans-
aminase (GOT) activity was >40 units in all except
one whose blood Pb level was 0.02 mg/100 g. Blood
Pb levels in the 24 others ranged from 0.045-0.14
mg/100 g. The subjects showed no symptoms of Pb
poisoning. The authors conclude that wider use of
the GOT test be made to study correlation with
other findings.
2079 Warren, H.V. (Univ. British Columbia, Can-
ada): GEOLOGY AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.
Nature 184:561 (Aug.), 1959.
A high prevalence of multiple sclerosis was noted
in the areas having the following rock formations:
Eocambrian sediments in Norway and Sweden; some
granites in Telemark, Norway; the Old Red Sand-
stones of Northern Scotland; and many of the lime-
stones of Southern Quebec, Ontario, and Central
Nova Scotia. In these geological formations,
higher than normal quantities of Pb are known to
occur.
2080 Wu» H-w'» Lu> S.H., and Chang, M.C.
(Dept. Med., Hunan Med. Coll., Changsha,
China): LEAD POISONING. TREATMENT OF
8 CASES WITH VITAMIN C AND MAGNESIUM SUL-
FATE. Chinese Journal of Internal Medi-
cine 7:143-5; 13 (Mar.), 1959.
The authors treated 8 cases of Pb poisoning with
vitamin C and Mg sulfate. Vitamin C was given by
iv drip, 1-2 g/daily in 500 ml of 57. glucose solu-
tion. Mg sulfate was given by im injection, 25%
solution 5-10 ml every 8 hr. Three to four wk
made up a course of treatment. In cases of severe
abdominal pain, renal capsule block with procaine
was done. All the cases were given ferrous sul-
fate for anemia.
Clinical observations showed that abdominal
colicky pain was generally alleviated 2 days after
treatment. In some cases of severe colicky pain,
the pain was relieved by renal capsule block. All
other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of
appetite, dizziness, headache and fatigue improved
after 1 or 2 days of treatment, and generally dis-
appeared after 3 or 4 days. Symptoms of pain in
the extremities and ache in the bones receded less
rapidly. In 4 cases with hypertension, the symp-
toms disappeared in 2-14 days. In 6 cases there
was a Pb line over the gums. After 3 wk of treat-
ment, the condition disappeared in 2 cases, improv-
ed in 2 cases, and was unimproved in 2 cases.
There was hepatomegaly in 2 cases. After treat-
ment, the liver was nonpalpable in 1 case and
diminished in size in the other. There was neuri-
tis in 1 case, which improved after treatment.
After 10 days of treatment, anemia improved in 6
cases; the stippled red cells decreased after a
few days, and disappeared in around 2 wk. Copro-
porphyrinuria was positive in all cases on admis-
sion; at the end of treatment it was still positive,
but to a much lesser extent. The body weight was
increased in 6 cases at the end of treatment.
The authors carried out Pb poisoning experiments
in 20 white mice (10 as controls). The results
showed that Mg sulfate only retarded the weight
decrease in the animals, and did not exert any
other protective effect. The 10 animals all died.
(From authors' English summary)
2081 Yaverbaum, P.M. (Regional Hosp., Irkutsk,
USSR): (BIOCHEMICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL
STUDIES OF PERSONS IN OCCUPATIONAL CON-
TACT WITH TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Sbornik
Nauchnykh Rabot Irkutskoi Oblasti
Klinicheskoi Bol'nitsy 1:177-85, 1959.
The author presents the results of a study on a
number of biochemical factors in persons in con-
tact with TEL and metallic Pb. Blood glutathione
(reduced form) was examined in 59, the residual N
in 34; hematologic tests were carried out on 50
and included erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),
red and white cell counts and Hb determination.
There was a slight increase in glutathione in
69.5% (30.6-49 mg7.; normal, 20-30) and normal
levels in 30.5%. On the basis of the observed in-
crease, it was inferred that liver function was
intensified. In 11 out of 34 persons some tenden-
cy to an increase in residual N was observed (up
to 47.4 mg%) . No relationships could be estab-
lished between high residual N and an increase in
reduced glutathione. The ESR was lower in 50% of
the cases and Hb was found to be slightly down in
72%. In 74% moderate erythropenia (anemia) was
noted. Only 16% showed a reduction in the number
of leukocytes, and if the lower limit as indicated
by Chernov is observed (5500/mm-^) , 14 persons
(28%) showed some degree of leukopenia. In 27 out
of 50 (54%) an increase in the number of monocytes
was observed, 18 were normal and 4 had a slightly
lower figure. Assuming 1-50% being the normal
number, only 3 showed a slight increase in the
number of eosinophils. But eosinophilic granulo-
cytes and lymphocytes were within the normal range.
No correlation was found between length of contact
with TEL and biochemical and hematologic changes.
2082 Zambrano, A., Rozera, G., and Biondi, S.
(Univ. Naples, Italy): (LEAD POISONING
AND ITS PREVENTION IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
STORAGE BATTERIES.) Folia med. (Naples)
42:1168-93 (Oct.) , 1959.
While workers in the manufacture of storage bat-
teries failed to show any clinical signs of Pb poi-
soning, the hazard was considerable. Pb concentra-
tions reached levels as high as 1.5, 2.5, and 3.9
mg/m^. Increased urine and blood Pb, urinary co-
proporphyrin, and stippled red blood cells were
found in ""50% of the workers. Prevention measures
are discussed. (From Chemical Abstracts 54 Ab-
stract No. 11769, 1960)
2083 Zielhuis, R.L.: De Industriele Loodin-
toxicatie in Nederland. Beschouwingen en
onderzoekingen. (INDUSTRIAL LEAD INTOXI-
CATION IN THE NETHERLANDS. DISCUSSIONS
AND STUDIES.) Nederlands Instituut voor
Praeventieve Geneeskunde, Report 46, 1959,
271 pp.
In chapters 1-6 the author evaluates the concept of
Pb poisoning, the factors determining it, the signs
and symptoms and the possible preventive measures.
It is useful to distinguish 3 separate definitions
402
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
of intoxication: pharmacologic, clinical and
compensational intoxications. The criteria to be
used by the technical-hygienist are determined by
the definition. The determining factors are pre-
sented schematically. The signs and symptoms in
man are extensively discussed, and the Pb effect
on hematopoiesis reviewed. Chapter 7 discusses
the results of investigations of 233 Pb poisoning
cases in 1953 and 1954, 16% of which the author
concludes should be regarded as not conclusive, and
of the remaining 84% most were among those occupied
in storage battery and pigment plants. Methods of
counting stippled erythrocytes and reticulocytes
are evaluated. From a study of 117 nonexposed men
the normal values for hemoglobin, stippled cells,
reticulocytes and coproporphyrin was established:
12.8 gZ, 0.5/1000, 9.0/1000 and 3.5(200 ijg/l) re-
spectively.
Hematologic studies were made in 43 workers from
3 different Pb processing plants over an 18 mo
period; absence of increased number of stippled
erythrocytes (SE) (>0.5/1000) and/or increased co-
proporphyrinuria (CP) (=3) argues against a rela-
tion between signs and increased Pb intake; gener-
ally, if the number of SE stays below a maximum
limit of 1-1.5/1000, no anemia or other functional
disturbances will occur; an increase in reticulo-
cytes occurs before increased SE, and while CP is
an early sign, it does not give a good idea of the
extent of Pb intake; the product of intensity and
exposure time does not give an adequate impression
of the reaction of the organism to be expected;
the anemia level is clearly dependent on the in-
tensity of exposure but little on the duration.
In chapter 12 the relation between degree and dur-
ation of exposure was investigated in 161 men from
2 pigment factories. The findings were that the
MAC of Pb in air should not be >0.15 mg Pb/m3 but
rather set at MD.10 mg Pb/m3. In chapter 13 the
effect of industrial Pb exposure on the health of
513 workers in 23 factories is discussed. In pig- '
ment industries, in storage battery plants and in
a shipyard decrease in hemoglobin was frequently
observed. The results of this study, analyzed in
chapter 14, confirmed the author's conclusions in
earlier chapters. In chapter 15 an investigation
is described on the possibility of improvement of
hematopoiesis by administering 30 yg Vitamin B^
for 4 wk daily orally but no effects were
noticed. In chapter 16 experiments with rabbits
are described which were to simulate Pb poisoning
in man. The 3 groups of animals were given sc
1/8, 1/2 and 1 mg Pb chloride/kg weight daily.
Based on these results, guiding rules for preven-
tive medical examination are given in the last
chapter. (400 references) (From English summary)
2084 Zielhuis, R.L. : THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE
LIMITS FOR BIOLOGICAL DATA IN THE PRE-
VENTION OF INDUSTRIAL INORGANIC LEAD
INTOXICATION. Pracovnf LSkarstvf 11:164-5
(Apr.), 1959.
See Abstract No. 2355.
2085 Zorina, L.A., and Vanshtein, I.A. (Inst.
Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis., Acad. Med. Sci.,
USSR): K voprosu o terapevticheskom
znachenii kompleksonov pri khronicheskoi
intoksikatsii svintsom. (THERAPEUTIC
VALUE OF COMPLEXING COMPOUNDS IN CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING.) Gigiena Truda i Profes-
sional'nye Zabolevaniya 3, No. 1:7-11,
1959.
In 32 patients, iv treatment with 20 ml of 10%
CaNa2EDTA twice daily for 3 days, repeated 2-3
times at 4-5-day intervals, raised Pb excretion in
urine 33-100-fold. General weakness and pain,
Headaches, stomach disorders, etc, during the
first days of treatment were indications of its
effectiveness. They disappeared at the end of the
treatment. In 13 other patients receiving 2 g
EDTA/day orally for 20 days, the urinary Pb in-
crease was 8-20-fold with no side effects. With
both compounds blood analyses showed unfavorable
results during the first days of treatment. EDTA
is advocated as an effective therapeutic in Pb
poisoning, and its parenteral administration is
recommended. (13 references)
1960
2086 Albahary, C. (France): Saturnisme et
troubles de I'he'moglobinoge'nese. (LEAD
POISONING AND HEMOGLOBINOGENESIS.) Pro-
ceedings of the Society of Industrial Med-
icine and Hygiene. Archives des Maladies
Professionnelles de Medecine du Travail
et de Se'curite' Sociale 21:352-6 (June),
1960,
On the basis of 4 case reports, blood findings
indicative of thalassemia and Pb poisoning are
discussed and it is pointed out that the same rate
of increase of stippled red cells may be found in
minor and minimal thalassemia as in Pb exposure.
Concerning the physiopathological mechanism, only
the globin is involved in thalassemia while in Pb
poisoning Pb seems to act as an antienzymatic sub-
stance. Thus, the stippled cells may not be the
result of an alteration of the mature blood cor-
puscles by the poison but may rather represent
basophil complexes due to a disturbance in hemo-
globin formation at the stage of erythroblasts.
2087 Albahary, C., Truhaut, R., Boudene, C., and
Desoille, H. (Paris, France): Diagnostic
et prevention du saturnisme par le verse-
nate de calcium disodique. (DIAGNOSIS AND
PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING BY DISODIUM
CALCIUM VERSENATE.) In Proceedings 13th
International Congress on Occupational
Health, New York, July 25-29, 1960 (pub-
lished 1961), pp. 209-14.
See Abstract No. 2223.
2088 Aldanazarov, A.T., and Atchabarov, B.A.
(Kazakh Akad. Sciences, USSR): Uroven
svintsa i gematoporfirina v moche u rab-
ochikh svintsovykh zavodov v zavisimosti
ot stepeni otravleniya. (LEAD AND HEMATO-
PORPHYRIN LEVELS IN THE URINE OF LEAD
PLANT WORKERS AS A FUNCTION OF THE SEVERITY
OF LEAD POISONING.) Trudy Instituta
Kraevoi Patologii, Akademiya Nauk Kazak-
hskoi SSR 8:151-8, 1960.
Levels of Pb and hematoporphyrin were tested in the
urine of 248 Pb plant workers. The group included
apparently healthy subjects, subjects without
symptoms but suspected of Pb intoxication, cases
Man
403
-------
of intoxication of varying degree of severity and
patients with residual symptoms after an acute
attack of Pb intoxication. Pb levels of 0.05 mg/1 '
or higher, and hematoporphyrin levels of 6 units
or higher were considered pathological. Increased
levels were found in ^50% of apparently healthy
workers, and of suspected Pb intoxication cases.
With the appearance of symptoms and with increasing
severity of Pb intoxication, the incidence of path-
ological urinary Pb levels increased to a high of
80%. The absolute levels of Pb and hematoporphyrin
increased to a maximum of 0.24 mg/1 and 10 units,
respectively. In most cases, increased levels of
hematoporphyrin were accompanied by reduced blood
hemoglobin levels. Generally, hematoporphyrinuria
preceded the appearance of stippled basophilic
erythrocytes. Although increased, urine levels of
Pb and hematoporphyrin are indicative of exposure
to or intoxication by Pb, normal values do not ex-
clude Pb intoxication. (16 references)
2089 Asano, I.: HAEMATOLOGICAL STUDIES ON LEAD
ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE RESPIRATORY
TRACT IN HUMAN BEINGS. Journal Osaka City
Medical Center 9:2101-18 (June), 1960.
This article is listed by title only in the Con-
tributions from the Department of Preventive Medi-
cine and Public Health, Osaka City University Med-
ical School. Vol. 2, April 1959-March 1961, p.
26.
Pb acetate solution was experimentally admini-
stered through the respiratory tract to 2 healthy
Japanese adults, using a new inhalation apparatus.
The experiment covered a period of 238 days, from
August to the following March. It was divided
into the following 5 stages: In the 1st, 1 mg/day
of Pb acetate (0.546 mg Pb) was administered by
inhalation every day for 61 days; in the 2nd, 2
mg/day for 31 days; in the 3rd, 4 mg/day for 50
days; in the 4th, no Pb for 42 days; and in the
5th stage of 54 days, thiotic acid and CaEDTA were
administered for the purpose of treatment. The
results obtained were as follows: At first the
amount of Pb in the blood increased with an abnor-
mal increase in urinary coproporphyrin excretion
and in the reticulocyte count. These increases
diminished ^15 mo after discontinuation of the Pb
intake. Stippled cells showed an increase fol-
lowed by the development of anemia. Red cells and
hemoglobin content decreased following the Pb ad-
ministration almost in the same ratio. An increase
in white cells and relative neutrophilia, with
slight lymphopenia, was observed in the Pb-exposed,
but these phenomena did not seem influenced by Pb.
In the myelogram of subject A, the number of ery-
throblasts increased at the early stage of Pb
absorption. Basophilic and polychromatic macro-
blasts increased also in both A and B during the
Pb absorption period, while normochromatic normo-
blasts decreased in the last stage of Pb absorp-
tion. Thrombocyte count of subjects increased in
the early stage of Pb absorption. (From APCA Ab-
stracts 8, Abstr. No. 4696, 1962)
2090 Aub« J-c- (Harvard Med. School, Boston,
Mass.): THE COMPARISON OF ORGANIC AND
INORGANIC LEAD POISONING. In California
State Department of Public Health: The
Fourth Air Pollution Medical Research Con-
ference, Dec. 7, 8, and 9, 1960. Berkeley,
Calif., 1960, Proceedings of the third day,
pp. 52-61.
Although Pb poisoning has been well investigated,
some factors of absorption and treatment remain
important to study in a comparison of inorganic Pb
with organic Pb (TEL) intoxication. The latter is
seen very rarely, since organic Pb in Pb-gasoline
is transformed into inorganic Pb before it appears
in auto exhausts. The author discusses briefly
the 2 types of poisoning, then in greater detail,
the metabolism of Pb as learned in laboratory ani-
mals and man, chiefly from the point of view of
absorption via the respiratory tract. He then
mentions Kaye and Reznikoff's analysis of New York
City street dust before the use of TEL (1924) and
in 1934, in which an almost 50% increase of Pb was
found. Storage of Pb in bone is then discussed at
some length with mention of the author's work (with
G. Wislocki) on the Ca content in antlers of deer.
This tissue undergoes very rapid growth and would
be ideal for an evaluation of Pb storage in con-
taminated areas.
2091 Baader, E.W. (Hanover, Westphalia, Germany):
Die Porphyria cutanea tarda ist keine
Berufskrankheit. (PORPHYRIA CUTANEA TARDA
IS NOT AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE.) Berufs-
de'rmatosen 8:132-5 (June), 1960.
The author does not agree with Ippen's opinion that
porphyria cutanea tarda is a chronic "subclinical"
Pb intoxication and as such represents an occupa-
tional disease that requires to be reported and
compensated. The 65-yr-old welder who had been ex-
posed to Pb and later developed skin porphyria
with corresponding urinary porphyrin excretion,
did not show the typical history and clinical signs
of Pb poisoning as Ippen maintains. Pb exposure
does not simultaneously infer Pb poisoning. Fur-
thermore, truck driving cannot be classified in the
group of "Pb occupations" merely because many of
Ippen's dermatologic patients were truck drivers.
The author points out that for 120 yr it has been
known that Pb does not affect 2 organs: the lung
and the skin. In his own 35-yr-long practice he
has seen no case with skin lesions due to Pb.
2092 Baader, E.W. (Univ. Mtlnster, Westphalia,
Germany): SELF-POISONING WITH LEAD. In-
dustrial Medicine and Surgery 29:1-7
(Jan.), 1960.
Deceitful cases of self-poisoning by eating Pb in
order to prolong compensation and means to detect
such cases are discussed. Five points are listed
as possible signs of attempted deceit: (1) severe
so-called relapses occurring after extended removal
from exposure; (2) the presence of >4 mg Pb/100 g
feces at 4 wk after stopping work; (3) the propor-
tion of urinary (mg/1) to fecal Pb (mg/100 g)
(normally 1:3); (4) the discovery of other metals
than Pb in the feces (in printers, Sb and Sn were
often found along with Pb just as they occur in
the alloy of the type); (5) X-ray findings of the
empty intestines.
2093 Baker, J.B.E. (Charing Cross Hosp. Med.
School, London, England): THE EFFECTS OF
DRUGS ON THE FOETUS. Pharmacological
Reviews 12:37-90 (Mar.), 1960.
404
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
The literature concerning the effect of Pb on the
mother and the fetus is reviewed on pp 78-9. The
conclusion is drawn that too high a concentration
of maternal Pb early in pregnancy may cause fetal
death by trophoblastic necrosis or by hemorrhages
in the early placenta. Surviving fetuses or those
not poisoned until later may show a specific pic-
ture of underdevelopment of unknown mechanism.
(354 references)
2094 Bartolozzi, 0., and Zurlo, N. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Effetti della profilassl con
versenato di calcio negli opera! esposti
al piombo (EFFECTS OF THE PREVENTIVE
TREATMENT WITH CALCIUM VERSENATE IN WORK-
ERS EXPOSED TO LEAD.) Medicina del Lavoro
51:607-11 (Oct.), 1960.
From Aug. 1955 on, 400 workers of a battery plant
have been treated preventively with 2 g/day of
CaEDTA twice for 10 days/yr. No untoward reac-
tions developed and brought considerable improve-
ment in respect to Pb poisoning. Although the
subjects remained exposed to Pb, the urinary por-
phyrin remained normal for 1 yr after the treat-
ment so that a determination of the porphyrin con-
tent in urine was no criterion for Pb poisoning.
In spite of high urinary Pb levels in many workers
no signs of poisoning were seen. When removed
from work the urinary level dropped to 50% within
1 mo. morbidity at this plant dropped since 1955
to 3.5%, compared with 4.5% for other industries.
From 1950-1955 there were 9 cases of Pb poisoning
and from 1955-1959 only 1.
2095 Belknap, E.L.: REVIEW OF TEN YEARS OF
PUBLISHED EXPERIENCES OF TREATMENT OF IN-
ORGANIC LEAD ABSORPTION IN THE ADULT WITH
EDATHAMIL OR CALCIUM SODIUM EDTA. In Pro-
ceedings 13th International Congress on
Occupational Health, New York, July 25-29,
1960 (published 1961), pp. 217-26.
A review of 10 yr of published experience involving
treatment of Pb absorption with edathamil, or
CaNa2EDTA, is presented. This includes the indi-
cation for its use, the most effective technique
of administration (iv or oral), and a discussion
of its potential dangers as well as procedures
which may be undertaken to determine whether its
administration has been adequate.
2096 Bellini, F., and Finulli, M. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Gastroduodenite ed ulcera peptica
nel saturnismo. (GASTRODUODENITIS AND
PEPTIC ULCER IN LEAD POISONING.) Medicina
del Lavoro 51:369-75 (May), 1960.
A study of 457 patients with Pb poisoning showed
gastritis and duodenitis in 62 men (13.5%), and
peptic ulcer in 18 (3.9%). The authors conclude
that in subjects with definite Pb poisoning, par-
ticularly when repeated abdominal colics have oc-
curred, Pb can be held responsible for a gastroduo-
denitis and probably also for peptic ulcer. Pos-
sible mechanism of action of Pb in the production
of the lesion is discussed. (33 references)
2097 Boersma, M.J., and Beyer, T.: Tijdelijke
nierbeschadiging gedurende behandeling met
calcium-EDTA wegens loodvergiftiging.
(TEMPORARY RENAL IMPAIRMENT DURING TREAT-
MENT WITH CA-EDTA FOR LEAD POISONING.)
Nederl. Tijdschr. v. Geneesk. 104:1152-4
(June 11), 1960.
Renal dysfunction of a transient nature was caused
in a patient, aged 29, by treatment with CaEDTA
for Pb poisoning. Functional impairment was seen
in the glomeruli as well as in the tubuli. (From
Bulletin of Hygiene 35:969, 1960)
2098 Boogaerdt, C.A., and De Mooij , H. (N.V.
Philips' Gloeilampenfabrieken, Eindhoven,
Netherlands): AIR POLLUTION FROM SOLDERING
FUMES. Industrial Medicine and Surgery
29:36-8 (Jan.), 1960.
Examination of 42 female employees engaged in
soldering did not reveal any facts pointing to Pb
poisoning. The coproporphyrin level was <200 yg/1
in 38 of the subjects, stippled cells <0.25% in 39.
The Pb concentration in the 4 soldering departments
ranged from 18-166 yg/m3 (av 28-150) at nose
height, and from 40-123 pg/100 m3 (av 67-104) in
the 2 fume areas of the soldering rooms. Investi-
gations concerning possible additional absorption
of Pb through the mouth by contact with Pb alloys
are in process.
2099 Boyadzhiev, V. (Dept. Health, Ind. Hyg.,
Clin. Occup. Dis., Bulgaria): Vliyanie na
kraveto mlyako i maslo vurkhu vuznikvaneto
i protichaneto na olovnoto otravyane
mezhdu akumulatorni rabotnitsi, (EFFECT
OF MILK AND BUTTER ON THE APPEARANCE AND
COURSE OF LEAD POISONING AMONG BATTERY
WORKERS.) Nauchni Trudove na Visshiya
Meditsinski Institut, Sofia 39, No. 3:143-
70, 1960.
Investigations were done on 2 groups of workers
in storage battery manufacturing plants; one re-
ceived daily 1 1. fresh milk/person, the other,
100 g butter. The working and living conditions
of the workers were also investigated in order to
determine other possibilities for the appearance
of Pb poisoning. Changes in the hematologic cri-
teria and other cardinal symptoms were followed
over a 10-mo period (6 experimental and 4 control
months). It was established that both work and
home conditions were about the same, showing that
the observed changes in the criteria were due to
the V30 times higher concentrations than normal at
work. Under the influence of the experimental
rations, almost the same changes appeared in the
number of erythrocytes, leukocytes, polymorpho-
nuclear cells and lymphocytes as well as in Pb pal-
lor, etc. The author concludes that neither milk
nor butter prevent the appearance of Pb poisoning.
Some indicators decreased in the group given butter
(hemoglobin, leukocytes). With discontinuance of
butter rations some improved (erythrocytes, hemo-
'globin, color index, etc). Therefore, butter had
a negative effect on the criteria studied. In
confirmation of the opinion expressed in the liter-
ature, the author recommends for workers exposed
to Pb, a diet rich in proteins and poor in fats.
(From author's English summary; 20 references)
2100 Brieger, H. (Jefferson Med. Coll. Phila-
delphia, Pa.): CHELATING AGENTS IN THE
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL
DISEASES. Archives of Environmental
Man
405
-------
Health 1:271-7 (Sept.), I960.
The review begins with the application of the
principle of chelation in the treatment of Pb poi-
soning with the use of Na citrate by Kety and
Letonoff in 1941, followed by the introduction of
'BAL, primarily for As poisoning (Peters et al), in
1945. These were followed in turn by the use of
the Ca and CaNa2 salts of ethylenediaminetetra-
acetic acid (EDTA), penicillamine and DTPA. Ex-
perience in Be disease, poisoning with Mn, Cd, Te,
Tl, and other metals is then briefly reviewed.
The author summarizes his survey, first pointing
out the questionable value of several clinical re-
ports, by stating that the mechanism of action of
BAL in As poisoning has been studied so perfectly
that the recommended clinical application has met
with results that correspond to theoretical pre-
dictions, but that this is not yet fully true of
the interaction between other chelating agents and
metals. However, results obtained in human beings
correlate rather well with the results of animal
experiments, and, in spite of theoretical gaps and
practical limitations, the introduction of EDTA
for the treatment of Pb poisoning has been an im-
portant advance. (60 references)
2101 Brieger, H.: THE USE OF CHELATING AGENTS
IN OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE. In Seven, M.J.,
and Johnson, L.A., ed. : Metal-Binding in
Medicine. Philadelphia, Lippincott, 1960,
pp. 200-4.
The use of chelates in chronic Pb, Hg, Be, Mn, Cd,
Te, Tl, Sb, As, and radioactive metal poisonings
is discussed. The author concludes as follows,
taking into account the questionable value of
several clinical reports: The action mechanism
of BAL in As poisoning has been studied so com-
pletely that the recommended clinical application
has met with results that correspond to theoretic-
al predictions. Although this is not yet fully
true in regard to other chelates and metals, the
results obtained in humans correlate rather well
with those of animal experiments. In spite of
theoretical gaps and practical limitations, the
introduction of CaNa2EDTA for the treatment of Pb
poisoning has been an important advance. (50
references)
2102 Brudevold, F. (Forsyth Dent. Infirmary,
Boston, Mass.), Steadman, L.T. and Smith,
F.A. (Univ. Rochester, N.Y.): INORGANIC
AND ORGANIC COMPONENTS OF TOOTH STRUCTURE.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
85, Art. 1:110-32 (Mar. 29), 1960.
Pooled layer samples of enamel from teeth of known
ages, collected at different geographic areas,
were microradiographically analyzed for trace ele-
ments. Results showed that certain elements, in-
cluding F, Zn, Pb, and to a lesser extent Fe, Ag,
Mn, Si and Sn normally occur in greater concentra-
tions in surface than in subsurface enamel. The
Pb concentration in 6 successive layers, in ppm
(dry weight), decreased from 210-47 in unerupted
teeth, 350-35 (latter in 5th layer) in erupted
teeth <20 yr, 360-54 at 20-29 yr, 520-200 (4th
layer) at 30-49 yr, and 550-152 at >50 yr. The
data demonstrate that the increase of Pb with age
is also more marked in the external than internal
portion of the enamel. Tooth enamel of primitive
people from 2 Pacific Islands and from Greenland
contained smaller concentrations of Pb than enamel
from the US. Certain constituents including car-
bonate, Na and Mg occurred in lower concentrations
in surface than subsurface enamel, while others
such as Cu, Sr, Al and K. were evenly distributed.
Pb concentrations in surface and body enamel of
intact teeth from different geographical regions
were 2.6-0.4 and 1.1-0.1 yM/g, respectively. The
distribution of Pb and Zn in crown dentin and
roots was also studied. In crown dentin of teeth
>50 yr age Pb content was ^300 ppm, Zn >1200 ppm;
in the roots of unerupted teeth, Pb was ^350 ppm
and Zn >1000.
2103 Bruno, L. (Health Dept., Alfa Romeo Soc.,
Italy): II rischio di saturnismo tra i
lavoratori addetti alle scocche di automo-
bili. (THE HAZARD OF LEAD POISONING IN
WORKERS OF A CAR BODY PLANT.) Medicina del
Lavoro 51:225-31 (Mar.), 1960.
A study was made of 39 workers engaged in the sol-
dering and polishing of car bodies which exposed
them to the inhalation of large amounts of Pb-con-
taining dust. Atmospheric samples at various oper-
ations showed concentrations of Pb from 1.137-6.385
mg/m^; dusts contained up to 2120 mg/m^. The av-
erage Pb content in blood was 89 ug/100 ml, urinary
coproporphyrins 26 yg/100 ml, stippled erythrocytes
700/million. When hand filing was introduced in
place of machine filing and precautionary measures
were set up, control tests after 1 yr gave the fol-
lowing results: blood Pb 68 yg/100 ml, urinary
coproporphyrins 7.7 yg/100 ml, stippled cells 62/
million.
2104 Bugyi, B. (City Hosp., Csepel/Budapest,
Hungary): RHntgenologische Reihenunter-
suchung zur Fruherfassung der Knochen- und
Gelenkerkrankungen beruflicher Genese.
(ROENTGENOGRAPHIC SERIAL EXAMINATION FOR
THE EARLY DETECTION OF BONE AND JOINT DIS-
EASES OF OCCUPATIONAL ORIGIN.) Zentral-
blatt fttr Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz
10:104-9 (May), 1960.
Systematic X-ray examination of the long tubular
bones, especially in the metaphysical areas of the
shank bone, is recommended for Pb workers. (29
references)
2105 Burger, G.C.E., and Frant, R. (TNO Inst.
Ind. San. Eng., Netherlands): OCCUPA-
TIONAL HEALTH IN NETHERLANDS. Annals of
Occupational Hygiene 2:280-2 (Nov.), 1960.
The recent literature on industrial exposure to
Pb is reviewed with special emphasis on some con-
flicting views between the findings of Dutch and
American investigators. Various methods for
coproporphyrin determination, and MAC-values for
-------
19-38.
Since the author was unable to present preliminary
studies of Pb in tissues, he reported on some of
the results of analyses of 12 elements in 10 tis-
sues obtained at autopsy in the Los Angeles County
Hospital. The work was carried out, with the ex-
ception for Hg, with an emission spectrochemical
method, the accurary of which was first determined.
The elements examined were Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo,
Ca, Al, Co, Ag, Cr and Cd, and the organs, liver,
kidney, heart, brain, lung, spleen, pancreas,
adrenal, thyroid and jejunum. The detailed data
for all elements and tissues are shown in 4 ta-
bles. In premature and full-term infants, Cu, Zn,
and Fe in liver were higher than in adults. The
mean Pb contents in premature infants' liver was
(mg/100 g dry tissue) 0.31; in full-term, 0.35;
in 3 mo-1 yr, 0.28; in adult controls, 0.79. Pb
values in the lung and liver had a tendency to
show maxima in the middle age groups, but not so
or less obviously in other organs. In a tabula-
tion of mean Pb concentrations in liver, lung,
spleen and brain, at ages from 0-1, 1-20, 21-30,
etc up to 100 showed ranges as follows, in mg/100
g dry tissue, respectively: 0.42-95, with the
highest in the ages 31-70; 0.48-1.10 highest at
41-50, decreasing to 0.50 at 81-100 yr; 0.27-0.69;
0.26-0.38. Since very high quantities of Pb in
liver had been found in a New York case of Medi-
terranean anemia with excessive Fe storage, J.
Ellis of Cornell University School of Medicine
sent tissues from 53 autopsies (cancer, heart, etc
diseases). In general, differences of metal values
were not great, but Pb values for liver, brain and
spleen were ^2 times the values for the LA Hospital
cases. Comparisons of Pb in liver, pancreas and
jejunum with Fe were also made in Bantu siderosis,
hemochromatosis, Cooley's anemia and pulmonary
siderosis.
The author concludes as follows: It is quite
evident that Pb accumulates, particularly in the
liver, in response to excessive Fe storage. The
converse was true in a few proved instances of ex-
posure to Pb. Therefore, elevated hepatic Pb
levels cannot be interpreted as prima facie evi-
dence of Pb intoxication. The question arises
whether Pb in response to Fe storage has an insidi-
ous or latent effect on hepatic cells, affecting
their abilities to excrete Fe. If not, then the
body must have enormous powers of metal-binding,
since clinical findings of Pb intoxication, such
as anemia, red cell stippling and urinary excre-
tion of coproporphyrins were not present in the
cases of hemochromatosis, aregenerative anemias
and other Fe-storage diseases. Hemosiderin, a
combination of protein and Fe, may act as a bind-
ing agent not only for Fe but for excess Pb, Ca,
Cu, Zn and Mo. Special stains revealed that Cu
and Fe were present in pigment granules of giant
cells in certain forms of hepatic cirrhosis.
2107 Butt, E.M., Nusbaum, R.E., Gilmour, T.C.,
and DiDio, S.L.: TRACE METAL PATTERNS IN
DISEASE STATES: HEMOCHROMATOSIS, BANTU
SIDEROSIS AND IRON STORAGE IN LAENNEC'S
CIRRHOSIS AND ALCOHOLISM. In Seven, M.J.,
and Johnson, L.A., ed.: Metal-Binding in
Medicine. Philadelphia, Lippincott, 1960,
pp. 43-9.
See preceding abstract.
2108 Candura, F., Villa, T., Candura, M., and
Czechieli, S. (Univ. Pavia, ItaJy) : IRON
METABOLISM OF SUBJECTS TREATED WITH
CaNa2EDTA. Lavoro Umano 12:369-81, 1960.
EDTA was administered iv to normal and Pb-poisoned
individuals and the urinary and fecal excretion of
Fe was determined colorimetrically. EDTA did not
remove Fe from transferrin to any significant
degree. Urinary Fe levels were not significantly
elevated during chelation therapy except for a
rise during the 1st 24 hr, which subsequently re-
turned to normal. Fecal Fe levels were not mater-
ially changed. (From Chemical Abstracts 58:6113,
1963)
2109 Casula, D., Cherchi, P., and Spinazzola,
A. (Univ. Cagliari, Italy): Sul comporta-
mento di alcune prove di funzionalita
epatica in soggeti esposti al rischio
saturnine. (THE BEHAVIOR OF CERTAIN LIVER
FUNCTION TESTS IN SUBJECTS EXPOSED TO
LEAD.) Rassegna Italiana di Gastro-
Enterologia 6:639-54 (Dec.), 1960.
Liver function tests were performed on 31 workers
exposed to Pb as founders or typographers for 12-
30 yr. Ten of these men showed signs of chronic
Pb intoxication, 9 showed increased Pb absorption
and 12 were free of clinical and laboratory signs
of Pb poisoning. A number of subjects, most fre-
quently those with chronic Pb poisoning, showed a
slight deficiency of liver function as manifested
by the glycemic curve and a small reduction of the
level of serum pseudocholinesterase.
2110 Casula, D., Cherchi, P., and Spinazzola,
A. (Univ. Cagliari, Italy): Sul comporta-
mento del fattori del complesso protrom-
binico in soggetti esposti al rischio
saturnine. (BEHAVIOR OF PROTHROMBIN COM-
PLEX FACTORS IN SUBJECTS EXPOSED TO LEAD
POISONING RISK.) Rassegna Medica Sarda
62:703-11 (Sept.-Oct.), 1960.
The activity of the prothrombin complex, procon-
vertin, proaccelerin, prothrombin alone, prothrom-
bin + proconvertin, was studied in 62 subjects
exposed to Pb. All subjects were divided into the
following 3 groups: (1) all subjects showing clini-
cal and chemical signs of Pb chronic intoxication
(19 cases); (2) subjects without clinical signs
of intoxication but with physiologic signs of Pb
absorption: >70% Pb in blood, >200 ug in 24 hr
urine, >100 ug coproporphyrin in urine, increase
in stippled erythrocytes (14 cases); (3) subjects
without clinical or physiologic signs but with a
long-term (10-30 yr) exposure to Pb (29 cases).
Reduction in the values of prothrombin and procon-
vertin was observed frequently. Proaccelerin, on
the other hand, did not show any variations. This
reduction in activity did not reach beyond 70% of
the normal value. No essential difference was
found in the behavior of the prothrombin complex
between group 1 and 2, in which ^35% decrease in
prothrombin complex value was observed; 15% of
the subjects in group 3 showed subnormal value.
Administration of vitamin K (30 mg, daily, for 4
consecutive days), to all cases with prothrombin
and proconvertin values <80% of the normal value,
Man
407
-------
did not seem to exert a significant influence.
Only in 3 cases did the values return to normal.
It is concluded that the reduction in the prothrom-
bin complex activity observed, might be due to a
decrease in the production of these factors by
the liver.
2111 Cermefio y Cermeno, F. (Avila Prov. Inst.
Health, Spain): Epidemiclogia de la in-
'toxicacion por plomo en la provincia de
Avila. (EPIDEMIOLOGY OF LEAD POISONING
IN THE PROVINCE OF AVILA.) Revista de
Sanidad e Higiene Publica 1960:85-100
(Jan.-Feb.).
The province of Avila represents a poverty region
of Spain with substandard living and housing con-
ditions, lack of hygiene, malnutrition, and re-
lated problems. The geography, population distri-
bution, topography and climate are described.
People and livestock drink the same water from
open wells. However, the cause of epidemics of Pb
intoxication in this region has been discovered to
be in the consumption of wine, after a survey had
excluded occupational source. Analysis of a sam-
ple suspected to have caused poisoning gave 100
mg/1 by the colorimetric method. Search for the
origin of this Pb disclosed solubility from a
glaze which covers the inside of the earthenware
jars and kettles. Three further samples from
various receptables had Pb contents ranging from
60-450 mg% (?). The main factors causing high Pb
content in wine were (1) storage in glazed con-
tainers, (2) the presence of acids in the wine,
such as is the case during fermentation, and (3)
a duration of contact of wine with the glaze suf-
ficiently long to dissolve the Pb. The etiology
and symptomatology of acute and chronic Pb intoxi-
cation are briefly given. Measures for the elim-
ination of the hazard included an investigation
for the identification of the wine barrel vendors.
From 1956-1958, 62 cases of Pb intoxication were
found of which 32 were women and 30 men.
2112 Cervetti, i>. , and Casucci, G. (Univ.
Genoa, Italy): Osservazioni sul comporta-
mento elettroforetico delle siero-proteine
nella intossicazione florida da piombo.
(OBSERVATIONS ON THE ELECTROPHORETIC BE-
liAVIOR OF SERUM PROTEINS IN SEVERE LEAD
POISONING.) Lavoro Umano 12, No. 10:452-
62, 1960.
The electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in
57 subjects with severe Pb poisoning showed a de-
crease of the total proteins in 18 cases, of the
albumins in 23 cases, a reduced value of albumin
to globulin ratio in 15 cases, an increase of oc-
globulins in 8 cases, of the 3-^lobulins in 10 and
of the -y-globulins in 19. These findings were
considered to be due to a mild functional liver
impairment provoked by Pb poisoning. Almost all
the colloidal tests gave normal results.
2113 Cherchi, P., and Spinazzola, A. (Univ.
Cagliari, Italy): Sul comportamento delle
prove omogeniche in soggetti esposti al
rischo saturnine. (STUDY OF THE COAGULA-
BILITY OF THE BLOOD AND CAPILLARY RESIS-
TANCE IN PERSONS EXPOSED TO LEAD.)
Archivio Italiano di Scienze Mediche
Tropical! e di Parassitologia 41:655-62
(Dec.), 1960.
In a study on 28 workers from a Pb foundry and the
printing industry, the subjects were placed into
3 groups, showing: (1) clinical and biological
signs of chronic Pb poisoning, 14; (2) no obvious
clinical evidence of Pb poisoning but clear bio-
logic signs of Pb absorption, 7; (3) no Pb-effects
even though duration of exposure had been 10-30 yr,
7. In addition to the usual tests, the following
hematological tests were undertaken: the tourni-
quet, Hecht's test, bleeding time, coagulation
time, Howell's recalcification time, platelet
counts, clot retraction, Quick test, fibrinogen
level. The protocols of all the 28 subjects in-
vestigated are presented in a table giving the
results of the tests in detail. More than half
the workers with clinical signs of Pb intoxica-
tion, and 1/3 of those with signs of increased Pb
absorption, gave results in the tourniquet and
Hecht tests, 10-15% above the normal level. The
changes in fragility of the blood vessels are
generally proportional to the degree of Pb absorp-
tion and the duration of exposure. (14 referen-
ces) .
2114 Chernavina, L.F.: (USE OF ULTRAVIOLET IR-
RADIATION FOR CORRECTION OF SOME DISTURB-
ANCES OF METABOLIC PROCESSES IN WORKERS
IN DANGEROUS OCCUPATIONS.) Ul'trafiole-
trovoe Izluchenie 1960, No. 3:154-7.
Increased blood alkaline phosphatase was found in
58% of 1275 workers of the Sevkabel factory, Lenin-
grad, with no apparent dependence on season. From
78-88% of workers in dangerous occupations had in-
creased alkaline phosphatase, compared with 48% of
those in nondangerous occupations and 47% of those
in service positions. Persons in the dangerous
jobs were likely to be exposed to heat, Co, H sul-
fide, and benzene, or to Pb. Values of alkaline
phosphatase >10 units were considered elevated.
At the Sevkabel factory a procedure was organized
for exposure of selected groups to natural and ar-
tificial ultraviolet. Such exposures tended to re-
store alkaline phosphatase levels to normal. (From
Chemical Abstracts 56:5075, 1962)
2115 Chiesura, P. and Micheli, F. (Univ. Padua,
Italy): Osservazione clinico-statistiche
sulla distribuzione professionale del
saturnismo. (CLINICO-STATISTICAL OBSERVA-
TIONS ON THE OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF
LEAD INTOXICATION.) Folia Medica (Naples)
43:1017-29, 1960.
A group of 156 individuals who received INAIL
benefits for permanent disability caused by Pb
intoxication and another group of 142 subjects,
suspected of Pb intoxication were studied over a
3-yr period. Data are tabulated for the 1st group
on the incidence of Pb poisoning in various occu-
pations and regions, the degree of disability in
the various occupations, and the principal toxic
manifestations at various degrees of disability.
Data tabulated for the 2nd group show the propor-
tion of non-poisoned and poisoned subjects in the
various occupations and the degree of their in-
toxication. The results of the study are dis-
cussed. (16 references).
408
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
2115 Cimasoni, G., and Oltramare, M. (Dental
and Storaatol. Polyclinic; Med. Polyclinic,
'Geneva, Switzerland): Plomb et parodon-
tolyses. (LEAD AND PYORRHEA.) Schweiz-
erlsche Monatsschrif t ftlr Zahnhellkunde
70:903-11 (Oct.), 1960.
A 39-yr-old Italian man employed for less than a
year in the manufacture of bronze containing 25%
Pb showed, besides the usual signs of Pb poisoning,
a distinct gingival Pb line with loosening and loss
of several teeth for which he claimed additional
compensation. A review of the literature and own
studies on workers with and without Pb exposure
failed to establish Pb poisoning as a cause of
pyorrhea even though paradental disorders fre-
quently appear in Pb poisoning cases.
2H7 Corsi, G.C. (Univ. Padua, Italy): La
diagnosi nell'intossicazione professionale
da arseniato di piombo. (DIAGNOSIS IN
OCCUPATIONAL INTOXICATION BY LEAD ARSEN-
ATE.) Rivista degli Infortuni e delle
Malattie Professionali 47:169-77 (Jan.-
Feb.), 1960.
Problems encountered in the diagnosis of intoxi-
cation with Pb arsenate are discussed. In the
acute form which is generally caused by ingestion
of Pb arsenate, gastrointestinal symptoms charac-
teristic of As intoxication prevail. In the chron-
ic form which is usually caused by inhalation of Pb
arsenate, the symptomatology varies. In most cases
the aspect of Pb intoxication predominates but in
some cases a mixed syndrome of As and Pb intoxica-
tion results. A picture of pure As poisoning is
rare. Since the clinical findings are inconclu-
sive, special laboratory tests, such as determina-
tion of As and Pb in blood and urine, urinary
coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin in the blood,
are required. In the chronic form, As and Pb
deposits should be first mobilized by BAL and EDTA.
Urinary concentrations of As and Pb >300 and 500
yg/1, respectively, and protoporphyrin values in
the blood 100-150 ug/100 ml are indicative of
intoxication. (15 references)
2118 Cumings, J.N. (Inst. Neurol. Natl. Hosp.,
London, Eng.): COPPER, IRON AND LEAD
METABOLISM AND THE BRAIN. In: Bowman,
P.W., and Mautner, H.V., ed.: Mental Re-
tardation. Proceedings of the First In-
ternational Medical Conference at Portland,
Maine, New York, Grune and Stratton, 1960,
pp. 288-301.
The author introduces his review on the title sub-
ject (74 references) by stating that various metals
when deposited in the brain or in other organs,
may affect the metabolic processes by a number of
different actions. They may cause the destruction
of cells by a toxic action, modify the function of
cells by altering the essential enzyme systems, or
affect cells so that, although function is pre-
served, it is so altered as to give secondary fea-
tures. Cu metabolism is discussed in some
detail, as relatively much is known about it. The
review of Pb is limited to a section on encephalo-
pathy and its associated chemical features. This
condition is most common in children, the cause
being inorganic Pb. Organic Pb, because exposure
is at work, gives rise to cerebral lesions only in
adults. There is considerable variation in data
for urinary Pb excretion in Pb encephalography
compared with normal subjects. Some workers have
found normal values but a large number of records
show a raised Pb content. Pb levels determined by
27 groups of workers in blood, urine, cerebro-
spinal fluid, brain, liver and long bones in Pb
encephalopathy are tabulated. Such enzyme studies
as have been done have given negative results. A
Pb line in the long bones has been seen only in
young children and not in adults. Mental sequelae
may occur in up to 30% of cases. No correlation
between Pb levels in the body fluids and the occur-
rence of mental symptoms has been observed.
2119 Del Valle, R., and Gamo Herranz, A. (Pro-
vincial Hosp., Guadalajara, Spain):
Saturnismo cronico. (CHRONIC LEAD POISON-
ING.) Revista Clinica Espanola 76:120-3
(Jan. 31), 1960.
To the increased and diversified use of Pb in in-
dustry as a major cause of Pb intoxication must be
added the exposure to Pb in the general environ-
ment, dangerous because of its ease of pulmonary,
cutaneous and oral absorption. The latter causes
include drinking water from Pb pipes, food packed
in Pb containing materials and accidental inges-
tion of Pb such as occur in the infant. Two cases
of Pb poisoning, in a 52 and a 66-yr-old women,
with colic, stippled erythrocytes and other typi-
cal signs and Pb in urine (no value given) due to
the use of a glazed earthenware jar in which vine-
gar was kept are described. An investigation of
the cooking habits in patients' vicinity revealed
a similar condition in the daughter of one of the
patients. The authors uncovered 2 further cases
in a married couple who had been using Pb glazed
dishes.
Treatment in these cases was with CaNa2EDTA and
symptomatic treatment with antispasmodic drugs and
vitamins.
The authors state in closing that the identifi-
cation and removal of causes of Pb intoxication
are more important than cure.
2120 Dinischiotu, G.T., Nestorescu, B.,
Radulescu, I.C., lonescu, C., Preda, N.,
and Ilutza, G. (Colentina Hosp., Bucharest,
Romania): STUDIES ON THE CHEMICAL FORMS
OF URINARY LEAD. British Journal of In-
dustrial Medicine 17:141-5 (Apr.), 1960.
Pb in urine has been determined by a wet-ashing
technique to give total Pb (Bessman et al, 1955)
and by a standard coprecipitation technique to
give precipitable Pb (Cholak et al, 1948). In 44
normal subjects, with an exposure to Pb not greater
than that of normal living conditions, values ob-
tained by both methods were the same (43.0 and 42.6
Ug/1). In 72 subjects heavily exposed to Pb in
their work (increased absorption); of whom 15
showed no clinical or laboratory signs of Pb poi-
soning (group 1) and 57 had clinical Pb poisoning
(group 2) the precipitable Pb was significantly
less than the total Pb: 95.5 and 130.4 ug/1 re-
spectively for group 1 and 150.04 and 256.9 ug/1
group 2. Thus, as much as 40% of urinary Pb can
escape determination by the coprecipitation meth-
ods of estimation. Preliminary findings suggest
that the nonprecipitable Pb may be present as a
Man
409
-------
natural chelate.
The significance of these observations is dis-
cussed as follows: In normal subjects where the
amount of Pb absorbed equals that which is ex-
creted, the urinary Pb is eliminated entirely as
precipitable Pb, but where there is increased ab-
sorption with or without Pb poisoning the urinary
Pb appears in 2 forms. The nonprecipitable Pb
found only in urine of persons exposed to Pb ap-
pears thus to distinguish them from those with
only a physiological absorption. The level of
nonprecipitable urinary Pb increases with the
total Pb excretion and is highest in those suffer-
ing from Pb poisoning. The principal condition
governing the excretion of this nonprecipitable Pb
fraction is the degree of Pb accumulation which
may be found equally in those not suffering from
clinical Pb poisoning rather than the clinical
state of those suffering from Pb poisoning. The
danger is stressed that cases of threatened Pb
intoxication may be overlooked if only copre-
cipitation methods of estimation Pb in urine are
used.
2121 DXuzniewska, K., and Gorczynska, K.
(Inst. Hyg., Acad. Med., Krakow, Poland):
Stopien narazenia na zatrucie oXowiem
robotinikow zatrudnionych w hutach oXowiu
i cynku oraz w zakXadach graficznych.
(THE DEGREE OF EXPOSURE TO LEAD POISONING
OF WORKERS IN LEAD AND ZINC FOUNDRIES AND
PRINTING WORKS.) Przeglad Lekarski 16,
No. 6:190-5, 204, 1960.
In 1955-57, the authors examined the conditions of
environment and health of workers in a Zn and Pb
foundry (275 males) and a printing works (229
males), in order to estimate the degree and real
frequency of Pb poisoning in the 2 kinds of works.
Investigation of the environment showed that the
conditions in both the foundry and the printing
works were unsuitable. The concentration of Pb in
the air of the Zn-Pb factory was especially high,
20-600 times higher than the Soviet standard per-
mitted concentration of 0.01 mg/m^; this was also
exceeded in the printing works (3-10 times as
high). Medical examination of the workers showed
subjective and objective symptoms characteristic
of Pb poisoning. Headache, loss of appetite, loss
of muscular strength, a metallic taste in the
mouth and nausea were frequent complaints. Among
the objective symptoms the most characteristic
were hypochromic anemia (average erythrocyte count
3,860,000, Hb 12.17 g/100 ml, index 0.93 for work-
ers in the Pb-Zn foundry; for those in the print-
ing works the erythrocyte count was 4,200,000, Hb
13.2 g/100 ml and index 0.95), the excretion of
coproporphyrin III in the urine (56.7% of foundry
workers and 11.7% of printing works employees),
and the concentration of stippled erythrocytes
(32% of foundry workers and 9.6% of printing works
employees). In the Zn and Pb foundry, 40% of work-
ers and in the printing works, 4.8% were found to
have Pb poisoning. The authors conclude that the
known principles of health protection for those in
contact with Pb are not carried out and that con-
stant control and examination of the conditions of
work and health is still necessary. (From Excerpta
Medica, Sect. 17, 7:Abstr. No. 2596, 1961)
2122 Dmitriev, V.F., Gazarkh, L.A., and
Shipitsyn, S.A. (Med. Inst., Irkutsk,
USSR): CONTENTS OF MANGANESE, NICKEL,
LEAD, CALCIUM, AND MAGNESIUM IN PROTEINS
OF THE BRAIN. Mikroelementy v Pochvakh.
Vodakh i Organizmakh Vost. Sibiri i
Dal'nego Vostoka i ikh Rol v Zhizni Rast.,
Zhivotnykh i Cheloveka, Akad. Nauk SSSR,
Sibirsk. Otd., Tr. Pervoi Konf., Ulan-Ude
1960:99-104 (published 1961).
Spectrographic analyses of brain proteins showed
the presence of 0.013-0.048% Pb (av 0.022%) in
animal brain proteins and 0.012-0.020% (av 0.015%)
in human brain proteins. (From Chemical Abstracts
59:6780, 1963)
2123 Dominici, L.M., Micheloni, F., and Bigotto,
M.R. : Le intossicazioni da piombo nell'
industria ceramica dell Repubblica di San
Marino. (LEAD POISONING IN THE CERAMIC
INDUSTRY OF SAN MARINO.) Igiene e Sanita
Pubblica 16:13-22 (Jan.-Feb.), 1960.
The Republic of San Marino has a long history of
work with ceramics, chiefly glass, but cases of Pb
poisoning have only rarely been reported though 300
persons out of a total population of the republic
of 15,000 are employed in such work. Two large
establishments employ 145 and 85 persons respec-
tively; the remainder work in small workshops
where the hygienic conditions leave a good deal to
be desired.
In the manufacture of the so-called "lead glass"
PbO and red Pb are used in considerable amounts as
fluxes to make the colors adhere to the matrix and
to make them more brilliant, the amounts of PbO
varying from 3-40%. The authors examined all 300
workers clinically and selected basophilia as the
simplest index of early Pb absorption and though
not even those longest in the industry showed evi-
dence of overt Pb poisoning, in some the history of
digestive disturbances, etc, was suggestive. How-
ever, 30% showed evidence of Pb "impregnation"
which was not necessarily related to age, sex,
type, or length of work, suggesting some contingent
condition which the authors consider was essential-
ly neglect of the rules, particular reference being
made to the neglect of personal cleanliness, espe-
cially of the hands, as a potent accessory factor.
Nevertheless, 30 persons, 14 male and 16 female,
were found to have a basophil rate of 1:300. Their
ages ranged from 12-67 yr (only 2 were >40 yr) and
the length of time they were exposed to risk var-
ied from 25 days to 50 yr though only 4 had done
such work for >10 yr. The authors consider that
regular medical inspections at brief intervals to-
gether with the examination of blood films for
basophilia is essential for prevention, together
with education of the operatives as to the possi-
ble risk. Six of the 30 with high basophilia had
done such work for a maximum of 8 mo, and only 1
of these was >20. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 35:
760, 1960)
1 2124 Dymshits, Ya.M., and Misharin, A.P. (Med.
Inst., Irkutsk, USSR): TRACE ELEMENTS IN
LYMPH-ADENOID TISSUES. Mikroelementy v
Pochvakh. Vodakh i Organizmakh Vost. Sibiri
i Dal'nego Vostoka i ikh Rol v Zhizni
410
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Rast., Zhivotnykh i Cheloveka, Akad. Nauk
SSSR Sibirsk. Otd., Tr. Pervoi Konf.,
Ulan-Ude 1960:105-9 (Published 1961).
Spectrographic analyses of Si, Ni, Mn, and Pb
showed the following Pb contents in mg%; normal
tonsils from 47 autopsies 0.006-15 (av 1.4);
pathologic tonsils from 154 tonsillectomies 0.001-
34.0 (av 1.Z5); normal appendixes from 56 autop-
sies 0.017-2.90 (av 0.471); pathologic appendixes
from 71 appendectomies 0.003-1.23 (av 0.26); ade-
noids removed from 8 children 0.168. The results
indicated that the minimum and average amounts of
trace elements studied were higher in normal than
in pathological lymphadenoid tissues. This may be
a result of the adaptation reaction of the dis-
eased organism. (From Chemical Abstracts 59:9151,
1963)
2125 Eisler, L,, and Bartou§ek, V, (Div. Occup.
Dis., Neurol. Div., KUNZ, Ostrava, Czech-
oslovakia) : Neurologicke" a psychiatricke
poruchy pri otrave olovem. (NEUROLOGICAL
AND PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN LEAD POISON-
ING.) Pracovni Lekarstvi 12:362-5 (Sept.),
1960.
The authors present a case of encephalopathy due
to Pb poisoning in a 37-yr-old man, which de-
veloped after a brief exposure (5 mo) in a wire
hardening shop, The extent of exposure was il-
lustrated by the finding of up to 3.9% (0.17 g in
4.43 g) dust/m' deposited on the furnace. The in-
toxication manifested itself first by gastroin-
testinal symptoms; after these subsided, neurolo-
gical symptoms appeared. These included, apart
from a single epileptoid paroxysm, small focal
disorders providing evidence of the affection of
the brain stem of the diencephalon. The psychic
symptomatology was marked by depression, temporary
confusion and delirium. The patient was treated
with CaNa^EDTA Spofa and in addition the prepara-
tion was used twice for mobilizing the Pb bound
in the tissues. The laboratory results are shown
in figures. Upon admission, Hb was 74%, stippled
cells 54/10,000, Pb in blood 108 ug%, urinary por-
phyrin 3+. (13 references)
2126 Emmerson, B.T., and Thiele, B.R. (Brisbane
Hosp., Govt, Chem. Lab., Australia): CAL-
CIUM VERSENATE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CHRONIC
LEAD NEPHROPATHY. Medical Journal of Aus-
tralia 1:243-48 (Feb. 13), 1960.
The difficulty of deciding in a particular case of
chronic renal disease whether the lesion was due
to childhood Pb poisoning or to other factors is
pointed out. Urinary Pb excretion was determined
after intravenous (iv) injection of 1 g CaNa.EDTA
to 9 patients with nephropathy 01-54 yr old, 6 of
whom were known to have had Pb exposure in child-
hood, 1 had recent (7 mo before) acute Pb poison-
ing, and 2 none) and 1 subject (46 yr) who had had
Pb poisoning in childhood but had no renal lesion.
There were 6 normal control subjects. The results
of the study were presented in tables and figures.
Pb content in skull bone, determined in 4 of those
exposed to Pb in childhood, ranged from 4,6-19.5
mg/100 g moist bone; in 2 controls, 1.4-2.7. Ur-
inary Pb 6 days after EDTA ranged in the patients
from 0.59-3.83 mg (cumulative) and from 0.02-0.61
mg in the controls in 4 davs after EDTA. It was
found that increased and prolonged urinary Pb ex-
cretion followed after iv infusion of CaNa2EDTA in
some patients with advanced renal disease due to
childhood Pb poisoning though they had not had any
appreciable Pb exposure for periods up to 40 yr,
2127 Eolian, S.L., and Eramian, S.G.: Ob iz-
menenii vozbudimosti obonitel'nogo
analizatora pri vozdeistvii nekotorykh
proiznodstvennykh khimicheshikh venh-
chestv. (ON CHANGES IN THE EXCITABILITY
OF THE OLFACTORY ANALYZER DURING THE AC-
TION OF VARIOUS TOXIC SUBSTANCES.) Vest.
Otorino-Laringol. (Moscow) 22:40-3 (Nov.-
Dec.), 1960.
The excitability of the olfactory analyzer was
studied by the Elsberg-bevi olfactometric method
in 224 persons having contact with Pb. The ol-
factory analyzer excitability decreased in Pb in-
toxication. The authors concluded that olfac-
tometry may facilitate the detection of early
signs of Pb intoxication. (From APCA Abstracts
8: Abstr. No. 4673, 1962)
2128 Fatzer, R. (WSdenswil, Switzerland): Ein
Beitrag zum Bleibenzinproblem. (CONTRIBU-
TION TO THE PROBLEM OF LEADED GASOLINE.)
Praxis 49:350-2 (Apr. 7), 1960.
The review on the hazards arising from the use of
leaded gasoline is illustrated with the case of a
truck driver who complained about insomnia, in-
testinal disturbances, pain in the joints, etc,
and showed severe gingivitis. The author remarks
that in his 20 yr of dental practice he had never
seen such purulent gums. The patient complained
that there was often an odor of gasoline in his
cab. The gingivitis disappeared rapidly after
treatment with CaEDTA (even after the 1st injec-
tion) , and the patient remained in perfect health
when he was allowed to use Pb-free gasoline in his
truck. The author regards these facts sufficient
to warrant a diagnosis of Pb poisoning. Although
he discusses briefly the MAC in air and Pb levels
in blood and urine, the latter were not determined
in this case, for as he states, such values are
only relative and subject to wide disagreement
from author to author as to interpretation.
2129 Fernandez-Sanchez, F., and Santos-Ruiz, A.
(Inst. Gregorio Rocasolano, Madrid,
Spain): (TRACE ELEMENTS IN NORMAL AND
PATHOLOGIC HUMAN TISSUES. VI. NORMAL AND
MYOMATOUS UTERINE TISSUE. VII. UTERINE
CARCINOMAS.) Rev. espan. fisiol. 16
(Supplement 3)::201-9; 211-8, 1960.
Pb was found in 47 specimens of myomatous and
normal uterus. Spectrographic analysis of'53
carcinomas showed the consistent presence of Pb.
However, between normal and tumor tissue no dif-
ference was found in the concentration of Pb.
(From Chemical Abstracts 55:4718, 1961)
2130
Fischer, R.E.: Das Schrifttum Uber die
Bleikrankheit aus den Jahren 1953-58.
(THE LITERATURE ON DISEASES CAUSED BY
LEAD EXPOSURE, 1953-58). Clausthal-
Zellerfeld, Gesellschaft Deutscher
MetallhUtten-und Bergleute e. V., 1960,
137 pp.
Man
411
-------
An extensive review and an annotated bibliography
of the 413 references of the literature from
1953-58 are presented. The material is arranged
according to the following topics: Occurrence of
diseases caused by Pb exposure; Pb in the air and
dust of streets; pathways of Pb in the body; bio-
logical effects of Pb; diagnosis, therapy, and
prophylactic measures in Pb intoxication; protec-
tive measures in industry; hazards due to TEL.
2131 Gaultier, M. , Gajdos, A., Gajdos-TdrHk,
M. , Fournier, E., and Gervais, P.:
L'interet diagnostique et therapeutlque
des dosages de porphyrines dans le sat-
urnisme. (DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC IM-
PORTANCE OF DETERMINATIONS OF PORPHYRINS
IN SATURNISM.) Pathologic et Biologie
(Paris) 8:1993-2003 (Nov.), 1960.
An elevation of urinary porphyrin correlating
with an increase of erythrocytic porphyrins is
found constantly in evident clinical Pb intoxica-
tions, A normal level of erythrocytic protopor-
phyrin permits the dismissal of a diagnosis of Pb
poisoning even in an individual who has been ex-
posed to Pb, and other causes have to be investi-
gated (liver disorders, other types of poisoning).
On the other hand an increase of protoporphyrin
with a normal coproporphyrin level can be present
in an individual exposed to low risk of Pb poison-
ing although clinical indications are not yet evi-
dent. The Pb mobilization test, by iv infusion of
CaNa2EDTA, enables decision as to doubtful cases.
Counts of stippled erythrocytes remain a sound
practice, though other causes may provoke their
appearance (thalassemia). The indicated treatment
of Pb intoxication is infusion of EDTA twice daily
for 6 days with a pause after which the treatment
has to be repeated. The importance of the repeti-
tion of the treatment has been proved, for when
the Pb level soon becomes normal, EDTA cannot mo-
bilize any appreciable amount of Pb stored in the
bones, which has not yet been mobilized.
The provocation test, after a few days' pause,
is the best test toward recovery because the cop-
roporphyrin level becomes normal well before de-
coxication is complete, while that of protoporphy-
rin remains elevated for some time. (From Ar-
chives des Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine
du Travail et de Securite Sociale 23:179-80 (Ab-
stracts), 1962)
2132 Gemke, G.R. (East.-Kazakh Reg. Div. Publ.
Health, Ust'-Kamenogorsk, USSR): K
voprosu o sostoyanii arterial'nogo tonusa
pri vozdeistvii svintsa. (THE ARTERIAL
TONE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF LEAD.) Gig-
iena Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya
2:49-53, 1960.
The blood pressure was studied in the brachial and
temporal arteries of 345 men working in the agglo-
meration, crushing, charging, and dust-trapping
shops of a Pb plant. Individuals up to 40 yr of
age showed a rise in pressure in the brachial
artery. Lowering of pressure occurred frequently
at a higher age. In general, regional temporal
hypotension was observed more often than hyper-
tension. Other findings included asymmetry of the
arterial pressure and arterial dystonia. (12
references)
2133 Gemke, G.R. (East-Kazakhstan Regional
Dept. Health, USSR): Funktsional'noe
sostoyanie limfatlcheskikh sosudov pri
saturnizme. (THE FUNCTIONAL STATE OF THE
LYMPHATIC VESSELS IN SATURNISM.) Klinich-
eskaya Meditsina 41:111-4 (Jan.), 1960.
The author conducted dynamic investigations of the
functional condition of lymphatic vessels in 40
patients with occupational Pb poisoning. The
method of Primak-Herbst with intradermal introduc-
tion of adrenaline and measurement of the area of
the white spot (lymphangiogram) was used. It was
found that in Pb poisoning the lymphatic vessels
undergo considerable functional changes. They
consist of a diminution of the area of lymphangio-
gram in Pb colic attended by arterial hypertension,
as compared with subjects suffering only from Pb
anemia. Upon subsidence of clinical manifesta-
tions, there is seen a considerable increase of
the area of the lymphangiogram, which is more pro-
nounced in persons with an elevated arterial pres-
sure who had suffered previously from Pb colic.
(From author's summary)
2134 Gerarde, H.W. (Esso Res. Eng. Co., Linden,
N.J.): CHEMICALS IN INDUSTRY. Federa-
tion Proceedings 19, Part II (Suppl. 4)
22-5 (Sept.), 1960.
In this discussion, the author emphasizes the "ex-
plosion" in the development of new chemicals in
the past 20 yr, and the need of testing their tox-
icity for employee safety. In illustration of the
need of detecting chemicals or metabolites in body
fluids for precautionary measures, a table showing
biological threshold limits, based on exposure
tests, includes Pb and TEL, respectively, as fol-
lows (mg/1): blood 0.08, 0.07; urine 0.15 and
0.12.
2135 Gerin, C., Pollini, R.R. , and Balbo, W.
(Italy): CLINICOSTATISTICAL AND MEDICO-
LEGAL STUDIES CARRIED OUT ON 2,000 WORKMEN
AT THE MEDICOLEGAL CENTER OF INDUSTRIAL
TOXICOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ROME.
Abstracts of the 13th International Con-
gress on Occupational Health, New York,
July 25-29, 1960, No. 17-5.
Case material on 2000 workmen exposed to Pb and
other poisons in air over a long period is pre-
sented. In a considerable percentage of cases,
laboratory studies showed evidence of initial
intoxication, although very few cases of "full-
blown" disease resulted. Need for early diagnosis
through periodic tests and medicolegal evaluation
of damage to health is discussed.
2136 Goldwater, L.J. (Columbia Univ., New York,
N.Y.): OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES AS ETIO-
LOGIC FACTORS IN HEART DISEASE. A.M.A.
Archives of Industrial Health. 21:509-13
(June), 1960.
Pb is listed among chemicals reported to act on
the heart, its alleged action being myocardial
degeneration. (33 references)
2137 Granata, M.: (CASE HISTORIES OF SATURNISM
IN CERAMICS WORKERS.) Minerva medicolegale
80:90-4 (Jan.-Apr.), 1960; Cumulated Index
Medicus l:A-488, 1960.
412
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
2138 Grandjean, E., and Wlithrich, M. (Inst.
Ayg. and Ind. Physiol., Zlirich, Switzer-
land): Untersuchungen uber die BleigefHhr-
,dung von Spleissern. (STUDY ON THE LEAD
HAZARD OF SPLICERS.) Zentralblatt fUr
Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz 10:153-8
(July), 1960.
Fifty men of whom 42 were splicers of telephone
cables, ranging from 25->50 yr old, so engaged
from 6 mo->10 yr, and 8 solderers or installers
were subjected to a medical examination. The fol-
lowing findings were made: In a test with 15 sub-
jects the water in which the men washed their
hands contained an average of 17-33 mg Pb per per-
son. The majority of air analyses in the manholes
.ranged from O.ul-0.02 mg Pb/ra except during
scraping and brushing of the couplings when for a
short time values between 1 and 29 mg/m^ were ob-
served. Urinary Pb of the splicers ranged from
0-0.1 mg Pb/1, most of them were 0.01-0.06 mg/1.
Case history and subjective complaints did not ex-
ceed those of a normal group. There were 3 cases
of finger tremor, 1 case of anemia and 4 cases of
increased stippled erythrocytes. However, since
these were isolated cases, they could not be con-
sidered as symptoms of Pb damage. No relation-
ships were noted between the frequency of com-
plaints and the objective signs or the urinary Pb
level. The frequency of digestive complaints was
higher than normal which may have been caused by
the fact that the splicers worked at night. The
authors conclude that the favorable results of the
investigations are due to proper training and per-
sonal hygiene combined with relatively good health
conditions of the examined men.
2139 Grevisse, J. (Univ. Liege, Belgium): Ap-
plications the'rapeutiques des sels de
1'acide e'thylene-diamino-te'tra-ace'tique.
(THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF THE SALTS OF
ETHYLENE DIAMINOTETRAACETIC ACID.) Revue
M£dicale de Liege 15:125-32 (Feb. 15),
1960.
The chemistry, metabolism, toxicity and medical
application of EDTA in Pb and other heavy metal
poisonings is reviewed on the basis of 129 refer-
ences.
2140 Grisler, R., and Finulli, M. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Utilita' della tecnica sempli-
ficata della clearance dell'acido para-
aminoippurico nello studio delle nefro-
patie vascolari professional!. (USE OF
SIMPLIFIED TECHNIQUE FOR p-AMINOHIPPURIC
ACID CLEARANCE IN STUDYING OCCUPATIONAL
VASCULAR KIDNEY DISEASES.) Medicina del
Lavoro 51:376-80 (May), 1960.
The technique used by the authors is that of
Bettge and Simon (1955), which permits a reliable
evaluation of renal plasma flow (RPF) by deter-
mining p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) clearance, as
based on the decrease, vs time, of plasma concen-
trations of PAH after a single injection, without
need of collecting the urine with a catheter. As
determined on 15 normal subjects, an average of
620 (530-780) ml/min was obtained. In 20 patients
with nonoccupational hypertension, the RPF in 13
was lower than normal; 6 of them showed an azote-
mia >50 mg% and in 7 renal damage was definitely
established. In 20 patients with Pb poisoning, 4
with acute colic (av 500 ml/min RPF) 3 showed de-
crease in RPF, with only 1 of them exhibiting ar-
terial hypertension which regressed at the end of
colic. In 5 with colic that had receded a short
time before (av 560 ml/min RPF) reduction in RPF
was observed in only 2; all had normal tension.
In 3 with Pb anemia without colic present or past
(av 760 ml/min RPF) RPF was normal; 1 was hyper-
tensive. In 8 with chronic poisoning (av 457 ml/
min RPF), RPF was reduced in 6 cases of whom 4
were hypertensive, and normal in 2, both normo-
t ens ive.
The authors conclude that the technique gives
results that are comparable to those reported by
other authors employing more complicated methods
for Na thiosulfate and PAH clearance, and recom-
mend it for the study of subjects with occupation-
al poisoning accompanied by possible vascular
lesions, as it provides a picture of renal func-
tion. (17 references)
2141 Haeger-Aronsen, B. (Univ. Lund, Malmd,
Sweden): STUDIES ON URINARY EXCRETION OF
6-AMINOLAEVULIC ACID AND OTHER HAEM PRE-
CURSORS IN LEAD WORKERS AND LEAD-INTOXI-
CATED RABBITS. Scandinavian Journal of
Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 12,
Supplement 47:1-128, 1960.
The metabolism of trace quantities of Pb, Pb toxi-
cology and the value of certain laboratory tests
in the early detection of increased Pb absorption
are reviewed in the 1st 2 chapters.
In Chapter 3, methods are described for determina-
tion of ALA, porphobilinogen (PEG), coproporphyrin
+ coproporphyrinogen ("CP") and Pb in the urine
and ALA in serum as well as the number of baso-
philic stippled cells (BSC) in the blood. ALA was
shown to be stable in urine of pH 4-7 but unstable
at higher pH values, while PEG and "CP" were most
stable in slightly alkaline urine. Therefore, if
urine has to be stored before determination of ALA
and PEG, it should be divided into 2 parts, 1 of
which is adjusted to pH 4-7 and the other to pH
7-9.
Chapter 4 gives the normal ranges for the urinary
concentration of ALA, PEG, "CP", Pb and creatinine
as determined for humans and rabbits and shown in
numerous tables. No differences were found with
sex. The mean urinary excretion of ALA by 100
apparently healthy individuals was 0.29 mg/100 ml
(SD = 0.14) or, in terms of weight/g of creatinine,
1.52 mg (SD = 0.59). In Chapter 5, findings are
reported on urine and in certain cases blood from
307 individuals (135 Pb workers, 75 patients with
different types of porphyria, 47 patients with
miscellaneous diseases) and 85 rabbits. Earlier
observations that many workers employed in Pb in-
dustries have an increased urinary excretion of
ALA but, in most cases, a PEG excretion within the
normal range, were confirmed. The urinary excre-
tion of ALA was also markedly raised in Pb-poison-
ed rabbits. In contrast to what was found in the
Pb workers, the urinary PEG was also increased.
Chapter 7 deals with observations on Pb-poisoned
patients and rabbits treated by administration of
EDTA or penicillamine. The urinary excretion of
ALA decreased rapidly at the same time as the Pb
Man
413
-------
excretion increased. The pathologically high ex-
cretion of ALA in Pb-intoxication therefore seems
to be correlated with the amount of ionized or
easily available Pb in the organism.
In the remaining Chapters the application of
certain physical and enzymatic methods is first
described to the identity of the "ALA", excreted
in increased amounts in Pb poisoning. Since
Mauzerall and Granick (1956) questioned whether
the substance estimated as ALA was identical with
6-aminolevulinic acid or only a fraction of the
total "ALA." Consideration of the results obtained
suggests that the abnormally high excretion of ALA
during Pb poisoning can be the result of both
prerenal and renal damage. The prerenal disorders
possibly responsible for the raised serum concen-
tration of ALA are discussed.
In an attempt to ascertain whether determination
of the urinary ALA might be of value in the routine
medical control of Pb-workers, the increases in
urinary ALA and "CP" and the number of BSC in the
blood were compared. This showed that demonstra-
tion of an increase in urinary ALA is a more sen-
sitive index of the presence in the body of ex-
cessive amounts of Pb and reflects the order of
such an increase more accurately, besides which
it is the earliest change detectable by these
methods. Apart from Pb intoxication, acute inter-
mittent porphyria cutanea tarda and some types of
porphyria occurring in South Africa are the only
diseases in which the urinary ALA is known to be
raised. In these porphyrias the raised excretion
of ALA is almost always accompanied by an increase
in the excretion of PEG. Of the 47 patients with
various diseases, mainly liver disease and hemo-
lytic anemias, the urinary ALA was normal in all
except 3, in whom it was only slightly raised.
Intoxication of rabbits with Ca, Cu, Zn, As, Ag,
Sn, Hg, Tl and Bi was not followed by any in-
crease in the excretion of ALA.
Periodic examination of the urine from Pb work-
ers in different departments of a storage battery
industry showed that the increase in the urinary
ALA varied directly with the degree of exposure to
Pb. The results suggest that the workers occupied
with plate finishing, assembling, pasting + oxide
mixing and plate forming are exposed to the great-
est risk of Pb intoxication, while work in the Pb
storage, casting and charging departments appears
to involve no appreciable hazards.
The author concludes that in the routine medical
supervision of factory workers, determination of
the urinary ALA should be a valuable test, giving
an early and reliable indication of increased ab-
sorption of Pb .
2142 Harada, A., Orita, J., and Takahashi, S.
(Yuasa Storage Battery Co. Ltd.; Clinic,
Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan): (THE REACTIONS
OF HEALTHY MEN FOLLOWING LEAD WORK.) Ko-
kumin Eisei 29:65-78, 1960.
Seven healthy men with no previous Pb exposure
were employed in work with Pb contact at various
concentrations for 200 days. Pb showed no effect
on leukocytes, but erythrocyte counts, Hb content
and specific gravity of whole blood decreased and
then were restored gradually. Higher concentra-
tions of Pb produced more rapid onset, deeper ef-
fects, and slower recovery. The patterns observed
in the behavior of the basophilic stippled cells
and reticulocytes, and the coproporphyrin in urine
are described. The amount of Pb in blood and in
urinary excretion increased to a constant level
according to the extent of Pb exposure. Increase
of urobilinogen in urine was observed only in 2
cases with high Pb exposure. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 55:4822, 1961)
2143 Hofmann, A.F., and Smiley, J.D. (Coll. of
Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia Univ.
and Presbyterian Hosp., New York, N.Y.):
IDIOPATHIC HYPOPARATHYROIDISM PRESENTING
WITH SEIZURES. A PATIENT EXHIBITING MO-
BILIZATION OF LEAD DURING TREATMENT.
American Journal of Medicine 28:147-51
(Jan.), 1960.
A case of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism with a
history of repeated grand mal seizures was re-
ported. The patient, a 46-yr-old woman, exhibited
periods of memory loss, papilledema and retinal
hemorrhages despite normal cerebrospinal fluid.
The fundal findings, unilateral neurologic signs
and electroencephalographic abnormalities simu-
lated a brain tumor, but cleared after treatment.
ihe diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism was made after
determination of serum P and Ca levels of 7.4 and
5.5 mg%. The patient was given a low P diet and
a daily regimen of 3.75 mg dihydrotachysterol
orally and 10 ml of 10% Ca gluconate iv. Pursuant
to the previously considered diagnosis of Pb en-
cephalopathy, blood and urine Pb determinations
were obtained after 6 days of therapy, with the
following results: blood 0.26 mg% (normal 0.07-
0.12), urine 0.30 mg/1 (normal 0.08 mg/24 hr).
For the next 3 wk, the patient received orally
daily 3.75-7.5 mg dihydrotachysterol and 7-10 g
of Ca lactate. Vitamin D at a daily dose of
100,000-200,000 units was then substituted for
the dihydrotachysterol. Four weeks after starting
therapy, the blood and urine samples showed no
detectable Pb. Smears of peripheral blood for
stippling remained negative and random urine tests
disclosed no coproporphyrin III. The other symp-
toms disappeared and the patient returned to good
health. A blood test 2 yr after admission showed
,no Pb .
The authors conclude that Pb mobilization from
skeletal stores occurred during therapy, and mech-
anisms involved in interrelationships between Pb,
^a and P metabolism are discussed. No history of
increased Pb exposure in this patient could be
determined. (40 references)
2144 Hofreuter, D.H. (US Pub. Health Serv.,
Cincinnati, 0.): PRELIMINARY REPORT OF
FIELD STUDIES OF LEAD AND CARBON MONIXIDE.
In California State Department of Public
Health: The Fourth Air Pollution Medical
Research Conference, Dec. 7, 8, and 9,
1960. Berkeley, Calif., 1960, Proceedings
of the third day, pp. 5b-18.
The data reported here on the blood and urinary
levels of Pb among a cross-section of urban and
rural populations are included in the final re-
port published in 1961. (See Abstract No. 2269.)
2145 Holtzman, R.B.: SOME DETERMINATIONS OF
THE RaD AND RaF CONCENTRATIONS IN HUMAN
414
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
BONE. US Atomic Energy Commission Docu-
ment No. ANL-6199, 1960, pp. 94-106.
Surgical bone and tooth specimens were analyzed
for 226Ra, 210Pb, and 210Po. Data are tabulated.
An attempt was made to determine whether or not
vity. The results gave an average content of
0.015 pCi/g^wet bone (0.0053-0.032). The contri-
oution of
210
Pb to the radioactive dose from nat-
any coorelation exists between Pb and
concentrations in various types of bone. (From
Nuclear Science Abstracts 15:8475, 1961)
2146 Horiuchi, K., Horiguchi, S., Nagao , Y.,
Hashimoto, K., Asano, I., and Noma, H.:
A SURVEY ON THE INFLUENCE OF LEAD EXPOSURE
UPON NEW EMPLOYEES IN AN ELECTRIC BATTERY
WORK. Osaka City Medical Journal 6, No.
1:71-7, 1960. In Contributions from the
Department of Preventive Medicine and Pub-
lic Health, Osaka City University Medical
School, Vol. 2, April 1959- March 1961, pp.
31-7.
New employees, ^20 yr old, were examined. The
average atmospheric Pb concentration in the work-
shops was 0.05-1.8 mg/m-'; the Pb in the air con-
sisted mainly of Pb oxide dust of a particle size
of 0.2-3.0 y in diameter. Red blood cell counts
showed a slight increase during the first 1-4 wk
and then gradually stabilized at a lower level.
The Hb content decreased for ^6-8 wk and stayed at
the low level. Four weeks after exposure, stip-
pled cells were found in all blood samples; the
retlculocyte count was not influenced. Urinary
and fecal Pb increased; the Pb concentration in
the blood did not increase significantly until
6-12 mo after the start of exposure. There was a
significant increase of urinary coproporphyrin
(CP) . Workers removed from Pb exposure showed
decreased urinary Pb and CP, and increased Hb con-
tent.
2147 Huckvale, W.S. (Consolidated Mining and
Smelting Co. Ltd., Trail, B.C.): THE CON-
TROL OF A LEAD HAZARD IN INDUSTRY. Occu-
pational Health Review 11; do. 4:17-20,
1960.
Inorganic Pb compounds and TEL are discussed in
.relation to toxicity, sampling and standards,
tests for Pb absorption, symptoms and signs of Pb
poisoning, and facilities for small industries.
In conclusion it is stated that a Pb hazard exists
when there are =2 mg Pb/10 m^ air in 8 hr and is
most toxic when taken in through the respiratory
tract. Well run medical and hygienic programs
will eliminate acute Pb poisoning and reduce
chronic Pb poisoning to a minimum.
2148 Humperdinck, K. (Ruhr Miners' Org. ,
Bochum, Germany): Die Bleivergif tung.
(LEAD POISONING.) Medizinische Klinik
(Munich) 55:2125-7 (Nov. 18), 1960.
This is a review and discussion of the occurrence,
symptoms and treatment of occupational Pb poison-
ing, based on 41 references.
2149 Hursh, J.B. (Univ. Rochester, N.Y.): NAT-
URAL LEAD-210 CONTENT OF MAN. Science
132:1666-7 (Dec. 2), 1960.
Samples from the whole body ash of 18 cadavers
(age at death 32-35 yr) were analyzed for 210Po,
and the measurement, converted to disintegrations
per unit time, gave the equivalent of 210Pb acti-
ural sources constituted ^1/5 that from internally
deposited 22°Ra and its daughters.
2150 Huzl, F., Joachimsthaler, J., Sykora, J.,
and SybliK, J.: Otravy olovem v kera-
mickem prfimyslu.. (LEAD POISONING IN THE
POTTERY INDUSTRY.) Pracov. Lek. 12, No.
5:256-9, 1960.
Clinical observations on pottery workers are de-
scribed, with special emphasis on the effect of Pb
in pregnancy. The conclusion is drawn that, in
pottery plants, Pb poisoning occurs through the
digestive system. CaNa2EDTA is administered to
outpatients with Pb exposure for the prophylaxis
of Pb poisoning. Measures have been taken to im-
prove conditions in the industry. (From Excerpta
Medica, Sect. 17, 7:Abstr. No. 852, 1961)
2151 !ppen, H. (Med. Acad., Dusseldorf, Ger-
many): Berufsbedingte Porphyria cutanea
tarda. (OCCUPATIONAL PORPHYRIA CUTANEA
TARDA.) Berufsdermatosen 8:135-9 (June),
1960.
Ippen replies to the various objections made by
Baader and points out that these objections do not
change his viewpoint. He suggests further study
of cases of porphyria and their relationship.
2152 Ippen, H. (Med. Acad., Dusseldorf, Ger-
many): Die subklinische BleischMdigung.
(SUBCLINICAL LEAD POISONING.) Berufsder-
matosen 8:139-50 (June), 1960.
The prolonged effect of small amounts of Pb can
cause organic lesions in certain organs, particu-
larly in the liver, which remain unrecognized for
some time. This phenomenon is designated as "sub-
clinical Pb poisoning." The condition may lead to
a liver cirrhosis as demonstrated by porphyria cu-
tanea tarda. There is a direct relationship be-
tween the skin lesions and the hepatosis, but only
an indirect connection to Pb. In the absence of
other influences causing possible hepatic lesions
and in the presence of an extended Pb exposure the
described liver pathology and the chronic hepatic
porphyria should be recognized as an occupational
disease. This is essentially a discussion of "la-
tent" Pb poisoning; significance of Pb porphyrin-
uria; relationship of Pb to liver; Pb and por-
phyria. (94 references)
2153 Izar, G. (Siena, Italy): Come si visita..
un nefroarterosclerotico da saturnismo
cronico. (HOW TO EXAMINE...A PATIENT OF
NEPHROARTERIOSCLEROSIS CAUSED BY CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING.) Minerva Medica 51:1893-
4 (May 19), 1960.
A 55-yr-old man, tinner since adolescence, had
suffered from gastrointestinal disturbances for
the past 20 yr. He was a light eater, heavy drink-
er, moderate smoker. The author was consulted
subsequent to attacks of pain in the lumbar region,
swelling of legs, scant urine. Upon finding al-
bumin in the urine, the patient was prescribed
proper diet and rest. Shortly before writing the
report, the author saw the patient in a highly
Man
415
-------
aggravated condition. Complaints were dizziness,
anorexia, anuria during the day, nocturia, dyspnea,
dry cough accompanied by cyanosis. Among clinical
and laboratory findings were yellowish pale facial
color; inflamed, easily bleeding gums; grey blue
line; missing or poor teeth, highly incrusted with
tartar; blood pressure 210 maximum, 120 minimum,
heart enlarged; superficial arteries serpiginous,
rigid; liver slightly enlarged; albumin in urine;
red cells 2,800,000; white, 2,500; no basophil
stippling; eyes, no retinal or vascular lesions
in fundus. The author based his diagnosis of
nephroarterial sclerosis due to chronic Pb poison-
ing on the occupation of the patient ("saturnism
is not rare in tinners," and "according to Devoto
absorption of 1 mg Pb/day for 40 days suffices to
produce saturnism"), the digestive disturbances,
dental and gingival lesions, the peripheral abnor-
malities of heart and arteries, and hypochromic
anemia.
2154 Kairkabaev, U.K.: (THE CARBOHYDRATE FUNC-
TION OF THE LIVER IN CHRONIC LEAD POISON-
ING.) Trudy Inst. Kraveoi Patol., Akad.
Nauk Kazakh. SSR 8:178-86, 1960.
Disturbed carbohydrate metabolism was found in
83.2% of 98 patients with Pb poisoning. Disturbed
liver carbohydrate metabolism ran parallel to the
gravity of intoxication and was frequently ex-
pressed as a reduced and delayed rate of glycogen
formation, and occasionally in the depletion of
liver glycogen reserve. (From Referat. Zhur.
Khim., Biol. Khim. 1961, Abstract No. 7S1493;
Chemical Abstracts 55:20213, 1961)
2155 Kakhn, Kh.A: THE EFFECT OF CALCIUM DI-
SODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID
(CaNa2EDTA) ON THE EXCRETION OF LEAD FROM
THE ORGANISM. Tr. 1-oi (Pervoi) Biokhim.
Konf. Pribaltiisk. Resp. i Belorussii,
Biokhim. Obshchestvo, Tartu 1960:473-5
(published 1961).
Eleven patients suffering from chronic Pb intoxi-
cation received iv 20 ml of a 10% solution of Ca-
N32EDTA daily for 3 days. After 3 days' inter-
ruption the same procedure was repeated. Pb con-
centration in the urine was highest after 2 days
of treatment. The therapy normalized the erythro-
cyte and reticulocyte count; the porphyrinuria
disappeared. (From Chemical Abstracts 58:8350,
1963.
2156 Kapetanovic, K., Radmic, S., and Solda-
tovic, D. (Univ. Belgrade, Yugoslavia):
Proteinske frakcije krvnog seruma kod
osoba hronicno trovanih olovom. (SERUM
PROTEIN FRACTIONS IN PERSONS WITH CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING.) Acta Pharmaceutica Yugo-
slavica 10, No. 3:125-9, 1960.
The Pb concentration in the blood and albu-
min, a^-, c<2-, B- and y-globulin in the blood se-
rum was determined in 36 persons with chronic Pb
poisoning and the average values obtained were
compared with those of normal individuals. The Pb
content in the blood of the Pb-poisoned subjects
ranged from 39 to 142 ug%. The albumin fraction
in their blood serum was decreased by an average
of 20%, the a^-globulin in most cases was some-
what lower than in controls, a.2~ and g-globulin
remained unchanged and y~globulin was decreased by
an average of 50%.
2157 Kaye. S. (State Health Dept . , Richmond,
Va.): LEAD POISONING. Virginia Medical
Monthly 87:31-2 (Jan.), 1960.
The derivatives of Pb, the use and properties of
the compounds are briefly reviewed. The MLD of
soluble Pb salts is ^10 g/150 Ib weight and of
TEL, i^lOO mg/150 Ib weight. The symptoms, iden-
tification and treatment of Pb intoxication are
listed and the author concludes with a brief dis-
cussion of CaNa2EDTA in the treatment of acute and
chronic cases in adults and children.
2158 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): TETRA-
ETHYL LEAD - THE DISPOSITION OF AN INTER-
NATIONAL CHEMICAL HAZARD. In Proceedings
13th International Congress on Occupational
Health, New York, July 25-29, 1960 (pub-
lished 1961), pp. 126-9.
This paper deals with hygienic policies and pro-
cedures instituted in 1926 in the TEL industry and
subsequent modifications and improvements. Prin-
ciples of industrial medicine and hygiene as ap-
plied in the manufacture and transport of TEL in-
volved physiologic and toxicologic investigation
and the design of commercial operations. Toxico-
logical information obtained by conventional labo-
ratory procedures was not sufficient for industri-
al hygiene purposes but had to be translated into
technologic methods for quantitative measurement
and into meaningful techniques for determining
physiologic and clinical responses of exposed per-
sonnel, along with their significance. This in-
volved experiments with animals. The feasibility
of widespread hygienic control depended on limita-
tion of exposure to as few sites and to as few
personnel as possible,•and therefore the develop-
ment of a definite pattern of commercial opera-
tions had to be evolved, ie, the concentration of
manufacturing activities at sites where expert
technical and hygienic and medical facilities and
personnel could be assembled. Transportation ne-
cessitated special containers, distinct labeling,
special handling, and transport personnel. Mixing
procedures were limited to a minimum number of
sites; model mixing equipment was designed; safe,
hygienic mixing instructions were issued; and prop-
er technical and medical supervision was furnished.
Special situations took into consideration the
following: proper cleaning and repairing methods
of gasoline storage tanks in order to prevent haz-
ardous exposures; operating manuals giving in-
structions for all operations along with safety
and health instructions; consultations with and
informing occupational health authorities in vari-
ous countries where the product was to be intro-
duced, of all hygienic facts brought to light by
research and experience; advice and assistance in
achieving the best results was given which in turn
brought about a reasonably uniform international
program of industrial medicine and hygiene; medi-
cal consultants in operating areas who act profes-
sionally for the TEL industry to see that the laws
and practices of their country along with the re-
quirements of the medical advisors of the industry
416
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
are complied with.
All this has led to the maintenance of an ex-
ceptionally adequate hygienic regimen for >30 yr.
2159 King, E,, and Thompson, A.R. (London
Hosp.; Vauxhall Motors Ltd., Luton, En-
gland): RELATIVE SIGNIFICANCE OF TESTS
FOR INDUSTRIAL LEAD ABSORPTION AND POISON-
ING DETERMINED BY FIELD SURVEYS. Indus-
trial Medicine and Surgery 29:534-9 (Nov.),
1960.
See Abstract No. 2290.
2160 King, E. , and Thompson, A.R. (London Hosp.,
London; Vauxhall Motors, Luton, England):
A FIELD SURVEY TO DETERMINE THE RELATIVE
SIGNIFICANCE OF TESTS FOR INDUSTRIAL LEAD
ABSORPTION AND POISONING. In Proceedings
13th International Congress on Occupational
Health, New York, July 25-29, 1960 (pub-
lished 1961), pp. 301-11.
See Abstract No. 2290.
2161 Kissel, P., Collesson, L., Dureux, J.B.,
Rauber, G., and Anthoine, D.: Le megadol- '
ichocolon saturnin. (SATURNINE MEGADOL-
ICHOCOLON.) Presse Medicale 68:1739-42
(Oct. 26), 1960.
The occurrence of Pb intoxication with abdominal
colics in 2 men, aged 52 and 42 yr, respectively,
was discussed. In the 1st case intoxication was
due to the drinking water which contained 4 mg%
Pb; in the 2nd case the patient had been exposed
to work with minium for 18 mo. Laboratory tests
showed Pb levels in the blood of 95 and 135 yg%,
respectively, and basophilic erythrocytes. Radio-
logical examinations revealed a segmentary en-
largement of the colon in the 1st case and a total
enlargement accompanied by megadolichocolon, in
the 2nd. Evidence of the latter had also been
obtained by clinical tests. The possibility of
the occurrence of megacolon due to Pb intoxica-
tion was pointed out.
2162 Lewis, C.E. (Texas Eastman Co., Longview):
THE TOXICOLOGY OF ORGANOMETALLIC COM-
POUNDS - PART I. Journal of Occupational
Medicine 2:183-7 (Apr.), 1960.
Chemical properties of TEL and the differences in
the effects of inorganic and organic Pb compounds
on the organism are described. The case of a
worker who had been exposed to TEL while cleaning
some storage tanks, is reported. He showed mild
generalized muscle weakness, coarse tremors of the
extremities, increased activity of the deep tendon
reflexes and maniacal outbursts. Urine analysis,
white blood cell and hemoglobin count and periph-
eral blood smear gave results within normal limits.
The man recovered completely over a 3-mo period.
2163 Lyubomudrov, V.E.: (EARLY MANIFESTATIONS
OF TETRAETHYLLEAD INTOXICATION.) Vracheb-
noe Delo 1960, No. 2:175-8. Translation,
US Office of Technical Services OTS:60-31,
485.
The arterial blood pressure was studied in 78 work-
ers exposed to 0.001-0.0002 mg TEL/1 air. Data
obtained before employment were compared with
those after employment of 3 mo, 3-6 mo, and >6 mo.
The maximum pressure in the temporal artery and in
the brachial artery of the same side were both
measured with the same sphygmomanometer but with
different cuffs. The vegetative innervatlon was
determined by symmetrical galvanometric and per-
spiration measurements of the skin with Mlshchuk's
apparatus. The frequency and degree of galvanic
and perspiration asymmetry was markedly increased
even though no signs of TEL poisoning (bradycardia,
hypotension, loss of weight and sleep, etc) were
observed. Only 8 of the 45 persons employed for 6
mo and 7 of the 13 employed for >6 mo complained of
periodic headaches with characteristic localization.
The brachial arterial blood pressure did not go
down in workers employed <6 mo, but the maximum
arterial blood pressure was decreased in 4 of the
16 persons employed for >6 mo, and the minimum was
decreased in 9 of them. The trend of the arterial
blood pressure values could not be determined in
the >6 mo group because no preemployment data were
available. A general decrease in the ratio tem-
poral/brachial arterial blood pressure was ob-
served. All 13 workers in the >6 mo group showed
hypotension in brachial arterial pressure. The
conclusion is drawn that vegetative asymmetry and
a high degree of hypotension should be regarded as
early manifestations of TEL intoxication.
2164 Micheli, t\ , Pera, S., ^ecchioni, V.
(Center for Study of Work Accidents,
INAIL-iiNPI, Florence, Italy): Aspetti
medico-social! del saturnismo. (MEDICAL-
SOCIAL ASPECTS OF LEAD POISONING.) Rivis-
ta degll Infortuni e delle Malattie Pro-
fessional! 47:998-1008 (Nov.-Dec.), 1960.
'ihe authors discuss the various aspects of Pb in-
toxication which, because of the rising use of Pb
and its compounds, now has become an important
problem of diagnosis and prevention. Indeed, this
industrial disease presents for the Insurance
Board an increase of both sanitary assistance and
social welfare which is reflected in changes made
in industrial disease laws in 1952 which include
Pb poisoning. The authors observe that the grav-
est form of the disease affects laborers in the
prime of their work capacity and produces perma-
nent disabilities in ^35%. They have also found
that the greatest number of cases with residual
disabilities occur among workers of the chemical
and earthenware industries. The average duration
of chronic Pb poisoning has been found to be 136
days and it has been established that the diges-
cive system is the one to be most affected. In
closing, the authors point to the economic losses
caused by this technology and recommend efficient
hygienic and preventive action to be carried out
primarily by the industrial physician.
Milojcic, B. (Epidemiol. Inst., Coll. Med.,
Belgrade, Yugoslavia): 0 redim oblicima
trovanja olovom s narocitim osvrtom na
hronicni nefrit. (ON RARE FORMS OF LEAD
POISONING WITH A SPECIAL REVIEW OF CHRONIC
NEPHRITIS.) Medicinski Glasnik 14:248-52
(May), 1960.
The review, based on 83 references, was prompted
by the publication of Danilovic et al (1957) on
the occurrence of endemic nephritis.
Man
417
-------
2166 Miyake, S.: A STUDY ON THE NEW SIMPLE
SYNTHETIC DIAGNOSTIC METHOD ON LATENT LEAD
POISONING. Journal of the Osaka City Med-
ical Center 9, No. 12:5023-39, 1960. In
Contributions from the Department of Pre-
ventive Medicine and Public Health, Osaka
City University Medical School, Vol. 2,
April 1959-March 1961, p. 40.
A review on the basis of 47 references of the
chelate mobilization test in relation to concen-
trations of Pb in blood and urine and coproporphy-
rln elimination.
21J7 Merrill, E.E., Jr. (US Air Force, San
Francisco, Calif.): TETRAETHYL LEAD POI-
SONING INCIDENT WITH EIGHT DEATHS. Ameri-
can Industrial Hygiene Association Journal
21:515-7 (Dec.), 1960.
Twenty-three Japanese men had been employed in the
cleaning of petroleum tanks at a US Army base in
Japan for «*-6 mo, when all of them became ill
and 8 died within a few days. The latter had been
handling sludge which was scraped wet from the bot-
tom of the tank into drums and hoisted out of the
manhole. The workmen had received safety instruc-
tions and protective clothing, face masks, etc,
but had frequently removed their masks and had not
avoided skin contact with the sludge. Nothing of
value was revealed which would incriminate any
possibility other than TEL poisoning.
2168 Mungo, A., and Sessa, G. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): Quadro radiologico dell'apparato
digerente nel saturnismo professionale,
(RADIOLOGICAL PICTURE OF THE DIGESTIVE
APPARATUS IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.)
Minerva Gastroenterologica 6:163-71 (Oct.-
Dec.), 1960.
Of 148 cases of Pb poisoning hospitalized from
1919-1958 (av 44 yr old (19-75), exposed to Pb 7
mo-60 yr), 118 were found upon radiology to have
spastic colitis, 62 had gastroduodenitis, 43
typhloappendicitis, 13 gastroduodenal ulcer, and
8 dolichomegacolon; these conditions were present
either alone or associated with other conditions.
From their analysis of the cases, the authors con-
clude that there is a high frequency of changes in-
volving all sections of the digestive system;
changes on the part of the stomach and duodenum,
although frequent, are generally mild; gastric and
duodenal ulcers are encountered rarely; the most
frequent disorders are the organic and functional
involving the large intestine; a typhloappendicitis
is frequently seen. They also call to attention
the fact that disorders of the digestive system
may be favored by certain chronic illnesses and
predisposing factors such as syphilis, alcoholism,
and excessive smoking. (24 references)
2169 Mys'lak, Z. : Leczenie przewleklego zatru-
cia dowieun doustuym podawaniem werseniam
wapnia. (TREATMENT OF CHRONIC SATURNISM
BY ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF CALCIUM VERSEN-
ATE.) Medycyna Pracy 11:353-68, 1960.
.Treatment of chronic Pb poisoning with 2-3 g of
CaEDTA orally in 102 cases is described. Daily
Pb elimination was 1.2-17.9 mg (av 7.3 in acute
and 3.8 in chronic cases). (88 references) (From
Medicina del Lavoro 52:312 (Reviews), 1961)
2170 Noma, H.: ABSORPTION AND EXCRETION OF
LEAD ADMINISTERED BY INHALATION IN THE
HUMAN BEING. Journal of the Osaka City
Medical Center 9, No. 5:1651-64, 1960.
In: Contributions from the Department of
Preventive Medicine and Public Health,
Osaka City University Medical School, Vol.
2, April 1959-March 1961, p. 26.
Nebulized Pb acetate was administered by inhala-
tion with a new apparatus to 2 normal Japanese
male adults, at doses of 31 mg for the 1st 61 days,
23 mg for the next 31 days and 60 mg for the last
50 days. The results obtained were as follows:
Pb intake was recovered in the urine most rapidly,
followed by feces and blood in that order. A cum-
ulative excretion of Pb administered by inhalation
was 40-50% and the rest was retained in the body.
Excretion of Pb in urine is 12-20%. Excretion of
urinary coproporphyrin showed a moderate increase
during the Pb intake prior to the appearance of
other manifest clinical symptoms. Several tests
on liver function revealed that the amounts of Pb
intake in this experiment have little effect on a
normal liver function.
2171 Pecora, L. (Univ. Naples, Italy): PORPHY-
RINS AND LEAD POISONING. Sang 31:859-63,
1960.
Elevation of erythrocyte-free protoporphyrin ap-
pears frequently in Pb poisoning but it is not a
specific sign. The increase in various porphyrins
is due to augmented synthesis and thus differs
from the effect of Pb in vitro. The increase in
plasma Fe, often marked, is partly a result of Fe
removal from the tissues on accumulation of Pb.
Free protoporphyrin, like coproporphyrin, can com-
plex with Pb and neutralize its toxic effect.
(From Chemical Abstracts 55:12633, 1961)
2172 Perry, H.M., Jr., and Camel, G.H.: SOME
EFFECTS OF CaNa2EDTA ON PLASMA CHOLESTEROL
AND URINARY ZINC IN MAN. In Seven, M.J.,
and Johnson, L.A., ed.: Metal-Binding in
Medicine. Philadelphia, Lippincott, 1960,
pp. 209-15.
In a series of hypercholesteremic patients treated
with parenteral CaNa2EDTA, all showed markedly in-
creased Zn elimination. Smaller, but significant,
increases in Cd, Pb, Mn, and V were observed, but
none in Mo, Ni, Ag or Sn. The mean level of cho-
lesterol fell ^100 mg/100 ml plasma.
2173 Peters, H.A.: CHELATION THERAPY IN ACUTE,
CHRONIC AND MIXED PORPHYRIA. In Seven,
M.J., and Johnson, L.A., ed.: Metal-Bind-
ing in Medicine. Philadelphia, Lippin-
cott, I960, pp. 190-9.
The author reviewed the multiple signs and symptoms
in a large number of patients with hepatic por-
phyria, and proposed the term "paraporphyria" for
those who do not show elevated uroporphyrin or por-
phobilinogen in the urine, despite the clinical re-
semblance to the porphyric. In the "para" patients
there is a rise in urinary ALA and Zn and/or Cu,
with increased fecal protoporphyrin. He calls
attention to the existence of a schizophrenic
syndrome in porphyria. Therapy with BAL, Na2EDTA
or CaNa2EDTA has seemed helpful in >2/3 of the
hepatic porphyric cases, some of which were very
418
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
severe. In an addendum he cites Galambos and
Peacock's case (1959) of an acute porphyric with a
urine Pb level of 1.412 mg/1, in whom chelation
therapy had an unfavorable effect. Two of the
author's most severe cases also had elevated uri-
nary Pb. He points to the similarity of acute
porphyria symptoms to those of Pb poisoning, and
suggests that other cations may be involved in the
etiology of this process. (39 references)
2174 Petrovic, Lj., and Stankovic, M. (Inst.
Hyg., Belgrade, Yugoslavia): Mogucnost
trovanja olovom kod kopaca galenita.
(LEAD POISONING IN GALENA MINERS.) Arhiv
za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju 11, No.
1:35-44, 1960.
Results of clinical and laboratory studies on (1)
233 miners of galena containing 12% Pb are compared
with those obtained from (2) 105 inhabitants of
the city Belgrade and from (3) 106 residents of a
rural village, as well as from (4) 69 persons liv-
ing within 500 m of a Pb smelting plant, in an
area showing several tens as high values as the
normal Pb in the soil, an average of 0.117 mg
Pb/m3 air on days with winds blowing from the di-
rection of the plant, and Pb values of 0.58-5.5 mg%
in vegetables and 27.5-36 yg% in the blood of farm
animals. Mean Pb values for the groups in numeri-
cal order, respectively, were: blood 0.0296,
0.0352, 0.0290, and 0.0498 mg%; urine 0.0358,
0.0413, 0.0313, 0.1385 mg/1; coproporphyrin 0.0384,
0.0297, 0.0360, and 0.0472 mg/1. (13 references)
2175 Petrovic, Lj., Stankovic, M. , Savicevic,
M. , and Poleti, D. (Inst. Hyg. FPR of Ser-
bia, Ind. Med. Dept., Inst. Hyg. Med.
Univ., Belgrade, Yugoslavia): AEROSOL IN-
HALATION OF CaNaaEDTA (MOSATIL) BY WORKERS
CONSTANTLY EXPOSED TO LEAD POISONING.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine 17:
201-4 (July), 1960.
Solutions of CaNa2EDTA (mosatil) were given to 10
patients as an aerosol generated by a Draeger
aerosol apparatus. The patients worked in a Pb
smelter and had been exposed to Pb concentrations
of 0.6-1.25 mg Pb/m3. Five men each inhaled 0.6
g CaNa2EDTA/day for 7 successive days and 2.4 g
on the 9th day or a total of 6.6 g. Another group
of 5 received 4 doses of 2.4 g each on alternate
days or a total of 9.6 g. The 1st group excreted
an average of 21.6 mg Pb during the treatment, the
2nd group 14.2 mg. Urinary coproporphyrin fell to
normal in both groups. Aerosol administration of
CaNa2EDTA may be useful as preventive treatment
but further study is needed to learn if its long-
term administration carries no risk.
2176 Petrovic, Lj . , Stankovic', M. , Savicevic,
M., and Poleti, D. (Yugoslavia): OUR EX-
PERIENCES WITH CALCIUM DISODIUM EDATHAMIL.
In Proceedings 13th International Congress
on Occupational Health, New York, July 25-
29, 1960 (published 1961), pp 338-41.
The effect of CaNa2EDTA at various doses, the
largest being 35 mg/kg body weight (23 mg), and
various modes of administration was studied in 92
Pb smelters exposed to Pb inhalation (0.6-2.0 mg.
Pb/m3 air). Urinary excretion of Pb was 1.2-73.4
mg/24 hr, a quantity normally excreted in 33-360
days without treatment. Other laboratory findings
are also given.
2177 Pettinati, L., Capellaro, F., Rasetti, L.,
and Rubino, G.F. (Univ. Turin, Italy):
Distribuzione del piombo ematlco e suo
meccanismo di filtrazione renale nell'
intossicazione saturnina. (DISTRIBUTION
OF BLOOD LEAD AND ITS MECHANISM OF RENAL
FILTRATION IN LEAD POISONING.) Minerva
Medica 51:38-41 (Jan. 6), 1960.
Blood values are tabulated for 7 workers, 22-62
yr old, who had been exposed to Pb for 6 mo-16 yr;
5 of the men were in the stage of chronic Pb in-
toxication with renal involvement, 2 were in an
acute stage. Data are listed for red blood cells,
hematocrit, reticulocytes, basophil stippled cells,
protoporphyrin. Pb analyses of blood and urine
were made 48 hr before and after iv administration
of 2 g CaNa2EDTA.
The authors conclude that Pb in the blood is
mainly deposited in the red cells to a varying ex-
tent, from 45-70%. During treatment with EDTA, a
part of the Pb (from 2-10%) passes into the plasma
causing an increase of concentration there. In
plasma ultrafiltration tests, only a very low frac-
tion, 2-3%, of the Pb was bound with the proteins.
The clearance of Pb was extremely low: av 0.4 ml/
min (0.17-0.74 ml). After administration of EDTA
clearance rose sharply. The slight but constant
increase in glomerular filtration appeared to be
connected with a contemporaneous increase in renal
plasma flux which in 1 case rose from 325 ml/min
before to 430 after administration of EDTA. (14
references)
2178 Pomme1, B. , Girard, J., Plagne, R. , and
Chabannes, J. (France): Les polyneVrites
saturnines. (SATURNINE POLYNEURITIS.)
Gazette Medicale de France (Paris) 67:
1811-5 (Sept. 25), 1960.
Pb-induced polyneuritis mainly involves a motor
and trophic injury to the extensor of the hand and
fingers as well as the forearm, representing a
late stage of Pb poisoning. The Pb preferentially
attacks those muscles with a high chronaxy. Pa-
ralysis is very gradual, sometimes preceded by
cramps, tingling and pain along the nerve trunks,
and usually occurs in a segmental, localized form.
Less typical effects are sometimes found (1) in
the upper limbs, manifested by a Duchenne-Erb or
Aran-Duchenne paralysis; (2) in the lower limbs,
calling to mind alcoholic polyneuritis (very rare);
(3) in the cranial nerves (also very rare). Gen-
eralized forms by a Guillain-Barre1 syndrome, po-
liomyelitis or another extensive polyneuritis.
all 4 limbs. Two clinical aspects of it are (L)
Landry paralysis and (2) diffuse peripheral paral-
ysis with associated Pb encephalopathy. Other
diagnostic aids are Burton line, parotid hyper-
trophy, hypertension, chronic albuminuria and azo^
temic nephritis, polyarthritis (gout), Pb colic,
encephalopathic manifestations, anemia, basophilic
stippling, hyperazotemia, high contents of copro-
porphyrin I and III in urine (>100 ug), Pb in blood
>70-100 yg, Pb in urine >100 pg. Aran-Duchenne
paralysis is shown by cervical myelopathies and
radicular lesions, injury to the lower limb by al-
coholic polyneuritis and encephalopathy, and gen-
Man
419
-------
eralized forms by a Guillain-Barre syndrome, po-
liomyelitis or another extensive polyneuritis.
The most frequent etiology of Pb polyneuritis is
occupational intoxications; today these are well-
known and detected early. Accidental intoxica-
tions are more advanced when detected and thus
cause more trouble. They are caused by using Pb
objects (toys, eating utensils), but mainly by
drinking water contaminated with Pb. Treatment is
mainly with vitamins, adenosinetriphosphate and
glycocoll, as well as with physical therapy. Three
cases are described in which Pb polyneuritis was
caused by drinking water with >2 mg Pb/1. (17
references)
2179 Preda, N. , Dinischiotu, G.T., Radulescu,
I.C., and Georgescu, A.M. (Clinic Occup.
Dis. Med. Pharmaceut. Inst.; Colentina
Hosp., Bucharest, Romania): CLINICAL CATE-
GORIES OF INDUSTRIAL PLUMBISM AND OTHER
OCCUPATIONAL POISONINGS. In Proceedings
13th International Congress on Occupational
Health, New York, July 25-29, 1960 (pub-
lished 1961), pp. 343-5.
Based on long-term observation of >2000 workers
with occupational Pb or Hg exposure, the course of
intoxication was divided into the following stages:
(1) physiological absorption, (2) increased occupa-
tional absorption , (3) suspected intoxication,
(4) intoxication proper, (5) toxic carrier state,
and (6) recovery. Tests used in the study were
quantitative variations of erythrocytes with baso-
philic granulations and of coproporphyrinuria.
Both tests showed progressive increases from the
stage of increased absorption through intoxication
proper, with values low during the toxic carrier
period. Clinical symptoms of a reactive nature are
also discussed.
2180 Questions and Answers: LEAD POISONING.
Journal of the American Medical Associa-
tion 174:334 (Sept. 17), 1960.
In answer to a question for the best, simplest,
most accurate, and most quantitative screening
tests the following procedure for the determina-
tion of urinary porphyrins is described by Dr. C.
P. McCord: glacial-acetic acid, H202 and ether
are added to a 10 cc urine sample and the reading
under the Wood's lamp is made after 10-15 min.
The observable fluorescence is arbitrarily divided
into 4 classifications from normal porphyrin con-
centration to a very marked increase. The method
may be made more quantitative by using a colorim-
eter. Significant results in >10% out of a group
of Pb workers indicates that Pb exposure has oc-
curred.
2181 Radino, G. (Univ. Milan, Italy): SPECTRO-
CHEMISTRY OF THIRTY MINERAL ELEMENTS DE-
TECTED IN THE HUMAN HEART, IDENTIFICATION
OF Ti, Li, Bi, Ni, Ba, Ag, Cs, Va, Cd, Si,
Co, As. Arch. sci. med. 109:326-41, 1960.
Pb was also detected in the ash of myocardial mus-
cles by spectral analysis. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 54:15599, 1960)
2182 Rasetti, L., Pettinati, L., and Scansetti,
G. (Univ. Turin, Italy): CHRONIC LEAD
NAPHTHENATE POISONING - TRANSCUTANEOUS AB-
SORPTION OF THE COMPOUND. In Proceedings
13th International Congress on Occupational
Health, New York, July 25-29, 1960 (pub-
lished 1961), pp. 348-9.
The danger of Pb absorption by persons handling Pb
naphthenate exists during saponification as well
as in all procedures connected with the filling,
operation and serving of lifts, carrier belts,
etc, in which the substance is usually used as an
additive to the mineral oil contained in the sys-
tem. Of 14 cases reported by the authors, signs
of massive Pb absorption were found in at least 5,
signs of abnormal absorption in 4, and essentially
normal findings in 5 cases. Blood Pb levels
ranged from 35-98 ug%, urinary Pb from 65-900
Ug/24 hr before EDTA (including all patients) and
from 320-9750 pg/24 hr after EDTA (6 patients not
included), urinary coproporphrin from 74-1640
yg/24 hr, and Hb 76-94. The majority of patients
were not examined for basophilic stippled cells.
As borne out by tests on volunteers, the manner of
Pb saturation is by percutaneous absorption.
2183 Rathus, E.M.: REPORT ON AN INVESTIGATION
INTO THE HAZARDS OF MINING FOR LEAD AT
MOUNT ISA MINES AT THE REQUEST OF THE IN-
DUSTRIAL COURT QUEENSLAND. Queensland
Government Gazette 204:1765-88 (Aug. 1),
1960.
This first report encompasses inspection and de-
scription of mine workings, underground ventila-
tion, and the Pb hazard at blast furnace and Cu
smelter, current protective measures, and medical
facilities before going into the details of the
investigation and findings. About 350 men were
examined, 270 from the Pb smelter and its envi-
rons, the rest came from volunteers from under-
ground workings and other places. Aside from
clinical examination, hematology and routine uri-
nalyses were performed, Pb in urine and in blood,
urinary porphyrins and blood urea and uric acid
were determined. In addition, the records of
accepted cases of Pb poisoning by the Lead Board
since 1954 were examined, and special groups of
the Operative Painters' and Decorators' Union
were examined for comparison.
Environmental survey showed Pb concentrations
in air in the Pb smelter to range from 0.07-8.52
mg/m ; a single value of 600 mg is shown for A
deliberately created "blow back" as an example of
what may occur in normal blast furnace emergen-
cies. In the underground workings, 0.37 and 0.98
mg Pb sulfide/m^ were found. Dust counts, tem-
perature and ventilation were also examined and
findings are tabulated. Graphs and tables show
the clinical and laboratory findings, particular-
ly on long-term employees and selected cases. In
describing the findings, the author had gained
the impression that a number of men complained of
nausea and aches and pains in joints, although
there were no direct signs of Pb intoxication.
Several men had had symptoms of sufficient sever-
ity for transfer; others who had no symptoms had
been transferred because of blood findings and
routine testing. About 30 had had symptoms in
the past which could be attributed to Pb. A few
of these cases are described. Among the labora-
tory results, urinary Pb from 0.00-0.20 mg/1 was
found in 47% smelters; only 19% were in the nor-
420
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
mal range <0.08, and 24% showed 0.21 mg/1 and
more. In the other workers (underground and sur-
face) , 76% were in the normal range and 20% from
0.11-0.20 mg/1. Of 56 men classified as boiler-
makers, riggers, etc, only 16 were <0.1 mg/1. As
to coproporphyrin excretion, the majority gave
negative results; 22 showed >400 y.g/1, indicating
a minimum of 10% showing significant exposure.
Positive urinary albumin was found in 15, with 8
showing a trace only, the others could be ex-
plained readily and could not be attributed to
working conditions. Stippled cell (SC) counts
of 2600-5000 were found in only 8; 41% of the
smelters and 73% of the underground and surface
workers did not show any SC. Hemoglobin from
14-16 g was found in 60%, from 12-14 g in 24%,
and >16 g in 15%.
The author's conclusions are that the environ-
mental exposure in the smelter is considerable
and the cases of Pb poisoning would occur under
the conditions found during the investigation.
The report concludes with a list of recommenda-
tions as to overtime work, the need of a full-
time industrial hygienist, monitoring of air at
frequent intervals, and various types of pro-
tective measures. In an Appendix, environmental
investigations performed by B.R. Tiele are re-
ported in detail.
2184 Reinl, W. (State Ind. Med. Supervisory
Distr. Nordrhein, Dtlsseldorf, Germany): Die
moderne Therapie der Bleivergiftung. (MOD-
ERN THERAPY OF LEAD INTOXICATION.) Regens-
burger Jahrbuch fllr Hrztliche Fortbildung
8, 1959/60 (8 pp).
The author points to the fact that in Germany there
have been but few reports of Pb poisoning from
causes other than occupational, in contrast to
other countries. He reviews the incidence of Pb
poisoning in Nordrhein from 1926-58, exposure of
such victims from 1945-58, as published by him and
Goertz, the frequency of symptoms, erythrocyte
counts, etc. The discussion of treatment of Pb
poisoning is summarized as follows: Injection of
CaEDTA at 1.2 g (in 10 ml)/day for 2-3 days, pos-
sibly every other day, followed by 2-3 wk treat-
ment with orally administered doses of 1 g 3
times/day. If side effects appear, parenteral
administration should be discontinued. Treatment
of Pb colic is by use of modern spasmolytics and
application of moist heat. Treatment of consti-
pation is important. Generally anemia regresses
under general treatment. Where pronounced anemia
is present, treatment with liver preparations and
vitamin Eg and ^2 is appropriate. Residue-rich
and Ca-rich diet is recommendable. The same treat-
ment is recommended for the neuritic patients, in
encephalopathy, sedatives and at times lumbar
puncture must be considered.
2185 Rieders, F.: CURRENT CONCEPTS IN THE
THERAPY OF LEAD POISONING. In Seven,
M.J., and Johnson, L.A., ed.: Metal-
Binding in Medicine. Philadelphia, Lip-
pincott, 1960, pp. 143-5.
In the author's experience, the administration of
a single dose of 1 g CaNa2EDTA, given slowly iv,
and followed by >1 mg Pb/24 hr urine confirms an
excessive Pb burden, and together with clinical
observation of abnormalities is valuable in the
diagnosis of Pb poisoning. He emphasizes that
acute Pb poisoning is a clinical syndrome and not
a laboratory diagnosis. He has not yet encounter-
ed anyone who has not been exposed to excessive
Pb with a 24-hr urinary Pb elimination >1 mg after
EDTA; mostly it has been <0.5 mg. Maximum Pb
elimination occurs within VL-2-1/2 hr after EDTA.
Therefore it could be an office procedure, by col-
lecting urine for only a few hours. Next, he
recommends in the therapy of the "silent," or
chronic, phase and acute exacerbation he recommends
a series of 1 infusion/wk for several weeks until
a large series have been given. Finally, he warns
against the oral administration of EDTA, for com-
bination of Pb with it occurs in the intestine,
where it is absorbed as the Pb chelate, to be ex-
creted in the urine. Some of the chelate breaks
down on the way to the urine, so that there is an
increased Pb burden to the soft tissue. Although
slight depletion in kidney Pb occurs, an increase
of Pb in the liver and occasionally in the brain
takes place, leading to a possible encephalopathy.
2186 Roche, L., Badinand, A., and Lejeune, E.
(Path. Toxicol. Center, Lyon, France):
Les chelateurs dans le saturnisme. (CHE-
LATING AGENTS IN LEAD POISONING.) Ar-
chives des Maladies Professionelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale
21:1-12 (Jan.-Feb.), 1960.
Twenty-nine subjects (8 with obvious, 21 with
doubtful Pb poisoning) were subjected to infusions
with Na2CaEDTA, starting with a daily dose of 0.50
g and increasing to 2 daily doses of 0.50-1.0 g
each. For diagnostic purposes the administration
was extended over 2-4 days, for therapy over 7-10
days. Detailed results were reported for both
groups. In the 8 men with obvious Pb poisoning a
more or less distinct improvement of the clinical
manifestations (colic, anemia, Burton's line) was
noted. Urinary Pb excretion ranged from 3000-
27,000 ug/24 hr which is 7-30 times the amount of
spontaneous excretion; the number of basophil
stippled cells decreased appreciably after the 1st
day of treatment and disappeared usually within
1-2 wk; coproporphyrinuria (CP) reached a normal
range within 5-7 days. In the group with doubtful
poisoning, urinary Pb excretion increased from
>2000 to 2650-11,500 Ug/24 hr in 8 subjects who
had previously been exposed to Pb but did not show
any change in stippled cells or CP. In the re-
maining 13, urinary Pb excretion ranged from 800-
2000 yg/24 hr in 9 and <800 yg/24 hr in 4.
In remarking on the effectiveness of EDTA, the
authors suggest that treatment should not be dis-
continued with the disappearance of signs and
symptoms but should be continued for a week up to
1 or several months. This they base on finding
in a Pb-induced polyneuritis a total theoretical
elimination of Pb through 3 EDTA courses of 55,201
yg, and a theoretically derived total quantity of
Pb in the body upon death 3 mo later, as found in
the kidney, liver, muscles, bones, and renal cal-
culi of 136,310 ug. On the other hand, more ex-
perience is needed before chelating agents can be
recommended for preventive treatment. The value
of chelating agents in the diagnosis of Pb poison-
ing is summarized as follows: maximum urinary Pb
Man
421
-------
excretion >2000 yg/day is indicative of high ab-
sorption of Pb; a maximum of 800-2000 ug/day shows
moderate absorption which often is in the toler-
ated range; excretion of <800 yg/day is not in the
pathologic range and is observed in persons with-
out known Pb exposure.
2187 Roche, L., Lejeune, E., Tolot, F., Mouri-
quand, C., Baron, Coineau,' and Soubrier.
(Pathol. Toxicol. Center Ed. Herrist Hosp.;
Consult Occup. Dis., Lyon, France): Sat-
urnisme et Thalassemie. (LEAD POISONING
AND THALASSEMIA.) Archives des Maladies
Professionelles de Medeclne du Travail et
de Securite Sociale 21:329-33 (June), 1960.
although the syndromes of Pb poisoning and thalas-
semia vary greatly in severe cases, the differences
between these 2 afflictions are less distinct in
mild or latent cases. In both conditions, in-
creased numbers of stippled erythrocytes appear,
hypochromic anemia with anisocytosis, schistocy-
tosis, and target cells. However, thalassemia is
characterized by an enlarged spleen and, aside from
family history, by hemoglobin A2, and a high level
of alkaline resistant hemoglobin, as well as an in-
creased osmotic resistance. Pb poisoning is diag-
nosed by an increased level of urinary coproporphy-
rin and by urinary and blood Pb analyses following
the administration of chelates. Clinical data are
discussed for 2 patients suffering from thalassemia
and 2 subjects with Pb poisoning. It appears that
thalassemia patients exposed to Pb are more sus-
ceptible to Pb poisoning than are normal subjects.
2188 Ross, C.R., Windish, J.P., Dubois, L.,
Monkman, J.L. and de Villiers, A.J. (Dept.
Natl. Health and Welfare, Ottawa, Canada):
SURVEY OF LEAD HAZARD IN INDOOR FIRING
RANGES. American Industrial Hygiene Asso-
ciation Journal 21:256-60 (June), 1960.
Pb poisoning was discovered in 2 instructors at
firing ranges; urine samples contained 1000 and
200 ng Pb/1, respectively; coproporphyrin tests
were strongly positive. Air samples collected at
this range, located in the sub-basement of a
large office building, contained 0.11-4.2 mg Pb/m
at the firing point, 0.09-4.7 mg Pb/m3 at the tar-
get line, and 6.9 mg/m3 at the center of the
range; at a desk in the corridor, 0.85 mg/m3 was
found. Dust samples contained 12.5-25% Pb. Other
series of tests at 6 different ranges again showed
very substantial Pb concentrations during and af-
ter firing. Urinalysis surveys showed average Pb
levels of 29-42 ug/1 for men exposed up to 30 hr/
mo. A good ventilation system is recommended in
order to avoid hazards.
2189 Rubino, G.F., Rasetti, L., and Teso, G.A.
(Univ. Turin, Italy): THE METABOLIC POR-
PHYRIN PRECURSOR IN LEAD POISONING. In
Proceedings 13th International Congress on
Occupational Health, New York, July 25-29,
1960 (published 1961), pp. 359-61.
Studies on the uroporphyrin (UP), coproporphyrin
(CP), 6-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilin-
ogen (PPG) excretion in 13 controls and 11 pa-
tients with Pb poisoning led to the conclusion
that abnormalities of the porphyrin metabolism in
Pb poisoning were due to a blocking effect of Pb
on the enzymatic system regulating heme synthesis.
In the patients with Pb poisoning, a considerable
increase in urinary ALA and CP excretions was
demonstrated, with a lesser increase in PEG and UP
excretion. In regard to blood, increases were
noted in the free erythrocyte proto-, uro-, and
coproporphyrins.
2190 Rubino, G.F., Teso, G., and Rasetti, L.
(Univ. Turin, Italy): ERYTHROCYTE DELTA-
AMINO-LAEVULINIC ACID DEHYDRASE IN ANAE-
MIA. Acta Haematologica 24:300-10, 1960.
The ALA dehydrase of erythrocytes was determined
(by the method of Gibson et al (1955), slightly
modified by the authors) in 37 normal individuals
and in 14 patients with-anemia. In normal persons
the ALA content averaged 1.01 yM/hr/ml. The syn-
thesis of porphobilinogen in human erythrocytes
was partially inhibited by phosphates. The ALA
content of the erythrocytes varied according to
the type of anemia. It was increased in hemolytic
anemia and decreased in Fe deficiency, Pb poison-
ing and macrocytic anemia. The ALA activity in-
creased with appropriate therapy. (From authors'
summary; 18 references)
2191 Rubino, G.F., Teso, G.A., and Rasetti, L.
(Univ. Turin, Italy): Azione del piombo
sull'escrezione urinaria nell'uomo dell'-
acido A—aminolevulico e del porfobilino-
geno. (ACTION OF LEAD ON THE URINARY EX-
CRETION IN MAN OF A-AMINOLEVULIC ACID AND
PORPHOBILINOGEN.) Bollettino della
Societa Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
36:253-5 (Mar. 31), 1960.
Uroporphyrin (UP), coproporphyrin (CP), ALA, and
'porphobilinogen (PEG) were determined in the urine
of 13 healthy subjects and 11 Pb poisoning patients.
While CP and ALA and UP were clearly increased,
PEG was 1/5 of normal values. These data demon-
strate therefore, that Pb blocks the enzymes
active in heme synthesis at 2 points: at the
level of PEG synthesis proceeding from ALA and at
the level of protoporphyrin 9, so that the CP and
UP accumulate in the urine and PP in blood. (16
references)
2192 Saita, G. (Univ. Milan, Italy): L'attivita
antitrombinica plasmatica nel saturnismo.
(ANTITHROMBIN ACTIVITY IN LEAD INTOXICA-
TION.) Medicina del Lavoro 51:694-704
(Nov.), 1960.
The thrombin time was increased in 9 out of 19 Pb
poisoning cases studied, and the increase was cor-
related with the severity of the cases. The anti-
thrombin is neutralized by protamine sulphate, ad-
sorbed from plasma by BaSO^ and inactivated at 56°
C. It is suggested that, in cases of Pb poisoning,
the antithrombin in the plasma belongs to the hep-
arin cofactor B complex. In these cases, an in-
crease of thrombin time is found even when other
tests of altered liver function are negative or
show small deviations. A table showing values for
antithrombin activity includes values of hemoglo-
bin, coproporphyrin and Pb in urine, and urinary
Pb after EDTA for every subject. (30 references)
2193 Salvi, G., Ambanelli, U., and Gherardi,
li. (Univ. Parma, Italy): Considerazioni
422
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
clinico terapeutiche sull'intossicazione
acuta e subactua da plombo tetraetile.
(CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE AND SUB-
ACUTE INTOXICATION FROM TETRAETHYL LEAD.)
Folia Medica 43:421-33 (May), 1960.
The therapy of TEL poisoning is discussed. A
study of 19 acute and subacute cases showed that
S-mercaptoethylamine in doses of 200-400 mg/24 hr
iv had a generally positive effect on the pa-
tients, but it was not effective in a rapidly
fatal case which was treated at a late date.
Autopsy revealed the following total Pb values
(mg): brain, 11.63; liver, 26.60; kidney, 1.26;
and lung, 4.05; stomach, 0.248(in 26.2 g); in
blood, 171 pg%; in urine, 1.2 mg/1. (23 refer-
ences)
2194 Sambron, J., and Gastard, J. (Rennes,
France): L'encephalopathie saturnine.
(SATURNINE ENCEPHALOPATHY.) La Presse
medicale 68:1885-8 (Nov. 12), 1960.
The literature on Pb encephalopathy is reviewed
including the use of chelatlng agents in the
treatment of Pb poisoning. (73 references)
2195 Sambron, J., and Gastard, J. (Rennes,
France): Traitement par un chdlateur
(EDTA calcique) d'un cas d 'ence'phalopathie
saturnine professionnelle. (TREATMENT BY
A CHELATOR (CALCIUM EDTA) OF A CASE OF
OCCUPATIONAL SATURNINE ENCEPHALOPATHY.)
Therapie 15:353-60, 1960.
The authors describe a case of occupational Pb
encephalopathy in a 32-yr-old battery worker who
complained for 6 mo prior to admission of headaches
and experienced several repeated attacks of general
paralysis. He was examined neurologically and
clinically and although a cerebral tumor was at
first thought of, his pallor and the discovery of
the Burton line, together with hematologic signs
indicated Pb poisoning. He was treated with CaNa2
EDTA twice/day for 5 days. Then, when symptoms
of agitation developed, the treatment was inter-
rupted for 5 days after which it was repeated for
a 2nd course of 5 days. When he was discharged
from hospital after 43 days he was in an excellent
condition again.
The authors discuss Pb encephalopathy because of
its rareness from a 3-fold point of view; diagnos-
tically, pathogenetically and therapeutically.
(25 references)
2196 Sano, S., Inoue, S., Harada, A., and
Orita, Z. (Univ. Kyoto, Japan): RELATION
BETWEEN FREE PROTOPORPHYRIN AND HAEMOGLO-
BIN IN RED BLOOD CELLS IN LEAD POISONING.
Acta Scholae Medicinalis, Universitatis
in Kioto 36, No. 3:182-5, 1960.
Thirty-one workers of a steel mill, who complained
of such symptoms as loss of appetite, abdominal
pain and muscle weakness were examined in order to
establish a possible relationship between free
erythrocytic copro- and protoporphyrin and urinary
coproporphyrin, and peripheral blood values such
as red cell count, Hb, reticulocytes, stippled
erythrocytes and hematocrit. Ten healthy adult
men served as controls. Urinary coproporphyrin
was increased in only 19 of the Pb-exposed work-
ers; erythrocytic protoporphyrin was increased in
,all, reaching a value of 10-50 times above normal.
Stippled erythrocytes were significantly increased
in most men, but there was no correlation between
the number of the stippled cells and erythrocytic
protoporphyrin. In 14 cases, the increase of pro-
toporphyrin was accompanied by anemia and de-
creased Hb content, while in 17 cases the red
blood cell count and Hb content were within normal
limits.
In order to understand the mechanism of the
above findings, the following experiment was car-
ried out: Three rabbits were injected daily for
30 days with 19 mg vitamin B,- and 15 mg folic
acid simultaneously with an iv administration of
1 mg Pb as Pb acetate in glucose solution. There
was no decrease in Hb content and erythrocyte
count in the vitamin-treated compared with the
nontreated rabbits, while protoporphyrin increased
about the same in both groups, and urinary copro-
porphyrin remained about unchanged.
In explanation of these findings it is proposed
that the biosynthesis of porphyrin and heme pro-
ceeds differently; or a hypersynthesis of porphy-
rin occurs, followed by Hb formation from this in-
creased protoporphyrin in the presence of vitamin
B^2 and folic acid, by influencing the metabolism
of ribonucleic acid, play an important role in
globin formation. Further studies on globin,
porphyrin and heme formation are suggested.
2197 Savicevid, M., StankoviS, M. , Stankovic,
R., and Godid, V. (Inst. Hyg. , Belgrade
Univ., Yugoslavia): Uticaj vode i klime
banje banjske na zdravle hronifino trovanih
olovom. (EFFECT OF MINERAL WATER AND CLI-
MATE IN BANSKA SPA ON CHRONIC LEAD POISON-
ING.) Srpski Arhiv za Celokupno Lekarstvo
88:655-64 (June), 1960.
Forty workers with chronic Pb poisoning were treat-
ed in the Banjsk spa in order to evaluate the ef-
fects of sulfur mineral water and the spa treat-
ment regime in particular. Twenty-five drank the
mineral water (0.072 g H2S04/1) and took sulfur
baths; 15 served as controls. The treatment had
a positive effect on the elimination of Pb and on
a series of disorders. The authors conclude that
other factors of a spa treatment undoubtedly play
a part, but point out that a comparison with the
control group shows the particularly advantageous
effect of S-water alone. They suggest further
comparative tests in the prevention and treatment
of chronic Pb poisoning. (From authors' summary;
13 references)
2198 Schiemann, D.: Prophylaxe, Therapie und
Rehabilitation bei Bleiarbeitern. (PRO-
PHYLAXIS, THERAPY AND REHABILITATION OF
LEAD WORKERS.) Ztschr. f.d.g. Hyg. u.
ihre Grenzgebiete 6:20-38 (Jan.), 1960.
For preventive measures workers were divided into
3 groups: (1) Pb carriers, (2) Pb dyscrasias and
(3) Pb toxicoses. Punctate basophilia is specific
for Pb poisoning when the level reaches 6/50 micro-
scopic fields; in the 3 groups, respectively, it
is 6-25, 26-80 and >80 (sometimes 230 and rarely
300). Treatment in group 1 consists of bivalent
Fe administration until the punctate basophilia is
not >5/50 fields; group 2 is removed from exposure
and treated; group 3 is removed from exposure for
Man
423
-------
^6 mo. Milk is no antidote to Pb; its alleged
prophylactic action is attributed to formation of
a protective layer against adsorption by the mu-
cous membrane of the empty stomach. Rehabilitation
problems of severe cases and of older workers are
discussed. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 35:543-4
(June) , 1960)
2199 Schroeder, H.A.: POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIPS
BETWEEN TRACE METALS AND CHRONIC DISEASES.
In Seven, M.J., and Johnson, L.A., ed.:
Metal-Binding in Medicine. Philadelphia,
Lippincott, 1960, pp. 59-67.
The title subject is discussed on the basis of:
metabolic roles of trace metals; simple metal de-
ficiencies; specific metal displacements and con-
ditioned deficiencies; practical considerations of
close competitions and possible chronic diseases;
loose competitions and their significance; chronic
diseases possibly linked to trace metal imbalances.
Pb is mentioned in the next to the last heading in
connection with the metals about which is little
known: Al, Sn, Pb and Bi. However, extensive
data on Pb indicate that the relatively large
amounts contained in most tissues are accompanied
by no overt effects (cited from Tipton, 1960).
The last topic is introduced by saying that it is
hard to obtain demographic data on abnormal trace
metals, because areas in which populations unex-
posed to modern civilization can be studied are
fast disappearing and chronic diseases are moving
in. Zn, Cd, V, Pb and Mn have been linked with
atherosclerosis, since human plasma cholesterol
levels have been shown to fall during several days
of iv CaNa^EDTA therapy, associated with increased
excretion of Cd, V, Pb and Mn (Perry, 1960). Pb
has been also associated with hypertension together
with other metals (Schroeder: Mechanisms of
Hypertension. Thomas, 1957). In summarizing, the
author designates Mn, Co, Cu, and Zn as the essen-
tial trace metals, though Mo, Rb, Sr, Ba, V, Cr,
Ni, and possibly Ti and Al cannot be excluded
from having normal biological roles; Ag, Au, Cd,
Sn, Pb and Bi are "abnormal" with no normal role
and probably are environmental contaminants. (55
references)
2200 » Shraiber, L.B.: SENSITIVE FORM OF POLY-
NEURITIS IN CHRONIC LEAD POISONINGS. Tr.
Uzbeksk. Nauchn.-Issled. Inst. Sanit.,
Gigieny, i Profzabolevanii, 1960, No. 2:
73-89 (Published 1961).
The characteristic symptoms of sensory polyneuri-
tis with chronic Pb intoxication, which were ob-
served in 5 cases, are described as follows: de-
crease in distal sensitivity with the presence of
definite areas of unchanged sensitivity (as a rule
in the area of the wrists, lower third of the
forearm, and sometimes in the lower extremities),
shortening of motor and sensor chronaxy. The in-
dexes of chronaxy on the surface of the palms are
usually normal. Sensor polyneuritlc disorders are
one of the main symptoms for the early diagnosis
of chronic Pb intoxication caused by exposure to
low concentrations of Pb (0.00002-0.00005 mg/1.
The mechanism of the action of Pb on peripheral
neurons is discussed. (From Chemical Abstracts
57:8846, 1962)
2201 Smith, E.E., and Shirley, E.T.: LEAD
INTOXICATION. Journal of the Oklahoma
State Medical Association 53:209-11 (Apr.),
, 1960.
The patient, a 26-yr-old white man, from the mid-
dle socioecononic class, was unaware of the po-
tential danger of Pb poisoning associated with his
work as a construction worker. In his work (apply-
ing a Pb-based paint to a bridge) he used a spray-
gun but did not use any protective shield or mask.
He h«d been doing this work for 15 wk with inter-
vals. Two weeks prior to hospitalization he suf-
fered from increasing irritability, anorexia, loss
of weight, generalized myalgia, insomnia, malaise,
progressive weakness, occasional bouts with nausea
and a metallic taste in the mouth. Findings on
admission showed a. chronic illness, recent loss of
muscle substance, a slight pallor, a Pb line on
gums and some pyorrhea. Among the laboratory find-
ings, Hb was 13.7 g%; hematocrit, 42%; 4% stippled
erythrocytes. Urinary Pb 0.53 mg/1 (upper limit
of "normals," 0.2 mg/1). The treatment consisted
of an iv course with CaNa2EDTA over a 12-day
period with a total of 16 g as a 5% glucose aqueous
solution. On the 2nd day of the 1st wk of treat-
ment urinary Pb was 6.25 mg/1. By the end of the
1st wk his vibratory sense and deep tendon reflex-
es had returned to normal, the appetite improved
and insomnia disappeared.
The authors conclude with a brief discussion on
the incidence and symptoms of Pb poisoning. (15
references)
2202 Stankovic', M., Petrovic', Lj . , and Poleti,
D. (Inst. Hyg. N.R. Serbia, Belgrade,
Yugoslavia): APPLICATION OF C32EDTA (DI-
CALCIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETATE) FOR
THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISONING. Acta
Pharm. Jugoslav. 10:155-9, 1960.
The compound was administered orally to 24 print-
ers, 18 persons with severe Pb poisoning, and 8
controls with no Pb exposure. The upper limit of
Pb excretion in urine after 3 g CaEDTA was 0.340
mg/24 hr. (From Chemical Abstracts 55:15594,
1961)
2203 Stankovic, M. , Poleti, D. , and Petrovic',
Lj. (Inst. Hyg., Belgrade, Yugoslavia):
SIGNIFICANCE OF COPROPORPHYRINURIA IN LEAD
EXPOSED WORKERS. In Proceedings 13th
International Congress on Occupational
Health, New York, July 25-29, 1960 (pub-
lished 1961), pp. 368-71.
Analysis of urine samples from 367 Pb smelters ex-
posed to 0.6-2.0 mg Pb/nr was made to determine the
role that the increase of coproporphyrinuria (CP)
might play as an aid in the prevention and early
diagnosis of Pb poisoning. Results s_howed a^
statistical significant correlation between the CP
and the urinary Pb values (r = 0.645), although no
absolute correlation was present. Mean values in
pg/1 calculated in 7 groups were: Pb in urine:
77.4, 143.0, 245.2, 350.3, 441.1, 533.2, 732.0;
corresponding CP in urine: 90.9, 197.6, 481.8,
650.9, 767.8, 1019.1, 1404.5.
2204 Stehney, A.F. (Argonne Natl. Lab., Lemont,
111.): RADIOISOTOPES IN THE SKELETON:
NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOISOTOPES IN MAN.
424
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
In R.S. Caldecott and L.A. Snyder, eds.:
A Symposium on Radioisotopes in the Bio-
sphere. Minnesota, University of Minneso-
ta Center for Continuation Study of the
General Extension Division, 1960, pp. 366-
81.
A brief discussion is included of 210pb in the
body derived from the possible sources of direct
ingestion of Pb (Dudley, 1957), inhalation of
222Rn aru} -j^s decay products in air, and decay of
222Rn formed from 226jja ^n the body. According to
a personal communication by Hursh (1959) analysis
for 210pb in whole body ashes performed at the
University of Rochester on 16 subjects gave av-
erages of 4.3 x lO"1^ and 4.8 x 1CT14 Ci/g ash for
210pb and 226^aj respectively. Knowing that these
bodies were ashed 10 yr previously, and using in-
formation as to Rn retention in dead bone prior to
and after ashing (Rowland et al, 1958), an esti-
mate of 4.1 x ICT14 Ci of 210pb/g was obtained at
the time of ashing. (48 references)
2205 Stepan, J., Vencovsky, E., Hanzlicek, L.,
and Fridrich, E. (Karls Univ., Pilsen,
Czechoslovakia): Mineralbestandteile im
Liquor Cerebrospinalis von Geisteskranken,
spektrographisch bestimmt. (MINERAL CON-
STITUENTS IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF MENTAL
PATIENTS DETERMINED BY SPECTROGRAPHY.)
Clinica Chimica Acta 5:124-30, 1960.
The cerebrospinal fluid of 16 mentally disturbed
patients 21-56 yr old was first analyzed for 24
trace elements, including Pb, by an emission spec-
trographic method, then extended to include 263
patients (175 male, 88 female). Pb was among the
elements found in traces; other elements were pres-
ent, according to the tabulations, in concentra-
tions of 1/10%, 1/100%, 1/1000%.
2206 Stocks, P., and Davies, R.I. (Univ. Coll.
N. Wales, Bangor): EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVI-
DENCE FROM CHEMICAL AND SPECTROGRAPHIC
ANALYSES THAT SOIL IS CONCERNED IN THE
CAUSATION OF CANCER. British Journal of
Cancer 14:8-22 (Mar.), 1960.
A chemical and spectrographic examination of gar-
uen soils in North Wales, Cheshire and 2 locali-
ties in Devonshire was carried out in order to
study possible correlations between the amounts of
certain constituents and the frequency of cancer
of the stomach. Median values found for Pb in
soil were 2.05-5.2 ppm. There was no connection
anywhere between Pb and the incidence of cancer of
the stomach.
2207 Stokly, A. (Swiss Accident Ins. Board,
Lucerne): Vergiftungen durch Bleibenzin
in kritischer Sicht. (A CRITICAL AP-
PROACH TO CASES OF POISONING BY LEADED
GASOLINE.) Praxis 49:828-31 (Aug. 25),
1960
R. Fatzer's article "A contribution to the problem
of leaded gasoline" (Abstract No. 2128) reporting
a case of gingivitis treated successfully with Ca-
EDTA is critically evaluated. Since the patient,
driver of a motor vehicle, also complained of in-
testinal, joint and back pains, insomnia and ner-
vous irritability, and the drug administered to
him is also used in the therapy of Pb intoxica-
tion, the author felt justified in diagnosing the
patient's illness as Pb intoxication without any
further examinations. The author of the present
article denies any specific relationship between
Pb intoxication and gingivitis and stomatitis.
They have not been observed in TEL poisoning.
Occasionally, cases have been observed by SUVA
where Pb sulfide was imbedded in the dental and
oral mucosa which, however, were not accompanied
by inflammatory processes. Thus, Fatzer'o report
does not prove the existence of Pb intoxication
in the case reported nor does it prove the thera-
peutic efficacy of EDTA in cases of purulent gin-
givitides. According to StUkly , TEL-containing
gasoline is not much more dangerous than Pb-free
gasoline for those handling it. He advises cau-
tion in ascribing causal relationships in the
field of toxicology on the basis of isolated ob-
servations.
2208 Streit-Pawlowska, I., and Senczuk, W.:
Zagadnienie oXowicy w wybranych dzia/ach
stoczni. (LEAD POISONING IN SOME DOCK DE-
PARTMENTS.) Med. Pracy 11, No. 2:109-16,
1960.
The Pb levels in urine of 200 dock workers (122
painters, 67 cabling workers, and 11 administra-
tive staff members representing controls) were
determined. Of the 122 dock painters and 67 ca-
bling workers, 72 showed >120 ug Pb/1 urine. Af-
ter treatment with CaNa2EDTA, vitamins, liver ex-
tract and Fe preparations for 14 days, the Pb val-
ues were 70 and 83 ug/1, respectively, for the
groups previously showing 211 and 145 yg/1, re-
spectively.
It was concluded that besides treatment for Pb
poisoning, improvements in sanitation and hygiene
are important, along with periodic Pb urine deter-
minations. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 35:760-1,
1960)
2209 Sverdlov, S.L. (CityHosp., Novozybkovsk,
USSR): 0 bytovom khronicheskom svintsovom
otravlenii. (ON DOMESTIC CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING.) Sovetskaya Meditsina 24:135-
6 (Feb.), 1960.
The hazards of Pb glazed pottery, frequently used
in rural areas, are discussed. Pb poisoning often
occurs in swine from feed stored in glazed con-
tainers, and in man from the use of glazed pottery
for the preparation and storage of dairy products,
etc. The importance of legal regulations of the
Pb content in glazes is emphasized.
2210 Szechuan Medical College, Departments of
Industrial Health and General Hygiene
(Chengtu, China): NORMAL VALUES FOR URI-
NARY EXCRETION OF LEAD AND COPROPORPHYRIN
TOGETHER WITH BASOPHILIC RED BLOOD CELL
COUNT IN CHINESE. Chinese Medical Journ-
al 80:538-41 (June), 1960.
As summarized, normal values for daily urinary
excretion of Pb in normal people should be based
on how long they have lived in cities and what
diet they are used to. Among 511 of 642 subjects
studied, urban subjects excreted daily av 0.028
± 0.001 mg/1 with a range of 0.00-0.12 mg/1 and a
normal upper limit of 0.08 mg/1. New arrivals
from the countryside with a lower dietary stand-
Man
425
-------
ard gave an average daily excretion of 0.01 i 0.001
mg/1 (0.00-0.11 mg/1) and an upper limit of 0.05
rag/1. Since workers in the Pb industry consist
mostly of city dwellers, it seemed more reasonable
to consider 0.08 mg/1 as the upper limit of normal
for early diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
Coproporphyrin in urine of 50-100 Wg/1 and 100-
250 yg/1 was found in 12.3-12.9% and 2.1-5.6% of
the subjects, respectively; 50-100 ug/1 appears
to come within the upper limit for normal people.
The number of basophilic erythrocytes in the
peripheral blood of normal people showed a marked
sex variation: upper limit of 0.7% in men and
0.9% in women.
i'he modified semi quantitative analysis of copro-
porphyrin in urine developed by the authors was
found simple and accurate.
2211 Targowla, D., and Smagghe, G.: EnquSte
sur 1'exposition mineure au plomb. Re'per-
cussions pathologiques. Valeur des ex-
amens hematologiques. (SURVEY OF MINOR
EXPOSURE TO LEAD. PATHOLOGIC REACTIONS:
VALUE OF HEMATOLOGIC TESTS.) Proceedings
of the Society of Industrial Medicine and
Hygiene, Paris, France. Archives des
Maladies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Se'curite' Sociale 21:222-4
(Apr.-May), 1960.
The survey was conducted by the Toxicology Re-
search group by examining 347 records of industri-
al physicians. The age of the workers, length of
service, rheumatic, digestive, cardiac diseases,
blood pressure and hematologic data were obtained.
The frequency of clinical findings in 237 typog-
raphers of various types and cypesetters, 19 sol-
derers and 13 with other occupations (painters,
etc) were tabulated. On the basis of the data
obtained it was concluded that minor exposure to
Pb does not give rise to blood anomalies or to mi-
nor pathologic changes characteristic for Pb. The
authors also concluded that routine hematologic
examination is of doubtful value in the above sit-
uations since it does not permit the detection of
a possible disorder arising from minor exposure.
2212 Thapar, R.K. (Parabjanj, Gonda, U.P.,
India): ANAEMIA IN INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF
KANPUR. J. Indian Med. Assoc. 35, No. 3:
97-110, 1960.
The high incidence and the severe forms of anemia
found among various branches of the industrial
population (58% as compared to 29% of mild anemia
among rural inhabitants) are discussed, and Pb
exposure is considered as one of the factors caus-
ing anemia among Pb workers. (From Excerpta Medi-
ca, Sect. 17, 7:Abstr. 2605, 1961)
2213 Thorsen, K.: (THE DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY
OF LEAD INTOXICATION.) Ugeskr. Laeg. 122:
975-9, 1960.
The importance of coproporphyrin determinations in
urine for the early detection of Pb poisoning is
emphasized, and therapy with Tetracemin is sug-
gested. Four cases are described. (From Deutsche
Zeitschrift ftlr die gesammte gerlchtliche Medizin
51:248 (Abstracts), 1961)
2214
Tipton, I.H.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF TRACE
METALS IN THE HUMAN BODY. In Seven, M.J.,
and Johnson, L.A., ed.: Metal-Binding in
Medicine. Philadelphia, Lippincott, 1960,
pp. 27-42.
The concentrations of essential elements (Co, Cu,
Mo, Mn, Zn), abnormal elements showing organ
specificity (Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Ti, V), and abnormal
elements without marked organ specificity (Ag, Cu,
Bi, Ni, Pb, Sn), were determined in 11 tissues of
121 adults (a20 yr) and 67 infants and children
(<20 yr). The analyses were made by the emission
spectrography method (Ahrens, 1950). All subjects
were US citizens. In treating the data, only
those individuals known to have died from trauma-
tic accident and with no known disease were in-
cluded in Group I, those who died from cardiovas-
cular accident in Group II, Group III included
those who died from alcoholism (4), acute pulmo-
nary edema (2), pulmonary embolus (2), aspiration
of vomitus (1), cerebral atrophy (1), multiple
sclerosis (1), and shigella enteritis (1).
The Pb values for the groups, respectively, with
median in parentheses: aorta, 5-430 (170), 15-
280 (115), 80-340 (148) j brain, <5-240 (5), <5-70
(5), 5-40 (5); heart, <5-128 (<5), <5-61 (10), <5-
35 (12); kidney, 5-520 (110), 40-240 (92), 42-660
(93); liver, 26-800 (130), 29-280 (120), 70-720
(163); lung, 5-550 (47), 15-150 (60), 15-145 (56);
ovary, <5-41 (15), <5-16 (12), (15); pancreas,
10-750 (52), 10-110 (57), 13-340 (49); prostate,
<5-130 (10), 8-17 (11), 10-60 (13); spleen, <5-
8800 (sic) (25), 10-230 (30), 10-380 (35); testes,
<5-88 (11), 5-25 (12), 5-70 (22). The values are
for total range. The differences between the 3
groups were not striking, although in general the
median and low values for the concentrations were
greatest for Group III.
In discussing the results, the author notes that
since emission spectrography is an analysis by
comparison with a known standard, it is obvious
that the method is only as good as the standard,
and that a good agreement between laboratories
cannot be expected unless these had been calibra-
ted against a universal standard. She advocates
that such a standard be developed and deposited
with the Bureau of Standards.
2215 Truhaut, R. , Albahary, C., Boudene, C. ,
and Desoille, H. (France): CALCIUM DISO-
DIUM EDATHAMIL AND THE PREVENTION OF LEAD
POISONING. Abstracts of the 13th Interna-
tional Congress on Occupational Health, New
York, July 25-29, 1960, Abstr. No. 19-5.
Various techniques for urinary Pb determination
are discussed as well as the preventive treatment
with EDTA, its modalities, and its risks.
2216 Tsuji, M.: STUDIES ON THE FLUCTUATION OF
BLOOD CALCIUM IN LEAD POISONING. 1. THE
SERUM CALCIUM CONTENT OF LATENT LEAD POI-
SONED CASES. 2. TURNOVER RATES OF Ca^S
IN BLOOD PLASMA OF LEAD POISONED ANIMALS.
Journal of Osaka City Medical Center 9:
627-32; 633-41 (Feb.), 1960. In Contri-
butions from the Department of Preventive
Medicine and Public Health, Osaka City
University Medical School, Vol. 2, April
1959-March 1961, pp. 23-6.
426
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
1. The average serum Ca concentration of 41 Pb
workers was 104.8 mg/1. Urinary Pb ranged from
104.0-330 ug/1, Pb in the blood from 20.1-174.2
Ug/100 g. In 1 case of acute Pb poisoning, the
serum Ca was within normal limits. Other data
included in the tabulation of findings were eryth-
rocytes, 324-330 x 104; Hb, 9.2-13.6 g/dl; urocop-
roporphyrin 27.5-400 ug/1. 2. ^^Ca was given to
normal rabbits, and to rabbits in which acute or
chronic Pb poisoning had been induced. The total
turnover rate of plasma ^Ca in normal rabbits was
15.6% min. In both acute and chronic poisoning
there was a decrease of 4^Ca turnover rate (20.7
and 24.7% respectively), which was not considered
to be significant.
2217 Venditti, G., and Lalli, G. (Cent. Study
Res. Med. Aeronautics, Rome, Italy): Le
intossicazioni da carburanti con partico-
lare riferimento a quelle che si verifi-
cano in campo aeronautico. (FUEL POISON-
ING WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO AVIATION
TOXICOLOGY.) Revista di Medicina Aero-
nautica 23:57-102, 1960.
The chemical properties of the fuels employed in
the Air Force are reviewed with special reference
to their toxicity limits in man and their ill ef-
fect on the fitness of the ground personnel, which
might become a cause of flight accidents. The
toxicity and signs and symptoms of poisoning of
TEL and ethyl fluid as well as treatment of poi-
soning are discussed in some detail. (56 refer-
ences)
2218 White, H.H. (Natl. Inst. Neurol. Dis.
Blindness, Univ. Kansas): Diagnostic et
traitement de 1'intoxication par le plomb.
(DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF LEAD POISON-
ING.) World Neurology 1:137-45 (Aug.),
1960.
The author discusses the title subject on the ba-
sis of 29 references.
Diagnosis may be confirmed by the presence of an
excess of Pb in the blood and urine, but such quan-
titative studies should be repeated frequently.
Coproporphyrinuria is also a reliable, rapid and
simple method of determination. Usually small
amounts of Pb are found in the tissue, the upper
safe limit being 0.060-0.070 rag Pb/100 g whole
blood, and 0.080 mg Pb/1 urine. These values can-
not be accepted however, without taking the com-
plete clinical picture of the patient into account.
In describing the earlier treatments of Pb in-
toxication, the author points out the ineffective-
ness and toxicity of BAL. CaEDTA as a chelating
agent is recommended because it is nontoxic and
eliminates the Pb rapidly from the organism via
the urine. The average recommended daily dosage
for children is: 65-75 mg/kg body weight and for
adults 30 mg/kg weight. Administered intravenous-
ly (iv), and given in fractions of the total
amount, the dosage should be dissolved in a 250-
500 ml glucose or saline solution. If given im or
sc, it should be dissolved in a 20% solution with
0.5% procaine. This treatment should be repeated
if the Pb concentration remains at the toxic level,
or if important neurologic manifestations persist.
Orally, CaEDTA may be administered in cases of
chronic Pb poisoning to adults, however, not to
children because of its possible harmful effects.
CaEDTA decreases the morbidity of Pb intoxication
in adults, but it is not certain yet whether it
may prevent the mental deterioration which suc-
ceeds Pb encephalitis in children. In a few cases
of Pb encephalitis in children cerebral decompres-
sion or an iv injection with urea may be necessary
in order to avoid brain compression. Early diag-
nosis and early treatment for children are neces-
sary.
2219 Whitehead, T.P., and Prior, A.P. (South
Warwickshire Hosp. Group Lab., Warwick
England): LEAD POISONING FROM HOMEMADE
WINE. Lancet 2:1343-4 (Dec. 17), 1960.
The case of a 52-yr-old butcher admitted to the
hospital in November 1958 with abdominal pains of
3 wk duration is reported. A tentative diagnosis
of Pb poisoning was made after the following de-
terminations: sedimentation rate, 65 mm in 1st
hr; Hb, 8.1 g/100 ml; polychromasia and basophilic
stippling; urinary Pb on 2 consecutive days, 0.31
and 0.40 mg/day (normal, <0.2 mg/day). The pa-
tient was discharged for Christmas and at that
time examination of the well water at his home and
the beer at the pub was negative. Questioning re-
vealed that he was an enthusiastic wine maker and
drinker, but his wine-making equipment showed
nothing unusual. The patient was readmitted to
the hospital in January with epileptic fits. Ane-
mia and basophilic stippling were still present,
urine showed coproporphyrins and Pb values of 0.75
and 1.0 mg on 2 consecutive days, reaching a peak
of 17 mg/day after treatment with EDTA. A sample
of the home-made wine was obtained and found to
contain 7.5 mg Pb/1. Test solutions poured into
an old pitted earthenware bowl used in fermenting
the wine and in 2 earthenware storage barrels
yielded 1000, 9, and 7 mg Pb/1 respectively, the
earthenware bowl being the source of the Pb in the
wine. The patient had used this bowl since 1958
and had consumed VI qt of wine/wk.
2220 Yamaguchi, S. (Kyushu Univ., Fukuoka,
Japan): CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL
STUDIES OF TETRA-ETHYLLEAD POISONING IN
JAPAN. Kyushu Journal of Medical Science
11:37-44 (Feb.) , 1960.
Five outbreaks of TEL poisoning were observed in
several rural distructs near Fukuoka City from
1946-1957, in which 40 persons suffered from poi-
soning. Outbreaks 1 and 5 were of occupational
origin and were due to ignorance and careless
handling of TEL. In the 1st outbreak, a substance
of unknown material had been used as a solvent for
paint in a furniture factory. Although absolute
proof could not be obtained, the description of
symptoms fitted those from TEL. Of the 7 exposed,
3 died within 48 hr. The 5th episode involved 3
tank cleaners who recovered. The other 3 outbreaks
occurred from domestic use of well water which was
contaminated by TEL. Among those involved in the
poisoning were persons who shared the same well.
Outbreaks 2 and 4 were caused by TEL in oil drums
which had been buried after the war. These drums
containing TEL had rusted and the liquid had been
leaking into the ground over a period of 10 yr.
In outbreak 2, 22 persons were affected, 7 of whom
died; Pb in water ranged from 3-557 ug/1. In the
Man
427
-------
3rd, of 9 exposed to 150 and 1100 yg TEL in water,
3 died; in outbreak 4, 26 homes were involved,
though because of prompt action upon complaints
of irritating odor of the water from the residents,
illness and deaths were prevented. TEL content
was up to 14.5 yg/1.
2221 Zielhuis, R.L. (Netherland Inst. Prev.
Med., Leiden): De betekenis van de voeding
voor net ontstaan en net verloop van de
industriele loodintoxicatie. (SIGNIFI-
CANCE OF NUTRITION IN THE ORIGIN AND
COURSE OF INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING.)
Voeding 21: 399-424 (Aug. 15), 1960.
From a review of the existing literature on the
relationship between nutrition and Pb intoxication,
the author draws the conclusion that many questions
remain unanswered. He holds, however, that the
nutrition affects the absorption, deposition or ex-
cretion of Pb, and affects the reaction of the or-
gans with Pb. From the review the following seems
to be more or less definitive: (1) An adequate Ca-
supply stabilizes Pb metabolism, so sufficient Ca-
supply is desirable, a surplus of Ca-supply is
probably not utilizable. (2) Disturbance of the
acid/base equilibrium caused either by nutrients
or otherwise (infections) can mobilize the Pb from
the bones, especially in combination with Ca-defi-
cient food. (3) A quantitatively and qualitatively
sufficient intake of protein is desirable. (4)
Several vitamins have an influence on the reaction
of Pb in the body. The author concludes that a c
lacto-vegetarian diet with little fat probably is
the best diet for Pb workers. About 0.5 1 of milk
is highly recommended. (93 references).
1961
2222 Albahary, C. (France): PREVENTION OF LEAD
POISONING. Third World Congress on the
Prevention of Occupational Risks. Paris,
France, 1961:491.
Because of the possible harmful effects caused by
CaNa2EDTA, especially to the kidneys, when used
orally as a prophylactic measure against Pb intoxi-
cation, the author recommends the use of CaNa2EDTA
aerosols in a concentrated 1 g solution at the end
of the work day. These small doses of chelates
seem to be harmless.
2223 Albahary, C., Truhaut, R., Boudene, C., and
Desoille, H. (Paris, France): Le depis-
tage de 1'impregnation saturnine par un
test de mobilisation du plomb. (THE DE-
TECTION OF LEAD ABSORPTION BY A TEST OF
LEAD MOBILIZATION.) Presse Medicale 69:
2121-3 (Nov. 11), 1961.
The effectiveness of a mobilization test using
CaNazEDTA, in detecting latent stages of Pb ab-
sorption, was studied in the following 4 groups of
individuals: 20 controls; 11 subjects suffering
from mild chronic Pb intoxication; 12 workers sub-
jected to a mild Pb exposure who did not show any
clinical signs of intoxication besides a small de-
gree of stippling of erythrocytes and a higher
than normal Pb level in the urine (100-370 ug/1);
16 subjects possibly exposed to Pb, but lacking
any clinical or laboratory signs of Pb absorption.
Pb excreted in the urine, 24 hr after slow iv ad-
ministration of 0.5 or 1 g CaNa2EDTA in an isotonic
glucose solution was, respectively (vig/24 hr) :
85-465; 1200-8105; 940-u975; 450-920 (in 9 out of
16 subjects). Findings obtained in the last group
indicated a light exposure to Pb which, however,
had not been recognized by any other tests. The
authors state that Pb levels >800 yg/1, 5-6 hr
after CaNa2EDTA injection, or 700 yg in the total
urine of 24 hr might be considered to be patho-
logic. Pb concentrations of 300 yg or higher in
the urine of tthe 2nd day after the injection might
indicate an abnormal Pb absorption. When carrying
out the test, diuresis should be promoted by an in-
take of 300 g water. It is recommended that uri-
nary Pb excretion be determined not only at 24 hr
but also at 5 and 10 hr following injection of the
chelating agent. (28 references)
2224 Alfonzo, J.V., Canizal.es GueMez, E., Mtll-
ler, P.A., and Osorio Murga, M. (Dept.
Halariology and Environmental Health,
Venezuela): Las coproporfirinas urinarias
en el control preventive del saturnismo
industrial. (URINARY COPROPORPHYRINS IN
THE PREVENTIVE CONTROL OF INDUSTRIAL SAT-
URNISM.) Revista Venezolana de Sanidad y
Asistencia Social 26:530-5 (Sept.), 1961.
Pb levels in the blood were determined in 317
workers from storage battery factories, foundries
and printing plants, who had been exposed to Pb
from <6 mo to >5 yr, and the presence or absence
of urinary coproporphyrin was measured fluoroscop-
ically. Data were tabulated separately for the 3
types of industry according to period of exposure
(<6 mo, 7-12 mo, 13-59 mo, 60 mo or more), listing
the percentage of subjects with 0.40, 0.40-0.59,
0.60-0.79 and 0.80 mg Pb/100 ml of blood, respec-
tively. A definite relationship was noted between
urinary coproporphyrin and the Pb content in blood
at Pb levels >60 mg/100 ml and particularly >80
mg/1. The possibility of using the fluoroscopic
determination of urinary coproporphyrin for the
screening of Pb-exposed subjects was discussed.
2225 Al'pern, L.L., Khotenko, V.G., and
Gurevich, O.M. (San.-Epidemiol. Station
Kirov District, Moscow, USSR). K voprosu
o periodicheskikh meditsinskikh osmotrakh
rabochikh ruchnogo nabora tipografii.
(PERIODIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF MANUAL
COMPOSITORS.) Gigiena i Sanitariya 26:
66-9 (May), 1961. ••
The authors point out that in spite of modern
printing methods, shops using manual compositions
still exist. They had investigated 4 such shops
and found possibilities of Pb poisoning in work-
ers. Examination of drawers holding type revealed
dusts with Pb contents up to 3%. In 1958-59, 125
analyses of air in the areas of manual compositors
showed Pb concentrations far exceeding the MAC.
High Pb contents were also found in the hand wash-
water of the workers. Hematologic findings on 50
workers (employed S3 yr) showed decreased hemo-
globin and stippled cells to be within normal lim-
its, out in ^1/3 the reticulocyte counts were in-
creased. The urine of 2 workers contained 0.06-
U.l mg Pb/1, indicating excessive absorption.
Case reports of 2 female workers are briefly pre-
sented; they showed a mild form of Pb poisoning.
428
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
In closing, the authors recommend that manual com-
positors be subjected to periodic physical exami-
nations in order to prevent poisoning.
2226 Amorati, A., Bersani, A., and Stancari, V.
(Univ. Bologna, Italy) : Contribute alia
conoscenza della patologia dei lavoratori
della ceramica. (CONTRIBUTION TO THE
KNOWLEDGE OF CERAMIC WORKER'S DISEASES.)
Rassegna di Medicina Industrials 30:46-70
(Jan.-Feb.), 1961.
The authors carried out a clinical-statistical
study of a group of 1911 ceramic workers, employed
in industries of various sizes and importance of
the Emilia and Romagna region, who were periodi-
cally examined in conformity with the Silicosis
Act. A decreased incidence of pneumoconiosis
(6.89% of the ceramic workers investigated, with
0.25% of nodular type) and an almost total ab-
sence of Pb poisoning was found. (From authors'
summary) (34 references)
2227 Anatovskaya, V.S. (Ukrainian Inst. Ind.
Hyg. Occup. Dis., Khar'kov, USSR): Bel-
kovyi polyarograficheskii effekt prl
khronicheskoi intoksikatsii svintsom.
Soobshchenie I. (PROTEIN POLAROGRAPHIC
EFFECT IN CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICATION. I.)
Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabo-
levaniya 5, No. 5:37-42, 1961.
Assuming that intoxication by Pb blocks the SH
groups of protein molecules, the amount of free
SH groups in blood must be lowered. Sixty cases
of chronic Pb intoxication were examined. Serum
of healthy men was used as a control. By refrac-
tion, the quantity of protein and protein frac-
tions were determined. The serum and its protein-
free filtrate were then subjected to polarographic
analysis. The height of polarographic waves of
serum of healthy persons averaged 56.76 mm; aver-
age wave in the Pb-poisoned persons was 46 mm,
and 53.9 after treatment. The protein-free serum
filtrate gave a 26-mm wave height for healthy per-
sons and 23 mm under condition of Pb intoxication
(22 after treatment). Subacute intoxication gave
the lowest protein waves. The authors conclude
that the height of polarographic waves does not
depend on the absolute amount of protein in the
serum. It is also connected with the presence of
unblocked SH groups. Difference in height of
waves in healthy and intoxicated persons averages
10 mm. Rise or the polarographic curve in treated
patients depends on free SH groups. The height
changes of the polarographic curve may be used
effectively as an index of therapy. (13 refer-
ences)
2228 Ashby, M.G. (England): LEAD ENCEPHALO-
PATHY. Proceedings of the Royal Society
of Medicine 54:228-9 (Mar.), 1961.
The case of a woman, age 46, who had been employed
in a Pb accumulator factory for 5 yr is described.
Her work consisted of supervising the spreading
by machine of a moist mixture of litharge and red
Pb onto Pb accumulator plates; she was inadequate-
ly protected from fumes, and her environment was
very dusty. She had been in good health until
^3 mo before admission to the hospital when she
started having frontal headache and some colicky
abdominal pain. Two mo later, 3 epileptiform
convulsions occurred followed by transient diplo-
plia and forgetfulness, and after the last attack
she became delirious. Laboratory tests showed:
Hb 75% (Haldane) ; basophilic stippling in red
cells 3700/million; the red cells appeared hypo-
chromic; excess values of coproporphyrin III in
urine; the Pb content of urine was 400 ug/24 hr.
The diagnosis of Pb poisoning with Pb encephalop-
athy was made. Treatment with daily iv injections
of CaNa2EDTA in saline solution was not success-
ful, but a 2nd course of more prolonged adminis-
tration (2-3 hr iv once daily for 5 days) pro-
duced, on the 1st day, a total of 3.63 mg Pb in
urine, 2.65 mg on the 2nd, and 1.80 mg on the 5th.
The patient recovered within about 6 wk. Follow-
up 2 wk later showed Hb 106%, and no punctate
basophilia.
2229 Batskor, I.A., Kovacs, I., and Pasceri, I.
(Inst. Forens. Med., Budapest, Hungary):
Die Wirksamkeit der CaEDTA-Behandlung in
der Prophylaxe von Bleivergiftungen. (THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF CaEDTA-TREATMENT IN THE
PROPHYLAXIS OF LEAD INTOXICATION.) Zen-
tralblatt flir Arbeltsmedizin und Arbeits-
schutz 11:261-4 (Nov.), 1961.
The prophylactic effect of Mosatil on Pb intoxica-
tion was tested on 25 workers in 2 accumulator
factories, who did not show clinical signs of Pb
intoxication (Pb-line, pallor, etc, but had been
exposed to Pb from 3 mo-32 yr. They rfere divided
into 2 groups, one showing slight Pb absorption
with 100-300 yg/1 porphyrin in urine, 100-300/mil-
lion stippled erythrocytes (SE) (13 cases), and
the other, higher Pb absorption group with
>300 yg/1 porphyrin in urine, >300 SE (12 cases).
Mosatil was given orally (3 g/day for 10 days); Pb
exposure was not changed. In the 1st group the
number of SE was reduced in 50% of the cases and
porphyrin in urine diminished to values below nor-
mal in almost all cases. Considerably less im-
provement was observed in the 2nd group. SE
dropped to numbers below normal in only 1 patient
and porphyrinuria was reduced in only 30%.
On the basis of the results, it is concluded
that the use of Mosatil is indicated in cases
where Pb absorption is slight, without changing
working conditions; however, where Pb absorption
is of higher degree, it is indicated only with
removal of the worker from exposure to Pb. It is
also admonished that in the latter case improve-
ments in working conditions are absolutely neces-
sary.
2230 Batskor, I.A., and Timar, M. (Budapest):
Az dlomUrfte's vizsgalata az dlomme'rgeze's
kezelese per os adagolt CaEDTA-val. (THE
TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING WITH CaEDTA
PER OS.) Eggszsegtudomany 5, No. 3:259-63,
1961.
Examinations have been carried out in order to
determine whether the administration of CaEDTA
proved to be suitable in the treatment of Pb poi-
soning and on the other hand whether the increased
Pb excretion caused by the effect of CaEDTA could
be used in determining the Pb exposure more exact-
ly. On the basis of the examinations it has been
established: With per os treatment (during 15-20
Man
429
-------
days, dally 3 x 1 g) favorable therapeutic results
might be obtained and therefore the treatment
seems to be indicated in all cases where intra-
venous or intramuscular treatment was not appli-
cable. The increased urinary Pb excretion has not
proved to be suitable for the exact determination
of the exposure. The increase in the Pb excretion
due to the effect of CaEDTA basically differs in
range in the different Pb-poisoned individuals and
those who are working in Pb exposure but have no
poisoning. The degree of the increase of Pb ex-
cretion due to the effect of CaEDTA is determined
by the state of poisoning and not by the degree of
exposure. The examination of the Pb excretion due
to the effect of CaEDTA can be used in the diagno-
sis of Pb poisoning. (From Bulletin of Hygiene
37:22, 1962)
2231 Belknap, E.L. (Marquette Univ. Med.
School, Milwaukee, Wis.): MODERN TRENDS
IN THE TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING. A
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON THE USE OF
EDATHAMIL CALCIUM-DISODIUM. Journal of
Occupational Medicine 3:380-91 (Aug.),
1961.
A review of the literature on the use of CaNa2EDTA
over a 10 yr period in the treatment of inorganic
Pb poisoning is presented. The dosage and results
of treatment of 118 reported cases are tabulated.
All but 1 received the CaEDTA intravenously. A
bibliography of 46 references and a supplementary
list of 25 references on EDTA treatment of Pb ab-
sorption in children is included.
2232 Beritic, T., and Stahuljak, D. (Yugoslav
Acad. Sci. Arts; Univ. Zagreb, Yugoslavia):
LEAD POISONING FROM LEAD-GLAZED POTTERY.
(Letters to the Editor.) Lancet 1:669
(Mar. 25), 1961.
The authors emphasize the problem of Pb poisoning
from Pb-glazed pottery used by peasants for the
preparation and storage of wine, pickles, etc.,
and report that, in their practice (in Yugosla-
via), they have treated, within 6 yr, >40 patients
with severe Pb poisoning, including 3 cases of en-
cephalopathy (1 fatal), and 6 cases of Pb palsy.
Approximately 20-30 g of Pb is used to make a
small earthenware pot or jug. The authors think
that Pb contamination is greater before the glaze
becomes cracked or broken.
2233 Bongard, E.M. (Clin. Div. Gorki Sci. lies.
Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis., USSR): So-
sudistye narushenlya pri khronicheskoi in-
toksikatsii tetraetilsvintsom. (VASCULAR
DISORDERS IN CHRONIC INTOXICATION WITH
TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Kazanskii Meditsinskii
Zhurnal 6:72-3 (Nov.-Dec.), 1961.
The author had found that in chronic TEL poisoning
vascular changes were very variable; among 120
such patients, 20 showed a definite and 26, an in-
constant rise in arterial pressure. Of the 20,
only 2 were >51 yr old, 3 were 46-50 and 15, 30-
45. Other disorders observed and discussed are:
angiospastic manifestations, cardiac disorders,
mental disturbances, and special tests performed,
such as the elastometric, reaction to UV light,
finding of hypothermia, and others. On the basis
of the observations, the assumption of central
nervous system involvement is justified; also that
most probably the disturbances are attributable to
changes centering in the diencephalon.
2234 Bonsignore, D. (Univ. Genoa, Italy):
Premesse biochlmiche alia fisiopatologia
del ricambio porfirinico nel saturnismo.
(BIOCHEMICAL APPROACH TO THE PHYSIOPATHOL-
OGY OF PORPHYRIN METABOLISM IN LEAD POI-
SONING.) Lavoro Umano 13, No. 12:606-18,
1961.
The mechanism of porphyrin and heme biosynthesis
and metabolism, including the enzymatic reactions
involved, is reviewed. Hypotheses on the site of
action of Pb in cases of Pb intoxication, and the
possibility of an experimental clinical approach
to the study of the mode of action of Pb are dis-
cussed. (47 references)
2235 Borbely, F. (Univ. Zllrich, Switzerland):
Fehldiagnosen bei Bleivergiftungen. (ER-
RONEOUS DIAGNOSIS IN LEAD POISONING.)
Praxis 50:813-7 (Aug.), 1961.
Toxic effects can produce or mimic almost any type
of ordinary disease. Routine laboratory tests
and physical examinations are not designed to un-
cover a possible occult toxicologic etiology but
the latter should be considered more often in the
diagnosis of disease.
The author describes 21 of 40 cases of Pb in-
toxication of which only 17 had been recognized or
assumed as having to do with Pb intoxication,
causing delay of correct diagnosis and treatment
in all the others. The erroneous diagnoses made
were as follows: Ventricular hypersecretion,
appendicitis and cholecystopathy in the case of Pb
ingested from foods cooked in an antique Pb-coated
copper pan. Epidemic hepatitis in 2 cases and
gastroenteritis in 1 case of Pb ingested by drink-
ing cider from a Pb contaminated cider barrel.
Duodenal ulcer, alcoholic polyneuritis, post-
infectious polyneuritis, gastric ulcer, post-
infectious colitis, "nervous breakdown," achlor-
hydria with neuritis and neurosis, and Tabes dor-
salis in 8 cases of occupational Pb exposure. In
the last case of the 8, 2 laparotomies were per-
formed before the correct diagnosis of chronic Pb
poisoning was made. Other cases of Pb poisoning
were caused by a Pb- and As-containing material
for implantation in plastic surgery. Incorrect
diagnoses in these cases were anemia, acute abdo-
men, hepatitis, porphyria, and other conditions.
Persons with chronic Pb poisoning usually dis-
play symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction with
anorexia, constipation and colic, called by the
author "Pb dyspepsia." Painful exacerbations
(classical Pb colic) often mimic appendicitis or
hepatitis. Pb carriers frequently have stomach
and duodenal ulcers. Diagnosis by therapy with
Ca gluconate given iv as pain reliever has often
revealed the true etiology of spasmodic com-
plaints. Anemia, often refractory to therapy, is
a common occurrence in Pb intoxication. Psycho-
somatic syndromes reminiscent of hysteria, neuro-
sis, and signs suspicious of brain tumor are often
present. Careful diagnostic studies should be
performed to differentiate between Pb or other
metal poisoning and diseases of nontoxic origin.
430
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
2236 Bruckner, J., and Sedivec, J.: HAZARDS OF
SILICOSIS AND LEAD POISONING IN BATCH-ROOMS
IN GLASS WORKS. Pracovni le'karstvi 13:
237-42 (June), 1961.
Out of 123 workers working in an atmosphere with
10-25 times higher than the permissible value for
silica dust and 10-30 times higher for Pb than
allowed by Czechoslovakian standards, only 11 show-
ed various stages of stigmatization and intersti-
tial fibrosis and 1 case of Pb poisoning. (From
Chemical Abstracts 55:26273, 1961)
2237 Brusgaard, A. (Natl. Dept. Labor, Oslo,
Norway): Vurderingen av blyverdier i
urin. (EVALUATION OF LEAD CONTENT IN THE
URINE.) Nordisk Hygienisk Tidskrift 42:
71-4, 1961.
About 800 urine spot samples from Pb exposed work-
ers showed a strong positive correlation between
urine specific gravity and Pb content/1 of urine.
A correction to a standard sp gr of 1025 is
strongly recommended as the corrected Pb values
in urine give a more valid expression of Pb risk
and exposure. The above sp gr value was estab-
lished on the basis that 69% of the men exposed
to Pb showed a urinary sp gr ranging from 1020-
1029.
2238 Bushev, T.A. (District Hosp., uorodnya,
USSR): K praktike primeneniya unitiola
pri svintsovykh otravleniyakh. (THE USE
OF UNITHIOL IN LEAD POISONING.) Tera-
pevticheskii Arkhiv 33:103-4 (May), 1961.
Acute Pb colic was treated successfully with 1-2
daily doses of 2-5 ml each of a 5% solution of
unithiol, administered im for an average period
of 10 days.
2239 Calabrese, A., jiStolfi, E. , and Marian!,
F. (Coll. Med., Buenos Aires, Argentina):
Tratamiento oral del saturnismo por ver-
senato de calcio. Estudio clinico y ex-
perimental. (ORAL TREATMENT OF LEAD IN-
TOXICATION WITH CALCIUM VERSENATE. CLINI-
CAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY.) Dia Medico
33:2292-4 (Oct.5), 1961.
Three groups of rabbits were poisoned with 1 mg
Pb acetate/day, group 1 by iv injection, groups
2 and 3 by gastric tube. In addtion, groups 1 and
3 were given 100 mg CaEDTA, orally and by gastric
tube, respectively. After 15 days all animals
showed signs of Pb poisoning. Death occurred in
the order of groups 3, 2, 1.
Twenty-three workers suffering from Pb intoxica-
tion as diagnosed by Burton's line, porphyrinuria,
anemia and the presence of stippled cells and Pb
in the blood, were given orally for 1 mo 200 mg
CaEDTA/day. Improvement was noted in most cases
after 15 days. In a serious case of a 37-yr old
woman poisoned by litharge, oral and iv treatment
were alternated.
The authors conclude that orally administered
EDTA is useful as a detoxicant in cases that are
not severe or as a continuation of iv treatment.
However, oral treatment is contraindicated when
the patient, concomitantly, is exposed to inges-
tion of Pb. Orally administered EDTA is not metab-
olized; it is eliminated in the urine by 34% in
48 hr and by 98% in 96 hr. Doses up to 98 g with-
in 22 days do not cause untoward effects. The
classic treatment consists of 5 g/day for 5 days
and the same regimen repeated after 5 days rest.
2240 California, Department of Public Health:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE IN CALIFORNIA ATTRIB-
UTED TO PESTICIDES AND AGRICULTURAL CHEMI-
CALS, 1959. Berkeley, 1961, 30 pp.
A statistical compilation is presented of the data
on cases of occupational diseases attributed to
pesticides and other agricultural chemicals in
1959 in the State of California. The total num-
uer of cases attributed to Pb and/or As compounds
was 22, with the following clinical type of dis-
tribution: Systemic poisoning, 9; dermatitis, 12;
unspecified, 1. The distribution by industrial
groups was: Agriculture, 14; construction, 3;
service, 1; government, 4. The occupational dis-
tribution was: Craftsmen and foremen, 1; truck
and tractor drivers, 1; servicemen, 1; farm la-
borers and foremen, 13; gardeners, 4; other, 1;
not stated, 1.
2241 California State Department of Public
Health (Berkeley): LEAD POISONING IN IN-
DUSTRY. Occupational Health Technical
Information Service 1961, 6 pp.
Although cases of fatal Pb poisoning have declined
over the last 30 yr, nonfatal Pb poisoning is
still a common systemic occupational disease and
exposure is known to be possible in >100 different
kinds of industries. Routes of absorption, acute
and chronic types of poisoning, clinical and lab-
oratory tests, therapy and prevention are dis-
cussed.
2242 Carducci, A., and De Judicibus, C. (Univ.
Bari, Italy): Rilievi clinici e funzionali
O.R.L. in soggetti esposti all'intossica-
zione saturnina. (CLINICAL AND FUNCTIONAL
O.R.L. FINDINGS IN SUBJECTS EXPOSED TO
LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica (Naples)
44:1061-72 (Dec.), 1961.
An ortorhinolaryngologic study was conducted on
16 subjects, average age 40 yr, who had been em-
ployed in an accumulator factory in which they had
been exposed to Pb dust and vapors for 7-36 yr.
Thirteen men showed paradentosis and 2 exhibited
the typical gingival line. A deficiency of the
hearing function of a perceptive type, which was
limited to the right side of the tone field, was
found in 11. Since such factors as preceding
affliction, acoustic traumas and presbyacusis
could be excluded, the deficiency of hearing was
attributed to the toxic effect of Pb. (14 refer-
ences)
2243 Carow, G., and Leist, J. (Mainz-Weisenau;
Rllsselsheim, Germany) : Beobachtungen Uber
VerHnderungen der Laboratoriumsbefunde bel
Bleiarbeitern in einem Metallbetrieb.
(OBSERVATIONS ON VARIATIONS IN LABORATORY
FINDINGS IN LEAD WORKERS IN A METAL FAC-
TORY.) Zentrablatt fllr Arbeitsmedizin und
Arbeitsschutz 11:289-93 (Dec.), 1961.
The data obtained on 1000 Pb workers (a total of
7855 laboratory values) twice a year, over a peri-
od of 5 yr were analyzed. Pb exposure was then
divided into the following 4 stages: healthy
Man
431
-------
workers; stage of stimulation; presaturnism Grade
1; presaturnism Grade 2. The Hb values were, re-
spectively. 96.6, 105.4, 102.7, 84.4; red cells,
million/mm3, 4.57, 5.41, 5.06, 4.24; basophils/
10,000,0, 0, 35.9, 132.1; coproporphyrinuria, 0,
0-(+), -t—H-, +--H-+; Pb in blood (mg%) , 0.031,
0.059, 0.069, 0.085. Statistical analysis revealed
a correlation between seniority (length of expo-
jure) and Pb intoxication. Basophilic erythro-
cytes, as porphyrinuria, decreased with length of
work. There seemed to exist a growing resistance
to the effects of Pb, which may be explained as an
acquired immunity. Special value is placed on the
stimulation stage which should caution the indus-
trial physician in the judgment as to placement of
the employees in the Pb environment.
2244 Chen, P.S., Jr., Terepka, A.R., and Hodge,
B.C. (Univ. Rochester, Rochester, N.Y.):
THE PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY OF THE
BONE SEEKERS. Annual Review of Pharma-
cology 1:369-96, 1961.
Pb is included in this review because of its sys-
temic effect and its importance in the toxicology
of the future. Publications concerning diagnostic
procedures and treatment of Pb poisoning are cited
and a reconsideration of the MAC of Pb for contin-
uous exposure is recommended.
2245 Danieli, G., Gajdos-i'orok, M. , and Gajdos,
A. (Hotel Dieu, Paris, France): (ANEW
TEST FOR LEAD POISONING - INCREASE OF
6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID IN URINE AND PLAS-
MA.) Pathol. et Biol. 9:1481-6, 1961.
In Pb poisoning, either experimentally induced in
rabbits or clinically observed in man, the plasma
and urine demonstrated increased concentrations of
6-aminolevulinic acid, measured by column chroma-
tography on Dowex 2 and 50. The normal human con-
centrations are 1.63 ± 1.12 mg/1 urine and 32.2 ±
12.5 yg/100 ml plasma. In 24 cases of human Pb
poisoning the range of urinary concentration was
5-58 mg/1 and of plasma concentration, 66-138
Hg/100 ml. Elevations of plasma or urine concen-
trations were noted sporadically in a series of 59
patients with diseases other than Pb poisoning.
In this series, elevations of both plasma and
urine concentrations were observed in only 2 pa-
tients, both with liver cirrhosis. (From Chemical
Abstracts 56:1719, 1962)
2246 Davidson, A.N.M., and Silver, A.L.L.
(Southport, Lancashire; Fleets, Hants.,
England): HOME-MADE WINE AND LEAD-
POISONING. Correspondence. British Medi-
cal Journal 2:1086 (Oct. 21), 1961.
In reference to Lane, C.R. and Lawrence, A.
(Brit. Med. J. 2:939-40, 1961), the authors recall
similar cases of Pb poisoning caused by home-made
wine 30 yr ago in Devonshire and repeat the
warnings. Silver, however, argues that so much Pb
must have been ingested in the past that these
and similar cases reflect unusual susceptibility
on the part of the patients. He has found that
intravenous Ca gluconate may give immediate and
dramatic relief of the pain of Pb colic, and may
therefore be valuable in diagnosis.
2247
Davis, P.L. (Paoli Med. Center, Pa.):
LEAD POISONING WITH BLADDER COLIC AND
AMBLYOPIA. Letters to the Editor. Jour-
nal of the American Medical Association
175:257 (Jan. 21), 1961.
The character of Pb as the most serious, most fre-
quent and most insidious of all occupational poi-
sons, besides being a typical cumulative one, is
demonstrated by the history of a 43-yr-old patient,
working in 1 of 3 gasoline stations owned by him.
At the end of each day's work he washed the upper
part of his body including the upper extremities
with gasoline but always bathed with soap and water
when he arrived home. His main complaint was ex-
treme perlneal and retropubic pressure and pain.
The other symptom was severe amblyopia without evi-
dence of any changes in the fundus or signs of
optic neuritis. He had a blue line on the gums.
Hb level was 11.6 g; erythrocytes, 3,490,000/mm3.
The blood smear revealed many stippled red cells.
Examination of a thin, wet, heparlnized blood
droplet with a dark field condenser showed a flu-
orescence in >87% of the red cells; urinary Pb was
0.47 mg/1.
Diagnosis was "bladder colic" and amblyopia due
to chronic Pb poisoning. Three daily iv injections
of CaNa2EDTA in 5% glucose in water and an im in-
jection on the 4th day of BAL produced complete
recovery. The case illustrates the great impor-
tance of inquiring not only into the patient's
occupation, but also into his social and working
habits.
2248 De Bruin, J.: De dosering van Ca-EDTA bij
de behandeling van chronische loodintox-
icatie. (Ca-EDTA DOSAGE IN THE TREATMENT
OF CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Nederlands
Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde 105:482-4
(Mar. 11), 1961.
As the result of reports that CaEDTA, in daily
doses ranging from 4-40 g, had nephrotoxic effects,
the author, with experience of 60 cases of Pb poi-
soning, tried doses up to 2.65 g (for an adult
weighing 75 kg). Evaluating his experience of the
effect of this treatment on the metabolism of Pb,
he decided to alter the administration. His 16
cases responded rapidly and well to 2.65 g intra-
venous injections on alternate days. Treatment
should be continued until urinary Pb excretion lev-
el reaches a normal level of 100-300 jjg. The
treatment is safe and certain. (From Bulletin of
Hygiene 36:745 (Aug.)T 1961)
2249 De Dominicis, G. (Italy): Sul saturnismo.
(LEAD POISONING.) Minerva Medica 52:
3643-5, 1961.
Recent developments in the field of Pb intoxica-
tion are reviewed. The following topics are dis-
cussed briefly: metabolism of Pb and its relation
to Fe; siderocytes and reticulocytes in experimen-
tal saturnism; occupational Pb intoxication in the
automobile and printing industry; use of chelating
agents in diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of
Pb intoxication; and the occurrence of gastrodu-
odenitis and peptic ulcers in saturnism.
2250 De Freitas Tavares, J., and Porto, A.L.
(Univ. Coimbra, Portugal): 0 emprego dos
quelantes no tratamento do saturnismo.
(THE USE OF CHELATING AGENTS IN THE TREAT-
432
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
MENT OF LEAD POISONING.) Jornal do Medi-
co (Porto) 44:925-9 (Apr. 29), 1961.
Following a review of the chemical structure and
chelating properties of EDTA, the authors describe
3 cases of occupational poisoning (a 37-yr-old
painter, a 13-yr-old battery plant worker and a
33-yr-old fuel tank soundei, suffering with colic
and other manifestations of Pb poisoning). Treat-
ment with CaNa2EDTA was successful. The authors
recommend that in order to prevent Pb poisoning,
the workers should, in addition to the classical
methods of prescribing milk and protective mea-
sures such as masks and gloves, receive from time
to time chelating agents administered orally.
(31 references)
2251 Dinischiotu, G.T., Muica, N., Gradina, C.,
and Ellas, R. (Inst. Hyg., Public Health,
Romania): Studiul sindromului asteno-
vegetativ in saturnismul industrial.
(STUDY OF THE ASTHENO-VEGETATIVE SYNDROME
IN OCCUPATIONAL SATURNISM.) Studii si
Cercetari Medicina Interna 2:37-54, 1961.
A group of 100 patients, during various stages of
Pb intoxication, were subjected to tests in order
to study the vegetative tonus of various function-
al systems at rest and at work. On the basis of
such studies as blood tests, plethysmography,
optical adaptation, urea and creatinine clearance
and others the conclusion was drawn that the dis-
turbance of the vegetative system was due to Pb.
The vegetative manifestations become less intense
in chronic Pb intoxication. The asthenovegetative
syndrome disappears gradually when the patient is
removed from exposure to Pb. In some severe cases
of Pb encephalopathy a persistent asthenia may
occur as a sequela. (From authors' summary) (20
references)
2252 Elkins, H.B. (Div. Occup. Hyg., Boston,
Mass.): MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE URINARY CON-
CENTRATIONS: THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO ATMOS-
PHERIC MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE CONCENTRATIONS.
Proceedings of the International Symposi-
um on Maximum Allowable Concentrations of
Toxic Substances in Industry, Prague,
Czechoslovakia, April, 1959. Pure and
Applied Chemistry 3:269-73, 1961.
Factors influencing the results obtained in the
determination of the maximum permissible urinary
concentrations (MUC) of Pb and its relationship to
atmospheric MAC are discussed. The calculation of
the urinary Pb concentration in terms of mg/24 hr
or mg/1 is affected by the fluid balance.' Compari-
son of the amount of Pb excreted (mg/day) to volume
of urine shows that the Pb concentration in spot
samples varies 20-fold when the concentration of
the urine is changed by varying the fluid intake.
Therefore, it is suggested that the Pb concentra-
tion be related to the concentration of total
solids (as measured by specific gravity) or of
creatinine in the urine, as a reference point.
Using this method, less fluctuations were observed
than when no adjustment was made. The MUC (mg/1),
MAC (mg/m ), and MUC/MAC for Pb are, respectively:
0:20, 0.20, and 1.0.
2253
Eskew, A.E., Crutcher, J,C., Zimmerman,
S.L., Johnston, G.W., and Butz, W.C.
(Army Med. Lab.; Vet. Admin. Hosp., Atlan-
ta, Ga.; Columbia, S.C.): LEAD POISONING
RESULTING FROM ILLICIT ALCOHOL CONSUMP-
TION. Journal of Forensic Sciences 6:337-
50 (July), 1961.
Five hospital cases of Pb poisoning in Atlanta,
Ga., from heavy drinking of illicit alcohol for as
long as 19 yr are described. The main complaint
of the patients had been intermittent pain in the
lower abdomen with headache, nausea and constipa-
tion or diarrhea for several weeks before admis-
sion. Laboratory findings showed anemia and other
signs suggesting Pb poisoning in 3 cases which
were successfully treated with CaNa-EDTA. One of
the 2 fatal cases had been diagnosed as acute syn-
drome due to alcoholism and not as Pb poisoning
when autopsy revealed the following Pb values (mg/
100 g wet tissue): hrain, 0.83; liver,1.6; kid-
ney, 0.78. The other fatal case had twice pre-
viously been admitted to the hospital with the
above listed complaints but he had always denied
drinking '"moonshine" or having any exposure to Pb.
However, serum Pb determination subsequent to his
1st discharge showed 0.27 mg% Pb, and during his
2nd stay at the hospital he received CaNa2EDTA
treatments which produced urinary Pb excretion of
1.37 mg/1-0.75 mg/1 during 10 days. Except ane-
mia, all signs of poisoning disappeared, and the
patient was discharged, but he was readmitted
again after several weeks of heavy "moonshine"
drinking and died after 48 hr. Upon admission,
his hemoglobin was 10.4 g, hematocrit 34, periph-
eral blood smear showed marked basophllic stip-
pling, leukocytes 18,600, 93% neutrophils, 4%
lymphocytes, 3% monocytes, bilirubin 1.2 mg%;
Coombs' test was positive, urinalysis negative.
No treatment for Pb poisoning was attempted be-
cause of the patient's extremely poor condition
and because it was felt that his clinical status
was a brain syndrome due to alcohol poisoning.
Autopsy revealed degenerative changes of the
tubular epithelium of the kidney with large num-
bers of intranuclear inclusion bodies consistent
with Pb poisoning. The liver and brain were
strongly positive for Pb by spectrographic analy-
sis. The conclusion was drawn that the manifesta-
tions in this patient might have been due to en-
cephalopathy caused by Pb poisoning secondary to
consumption of ''moonshine." Analysis of samples
from 87 seized stills from this area showed 0.01-
0.09 mg Pb/1 in mash, 0.12-74 mg Pb/1 in distil-
lates from automobile radiators, and 0.04-2.12 mg
'Pb/1 in distillates from containers other than
radiators.
2254 Falkowska, Z., Sobkwicz, H., and Tur, J.
(Acad.-Med., Warsaw, Poland): Gas de
saturnisme chronique avec atteinte du
systeme nerveux central et de 1'organe de
la vue (I). (CASES OF CHRONIC SATURNISM
WITH INJURY OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS AND
VISUAL SYSTEM (I).) Proceedings of the
Society of Industrial Medicine and Hy-
giene. Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles de Medecine du Travail et de Se-
curite Sociale 22:759-61 (Dec.), 1961.
A report of 22 cases of chronic Pb intoxication
in taxicab drivers in Poland is presented. Gener-
al complaints were attacks of headache accompanied
Man
433
-------
by vertigo, nausea and vomiting. Ten subjects
suffered from pain above the eyeball, 11 from dis-
turbed equilibrium. Pb colic was found in 3 men,
anemia in 5, chronic hypoacid gastritis in 9. The
nervous system was affected in all patients; le-
sions were observed in the pyramidal system and
cerebellum and in isolated cases in the extra-
pyramidal system. Visual disturbances consisted
of decreased acuity of sight and changed sensi-
tivity to colors, central and paracentral scotoma
in the visual field, dilations of the veins in the
fundus of the eye, contraction of the arterioles
and changes in the retina. The appearance of nys-
tagmus, unevenness of osteo-tendon reflexes, to-
tal or partial absence of abdominal reflexes,
ataxia and unintentional tremor suggested incipi-
ent multiple sclerosis. The theory of an etio-
logic relation between Pb intoxication and mul-
tiple sclerosis is discussed. It is pointed out
that intoxication by heavy metals may cause a
process of demyelination which has the appearance
of multiple sclerosis. Only one case of Pb intox-
ication with a typical picture of multiple sclero-
sis is known. But the neurologic alterations in
the 1st stage of Pb intoxication often consist of
demyelination.
In the discussion Albahary states that experi-
mental and statistical studies are needed to prove
that multiple sclerosis might be caused by Pb in-
toxication. As to the cases reported, the pres-
ence of Pb in blood and urine (although such anal-
yses were not mentioned in the summary of the pa-
per presented) would indicate only that a person
had absorbed Pb but would be meaningful only if
it was excessive and consonant with the symptoms.
As an example he states that Pb levels are the
same in a case of appendicitis and in one of bone
fracture.
2255 Fanci, U.: Saturnismo di origine alimen-
tare in zone rurali degli Abruzzi. (SAT-
URNISM OF DIETARY ORIGIN IN RURAL ZONES OF
ABRUZZI.) Ann. d. San. Pubblica 22:627-48
(July-Aug.), 1961.
In the rural province of Abruzzi, the occurrence
of "subsaturnism" caused by the use of Pb-contain-
ing food utensils which are inferior to safety
standards set by the Italian law, is discussed.
Thirteen such cases in patients 14-60 yr old,
which were investigated in May 1957-June 1958,
are presented. Also described is a family out-
break of food poisoning with 1 death, caused by
the consumption of cream cheese prepared and kept
in a tinned copper vessel. Clinical and post-
mortem investigations revealed evidence of Pb poi-
soning in the 3 adult members of the family.
(From Bulletin of Hygiene 37:573, 1962)
2256 Foreman, H.: USE OF CHELATING AGENTS IN
TREATMENT OF METAL POISONING (WITH SPECIAL
EMPHASIS ON LEAD.) In Johnson, L.A., and
Seven, M.J., ed.: Proceedings of a Con-
ference on Biological Aspects of Metal-
Binding Held at the Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, Pennsylvania,
September 6-9, 1960. Federation Proceed-
ings 20, Supplement No. 10, Pt. 2:191-6
(Sept.), 1961.
The effectiveness of EDTA in the treatment of Pb
and TEL poisoning in adults and children is re-
viewed. The present knowledge regarding the pro-
cess of Pb intoxication, the mechanism of EDTA
action, the question of proper dosage, route of
administration and the toxicity of EDTA is dis-
cussed. A table evaluating the various chelating
agents which have been tried clinically in metal
poisonings is included. (80 references)
2257 Frant, R., and van Mourik, J.H.C. (Philips
Health Inst., Eindhoven, Netherlands): A
METHOD OF EVALUATING WORKERS' EXPOSURE TO
HARMFUL SUBSTANCES. Proceedings of the
International Symposium on Maximum Allow-
able Concentrations of Toxic Substances in
Industry, Prague, Czechoslovakia, April,
1959. Pure and Applied Chemistry 3, Nos.
1-2:123-6, 1961.
The authors point out the importance of periodical
medical examinations in providing a check of
whether hygienic measures are being carried out
and whether they are effective. They also point
to the difficulties encountered by the individual
variation in response to toxic exposures. As an
example they cite an unpublished report by P.A.
van Wely who set out to determine what symptoms of
Pb poisoning were detectable among 59 applicants
who had never been exposed to Pb, and found as
many complaints and irregularities as in a group
of Pb workers; laboratory tests showed that the
latter were actually in a worse condition.
A procedure is described whereby absorption of
Pb is estimated before poisoning occurs. Pb was
taken as an example because most experience has
been gained with it. The various subjective and
objective symptoms and laboratory findings are
given a point rating corresponding to their sig-
nificance. The following 8 criteria are given 1
point each, and each person is graded by the num-
ber of symptoms he presents: general impression;
irregular stools; constipation; colic; extensor
weakness; tremors; Pb line in gums; livid com-
plexion. The maximum obtainable by 1 person is 8,
and the maximum by a group of N persons is 8N.
The total number of points actually awarded, in
respect to symptoms found, is n; this figure di-
vided by the maximum obtainable and multiplied by
100 gives the group percentage: 100 n/8N. Scal-
ing of laboratory results is as follows: porphy-
rinuria (yg/1), <200 = 0; 200-400 = 1; 400 = 3;
basophilic stippling/1000 <0.5 = 0; 0.5-3.0 = 1;
>3 = 3; Hb% (Sahli method), >80 = 0; 60-80 = 1;
<60 = 3. Here the maximum score obtainable is 9
and the calculation is similar to the above. As
there was no clear case of poisoning, the authors
subjected a number of factory departments to peri-
odical examination. They were able to divide the
results into 3 classes according to Pb exposure
and average group percentage for clinical examina-
tion and laboratory tests respectively: no dan-
ger, VL/lOth MAC, 0-3, 0-2; some danger, ^1/2 MAC,
0-3, 3-5; causing concern, MAC, -vO-3, 8-20.
2258 Genot, R. (Namur, Belgium): Le saturnisms,
un my the; non, c'est une re'alite'. (LEAD
POISONING, A MYTH: NO, IT IS A REALITY.)
Scalpel (Brux) 114:424-6 (May 6), 1961.
While occupational diseases have been brought under
control due to increased industrial hygiene so that
434
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
virulent cases of Pb intoxication are rare, there
are still reports of death and disability due to
Pb and benzene intoxications and silicosis. Medi-
cal attention is now focused mainly on hematologic
changes, the early signs of Pb intoxication, such
as determination of basophilic stippling of eryth-
rocytes and reticulocyte by the methods of Wolfer,
modified by Naegeli, which is described by the
author in some detail.
2259 Gliick, A., Vidican, T., Bernstein, R.,
and Szinetar, V. (Cluj, Romania): Contri-
butii la studiul tolerantei organismului
fata de plumb. (TOLERANCE OF THE ORGANISM
TOWARD LEAD.) Revista Medicala (Targu-
Mures) 7, No. 3:284-5, 1961.
A new index (Meulenpracht) was applied to the
determination of the severity of Pb poisoning
based on data on number of erythrocytes and quanti-
ty of bilirubin in blood. The coefficient of Pb
tolerance, designated CT = bilirubin in mg% x 6/
number of erythrocytes in millions. The limit
value 1 corresponds to 0.6 mg2 bilirubin and
3,600,000 erythrocytes. In 61 cases parallelism
was found between the CT and the values of urinary
Pb.
2260 Gofman, J.W., deLalla, 0., Johnson, G.,
Kovich, E.L., Lowe, 0., Martin, W., Piluso,
D.L., Tandy, R.K., Upham, F., Weitzel, R.,
and Wilbur, D.: CHEMICAL ELEMENTS OF THE
BLOOD OF MAN. US Atomic Energy Commission
Document No. UCRL 9897, Fall 1961, pp. 1-
26.
The concentration of 40 elements was measured in
the blood serum of 20-22 subjects, using the X-ray
emission technique. The following values were
listed for Pb (pg/ml): mean 0.00; SD of distribu-
tion 0.22; standard error of measurement 0.24;
standard counting error 0.05; estimated mean from
literature 0.03.
2261 Grandjean, E. (Federal Polytech. Coll.,
ZUrich, Switzerland): Correlations entre
valeurs d'exposition et valeurs dans les
matieres biologiques. (CORRELATIONS BE-
TWEEN VALUES OF EXPOSURE AND VALUES IN
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS.) Proceedings of
the International Symposium on Maximum
Allowable Concentrations of Toxic Sub-
stances in Industry, Prague, Czechoslova-
kia, April, 1959. Pure and Applied Chem-
istry 3, Nos. 1-2:275-6, 1961.
The title correlations were made for trichloro-
ethylene, Hg, and Pb exposures. For the latter,
the concentrations of Pb in air were measured at
various operations in 7 factories; urinary and
blood Pb and urinary porphyrin (UP) were deter-
mined on 89-120 workers. The following coeffi-
cients of correlation (r) were obtained: Pb in
urine and in air 0.90; Pb in blood and in air 0.86;
UP and Pb in air 0.78; Pb in urine and in blood
0,71; UP and Pb in urine 0.80; UP and Pb in blood
0,77. According to these correlations, the fol-
lowing tolerable limits were established: Pb in
air 0.15 mg/m3; Pb in urine 0.15 rag/1; Pb in blood
0,05 mg/100 g; UP 0.6 mg/1. The author concludes
that the urinary Pb well reflects the exposure to
Pb and that it constitutes a good method for the
evaluation of Pb absorption.
2262 Grandpierre, R., Arnaud, Y., and Blanquet,
P. (Coll. of Medicine, Bordeaux, France):
(GAMMA SPECTROMETRIC EXPLORATIONS CON-
DUCTED ON PATIENTS TAKING THE CURE AT
LUCHON.) J. Med. Bordeaux Sud-Uuest 138:
1036-45 (Aug.), 1961.
The deposition of radioisotopes such as natural y
emitters 210Pb, 226Ra, and 2^°Po, in the bones was
determined in 30 patients who were drinking the
water at Luchon and were exposed to it in the form
of aerosols and as steam in a vaporarium. ^lOpb
and Ra w'ere detected in some patients; peaks
were obtained most frequently in those being
treated in the vaporarium and 8 of 14 tested gave
positive readings, indicating absorption of Rn
daughter products in their bones. In patients
being treated by other means, the readings were
doubtful or negative. (From Nuclear Science Ab-
stracts 17:Abstract No. 27042, 1963)
2263 Grieco, A., and Sartorelli, E. (Univ.
Milan, Italy): Atrofia ottica bilaterale
di origine saturnina. (BILATERAL OPTIC
ATROPHY CAUSED BY Pb INTOXICATION.) Medi-
cina del Lavoro 52:780-3 (Dec.), 1961,
A case of bilateral optic atrophy due to retrobul-
bar neuritis caused by chronic Pb intoxication in
a Pb smelter, who had been exposed to Pb for 23
yr, is described. The diagnosis of Pb intoxica-
tion was based on the patient's prolonged expo-
sure to Pb vapors, previous history of Pb colic,
presence of normochromic anemia, and on the ab-
normal Pb absorption which was detected 2 yr after
the patient had been removed from the Pb environ-
ment. Laboratory tests showed 80 ug% Pb and
150 yg% protoporphyrin IX in blood, 70-80 pg Pb
and 50-100 yg/24 hr coproporphyrin in urine.
2254 Harding-Barlow, I.: STUDIES ON THE TRACE
ELEMENT CONTENT OF HUMAN TISSUES. Disser-
tation, University of Capetown, April,
1961, 202 pp.
To allow a comparison of "normal" (as represented
by accidental death cases) and diseased tissue
from the standpoint of distribution types, most
frequent concentration range, and possible inter-
element relationships, the author gives a histo-
grammic presentation of data in her thesis. Three
main aims were: (1) to obtain as much information
as possible about the concentrations and frequency
distribution of trace elements in "normal" organs;
(2) to obtain preliminary data concerning the
trace element concentrations in carcinoma and ec-
lamptic death cases; .and (3) to examine data ob-
tained in (1) and (2) for possible features which
may be biochemically significant. Tissues were
analyzed in duplicate by a dc arc spectrographic
technique for the estimation of 21 elements, in-
cluding Pb, in liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys,
heart, pancreas, and brain (and uterus, ovaries,
and breasts) in 68 accidental deaths, 9 carcinoma
deaths, and 1 eclamptic death, mainly from the
Cape Peninsula. Race groups represented were Cape
Colored (36), Europeans (17), native Africans (9),
Cape Malays (5), and Indian (1), with an age range
of 16-74 yr.
Relative deviation of the trace element concen-
Man
435
-------
trations found ranged from 7-25%. Pb findings in
pg/100 g dry tissue showed the following ranges:
liver, 99-3660; lungs, 20-3380; spleen, 50-2750;
kidneys, 30-2400; heart, 5-260; pancreas, 30-2400;
brain, 8-370; uterus, 10-83; breast, 4.7-15.8;
ovaries, 9-56. The largest amount of Pb was found
in the liver. Results compared fairly closely
with those of Tipton, Kock, Tietz, Stitch, Kehoe,
and Letonoff. A comparison of results obtained
in America (Tipton 1960) with those in Capetown
by the author showed little geographical variation
from place to place, except that of the spleen.
However, geographical differences could not be
compared critically since data from the literature
were not very detailed. Age differences were not
found to be significant.
By consideration of extreme values of elements
occurring together in an organ from a given case,
it was shown that certain combinations of elements
were found frequently, and that these combinations
did not depend on the type of organ studied. One
example of these combinations was the combined en-
richment of Pb and Fe, Pb being elevated with Fe
more frequently than with any other element and
more frequently than it is elevated on its own.
In analyzing the trace metal content of the or-
gans of the 9 carcinoma patients, the author found
that Pb values in the kidneys and pancreas tended
to be low. Pb ranges in yg/100 g dry tissue were:
liver, 174-1510; lung, 83-216; spleen, 115-800;
kidneys, 76-3890; heart, 9-113; pancreas, 103-501;
brain <15.5-68; tumor, 40-190. In the 1 case of
eclampsia studied the elevation of Pb in kidneys
found by Letonoff et al (1940) was not confirmed,
but no conclusion can be drawn from 1 result. Pb
results of this 1 case (in pg/100 g dry tissue)
were: liver, 95; lungs, 55; spleen, 70.5; kid-
neys, 87.5; heart, 15.7; pancreas, 119; brain,
34.8; uterus, 24.7; ovaries, 34.8; thyroid, 18.7.
2265 Hardy, H.L.: CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH
THE USE OF CALCIUM DISODIUM ETHYLENEDI-
AMINETETRAACETATE IN THE THERAPY OF LEAD
POISONING. In Johnson, L.A., and Seven,
M. J., ed.: Proceedings of a Conference on
Biological Aspects of Metal-binding Held
at the Pennsylvania State University,
University Park, Pennsylvania, September
6-9, 1960. Federation Proceedings 20,
Supplement No. 10:199-202 (Sept.), 1961.
The clinical effects of CaNa2EDTA in the treatment
of Pb poisoning are reviewed and its action in a
number of individual cases is described. The
amount of Pb removed by CaNa2EDTA, the variation
in time that lapses after its use and the return
to normal of such indices of intoxication as the
hematologic abnormalities and urinary coproporphy-
rin levels, are discussed. The possibilities of
therapy with chelating agents in heavy metal poi-
soning are emphasized. The author concludes that
in addition of the return to normal of the above-
mentioned criteria, relief of neuropathy, and
measurable improvement in the prognosis of child-
hood plumbism are real and objective criteria of
clinical effect of CaNa2EDTA in treatment of Pb
poisoning.
2266
Heilmeyer, L., and Clotten, R. (Univ.
Clinic, Freiburg, Germany): Sto'rungen des
Porphyrinstoffwechsels bei Anamien.
(CHANGES OF THE PORPHYRIN METABOLISM IN
ANEMIAS.) Munchener Medizinische Wochen-
schrift 103:789-93, 862-5, 1961.
A discussion of Pb anemia is included in the paper.
Porphyrin values in 2 cases of Pb intoxication are
shown in a diagram. Although in Pb intoxications
the Fe level in the blood plasma is high, the pro-
toporphyrin (PP) concentrations are also signifi-
cantly increased. It is therefore concluded that
Pb interferes with the Goldberg enzyme which is
responsible for the incorporation of Fe into PP.
Although PP is greatly increased in the erythro-
cytes, it is not increased in the urine which,
however, shows an increased level of copropor-
phyrin. Furthermore, Pb interferes with a lower
stage of porphyrin synthesis by causing an increase
of ALA in the urine to 22,800 pg/24 hr in mild Pb
intoxications and to 63,600 pg/24 hr in more severe
Pb poisonings. These anemias in which sufficient
Fe is available but hemoglobin synthesis is insuf-
ficient, are called "sidero-achrestic" anemias.
2267 Hess, J.W. (Wayne State Univ. College of
Med., Detroit, Mich.): LEAD ENCEPHALO-
PATHY SIMULATING SUBDURAL HEMATOMA IN AN
ADULT. REPORT OF A CASE. New England
Journal of Medicine 264:382-4 (Feb.23),
1961.
This report illustrates that acute Pb encephalo-
pathy still occurs in adults in spite of general
improvement in industrial health measures, and that
the clinical picture may simulate other acute neu-
rologic conditions. A 40-yr-old man who had a his-
tory of alcoholism, was admitted to the hospital
because of a convulsion; his cerebral symptoms were
attributed to alcoholism. After he had a number
of further seizures during the following 4-5 days,
laboratory tests were carried out. A blood smear
revealed 18 basophillc stippled cells/1000 red
cells. Plasma urea nitrogen was 40 mg/100 ml.
Lumbar puncture showed an initial cerebrospinal
fluid pressure of 225, a closing pressure of 180
mm of water, with a protein content of 107 mg/100
ml. Intravenous administration of EDTA after 3
days resulted in urinary excretion of 7.25 mg Pb/24
hr. Total urinary coproporphyrin excretion during
the 4th day of EDTA therapy was 516 pg/24 hr (nor-
mal value, <100 yg/24 hr). In addition to EDTA he
was treated with diphenylhydantoin given im, and
iv infusions of fluids and penicillamine. His con-
dition improved rapidly and plasma urea nitrogen,
spinal-fluid pressure and protein content in the
spinal fluid returned to normal values. Upon ques-
tioning after his recovery, the patient stated that
for the past 6 mo he had'been breaking down old
batteries and melting the Pb into piggots, without
wearing protective equipment. He also told that
he had had intermittent abdominal cramps for 3 wk
and mild headache, dizziness and mild dyspnea for
2 wk prior to admission. He was discharged after
having received a total of 29 g EDTA in courses
averaging 2 g daily for 2 periods of 1 wk each.
2268 Hill, C.R., and Jaworowski, Z.S. (Royal
Cancer Hosp., London, England): LEAD-210
IN SOME HUMAN AND ANIMAL TISSUES. Nature
(London) 190:353-4 (Apr. 22), 1961.
436
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Measurements made of the levels of stable Pb and
210pb in 6 samples of vertebral bones from British
subjects who had died from malignant disease
showed means of 6.3 yg/g and 0.026 pCi/g wet tis-
sue; 2 samples of ox shaft bone had means of 3.1
yg and 0.25 pCi/g. The concentrations were found
to be comparable to those reported by Hursh and
Holtzman. Two liver samples were also analyzed
for a-radioactivity. It was found that = 80% of
the total activity was due to the presence of
210Pb. The much larger amount of *10Pb in ox bone
is attributed to the previously reported occur-
rence of this nuclide on foliage (Hill, 1960).
2269 Hofreuter, D.H., Catcott, E.J., Keenan,
R.G., and Xintaras, C. (US Publ. Health
Serv., Cincinnati, 0.): THE PUBLIC HEALTH
SIGNIFICANCE OF ATMOSPHERIC LEAD. Ar-
chives of Environmental Health 3:568-74
(Nov.), 1961.
Approximately 1000 human blood samples and 250
urine specimens were collected and analyzed for Pb
content during 1960, using the USPHS Method for
Lead. About 120 people in each of the 6 cities
under study (New Orleans, Dallas, Denver, Chicago,
New York, Cincinnati) and 16 persons in a rural
area contributed blood samples. Single specimens
of urine were collected from 25% of the subjects
in the urban location, but circumstances at the
rural site precluded this collection. Only per-
sons who had lived in an area for at least 5 yr
were included; history as to occupations during
the past 10 yr and smoking habits and a brief med-
ical history were obtained. In addition, blood
and urine samples were collected from a group of
88 men exposed to unusual amounts of motor ex-
hausts in their employment at an auto inspection
facility and a maintenance garage operated by a
large midwestern city. Samples were obtained from
all on Monday and from 66 of them on Friday of the
same week. Aerometric measurements were made con-
currently in this instance.
As tabulated, the mean Pb values in blood of the
urban inhabitants ranged from 0.018-0.022 mg/100 g
(ranges, 0.003-0.060); in the rural, 0.014 (0.001-
0.038); the urine Pb of the urban area was 0.014-
0.030 (0.002-0.081) mg/1. Among 58 individuals
from the urban areas and 5 from the rural area
with blood Pb values >0.030 mg/100 g, 14 and 3,
respectively, had a known occupational exposure to
Pb. By exclusion of these individuals, the com-
posite mean value for the urban blood samples was
0.019 and for the rural, 0.014 mg/100 g. The in-
fluence of sex, age, and smoking history was also
studied: Males in the urban areas showed a mean Pb
content of 0.021 mg/100 g blood (0.005-0.059);
females, 0.016 (0.003-0.060); in the rural areas,
the respective values were 0.016 (0.005-0.038) and
0.010 (0.001-0.018). As to age groups 15-30, 30-
45, 45-t>0 yr, in the urban area the means were
0.019 (0.005-0.060), 0.020 (0.003-0.059) and 0.021
(0.004-0.053), and in the rural area, 0.015
(0.005-0.030), 0.014 (0.001-0.038), and 0.014
(0.001-0.036). Smokers and nonsmokers in the ur-
ban areas showed 0.021 (0.005-0.060) and 0.017
(0.003-0.044), and the rural dwellers, 0.017
(0.010-0.038) and 0.011 (0.001-0.036) mg/100 g.
Among the occupationally exposed men, 28 auto
inspectors had a mean blood Pb of 0.030 (0.011-
U.041) mg/100 g; mechanics, 0.031 (0.008-0.059);
clerks 0.024 (0.019-0.032); the urinary concentra-
tions for these were, respectively, in mg/1: O.o41
(0.015-0.124), 0.046 (0.010-0.133), and 0.049
(0.022-0.078). Aerometric measurements at this in-
stallation showed average particulate Pb content,
in yg/m (and range), outside of buildings, 2.1
(0.9-3.8); inspection lane, 14.8 (8.9-20.0); ga-
rage areas, 21.1 (5.2-131-6).
In summarizing the results, the authors observe
that although significant differences were found
between various classifications, the mean values
for each group were within the recognized normal
range of Pb concentrations. Not a single value
exceeded the accepted high normal limit of 0.07
mg/100 g of whole blood. Also, these results tend
to support previous reports concerning the human
body's Pb concentrations. (14 references)
2270 Horiuchi, K.: FUNDAMENTAL STUDIES TO ES-
TABLISH A SUITABLE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE CON-
CENTRATION O'F LEAD IN INDUSTRIAL AIR. Pure
and Applied Chemistry 3:145-50, 1961. In
Contributions from the Department of Pre-
ventive Medicine and Public Health, Osaka
City Universtiy Medical School. Vol. 2,
April 1959-March 1961, pp. 46-51.
The author reviews the studies performed in Osaka
City University Medical School toward the estab-
lishment of a MAC for Pb in air in industries.
These included: (1) Experiment with 3 human sub-
jects to 2 of whom Pb was administered orally for
various periods over 9 mo (Oct 1952-July 1953);
(2) experiment with dogs orally administered Pb;
(3) with guinea pigs given radioactive Pb (RaD);
(4) statistical study of the upper limits and aver-
ages of Pb in blood, urine and feces of Japanese
in urban and rural areas; (5) statistical study on
the upper limits and averages of Pb in blood,
urine, and feces of laboratory animals; (6) a
study of the Pb content in Japanese daily food;
(7) studies on the MAC of Pb in air; (8) a study
on a combination method of diagnosis of mild or
latent Pb poisoning (an application of the statis-
tical discriminant function). Papers of the last
2 studies were presented at the llth International
Congress on Occupational Health, Naples, 1954.
2271 Horiuchi, K., Horiguchi, S., Asano, I.,
ilashimoto, K. , Noma, K., and Narita, I.
(Osaka City Technol. Inst., Japan): ANEW
NEBULIZER TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE FIELD OF
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH. (Journal of Osaka
City Medical Center 10:351-5 (March),
1961. In Contributions from the Depart-
ment of Preventive Medicine and Public
Health, Osaka City University Medical
School. Vol. 2, April 1959-March 1961,
p. 40.
The new apparatus for the formation of mist of Pb
solutions, shown in a diagram, enables a satisfac-
tory particle size distribution (90-94% <5 y and
40-67% <1 y in diameter) to penetrate the respira-
tory tract of human subjects. It can also be used
for the administration of aerosols of certain sol-
uble substances.
2272 Horiuchi, K., Masuya, Y., Hashimoto, K.,
Asano, I., Iwamoto, R., Komoike, Y., Ara-
Man
437
-------
take, K., and Kuromyo, M.: AN EXPERIENCE
OF INTEATRACHEAL ADMINISTEATION OF CALCIUM
DISODIUM ETHYLENE-DIAMINE-TETEAACETATE
(Ca-EDTA) BY LEAD WORKERS AT THEIR ACTUAL
WORKING PLACE. Osaka City Medical Journal
7, No. 1:59-62, 1961. In Contributions
from the Department of Preventive Medicine
and Public Health, Osaka City University
Medical School, Vol. 2, April 1959-March
1961, pp. 41-4.
Pb poisoning was treated by intratracheal adminis-
tration of CaEDTA solution as an aerosol by new
inhalation equipment which has an air compressor
of 1/2 horsepower (almost 1 kg/cm'' gauge pressure)
and 10 glass nebulizers. The size of aerosol par-
ticles produced by this equipment was VL p in di-
ameter. A 20% aqueous solution of CaEDTA was
used. Five male Pb workers, 25-49 yr old who had
worked in a Pb plant for 3-13 yr were selected.
The air of the workplace contained means of 0.1-
1.5 mg Pb/m . The workers received ^4 g CaEDTA
daily for 4 days (at lunch recess). Before the
experiment, urine coproporphyrin (CP) was 0.25-
0.85, blood Pb 41.3-104.6 pg/100 g, and urine Pb
0.151-0.288 mg/1. Urinary Pb increased soon after
administration then decreased after inhalation was
discontinued. CP elimination decreased signifi-
cantly and continued to do so for at least 2 days
after the inhalation period. No ill-effects from
this method were noted.
2273 Hoschek, R. (Ind. Physician, Stuttgart,
Germany): Bleispiegelwerte im Blut bei
gesunden Arbeitern einer Bleifarbenfabrik.
(LEAD CONCENTRATIONS IN THE BLOOD OF HEAL-
THY WORKERS IN A LEAD PAINT FACTORY.)
Medizinische Welt 51:2687-90 (Dec.), 1961.
A group of 56 healthy workers employed in a Pb
paint factory for 0.5-30 yr (av 5.7 yr) was tested
for Pb levels in the blood. (The method used is
not mentioned.) All workers were free of any signs
or symptoms of Pb intoxication and showed neither
stippled erythrocytes nor increased urinary por-
phyrins. Pb concentrations found in the blood
ranged from 35-110 pg%, av 64.6 ug%. The seasonal
averages, as shown in a figure were: for winter,
76.3, for spring, 66, and for late summer, 54 ug%.
It appeared that both urinary excretion and levels
of Pb in the blood are subject to seasonal varia-
tions in that urinary Pb excretion is higher during
the summer months and consequently the Pb level in
the blood decreases. The author concludes that
determination of the Pb level in the blood is not
a suitable test for the diagnosis of Pb intoxica-
tion. Measurement of stippled erythrocytes and a
quantitative analysis of urinary porphyrin are
much more significant for the diagnosis of Pb in-
toxication. (22 references.)
2274 Howe, G.M. (Univ. Coll., Aberystwyth,
United Kingdom): THE GEOGRAPHICAL VARIA-
TIONS OF DISEASE MORTALITY IN ENGLAND AND
WALES IN THE MID-TWENTIETH CENTURY. Ad-
vancement of Science 17, No. 69:415-25,
1961.
With the introduction of the comprehensive Nation-
al Health Service in 1948, medical and statistical
facilities were extended to all classes of society
and reliable death certificates became available.
These were used by the author for his study for
the years 1950-3. The following causes are dealt
with: Arteriosclerotic heart disease, including
the coronary; vascular lesions affecting the cen-
tral nervous system; malignant neoplasm; bronchi-
tis, and all causes. Pb is brought into discus-
sion in connection with cancer of the stomach;
high rates of mortality were shown in Wales and
the north-west of England, although there were
some exceptions. Caernarvon, Merioneth and Cardi-
gan were found to be a continuous area of high
mortality rates, >45% above the national average.
The author urges, since it had been suggested that
people there eat vegetables grown on soils of high
organic content, that more attention be devoted to
the water supplies of this part of Wales, espe-
cially those polluted by former Pb mine effluents.
However, such factors would not explain the very
high rates in other areas of Wales. The relation-
ship between high mortality from lung cancer and
densely populated areas is obvious, not only be-
cause of smoke but motor exhausts, and other
factors.
The author concludes his analysis by saying that
one cannot be dogmatic about any apparent spacial
relationship between the distribution of disease
and the manifold feature which diversify the geog-
raphy of England and Wales. Correlations con-
sidered are climate, possibly operating through
food and water supply, atmospheric pollution, soil
type, sanitary and social environments, heredi-
tary predisposition, increasing sedentary nature-
of work, anxieties, and the like. The answer
probably rests with a complex of causes which can
be resolved only by team work of those in medicine
and allied sciences together with geographers.
2275 Hublet, P. (Belgium): COMMENTS RELATING
TO THE PREVENTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF EDTA
FOR THE PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING.
Third World Congress on the Prevention of
Occupational Risks. Paris, France, 1961:
492.
Although the Pb-EDTA complex is harmless, due to
the nephrotoxicity of EDTA alone, and the possi-
bility of its causing vitamin B deficiency, the
author is opposed to the current practice of oral
administration of EDTA as a prophylactic measure
in Pb intoxication. Experience has also demon-
strated that in plants where the tablets were regu-
larly administered, the personnel exposed to the
risk of Pb poisoning thought it was fully protected
against intoxication and tended to disregard indi-
vidual elementary health measures, and that employ-
ers forgot that the elimination of toxic dust at
the place of origin must be their prime concern.
2276 Humperdinck, K. (Ruhr Miners' Org.,
Bochum, Germany): Die Bleivergiftung.
(LEAD INTOXICATION.) Knappschaftsarzt
26/27: 15-28 (Jan.-June), 1961.
A review of the literature dealing with the mech-
anism, symptoms, diagnosis and therapy of Pb in-
toxication is presented. (66 references.)
2277 Hutchinson, H.E., and Stark, J.M. (Dept.
Haematol. Univ. and Western Infirmary,
Glasgow, Scotland): THE ANEMIA OF LEAD
POISONING. Journal of Clinical Pathology
438
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
14:548-9 (Sept.), 1961.
Three cases of Pb intoxication are briefly pre-
sented. A housewife who had taken large quanti-
ties of Pb and opium pills for diarrhea, and 2 Pb
burners suffered from severe hypochromia. Serum
Fe levels were normal, stippling of red cells was
absent. Bone marrow showed normoblasts, erythro-
poiesis with excess stainable Fe. All 3 patients
responded quite well to EDTA therapy and after
diuresis with oral treatment of EDTA the Hb levels
rose. The cause of anemia was found to be
depressed hemoglobin synthesis and lag of red cell
formation.
2278 Huzl, F., Joachims thaler, J., and Sykora,
J.: (CHRONIC LEAD POISONING AND EDTACAL
SPOFA DURING PREGNANCY.) Prakticky Lekar
41, No. 15/16:702-706, 1961.
Treatment of chronic Pb poisoning of pregnant wom-
en, working as Pb glazers, with Edtacal Spofa, is
described. The problem of the pathological ac-
tion of Pb on the course of pregnancy is dis-
cussed. (From Scientific Reports on Industrial
Hygiene and Occupational Diseases in Czechoslo-
vakia 6:Abstr. No. 165, 1962)
2279 Hflzl, F., Suchanova1, L., and Sykora, J.
(Univ. Karlov, Prague, Czechoslovakia):
NaSe zkugenosti s prevenci a lecenim otravy
olovem pomoci komplexonu CaNa2EDTA. (OUR
EXPERIENCE WITH THE PREVENTION AND THERAPY
OF LEAD POISONING WITH CALCIUM DISODIUM
EDTA.) Acta Universitatis Carolinae, Medi-
cal Supplement 15:199-209, 1961.
For the prevention of occupational Pb poisoning
a series of 4 iv injections of 2 g CaNa2FDTA each
was applied. The treatment was successful in
women glazing tiles with a Pb-containing glaze,
in workers removing minium polish and in men work-
ing with Pb-containing bronzes. Possible harmful
effects of EDTA and the prevention of such possible
metabolic disturbances by diet and medication are
discussed. (32 references)
2280 India, Ministry of Labour and Employment
(New Delhi, India): SILICOSIS HAZARD IN A
LEAD AND ZINC MINE IN RAJASTHAN. New
Delhi, Office of the Chief Adviser Factor-
ies, Report No. 21, 1961, 78 pp.
A medical and environmental study was conducted on
the dust hazard at the Zawar Pb and Zn mine in
Rajasthan, India. Only the mill workers at the
crushing plants were exposed to dust concentrations
exceeding the threshold limits. Medical examina-
tions of a sample of 173 workers out of 606 miners
and 101 workers at the concentration mill showed
that 30.4% of the workers had evidence of dust
deposit in the lungs, and 21.2% of those employed
only in the Zawar mine. Blood tests revealed that
31.5% of the workers suffered from anemia, the
cause of which was to be investigated. Recommenda-
tions for improving the environmental conditions
are given. Periodic X-ray examination of miners
and certain surface workers is advised. Skiagrams
of 14 illustrative cases are included. (61 ref-
erences)
2281 Jensovsky, L., and Roth, Z. (Inst. Ind.
Hyg. Occup. Dis., Prague, Czechoslovakia):
Der normale Bleigehalt im menschlichen
Blute. (THE NORMAL LEAD CONTENT OF HUMAN
BLOOD.) Naturwissenschaften 48:382-3,
1961.
The Pb content of blood was determined by reversi-
ble polarography. Samples were analyzed from
healthy individuals of varying ages. The general
tendency was for a higher average Pb content in
younger people and a lower content for people past
middle age. The concentrations are depicted in a
spread-graph.
2282 Jonderko, G. (Clinic for Internal Dis.,
Zabrze, Poland) : Wartos"c rozpoznawcza
oznaczania poziomu glutationu we krwi w
przewlekZej oZowicy u ludzi. (DIAGNOSTIC
VALUE OF THE DETERMINATION OF THE BLOOD
GLUTHATHIONE LEVEL IN CHRONIC POISONING IN
HUMAN SUBJECTS.) Polskie Archiwum Medy-
cyny Wewnetrznej 31, No. 5:647-55, 1961.
Investigations were conducted on a group of 51
males and 15 females exposed to Pb, a group of 30
males with chronic, chiefly hypochromic anemia,
and 30 males with severe posthemorrhagic anemia.
Among the subjects exposed to Pb, 30 males and 13
females showed symptoms of anemia, while 16 males
and 2 females showed signs of Pb absorption.
Blood glutathione level and index decreased mark-
edly in cases of Pb-induced anemia. A differen-
tiation could be made between the behavior of glu-
tathione index in Pb-induced anemia and other ane-
mias. Treatment with CaEDTA increased the gluta-
thione index. Estimation of glutathione level and
index may be of importance in the diagnosis and
prevention of Pb poisoning. (From author's En-
glish summary)
2283 Karpatkin, S. (New York Univ., N.Y.):
LEAD POISONING AFTER TAKING Pb ACETATE
WITH SUICIDAL INTENT. REPORT OF A CASE
WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE MECHANISM OF ANE-
MIA. Archives of Environmental Health
2:679-34 (June), 1961.
In the case reported, a 37-yr-old Negro woman had
ingested 'W g Pb acetate (Pb and opium solution
NF). Her past history included jaundice and al-
coholism (the latter since 1935). The intoxica-
tion was manifested by vomiting, transient pro-
teinuria, anemia, transient extensor hand muscle
paresis, weakness, headache, and paresthesias.
The highest content of Pb in blood was obtained on
the 8th day (0.028 mg/100 g) and although glass-
ware not specifically treated with nitric acid was
used, were considered to be consistent with values
to be expected from a single acute exposure. A
provocative test with EDTA clearly demonstrated
that the patient had absorbed significant quanti-
ties of Pb from her gastrointestinal tract. The
author discussed at some detail the patient's ane-
mia, evidenced by a fall in hematocrit from 54-34
in a 2-wk period, by reviewing 7 reports of acute
poisoning found in the literature of the past 20
yr. The findings in these cases are tabulated.
A tabulation of the patient's hospital course is
also included. This shows the blood cell counts,
Pb in blood and urine, urine volume, and urinary
coproporphyrins (negative from the 19th day).
(20 references)
Man
439
-------
2284 Kasparov, A.A.: (ACCUMULATION OF LEAD LN
THE WORKERS OF LEAD-ZINC MINES AND CONCEN-
TRATION PLANTS.) Trudy Tadzhikskogo Med-
itsinskogo Instituta 51:53-7, 1961.
When 51 workers (21 women and 30 men), occupied in
operations on flotation and crushing of ore, were
examined, an increased content of Pb in urine
(0.05 mg/1 in 41 persons and >O.U5 mg/1 in 10 per-
sons) was noted. The counts of hemoglobin, eryth-
rocytes and leukocytes in the blood remained in
the normal range. (From Chemical Abstracts 60:
13780, 1964)
2285 Keeling, J. (Wellington, New Zealand):
LEAD POISONING AS AN OCCASIONAL HAZARD TO
ARTISTS. New Zealand Medical Journal
60:555-9 (Dec.), 1961.
The annual reports of the Director-General of
Health in New Zealand show that in 1949-53 there
were 41 notifications of chronic Pb poisoning, all
of which had an industrial source. In 1954-58
there were only 28 notifications, all except one
having an industrial source. The distribution of
the cases was, respectively, 9 and 14 in the
battery industry; 11 and 3 in the paint industry.
Two cases of Pb intoxication caused by accidental
ingestion of basic Pb carbonate used in an art-
ist's oil paint "Flake-White" were presented. A
26-yr-old man and a 58-yr-old woman suffered from
abdominal colics. Laboratory tests showed 20,000
and 10,000 stippled cells/million red cells,
respectively, and a large amount of coproporphyrin
in the urine. In the 1st case Pb in the blood was
92 ug/100 ml and in the 2nd case Pb in the urine
was 1100 yg/24 hr. Preventive measures have been
taken by the Department of Health which requires
the labeling of all artists' paints containing Pb
in accordance with regulations 23 of the Lead
Process Regulation 1950. (16 references)
2286 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): VALUE
OF CALCIUM DISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRA-
ACETATE AND BRITISH ANTI-LEWISITE IN THER-
APY OF LEAD POISONING. In Johnson, L.A.,
and Seven, M.J., ed.: Proceedings of a
Conference on Biological Aspects of Metal-
binding Held at the Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, Pennsylvania,
September 6-9, 1960. Federation Proceed-
ings 20, No. 3, Part II, Supplement No. 10:
196-9, 1961.
The author objects to the use of BAL in the therapy
of Pb poisoning and cautions against the acceptance
of CaNa2EDTA as the "specific remedy" for these
cases even though it is an effective agent for the
elimination of excess Pb from the body. The mech-
anism of Pb poisoning and its therapy by chelating
agents is discussed.
2287 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): THE
METABOLISM OF LEAD IN MAN IN HEALTH AND
DISEASE. Archives of Environmental Health
2:418-22 (Apr.), 1961.
(This is a condensation of the author's abstract
of the Harben Lectures 1960, given at The Royal
Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, London.)
Lecture No. 1: Normal metabolism of lead. In-
formation gathered over a period of years has dem-
onstrated the sources and the quantities of Pb
taken in daily from food and beverages by the av-
erage North American adult. A considerable por-
tion of the ingested Pb is natural in origin; an
appreciable proportion is also derived from the
introduction of Pb into food and beverages in a
great number of ways. The contribution of inhaled
Pb is small but not insignificant. The quantities
of Pb from these sources vary within certain lim-
its by the natural and artificial characteristics
of a given geographic area and society. The situ-
ation in USA will not apply, necessarily, else-
where. The fate of the ingested and inhaled Pb
by the adult (US) can be represented in terms of
the patterns and quantities of the alimentary and
urinary output of Pb, and the distribution of Pb
in the tissues of the body. The Pb content of the
food and beverages consumed daily by the US adult
varies from <0.10 mg/day to >1 mg/day occasional-
ly; the average (for any 1 individual) is from
0.12-0.35 mg/day. Inhaled Pb generally varies
from ^0.01-0.09 mg (av 0.04 mg/day). Somewhat
<10% of the ingested Pb is absorbed; most of it is
eliminated in the feces (nearly the same as the
amount in food, for some of the absorbed portion
is returned to the alimentary tract in the biliary
and digestive secretions). The finely divided Pb
in the air is retained in the lung to the extent
of 30-50% and that retained is absorbed fairly
promptly under ordinary conditions. The absorbed
Pb is excreted, in addition to via the alimentary
tract, via the kidney (also in the sweat under ap-
propriate conditions); the remainder is distributed
in the tissues of the body (from which there is a
roughly corresponding counterstream). Under usual
circumstances the daily intake and output of Pb
remain in essential balance after the establish-
ment of an equilibrium at an early age, after
which the concentration of Pb in the tissues un-
dergoes little if any progressive change.
Lecture No. 2: Metabolism of lead under abnor-
mal conditions. When the rate of absorption is
increased beyond the range of "normal," an in-
crease in the output of Pb in the urine first oc-
curs (provided there is no impairment of the se-
cretory apparatus). This is associated with an
increase in the Pb content of the body which, af-
ter some lag, becomes demonstrated by a rise in
the Pb content of the blood. If this increase in
the rate of absorption is maintained at a suffi-
cient level fairly uniformly, there will be a pro-
gressive increase at an essentially constant rate
in the urinary excretion of Pb, in the Pb content
of the body, and in the concentration of Pb in the
blood. Ample evidence of this has been obtained
in a series of balance experiments carried out
over variably prolonged periods of time in which
each of 4 human subjects ingested with each meal
0.3, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mg Pb, respectively (in ad-
dition to that present in diet), for 364, 1456,
644, and 112 successive days, respectively. In
another series of balance experiments, 6 subjects
were exposed to the inhalation of Pb dispersed in
particulate form for 7.5 hr/day for 5 days/wk over
2 yr or more, to stimulate prolonged occupational
exposure to Pb compounds. These experiments are
still in progress. The air of the chamber con-
tained dispersions of minute particles (median
size 0.05 y) of Pb sesquioxide at 0.075 and 0.15
mg Pb/m^ of air. Determination of the Pb content
440
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
of the expired air showed the extent of pulmonary
retention of Pb, while observation of the interval
between the initial exposure and urinary excretion
gave the rate (and relative extent) of pulmonary
absorption of Pb. In a later pair of experiments,
Pb sesquioxide was dispersed in much coarser par-
ticles (1-3 y) to provide information on the in-
fluence of particle size on the behavior of Pb in
the respiratory and alimentary tracts. The total
intake of Pb (in food, beverages, and air) and
the elimination were determined daily in all se-
ries of experiments. The results showed the fol-
lowing: There is a limited degree of absorption
from ingested Pb, which continues at a fairly
steady rate and induces, in proportion to the
size of the daily dose, levels of Pb concentra-
tion in the tissues and in the excreta which in-
crease at a steady rate during the entire period
of ingested (4 yr in the most prolonged experi-
ment) . At the end of 4 yr, daily ingestion of
1.3 mg Pb resulted in ^0.065 mg Pb/100 g of blood
and 0.08 rag/I of urine; of the absorbed Pb, VL18
mg were retained. In all likelihood, these val-
ues would continue to increase at the same rate
indefinitely and would reach a dangerous level
after a time. In the inhalation studies, a prompt
increase in the Pb content of the tissues and ex-
creta results; this progresses for 4-8 mo until a
plateau is reached, the level of which is deter-
iained largely by the concentration of Pb in the
air. No further change ensues unless the intensi-
ty of the exposure is altered. In both ingestion
or inhalation, the cessation of exposure is fol-
lowed by a gradual excretion of Pb from the body
until, after a time appreciably longer than the
period of exposure, the quantities in the excreta
and blood reach the normal base lines. Absorption
of Pb from the alimentary tract is poor, or 8-12%
under the conditions of these experiments (maxi-
mum ^12% of ^3 mg/day). By contrast, pulmonary
absorption is prompt and efficient. From 30-50%
of particles of 0.05 y (median) diameter are re-
tained in the lungs. No risk of Pb poisoning is
involved in these conditions of exposure in which
the maximum concentration of Pb was 0.15 mg/m^ of
air. Concentrations of Pb in blood and urine at
their peak after ^8 mo of exposure to the maximum
concentration were ^0.045 mg/100 g and 0.085 mg/1,
respectively; by this time, 25-30 mg Pb had been
retained in the body of the subject.
Lecture No. 3: Present problems relating to the
absorption of lead. Four of the many medical and
hygienic problems are considered: (1) The diag-
nosis of Pb intoxication. Systematic investiga-
tion of occupational exposure to Pb in relation
to the incidence of Pb poisoning and the extension
of sound criteria to various cases and types of
nonoccupational Pb poisoning have shown that Pb
poisoning occurs only when certain limits of Pb
concentration in blood, urine, and tissues have
been exceeded. The threshold concentration in
blood below which (during the period of exposure)
no case of Pb poisoning has yet been seen, is
^0.08 mg (allowing for a known positive or nega-
tive analytical error) of Pb/100 g. The corre-
sponding concentration of Pb in the urine (of in-
dividuals without renal damage or impaired func-
tion) is a range of 0.15-0.24 mg/1, depending on
the number and volume of urine samples yielding an
average result, and on the climatic conditions
under which the samples were collected. (2) The
problem of Pb poisoning in childhood. Although
well documented, this condition arises frequently
in many cities of the US because of lack of medi-
cal experience and reliable analytical facilities.
Pb encephalopathy which is the most frequent pre-
senting disease is often missed or not suspected.
Precise determinations of Pb in blood are the most
valuable in the diagnosis and prognosis, as well
as for the proper control of therapy. The sam-
pling of the urine of the small child is a rela-
tively unprofitable diagnostic procedure. (3)
Occupational hygiene in the Pb-using industries.
Especially where all or some of the hazards are
difficult to control, occupational hygiene can be
soundly based on the analytical monitoring of ex-
posed personnel. Analysis of blood is the most
effective procedure in exposure to inorganic Pb
compounds. In exposure to TEL, the Pb in urine is
the only criterion that can be used during life.
Men can remain at work in safety so long as the
concentration of Pb in their blood does not ap-
proach 0.08 mg/100 g; if their exposure is termi-
nated before they reach this level no intoxication
will develop. After an appropriate period away
from exposure they can return to work, providing
they do not do so into the same conditions. (4)
In the realm of public health. The facts concern-
ing the metabolism of Pb are of paramount impor-
tance in the development of criteria for public
safety. No standard of safety for any one of the
general sources of exposure has validity of it-
self, but each may achieve validity in practice,
when related to the others. Drinking water can
readily be treated to 0.02 mg Pb/1; thus there
is little excuse for the present standard of 0.10
mg/1. In view of the general opportunities for
the ingestion of Pb, absorption from water should
be as low as possible. To be safe over a life-
time, Pb intake from diet must be <1.3 mg/day and
not >0.6 mg/day over any period of years. The
latter amount given to a healthy young subject
daily for 1 yr caused a barely detectable increase
in urinary Pb (none in blood) , and retention of
^8 mg/yr. This could in all probability continue
for a lifetime without risk. For higher intake,
by extending the curves of the rate of increase in
the concentration of Pb in blood so as to reach
the threshold concentration of 0.08 mg/100 g, the
time of incurring risk from the ingestion of 1.3,
2.2, and 3.2 mg/day is ^7.5, 3.9 and 0.64 yr, re-
spectively. There has been little change in the
past 20 yr in respect to the ingestion of Pb in
food and beverages in the US. Pb in the air may
have been increasing on the average but by no
means universally. Apparently there is no risk
at present in any part of the country outside of
occupational conditions. There is need for a
standard of safety for Pb in the air. That for
occupational safety is not adequate. Experiments
are under way to develop physiologic criteria from
which such a standard can be visualized.
2288 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): THE
HARBEN LECTURES, 1960. THE METABOLISM OF
LEAD IN MAN IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. LEC-
TURE 1. THE NORMAL METABOLISM OF LEAD;
LECTURE 2. THE METABOLISM OF LEAD UNDER
Man
441
-------
ABNORMAL CONDITIONS; LECTURE 3. PRESENT
HYGIENIC PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE ABSORP-
TION OF LEAD. Journal of the Royal Insti-
tute of Public Health and Hygiene 24:81-
97 (Apr.); 101-20 (May); 129-43 (June);
177-203 (Aug.), 1961.
See preceding abstract.
2289 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): EX-
PERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE INHALATION OF
LEAD BY HUMAN SUBJECTS. Proceedings of
the International Symposium on Maximum
Allowable Concentrations of Toxic Sub-
stances in Industry, Prague, Czechoslo-
vakia, April, 1959. Pure and Applied
Chemistry 3:129-44, 1961.
The author reviews the work begun in 1927-28 of
the occurrence and distribution of Pb in nature,
especially biological materials, then of a sys-
tematic investigation of the metabolism of Pb in
human subjects under normal conditions and by the
daily administration of Pb orally over long peri-
ods of time (up to 4.5 yr) at several levels of
dosage. In 1950 the study of the fate of Pb by
inhalation of known concentrations in known states
of subdivision was begun. As summarized by the
author, from the aspect of specific criteria of
industrial hygiene in the Pb-using industries, the
most significant result of these experiments is
the fact that no hazard of Pb poisoning is associ-
ated with the inhalation of air containing a fully
respirable and absorbable compound of Pb in the
concentration of 0.15 mg/m over the period of
nearly 2 yr. The experiments were carried out
under conditions that simulate those of industry
except for their strict uniformity and their vir-
tually complete elimination of the ingestion of Pb
in connection with the day's work, Kehoe empha-
sizes that the adoption of this level as a crite-
rion of absolute safety would make no allowance
for longer hours of work and exposure; for such
disease states as may interfere with the normal
disposition of absorbed Pb and with the situations
in the Pb trades in which the ingestion of Pb is a
significant factor in the total occupational ab-
sorption, lie points out also that exposure of 1
subject was somewhat <2 yr, while actual occupa-
tional exposure may continue for many years. On
the basis of some 20 yr experience since the pres-
ent methods of analysis came into use and 10's of
thousands results obtained on a large number of
employees, the author'a group have never encoun-
tered a single person in whose blood, at the on-
set of Pb poisoning, a Pb concentration of <0.08
mg/100 g was found. They consider that 0.07 mg/100
g leaves little margin of safety, and advise im-
provement of working conditions. If, in repeat
analyses, the concentration reaches 0.08 mg, re-
moval from the job is advised regardless of his
apparent state of good or ill health until the
blood Pb level has returned to normal (<0.6 pg)
and the work conditions have been corrected. Men
whose regular rate of urinary Pb excretion over a
period of many years of stabilized exposure is
represented by a concentration of Pb of not >0.10
mg/1 or by a Pb output of not ?0.12 mg/day, are
not in danger of developing any form or degree of
Pb intoxication.
2290 King, E., and Thompson, A.R. (London Hosp.;
Vauxhall Motors Ltd., Luton, England):
THE MEASUREMENT OF LEAD ABSORPTION IN IN-
DUSTRY. Annals of Occupational Hygiene 3,
No. 4:247-63, 1961.
Clinical examinations on 540 workmen in an indus-
try using metallic Pb, along with determination of
blood Pb, spot samples of urine Pb, and urinary
coproporphyrin (CP), basophilic stippling, and Hb
estimations, were made to illustrate the relation-
ship between the criteria in regard to a working
population exposed to a wide range of atmospheric
Pb concentrations. The men were working at the
time and no cases of clinical Pb poisoning were ob-
served. There was difficulty in presentation of
the data, ie, a man in the worst position as re-
gards atmospheric Pb could have received, because
of correct use of protective equipment, a lower
exposure than many of the workmen more remote from
the main Pb process. However, the purpose of the
investigation was to present data so that within
the limits of medical and laboratory facilities
and experience, a policy for control of Pb risk
could be planned and understood.
Of the 540 men examined the following percent-
ages were observed: clinically positive, 19;
gtrace CP, 24; si BS/1000 RBC, 48; S3 BS/1000
RBC, 7.6; §80% Hb, 1.9; S80 pg Pb/100 ml blood,
17; >150 pg Pb/1 urine, 26. Of the 540 men the
following additional statistics were calculated
also showing percentages for the same categories,
as given above: number taken off work; number with
high exposure but clinically negative; high expos-
ure, clinically positive; others clinically posi-
tive; others clinically negative.
In addition to these laboratory tests, white cell
counts were performed on 40 men who showed the
greatest overall evidence of Pb absorption. Re-
sults of the 5 tests were compared with each other
along with an overall comparison. Methods of es-
timating the 5 criteria used were also given.
The authors concluded that although their data
(illustrated in 14 figures) did not suggest a
complete single answer, they did show that a policy
would be successful when it is based on positive
findings for the criteria chosen were followed by
engineering action to find and remove causes.
2291 Kolkovski, P., and Rajceva, V. (Med. Lab.
Transport Workers, Sofia, Bulgaria):
VerMnderungen im Serumeiweissspektrum bei
fortgesetzter Bleieinwirkung. (CHANGES IN
THE SERUM PROTEIN SPECTRUM IN CHRONIC LEAD
EXPOSURE.) Archiv fUr Toxikologie Fuhner-
Wieland's Satnmlung von VergiftungsfHllen
19:237-43 (Nov.), 1961.
i'he study included a total of 70 workers of all
ages, employed for 25 yr, who were classified
as follows: Group I, 6 men working in the smelt-
ing and casting of Pb and exposed to Pb vapors;
Group II, 10 men working in the packing and ship-
ping of Pb concentrate and exposed to Pb dusts;
Group III, 54 men working with Pb containing mate-
rials, like painters, welders, locksmiths, etc.
Ten healthy workmen with no Pb exposure served as
controls. (The magnitude of the exposure is not
indicated.) None of the workers showed signs of
Pb poisoning, porphyrins in urine, or stippled
erythrocytes. Pb values in urine were 0.03-0.09
442
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
mg/1 in Group I and 0.01-0.02 mg/1 in Group III.
Laboratory findings were within normal limits for
all 3 groups, and the only changes were observed
in the protein spectrum of the blood serum.
y-Globulin values were increased considerably in
Group I and less so in Group II. Also 69% of
Group III showed some j-globulin increase even
though no Pb was found in the air of their working
places. Generally, the changes were in direct
proportion to the Pb concentration in air and the
time of employment, but in Group I, the y-globulin
increase was higher in the younger workers with
shorter employment time than in the older men with
longer exposure. Increases in a^-globulins were
observed in workers who had been employed for >25
yr.
The authors conclude that more extensive studies
should be made before conclusions could be drawn,
but strong indications exist that the changes in
serum protein fractions could be used for the
early detection of Pb intoxication before other
signs of Pb exposure have appeared. (21 refer-
ences)
2292 Konikova, G.S. (Inst. Hyg. Occup. Dis.,
Leningrad, USSR): Kholesterinovyi obmen
u lyudei, podvergayushchikhsya dlitel'nomu
vozdeistviyu svintsa. (CHOLESTEROL METAB-
OLISM IN INDIVIDUALS SUBJECTED TO PROLONG-
ED EXPOSURE TO LEAD.) Terapevticheskii
Arkhiv 33:104-9 (July), 1961.
As found on 49 workers who had been long exposed
to Pb, there was an increase of the total blood
cholesterol, decrease of the phospholipid/choles-
terol ratio, increase of cholesterol not bound or
loosely bound to serum proteins, and a drop in
the protein-free phospholipid/protein-free choles-
terol ratio. Deviations from the normal were more
pronounced in all respects in patients with Pb
intoxication than in the control group. (From
author's summary)
2293 Kosmider, S., and Petelenz, T.: Badania
elektrokardiograficzne w przypadkach
przewlekXych zatruc zawodowych o^owiem.
(ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC STUDIES IN CASES OF
CHRONIC OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.)
Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznei 31:
1349-57, 1961.
Electrocardiographic examinations of 70 patients,
18-45 yr old, suffering from chronic occupational
Pb intoxication, showed frequent appearance of
cardiopathy accompanied by vegetative disturbances.
The age <30 seemed to be particularly predisposed.
In 13% of the cases slight organic changes were
observed. The authors are of the opinion that
shortening of the PQ interval with marked brady-
cardia is a characteristic trait of chronic Pb poi-
soning. (From authors' English summary)
2294 Kovnatskii, M.A. (USSR): Professional'nye
faktory (promyshlennye yady) i ateroskle-
roz. (OCCUPATIONAL FACTORS (INDUSTRIAL
POISONS) AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS.) Gigiena i
Sanitariya 26:62-9 (Sept.), 1961.
This review was prepared because of present inter-
est in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Aside from individual factors, the occupational
influences such as vibration, ultrasound, certain
toxic substances (Pb, C$2 and CO) on the occur-
rence of cardiovascular disease, especially ather-
osclerosis, are discussed. The role of Pb is re-
viewed on the basis of 17 of the 45 references
cited.
2295 Krause, D.P.: STABLE LEAD IN HUMAN BONE.
In: Radiological Physics Division Semi-
annual Report, January-June, J961. US
Atomic Energy Commission Document No, ANL-
6398, 1961, pp. 77-80.
Pb in 12 cortical bone specimens from presumably
nonexposed persons, was separated by diethyl di-
thiocarbamate extraction and determined colori-
metrically with dithizone. The range of the data
is rrom 4.0-59.0 yg Pb/g ash with an average value
of 24,8. The data are compared with other work on
various types of bone. A plot of concentration vs
age suggests a possible correlation between Pb
concentration and age, with the higher Pb concen-
trations occurring at higher age. The author con-
cludes that because of the small number of samples
which have been analyzed, no definite conclusions
regarding the variation of skeletal Pb with time
can be drawn.
2296 Lane, C.R., and Lawrence, A. (St. Luke'a
Hosp., Guildford, Surrey, England): HOME-
MADE WINE AS A CAUSE OF LEAD POISONING:
REPORT OF CASE. Medical Memoranda. Brit-
ish Medical Journal 2:939-40 (Oct. 7),
1961.
The patient was a man of 52, who was hospitalized
with abdominal colic, constipation and vomiting,
and who would probably have been treated as a sur-
gical emergency had it not been that a routine
blood examination suggested hemolytic anemia and
showed punctate basophilia. Examination of urine
for Pb revealed 0.3 mg/1, ^10 times the normal
amount, and the diagnosis was clear. He was
treated with Ca disodium versenate (2 g/day for 7
days) , and recovered in ^-3 wk. The source of the
Pb was obscure until he mentioned the fact that he
made damson wine at home and had recently been
drinking it; analysis showed 120 mg Pb/1. It had
been prepared in a large old bread crock (70 yr
old), and the glaze of this was found to give very
strong analytical tests for Pb. The acid wine no
doubt dissolved the glaze. These old vessels
should not be used for wine making.
2297 Langenbach, J., and Unseld, D.W. (Munici-
pal Hosp., Ulm, Germany): Untersuchungen
fiber das sog. Depot-Blei im Organismus.
(INVESTIGATION OF SO-CALLED DEPOT LEAD IN
THE ORGANISM.) Klinische Wochenschrift
39:381-6, 1961.
Pb values in blood and urine were determined in
normal individuals before and after injection of
CaNa2EDTA. In subjects age 4-16 yr, the mean
values were: blood 18.5 ug/100 ml, urine 18.0
before and 82.6 yg/1 after the test. In subjects
age 53-84 yr, the corresponding values were 11.7,
15.0, and 105.6. Urine values were higher in city
dwellers than in persons from rural areas. Some
cases with no clinical evidence of Pb poisoning and
a slight or moderately increased urinary Pb level
showed, after the injection, highly elevated Pb
values (300-2300 yg/1). In cases of cancer and
Man
443
-------
leukemia, Pb elimination was higher than normal
before the injection and was only slightly in-
creased after the test, suggesting a reduction in
Pb retention in these diseases. The elimination
was not affected during saluretic therapy.
2298 Lindberg, W. (Univ. Oslo, Norway): Bly-
verdier i urin i relasjon till urinens
specifikke vekt. (Bemerkninger til over-
laege Arne Bruusgaards artikkel: Vurder-
ingen av blyverdier i urine.) (LEAD VAL-
UES IN URINE IN RELATION TO URINARY SPECIF-
IC GRAVITY. (REMARKS ON ARNE BRUUSGAARD'S
ARTICLE: EVALUATION OF LEAD IN URINE.).
Nordisk Hygienisk Tidskrift 42:239-46,
1961.
Pb concentrations in spot samples of urine, ac-
cording to Levine and Fahy (1945) and Bruusgaard
(1961), should be reported as mg/1 adjusted to
a mean specific gravity of 1.025 using the correc-
tion of 25/S, where S is the 2nd and 3rd decimal
figure of the observed specific gravity. The
validity of this correction factor is discussed,
and the necessity of changing this factor to 35/
S + 10 fit approximately the observed relationship
in Bruusgaard's 800 samples from Pb exposed work-
ers, is stressed. (From author's English summary)
2299 Lisker, R., Jinich, H., Sanchez Medal, L.,
and Guevara, L. (Nutritional Dis. Hosp.,
Mexico): Saturnismo. Informe de 6
casos, 4 de ellos no profesionales. (SAT-
URNISM. A REPORT OF 6 CASES, INCLUDING 4
NONOCCUPATIONAL CASES.) Gaceta Medica de
Mexico 91, No. 8:679-89, 1961.
The nonoccupational cases of Pb poisoning were 3
housewives and a 10-yr-old son of 1 of them. Di-
agnosis was justified on the basis of symptoms
(mainly severe abdominal pains), stippled cells,
urinary coproporphyrins and, in the case of the
boy, Done Pb line upon X ray. The poisoning was
due to use of glazed utensils in 3 cases, and wa-
ter containing 160 yg/1 in the 4th.
The occupational cases were a miner and a plumb-
er. The miner, 27 yr old, had been hospitalized
several times in the company hospital, although
no diagnosis had been made. He complained of
severe abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite.
The only abnormal finding, other than the diges-
tive, was pallor. Blood and urine analyses were
practically normal. Ten days after the man was
examined, he was brought to the hospital in a
semistuperous condition and died within 6 hr. Au-
topsy showed in kidney and liver specimens a
strongly positive reaction for Pb; there were
gray spots in the subcortical zones of the brain.
The author considers the terminal syndrome to be
compatible with the diagnosis of acute Pb poison-
ing with characteristic encephalitis. The plumb-
er, 62 yr old, had become ill 35 days before seen
in the hospital, with epigastric pains which de-
veloped into severe colic. Stippled cells and
Pb levels of 162 and 300 yg in 2 samples of 24-hr
urine justified the diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
Treatment was with EDTA in this case and in the
4 nonoccupational cases.
2300 Meltzer, L.E., Kitchell, J.R., and Palmon,
F., Jr. (Presbyterian Hosp., Philadelphia,
Pa.): THE LONG TERM USE, SIDE EFFECTS, AND
TOXICITY OF DISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE TETRA-
ACETIC ACID (EDTA). American Journal of
Medical Science 242:11-7 (July), 1961.
In a study of the effectiveness of N32EDTA in the
treatment of coronary artery disease, the drug was
administered within 2 yr to 81 patients in a total
of 2000 consecutive infusions at 3-g doses in 0.5%
solution over 2.5-3 hr. The regime was generally
infusions given on alternate days (3 times/wk) and
continued until a total of 20 was reached; therapy
was then discontinued for 6-8 wk. No evidence of
nephrotoxicity was found, but doses of 5 g or more
are not recommended. Light signs of intolerance
appeared infrequently, but no systemic reactions,
anemia, dermatitis, hyperglycemia or bone decalci-
fication was observed. The findings of this study
are used for determining dosage, side effects, etc
of EDTA in the therapy of Pb poisoning and other
diseases. (37 references)
2301 Millar, I.E. (Borough Council Offices,
Welshpool, E. Wales): GASTRO-INTESTINAL
CANCER AND GEOCHEMISTRY IN NORTH MONT-
GOMERYSHIRE. British Journal of Cancer
15:174-99 (June), 1961.
In the discussion as to the causative factors for
the high incidence of gastrointestinal cancer in
North Montgomeryshire, mention is made of the
presence of 210pb in soil as part of natural ra-
dioactive fallout. In 1956-57 the deposition of
90Sr was 2600 yy Ci/m2 (at Milford Haven) and
2260 yy Ci/m2 of 210Pb.
2302 Moreo, L. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Porfobi-
linogeno e uroporfirine nelle urine del
saturnini. (PORPHOBILINOGEN AND UROPOR-
PHYRINS IN THE URINE OF PATIENTS SUFFERING
FROM LEAD INTOXICATION.) Medicina del
Lavoro 52:561-8 (Oct.), 1961.
Urinary coproporphyrin (CP), uroporphyrin (UP) and
porphobilinogen (PEG) were studied in 2 groups of
subjects with chronic Pb intoxication (9 cases
with colic and 14 cases without colic), and in 6
subjects who had shown signs of Pb absorption.
Urinary excretion of CP (mg/24 hr) in the 3 groups
was 0.39-0.88 (in 1 case 3.69), 0.09-0.42 (in 1
case 1.04), and 0.13-0.3, respectively. UP ranged
from 0.10-0.39 mg/24 hr in group I, was found only
in 4 cases in group II (0.13-0.88) and was absent
in group III. PEG values were normal in most
cases ranging from 0.4-1.7, 0.3-1.5, and 0.5-1.1
mg/24 hr, respectively. Three cases in group I
were followed daily. In 2 of them, treated with
CaNa2EDTA, the excretion of CP and UP decreased
rapidly and simultaneously, while in the untreated
case the decrease in the urinary excretion of both
porphyrins was very slow. Analysis of the ex-
creted UP showed that it consists of a mixture of
several porphyrins, about 80% of type III and a
small amount of type I.
The pathogenic mechanism of uroporphyrinuria is
therefore attributed to enzymatic blocks, induced
by Pb in the more advanced stages of porphyrin
synthesis and interfering with the synthesis of
protoporphyrin from CP. (28 references)
2303 Murayama, H. (Osaka Municipal Hyg. Lab.,
Japan): STUDIES ON LEAD-WORKERS OF NEWS-
444
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
PAPER PRINTING OFFICES. Japanese Journal
of Industrial Health 3:361-95, 1961.
The printing departments of 4 newspapers were in-
volved in the study which was divided into 5 cate-
gories: (1) Pb concentrations in the air and the
results of medical examinations of workers, (2)
difference of Pb-poisoning symptoms, (3) specific
gravity (SG) and hemoglobin (Hb) content of blood
according to age groups, (4) change of blood symp-
toms with time, (5) health supervision. The 4
printing departments were similar in respect to
processes and equipment and in all 4 the Pb con-
centration in the air rose above the threshold
limit value of 0.2 mg/m for short periods at the
metal pot, in the stereotype foundry, and in the
flatplate foundry. In other areas the concentra-
tions were below the threshold limit value. Blood
examinations of the Pb workers revealed low values
for SG, Hb, and red cells (RBC) as compared with
controls and "normal" Japanese individuals. Baso-
philic stippled cells (BSC), coproporphyrin (CP),
ALA and porphobilinogen in urine were high com-
pared to controls. The workers also frequently
showed subjective and objective symptoms of the
digestive and nervous systems. Female employees
had a higher rate of Pb-poisoning symptoms than
did male workers, with 23% females needing therapy
vs 9% males.
The frequency of Pb poisoning cases was slightly
higher in the stereotype foundry, flatplate found-
ry, and distribution room than in other areas of
the printing departments. Workers who inhaled
relatively large amounts of Pb dust tended to show
more CP in urine and higher Pb concentrations in
the blood. Those who handled Pb or were exposed
to printing ink (le, distribution workers, mostly
female) also displayed a higher frequency of Pb
poisoning and had to take special precautions.
Blood SG and Hb showed a pattern of increase and
decrease according to the duration of employment
and age. Two stages of anemia were found: before
and after 21-30 yr of age, or 5-9 consecutive
years of employment. The 1st stage appeared in Pb
workers as well as non-Pb workers, but recovery
was incomplete in the former. The 2nd stage of
anemia started 10 yr earlier in Pb employees than
in non-Pb workers. Fe preparations decreased the
anemia in young persons but Fe and CaEDTA did not
help persons >30 yr of age.
Abrupt decreases of blood SG and Hb and in-
creases of urinary CP and BSC occurred after the
onset of exposure to Pb. Anemia was restored to
a normal value after 19 mo while Hb was frequently
lower than before the exposure. There were marked
differences in individual cases although in gener-
al Hb and SG in blood did not show marked differ-
ences before and after a 6-yr period.
In discussing the health supervision in the
printing departments, control of working environ-
ments and the need for medical examinations were
stressed. In order to minimize exposure of work-
ers to Pb, mechanization of working processes,
proper ventilation, and educational programs in
regard to personal hygiene are necessary. Pre-
employment examinations are imperative with fol-
low-up examinations every 3-4 mo during the 1st
year and then periodically once every year with
more frequent observations where necessary. Tests
to be used, in order of importance, are blood SG's
(should be >1.054), Hb (should be'>13.9 g/dl), and
CP values; repetition of the 3 preceding tests,
RBC and BSC counts, urobilinogen and urine albumin
determinations; quantitative determination of Pb
in blood and urine; other necessary clinical ex-
aminations. (From author's English abstract; 72
references)
2304 Myslak, 2., and Buczkowski, M. (Clin.
Inst. Occup. Med., Zabrze, Poland): Za-
gadnienie oddzia^ywania wersenianu wapnia
(Ca-tiDTA) na nerki w zwiazku z leczeniem
ojowicy. (THE EFFECT OF'CALCIUM VERSENATE
(Ca-tDTA) ON THE KIDNEY IN THE TREATMENT
OF LEAD POISONING.) Polskie Archiwum
Medycyny Wewnetrznej 31:853-6, 1961.
Kidney function tests (creatinine clearance, RN)
were carried out on 20 out of 120 cases of chronic
Pb poisoning treated by oral administration of
CaEDTA. The results showed no harmful effect of
EDTA on the kidneys during treatment. (From
authors' summary; 13 references)
2305 Namba, M. , Fujita, H., Hijiya, T., ilii,
H., and Kobayashi, S. (Psych. Neurol.
Clin. Med. Coll., Yamaguchi, Japan):
Uber die Symptomatologie und Histologie
der BleitetraHthyl Vergiftung beim Men-
schen. (SYMPTOMATOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY OF
TETRAETHYLLEAD POISONING IN MAN.) Psychi-
atria et Neurologia Japonica 63:37-8
(German summary); 706-21 (July), 1961.
The patient had been exposed from age 42 to TEL-
containing gasoline; 4 yr later he noted sleep and
olfactory disturbances which became intensified
in his 53rd yr by headaches and fatigability.
At the time, while at work in the gasoline storage
installation, he was seized by severe dizziness
and nausea and lapsed into a neurasthenic state.
Since then he had avoided exposure to TEL; how-
ever, tremors, neuralgia, gingivitis and discolor-
ation of skin appeared gradually. One year there-
after delirium and dementia were noted and he died
within 1/2 yr. Spinal fluid showed increase in
protein and cells. Histologie findings gave pa-
renchymatous changes of the liver and kidney
tubules, spleenic hemorrhage and congestion. In
the central nervous system there were: thickening
of menlnges, mild infiltration of the small round
cells, proliferation of epithelial cells of the
cerebral ventricle, proliferation and degenera-
tion of arterioles and capillary wall in the re-
gion of the cerebral cortex, bundle formation of
arterioles, infiltration of the small round cells
of the vascular wall, necrosis of perivascular
tissue, degeneration of nerve cells and increase
and degeneration of the glia cells. Chemical
analysis of 100 g each of formalin-preserved or-
gans showed 0.386 mg Pb in the liver, 0.127 in
the brain and 0.102 in the kidney, indicating
manifold increases over normal. (33 references)
2306 Nestorescu, B., lonescu, C., and Dinischio-
tu, G.T. (Inst. Hyg., Public Health,
Bucharest, Romania): La valeur comparative
de certaines me"thodes de dosage du plomb
urinaire pour 1'appreciation des risques
et le diagnostic du saturnisme. (COMPARA-
TIVE VALUE OF CERTAIN METHODS FOR THE DE-
Man
445
-------
TERMINATION OF URINARY LEAD FOR THE EVAL-
UATION OF RISK AND DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POI-
SONING.) Proceedings of the International
Symposium on Maximum Allowable Concentra-
tions of Toxic Substances in Industry,
Prague, Czechoslovakia, April, 1959. Pure
and Applied Chemistry 3, Nos. 1-2:325-9,
1961.
The possibility of the presence of Pb in the urine
of certain individuals, in a form other than that
of a mineral salt precipitable as phosphate or ox-
alate, was studied on the following 3 groups of
subjects: (1) 44 normal; (2) 15 exposed to Pb
but without clinical signs of intoxication; (3)
57 suffering from chronic Pb intoxication (17 of
them with colic). Determinations of urinary Pb
were made in all subjects 2-5 times at 2-4 day in-
tervals. The average values of precipitable Pb,
determined by coprecipitation (Cholak et al, 1948,
and others),and of total Pb after ashing were,
respectively, in pg/1: 42.6 and 43.0 in Group 1;
95.5 and 130.4 in Group 2; 150.4 and 256.9 in Group
3.
The authors conclude that there is a fraction of
Pb in the urine which cannot be separated by co-
precipitation. This fraction, which seems to be
an organic Pb complex, is almost zero in normal
individuals (0.4 pg/1) , significant in subjects
exposed to Pb (34.9), and considerable in Pb- in-
toxicated individuals (106.86). The current method
of determination of urinary Pb comprising the Co-
precipitation of Pb, is therefore not sufficient
for the detection of elevated levels of Pb ab-
sorption.
2307 New Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto: MEDI-
CAL ROUNDS IN CANADA. APPLIED THERAPEU-
TICS CASE 9, 1961 (LEAD POISONING). Ap-
plied Therapeutics 3:509-11, 528 (July),
1961.
An interview of the patient and discussion of the
case of Pb intoxication in a 48-yr-old man, who had
been exposed to Pb fumes for 3 mo while working in
a plant manufacturing ingots of brass, is pre-
sented. The patient suffered from abdominal pain
and vomiting. Examination showed gingival lines
and basophilic stippling. Following intravenous
administration of EDTA twice daily for 5 days, the
patient recovered. Some aspects of diagnosis and
treatment of Pb intoxication are discussed.
2308 Ohde, I., and Schuettmann, W.: (ON THE
THERAPY AND PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING
WITH DISODIUM CALCIUM SALT OF ETHYLENDI-
AMINETETRAACETIC ACID.) Deutsche Gesund-
heitswesen 16:1167-72 (June 22), 1961.
2309 Parigi, A., and Pettinati, L. (San. Serv.,
Turin, Italy): Effetti a distanza di
pregressa intossicazione da piombo.
(LATE EFFECTS OF PREVIOUS LEAD POISONING.)
Minerva Medica 52:3955-6 (Nov.), 1961.
Fifty subjects, 32-58 yr old, who had been removed
from occupational Pb exposure for at least 5 yr
after a period of acute intoxication, were stud-
ied. Fourteen (28%) showed hypertension and 11
(22%) albuminuria. Nine men who had had typical
Pb colics during the period of exposure were sub-
jected to further investigation. Five of them
were hypertensive and in 6 urinary coproporphyrin
was >100 ug/1. Pb excretion in the urine, after
administration of EDTA, increased in all 9 of this
group, in 1 case 20-fold. The authors propose
that men with previous Pb poisoning be subjected
to prolonged treatment with EDTA until all signs
of Pb accumulation in the organism have disap-
peared.
2310 Parmeggiani, L., and Palleni, R. (Univ.
Milan, Italy): Osservazioni sull'impiego
del dietilditiocarbamato di sodio in tera-
pia. (OBSERVATIONS ON THE THERAPEUTIC USE
OF DIETHYLDITHIOCARBAMATE.) Medicina del
Lavoro 52:377-81 (May), 1961.
Na-diethyldithiocarbamate administered to patients
either orally at doses of 2 g/day or iv at 200 mg
showed an antabuse-like reaction; it increased
urinary Ni excretion but did not affect urinary
Ca values. In 7 Pb poisoning cases (no data giv-
en) , the excretion of Pb was markedly and pro-
gressively reduced during 3 days of treatment.
Subsequent iv administration of 1 g CaNa2EDTA
caused a rapid increase in urinary Pb values.
2311 Perry, H.M., Jr. (Washington Univ. School
Med., St. Louis, Mo.): CHELATION THERAPY
IN CIRCULATORY AND SCLEROSING DISEASES.
In Johnson, L.A., and Seven, M.J., ed.:
Proceedings on a Conference in Biological
Aspects of Metal-binding Held at the Penn-
sylvania State University, University Park,
Pennsylvania, September 6-9, 1960. Feder-
ation Proceedings 20, Supplement No. 10,
Ft. 2:254-7 (Sept.), 1961 .
In an evaluation of the use of chelates in athero-
sclerosis, the author reviews his experience with
H. Schroeder in the administration of CaNa2EDTA
to such patients, to hypertensives and to hyper-
cholesterolemics. In the course of these trials,
they found that the urinary metal patterns (in-
cluding Pb) were altered by parenteral EDTA. The
conclusion as to effectiveness of the drug is that
no effect on atheromatous lesions has been ob-
served.
2312 Perry, T.L. (California Inst. Technol.,
Pasadena): URINARY EXCRETION OF TRACE
METALS IN HUNTINGTON'S CHOREA. Neurology
11:1086-90, 1961.
The urinary excretion of Pb, among 14 trace metals,
was studied spectrochemically in 9 normal adults,
in 7 patients with Huntington's chorea, and 6
psychotic controls. No significant difference was
found between the 3 groups. The suggested pos-
sibility that Huntington's chorea involves an ab-
normality in Cu metabolism was not confirmed. Pb
concentrations in the normal controls ranged from
0.9-4.2 yg/200 mg creatinine (5-26 yg/24 hr); in
Huntington's chorea, 0.4-3.5 (21), respectively;
in psychotic controls, 0-3.4 ug/200 mg creatinine.
(17 references)
2313 Peters, H.A. (Univ. Wisconsin Med. School,
Madison) : TRACE MINERALS, CHELATING
AGENTS AND THE PORPHYRIAS. In Johnson,
L.A., and Seven, M.J., ed.: Proceedings
on a Conference in Biological Aspects of
Metal-binding Held at the Pennsylvania
446
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
State University, University Park, Penn-
sylvania, September 6-9, 1960. Federa-
tion Proceedings 20, Supplement No. 10,
Pt. 2:227-34 (Sept.), 1961.
The author discusses the signs and symptoms of
acute, chronic and mixed porphyria as based on his
experience and the literature, and mentions the
similarity to Pb poisoning. He calls attention
to the existence of porphyric schizophrenic pa-
tients. The finding of elevation of urinary Zn
and Cu suggested the possibility that excess Zn,
Cu or other cations might be blocking several
metalloenzyme systems, thus causing the disease.
The application of BAL or EDTA or of both is de-
scribed. In closing, he stresses the importance
in the therapy of these patients of maximal nurs-
ing care, tracheotomy, attention to electrolyte
balance, and avoidance of exposure to heavy
metals, among others, in the more seriously in-
volved patients. (42 references)
2314 Petrovic, L. (Hyg. Inst. N.R. Serbia): In-
dustrijski ostrovi i kardiovaskularni
sistem. (INDUSTRIAL POISONS AND THE CAR-
DIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.) Glasnik Higijenskog
Instituta 10:29-39 (July-Dec.), 1961.
The author summarizes his review by stating that
changes in the cardiovascular system may be caused
by numerous drugs and substances, including TEL
and Pb. The changes are both of an organic and
functional nature.
Pb is one of the most important industrial poi-
sons damaging the cardiovascular system. Accord-
ing to some older research workers it has been
maintained that Pb poisoning is regularly followed
by hypertension. However, modern research workers
in numerous papers have proved that in Pb poison-
ing, ie, in chronic exposure of workers to Pb, hy-
potension is found instead. Investigations by the
author's group are in favor of hypotension. Hy-
pertension may be found as a rule in Pb colics,
and in poisoning followed by kidney lesions. Kid-
ney lesions caused by Pb compounds are still under
discussion. Classical principles of general tech-
nical, personal and medical prophylaxis applied at
work with toxic agents are recommended as preven-
tive measures. In systematic and periodical ex-
aminations contraindications at work should be
carefully considered.
2315 Petrovic, L., and Popovic, S. (Hyg. Inst.
Med. Coll., Belgrade, Yugoslavia): Prilog
poznavanju alergije kod radnika pri radu
sa olovnim oksidom i olovnim sulfidom. (A
CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF ALLERGY AMONG
WORKERS EXPOSED TO LEAD OXIDE AND LEAD SUL-
FIDE.) Glasnik Higijenskog Instituta 10:
21-4 (July-Dec.), 1961.
Allergy was investigated among 441 workers of a Pb
smelter, who were divided into 4 groups, according
to their working places, history of past allergic
conditions, and exposure to dust. On the basis of
clinical examination and skin tests carried out,
using standard and specific allergens, it was es-
tablished that the dust containing Pb oxide or Pb
sulfide is not the cause of allergy. This dust
does not act as a predisposing factor for allergic
sensitization.
2316 Portal, R.rf. (Central Middlesex Hosp.,
England): CEREBRAL TUMOUR IN A LEAD WORK-
ER. British Journal of Industrial Medi-
cine 18:153-6 (Apr.), 1961.
A 63-yr-old Pb worker with ^35 yr of service,
who had always been in good health, suddenly col-
lapsed showing the clinical signs of Pb poisoning.
Based on these, as well as on laboratory tests
(coarse stippling of red cells) and his favorable
response to EDTA (Pb in urine on day of 1st in-
fusion, 3.78 mg/24 hr; next day, 0.38, etc.) which
brought recovery within 1 mo, the case was diag-
nosed as Pb encephalopathy. Two months later,
however, the disturbances reappeared, and the pa-
tient died after 4 wk. Autopsy revealed a large
cerebral tumor but no nerve cell damage in other
parts of the brain or any significant indications
of Pb poisoning in other organs. The following Pb
values were determined in wet tissue (yg/g): skull
170; femur 120; kidney: medulla 2.0, cortex 2.9;
heart 0.4 The conclusion was drawn that the pa-
tient had not suffered from Pb poisoning, but that
all the signs were attributable to the neoplasm.
2317 Pott, R. (Hamburg, Germany): Praxis der
Bleillberwachung in einem BleihUttenbe-
trieb. (CONTROL OF LEAD EXPOSURE AS
PRACTICED IN A LEAD FOUNDRY.) Zentral-
olatt fdr Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeits-
schutz 11:211-4 (Sept.), 1961.
The author discusses his practical experience as
industrial supervisor of health for 600 workers
in a Pb foundry in Germany. He objects to the
employment of women and adolescents <21 yr of age
in places of Pb exposure, and does not recommend
the hiring of workers with various respiratory
gastrointestinal, renal and nervous disturbances.
This policy is advisable for health reasons as
well as for medicolegal considerations because of
the difficulties arising later in the appraisal of
eventual workman's compensation claims. General-
ly, workers exposed to Pb should be examined every
1-3 mo. The author defines what is understood by
a Pb-carrier, as opposed to a state of poisoning,
ie, in the latter, symptoms occur, while in the
former, while elevated absorption is indicated, a
worker may feel well and have no complaints. He
also considers that technical improvements should
be taken into consideration prior to medical
measures.
Various dust-eliminating devices and masks are
discussed as well as records for follow-up studies
of each worker. Prophylactic treatment of the
workers with EDTA has been practiced with good re-
sults for 4 yr. It was found that a long lasting
treatment with small doses of 1 g EDTA/day was
more successful than a 3-4 wk treatment of 3 g
EDTA/day orally.
2318 Puchlev, A., Popov, N., Astrug, A.,
Dotschev, D., and Petrinska, S. (Med.
Coll., Sofia, Bulgaria): liber die
endemische Nephritis in Bulgarien. (THE
ENDEMIC NEPHRITIS IN BULGARIA.) Schwei-
zerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
91:751-6, 1961.
An endemic renal disease is described which is
spread throughout 20 towns in some districts of
North Bulgaria. The etiology is unclear. Urine
Man
447
-------
tests revealed slight albuminuria, a low specific
gravity, and a rather scant sediment. Tests of
the drinking water and the soil for toxic sub-
stances (including Pb) showed quantities within
the normal range. Clearance tests revealed an
early lesion of the renal tubules and a later
affection of the glomeruli. Virological and
mycological examinations gave negative results.
A potentiated toxic influence of some heavy metals
(Pb, U) is suggested. (23 references)
2319 Radosevic, Z., Saric, M., Berltlc, T., and
Knezevic, J. (Inst. Med. Res., Yugoslav
Acad. Sci. Arts, Zagreb): THE KIDNEY IN
LEAD POISONING. British Journal of Indus-
trial Medicine 18:222-30 (July), 1961.
Clinical observations are presented on the effect
of Pb on the kidney of 53 male and female patients,
aged 20-60 yr, exposed to Pb for from 2 mo-35 yr.
Pb poisoning was due to occupational exposure in
44 cases and to use of Pb-glazed pottery for house-
hold purposes in 9 cases. Gastrointestinal poi-
soning was present in 49 subjects, neuromuscular
in 3 and a combined gastrointestinal and encepha-
lopathic type in one. Clinical observations in-
cluded determination of the number of erythro-
cytes (<3 in 4, >4 million/mm3 in 22), stippled
cells (<3000 in 8->20,000/million in 10), reticu-
locytes (<10 in 1->100/1000 in 4), Pb level in
blood (<60 in 2->200 yg/100 ml in 5), urinary por-
phyrlns (<100 in 8->500 ug/100 ml in 4), blood
pressure and renal function tests. Chronic ne-
phropathy was found only in 2 patients with the
longest and most severe exposure to Pb. Twenty-
three patients showed functional renal lesions
tending to normalize. Blood pressure was persis-
tently raised in 1 further patient and only in the
acute stage of poisoning in 2 others.
The authors conclude that Pb intoxication can
cause renal lesions which, for the most part, are
functional and temporary. In repeated poisoning
and long and severe exposure organic renal lesions
are possible. The disturbances observed may be
ascribed to disordered intrarenal circulation, due
to the spastic effect of Pb on intrarenal blood
vessels, and to a direct toxic or indirect hypoxic
effect of Pb on the tubules. When investigating
renal function, the authors observed that the tim-
ing of individual tests is of paramount impor-
tance. Some lesions are subject to changes in the
natural course of Pb poisoning, and unless this is
borne in mind, apparently contradictory results
may be obtained. A review of the literature on
the effect of Pb on the kidney is included. (52
references)
2320 Rasetti, L., Cappellaro, F., and Gaido,
P. (Univ. Turin, Italy): Contributo
allo studio del saturnismo da olii lubri-
ficanti addittivati. (STUDY OF SATURNISM
CAUSED BY ADDITIVES TO LUBRICANTS.)
Rassegna di Medicina Industriale e di
Iglene del Lavoro 30:71-5 (Jan.-Feb.),
1961.
The Pb naphthenate hazards were investigated on
workers employed in the maintenance and lubrica-
tion of the rolls of machines for hot-strip mill-
ing of ingots. Of the workers exposed, 10 were
charged with filling the tanks with mineral oil
containing Pb, daily cleaning of filters and con-
trolling the distribution systems. The cleaning
of filters, done daily and taking 2 hr was the
operation of greatest contact with the lubricant;
4 workers were so involved. Examination of these
workers, 19-57 yr old, who had been in continuous
contact for 4 mo-12 yr with additives to lubri-
cants containing 10% Pb naphthenate, yielded the
following results: Pb in blood 35-98 yg%, Pb in
urine 65-900 yg/24 hr and 410-1750 ug/24 hr after
intravenous administration of 2 g versenate;
erythrocytic protoporphyrin 72-899 ug%, urinary >
coproporphyrin 74-1640 ug/24 hr; basophilic stip-
pling was noted in 3 subjects. The clinical find-
ings indicate that 65% of the workers had been in-
toxicated with Pb, or had absorbed Pb. In addi-
tion, 2 other men of the group, after treatment
with CaEDTA, exhibited a 3-5-fold increase of uri-
nary Pb excretion, which is a definite sign of Pb
absorption.
The mode of cutaneous absorption of Pb napthe-
nate was studied in 3 subjects by rubbing 6 ml of
the additive oil, containing 192 mg of metallic Pb
onto their forearms. Blood samples, taken 5, 10,
30, 60, 240 and 480 min after the application,
showed that absorption of Pb after 10 min in-
creased to an average of 176% and to 338% within
30-60 min, then decreased rapidly and returned to
its original value 8 hr later. It was calculated
that one of the subjects, by skin exposure on an
area of 64 cm , had absorbed an amount of 5 mg Pb.
The possibility of a daily absorption of 100-200
mg Pb by this route was pointed out.
2321 Rathus, E.M. (Brisbane, Australia): RE-
PORT ON A FURTHER INVESTIGATION AT MOUNT
ISA MINES, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO A
COMPARATIVE STUDY. Queensland Government
Industrial Gazette 48:15-28 (Sept. 12),
1961.
The report on the technical and hygienic condi-
tions at the mines includes data obtained from
routine laboratory tests on 285 men-working a-
round the smelters and 217 smelter workers. Air
samples in the smelters contained 0.01-13.0 mg
Pb/m , and the men exposed to the higher concen-
trations wore masks. The smelter workers showed
0.01-0.56 mg Pb/1 urine, the majority being in
the 0.01-0.2 mg/1 group; coproporphyrins (CP)
were 0-1600 yg/1, with 77% of the men showing
normal values up to 100 ug/1; stippled cells (SC)
were 0-6000. Pb in blood, as determined in 13
men, ranged from 0.02 tng/100 ml-0.06 mg/100 ml.
One man who had been employed for only 1 wk showed
0.09 mg Pb/100 ml in blood, a SC count of 8000,
Pb excretion of 0.24 mg and CP of 400 ug, but an-
other man, who had worked 4 yr as a smelter fur-
naceman, had no complaints and showed 0.03 mg
Pb/100 ml blood, excretion 0.15 mg/1, SC 250, and
CP 100 yg/liter. Hemoglobin values were deter-
mined in half of the men of each occupation. This
cross section as a whole did not show anemia ex-
cept for some single cases who demonstrated high
susceptibility to Pb. During the past year, 9
"boarded" cases (ie, referred to Lead Board)
showed a rise of SC to 10,000/million and >0.3 mg
Pb/1 urine. Out of 19 men interviewed because of
high SC counts, only 4 had any complaints at all
and these were quite unspecific. The conclusion
448
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
is drawn that the duration of Pb exposure exerts
little effect on the blood forming organs but that
the intensity of the exposure is much more impor-
tant.
2322 Ravasini, C. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Osserva-
zioni cliniche ed elettroencefalografiche
su di alcuni casi di intossicazione pro-
fessionale da piombo. (CLINICAL AND ELEC-
TROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS IN SOME
CASES OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.)
Rivista Sperimentale di Freniatria e Medi-
cina Legale delle Alienazioni Mentali 85:
1447-56 (Dec.), 1961.
Eight male subjects, 36-58 yr old and exposed to
Pb for a period of 22 mo-30 yr, were studied. The
most frequently noted clinical symptoms were as-
thenia, tremors, incoordination and accentuated
osteotendinous reflexes; the electroencephalograph
showed a rhythm of low voltage with flattened,
dyssynchronized tracings. The pathogenic mecha-
nism of Pb intoxication was discussed. (13 refer-
ences)
2323 Ritter, J., and Dacquet, J. (Inst. Hyg.,
Rabat, Morocco): Depistage et traitement
ambulatoire par vole orale du saturnisme
par le versenate de calcium disodique
(E.D.T.A.: CaNa2). (DETECTION AND AMBULA-
TORY TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING BY ORAL
ADMINISTRATION OF CALCIUM DI-SODIUM VER-
SENATE.) Maroc Medical 40:377-82 (Apr.),
1961.
The program for the prevention of Pb poisoning in
foundry workers in Morocco begun in 1957 is de-
scribed. At the comprehensive 6-mo health exami-
nations, 10 ml of 5% CaNa2EDTA is given intrave-
nously; if this is followed by a urinary Pb ex-
creation of >0.06 mg Pb/24 hr, the case is classi-
fied as suspicious and EDTA injections are re-
peated for 2-3 more days. Pb levels >0.08 mg are
regarded as certain signs of Pb poisoning. If the
stippled cell count exceeds 3/1000 red cells,
treatment with 6 tablets of 0.25 g EDTA in the
morning and evening is continued for 4 days and
the course is repeated twice after 5-day intervals.
A number of examples are presented, and serial
results of this effective policy are tabulated.
This test supplements other tests such as stippled
cell counts or coproporphyrin determination. The
authors conclude that ambulatory treatment orally
administered is simple, practical, effective and
well tolerated.
2324 Roth, I., and Goreczky, L. (Natl. Rail-
ways, Hungary, Budapest): Uber die
Bedeutung der S-Aminola'vulinsa'ure bei
latenten und manifesten Bleivergiftungen.
(SIGNIFICANCE OF 6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID IN
LATENT AND MANIFEST LEAD POISONING.)
Zeitschrlft fUr die Gesamte Innere Medizin
und ihre Grenzgebiete 16:1078-81 (Dec.),
1961.
In 53 subjects aged 20-40 yr (51 men and 2 women),
who were occupationally exposed to Pb but showed
no clinical evidence of Pb poisoning, normal val-
ues of ALA were found only in 3 cases, in 6 cases
the 15-20-fold of the physiological values was
reached and the highest value (7030 yg/100 ml) was
35 times the normal. Urinary Pb ranged from 50-
840 Pg/1, exceeding 400 yg/1 only in 4 cases. A
case of Pb intoxication is described in a 35-yr-
old female ceramics worker who suffered from ab-
dominal pain, vomiting and loss of appetite. Uri-
nary excretion of ALA and porphobilinogen was up
to 87,000 and 4600 ug/24 hr, respectively. Pb ex-
cretion in urine was 80 ug/1, while CP (360-2300
Ug/24 hr) and UP (240-400 yg/24 hr) remained nor-
mal. Concentrations of total porphyrins in bile
and feces were not raised. Increased excretion of
ALA is therefore a pathogenomonic change to be
considered in early diagnosis of Pb intoxication.
(12 references)
2325 Rotta, C., and Parigi, A.: Prevenzione
del saturnismo mediante versenate di cal-
cio per via orale. (PREVENTION OF LEAD
INTOXICATION BY ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF
CALCIUM VERSENATE.) Medicina del Lavoro
52:769-79 (Dec.), 1961.
The prophylactic effect of CaNA2EDTA was studied
in 280 Pb filers who were exposed to inhalation
and ingestion of Pb particles. The drug was ad-
ministered orally in daily doses of 2.5 g for
alternate weeks over a period of up to 15 mo.
Periodic check-ups during treatment did not dis-
close any significant side effects. The benefi-
cial prophylactic effect of EDTA was demonstrated
by comparing 2 groups of subjects, exposed to the
same occupational environment, one group being
treated and the other untreated. Some subjects,
^3-4%, in spite of treatment began to develop
signs of a considerable Pb absorption. In these
cases the elimination of Pb and the disappearance
of the symptoms were achieved only by iv adminis-
tration of CaNa2EDTA. (33 references)
2326 Rozenberg, P.A., and Smirnova, M.I. (Mos-
cow, USSR): (RADIOACTIVE PHOSPHORUS IN-
CORPORATION INTO ERYTHROCYTES DURING
CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICATION.) Gigiena
Truda i professional'nye Zabolevaniya
(Moscow) 5, No. 5:35-7, 1961.
(The English title, published in the journal and
quoted above, is an accurate translation from the
Russian and implies passage of P into the eryth-
rocytes.) The introduction mentions, that in Pb
poisoning, the normal ratio between hemoglobin Fe
and plasma Fe is altered, the plasma Fe being in-
creased. It is argued that this indicates a dis-
turbance of Fe interchange and it is reasonable,
therefore, to see if other forms of interchange
such as P compounds, are affected in Pb poisoning.
Briefly, labeled Na orthophosphate was added to
defibrinated blood. After 2-hr incubation the
sample was centrifuged and the erythrocytes were
washed 3 times. After resuspension a sample was
taken for erythrocyte and -^2P count. Fifty-three
patients were investigated, 6 had a mild degree
of Pb poisoning, 21 a moderate degree and 4 a
severe degree, 2 patients had late sequelae. The
remaining 20 formed a control group. Ages ranged
from 22-59 yr. The rate of uptake (incorporation)
of 32p of the control group was 6.6-7.8% (other
workers quoted found 6-7.5% and 7.5-16.7%). The
mild group, who exhibited a small fall in the
number of erythrocytes with some basophilic gran-
ules and in whom the urinary Pb was 2 mg/1 during
Man
449
-------
treatment with EDTA, showed a slight reduction of
"p uptake in half the cases and a normal uptake
in the others. In 8 (of the 21) moderate cases
the uptake was 8-11.5% on admission and 8.92%
after treatment. In 7 other moderate cases the
uptake of radiophosphorus by the erythrocytes was
lowered (5.6-6.4%). After treatment this remained
lowered (5.6-0.4%). In the remaining 6 members
of the moderate group the 32p uptake was normal at
6.7-7.6%. During treatment "the maximum output
of Pb in urine did not exceed 4 mg/1. In only 1
patient did it reach 6.25 mg/1." The 4 severely
affected patients exhibited severe Pb colic and
"a steady fall of hemoglobin and erythrocytes."
In 2 the uptake of ^2p was decreased, 5.4-o.5%,
in 1 it was increased to 9% and in the other it
was normal. On treatment with EDTA there was
from 0.38 to 6.25 mg of Pb/1 of urine. In the 2
patients with "residual appearances of Pb poison-
ing" (no details) the 32p uptake was raised, 9.4-
9.7%. During treatment the Pb in urine was only
0.075-0.4 mg/1. No connection was found between
the 32p uptake and the morphological picture of
the blood. It is argued that Pb phosphate can
affect the permeability of the cell membrane
(Clarkson and Kench, 1958) and that the persis-
tence of the disturbances observed even after
treatment points to the permanent nature of the
damage to erythrocytes. (This paper unfortunately
seems to be based on a misinterpretation of Clark-
son and Kench (1958) who did not consider perme-
ability of the cell envelope in this connection,
but examined aggregation to the surface of the
erythrocytes.) (From Bulletin of Hygiene 36:995,
1961)
2327 Rubin, M. (Georgetown Univ. Med. School,
Washington, D.C.): DESIGN OF CHELATES FOR
THERAPEUTIC OBJECTIVES. In Johnson, L.A.,
and Seven, M.J., ed.: Proceedings of a
Conference in Biological Aspects of Metal-
binding Held at the Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, Pennsylvania,
September 6-9, 1960. Federation Proceed-
ings 20, Supplement No. 10, Pt. 2:149-57
(Sept.) , 1961.
The author recounts the start of his work with
EDTA and related compounds by undertaking toxi-
cologic tests in 1948 at the suggestion of the
Food and Drug Administration, toward the potential
use of it in food as rancidity and discoloration
inhibitor. Feeding experiments in animals were
followed by parenteral administration, which re-
vealed the binding capacity with Ca, and subse-
quently with metals. This led to the considera-
tion of possible medical use of the nontoxic form
of CaEDTA. Although it was not very effective in
experimental acute Pb poisoning (because of non-
identity of animal studies with the clinical
course in humans) a clinical trial in a severe
case of Pb poisoning in a child was undertaken.
The author remarks that this application of CaEDTA
in Pb poisoning provides an example of the recog-
nition of physical and chemical properties of a
compound which led to its testing and application
in a preselected area of therapy. (54 references)
2328 Saita, G., and Moreo, L. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Acido delta-aminolevulico e por-
fobilinogeno nelle urine di intossicati da
piombo. (6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID AND POR-
PHOBILINOGEN IN THE URINE OF PATIENTS WITH
LEAD POISONING.) Medicina del Lavoro 52:
668-75 (Nov.), 1961.
Urinary elimination of ALA and porphobilinogen
(PEG) was studied in normal subjects and in 20
cases of Pb Intoxication (5 with colics, 15 with-
out) before and during treatment with CaNa2EDTA.
The Mauzerall-Granick method was used. Also de-
termined and tabulated were free erythrocyte pro-
toporphyrin, Pb in blood and urine, coproporphyrin
in urine, stippled cells and hemoglobin. Normal
values for ALA and PBG ranged from 1.5-2.8 and
0.3-1.2 mg/24 hr, respectively. Before therapy ALA
was 9.6-53 mg/24 hr, av 28.7, in subjects without
colics and 17-45, av 31, in patients with colics.
During treatment with 2 g/day of EDTA these values
decreased to an av of 15.6 and 15.8 mg/24 hr, re-
spectively. PBG values were normal in all cases.
The rise in excretion of ALA is attributed to
the inhibitory action of Pb on SH-containing en-
zymes which are responsible for the conversion of
the ALA to PBG. Treatment with EDTA reduces the
enzymatic block caused by Pb. (33 references)
2329 Sassi, C., Finulli, M., and Nava, C. (Univ.
Milan, Italy): II saturnismo nella lavor-
azione dello stearato di piombo. (LEAD
INTOXICATION IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO LEAD
STEARATE.) Medicina del Lavoro 52:658-67
(Nov.), 1961.
Out of 43 cases of Pb intoxication investigated,
27 patients were engaged in the production of Pb
stearate and 16 in the manufacture of plastic ma-
terials where Pb stearate is used. Their chief
symptoms were abdominal pain (in 40 patients)
which frequently took the form of true colics,
anemia (in 32), liver enlargement (in 16), gastric
duodenitis (in 16). Laboratory tests yielded the
following average values: Pb in blood, 120 yg%,
Pb in urine, 305 ug/1, urinary coproporphyrin, 60
Ug%, protoporphyrin in erythrocytes, 253 pg%,
stippled cells, 4100/million. A group of 56 work-
ers, exposed to Pb stearate for an average of 6 mo
in a well ventilated area, was examined. Abdomi-
nal pains, frequently accompanied by constipation,
but without true colics, were observed in 1/3 of
the subjects, but tb^re were only 6 cases of anemia.
Average values for urinary Pb and coproporphyrin,
Pb in blood, and stippled cells were, respectively:
135 ug/1, 32 ug%, 105 yg%, and 1050/million. Pro-
phylactic treatment with iv doses of 1 g CaEDTA
twice a day for 3 days in 32 subjects who showed
abnormal Pb absorption enabled all workers to con-
tinue their work. Another group of 11 subjects
engaged in the production of Pb stearate for 2 mo
in a poorly ventilated area in which the atmos-
pheric Pb concentration ranged from 0.20-3.00 mg/m3
was also examined. In spite of treatment with Ca
versenate (2 g/day per os for 2 periods of 10
days), almost all subjects complained of abdominal
disturbances, nausea, anorexia, 1 subject suffered
from typical colic, and 4 from mild toxic hepatitis.
Tests for Pb absorption showed elevated values
after 15 days of work.
It is concluded that in the course of chronic
Pb intoxication, caused by exposure to moderate
amounts of Pb stearate, the symptoms resemble
450
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
those appearing in inorganic Pb intoxication,
while in cases of extensive exposure to Pb stea-
rate additional harmful effects occur in the
liver.
2330 Schlang, H.A. (US Naval Hosp., Jackson-
ville, Fla.)= POISONING CAUSED BY TETRA-
ETHYL LEAD. Aerospace Medicine 32:333-3
(Apr.), 1961.
Nine cases of TEL poisoning had occurred as a re-
sult of exposure to Pb gasoline in closed spaces
aboard an aircraft carrier. Gasoline spillage had
occurred repeatedly from a defective pump, but
operational requirements were such that use of the
pump was not suspended. None of them was fatal
and although poisoning in 1 conceivably left the
patient with a severe residual psychiatric dis-
order, no other sequelae were noted. One of the
cases was life threatening and is presented in
detail. EDTA treatment together with supportive
treatment brought complete recovery in ^2 mo. The
author discusses the management of such patients:
Supportive treatment is important to control the
physiologic derangements secondary to the intoxi-
cation; these are similar to those occurring in
any case of delirium with coma, and consist in
maintenance of the nutrition, hydration, ventila-
tion and control of potential infection and energy
wasting. He emphasizes the need for heavy and con-
tinuous sedation. The mainstay of specific ther-
apy is CaNa2EDTA for the mobilization of Pb from
the body.
2331 Sessa, T., and Tempone, G. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): Su alcuni casi di encefalopatia
saturnina. Contributo clinico. (SEVERAL
CASES OF SATURNINE ENCEPHALOPATHY. CLINI-
CAL CONTRIBUTION.) Folia Medica (Naples)
44:185-204 (Mar.), 1961.
The present knowledge of Pb encephalopathy is re-
viewed, i'our cases are presented of Pb intoxica-
tion with encephalopathy in workers, 30-60 yr-old,
who had been exposed to Pb for 16-40 yr (2 of
them printers, 1 in the cotton industry handling
Pb carbonate, the Job of the 4th man is not given).
The presence of Pb in the body fluids and of uri-
nary coproporphyrin demonstrated the existence of
Pb poisoning. The functional symptoms such as
headaches, insomnia, irritability, the remarkable
quantity of Pb in the cerebrospinal fluid (22 and
28yg% in 2 cases) and cerebral X rays, electro-
encephalograms, and rheoencephalograms indicated
the presence of encephalopathy. Treatment with
CaEDTA brought a reduction in the amount of Pb
in the spinal fluid and had a favorable effect
on the neuropsychic symptoms. (19 references)
2332 Silvestroni, A., and Rossi, A. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): II comportamento del re-
ogramma cerebrale nella intossicazione
saturnina. (THE BEHAVIOR OF THE CEREBRAL
RHEOGRAM IN LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 44:817-35 (Oct.), 1961.
Cerebral rheograms were taken in 23 subjects, aged
15-80 yr and exposed to Pb for 3-50 yr. None of
the tests were made during periods of colic or
immediately thereafter. The cranial leads were
the following: frontal, bitemporal, occipital,
at right and left hemisphere, occipitoglabellar.
Correlation was made in a group of 15 patients
with electrocardiographic and in 8 with stethoscope
phonocardiographic results. Each case is briefly
" described with data given for blood pressure,
cholesterol in blood, Pb in blood and urine, stip-
pled erythrocytes and the rheographic findings.
In 7 of them, arterial hypertension, and in 3,
clinical, EKG, radiographic and biochemical signs
of arteriosclerosis were found. Fifteen of the
men, who had had exposures of >10 yr, showed rheo-
graphic abnormalities while the rheogram was nor-
mal in 8 subjects with Pb exposures of <10 yr.
The rheographic alterations were greater in the
hypertensive or arteriosclerotic patients. How-
ever, it is concluded that rheographic alterations
are not characteristic for occupational Pb poison-
ing but that they usually occur when anatomical or
functional changes in the walls of the cerebral
blood vessels are present in all disease states.
2333 Stankovid, D. (Central Hyg. Inst., Sara-
jevo, Yugoslavia): Slucaj hronicnog sat-
urnizma sa akutno ciklickim tokom posle
uzimanja velike kolicine alkohola. (A
CASE OF CHRONIC SATURNISM WITH A CYCLIC
DEVELOPMENT INTO ACUTE LEAD POISONING FOL-
L.OWING THE INGESTION OF LARGE QUANTITIES
OF ALCOHOL.) Glasnik Higijenskog Insti-
tuta 10:41-8 (July-Dec.), 1961.
A case of chronic Pb intoxication with a cyclic
evolution into an acute state among smelters at-
tending blast furnaces is described. When seen,
the 52-yr-old patient exhibited among other signs,
58% hemoglobin, 800 yg/1 urinary porphyrins, serum
Fe of 85 yg%, and 120 yg% Pb in blood. In summa-
rizing the report, the author states that the con-
sumption of a large quantity of beverages by per-
sons exposed to Pb can cause the mobilization of
deposited Pb into the blood with acute symptoms.
He points out that among the workers of the found-
ry, particularly those living in rural areas, it
is the custom of treating stomach disorders with
highly spiced beverages. In the case of workers
exposed to high absorption of Pb such treatment
as well as alcoholism is very dangerous for the
combination may cause the development of an acute
stage of poisoning with colic and even death.
2334 Stich, W. (Univ. Munich, Germany): 5-Ami-
nolHvulinacidurie. Ein neues biochemisches
und diagnostisches Kriterium der Bleiver-
giftung. (6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID IN THE
URINE. A NEW BIOCHEMICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC
CRITERION OF LEAD POISONING.) Klinische
Wochenschrift 39:338-41 (Apr.), 1961.
Urinary ALA was determined in 20 normal subjects,
15 patients with Pb intoxication and 140 workers
of a Pb-Cu foundry. Normal persons excrete an
average of 2130 yg/day. In the 15 patients, uri-
iiary ALA ranged from 11,240-102,400 yg/day. The
tabulation includes the clinical symptoms along
with the values. For the 140 Pb workers values
for ALA and porphobilinogen (PEG) varied from 42-
14,100 and 10-2200 yg/100 ml respectively; 64% of
the workers showed a pathologic increase of ALA
and only one had a PBG level above normal. (16
references)
2335 Talenti, M., and Palla, A. (Univ. Rome,
Man
451
-------
Italy) : I modern! antidetonanti delle
benzine carburanti. (MODERN ANTIKNOCK
AGENTS IN CARBURETTING GASOLINES.) Nuovl
Annall d'Igiene e Microbiologia 12:358-70
(Sept.-Oct.), 1961.
The toxicity of TML versus TEL is discussed and it
is pointed out that the greater toxicity of TML,
in practical use, is insignificant. (From au-
thors' English summary)
2336 Teisinger, J. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis.,
Prague, Czechoslovakia): Tests biologiques
d'exposition. (BIOLOGICAL EXPOSURE TESTS.)
Proceedings of the International Symposium
on Maximum Allowable Concentrations of
Toxic Substances in Industry, Prague,
Czechoslovakia, April, 1959. Pure and
Applied Chemistry 3:253-67, 1961.
See Abstract No. 2071.
2337 Teisinger, J., and Srbova, J. (Inst. Ind.
Hyg. Occup. Diseases, Prague, Czechoslo-
vakia) : Metoda k diagnosticke mobilizaci
olova v ambulantni praxi. (A METHOD FOR
DIAGNOSTIC LEAD MOBILIZATION IN AMBULATORY
PRACTICE.) Casopis Lekaru Ceskych 100:155-
7 (Feb.), 1961.
In the test described, 3 g of CaNa2EDTA (15 ml
Edtacal Spofa) are admnistered iv after the intake
of 1 liter of tea. Samples of urine are collected
for 6 hr and analyzed for their Pb content.
During this period an av 56% of the total 24-hr Pb
are excreted. The results are calculated as the
absolute amount/24 hr. (From authors' summary)
2338 Teisinger, J., and Styblova", V. (Univ.
Carolinae, Prague, Czechoslovakia): Neuro-
logickj? obraz chronicke1 otravy olovem.
(NEUROLOGICAL PICTURE OF CHRONIC LEAD POI-
SONING.) Acta Universitatis Carolinae,
Medica Supplementum 14:199-206, 1961.
Sixty-one Pb workers from various industries where
they had been exposed to large amounts of Pb, were
examined. No neurological disorders were detected
in 10 subjects; in 21, functional disorders, with
prevalence of vegetative neuroasthenic complaints,
were observed; 15 exhibited organic changes mostly
affecting the central nervous system. The inci-
dence of nervous lesions correlated in frequency
and seriousness with the severity of the Pb intoxi-
cation. (From authors' summary)
2339 Thould, A.K.: LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY. Pro-
ceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine
54:228-9 (Mar.), 1961.
The case of a 46-yr-old woman is described who de-
veloped signs of Pb encephalopathy after supervis-
ing for 5 yr the spreading by machine of a moist
mixture of litharge and red Pb on accumulator
plates. Clinical findings and results of blood
and urine analyses are given. The urine contained
400 pg Pb/24 hr. CaNa2EDTA, 3 g in 50 ml of nor-
mal saline, was given, iv, over 5-10 min/day for
5 days as recommended by Sidbury (1955). Urine
was collected for the 1st and last 24 hr of the
course and the Pb content estimated. Only a small
quantity of Pb was found in the urine, therefore
a 2nd course was instituted 5 days later, giving
2 g in 500 mg normal saline, iv, over 2-3 hr/day
for 5 days as recommended by Leckie and Tompsett
(1958). The 24-hr urinary Pb excretion was 3.65
mg on the 1st day, 2.65 on the 2nd, and 1.80 on
the 5th. She improved well and was discharged
within 6 wk.
2340 Tikhonov, I.I. (San.-Epidemiol. Station,
urdzhonikidze N.-Caucasian R.R., uSSR):
K profilaktike svlntsovykh pishchevykh
otravlenii v svyazi s prigotovleniem
chanakhi v glinyanoi glazurovannoi posude.
(PREVENTION OF FOOD POISONING DUE TO LEAD
IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION OF
CHANAKHI IN GLAZED EARTHENWARE.) Voprosy
Pitaniya 20, No. 4:80-1, 1961.
In the restaurants and dining cars of the N-Cau-
casian railroads, "chanakhi" is frequently pre-
pared not only for the passengers but for the em-
ployees, i'his dish is usually prepared and stored
in glazed earthenware; in fact, in cookbooks it is
stated that it is best so prepared. Over several
years, the author had observed that a number of
cases of Pb poisoning had been admitted to the
clinics of the railroad, which had been caused by
the storage of plum and other preserves in glazed
containers. For this reason, chanakhi was pre-
pared in his laboratory by following an accepted
recipe per portion of: 150 g lamb, 200 g potatoes,
50 g tomatoes, 50 g cabbage, pepper and salt, and
100-150 ml water, then allowed to stand for
1-1/2-2 hr or more before being baked and then al-
lowed to cool. The earthenware used was of vary-
ing wear: with intact glaze (I), with poorly pre-
served glaze (II), and greatly worn or old glaze
(III) . The specimens analyzed amounted to 400 g.
The analyses performed in October and November (2
samples) 1956 and in February and March 1957
showed in I, 2430, 410, 124, 43.6, and 17.16 mg
Pb; in II, 140, 52, 36, 12.2, and 6.0 mg; in III,
Pb was not detected. The author concludes that
the 1st serving analyzed with 2430 mg Pb can cause
acute poisoning, and from the others, chronic poi-
soning could occur.
2341 Timar, M. (Natl. Ind. Hyg. Inst., Buda-
pest, Hungary): Vorschlage zur Bestimmung
der biologischen Grenzkonzentration ein-
iger Stoffe. (PROPOSED BIOLOGICAL DETER-
MINATION OF MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CONCEN-
TRATIONS OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES.) Pro-
ceedings of the International Symposium
on Maximum Allowable Concentrations of
Toxic Substances in Industry, Prague,
Czechoslovakia, April, 1959. Pure and
Applied Chemistry 3, Nos. 1-2:277-9, 1961;
The implication of the maximum allowable threshold
limit and the biological threshold limit are dis-
cussed. Based on studies of Pb workers the fol-
lowing biological threshold limits are proposed;
Pb in blood 69 pg% (determined by Teisinger's
method); CO-uemoglobin 10%; urinary phenol 80-100
mg/1.
2342 Tipton, I.H., and Cook, M.J.: STATISTICAL
INTERPRETATION OF TRACE ELEMENT CONCENTRA-
TIONS IN HUMAN TISSUE. In Morgan, K.Z.:
Health Physics Division Annual Progress
Report for Period Ending July 31, 1961.
US Atomic Energy Commission Document No.
452
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ORNL-3189:203-6 (July 31), 1961.
In an analysis for 7 essential and 10 nonessential
elements in 7 organs of 166 adults >20 yr of age,
who had been victims of instantaneous accidental
death in 11 cities in the US, the following Pb
values (in ash) were found, with occurrence in %
given first, then median, low and high, in yg/g,
respectively: aorta 100, 150, 10, 520; brain 70,
5, <5, 450; kidney 100, 98, 6, 680; liver 100,
130, 22, 1000; lung 100, 49, <5, 630; spleen 98,
28, <5, 2000; heart 62, 10, <5, 180. Concentra-
tion variability for these tissues was 8.5, 6.8,
5.1, 4.2, 8.2, 10, and >5.8.
2343 Toppich, E., and Minden, H. (Occup. Dis.
Clinic; Inst. Ind. Hyg., Acad. Soc. Hyg.,
Ind. Hyg., Med. Educ., Berlin-Lientenberg,
Germany): Klinischer Beitrag zur Frage
der Blutdruckregulation und der Herz- und
Kreislaufbeteiligung bei Bleivergiftung.
(CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE BLOOD PRES-
SURE AND THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM IN LEAD
POISONING.) Archiv fUr Gewerbepathologie
und Gewerbehygiene 18, No. 5:467-78, 1961.
This study was made on 115 hospital patients, 16-
i>4 yr old, with mild to severe subacute Pb poison-
ing. The severity of poisoning was graded as fol-
lows: Incipient, Hb =80%, RBC =4 million, baso-
phils 0.5-30/1000; mild, Hb 70-79%, RBC 3.5-3.9
million, basophlls 20-50/1000; moderate, Hb 60-
69%, RBC 3.0-3.48 million, basophils 30-60/1000;
severe, Hb =60%, RBC <3 million, basophils 45-
70/1000. As the basophils varied sharply, diag-
nosis was mainly on the basis of Hb and RBC. Por-
phyrinuria was also examined in some cases. Most
of the patients showed increase in blood pressure,
especially in the systolic phase, which disap-
peared with the other poisoning signs and could
not be correlated with age or degree of intoxica-
tion. Temporary increase in blood pressure was
observed in 29.6% of the cases, mostly in the
younger patients. The changes reported are not
considered to be of renal origin but they seem to
be an indication of increased adrenalin release
in acute and subacute Pb poisoning. In 5.2% of
the patients, EKG's showed temporary slight
changes which could be regarded as reversible myo-
cardic alterations due to Pb intoxication, appear-
ing in cases of previously existing coronary com-
plications.
Bradycardia was observed in 10.9%, and tachy-
cardia in 7%. The conclusion is drawn that acute
Pb poisoning could cause cardiac infarction under
such preconditions, but the extent to which such
infarction is attributable to Pb exposure should
be evaluated in each case separately. (24 refer-
ences)
2344 Tregubenko, I. P., Yashunskii, V.G. , and
Semenov, D.I. (Acad. Sci . , Sverdlovsk,
USSR; All-Union Res. Chemopharmaceutical
Inst., Moscow): (ACCELERATION OF THE EX-
CRETION OF YTTRIUM, CERIUM, AND LEAD FROM
THE BODY WITH THE AID OF ETHYLENE-DIAMINE-
TETRAACETIC ACID, DIETHYLENETRIAMINE-PEN-
TAACETIC ACID AND THE DIAMTNO-DIETHYL
ESTER OF TETRAACETIC ACID.) Biochemistry
(USSR) (English Translation) 26:154-63
(July-Aug.), 1961.
The diaminodiethylester of tetraacetic acid (DDTE),
diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), and
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were tested
for accelerating the elimination of Y, Ce, and Pb
from the body. Following DDTE and DTPA injection,
increased elimination with urine and feces of Y
and Ce, but not of Pb, lasted several days. DTPA
should be particularly efficient with regard to
metals which are mostly deposited in the liver. A
theoretical interpretation is presented of the
differences in the efficacy of the chelates.
(From Nuclear Science Abstracts 15:Abstract No.
25834, 1961)
2345 Truhaut, R. (Univ. Paris, France): Les
limites tole'rables dans les milieux bio-
logiques: Aspects analytiques, biochimi-
ques et pharmacologiques. (TOLERABLE
LIMITS IN BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS: ANALYTIC,
BIOCHEMICAL, AND PHARMACOLOGIC ASPECTS.)
Proceedings of the International Symposium
on Maximum Allowable Concentrations of
Toxic Substances in Industry, Prague,
Czechoslovakia, April, 1959. Pure and
Applied Chemistry 3, Nos. 1-2:205-52, 1961.
This is an extensive discussion and review, based
on 330 references, of what needs to be considered
in the establishment of biological tolerable
limits in the exposure to numerous substances, in-
cluding Pb. This the author does by considering
the choice of biological material for analysis and
conditions of collection; undertaking of prelimi-
nary treatment (such as mobilization with che-
lates) ; consideration of certain biochemical modi-
fications produced by the poisons; choice of ana-
lytical methods; base biochemical data for the in-
terpretation of results.
2346 Unseld, D.W. (Municipal Hosp., Ulm, Ger-
many) : Nachweis, Beurteilung und Therapie
von Residuen einer Bleivergiftung. (DE-
TECTION, EVALUATION AND THERAPY OF THE
RESIDUAL EFFECTS OF LEAD POISONING.) Med.
Welt 51:2685-6 (Dec.), 1961.
The so-called "late effects of Pb" are discussed.
They are diagnosed by the "Mosatil test." If the
test is positive, the organism should be deleaded
by means of chelators and the progress of the
treatment checked by repeated Mosatil tests.
(From Deutsche Zeitschrift fllr die gesamte
Gerichtliche Medizin 54:34 (Abstracts), 1963)
2347 Vilaseca, G.C. (Buenos Aires, Argentina):
La intoxicaci6n por el tetraetile de plomo.
(POISONING BY TETRAETHYL LEAD.) Semana
Mgdica (Buenos Aires) 118:1341-7 (June 1),
1961.
The article describes chemical and physical prop-
erties of TEL, exposure routes, its absorption and
clinical characteristics of the intoxication.
Symptoms of 78 patients (reported by Machle, 1935)
are tabulated. The importance of Pb determinations
in urine and blood for diagnosis is pointed out.
Treatment and prophylaxis are discussed.
2348 Weinig, E., and BOrner, B. (Inst-t)Legal
Med., Univ. Erlangen, Germany): Uber den
uormalen Bleigehalt der menschlichen
Knochen. (THE NORMAL LEAD CONTENT IN HU-
Man
453
-------
MAN BONES.) Archiv flir Toxikologie
Flihner-Wieland's Sammlung voa Vergiftungs-
fHllen 19:34-48, 1961.
The literature is reviewed, and a polarographic
method for Pb determination in bone ash is de-
scribed. Results of own studies on 30 persons,
age newborn to 71 yr who had had no occupational
exposure to Pb, are given. In the newborn (2
cases), ash of femurs contained 0.52 and 0.60
mg/100 g. In adults, the average ash values were
as follows (mg/100 g): femur, 1.88 (range 0.80-
3.21); tibia, 1.89 (1.22-2.81); ribs, 2.30 (1.36-
3.52); vertebrae, 2.66 (1.44-5.31). No differ-
ences were found in "normal" bone (from 4 of the
subjects) in respect to compact and spongy bone
tissue.
The authors conclude from this study and those
reported in the literature, that distribution of
Pb can be considered characteristic of normal if
the compacta and spongiosa do not exhibit signi-
ficant differences, and if the Pb content in femur
ash is not significantly higher than 3 mg/100 g.
Generally in adults these range from 1-3 mg; in
the 30's closer to 1 mg, in the 60's and 70's,
between 2 and 3 mg, although low values may be
found in advanced age.
2349 Wolff, H.P., and Fischer, R. : LEAD. In:
Radioactive Isotopes in Physiology, Diag-
nostics, and Therapy. Vol.11. Berlin,
Springer-Verlag, 1961, pp. 99-102.
Tracer studies on the resorption, excretion, and
distribution of Pb are summarized. (From Nuclear
Science Abstracts 16:Abstract No. 1398, 1962)
2350 Zabrodin, N.I.: (TRACE ELEMENTS IN HUMAN
TUMORS IN TRANSBAIKAL REGION.) Trudy
Nauchnoi Konferentsii po Primeneniyu
Novykh Fiziko-Khimicheskykh Metodov Issle-
dovanii v Biologii i Meditslni Chita 1961:
50-1.
The content of trace elements in malignant and be-
nign tumors was determined by semiquantltative
spectral analysis. All tumors were found to con-
tain Pb though the content was different in tumors
and normal tissue. (From Chemical Abstracts 60:
13695, 1964)
2351 Zannini, D., and Lombard!, F. (Univ.
Genoa, Italy): Intossicazione saturnina
da uso di stabilizzanti con sali di piombo
per materie plastiche. (LEAD INTOXICATION
CAUSED BY THE USE OF STABILIZERS CONTAIN-
ING LEAD SALTS FOR PLASTIC MATERIALS.)
Lavoro Umano 13, No. 4:145-54, 1961.
The use of organic and inorganic Pb compounds as
stabilizers of polyvinyl chloride resins in the
manufacture of plastics is described. A case of
Pb intoxication in a 34-yr-old man, employed in
the plastic industry for 3 yr and exposed to a
large amount of Pb stearate in an area insuffi-
ciently ventilated and at high temperatures, is
presented. The patient suffered from lack of
appetite, asthenia, acute colic-abdominal pain and
vomiting. Laboratory tests showed red cells,
2,900,000; Hb, 9.4%; white cells, 8000; Pb in
blood, 102 yg%; coproporphyrin and Pb in urine,
4000 pg% and 174 yg%, respectively. After ad-
ministration of CaEDTA the patient recovered. Ex-
amination of 6 men and 3 women, 19-46 yr old, who
had been employed at the plant for 2 yr, gave
evidence of an abnormal Pb absorption, manifested
by stippling of erythrocytes, raised amount of
urinary porphyrin and Pb in 2 subjects, an en-
larged liver and a mild anemia in 1 subject. In
vitro tests on the possibility of Pb absorption
through the digestive tract showed that Pb com-
bines with the gastric HC1 to form PbCl2 which is
soluble at body temperature. For prophylactic
measures it is recommended that masks be worn and
that the time of exposure in the dangerous areas
be limited.
2352 Zielhuis, R.L. (Dept. Occup. Med. Nether-
lands Inst. Prev. Med., Leyden): COPRO-
PORPHYRINURIA IN GROUPS OF WORKERS AS AN
INDEX OF INORGANIC LEAD ABSORPTION. Brit-
ish Journal of Industrial Medicine 18:
58-o2 (Jan), 1961.
The semiquantitative method of Donath was used in
the examination of 513 Pb workers of various in-
dustries in the Netherlands. The Donath scale of
coproporphyrin (CP) concentration is: (in ug/1)
1: 0-50, 2: 50-100, 3: 100-200, 4:200-400, 5: 400-
800, 6: 800-1600, 7: 1600-3000, 8: 3000-5000. One
hundred twelve males, not exposed to -Pb, were used
as controls and showed a "normal" average Donath
degree of 1.4. In 2 factories (A and B) each pro-
ducing Pb pigments (mainly the chromate, sulfate,
and stearate), the Pb-in-air concentration was
determined in 1957-58, and in the same period 81
workers in factory A and 80 in B were examined for
CP content. Results showed that workers exposed
to <0.05 mg Pb/m never had a CP content >3; with
an exposure >0.15 mg/m3, CP was ^3; there was no
increase in CP with increasing duration of expo-
sure. The correlation coefficient for Pb-in-air
concentrations with individual values of CP was
0.478 in factory A and 0.510 in factory B. The
correlation between the percentage of workers with
low hemoglobin (Hb) (^13/7 g/100 ml) and high CP
was 0.91. The author concluded that if CP >1.5,
there is an increased Pb intake; if CP is 1.5-2.5,
the exposure is within allowable limits; if CP
>2.5, the MAC for Pb in air (0.1 mg/m3) has prob-
ably been exceeded; from the frequency distribu-
tion of CP, the degree of air pollution with Pb
and the degree of anemia due to Pb intake may be
roughly estimated. If the CP values exceeded the
allowable range, it is necessary to determine Hb
and basophllic stippling.
2353 Zielhuis, R.L. (Dutch Inst. Preventive
Med., Leyden, Netherlands): (DETERMINA-
TION OF BLOOD AND URINE LEAD LEVELS FOR
THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISONING.) Neder-
lands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde 105:
564-6 (Mar. 25), 1961.
Pb values in blood and urine are not sufficient
evidence for the diagnosis of Pb poisoning. The
diagnostic possibilities of the EDTA test are dis-
cussed. (26 references)
2354 Zielhuis, R.L. (Inst. Prev. Med., Leyden,
Holland): MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE LIMITS IN
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS IN THE PREVENTION OF
INORGANIC LEAD POISONING. Proceedings of
the International Symposium on Maximum Al-
454
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
lowable Concentrations of Toxic Substances
in Industry, Prague, Czechoslovakia,
April, 1959. Pure and Applied Chemistry
3, No. 1-2:293-302, 1961.
See following abstract.
2355 Zielhuis, R.L. (Inst. Prev. Med., Leyden,
Holland): Maximal zulHssige Grenzwerte
biologischer Reaktionen in der VerhUtung
gewerblicher Bleivergiftungen. (MAXIMUM
ALLOWABLE LIMITS IN BIOLOGIC REACTIONS FOR
THE PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL Pb-POISONING.)
Zentralblatt fllr Arbeitsmedizin und Ar-
oeitsschutz 11:129-34 (June), 1961.
Methods for routine analyses of blood and urine for
Pb workers in industrial plants are discussed. In
studies on 117 men, age 20-t>0 yr, with no Pb expo-
sure, the following "aormal" values were estab-
lished: hemoglobin (Hb), 12.8-17.0 g%, av 15.5 g%;
reticulocytes, 0.05-0.9%; no stippled cells (SC)
were found in 80% of the men, but in 20%, the val-
ues were 0.1-0.5/1000; coproporphyrin (CP) in
urine, 0-5 ug/1 in 70%, 50-100 pg/1 in 20%, and
100-200 yg/1 in 10% of the men. In an attempt to
detect a correlation between Hb values and SC,
reticulocyte and CP counts, studies were made in
several plants on single workers as well as groups
(total 539 workers) exposed to Pb in air at various
concentrations and for various periods of time.
No decrease in Hb values was observed as long as
the SC were <1-1.5/1000, but no constant relation-
ship between Hb and reticulocyte or CP values
could be established. From this study, the con-
clusion is drawn that the MAC for Pb in industry
should be 0.1 mg/m3 air (<0.15), and that there is
no justification for increasing this value to 0.2
mg/m as adopted by the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists in 1957. (16
references)
2356 Zimmer, F.E. (Danville Pa.): LEAD POISON-
ING IN SCRAP-METAL WORKERS. Journal of
American Medical Association 175:238-40
(Jan. 21), 1961.
Seven scrap-metal workers age 30-54 yr, employed
in the cutting of steel bridge parts covered with
Pb-containing paint, showed moderate to severe
signs of Pb poisoning within 1-5 wk. Clinical
findings and blood values are tabulated; Pb excre-
tion in urine ranged from 0.21-1.89 mg/24 hr. In-
travenous and oral treatment with CaEDTA is dis-
cussed; oral administration of CaNa2EDTA is to be
avoided when Pb salts may be present in the gas-
trointestinal tract.
1962
2357 Abdalla, A., Hamamsy, A., and Taha, A.
(Inst. Research for Tropical Med., Cairo,
Egypt): THE EFFECT OF THE PRESENCE OF IN-
CREASED AMOUNTS OF LEAD IN TARTAR EMETIC
UPON THE TOXICITY OF THE DRUG. Journal of
the Egyptian Medical Association 45, No.
7-8:735-41, 1962.
Tartar emetic is used for intravenous treatment of
human schistosomiasis. Toxicity tests were car-
ried out on samples of tartar emetic containing
more than 5 ppm of Pb though otherwise conforming
with established specifications. When mice were
injected subcutaneously with a single dose of tar-
tar emetic containing 5, 20, 50 and 70 ppm Pb,
respectively, the 50% lethal dose (LD-50) was
(mg/kg) 24.8, 22, 18.5 and 16.4. A group of 50
patients suffering from Schistosoma were treated
intravenously with 2 mg/kg of tartar emetic con-
taining 20 ppm Pb, 3 times weekly for 4 wk. Nausea
occurred in 40%, vomiting in 28%, giddiness in 23%;
but no clinical or laboratory data indicative of
Pb toxicity were found. As controls, 25 patients
infected with Schistosoma were treated with tartar
emetic conforming with the specifications of the
British pharmacopoeia (Pb content not more than
5 ppm). The conclusion is drawn that although the
acute toxicity of tartar emetic to mice increases
with the parts per million amount of Pb present in
the drug, and patients treated with tartar emetic
containing 20 ppm Pb show signs and symptoms of
greater toxicity than when treated with the drug
containing 5 ppm Pb, the presence of Pb itself
does not explain the occurrence of these phenomena.
It is assumed that increased amounts of Pb in tar-
tar emetic are rather to be regarded as an indi-
cator of other unknown impurities which increase
the toxicity of this drug.
2358 Aingorn, N.M.: (CONTENT OF CERTAIN TRACE
ELEMENTS IN THE THYROID GLAND IN INHABI-
TANTS OF THE TRANSBAIKAL REGION.) Mikro-
elementy v Vostoke Sibiri i na Dal'n.
Vostoke, Informatsionnii Byulleten, Ko-
ordinatsionnaya Komissiya po Mikroelementam
dlya Sibiri i Dal'n. Vostoka, No.1:30-2,
1962.
The content of various trace elements was deter-
mined in the thyroid gland of 55 persons killed
in accidents. The Pb content of the thyroid was
found to range from 0.003-0.03%. (From Chemical
Abstracts 60:11147, 1964)
2359 Albahary, C., and Martin, S. (Hosp. Saint-
Denis , France): Problemes hematologiques
poses par quelques maladies profession-
nelles. (HEMATOLOGIC PROBLEMS CAUSED BY
SOME OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.) Nouvelle
Revue Francaise d'Hgmatologie 2:230-40
(Mar.-Apr.), 1962.
A review on blood changes which may develop in Pb
intoxications is presented. (50 references.)
2360 Ambrosi, L. (Univ. Bari, Italy): Le siero-
proteine nel saturnismo professionale.
(SERUM PROTEINS IN OCCUPATIONAL SATURNISM.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 45:404-14 (May),
1962.
Serum proteins were studied in 20 Pb-intoxicated
subjects, 20-61 yr old, who had been exposed to Pb
from 1-34 yr and at the time showed anemia, diges-
tive disturbances, etc, elevated blood Pb, urine
Pb, and porphyrinuria; some had already been pen-
sioned. Total proteins in serum ranged from 6.40-
8.20 g%, thus being within normal limits in most
subjects. Serum albumin was significantly lower
than normal in 6 (2.46-3.13 g%) and slightly lower
than normal in 13 subjects (3.64-4.90 g%). Serum
globulin ranged from 2.72-4.62 g%, with normal
levels in only 3 cases. a|~, OL2~' ®~' and Y-globu-
lins were increased in 12, 11, 5, and 6 cases, re-
spectively, and ranged from 3.40-12.50, 5.70-15.40,
Man
455
-------
8.80-19.30, 9.60-30.20%, respectively. In 5 of the
subjects the tests were repeated after 6 mo. Total
serum proteins and albumin were reduced while val-
ues for y-globulin had increased.
2361 Ambrosi, L., and Chiantera, A. (Univ. Bari,
Italy): Quota serica del piombo in sogget-
ti normal! e satumini. (LEAD IN THE SERUM
OF NORMAL AND LEAD-INTOXICATED SUBJECTS.)
Folia Medica (Naples) 45:129-36 (Feb.),
1962.
The distribution of Pb among the blood components
was studied in 60 healthy individuals and in 15
Pb-exposed subjects. Pb levels were, respectively
(pgZ): whole blood, 15-29, 28-106.5; serum, 4-8.6,
5-13; coagulum, 25-56, 51-200. Serum Pb levels,
which in healthy individuals varied from 10-18% of
the Pb values found in whole blood, did not in-
crease correspondingly to the coagulum levels, but
remained always below 10% of the whole blood lev-
els found in Pb-exposed individuals. Paper elec-
trophoresis for the identification of protein
fractions containing Pb is not useful in the path-
ology of occupational diseases.
2362 Anatovskaya, V.S.: (USE OF UNITHIOL IN THE
TREATMENT OF CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICATION.)
Nauchnye Trudy Ukrainskii Nauchno-Issledo-
vatel'skii Institut Gigieny Truda i
Proizabolevanii 29:50-6, 1962.
Patients with chronic Pb intoxication were divided
in 2 groups. Symptomatic therapy (infusions of
glucose, preparations of belladona, insulin, cho-
line chloride, methionine, vitamins, Na hyposulfite,
I preparations and transfusions) was used in the
1st and 5 ml of 5% unithiol solution daily im in
the 2nd group. Hemoglobin, basophils, blood Pb,
and urinary Pb levels were examined. Unithiol
treatment produced better results in normalizing
all indexes examined than did symptomatic therapy.
No side effects were observed. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 61:1156, 1964)
2363 Angevine, J.M., Kappas, A., DeGowin, R.L.,
and Spargo, B.H. (Univ. Chicago, 111.):
RENAL TUBULAR NUCLEAR INCLUSIONS OF LEAD
POISONING. A CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
STUDY. Archives of Pathology 73:486-94
(June); Addendum 74:151 (Aug.), 1962.
A case of Pb intoxication in a 60-yr-old man who
had been exposed to Pb dust in a paint-mixing de-
partment for 35 yr is presented. The patient suf-
fered from sharp epigastric pain associated with
weakness, constipation, complete loss of appetite
and gradual loss of weight. Urinary tests showed
0.026 and 0.102 mg Pb/1 (0.039 and 4.05 mg/1 after
EDTA), coproporphyrinuria, and the presence of
round, acid-fast particles sometimes surrounded
by nuclear chromatin (upon Ziehl-Neelsen stain) in
the urinary sediment. Intravenous renogram with
radioiodine revealed reduced kidney function, more
marked in the right than in the left. Percutan-
eous right renal biopsy showed badly scarred tis-
sue, distorted tubules of which occasional ones
had cuboidal cells; several of the latter contain-
ed large nuclear inclusions, characteristic of Pb
intoxication. Electron micrographs of these pre-
parations and those obtained from rats are discus- .
sed.
Twelve 4-mo-old male Holtzman rats were fed a
diet containing 1% Pb acetate for 24 wk. Autop-
sies were performed at regular intervals. Renal
inclusion bodies were seen with regularity after
2 mo of Pb ingestion. Microscopically they con-
sisted of hyaline eosinophilic masses, varied in
size and were more frequent in the nuclei of the
cells of the proximal convoluted tubules. These
changes observed in the nuclei are considered to be
a response to the toxic action of Pb, reaching the
tubules either through the blood or urine and
interfering with enzymatic reactions. (19 refer-
ences) (In an addendum appearing in the August
issue, the author calls attention to a report
published by Beaver, D.L.: The Ultrastructure of
the Kidney in Lead Intoxication with Particular
Reference to Intranuclear Inclusions, Amer. J.
Pathol. 39:195-208, 1961, and mentions 2 addition-
al cases of Pb intoxication with the above type of
renal lesion.)
2364 Austoni, M., Scandellari, C., and Chiesura.
P. (Univ. Padua, Italy): IRONKINETICS IN
HUMAN LEAD POISONING. Acta Isotopica 2,
No. 2-3:149-63, 1962.
The study was carried out in order to investigate
whether alterations of the metabolism of Fe, ob-
served earlier in animals, also occur in chronic
Pb poisoning in man. Five patients, 4 of whom
were exposed to high Pb risk for 2-6 mo and 1 for
8 yr, were injected with 0.5 yCi of 59Fe/kg, before
any specific therapy was instituted. Over a 10-day
study period, red-cell volume generally decreased;
plasma volume was decreased in 1 case, at the low-
est normal in 1 case and within normal range in 3
cases; plasma Fe was elevated in 4 cases and re-
duced in 1 case. The rate of Fe incorporation into
the red cells was constantly decreased; the greater
this decrease, the greater was the increase in
plasma Fe. Hemolysis probably accounted for this
phenomenon. Fe uptake in the bone marrow did not
change significantly in the initial phase but was
definitely lower in the erythrogenic stage. Data
for Fe uptake in liver and spleen were not conclu-
sive. Transfer coefficients of Fe from plasma into
the bone marrow pool showed no correlation, but the
amount transferred was definitely increased in 4
subjects. Fe of the erythropoietic labile pool was
sharply decreased in all patients while the trans-
fer coefficients from the erythropoietic labile
pool to the stabile erythroblastic pool were con-
stantly increased. The amount of Fe permanently
incorporated into the erythroblasts and daily hemo-
globin formation appeared constantly increased in
4 cases. Survival time of red cells was signifi-
cantly decreased in 4 cases.
The data indicated that, besides hemolysis and
increased erythropoiesis, a slowing down of the
utilization of Fe for the synthesis of hemoglobin
in the presence of an increased Fe fixation into
erythroblasts, operates in anemia of chronic Pb
poisoning.
2365 Baharycz, M., Kujawska, A., and Spett, K.
(Inst. Med. Pracy, Zabrze, Poland):
(AMINOACIDURIA IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC
SATURNISM.) Med. Pracy 13:429-33, 1962.
Paper chromatographic tests of the urines of 19
patients with chronic Pb poisoning revealed that
456
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
urinary alanine was increased over the normal level
of 47.5i 6.2 mg/g creatinine in only 27%. y-Amino-
levulinic acid (normal 1.9+ 1.2 mg/g creatinine),
was invariably increased to 2.2-39.5 mg/g creati-
nine. (From Chemical Abstracts 59:6889, 1963)
2366 Balbo, W., and Marucci, V. (Univ. Rome,
Italy): Sul contenuto di acido delta-
amino-levulinico nelle urine di un gruppo
di soggetti esposti all'azione tossica
protratta del piombo. (DELTA-AMINO-
LEVULINIC ACID CONTENT OF URINE IN A GROUP
OF SUBJECTS EXPOSED TO PROLONGED TOXIC
ACTION OF LEAD.) Zacchia 25:43-56 (Jan.-
Mar.), 1962.
The Pb concentration of blood and urine and urinary
coproporphyrin were determined in 35 subjects 26-67
yr old, almost all of them typographers who had
been exposed to Pb for 2-48 yr, and in 10 controls
without known exposure to Pb. The Pb level of the
blood was increased in 2 cases (1.37 mg/1 and
0.625 mg/1) that of the urine in 9 cases (0.100-
0.435 mg/1) and urinary coproporphyrin in 14 indi-
viduals (0.210-0.450 mg/1). The concentration of
ALA which in the 10 unexposed subjects had been
found to average 0.235 mg/100 ml, exceeded this
normal value in 23 cases. No quantitative relation
was noted between the Pb content in blood and urine
and urinary coproporphyrin, but a simultaneous in-
crease of urinary coproporphyrin and ALA was found
in 37% of the patients.
2367 Balbo, W. , and Marucci, V. (Univ. Rome,
Italy): Studio sulle attivita transamina-
siche ed aldolasica del siero in un gruppo
di operai esposti all'azione tossica pro-
tratta del piombo. (TRANSAMINASE AND ALDO-
LASE ACTIVITY IN THE BLOOD OF A GROUP OF
WORKERS EXPOSED TO THE PROTRACTED TOXIC IN-
FLUENCE OF LEAD.) Zacchia 25, No.4.-419-32,
1962.
The activity of transaminase and aldolase was stud-
ied in the blood of 30 workers, 28 to 63 yr old who
had been exposed to Pb as founders, varnishers and
printers for 1-40 yr. The following data were de-
termined (with normal threshold values given in
parenthesis): glutamic oxalacetic transaminase,
2-42 units/cc, and 49 in 1 case (45) ; glutamic py-
ruvic transaminase, 5-40 (40); aldolase, 2-10 in 19
cases and 11.5-65 units/cc in 11 subjects (8); Pb
in blood, 30.4-59.1 ug/100 ml in 22 subjects and
62.0-93.9 in 8 subjects (60.0); Pb in urine, 12-95
iag/1 in 20 subjects and 110-375 in 10 subjects (95);
urinary coproporphyrin, 45-110 pg/1 in 9 cases and
168-960 in 21 cases (160) . Eight of the 11 indivi-
duals with increased aldolase activity also showed
increased urinary coproporphyrin; in 6 of the 11,
urinary Pb was increased and in 5 of the 11, blood
Pb was increased. It is pointed out that any in-
crease of transaminase and aldolase in the blood
indicates a necrosis of those organs which mainly
contain these enzymes, ie, heart, liver, brain and
muscles. The subjects of this study were exposed
to Pb but did not suffer from Pb poisoning. The
slight increase of aldolase in 36.6% of the subjects
points to an initial slight tissue damage. There"
fore, such increase, in the presence of increased
Pb levels in the blood and urine, might be a valu-
able sign for early diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
2368 Bartos^ V. (Pribram, Czechoslovakia):
Pouziti EDTACALU Spofa v inhalacni prevenci
otrav olovem. (USE OF EDTACAL SPOFA BY
INHALATION FOR THE PROPHYLAXIS OF LEAD
POISONING.) Pracovni Lekarstvi 14:98-102
(Mar.), 1962.
Inhalation of CaNa2EDTA by Pb-exposed workers has
prevented Pb poisonings in industry where formerly
Pb intoxications occurred quite frequently.
2369 Beard, R.R., and Finulli, M. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): THE ACTION OF LEAD ON BLOOD: I.
BASOPHILIC STIPPLED CELLS CONCENTRATED BY
SEDIMENTATION. Medicina del Lavoro 53:773-8
(Dec.), 1962.
Stippled cells can be concentrated by sedimentation
of blood in the cold for 2 hr or even more effec-
tively by centrlfugation at 3,000 r for 45 min.
The excretion of coproporphyrin, the Pb content of
the blood and the proportion of basophilic stippled
cells in the peripheral blood before and after sedi-
mentation was tabulated for 9 patients hospitalized
for Pb colic, 6 patients with Pb anemia, 7 cases of
chronic saturnism, 6 subjects exposed to Pb without
symptoms of intoxication and 13 subjects without
known exposure to Pb. Furthermore, blood counts
were done on 8 guinea pigs, poisoned by daily ad-
ministration by stomach tube of 50-60 mg Pb as Pb
nitrate and on 1 guinea pig that had been splenecto-
mized prior to Pb intoxication. Concentration of
stippled cells may be a useful tool for detecting
minor increases of basophilic stippling in situa-
tions where exposure to excessive Pb intake is sus-
pected.
2370 Bell, R.F., and Gilliland, J.G. (Univ. of
Colorado, Denver): URINARY LEAD-210 AS
INDEX OF MINE RADON EXPOSURE. US Atomic
Energy Commission TID-19436, 1962, 18 pp.
Inhalation exposure to Rn and its daughters re-
sulted in a body retention of 210Pb which has a
physical half-life of 22.2 yr. If a man with a
normal body burden of 300-400 mg Pb approaches the
recommended maximum permissible body burden of
4 uCi 2*"pb, this would represent only about
0.00001% of his body pool of Pb. Since calcium
disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (CaNa2EDTA)
enhances urinary Pb excretion, the authors believe
that the provocative EDTA test presents a better
index of the Pb burden of individuals than measur-
ing the unenhanced urinary Pb excretion.
In order to define the body retention pattern of
tracer amounts of 21"Pb dogs were given intrave-
nously a calibrated dose of 2;loPb in the order of
1 pCi. After the excretion of 210Pb in urine and
feces had been studied for a certain time, the
provocative urinary test with CaNa2EDTA was made.
The results of these studies were tabulated. Sub-
sequently, a study was begun of U miners with
documented high, low, short-term and long-term
exposure to Rn and Rn daughters. The few tests
completed on the miners also indicated that the
EDTA provocative urinary excretion gives a better
index of the 210Pb body burden.
2371 Berenson, G.S., Akenhead, W.R., Crane, E.H.,
Jr.: CHRONIC INTOXICATION WITH AN UNUSUAL
SOURCE OF LEAD: REPORT OF A CASE. South-
ern Medical Journal 55:246-8 (March), 1962.
Man
457
-------
A 38-yr-old woman, when seen by the authors, com-
plained of pain in the abdomen, legs, back, and
shoulders, occasional vomiting, and a chronic
anemia. For the past 8 yr she had suffered
attacks of abdominal pain lasting 5-8 days, and
which recurred almost every 2-3 mo. Urinary ex-
cretion of Pb, coproporphyrin and urobilinogen
was 299 mg/24 hr, 1.260 mg, and 0.342 mg/24 hr,
respectively. The woman admitted that she had
consumed large quantities of alcohol which she
mixed with ice taken from an ice chest which con-
tained a Pb plate. Analysis of the ice showed
a Pb content of 5.1 mg/100 ml of water. Follow-
ing the elimination of the Pb intake, the patient
improved considerably.
2372 Beritic, T., and Sarid, M. (Inst. Med, Res.
andMed., Zagreb, Yugoslavia): Patofizio-
logija i klinika saturnizma. (PATHOPHYSI-
OLOGY AND CLINICAL ASPECTS OF SATURNISM.)
Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiyu
13:45-67, 1962.
The authors review the pathologic physiology and
clinical aspects of Pb poisoning on the basis of
world literature, and describe the results of clin-
ical and experimental studies performed in the In-
stitute for Medical Research, which includes the
Institute of Industrial Hygiene, in the field of
occupational Pb poisoning in the past 10 yr. Spe-
cial emphasis is given to clinical experience ac-
quired through the study of hematologic tests for
the diagnosis of Pb poisoning, examination of kid-
ney function, laboratory experience on the deter-
mination of normal Pb values in blood, the evalua-
tion and modification of methods for the determina-
tion of porphyrins in urine, and experimental ex-
perience relating to the effect of Pb on the neuro-
muscular system. (117 references)
2373 Borbely, F. (Inst. Forensic Med., Univ.
Zurich, Switzerland): Ausserberufliche
Bleigefahrdung. Vier alimentare und 48
iatrogene Bleiquellen. (NONOCCUPATIONAL
LEAD HAZARD. FOUR ALIMENTARY AND 48
IATROGENIC LEAD SOURCES.) Internationales
Archiv fur Gewerbepathologie und Gewer-
behygiene 19:329-39 (June), 1962.
The following 3 nonoccupational sources of Pb caus-
ing intoxication are described: (1) A Cu pan
soldered with Pb contaminated the food cooked in
it (1 case); (2) an apple cider keg was contami-
nated with a soluble Pb salt (3 cases); (3) glass
pearls containing Pb, As, and Cd, were implanted
in the submucosa of the nares for treatment of
patients suffering from ozena (48 cases). Liver
damage and digestive disturbances predominated in
alimentary poisonings. One patient died of Pb
encephalopathy following the parenteral intake of
about 500 mg Pb, 150 mg As, and craces of Cd, and
15 showed characteristic clinical signs of Pb
damage. Raised Pb blood levels were found in all
men and Pb anemia in 1/2 of the cases. In the
women, except for 1 case, elevated Pb levels in
blood were accompanied by anemia. In the fatal
case of encephalopathy, an ectodermal dysplasia of
the anhydrous type was observed. The severity of
the poisoning was probably conditioned by the ab-
sence of perspiration and the tendency to heat con-
gestion. Detailed data for each case are tabu-
lated. The values for Pb in blood exhibited con-
siderable variations in repeat analyses which could
not be explained. As tabulated, they ranged from
7-464 yg/100 ml.
2374 Borra, J.L.R.: Intoxicaciones saturninas
por vidriados plumbiferos. (LEAD POISON-
ING CAUSED BY LEAD-CONTAINING EARTHENWARE.)
Revista de Sanidad e Higiene Pfiblica 36:
429-58 (Oct.-Nov.), 1962.
Various sources of nonoccupational Pb poisoning are
reviewed. Among these, the more frequent causes in
recent years include: improperly fired earthenware
containing Pb silicate which may be dissolved in
food by the action of salts, acids and fats; the
use of Pb adulterants, principally in bread, to
make it heavier; water contamination of Pb pipes;
Pb contamination of wine and juices by Pb-contain-
ing presses, or of carbonated water by Pb-contain-
ing siphons. The toxic and lethal doses of Pb, the
manifestations and diagnosis of chronic, acute and
subacute poisoning are reviewed concisely.
The author then describes briefly the process and
raw materials used in the manufacture of pottery,
especially the Pb-containing glazes; the methods of
determining Pb in air, urine, feces, water, wine;
and extensively, the analysis of glazed earthenware
and the Pb leaching into food. Such ware is com-
monly used in the villages for the storage and
consumption of wine, and preparation of various
foods, usually with vinegar. Several utensils,
suspected of having caused poisoning in various
villages, were analyzed as to the amount of Pb that
would leach out of it into a mild acetic acid solu-
tion. Concentrations found ranged from 10.8-200
mg Pb and higher/1. It is estimated that the
quantity of Pb ingested by the users was of the
order of several grams which would be enough to
cause death of entire families. Caution is ex-
pressed against the use of poorly fired earthen-
ware. The regulations on the use of Pb-containing
utensils for food as adopted in various countries
are cited. No regulation applying specifically to
food exists in Spain. The author recommends super-
vision of pottery manufactures and boiling of ves-
sels in vinegar until the soluble Pb compounds
have been dissolved. Measures of health supervi-
sion of people working with Pb compounds are pro-
posed.
2375 Boyadzhiev, V., Stoev, V. and Petkov, G.
(Med. Inst., Sofia, Bulgaria): Dlagnos-
tichno znachenie na nyakoi pokazateli za
promenite vuv visshata nervna deinost pri
olovnoto otravyane. (THE DIAGNOSTIC IM-
PORTANCE OF THE HIGHER NERVOUS SYSTEM IN
CASE OF LEAD INTOXICATIONS.) Nauchni
Trudove na Visshiya Meditsinski Institut
Sofiya 41, No.5:99-113, 1962.
Changes of the latent period and velocity of loco-
motor reactions following light and sound stimuli
as criteria of early functional changes of the
cerebral cortex in Pb intoxications are discussed.
The locomotor reflexes were checked by a chromo-
reflexograph in a group of 136 workers of a battery
plant of whom 65 showed symptoms of mild to moder-
ately severe Pb poisoning; 71 workers were not af-
fected. The results of the study showed that the
latent period of the locomotor reactions was length-
458
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ened in all men who showed symptoms of Pb poisoning.
There was a correlation with the age of the worker
and the length of exposure. It is pointed out that
the locomotor reactions should be evaluated as
early criteria together with the classic signs of
Pb poisoning.
2376 Boyett, J.D., and Butterworth, C.E.
(Med. Coll. Alabama, Birmingham): LEAD
POISONING AND HEMOGLOBIN SYNTHESIS. RE-
PORT OF A STUDY OF FIFTEEN PATIENTS WITH
CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICATION. American Jour-
nal of Medicine 32:884-90 (May), 1962.
Fifteen patients with chronic Pb poisoning, which
in all but one had developed as a result of the in-
gestion of moonshine whiskey containing Pb, were
studied. Urinary excretion of Pb in all but 1
ranged from 0.10-0.86 mg/1, mean hematocrit was
33%; the number of stippled erythrocytes was in-
creased in all but 1 patient while the reticulocyte
count was elevated in only 2 subjects. Serum Fe
was within normal limits. Tests made on 5 patients
showed normal excretion of porphobilinogen but sig-
nificantly increased excretion of ALA acid and of
copro- and uroporphyrin. The rate of disappearance
of ^Fe was essentially normal. The data obtained
suggested that Pb affects the synthesis of por-
phobilinogen from ALA acid and the formation of
heme from protoporphyrin and Fe.
2377 Brener, K.M.H. (Med. Inst. Kazakhstan,
Alma Ata, USSR): Zustand des Magen-Darm-
Kanals bei chronischem Saturnismus. (STA-
TUS OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT IN CHRON-
IC LEAD POISONINGS.) Radiologia Diagnosti-
ca (Berlin) 3:353-7, 1962.
The intestinal tract was studied by X rays in
chronic Pb poisoning in patients with slight,
moderate or severe colics. In cases with slight
colics a hypermotor hypertonic dyskinesia was pre-
valent whereas cases with moderate and particularly
with severe Pb colics were characterized by strong
atonia and akinesia. These findings point out that
Pb colics should not always be treated with anti-
spasmodic drugs but that the treatment should be
based on the roentgenologically ascertained kind
of dyskinesia.
2378 Brigatti, L., Parigi, A., and Varetto, L.
(Div. Med. Inst. Cardiologia, Torino,
Italy): II comportamento delle transami-
nasi in soggetti esposti al rischio
saturnine. (BEHAVIOR OF TRANSAMINASES IN
SUBJECTS EXPOSED TO THE RISK OF LEAD IN-
TOXICATION.) Minerva Medica 53:1225-6
(Apr. 21), 1962.
Serum glutamic oxalopyruvic transaminase (SCOT) and
serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) were
determined in 98 subjects, av 30-35 yr old, em-
ployed as Pb-filers for an av of 6-18 mo. Values
of 40 units SCOT and of 30 units SGPT were con-
sidered normal. Both transaminases were measured
once in 45 subjects; twice, at 3-6 mo, in 45; 3
times in 7; and 4 times in 1 subject. Elevated
values of SCOT and SGPT were found in 5, 17, 5, and
1 cases, respectively. On the whole, 25% of all
the determinations showed abnormal values ranging
from an av of 40-60 units for SCOT and slightly
less for SGPT, with 28% of the cases showing ab-
normal values in 1 determination. Since no signi-
ficant correlation was found between levels of
serum transaminases and age, time of exposure,
level of coproporphyrin, and clinical observations,
and because of the possible intervention of hemoly-
tic saturnine anemia in testing levels of trans-
aminases, it is concluded that at the present time
levels of serum transaminase do not constitute a
constant index for detection of Pb absorption,
which can be recommended for practical use.
2379 Buckup, H., and Mappes, R. (Inst. Forens.
Med., Bochum, Westfalen, Germany): Ver-
gleichende Untersuchungen uber die Aus-
scheidung von 6-Aminolavulinsa'ure und
andere Zeichen erhohter Bleiaufnahme.
(COMPARATIVE TESTS CONCERNING THE EXCRETION
OF 6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID AND OTHER SYMPTOMS
OF INCREASED LEAD ABSORPTION.) Zentral-
blatt fur Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz
12:293-5 (Dec.), 1962.
(5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and coproporphyrin (CP)
and results of the analysis of 125 urine samples
from 100 Pb-exposed subjects are tabulated. The
data obtained showed that the determination of ALA
and CP is hardly more conclusive than the deter-
mination of solely CP, in connection with a count
of stippled erythrocytes. The extra time required
for the determination of ALA is justified only in
cases of differential diagnosis of undetermined
diseases.
2380 Bustelo, J.: Saturnismo latente entre los
soldadores de material de hierro galvani-
zado. (LATENT LEAD POISONING AMONG WELDERS
OF GALVANIZED IRON MATERIAL.) Med. y
Seguridad del Trabajo (Madrid) 10:60-3
(Jan.-Mar.), 1962.
Investigations were conducted on Pb intoxication
among workers engaged in welding galvanized Fe or
cutting it with an oxygen blowpipe. The high tem-
peratures used volatilize the Pb (contained as an
impurity up to 1.6%) and Zn fumes. Symptoms may
therefore be due to either Zn or Pb poisoning, or
both. The metals are absorbed by inhalation or
ingestion, the former being the more dangerous
route. The amounts of Pb in galvanized pipes and
sheets were about 0.7 and 0.5%, respectively. The
amount of Pb volatilized into the atmosphere from
welding 1 m of galvanized Fe is 88 mg from pipes
and 63 mg from sheets so that the Pb concentration
in the air in a room of 16 m3 with poor ventilation
will be about 5.5 mg/m , while the accepted stan-
dard is 0.15 mg. Dust on walls and clothing gave
a Pb content of 0.38%. Pb was found in the urine
of 75% of the workers who showed symptoms of in-
toxication. The following preventive measures are
recommended: periodic urine analyses; use of mate-
rials containing small amount of Pb; better venti-
lation conditions; and the use of individual pro-
tective equipment. (From Bulletin of Hygiene 37:
1026-7, 1962).
2381 Catala Diez, J. (Manises (Valencia), Spain):
Contribucion al estudio y tratamiento de la
intoxicacion profesional por el plomo.
(CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY AND TREATMENT
OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Medicina
Espanola 48:316-27 (Oct.), 1962.
Man
459
-------
A general discussion on occupational Pb poisoning
is presented. The following aspects are considered:
occupations or industries with risk of exposure;
route of absorption; metabolism and action of Pb
in the organism; diagnostic tests; general signs
and symptoms of intoxication; treatment.
2382 Chiesura, P., and Brugnone, F. (Univ.
Padua, Italy): Eliminazione urinaria di
acido delta-aminolevulinico e di porfo-
bilinogeno nel saturnismo professionale.
(URINARY ELIMINATION OF DELTA-AMINOLEVU-
LINIC ACID AND PORPHOBILINOGEN IN PROFES-
SIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Lavoro Umano 14,
No. 11:507-17, 1962.
Average data (ing/day) for urinary excretion of ALA
were determined in a group of 85 patients as
follows: 7 cases of Pb poisoning with abdominal
colic, 82.18; 6 cases of Pb poisoning without
colic, 29.55; 20 workers of a storage battery
plant with significant exposure to Pb but without
signs of intoxication, 29.04; 13 workers not ex-
posed to Pb but with previous Pb intoxication,
8.09; 10 subjects with no industrial Pb exposure,
2.10. A significant statistical correlation of
ALA with coproporphyrin and with Pb content was
noted. Porphobilinogen excretion was noticeably
increased (av 5.92 mg/day). A prompt marked
decrease of urinary ALA occurred with CaEDTA
treatment in 13 cases.
2383 Cirksena, W.J., Deller, J.J., and Marcarel-
li, J.L. (Walter Reed Gen. Hosp., Washing-
ton, D.C.): ADULT CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICA-
TION. REPORT OF AN UNUSUAL SOURCE. Ar-
chives of Environmental Health 4:183-9
(Feb.), 1962.
A case of nonoccupational chronic Pb intoxication,
involving encephalopathy in an adult Negro male is
reported. Confirmation of diagnosis was by ele-
vated urinary coproporphyrin excretion (1483 ug/
24 hr), urinary Pb (50 yg/100 ml), blood Pb (150
yg/100 ml) basophilic stippling. Analyses by
polarography revealed in addition to Pb, high uri-
nary Zn level (>1000 yg/100 ml). There was also
hypochromic, microcytic anemia. Treatment with
CaNa2EDTA brought recovery. Upon examination 1 mo
after discharge, blood Pb was 1 yg and coproporphy-
rin 800 yg/100 ml.
History revealed pica (paper matches) in child-
hood and stammering which had increased with the
years. His wife did not speak English, but it was
established that he consumed excessive quantities
of alcohol. His associates stated that he had re-
cently exhibited increasing confusion and gross
tremor of 1 mo duration. The source of intoxica-
tion was presumed to be due to the chronic use of
Pb-containing locally produced untaxed whiskey.
The author discusses the difficulty of diagnosis in
such cases and emphasizes that this particular
source of Pb be considered in the diagnosis of Pb
intoxication with encephalopathy. (43 references.)
2384 Courville, C.B., Nusbaum, R.E., and Butt,
E.M. (Cajol Lab. Neuropathol., Los Angeles
Co. Hosp., Univ. California, Los Angeles):
TRACE METALS AND THE BRAIN: THEIR CONTRI-
BUTION TO THE STUDY OF CERTAIN NEUROLOGI-
CAL DISORDERS. Bulletin of the Los An-
geles Neurological Society 27:99-103
(Sept.), 1962.
The authors had found no correlation between cor-
tical areas of known function and the amounts of
trace metals in the tissue. Rather in the case of
some metals, ie, Cu, Fe, Pb, the amounts are al-
lied to the composition of the tissue (grey vs
white matter).
To determine a base line for trace metal con-
tent (Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo, Co, Ag, Cr, Cd, Ba,
and Sr) in basal ganglia, cortical areas and their
afferent and efferent nerve fibers, blocks of
brain were selected from adults 25-50 yr of age
who did not show any gross structural changes.
Some of the blocks taken from the 18 specimens
showed little quantitative difference; therefore
blocks were taken from 10 cases of severe burn
deaths.
All evaluations were done by emission spectro-
chemical method. The demonstration of some toxic
elements, ie, Pb and As in the brains of some in-
dividuals suggested possible ingestion of these
metals rather than truly "normal" amounts of these
substances in the brains. Earlier studies (Butler,
1952) reported up to 0.11 mg Pb/100 g fresh brain
tissue and in cases of encephalopathy up to 1.4
mg/100 g (Kato, 1932). In 1 of the authors' cases
of chronic Pb poisoning, 1.35 mg/100 g of dry tis-
sue was found, and a "normal" of 0.31 i 0.04 mg
(unpublished). Of special interest to them was the
variation in Pb content from one part of the brain
to the other and the different concentrations in
the symmetrical areas of the 2 hemispheres. The
authors wonder whether some areas of the cortex
have greater affinity for trace metals than others.
This has been impossible to demonstrate, although
the concentration of toxic metals in the brain
tissues do appear to be increased in cases of poi-
soning.
2385 Craveri, A., Corsico, R., and Pozzi, U.
(Univ. Pavia, Italy): (ACTION OF INOSINE
ON THE ELIMINATION OF COPROPORPHYRINS AND
S-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID AND BEHAVIOR OF
ERYTHROCYTIC PROTOPORPHYRIN IX.) Folia
Med. (Naples) 45:1395-1404 (Dec.), 1962.
Treatment with inosine of patients with Pb poison-
ing did not result in any significant protective
action or change in elimination of free erythrocyte
protoporphyrin IX and 6-aminolevulinic acid. With-
in 4-6 days after treatment began, a significant
increase in the elimination of coproporphyrins was
frequently noted. (From Chemical Abstracts No. 59:
10585, 1963)
2386 Danieli, G., Sangiorgi, F., andMasetti,
G.P. (Univ. Bologna, Italy): Valutazione
quantitativa dell'acido delta-aminolevul-
inico nel plasma e nelle urine nel corso
di alcune eritropatie primitive e secon-
darie. (QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF 5-
AMINOLEVULINIC ACID IN THE PLASMA AND
URINE IN THE COURSE OF SOME PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY ERYTHROPATHIES.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 45:853-65 (Oct.), 1962.
Studies were carried out on 142 patients, 28 of
whom were suffering from Pb poisoning. All Pb
patients showed an increase of ALA (33-152 ug%,
controls 24 ± 4.6 yg%). In 26, urinary ALA ex-
460
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
cretion was increased (1.1-58 mg/24 hr, controls
1.43 ± 0.51 mg/24 hr), and in 1, urinary excretion
of porphobilinogen was increased (3.62-8.29 mg/24
hr, controls 1.39 ± 0.74 mg/24 hr). Increased
levels of ALA were observed also in cases of liver
cirrhosis, uremia and hypochromic sideropenic
anemia. (21 references)
2387 Dauphin, G., Perrin, P., Cordier, and
Cazan (France): Un cas original de
saturnisme d'origine allmentaire. (AN
UNUSUAL CASE OF LEAD POISONING OF ALIMEN-
TARY ORIGIN.) Annales de Medicine Legale
42:509-10, 1962.
A 38-yr-old man, with previous history of Pb
poisoning which had been treated successfully for
2 mo with EDTA, was admitted to the hospital with
abdominal colic. Clinical tests showed a subic-
teric state of the conjunctiva, a clear Burton
line and a Pb concentration in the urine and blood
of 350 and 2050 yg/1, respectively. After the 1st
treatment with EDTA administered intravenously as
a dose of 1 g/day for 5 days, he showed a positive
reaction for coproporphyrin and the urinary Pb
level increased to 7400 yg/1, and 3800 after the
3rd treatment. Occupational exposure to Pb could
be excluded. However, the man was an avid wine
drinker and it developed that the container in
which he carried the wine had been painted with
minium, leading to a Pb content in the wine of
2800 ng/1.
2388 De Bruin, J.: (THE RELATIVE VALUE OF URI-
NARY LEAD DETERMINATION FOR THE DIAGNOSIS
OF LEAD POISONING.) Ned. Tijdschr. Geneesk.
106:2545-6, 1962.
Urinary Pb values in 36 patients ranged from 50-
1560 yg/1. Following administration of 2.65 g EDTA,
urinary Pb values ranged from 1.3-32 mg. No corre-
lation was found between these two sets of values,
the latter only gives a clearer picture of the
amount of circulating Pb ions in the blood. The
diagnosis should be completed with blood counts
and determination of coproporphyrin in urine.
(From Chemical Abstracts 58:6121, 1963)
2389 DeTreville, R.T.P., Wheeler, H.W., and
Sterling, T. (Ethyl Corp.; Univ. Cincinnati,
0.): OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO ORGANIC LEAD
COMPOUNDS. THE RELATIVE DEGREE OF HAZARD
IN OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO AIR-BORNE
TETRAETHYLLEAD AND TETRAMETHYLLEAD. Ar-
chives of Environmental Health 5:532-6
(Dec.), 1962.
Concentrations of Pb in the atmosphere of the work
area and in the urine of 21 workers who had been
employed for 2 yr in the manufacture of TEL, were
compared with corresponding results obtained from
the same workers while they were employed for 12-
18 mo in the manufacture of TML. Average concen-
trations of Pb during exposure to TEL and TML, re-
spectively, were as follows: atmosphere of work
area, 0.0015, 0.043 mg/ft3; urine, 0.09, 0.10 mg/1.
Concentrations of Pb in the blood and urine of 50
workers engaged in the manufacture of TEL were
compared with results obtained from 50 workers en-
gaged in the manufacture of TML. Average concen-
trations of Pb in the TEL- and TML-groups were
respectively: urine, 0.09, 0.10 mg/1; blood, 0.041,
0.045 mg/100 g. Data on blood pressure, blood ele-
ments and specific gravity of the urine for TEL-and
TML-workers are also tabulated.
It is concluded that the actual hazard from the
occupational absorption of TML from the air is no
greater, and may actually be less, than that which
is associated with similar periods of exposure to
corresponding concentrations of TEL.
2390 DiVito, G. (Univ. Pavia, Italy): Metodi
per il Je'pistage del saturnismo nei lavora-
tori esposti al rischio specifico. (METH-
ODS FOR THE DETECTION OF WORKERS EXPOSED
TO THE RISK OF LEAD POISONING.) Lav.
Umano 14, No. 7:334-41, 1962.
Diagnostic tests for the detection of Pb poisoning
are reviewed. The most important tests are the
red blood cell count with basophilic stippling and
urinary coproporphyrin determination. Techniques
used for these 2 examinations and for the determi-
nation of ALA are described. (From Excerpta Medi-
ca, Sect. 17, 9:Abstr. No. 1493, 1963)
2391 Duchesnay, G. (France): Intoxications
saturnines chroniques. (CHRONIC LEAD IN-
TOXICATION.) Cahiers R.M.F. 76:391-2
(May), 1962.
The various causes and manifestations of chronic
Pb intoxication, the metabolism of Pb, and the
various laboratory procedures for the diagnosis of
Pb poisoning are described for the practicing
physician. The most valuable diagnostic tool is
the blood test for anemia and stippled erythro-
cytes (SE). Anemia is moderate (^3.5 million red
cells) and hypochromic. Three methods for the
counting of SE are used: (1) Number/million red
cells (according to Duvoir, the normal limit is
10/100,000 red cells); (2) number/microscopic
field (less precise), normal limit: 1-5/10 fields;
and (3) number/100 leukocytes (method of Feil,
officially used in France since 1948), normal
limit: 10/100. However, stippled cells are not
specific for Pb intoxication as they also occur in
other conditions.
In normal individuals, blood levels are not con-
fined to low values (30-50 yg/ml). Urinary levels
can attain values of 60 ug/1 under the influence of
chelating agents, indicating pathologic Pb exposure.
Blood Pb levels can be elevated without pathologic
signs or, vice versa, can be normal in the presence
of pathologic change. Urinary coproporphyrin levels
>1000 yg augur in favor of Pb poisoning; <700 yg,
the possibility of infectious jaundice, alcoholic
cirrhosis, a malignant blood disorder or intoxica-
tion by other substances (sulfonamides, barbitu-
rates, aniline, etc) must be considered.
Blood urea levels permit the assessment of renal
injury. The reevaluation of laboratory tests and,
in cases of doubt, tests to exclude extrarenal
causes, and the importance of azotemia in the de-
termination of the role of Pb intoxication in
renal damage are described. Clinical signs of Pb
intoxication such as Burton's line, neurologic
signs, diminished tendon and optic nerve reflexes
and hypertension, and the usual complaints of Pb
poisoning including the abdominal syndrome, con-
stipation, asthenia, dyspepsia, pallor, etc, and
therapy by chelation with EDTA and 2 EDTA deriva-
tives are discussed.
Man
461
-------
2392 Dumont, G., and Derobert, L.: Sur un cas
de saturnisme alimentaire. (LEAD POISON-
ING OF ALIMENTARY ORIGIN.) Ann. Med. Leg.
42, No. 1:79-82, 1962.
A case of Pb intoxication due to a bottle pourer
is reported. Basophilic stippling was especially
high. (From Excerpta Medica, Sect. 17, 8:Abstr.
No. 2732, 1962)
2393 Dynnik, V.I.: KIDNEY FUNCTION IN CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING. Nauchnye Trudy, Ukrainskii
Nauchno-Issledovatel'skii Institut Gigieny
Truda i Profzabolevanii 29:56-62, 1962.
The kidney function was studied in 94 patients with
chronic Pb poisoning. Albumin, casts, erythrocytes
and kidney epithelium were found in the urine; fre-
quently, polyuria, nycturia and reduction of the
coefficient of clearance were observed. The renal
disturbances increased with the degree of poison-
ing. Determination of the urea coefficient, Anbar
constants and renal plasma flow allows evaluation
of the degree of the kidney changes and can be
used in the diagnosis of Pb poisoning. (From
Referativnyi Zhurnal, Khimiya 1963: Abstract No.
161284; Chemical Abstracts 61:8810, 1964)
2394 Fatzer, R. (WHdenswil, Switzerland):
Chronische Bleivergiftung und Arterioskle-
rose. (CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICATION AND
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS.) Vierteljahrsschrift
fllr Schweizerische SanitHtsoffiziere 39:
119-26 (Nov.), 1962.
Based on a review of earlier literature the author
concludes that arteriosclerosis in cases of Pb
intoxication is caused by (1) spastic hypertonia,
(2) thickening of the vascular walls due to Pb
deposits and (3) unknown factors caused by the
effect of Pb on the metabolism. (72 references)
2395 Forssman, S.: Etat actuel de la silicose
et du saturnisme. (THE PRESENT STATUS OF
SILICOSIS AND LEAD POISONING.) Paper pre-
sented at the 3rd International Congress
of Prevention of Occupational Hazards,
Paris, 1961. Concours Medical 84:1783-9,
1962.
A review on the diagnosis and treatment of Pb poi-
soning using EDTA and DTPA and BAL is presented.
2396 Fritze, E., and Di Blasi, W. (Med. Clinic,
Bochum, Germany): Herzaneurysma nach
Bleivergiftung. (HEART ANEURYSM AFTER
LEAD INTOXICATION.) Internationales Archiv
fur Gewerbepathologie und Gewerbehygiene
19:340-52 (June), 1962.
The case of a female physician which by Haubrich in
1947 and Carstens in 1949 had been certified as a
heart aneurysm following an acute Pb intoxication
and as such was recognized by the insurance, is
critically reviewed. Pb intoxication was caused
by eating applesauce which had been cooked in a
pan previously used for pouring Pb on New Year's
Eve according to custom. The 24-yr-old woman
developed colics and diarrhea which disappeared
within 10 days, and complained of cardiac discom-
fort following physical stress. An X-ray picture
taken 2 yr later was interpreted as showing heart
aneurysm although the electrocardiogram was normal.
An operation, performed 15 yr after the alleged Pb
intoxication had taken place, revealed a tumor be-
tween heart and thoracic wall which was diagnosed
as a thymoma. The patient died at the age of 42
due to metastasis and heart failure. The autopsy
findings are described in detail; no heart aneurysm
and no indications of Pb poisoning were found. The
authors point out that whether or not an acute Pb
intoxication had existed could not be decided.
(12 references.)
2397 Gaon, J., Griggs, R.C., Vasiljevic, M., and
Alibegovic, S.: (INVESTIGATION OF CHRONIC
ENDEMIC NEPHROPATHY IN YUGOSLAVIA. I.
LEAD AS POSSIBLE ETIOLOGIC AGENT. Acta
Med. Yugoslavia 16, No. 3-4:346-53, 1962.
Studies on 31 patients with kidney disease and 11
controls, after administration of EDTA, were de-
scribed. The Pb level in blood and urine was nor-
mal before and after EDTA and there was no signifi-
cant difference in Pb excretion between the 2
groups. The studies provided no evidence that Pb
acted as an etiologic agent. (From Bulletin of
Hygiene 38:1286, 1963)
2398 Gel'fon, I.A. (USSR): COMPARATIVE CHARAC-
TERISTICS OF PROTEIN FRACTIONS IN BLOOD
SERUM IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL INTOXICATIONS.
Promyshlennaya Toksikologiya i Klinika
Profzabolevanii. Zabolevanii Khimicheskoi
Etiologii (Moscow: Cos. Izd. Med. Lit.)
Sb. 1962:237-8.
The protein fractions in blood serum were studied
in 92 workers exposed to Pb. In cases of pronounced
Pb poisoning the total proteins and y-globulins were
decreased. (From Referativnyi Zhurnal, Khimiya
1964: Abstract No. 61254; Chemical Abstracts 61:
11234, 1964)
2399 Gemke, G.R. (East-Kazakhstan Regional Dept.
Health, USSR): K voprosu o narusheniyakh
funktsional'nogo sostoyaniya limfatiche-
skikh sosudov pri svintsovoi intoksi-
katsii. (DISORDERS OF THE FUNCTIONAL
STATE OF LYMPHATIC VESSELS WITH LEAD IN-
TOXICATION.) Trudy Instituta Kraevoi Pa-
tologii, Akademiya Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 10:
132-43, 1962.
As determined on 104 patients with various degrees
of Pb poisoning, considerable disturbance of the
functional condition of lymphatic vessels was de-
monstrable in the lymphangiogram. In all forms of
poisoning, as compared with controls, an increase
of functioning vessels was observed, as manifested
in the increase of the central plateau of the
lymphangiogram. The latter are shown for 4 cases
with legends briefly stating clinical findings and
tables comparing arterial pressure, pulse rate,
nemoglobin, stippled cells and dimensions of the
plateau.
2400 Gemke, G.R. (Inst. Regional Pathol., Acad.
Sci. Kazakh SSR): 0 narusheniyakh sim-
metrii arterial'nogo davleniya u lits,
kontaktiruyushchikh so svintsom. (CHANGES
IN THE SYMMETRY OF ARTERIAL PRESSURE IN
INDIVIDUALS EXPOSED TO LEAD.) Trudy In-
stituta Kraevoi Patologii, Akademiya Nauk
Kazakhskoi SSR 10:144-52, 1962.
In 1959, 518 Pb workers exposed to Pb were seen
462
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
in the author's Institute, 451 of them <40 yr,
and of the remaining 19 >50 yr. They had been
in contact with Pb up to >5 yr; 292 were essen-
tially healthy, 93 exhibited somatic illness, 36
showed excessive absorption, 55 had mild intoxi-
cation, and 40, one of moderate degree. By apply-
ing Umask's test, a pronounced disturbance of the
symmetry of arterial pressure in brachial and
temporal blood vessels was observed, which pointed
to dystonia of arterial pressure.
2401 Gervais, M.J. (Viviez, France): La
prevention me'dicale du saturnisme dans une
usine de zinc electrolytique. (THE MEDICAL
PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING IN AN ELECTRO-
LYTIC ZINC FACTORY.) Montpellier Medical
61:12-27 (Jan.), 1962.
The author describes his experience in the sur-
veillance of workers of a Zn extraction plant at
Viviez. This is the only plant in France in which
Zn is extracted electrolytically, employing 1000
workers, and which processes 40% of the total Zn
produced in France. The sources of hazards of Pb
intoxication in this process are caused by the
presence of 2-3% Pb in the ore as impurity, and by
the reaction of sulfuric acid on the Pb-containing
mineral in the industrial process.
In discussing the medical program, first outlined
are the various factors (advanced age, alcoholism,
poor hygiene, systemic and particularly renal de-
ficiencies) that may influence the individual sus-
ceptibility of the worker to Pb poisoning. Accord-
ing to French regulations, in jobs involving Pb
risk, no men should be hired who are predisposed
to Pb poisoning due to renal and liver diseases,
arterial hypertension, and disorders of the blood
and central or peripheral nervous system. Complete
pre-employment examinations (including X-rays) are
done at Viviez. In the periodic examinations, the
frequency of which, as prescribed by law, the au-
thor considers to be the minimum, the surveillance
of the renal condition is given particular atten-
tion. As a result of these examinations, workers
are placed in 3 categories: those to be removed
from exposure, those to be watched, normal sub-
jects. The principal signs and symptoms of Pb
poisoning as reported in the literature, are dis-
cussed in detail.
In agreement with other authors, the Pb line is
absent in frank Pb intoxication, while it seems
sometimes to be present in cases without any patho-
logic signs. The author has seen it rarely, prob-
ably because of better preventive measures and
better oral hygiene among workers. He has never
seen Gubler's tumor and parotid hypertrophy. Con-
cerning the neurologic signs, the ones to be given
particular attention are latent pareses of fingers,
especially of extensors, and muscular cramps and
myalgias which occur frequently in Pb-exposed
workers and are often improperly designated as
rheumatism. True Pb colic is encountered more
rarely now than earlier reported; in the past 2 yr
the author has seen no typical case of it, although
some of the newer workers exhibited transient at-
tacks. Caution is expressed concerning the diag-
nosis of anemia by stating that this can be done
only on a basis of knowledge of pre-exposure values
rather than by accepting an absolute number of red
cells and hemoglobin values. The presence of baso-
philic stippling of erythrocytes is considered as
the most important indication of Pb intoxication
in spite of the limitations of this test.
The leukocytic formula is not considered to be of
much value as a test. The author considers the
urinary coproporphyrin test to be one easily made
on large numbers of workers, and does it routinely
on all workers. Because of the variations en-
countered in blood-Pb levels in relation to current
occupational exposure to Pb, and difficulty in
analysis, this test is believed to be of little
practical interest in industry except from the
point of view of etiology of the disease and in
medicolegal cases. Urinary Pb determination is of
still less practical interest because it is in-
fluenced by the condition of the kidney, by the
diet, and because Pb fixed in tissues is eliminated
only periodically. For these reasons and because
of difficulties in analysis, it is not done at
Viviez, although interest in the EDTA-challenge test
is expressed. In spite of its limitations, the
blood-urea test is considered to give indication of
low tolerance to Pb; also that the worker is to be
watched and possibly removed from exposure.
Following a review of the literature of the use
of EDTA in the treatment of Pb poisoning from which
the author concluded that it is most effective "and
entirely devoid of toxicity," he has used this drug
in the plants of Viviez since 1958 on 20 workers at
doses of 4-6 tablets of 0.25 g daily, either 5 days
per week or continuously for 20-30 days. At the be-
ginning and end of each treatment a differential
blood count, blood urea and albuminuria tests were
done. Urinary coproporphyrin was determined to
follow the course of treatment.
2402 Ghislandi, E., and Foa, V. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Su tre casi di intossicazione
subacuta da plombo-tetraetile. (THREE
CASES OF SUBACUTE TETRAETHYL LEAD INTOXI-
CATION.) Medlcina del Lavoro 53:547-57
(Aug.-Sept.), 1962.
Three cases of TEL intoxication in workers 21-40 yr
old, employed in the industrial manufacture of TEL
were discussed. The symptoms and the course of the
intoxication were typical of TEL intoxication. Two
of the cases did not show evidence of altered he-
patic function; the 3rd case suffered from enlarged
liver possibly attributable to alcoholism or other
factors. Pb concentrations in the blood and urine
were, respectively: 178, 110, 145 ug%; 330 and 445
on 2 successive days in one case, and in the others,
305, and 140 ng/24 hr. Coproporphyrinuria was
determined only after EDTA, the values were: 150,
98, and 54 yg/24 hr.
Although the use of EDTA as a diagnostic test for
abnormal Pb absorption is valuable, its effective-
ness in treatment of TEL intoxication is questioned^
(26 references)
2403 Gorbunova, N.V. , and Atchabarov, B.A.
(Acad. Sci. Kazakh SSR): Izmeneniya v
gortani pri intoksikatsii svintsom.
(LARYNGEAL CHANGES IN LEAD POISONING.)
Trudy Instituta Kraevoi Patologii, Aka-
demiya Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 10:167-79,
1962.
The authors examined 551 workers (most of them 20-
40-yr-old males) of smelting, agglomeration and
Man
463
-------
refining installations of whom 43 suffered with
chronic Pb poisoning and had been observed for 1—
4 yr. The duration of exposure for all was 3 mo-
20 yr and more. In addition, 85 workers not ex-
posed to Pb were included in the study. Of the
exposed group, 129 were essentially well; 148 were
practically healthy but showed early signs of Pb
poisoning; 247 with Pb poisoning which was mild
in 134, moderate in 117 and severe in 23. The
USSR Ministry of Health criteria for diagnosis
of Pb poisoning were followed. Of the above
patients, 114 (20.58%) showed laryngitis, 222
(40.5%) exhibited disorders of the motility of
the larynx and 4 showed other disorders, 2 of
them with laryngeal neoplasm. Healthy larynx
was found in 208 (37.77%). Only 43 presented
complaints of hoarseness, etc. The studies ex-
tended over the relationship of laryngitis to
length of service and age, and disorders of
laryngeal motility were separately considered in
the entire working population, with the finding
of such disorder in 57.35% (316 workers). The
pathogenesis of the condition is attributed in
part to "local" processes as a result of direct
action of hazardous working conditions on the
mucosa, and in part to the changes taking place
in the body; specifically, the disorders pro-
duced in the motive function of the muscles con-
trolling the larynx, as well as the effects on
the central nervous system (paralysis of the
laryngeal muscles).
2404 Gutniak, 0. , and Krawczyk, I. (Inst. Badaii
Jadrowych, Warsaw, Poland): Oznaczanie
kwasu <5-aminolewulinowego i porfobilinogenu
w moczu. (DETERMINATION OF 6-AMINOLEVULI-
NIC ACID AND PORPHOBILINOGEN IN URINE.)
Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej 32,
No. 12:1517-23, 1962.
A modification of the method by Mauzerall and
Granick (1956), as developed by the authors, is
described in some detail. In normal subjects and
patients with porphyria cutanea tarda, porphobili-
nogen averaged 0.12 and 0.20 mg%, respectively,
and 6-aminolevulinic acid 0.33 and 0.34 mg%, re-
spectively. The corresponding values in patients
with lead poisoning were 0.20 mg% and a range of
0.53-4.50 mg%.
2405 Haeger-Aronsen, B. (MalmO Gen. Hosp.,
Univ. Lund, Sweden): FECAL PORPHYRINS IN
PORPHYRIA ACUTA INTERMITTENS, PORPHYRIA,
CUTANEA TARDA, AND INTOXICATIO PLUMBI.
Scandavian Clinical and Laboratory Investi-
gation 14:397-402, 1962.
Coproporphyrin (CP) and protoporphyrin (PP) in the
feces were determined quantitatively in 26 patients
with porphyria acuta intermittens (PAI), 26 pa-
tients with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and 32
workers in the Pb industry. Of the patients with
PCT, all showed an increased excretion of CP, and
60% also showed an increase of PP excretion. The
excretion of CP was higher than among the PAI pa-
tients and the ratio PP/CP' was VL. Fecal excre-
tion of porphyrins in the Pb workers was largely
normal. The difference in the excretion patterns
in the 3 groups were discussed. (25 references)
2406
Hartogensis, F., and Zielhuis, R.L. (Res.
Inst. Publ. Health Eng., The Hague; Nether-
lands Inst. Prev. Med., Leiden): HEALTH
STANDARDS FOR LEAD CHROMATE DUST. Annals
of Occupational Hygiene 5:27-36 (Jan.-Mar.),
1962.
The degree of exposure to Pb chromate dust and its
effect on the organism was studied in 26 male work-
ers from 2 of the 3 pigment factories investigated,
who were not clinically ill and who had been almost
exclusively exposed to chrome yellow. There was
no clear correlation between Pb and Cr concentra-
tions, but in the 2 where the above men were em-
ployed the ratio Pb/Cr was 6.2 and 5.5, respec-
tively. Seven workers were exposed to <0.1 mg
Pb/m3 (Group A), 5 to 0.1-0.2 (Group B), and 14 to
>0.2 (Group C). No correlation existed between
symptoms or signs (exclusive of Pb line) and the
degree of exposure, nor could a correlation be es-
tablished between the medical data and the duration
of the exposure. In contrast, laboratory data on
hemoglobin (Hb), basophilia and Coproporphyrin cor-
related significantly witn the degree of absorption,
determined at the same time period. In Group A and
B, Coproporphyrin levels deviated from the normal,
and in Group C the trend was even more pronounced.
Hb was clearly subnormal in Group C. Taking the
Hb decrease as a criterion for establishing MAC
values for Pb compounds, it is concluded that the
MAC for Pb chromate should be 0.1-0.2 mg Pb/m3.
The fact that the same MAC has been established for
other Pb pigments, strongly suggests a similar tox—
icity of all Pb pigment dusts, soluble and "unsol-
uble." (18 references)
2407 Hausmanowa-Petrusewicz, I., Emeryk, B.,
Sobkowicz, H., Wasowicz, B., and Tur, J.:
Badania elektromiograficyne w otowicy.
(ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC EXAMINATIONS IN LEAD
POISONING.) Polski Tygodnik Lekarski 17:
1405-8 (Sept. 3), 1962.
Results are given of medical and neurological ex-
aminations of 43 patients suffering from Pb poison-
ing after exposure to Pb for 3 mo-35 yr. Muscular
and neurologic disorders and in some cases peri-
pheral neural damage were observed, but no toxic
polyneuritis was found. The electromyograms re-
vealed pathologic signs in only 15 patients. It
was concluded that a relationship exists between
the electromyograms (EMG) and the serum Pb concen-
tration or the length of exposure to Pb. The EMG
may be valuable for early diagnosis of peripheral
nervous damage. (From Occupational Safety and
Health Abstracts 1:470, 1963)
2408 Heilmeyer, L., and Clotten, R. (Univ.
Freiburg/Br., Germany): PORPHYRIN METABO-
LISM IN ANEMIA. Panminerva Med. 4, No. 1:
350-2, 1962.
See Abstract No. 2266.
2409 Holmqvist, I. (RHnnskar Works, Bolidens
Co., Skelleftehamn, Sweden): Laboratorie-
undersSkningar vid periodisk besiktning
av blyarbetare. (LABORATORY RESEARCH IN
PERIODIC EXAMINATION OF LEAD WORKERS.)
Nordisk Medicin 67:46-51 (Jan. 11), 1962.
The author reports on his experience of medical
surveillance of workers of a Pb smelter. He
examines critically the value of determining stip-
464
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
pled cells and of coproporphyrin in urine. In
connection with routine determination of Pb in
blood, he had examined groups of job applicants,
transport workers, Cu workers, and of Pb workers,
finding the average Pb content to be as follows,
respectively, in yg/100 ml: 17.7, 28.0, 31.4, and
48.2. The value of various laboratory tests is
discussed from the point of view of individual
and of group prevention, as well as from that of
working conditions. The limits set by him for
the removal of the worker from exposure include
blood Pb of >80 yg/100 ml.
2410 Holtzman, R.B. (Argonne Natl. Lab., 111.):
DESIRABILITY OF EXPRESSING CONCENTRATIONS
OF MINERAL-SEEKING CONSTITUENTS OF BONE
AS A FUNCTION OF ASH WEIGHT. Health
Physics 8:315-9, 1962.
The author emphasizes the need for suitable stand-
ard units describing the concentrations of some
chemical elements in bone since this is a nonhomo-
geneous tissue wherein characteristics may vary
with age and locations. As an example, while
there is evidence that ^Pb (RaD) is more or less
uniformly distributed in the mineral phase, in
cases where ingestion rates have changed over the
lifetime of individuals, the distribution may not
be uniform. The author demonstrates by applying
various equations that, for mineral-seeking ele-
ments, the concentration should preferably be
given in terms of the ash weight. This should not
hamper calculation of radiation dose in fresh
bone, for this is easily obtained from the ash
value by use of an ash- to wet-weight ratio which
is 0.4 for the whole skeleton. This is illustrat-
ed in a table giving calculated and measured dis-
tributions of Pb in the human body.
24H Horiguchi, S., Asano, I., Hashimoto, K.,
Masuya, Y., Morioka, S., and Utsunomiya, T.
(Osaka City Univ. Med. School, Japan):
(LEAD POISONING AMONG THE WORKERS IN SCRAP-
PING OF OLD SHIPS.) Journal of the Osaka
City Medical Center 11:327-33 (Dec.), 1962.
Pb poisoning developed among workers in Osaka har-
bor while they were scrapping old ships coated
with Pb-containing paint. Medical examination of
322 workers from 21 factories showed that 20% of
the men suffered from mild Pb poisoning. The Pb
content of the air in the factories was 6.18 mg/m3.
Several cases were treated with calcium ethylene-
diaminetetraacetate and thioctic acid. Measures
for the prevention of Pb poisoning in the factories
are proposed. (From authors' English summary)
2412 Horiuchi, K. and Miyake, S. (Osaka City
Univ. Med. School, Japan): A SIMPLE SYN-
THETIC DIAGNOSTIC METHOD OF LATENT OR MILD
LEAD POISONING. Osaka City Medical Jour-
nal 8, No. 1:83-9, 1962.
In previous publications, the authors had presented
a diagnostic method for the detection of latent or
mild Pb poisoning, using the statistical discrim-
inant function "Z" on 5 examination items. Since
the determination of Pb in blood and urine is dif-
ficult in a routine laboratory, an attempt was made
to limit the examination to a count of erythrocytes,
and determinations of hemoglobin and urinary copro-
porphyrin. The usefulness of the method was tested
in several factories. The error of misclassifica-
tion of normal healthy workers as Pb-poisoned cases
was 2 in 204 or 1%. A nomograph to obtain quickly
the value "Z" from the examination data has been
devised.
2413 Horiuchi, K. , Noma, H., Asano, I., and
Hashimoto, K. (Osaka City Univ. Med. School,
Japan): STUDIES ON THE INDUSTRIAL LEAD POI-
SONING. AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF LEAD IN-
TAKE IN HUMAN BEINGS THROUGH THE RESPIRATORY
TRACT. Osaka City Medical Journal 8, No. 2:
151-69, 1962.
A solution of 2 mg Pb acetate/ml of water was ad-
ministered to 2 normal Japanese male adults through
the respiratory tract, using a new inhalation appa-
ratus. The particles of the inhaled mist were al-
most all smaller than 5 p in diameter and 67% were
smaller than 1 p. The experiment was divided into
5 stages as follows: In the 1st stage, 1 mg Pb
acetate/day was given for 61 days; in the 2nd stage
2 mg/day for 31 days, and in the 3rd stage, 2.5 mg/
day for 50 days. In the 4th stage, Pb administra-
tion was discontinued for 42 days, and in the 5th
stage, thioctic acid (60 mg/day, orally, for 20
days) and CaNa^EDTA (a total of 10.16 g orally
over 7 days and a total of 7.2 g intravenously
over 5 days) were given for treatment.
The expired air and the saliva of the subjects
as well as an acetic acid gargle used to dissolve
any Pb that had remained in the mouth, were col-
lected for Pb determination. The average Pb con-
centrations in the blood of the 2 experimental
subjects and of a control subject during the 5
stages, were, pg/100 g, respectively: 44.06,
56..05, 61.8, 58.86, 46.77; 25.20, 23.62, 21.70,
23.87, 25.52. Urinary Pb excretion fluctuated
from 26 to 962 yg/day for the Pb subjects and from
10 to 234 for the control. Fecal Pb excretion of
the Pb subjects gradually increased in the 2nd
part of the 1st stage, reached a peak in the mid-
dle of the 3rd stage, and returned to normal about
10 days after discontinuation of Pb inhalation.
The total amount of Pb excreted in urine and feces
during the 3' experimental stages averaged 48 to
51% of the Pb intake (including 215 yg/day from
food and beverages). Thus, the amount of Pb stored
in the organism in the inhalation experiment is
about twice as large as that in oral administration.
The number of red blood cells and hemoglobin con-
tent decreased. Reticulocytes, thrombocytes,
erythroblasts and basophilic and polychromatic
macroblasts increased, normochromatic normoblasts
decreased, and the urinary coproporphyrins in-
creased. Liver function tests revealed no abnor-
malities.
2414 International Labour Organisation: TRI-
PARTITE TECHNICAL MEETING FOR THE PRINTING
AND ALLIED TRADES. PROTECTION OF WORKERS'
HEALTH IN THE PRINTING AND ALLIED TRADES.
Report III. Geneva, 1962, 67 pp.
Pb poisoning among typographers and rules govern-
ing the hygiene of premises and the personal hy-
giene of these workers are among the matters
covered at this meeting. Three statistical studies
are presented which confirm the low frequency and
low degree of Pb poisoning in enterprises where
satisfactory working conditions are maintained.
Man
465
-------
2415 Ivanov, K., Prodanov, P., Chelibonova,
Kh., and Bozkhov, S. (Acad. Sci., Sofia,
Bulgaria): Sudurzhanie na olovo v kosite
na khora i kosmite, resp. vulnata na
goveda i ovtse ot raiona na endemichniya
nefrit po khorata. (LEAD CONTENT IN HUMAN
HAIR AND WOOL OF SHEEP AND CATTLE IN AREAS
AFFECTED WITH HUMAN ENDEMIC NEPHRITIS.)
Izvestiya na Instituta po Sravnitelna
Patologiya na Domashnite Zhivotni, Bul-
garska Akademiya na Naukite 9:275-83,
1962.
The examination of the Pb content in hair of 168
sheep and of 24 cattle in an endemic nephritis
area, in non-endemic regions and in settlements
near Pb mines as well as that of 37 people from
an area with endemic nephritis showed the follow-
ing:
There is no fixed relationship between endemic
nephritis in man and the Pb content in wool of
sheep from the same area (av 180.2 and 142.0 yg%
in endemic and non-endemic areas respectively).
The Pb content in sheep wool from areas adjacent
to Pb mines and flotation installations is higher
than in other areas (av 221.5 ug%)• The Pb con-
tent of cattle hair is on an average of 615.0 yg%
and no differences were found between animals from
the above endemic and non-endemic areas. The Pb
content in hair of healthy people (766.6-1013.0
yg%) and those suffering from endemic nephritis
(380.0-1276.0 yg%) from the endemic area does not
exceed the normal limits reported in the litera-
ture. However, there appears to be a certain ten-
dency towards higher Pb levels in hair of sick
women.
The authors consider the examination of the Pb
level in animal hair to be a convenient method for
mass examination of Pb values.
2416 Jaulmes, P. (Montpellier, France): Analyse
toxicologique du sang en me'decine du tra-
vail. (TOXICOLOGIC ANALYSIS OF THE BLOOD
IN INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE.) Montpellier Medi-
cal 61:9-11 (Jan.), 1962.
The determination of Pb in blood and urine consti-
tutes an important tool in the diagnosis of Pb poi-
tsoning. In referring to a previously described
method, the author points out that the following
measures should be observed: (1) the glass vessel
which is used must be free from Pb, washed with hot
nitric acid and distilled water and dried so that
the opening remains free of dust and Pb; (2) the
arm of the worker should be washed with soap and
dried with a cloth free of Pb dust; (3) the work
should be carried out in a place free of Pb dust.
The author does not concur in a threshold limit of
800 yg Pb/1 of blood beyond which Pb poisoning is
considered proved, as set by the Social Security.
A serious saturnism may be present at a lower Pb
content in the blood and benign recent Pb intoxi-
cation at a higher blood concentration. The Pb
level in blood versus that in urine, the age of the
individual and the time of exposure should be con-
sidered. Pb poisoning is frequently contracted
from soiled hands. Therefore, the importance of
carefully washing the hands before eating cannot
be overemphasized.
2417
Justin-Besancon, L., Lamotte-Barrillon, S.,
Lamotte, M., Grivaux, M., Remy, H., and
Lamy, P.R. (Hosp. Cochin, Paris, France):
Forme polyneVritique sensitive de saturn-
isme. (SENSORY POLYNEURITIC FORM OF LFAD
POISONING.) Cahiers R.M.F. 76:531-4
(Sept.), 1962.
A case of Pb poisoning in which a 40-yr-old man
suffered from an unusually painful polyneuritis is
presented. Pb poisoning was established on the
basis of finding that the patient had been engaged
in painting old boats with a protective coat of Pb
oxide; on the basis of clinical examination, which
showed the presence of Burton line, abdominal col-
ics, diffuse pains in the extremities in addition
to polyneuritis; and on laboratory tests that re-
vealed that Pb contents in blood and urine were
1040 yg/1 and 240 yg/day, respectively, basophilic
stippling of erythrocytes (28 and 70/100 leuko-
cytes, in 2 tests) and increased urinary copropor-
phyrins (2.5 mg/24 hr). Other laboratory findings
excluded several conditions that had been consid-
ered as the cause of illness. The unusual form of
the polyneuritis in this patient is pointed out and
discussed. It involved all extremities, with ex-
tremely painful intermittent cramps, especially
upon movement; there was no vasomotor or trophic
disturbance, but upon exertion, fasclculations of
certain groups of muscles and fine tremblings of
extremities. After treatment with EDTA the Pb lev-
el in the blood returned to normal. However, the
patient was readmitted to the hospital after 3 mo
because of recurrence of polyneuritic pain which
responded subsequently to the same treatment. The
authors are concerned that since the neurologic
signs fit neither into the classical picture of
encephalopathy nor of the paralysis of extensors,
the syndrome may not be recognized legally, except
by medical experts, as a manifestation of Pb poi-
soning.
2418 Kar, A.: A SURVEY OF THE INCIDENCE OF LEAD
POISONING AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
IN LEAD PIGMENT MANUFACTURING FACTORIES IN
WEST BENGAL. Indian J. Indust. Med. 8:21-
31 (June), 1962.
This is a preliminary report of a survey undertaken
by the Certifying Surgeon of Factories at the sug-
gestion of the Chief Inspector of Factories, West
Bengal, where there are 4000 registered factories
in many of which Pb compounds are used. The pro-
cesses are described, and certain data given for
each one of 5 of the 7 factories where Pb pigments
and compounds are manufactured. Tables include
minimum, maximum and average values for atmospheric
Pb concentrations and urinary excretion of Pb and
porphyrins. The factory with the lowest values,
where atmospheric concentrations varied to give an
average value as high as 6 mg Pb/m3, was presumably
a small modern factory. In the one with the high-
est values the average figure was 165 mg/m3. Wash-
ing facilities were generally inadequate. Symptoms
of Pb intoxication were observed in 38-80% of the
workers examined in each factory. Confirmatory
clinical or laboratory findings of chronic Pb poi-
soning were found in 15-45% of workers with symp-
toms. Urgent improvements were considered neces-
sary in at least 3 factories. (From Bulletin of
Hygiene 38:19, 1963)
466
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
2419 Katsunuma, H., and Negishi, T. (Univ.
Tokyo, Japan): ON THE TREATMENT OF
RADIALIS-PARALYSIS FROM LEAD POISONING
WITH ADENOSINE-TRI-PHOSPHATE. Japanese
Journal of Experimental Medicine 62:149-61
(Apr.), 1962.
A case of Pb intoxication in a 24-yr-old man who
worked for ^5 yr in a Pb refinery where the
atmospheric concentration of Pb ranged from 0.2-
0.3 mg/m^, is described. The patient suffered
from paralysis of the muscles innervated by the
radialis nerve with considerable atrophy, anemia,
and precipitation of Pb on the gums. Histologic
examination of the affected muscles showed diffuse
hyaline and waxy degeneration without any inflam-
matory lesion or bleeding. The electromyograph
revealed low voltage, and a decrease in the fre-
quencies of neuromuscular unit discharge. Treat-
ment with CaNa2EDTA did not improve the paralysis.
Following daily iv administration of 10 rag adeno-
sine triphosphate for ^5 mo, the patient almost
completely recovered from the paralysis. (34
references)
2420 Khadzhiolov, Kh. (Med. Inst. Sofia, Bul-
garia) : Profesionalnoto khronichno otrav-
yane s olovo u nas prez poslednite 11
godini (kharakter, evolyutsiya i form!)
s ogled na profilaktichni izvodi za prakti-
kata. (OCCUPATIONAL CHRONIC LEAD POISON-
ING IN BULGARIA DURING THE PAST 11 YEARS
(ITS NATURE, COURSE, AND TYPES) WITH A
VIEW TOWARD ITS PREVENTION.) Nauchni Tru-
dove Visshiva Meditsinski Institut Sofiya
41, No. 5:33-48, 1962.
A group of 270 (236 of them male) patients with Pb
poisoning from various trades was observed over 11
yr. There were few cases with serious irreversi-
ble damage of the nervous, the hematopoietic and
vascular or gastrointestinal systems. The most
frequent initial complaints were fatigue, headache,
paresthesia and dyspepsia, followed by abdominal
colics and toxic anemia with basophilic stippling
(BS) of the erythrocytes. The hemoglobin (Hb) con-
tent in 44 patients was <60% and in 51 >80%. Liver
disturbances were observed in 10-20% of the pa-
tients, urobilinogen was found in the urine of
19.2%. Blood pressure was elevated in 9.9% of
the workers <40 yr of age and in 6.6% >40 yr old.
The gingival Pb line was present in 79.3%, BS in
40./% and coproporphyrinuria in 33.3%. In mild
cases, removal from exposure resulted in quick
recovery. More serious cases which exhibited Hb
<60%, paralyses and liver and kidney damage, show-
ed slow or incomplete recovery. Exacerbations
sometimes developed years after removal from Pb
exposure, due to Pb deposits in the organism
which, when mobilized, led to increased Pb levels
in the blood and urine. CaNa2EDTA is considered
useful in prophylaxis and therapy. It is pointed
out that even at the present time Pb concentra-
tions in the air of workshops often exceed by 10-
1000 times the MAC of 0.00001 mg Pb/1 of air.
(From author's English summary; 27 references)
2421 Kiseleva, A.M. (Central Inst. Sci. Phys-
iotherapy, Moscow, USSR): Bioelektriche-
skaya aktivnost golovnogo mozga u bol'nykh
s asteno-vegetativnym sindromom vsledstvie
khronichskoi intoksikatsii tetraetilsvint-
som. (BIOELECTRICAL ACTIVITY OF THE BRAIN
IN PATIENTS WITH ASTHENOAUTONOMIC SYNDROME
FOLLOWING CHRONIC TETRAETHYLLEAD POISON-
ING.) Zhurnal Nevropatologii i Psikhi-
atrii 62:709-15, 1962.
The cerebral bioelectrical activity was studied in
17 patients suffering from an asthenoautonomic syn-
drome due to chronic TEL poisoning. Three forms
of EEC disorders were found: (1) mild unstable
disorders limited to the appearance of slow irregu-
lar waves of low amplitude and isolated acute waves
(7 patients); (2) changes in the form of bursts of
electroactivity with the appearance on the EEC of
paroxysms arising spontaneously from theta waves
of high amplitude (3 patients); (3) diffuse dis-
turbances of electroactivity in all parts of the
type of desynchronization (3 cases) or of the hyper-
synchronization type of rhythms 14-22/sec (2) and
theta rhythm 5-6/sec (1). The author attributes
these disorders to circulatory disturbances by TEL
which produce transient phenomena of ischemia and
cerebral hypoxia, the same as secondary phenomena
of necrobiosis of cerebral cells. (14 references)
2422 Klendshoj, N.C., and Burke, W.J. (Univ.
Buffalo, N.Y.): DIAGNOSIS IN CHRONIC
INDUSTRIAL POISONING. Journal of the
American Medical Association 181:840-4
(Sept.), 1962.
Difficulties in differentiating between impairment
of health due to exposure to chemicals and dis-
eases caused by nonoccupational factors are dis-
cussed. The importance of the critical interpre-
tation of laboratory data and physical findings,
and the accurate determination of the factual en-
vironmental exposure in quantitative terms as
well as in respect to concomitant exposure both on
and off the job, is stressed. Exposure to Pb is
given as one illustration of the 1st point: The
presence of high concentrations of Pb in blood and
urine in patients does not justify diagnosis of
acute or chronic Pb poisoning unless other mani-
festations, ascribable to Pb, are present. The
application of laboratory procedures in view of
concomitant pathologic changes for the management
of the patient is also illustrated by cases of
kidney impairment in patients with Pb poisoning.
In discussing the assessment of factual exposure,
a case demonstrating the synergistic effect of ex-
posure to Pb and alcoholism is presented. A pa-
tient with a history of severe alcoholism, who had
been exposed to metal fumes (Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb), com-
plained of nausea, chills, weakness, loss of appe-
tite. Examination revealed coarse tremors of
hands and feet, and enlarged liver. Urine showed
0.53 mg Zn, 80 yg Cu, and 0.16 mg Pb. Progressive
agitation and disorientation with eventual shock
was followed by renal failure with acidosis; this
caused the mobilization of additional Pb from
inert storage. Following treatment with CaEDTA the
patient was discharged. The final diagnosis was a
combination of alcoholism with delirium tremens
and Pb intoxication exacerbated by acidosis. It
is speculated how much of th<> total picture can be
ascribed to each of these factors. While this is
admitted to be an extreme instance, the concomi-
tant and synergistic effect of alcohol is a common
pattern in exposure to chemicals.
Man
467
-------
2423 Klyuchnikova, E.A., and Atchabarov, B.A.
(USSR): Sostoyanie vkusovogo analizatora
i izmenenie ego pod vliyaniem bal'neologi-
cheskogo lecheniya u bol'nykh so svintso-
voi intoksikatsiei. (CONDITION OF THE
TASTE ANALYZER AND ITS MODIFICATION BY
BALNEOLOGIC TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH
LEAD POISONING.) Trudy Instituta Kraevoi
Patologii, Akademiya Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR
10:153-66, 1962.
The authors observed in 96 patients with chronic
Pb poisoning that disturbances of the sense of
taste for sweet products most often was of hyper-
geusia (in 36.45%) and seldom of hypo- and para-
geusia form, (5.2%), but for bitter products dis-
turbances of the sense of taste occurred with
equal frequency in all 3 forms and for acid and
salty food, disturbances occurred less frequently
than for sweet and bitter foods. After hot
springs cure they observed significant changes
toward normalization in the threshold of taste
perceptibility. (12 references)
2424 Koch, C., and Serra, M. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): Effetti dell'intossicazione da
piombo tetraetile sugli apparati acustico
e vestibolare. (THE EFFECTS OF TETRAETHYL-
LEAD POISONING ON HEARING AND VESTIBULAR
SYSTEMS.) Acta Medica Italica di Medicina
Tropicale e Subtropicale e di Gastroenter-
ologia 17:77-80 (April), 1962.
The authors wished to call attention to the pos-
sibility of disorders of the inner ear in chronic
poisoning by tetraethyllead (TEL). They define
chronic intoxication as that arising mostly from
the gastroenteric or cutaneous absorption, and the
acute, as one caused by the inhalation of TEL va-
pors.
Twelve workers engaged in the manufacture and
handling of TEL, aged 26-45 yr, showing symptoms
of a "slow" intoxication by TEL, who however were
able to continue work, were selected for the study.
Men >50 yr old, who might be affected by some loss
of hearing due to age, were excluded. The symp-
toms had begun with anorexia, nausea, salivation,
speech difficulty, gastric pain, diarrhea, fol-
lowed by insomnia, faulty memory, headache, irri-
tability, hypotension, at times bradycardia hypo-
thermia. In addition, they were affected by im-
paired hearing and dizziness which led the authors
to subject them to thorough otorhinolaryngologic
examination. The nasal and pharyngeal mucosa
showed only some hyperemia, at times edema. All
men examined showed some loss of hearing and inner
ear disorders of varying degree, depending upon
exposure to TEL.
In 9 particularly, more or less severe loss of
hearing was admitted, with difficulty in hearing
sounds of high frequency. Audiometric and vestib-
ular function were tested with modern apparatus.
Audiograms showed a symmetrical perception curve
that was almost normal to a frequency of 1000 Hz
with a progressive fall from 2000 Hz on. Positive
recruitment was found in 80%. Hearing damage var-
ied from a minimum of 30% to a maximum of 70%, and
was found to be of cochlear origin. Vestibular
function tests showed the following: the Romberg
test was positive in all cases, with uncertain
gait (Babinski-Weil), increased reflex activity to
thermal and rotatory stimuli, no spontaneous nys-
tagmus. Complete audiograms and results of ves-
tibular function tests of 2 of the cases are shown.
The results are interpreted to mean that aside
from causing disturbances of the nervous and di-
gestive systems (including the liver), the hypo-
tension in chronic TEL poisoning could produce the
labyrinthine disturbances by poor circulation in
this organ.
The authors conclude by saying that only few au-
thors have reported hearing disorders in TEL poi-
soning. However, the study of cochleovestibular
function could be of value, for in spite of work-
ing conditions, such cases are still seen by spe-
cialists.
2425 Konikova, G.S. (Inst. Hyg., Occup. Dis.,
Leningrad, USSR): Kholesterin i fosfo-
lipidy krovi pri dlitel'nom vozdeistvii
nekotorykh promyshlennykh yadov (svinets,
serouglerod i benzol). (CHOLESTEROL ME-
TABOLISM IN PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN
POISONS (LEAD, CARBON BISULFIDE, BEN-
ZENE) .) Terapevticheskii Arkhiv 34, No.
8:96-101, 1962.
The metabolism of cholesterol and phospholipids
was studied in 49 subjects with long exposure to
Pb (20 males, 29 females). Total cholesterol was
increased, total phospholipids were decreased. In
persons showing signs of intoxication, the in-
crease was more pronounced than in those who had
no overt signs: In controls, total cholesterol
was 175.8; in above 2 groups, 240.8 and 216.7 mg%,
respectively. The ratios of total phospholipids
to total cholesterol in the 3 above categories
were: 1.08 ± 0.01, 0.83 ±0.05, and 0.90 ± 0.03.
The authors conclude that the first stage of dis-
turbed cholesterol metabolism is represented by a
decrease of the stability of the bond between cho-
lesterol and protein.
2426 Kdsmider, S. (Silesian Med. Acad., Zabrze,
Poland): THE INFLUENCE OF DISODIUM CAL-
CIUM VERSENATE ON SERUM ALKALINE PHOSPHA-
TASE ACTIVITY. Polskie Archiwum Medycyny
Wewnetrznej 32, No. 11:338-43, 1962.
Since Ca disodium edathamil (EDTA) is being used
extensively in the treatment of Pb poisoning and
since it has been shown that EDTA may bind the
trace metals contained in enzymes, an investiga-
tion on the influence of EDTA on the activity of
blood serum alkaline phosphatase appeared to be
of interest.
Ten healthy men, aged 28-44 yr, were injected
intravenously with 2 g EDTA. Alkaline phosphatase
activity was determined before and 1 hr after EDTA
administration, using the Bodansky method (1933) ;
the amount of inorganic P released from the sub-
strate was measured by the method of Fiske-Sub-
barow (1958). In-vitro tests were carried out on
the serum of 15 healthy subjects by adding to the
serum EDTA solutions in concentrations ranging
from 10"^ to 1.0 M and determining the change of
alkaline phosphatase activity. A statistically
significant decrease of activity was found in both
series of tests. The mechanism of this action
was studied in vitro with the sera of 10 healthy
subjects by adding Zn sulfate or Mg chloride in
concentrations of 10~2 to 10 M to the prepara-
468
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
tion with EDTA. Measurements made after 1 hr's
Incubation showed that the Zn ions did not acti-
vate the alkaline phosphatase while Mg chloride
markedly activated the enzyme. This suggested to
the authors that EDTA inhibits serum alkaline
phosphatase by attracting the Mg ions from the
complex of phosphatase and by the formation of
non-ionized compounds eliminated by the kidneys.
The conclusion was drawn that in cases of Pb poi-
soning treated with EDTA, some trace metals - and
particularly Mg - have to be added to replenish
the deficiency caused by EDTA.
2427 Kosmider, S. (Silesian Acad. Med., Clinic
Int. Dis., Zabrze, Poland): Znaczenie
fosfatazy zasadowej surowicy w rozpozna-
waniu i leczeniu przewlek^ych zatruc
zawodowych ojowiem. (ROLE OF SERUM ALKA-
LINE PHOSPHATASE IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND
TREATMENT OF CHRONIC OCCUPATIONAL LEAD
POISONING.) Polskie Archiwum Medycyny
Wewnetrznej 32:1101-7 (Sept.), 1962.
See Abstract No. 2569.
2428 Kosmider, S., and Petelenz, T. (Clinic Int.
Med. Silesian Acad. Med., Zabrze, Poland):
Zmiany elektrokardiograficzne u starszych
osob z przewlekXytn zawodowym zatruciem
ojowiem. (ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN
ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING.) Polskie Archiwum Medycyny
Wewnetrznei 32:437-42, 1962.
The electrocardiograms of 38 Pb poisoning patients,
46-65 yr old, with 2-40 yr exposure in several
industries, were examined. A great portion of
these patients showed signs of organic heart
lesions. (From authors' summary)
2429 Koval'chuchenko, N.A. (USSR): Smertel'noe
otravlenie produktami ognestrel'nogo
zaryada. (FATAL POISONING BY FIREARMS
DISCHARGE.) Sudebno-Meditsinskaya Eksper-
tiza 5, No. 1:55-6, 1962.
The case described is that of a physician, 36 yr
old who was admitted to the hospital 12 hr after
receiving a gunshot wound into the hip. He died
4 mo later with encephalopathy and severe anemia
for which he had been treated with blood trans-
fusions. Pb poisoning was considered as the cause
because of finding stippled cells, Pb deposits in
the wound area, and the anemia.
2430 Krylov, A.A., and Frumkin, B.Z. (S.M. Kirov
Acad. War Med., Leningrad, USSR): K patoge-
nezu anemii pri khronicheskoi intoksikatsii
svintsom. (ON THE PATHOGENESIS OF ANEMIA
IN CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICATION.) Terapev-
ticheskii Arkhiv 34:95-6 (Nov.), 1962.
Modern concepts on the title subject are presented.
A hypothesis of the role of autoimmune mechanisms
in the occurrence of anemia is advanced. A case
history of chronic Pb intoxication is described;
the patient had a positive Coombs test at the
height of the disease. Anti-erythrocytic anti-
bodies disappeared after treatment with CaNa2EDTA.
The author is of the opinion that the autoantigens
are metalloproteids which had formed due to block-
age by Pb of the active groups of protein molecules
in the blood and tissues.
2431 Lachnit, V., and Jellinger, K. (Univ.
Clinic Vienna, Austria): Zur Problematik
der Bleinenzephalopathie. (THE PROBLEM OF
LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY.) Wiener Zeitschrift
fUr innere Medizin 43:507-14 (Dec.), 1962.
The syndrome of Pb encephalopathy is reviewed and
2 cases of chronic occupational Pb poisoning are
described. One of the patients, aged 62 yr, had
worked for 3 yr as a mixer in a synthetic plas-
tics plant where he had handled large quantities
of Pb stearate; the other one, 61 yr, had been
occupied as a solderer for 13 yr. Urinary Pb ex-
cretion in the 2 subjects was 85->200 and 150-325
Ug/1, respectively. Patient 1 showed distinct
signs of Pb encephalopathy whereas the neurologic
disturbances in the 2nd case were attributed to
vascular alterations caused by the advanced age of
the patient.. The latter also showed kidney damage.
Both patients were treated with EDTA. Dosage was
lowered for the 2nd patient. (70 references)
2432 L'Epee, P., Lazarini, H.-J., Dervillee, E.,
Clus, and Coursan, P. (France): 12 Cas
d'intoxication professionnelle par 1'ar-
seniate de plomb apparus dans la meme
commune rurale. (12 CASES OF LEAD POISON-
ING CAUSED BY LEAD ARSENATE OCCURRING IN
THE SAME RURAL COMMUNITY.) Concours Med-
ical 84:6533-6 (Dec.), 1962.
Twelve cases of occupational Pb poisoning are re-
ported which occurred in the municipality of
Labatut (Landes). The farmers involved used a
mixture of Pb arsenate (0.350-0.500 kg) to make a
100-1 solution to spray their fruit trees. The
precautionary measures recommended were neglected
in 11 of these cases. Six of the cases are de-
scribed in detail. Pb colics, changes in the blood,
and renal damage (severe) were found in all of
them. Other of the classical indications were far
less often found: radial paralysis in 1; Burton's
line in 2; arthralgia and myalgia in 4. In 3
cases parotid gland disorders were frequently
noticed. The authors briefly discuss some medico-
legal and industrial-medical aspects. They men-
tion, in closing, to explain this epidemic of
poisoning, that this is a region of large grape
orchards, with grapes grown high so that one has
to spray upward. The orchardists changed from Ca
to Pb arsenate without inquiring beforehand about
the hazards.
2433 Linari, F., Piccoli, G., Emanuelli, G.,
and Coscia, G.C. (Univ. Turin, Italy):
Alcuni rilievi sul quadro funzionale
renale ed urinario nel saturnismo. (RENAL
AND URINARY FUNCTION IN LEAD POISONING.)
Medicina del Lavoro 53:805-10 (Dec.),
1962.
The clearance of thiosulfate and p-amonohippuric
acid (PAH) was studied in 18 patients in various
stages of Pb intoxication, acute, subacute and
chronic, and in the stage of excessive Pb absorp-
tion. The time of exposure in these subjects
ranged from 2 mo-35 yr. Clearance values of PAH
(renal plasma flux) and Na thiosulfate (glomerular
filtration) ranged from 310-1629 and 53-190 cc
respectively. The wide scattering of these values
was attributed to the individual anatomical condi-
tion of the vessels and their vasomotor function-
Man
469
-------
ing. In a part of the cases, tubular dysfunction
was suspected. The increased non-protein N in the
blood may be caused also by an increased protein-
breakdown. (7 references)
2434 McBride, W.W., and Proctor, B.C. (Dept.
Health Commonwealth Pennsylvania, Harris-
burg) : LEAD POISONING IN DEMOLITION WORK.
Industrial Medicine and Surgery 31:31-2
(Jan.), 1962.
A medical investigation was conducted following a
report of 2 cases of Pb poisoning among workers
engaged in cutting steel girders coated with
several layers of Pb paint with a propane-oxygen
torch, in a demolition of a rural bridge. A visit
to the site, after learning that others had com-
plained of feeling ill, showed ^12 men engaged in
torch cutting steel girders. Respirators were not
provided, but in spite of the heavy fumes evolved,
the workmen would not admit feeling ill. A sample
of the paint contained 21.6% Pb, Breathing zone
air samples showed a Pb content as high as 3.1
mg/m of air. The general air 20 ft down wind
from the worker contained 0.46 mg Pb/m^ air. With
some difficulty, the authors tracked down some of
the former workers and discovered at least 7 cases
of Pb poisoning with symptoms ranging from abdomi-
nal pains to extreme nervousness and anemia. Uri-
nary Pb values ranged from 0.70-0.96 mg/1, in-
creased stippled cells, and coproporphyrinuria
were found. After collecting the evidence, the
operation was temporarily suspended and orders
given to control the hazard. The difficulty in
diagnosis of occupational Pb poisoning and its
occurrence in open air, under natural good venti-
lation conditions, is emphasized.
2435 Maksudov, N., and Talipov, Sh.T.: (PRE-
LIMINARY EXAMINATION OF KIDNEY STONE COM-
POSITION.) Uzbeksk. Khim. Zh. 6, No. 4:
88-90, 1962.
The chemical composition of kidney stones from 49
patients from 7 districts of Uzbekistan was stud-
ied by spectral analysis. The content of Si, Al,
Ca, Na, K, Fe, Mg, P, Ba, Sr, Mn, Ti, Cr, Mo, Ag,
Cu, Pb, Zn, Ce, La, and Zn was determined. Dif-
ferent results were obtained for stones from pa-
tients from different districts. Cr, Ti, La, and
Ce were found in kidney stones for the first time.
(From Chemical Abstracts 58:5758, 1963)
2436 Mann, T.S. (Western Infirmary, Glasgow,
Scotland): LEAD INTOXICATION IN THE SUR-
GICAL WARDS. Scottish Medical Journal
7:36-41 (Jan.), 1962.
A brief description is presented of 6 misdiagnosed
cases of Pb intoxication in which all patients
suffering from abdominal pain underwent unneces-
sary operation. In each case operative findings
were normal and symptoms continued unchanged until
diagnosis of Pb intoxication was made. Diagnostic
and therapeutic aspects of Pb intoxication are
reviewed.
2437 Mappes, R. (Inst. Forens. Med. Bochum,
Westfalen, Germany): Die ZuverlHssigkeit
von Schnellmethoden zur Porphyrinbestim-
mung im Harn von Bleiarbeitern. (THE RE-
LIABILITY OF RAPID METHODS FOR THE DETER-
MINATION OF PORPHYRIN IN THE URINE OF LEAD
WORKERS.) Zentralblatt fllr Arbeitsmedi-
zin und Arbeitsschutz 12:271-3 (Nov.),
1962.
The reliability of the methods of de Langen and
Brugsch were spectrographically tested in ^160 re-
peated determinations. In the range of 200-2000
y/1, which is important for the purpose of prophy-
laxis, de Langen's method gives only very indefi-
nite semi-quantitative results whereas Brugsch's
method yields data of satisfactory accuracy.
2438 Markicevic, A. and Beritic, T. (Inst. for
Med. Research and Ind. Med., Zagreb, Yugo-
slavia) : Cetiri slucaja otrovanja olovnim
tetraetilom. (FOUR CASES OF TETRAETHYL-
LEAD POISONING.) Arhiv za Higijenu Rada
i Toksikologiyu 13:311-7, 1962.
TEL poisoning was reported in 3 workers in an oil
refinery who were occupied cleaning a tank from
which ethylated gasoline had been removed 2 days
before. The men, aged 31-35 yr, had been employed
in the refinery for 5-8 yr. They worked 8 hr on
the first day, apparently using a mask. The next
day, they removed rust from the tank for ^15 min
without wearing a mask. Fifteen min after leaving
the tank they suddenly felt weak and dizzy and
later vomited. Laboratory findings were normal
but some neurological disturbances such as tremors
of the eyelids and fingers, were observed.
In the 4th case, a 35-yr-old man had worked for
3 yr as assistant driver in a storage place for
gasoline. He was filling and emptying fuel tanks
for 8-16 hr daily, in a poorly ventilated place.
During the last 5 mo he had become irritable, had
.nightmares in his sleep or suffered from insomnia,
was often nauseated and had lost weight. A diag-
nosis of chronic poisoning by TEL was established
on the basis of Pb in blood (166.84 yg%) and in
spinal fluid (99.1 ug%). Methods of treatment in
TEL poisoning are discussed. Dimercaptopropanol
(BAL) and CaNa2EDTA were used in the above case by
the authors, but did not bring the expected im-
provement or excretion of Pb. Their cases reacted
favorably to treatment with cyclobarbital. The
need for the strict observance of safety measures
is emphasized.
2439 Masuya, Y. (Osaka City Univ. Grad. School,
Japan): A STUDY ON THE IRON METABOLISM
IN LEAD POISONING. I. SERUM IRON CONTENT
OF LEAD WORKERS; II. SERUM IRON OF LEAD-
POISONED ANIMALS; III. FATE OF 59pe AD-
MINISTERED TO LEAD-POISONED ANIMALS.
Osaka Shiritsu Daigaku Igaku Zasshi 11:
257-62; 263-70; 271-7, 1962.
I. The serum Fe content was found to be higher in
a group of Pb refiners than in a group of Pb oxi-
dation workers. Most Pb workers, however (76% of
the refiners and 91% of the oxidation workers),
showed a serum Fe level which was comparable to
that of healthy Japanese males (arithmetic mean,
113.2 yg/100 ml). There seemed to be no correla-
tion between serum Fe content and the red cell
count, Hb content and urinary CP excretion.
II. Compared with a control group, Pb-adminis-
tered rabbits showed little weight gain. A grad-
ual decrease in Hb content and increase in urinary
coproporphyrin were observed. Stippled cells ap-
470
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
peared 3 days after administration of Pb at an
irregular rate of appearance. No significant
changes in white cell counts were observed in both
control and Pb groups. Serum Fe and glutamic-
oxalacetic transaminase reached maxima 2-3 wk
after administration and returned to the initial
value after discontinuation of the treatment.
III. Pb-poisoned mice were injected iv with Fe
glucuronide labeled with 59pe- ip]ie results showed
the disappearance of -*"Fe in plasma to be at a
slower rate than in the control animals. The up-
take of 59pe in liver, spleen, and bone marrow was
markedly suppressed as compared with controls.
(From author's English summaries)
2440 Meachim, G. (Univ. Sheffield, England):
THE INTERPRETATION OF ERYTHROCYTE STIP-
PLING IN LEAD WORKERS. American Indus-
trial Hygiene Association Journal 23:245-
8 (May-June), 1962.
Stippled cell counts were carried out over an av-
erage of 34.8 mo on 40 workers at a smelting plant
in which all were exposed to a comparable risk of
Pb fumes and dust. The blood films obtained were
stained with methylene blue and examined by trans-
mitted light. In 4 workers suffering from early
symptoms of Pb poisoning such as tiredness and
lack of appetite, stippled cell counts ranged from
2750-7000/million red cells (av 2417/million),
showing an upward trend accompanied by the devel-
opment of toxic symptoms. Hb in 3 was 3.8 g and
in 1, 13.5/100 ml. In 36 workers free of any
clinical signs of Pb poisoning, stippled cell
counts showed an average of 244/million, with no
persistent upward trend. Only in 3 cases the
counts increased to within the range found in the
1st group. Because of variations in the individu-
al susceptibility to the toxic action of Pb, it is
not possible to set a stippled cell level for di-
agnosis of Pb intoxication. However, counts
>2000/million, determined with the technique used
above, are indicative of excessive Pb absorption.
2441 Mel'nikova, E.A., Parasenko, Z.G., and
Artamonova, T.A.: (ALTERATIONS IN SERUM
PROTEINS IN INDIVIDUALS WORKING WITH GASO-
LINE AND ETHYLATED GASOLINE.) Nauchn. Tr.
Kubansk. Cos. Med. Inst. 1962, No. 19:77-
83; Chemical Abstracts 61:6257,' 1964.
See Abstract No. 2585.
2442 Moeschlin, S, (Med. Clinic, Mun. Hosp.,
Solothurn, Switzerland): Exogen bedingte
toxische Veranderungen des Knochenmarks.
(EXOGENOUS TOXIC BONE MARROW CHANGES.)
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
50:35-58 (Dec.), 1962.
The hematotoxic effect of Pb on erythropoiesis is
discussed. By inhibiting porphobilinogenase, Pb
inhibits the synthesis of porphobilinogen (PEG)
which results in increased urinary excretion of
ALA (from the normal amount of 2 mg/24 hr to 150
mg/24 hr). The determination of urinary ALA acid
is therefore very important for an early diagnosis
of Pb intoxication. Alterations in blood and bone
marrow in chronic Pb intoxication are reviewed.
Due to the inhibition of PEG synthesis, the num-
ber of erythroblasts increases and pathologic
forms with basophil stippling of the cytoplasm
and deposits of unattached Fe may occur. Granu-
locytopoiesis is not affected. For therapeutic
purposes, administration of CaNa2EDTA in doses
not exceeding 20 mg/kg/day is recommended. (28
references)
2443 Moore, M.T. (Univ. Pennsylvania, Philadel-
phia) : HUMAN TOXOCARA CANIS ENCEPHALITIS
WITH LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY. Journal of
Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
21:201-18 (Apr.), 1962.
A fatal case of a 22-mo-old boy who had shown
clinical symptoms of Pb encephalopathy is present-
ed. Postmortem examination of the brain revealed
evidence of invasion by infective 2nd-stage larvae
of Toxocara canis. Chemical analysis for Pb show-
ed 2.15 mg/100 g wet weight in kidney, 0.623 mg/1
in urine, and 0.284 mg% in blood. The common and
distinguishing features of the neurological dis-
orders caused by Pb encephalopathy and by Toxocara
canis, and their relationship to unhygienic habits
of pica and geophagia in children are discussed.
(38 references)
2444 Morduchowicz, N., and Slutzky, L. (Argen-
tina): La gota saturnina. Presentacion
de una observacidn clinica. (SATURNINE
GOUT. PRESENTATION OF A CLINICAL CASE.)
Dia Medico 34:1776-8 (Sept.), 1962.
Saturnine gout develops generally in Pb workers
within 5-10 yr after the beginning of Pb intoxica-
tion; the syndrome is similar to that of the com-
mon gout. The case of a 50-yr-old worker in a
battery factory is described. The diagnosis of
gout was established on the basis of X-ray studies
of the feet and laboratory analyses of the urine.
2445 Muller, M., Fontaine, G., and Leleu, G.,
(with assistance from Vercouter, B.) (Inst.
Leg. Soc. Med., Lille, France): Etude
immuno-e'lectrophore'tique des prote"ines
se'riques dans le saturnisme professionnel.
(IMMUNO-ELECTROPHORETIC STUDY OF SERUM
PROTEINS IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD INTOXICA-
TION.) Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles de Medecine du Travail et de S&-
curite Sociale 23:541-3 (Sept.), 1962.
By the use of micro-immunoelectrophoresis on agar
method, the behavior of serum proteins was studied
in 18 cases of Pb intoxication, 17 of which were
of moderate degree, and 1 of Pb colic. All sub-
jects were employed at an accumulator factory and
had shown a variable degree of clinical signs of
Pb intoxication (Burton's line), moderate anemia
(3,700,000 red cells/mm3), and 30% or more stip-
pled cells. Specific stainings of the various pro-
tein components and comparisons with normal human
polyvalent antiserum revealed the presence of all
normal protein constituents. Excess amounts of y~
globulin and transferrin were found in 2/3 of the
cases and of haptoglobin in 1/2 of the cases.
2446 Murakami, S., Tanaka, T., Kato, C.,
Miyazawa, M., Takayama, E., Sakurada, T.,
Motoyasu, M., Watanabe, K., and Siokawa,
Y.: (CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS ON PATIENTS
WITH LEAD POISONING. ON 50 CASES IN A MASS
OUTBREAK IN A CERTAIN FACTORY.) Naika 11:
1289-92 (June), 1962.
Man
471
-------
2447 Nurmaganbetov, E.K. (Kazakh Acad. Sci.,
USSR): Sostoyanie funktsii kory nadpo-
chechnikov u bol'nykh so svintsovoi intok-
sikatsiei. (THE FUNCTIONAL STATE OF ADRE-
NAL CORTEX IN PATIENTS IN THE COURSE OF
LEAD INTOXICATION.) Trudy Instituta
Kraevoi Patologii, Akademiya Nauk Kazakh-
skoi SSR 10:128-31, 1962.
The urinary excretion of 17-keto steroids and the
results of the Thorn test were examined in 50 pa-
tients (20->40 yr old) with occupational Pb intox-
ication of varying degrees of severity, and in 20
controls. Mild poisoning was present in 20 with
from 5-15 yr of exposure; medium type in 20 with
5->21 yr exposure, and severe in 10 with from 6-20
yr exposure. The amounts of steroids in the urine
in mild, medium and severe intoxication and in
controls were (mg/24 hr) 7.9, 6.52, 5.0 and 16.0,
respectively. The Thorn test was negative in 60%
of the patients. The author concludes that Pb
poisoning causes a depression of adrenal gland
function which parallels the severity of the dis-
ease.
2448 o'hlsson, W.T.L. (Central Hosp., Srebro,
Sweden) : PENICILLAMINE AS LEAD-CHELATING
SUBSTANCE IN MAN. British Medical Jour-
nal 1:1454-6 (May 26), 1962.
Pb values in urine and blood of 8 patients who
were treated for Pb intoxication with penicilla-
mine (3-B-dimethylcysteine) are tabulated. Some
of the patients were also given a course of iv
CaNa2EDTA either before, during, or after a course
iv of penicillamine. Others, before an oral
course of penicillamine, were given benzyl-peni-
cillin in a dose of 2 mega-units for 4 days, first
orally and then intramuscularly. The iv dose of
penicillamine was 1-3 g in 500 mg saline, the drip
taking 2-3 hr; the oral dose was 0.3-1 g. These
daily doses were given for 2-5 days. No side ef-
fects were noted. Penicillamine caused increased
urinary excretion of Pb, even with the small oral
doses in mild cases where the blood Pb was low.
The iv penicillamine caused urinary Pb values
comparable to those caused by EDTA, and both to-
gether gave evidence of summation. Only a moder-
ate extra increase was obtained by doubling or
trebling the penicillamine as it did with EDTA.
The penicillin itself caused increased urinary
excretion of Pb, but only after the 1st dose. The
2nd dose increased the blood Pb content. As yet
the implication of this increase is obscure.
2449 Paolino, W. (Univ. Turin, Italy): Acqui-
sizioni e problem! nell'ambito dell'emopa-
tia saturnina. (ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PROB-
LEMS IN THE FIELD OF SATURNINE BLOOD DIS-
EASES.) Archivio per le Scienze Mediche
109:23-32, 1962.
Clinical findings concerning the blood picture in
Pb poisoning are reviewed and their implications
are discussed. (27 references)
2450 Parigi, A., and Capellaro, F. (Univ.
Turin; Mauriziano Hosp., Italy): Sul
problema diagnostico e terapeutico degli
esiti a distanza di pregressa intossicazi-
one acuta da Pb. (THE DIAGNOSTIC AND
THERAPEUTIC PROBLEM OF THE LATE SEQUELAE
OF PREVIOUS ACUTE LEAD POISONING.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 45:293-300 (Apr.), 1962.
Fifty-six men, aged 32-58 yr, who had been removed
from Pb exposure for at least 5 yr after having
worked as Pb filers for an average of 4 yr, were
studied. In 16 of this group (30%) there was evi-
dence of hypertension and 13 (23%) showed albumi-
nuria. Urinary coproporphyrin in 15 subjects
ranged from 49-269 ug/1 with 8 of these cases
>100 ug/1 and urinary Pb excretion before and
after iv administration of EDTA was 55-176 and
470-3275 Ug/1, respectively. It is concluded
that workers, after cessation of Pb exposure,
should be treated with EDTA in order to remove any
stored Pb before it may produce any irreversible
changes. (18 references)
2451 Parigi, A., and Giovanelli, E. (Ospedale
Mauriziano, Turin, Italy): Sugli effetti
collateral! del trattamento con CaNa2EDTA
per via orale. (SIDE EFFECTS OF ORAL
TREATMENT WITH CaNa2EDTA). Lavoro e
Medicina 16, No. 3:48-51, 1962
A group of 280 workers exposed to Pb were treated
prophylactically with daily oral doses of 2.5 g
CaNa2EDTA for 1 wk, followed by 1 wk of rest, for
15 mo. The blood content of Fe, Cu, Na, K, choles-
terol, transferrin, lipo- and ferroproteins, and
prothrombin and coagulation time were determined.
No alterations from corresponding data in controls
were noted.
2452 Parigi, A., and Rasetti, L. (Univ. Turin,
Italy): Azione del CaEDTA per via orale
sul metabolismo dei precursor! porfirinici
nell'impregnazione saturnina. (ACTION OF
ORALLY ADMINISTERED CaEDTA ON THE METABO-
LISM OF THE PORPHYRINIC PRECURSORS IN LEAD
POISONING.) Lavoro e Medicina 16, No. 3:
44-50, 1962.
Urinary excretion of porphobilinogen, 6-aminole-
vulinic acid (ALA), coproporphyrin and Pb, and
free erythrocytic protoporphyrin and Pb in the
blood were measured in 8 Pb-polishers weekly for
2 wk. During the 3rd wk, each man was given an
oral dose of 2 g CaNaEDTA daily for 6 days, while
tests were continued during this and the following
4 wk. Administration of CaNa2EDTA produced a mod-
est and not significant reduction of urinary por-
phobilinogen (av during wk 1, 2, 3 and 4, respec-
tively, 8.02, 6.75, 5.18, and 4.7 uM/24 hr), but
a. marked reduction of ALA (121, 143, 93, 106 yM/
24 hr). Erythrocytic protoporphyrin fluctuated
(181, 322, 259, 218 yg/100 cc of red blood cells)
whereas urinary coproporphyrin decreased by 50%
(862, 1762, 625, 703 yg%/24 hr). Blood Pb showed
slight insignificant variations (78, 92, 66, 71
yg/100 cc) but urinary Pb excretion increased con-
siderably (248, 503, 718, 563 pg%/24 hr) . Based
on their findings of a rapid reduction of the pre-
cursors of porphyrin the authors assume a direct
action of EDTA on the metabolism of porphyrin.
The effect of orally administered EDTA seems to
vary somewhat because no reduction of the porphy-
rin precursors was found in 2 cases with high Pb
absorption. Possibly, the dose of administered
CaNa2EDTA had been insufficient or the drug had
been insufficiently absorbed.
472
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
2453 Pecora, L. (Univ. Naples, Italy): Metabo-
lismo delle porfirine e malattie profes-
sional!. (METABOLISM OF PORPHYRINS AND
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.) Medicina del
Lavoro 53:29-35 (Jan.), 1962.
The biosynthesis and pathogenesis of porphyrins in
Pb and other intoxications are reviewed. Accord-
ing to the author, disturbances in porphyrin me-
tabolism are due to an increased synthesis of
these pigments rather than to the blocking action
of Pb. Porphyrins are capable of chelating Pb and
of favoring its elimination. It is concluded that
secondary disturbances of porphyrins have a common
pathogenesis involving the activation of numerous
enzyme systems connected with the synthesis of
heme. (From author's summary; 39 references)
2454 Perol, R. , Graveleau, J., Potter, M., and
Morin, M. (Med. Serv. Foch Med.-Surg.
Center, France): Effets therapeutiques de
la D-penicillamine dans trois cas de satur-
nisme. (THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF D-PEN1CIL-
LAMINE IN THREE CASES OF LEAD POISONING.)
Semaine des Hopitaux Paris 38:3342-7 (Oct.
26), 1962.
Three patients suffering from Pb intoxication were
treated orally with penicillamine in doses of 150
mg every 4-8 hr, amounting to 450-900 rag/day, in-
termittently for 6-11 days. No untoward effects
were noted. Urinary Pb excretion increased gener-
ally within a few hours after administration.
Penicillamine appears to be a useful therapeutic
agent in Pb intoxication though possibly not quite
as effective as EDTA.
2455 Perry, H.M., Jr., Tipton, I.H., Schroeder,
H.A., and Cook, M.J. (Washington Univ.,
St. Louis, Mo.): VARIABILITY IN THE METAL
CONTENT OF HUMAN ORGANS. Journal of Lab-
oratory and Clinical Medicine 60:245-53
(Aug.), 1962.
Concentrations of essential (Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu,
Zn, Mo) and nonessential metals (Sr, Ba, Al, Ti,
V, Cr, Ni, Ag, Cd, Sn, Pb) in organs of 110 Cau-
casoid and 40 Negroid Americans, >20 yr of age
(^44 yr) from 8 metropolitan areas, who had no
evident disease prior to their sudden accidental
deaths, were determined and compared with values
obtained from analyses of materials of 100 foreign
adult subjects from 8 different geographical areas,
>20 yr of age, many of whom had been chronically
ill. In the tabulation of data, the highest and
lowest 10% of individual concentrations were dis-
carded. The absolute concentrations given were the
resulting values for the 10th and 90th percentiles,
and 80% ranges were ratios of 90710th percentiles.
For the essential metals, the 80% range of concen-
trations was usually <3.5 and almost always <7.0;
for the nonessential, >7 and often >14. These
ranges were equally valid for the US healthy sub-
jects, and similar but somewhat larger for the
foreign chronically ill group. The Pb concentra-
tions, in yM/g tissue ash, were as follows re-
spectively in the US and foreign adults: liver,
0.29-1.2 and 0.14-1.4; kidney, 0.21-1.1 and 0.077-
0.72; lung, 0.062-0.68 and 0.077, 0.75; aorta,
0.17-1.4 and <0.02-0.16; heart, <0.2-0.087 and
<0.02-0.26; spleen, 0.033-0.43 and 0.023-0.48;
brain, <0.02-0.19 and 0.02-0.20. The mediam con-
centration of Pb in organs of 10 infants who died
in St. Louis at <1 mo of age was 0.10 yM Pb/g of
tissue ash in kidney.
2456 Peters, A., de Wyn, J., and Renaud, M.:
ERYTHROCYTES WITH BASOPHILIC GRANULATIONS
IN THE ABSENCE OF LEAD POISONING. Rev.
Med. Nancy 87:37-46, 1962.
Pb is known to convert coproporphyrin III into
protoporphyrin. The stippling and granulation in
red cells in thalassemia and other conditions pos-
sibly involve a similar mechanism of chemical
change in products of hemoglobin. (From Chemical
Abstracts 56:14835, 1962)
2457 Pettinati, L., Gribaudo, C., Coscia, G.C.,
and Saracco, C. (Univ. Turin, Italy):
Aspetti dell'eliminazione del piombo nel
saturnismo durante trattamento con ver-
senato. (ASPECTS OF THE ELIMINATION OF
LEAD IN SATURNISM DURING TREATMENT WITH
EDTA.) Folia Medica (Naples) 45:89-104
(Feb.), 1962.
Pb elimination in the urine, feces, gastric juice
and bile were determined before and after treat-
ment with CaEDTA in 5 subjects, 3 of whom were
suffering from Pb colic, 2 of extensive Pb absorp-
tion and 1 of chronic Pb lesions. EDTA was ad-
ministered iv in a single dose of 1.8 g in 3
cases. In another case, a single iv dose of 1.8
g was followed, after 2 wk, by 3 additional con-
secutive iv doses, and in a 4th case the iv dose
of 1.8 g was followed, after 5 days, by 3 daily
oral doses of 2.5 g each. Before treatment Pb
values in the feces were higher than in the urine;
after iv administration of EDTA Pb values in the
feces decreased while the urinary Pb levels in-
creased. In the only case treated orally there
was evidence of increased elimination of Pb both
in the urine and feces. Elimination of Pb in the
gastric juice following iv administration of EDTA
increased after a very short time, while Pb elim-
ination in the bile was only slightly influenced
by the chelating agent. (19 references)
2458 Pettinati, L., Gribaudo, C., and Rasetti,
L.: (ORAL AND INTRAVENOUS VERSENATE IN
THE THERAPY OF CHRONIC LESIONS CAUSED BY
LEAD.) Minerva Medica 53:2092-7 (July),
1962.
Five patients, suffering from cardiovascular, ner-
vous, or renal lesions caused by chronic Pb in-
toxication, were given orally 2.5 g EDTA/day for
4 days, followed by a single iv dose of 1.5 g
EDTA. Pb excretion in urine reached levels 3
times as high as those determined before oral
treatment and then dropped on the 2nd day. Fol-
lowing the iv injection of EDTA Pb levels were 5
times as high as those before treatment. The
findings indicated that EDTA is a useful thera-
peutic agent in treatment of chronic Pb intoxica-
tion, and that the iv route is more effective.
No unfavorable reaction was observed under either
form of EDTA administration. Although the degree
of effectiveness of EDTA therapy is conditioned by
renal function, this therapy is recommended even
in cases of serious renal impairment.
2459
Pettinati, L., Rasetti, L., and Gribaudo,
Man
473
-------
C. (Univ. Turin, Italy): Sul problema
clinico del saturnismo da ritenzione di
proiettili. (THE CLINICAL PROBLEM OF LEAD
INTOXICATION BY THE RETENTION OF BULLETS.)
Minerva Medica 53:1216-18 (Apr.), 1962.
On the basis of the authors' experience in the
University Hospital, they believe that the reten-
tion of Pb splinters or projectiles rarely pro-
duces clinical signs of intoxication. Only one
out of 7 subjects seen by them showed symptoms
indicative of Pb poisoning and he and 1 other pa-
tient had elevated Pb levels in the blood. These
findings were not accompanied by significant in-
creases of copro- or protoporphyrin nor by the
appearance of stippled erythrocytes. The absence
of toxic effects is explained by the fact that Pb
is present in the tissues in coarse particles em-
bedded in fibrous tissue and in this state is not
absorbed.
2460 Posner, A.: (Manhattan Eye, Ear, and
Throat Hosp., N.Y.) GLAUCOMA CAUSED BY
EXPOSURE TO TETRAETHYLLEAD GASOLINE.
Notes on Ophthalmology. Eye, Ear, Nose
and Throat Monthly 40:853, 855 (Dec.),
1961; 41:57-8 (Jan.), 129-30 (Feb.), 1962.
Russian studies on the relation between TEL poi-
boning and the occurrence of glaucoma are dis-
cussed. Two of a series of articles by A.E.
Shevalev and Z.M. Skripnichenko (1947-59) are re-
viewed in detail. The author states that while
he has been successful in producing glaucoma in
animals by sanguinarine, pilot studies with TEL
injected into rabbits have been inconclusive.
Among 800 cases of primary glaucoma seen in his
private practice, only 3 patients had been found
whose glaucoma might have been related to pro-
longed exposure to TEL. Two of them had been at-
tendants in a gasoline station and the 3rd one
was a research chemist in a gasoline plant.
2461 Prpic'-Majic', D., Sarid, M. , BeritiC, T.,
and Kersanc, E. (Inst. Med. Research,
Zagreb, Yugoslavia): Ucinak razlicitih
terapijskih doza kompleksona EDTA na
klinicke i laboratorijske znakove trovanja
olovom. (EFFECT OF VARIOUS THERAPEUTIC
DOSES OF THE EDTA COMPLEXON ON CLINICAL
AND LABORATORY SYMPTOMS OF LEAD POloON-
ING.) Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksiko-
logiju 13:29-43, 1962.
A group of 19 patients (12 men and 7 women, av
age, 38 yr) with Pb poisoning were treated with an
infusion of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) in
5% glucose. (The cause of poisoning was occupa-
tional in 9, and Pb-glazed dishes in 10.) Daily
doses, divided into 2 equal parts in the morning
and afternoon, ranged from 2.4 to 24 g. urinary
excretion of Pb, Pb level in the blood, number of
basophilic stippled cells and urinary coproporphy-
rin were determined in the course of therapy.
Special attention was paid to possible nephrotoxic
effects of the drug. Best results were obtained
by administration of daily doses of 2.4-4.8 g EDTA
for 2-3 days with 5-7-day intervals between treat-
ments. The gradual introduction of unusually
large doses of EDTA is explained by the favorable
experience gained with such large doses in the
treatment of a patient with severe Pb encephalopa-
thy. Although there is no ground for the need of
a larger daily EDTA dose - at least judging by
laboratory data on Pb elimination and Pb blood
values - the absence of any toxic side-effects in
the course of treatment is deemed significant.
Even symptoms indicative of kidney lesions before
treatment was begun proved to be no contraindica-
tion for the administration of EDTA. (21 refer-
ences)
2462 Rasetti, I., Gribaudo, C., and Concina,
E. (Univ. Turin, Italy): Segni emato-
chimici e loro correlazioni nella intos-
sicazione da piombo. (BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES
OF THE BLOOD AND THEIR CORRELATION IN LEAD
POISONING.) Lavoro Umano 14, No. 4:171-
80, 1962.
The study comprised 42 cases of occupational Pb
poisoning, hospitalized in the Institute of Inter-
nal Medicine, University of Turin, over a period
of 5 yr; 26 were in the state of acute poisoning
with Pb colic and anemia, and the 16 cases of
chronic poisoning showed evident damage of the
nervous, cardiovascular, and renal systems. The
men ranged in age from 20-60 yr and had been ex-
posed to Pb from 2 mo to 40 yr. The data exam-
ined, and shown separately in tables for acute and
chronic poisoning, included the time elapsed since
exposure, type of work, number of erythrocytes,
reticulocytes, and stippled red cells, urinary
coproporphyrin, red-cell protoporphyrin, Pb in
blood and urine. Correlations sought were as fol-
lows: red-cell protoporphyrin to reticulocytes,
to red cells, and to blood-Pb; red cells to blood-
Pb; reticulocytes to red cells.
In chronic poisoning, no correlation was demon-
stratable among the constituents examined. In the
acute phase, the only relationship found was an
inverse one between the number of reticulocytes
and of red cells. While there was no correlation
between the latter and the levels of Pb in blood,
a characteristic decrease in red cells was evident
when the blood-Pb exceeded 100 yg%.
The following results are pointed out; even in
moderately severe chronic poisoning there is often
no anemia. Furthermore, the number of basophil
stippled erythrocytes does not permit a definite
diagnosis of Pb poisoning, particularly of the
acute type, nor does it give an indication of the
gravity of the poisoning. It is emphasized that
all available tests should be carried out before a
diagnosis of Pb poisoning is established.
2463 Rasetti, L., and Parigi, A. (Univ. Turin,
Italy): L'acldo 6-amino-levulico serico
ed urinario nell'intossicazione saturnina.
(SERUM AND URINARY 6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID
IN LEAD POISONING.) Folia Medica (Naples)
45:480-90 (June), 1962.
Blood and urine tests were carried out on 20 Pb-
filers. Average values in blood were as follows:
hemoglobin, 78; red blood cells, 4,040,000; Pb,
195 yg%; protoporphyrin, 231 yg%; coproporphyrin
(CP), 3.5 pg%; prophobilinogen, 13.5 yg%; ALA,
83 yg%. Basophilic stippling was found in only 10
subjects. Average values in urine were (yg/24 hr):
CP, 586; ALA, 189; PEG, 1.89; Pb, 299. The coef-
ficient of variance for ALA in plasma was 37% as
compared to 73% for CP in urine, 49% for PP and
474
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
40% for Pb in blood or urine. Significant correla-
tions were found between ALA levels in plasma and
free PP, plasma ALA levels and urine ALA levels
and urine Pb levels. It is concluded that the de-
termination of ALA in blood constitutes a simpler
and relatively more precise method for diagnosis of
Pb intoxication than that of the determination of
Pb in blood and urine.
2464 Roche, L., Lejeune, E., and Riedweg
(France) : Re'sultats d'une enquete effec-
tu£e a I'h6pital Edouard-herriot concer-
nant la frequence de la pathologie toxique
et professlonnelle. Organisation d'un
centre de pathologie toxique. (RESULTS
OF AN INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED AT THE
EDOUARD-iiERRIOT HOSPITAL CONCERNING THE
FREQUENCY OF TOXIC AND OCCUPATIONAL DIS-
EASES. THE "ORGANIZATION OF A TOXIC DIS-
EASE CENTER.) Proceedings of the Society
of Industrial Medicine of Lyon. Archives
des Maladies Professionnelles de M^decine
du Travail et de Se'curite' Sociale 23:386-
8 (June), 1962.
An investigation on the frequency of occupational
diseases conducted in 1959 at the Edouard-Herriot
hospital among approximately 5000 patients showed
that 112 cases were due to intoxications and occu-
pational diseases, among which there were 5 cases
of Pb poisoning.
2465 Romakhov, A.A. (Acad. Sci. Kazakh SSR):
K voprosu o zaderzhke aeroslolya svintsa v
organizme cheloveka pri dykhanii. (RE-
TENTION OF INHALED LEAD AEROSOLS IN THE
HUMAN ORGANISM.) Trudy Instituta Kraevoi
Patologii, Akademia Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR
10:95-9, 1962.
On the basis of actual atmospheric conditions in
Pb works in Chimkent, Ust-Kamenogorsk and Lenino-
gorsk, the authors constructed a model for statis-
tical evaluation of the retention of Pb aerosols
in the body of workers. The concentrations in
the shops ranged from 20.02 down to 0.040 mg Pb/
m3; the largest concentrations, 10.11-20.02, were
not characteristic of exposure for they occurred
during repair work directly at the siphon trap of
the exhaust system. As tabulated, the average
per cent retention of Pb on the basis of inhaled
and exhaled Pb was calculated to be 45.3% from
14.48 mg/m3 inhaled and 7.91 exhaled, down to
11.1% from 0.063 and 0.056 respectively. By
assuming that if a workman at average physical
effort exchanges during the workshift 7200 1. air
containing 0.0005 mg Pb/1, 3.6 mg Pb would reach
his lung. At this concentration, ^20% Pb is
retained, which would correspond to 0.72 mg Pb.
As the concentration rises, a greater percentage
is retained.
2466 Rossi, A. (Univ. Naples, Italy): II corn-
portamento dello zinco sierico nell'in-
tossicazione cronica da piombo. Nota pre-
ventiva. (CHANGES OF SERUM ZINC LEVELS IN
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING. A PRELIMINARY
NOTE.) Bollettino della Societa Italiana
di Biologia Sperimentale 38:1006-7, 1962.
The serum Zn levels in 10 normal subjects were 129-
147 ug%. In 25 out of 28 cases of Pb intoxication,
the Zn levels were increased, in 3 cases normal,
and in 2 cases decreased. In rabbits with experi-
mental Pb intoxication, the Zn levels were only
slightly increased after 30 days, but increased to
pathological levels in 9 out of 10 animals later.
2467 Rossi, A., and Fondarcaro, S. (Univ. Na-
ples, Italy): II comportamento dello
zinco sierico nell'intossicazione cronica
da piombo umana e sperimentale. (THE
LEVEL OF SERUM ZINC IN CHRONIC SATURNISM
IN MAN AND EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS.) Folia
Medica (Naples) 45:1281-8, 1962.
Ten controls, 28 subjects with diagnosed Pb poi-
soning and 10 rabbits poisoned by daily oral ad-
ministration of 2 ml of 10% Pb acetate for 60 days
were studied. Zn and Pb in the blood, free eryth-
rocyte protoporphyrins and urinary coproporphyrlns
were determined. In almost every case there was
evidence of an increased Zn level in the blood
which, however, was not proportional to the extent
of Pb intoxication. (35 references)
2468 Rotta, C., Parigi, A., and Brusca, A.
(Univ. Turin, Italy): Importanza della
percentuale di piombo nelle leghe Pb-Sn
sul suo assorbimento. Nota II. Data
clinici. (INFLUENCE OF THE LEAD CONTENT
OF Pb-Sn ALLOYS ON LEAD ABSORPTION. II.
CLINICAL DATA.) Lavoro Umano 14:748-54
(Dec.), 1962.
A group of 36 men engaged in Pb filing an alloy
containing 97% Pb plus 3% Sn for 3 mo, then for
the same period, an alloy of 75% Pb plus 25% Sn,
was studied. The number of red blood cells, he-
moglobin content, number of punctate basophils,
Pb level in blood, and urinary coproporphyrins
were determined and compared. The data show
clearly that health conditions are greatly im-
proved when the alloy with the lower Pb content is
used. The authors advise that alloys containing
not more than 75% Pb be used.
2469 Rubino, G.F. (Univ. Turin, Italy): In-
tossicazione da Pb e metabolismo delle
porfirine. (LEAD INTOXICATION AND PORPHY-
RIN METABOLISM.) Lavoro e Medicina 16:41,
1962.
The effect of Pb on the porphyrin metabolism is
both direct and indirect. The indirect effect,
based on the hemolytic action of Pb, produces a
considerable increase of the porphyrin metabolism,
while the direct effect manifests itself mainly by
an inhibition of 6-aminolevulinic dehydrase.
(From Medicina del Lavoro 54, No. 8-9:609 (Ab-
stracts) 1963)
2470 Rubino, G.F. (Univ. Turin, Italy): THE
ROLE OF LEAD IN PORPHYRIN METABOLISM.
Panminerva Medica 4:340-4 (July-Aug.),
1962.
The porphyrin metabolism was studied in a group of
42 patients, half of them cases with acute symp-
toms of Pb intoxication or such in which acute
symptoms had just subsided, the other half con-
sisting of cases in which exposure to Pb had been
discontinued long ago but which showed irrevers-
ible vascular changes. The porphyrin metabolism
was abnormal in all of them though the severity
Man
475
-------
of the changes (increased urinary coproporphyrin
and increased blood protoporphyrin) was different.
In 11 cases the porphyrin and ALA contents of
blood and bone marrow were determined. In vitro
experiments with erythrocytes from normal and
Pb-poisoned adults indicated that the increased
coproporphyrin excretion and increased blood pro-
toporphyrin content in Pb poisoning cannot be
attributed to the direct action of Pb but rather
to an inhibiting effect on the biosynthesis of
hente whereby the greatest inhibition involves the
synthesis of porphobilinogen from ALA and the in-
corporation of Fe by protoporphyrin. Assuming
the concentration of Pb in the human body never
to exceed 250 yg%, the active in vivo inhibiting
Pb concentration is estimated to correspond to
the in vitro effect of 10 to 10" 5 M, which are
concentrations capable of partially inhibiting
ALA dehydrase and iron chelatase.
2471 Rubino, G.F., Rasetti, L. , and Giarrusso,
P. (Univ. Turin, Italy): EFFECT OF GLY-
CINE ADMINISTRATION ON 6-AMINOLAEVULIC
ACID AND PORPHOBILINOGEN EXCRETION IN
LEAD POISONING. Panminerva Medica 4:388-
9 (Sept.), 1962.
Two patients with Pb poisoning were given a single
dose of 50 g glycine. Before and during the test,
the urine was collected every hour over the follow-
ing 8 or 11 hr, and every 6 or 12 hr until 48 hr
after administration. No statistically signifi-
cant increase in the excretion of ALA or porpho-
bilinogen (PEG) was noted; uro- and coproporphyrin
excretions also did not vary appreciably. The
findings confirmed to the authors the hypothesis
that Pb inhibits the transformation of ALA into
PBG rather than the synthesis of ALA from glycine.
2472 Saita, G. : Malattie causate da piombo,
leghe e composti. (DISEASES CAUSED BY
LEAD, LEAD ALLOYS, AND COMPOUNDS.) Col-
lections of Monographs of INAIL, No. 33,
107 pp.
The following problems associated with Pb intoxi-
cation are reviewed: toxicity of Pb; route of
absorption and elimination; normal and pathologi-
cal levels in various body fluids; porphyrin
metabolism; criteria for diagnosis and prognosis;
therapy; laboratory techniques. A bibliography
of 185 references concludes this publication.
(From Medicina del Lavoro 53:745 (Abstracts),
1962)
2473 Salamone, L. (Univ. Palermo, Italy):
Modificazione emocoagulatorie in alcune
tossicosi industrial!. (ALTERATIONS IN
BLOOD COAGULATION IN SOME INDUSTRIAL IN-
TOXICATIONS.) Medicina del Lavoro 53:
36-44 (Jan.), 1962.
The modifications in thromboplastin and prothrom-
bin activities observed in cases of Pb and other
industrial intoxications are reviewed. The mech-
anism of action of the toxic agents, coagulation
tests for their differentiation, and the various
drugs used for therapeutic action are discussed.
(51 references)
2474 Sarifi, M., Beritid, T., and Mimica, M.
(Inst. Med. Res., Zagreb, Yugoslavia):
SluSaj teSke olovne encefalopatije u
odrasla covjeka izlijecen kompleksonom.
(A CASE OF SEVERE ENCEPHALOPATHY IN THE
ADULT TREATED WITH COMPLEXING AGENTS.)
Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju 13,
No. 2:107-13, 1962.
The course and treatment of severe Pb encephalo-
pathy in a farmer is described. The source of poi-
soning as learned from his wife was Pb-contaminated
wine which he consumed in large quantities; shortly
before his illness he had several times drunk wine
that had been heated in earthenware containers.
The diagnosis was based on the course of the ill-
ness, symptoms at hospitalization and laboratory
findings (among them, Pb in blood, 225 ug/100 ml).
The encephalopathy was accompanied by cachexia and
quadriplegia. Treatment with large doses of EDTA
was successful.
2475 Schepers, G.W.H. (Wilmington, Del.):
THE MINERAL CONTENT OF THE LUNG IN CHRONIC
BERYLLIOSIS. Diseases of the Chest
42:600-7 (Dec.), 1962.
Spectrographic analysis for Pb, among other trace
elements, in the lungs of 20 cases of chronic
berylliosis showed an av 63 yg Pb/g (range 5.4-157,
SD + 51, coefficient of variation 81%). The devia-
tion from normal and sarcoidotic values was 1,680
and 1400%, respectively. (17 references)
2476 Seghizzi, P., Straneo, G., and Andreuzzl,
P. (Univ. Pavia, Italy): Primi segni
pletismografici nelle vasculopatie pe-
riferiche professionali. (EARLY PLETHYSMO-
GRAPHIC SIGNS IN OCCUPATIONAL PERIPHERAL
VASCULAR DISEASES.) Atti della Societa
italiana di Cardiologia 22, No. 2:268-70,
1962.
The study involved 21 cases with occcupational
disease, among them 2 patients with Pb poisoning,
a typographer and a varnisher. Collateral circu-
lation was noted in one of these patients; the
other one showed a sympaticotonia combined with
an organic lesion. The tests indicated that
plethysmography may reveal serious vascular damage
and may be useful in the early diagnosis of some
occupational hazards.
2477 Stankovic, D. (Inst. Public Health.
Belgrade, Yugoslavia): Kritickl osvrt
na znacaj laboratorijskih metoda ispiti-
vanja u ranoj dijagnostici saturnizma.
(CRITICAL REVIEW OF LABORATORY TESTS USED
IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY LEAD POISONING.)
Medicinskl Arhiv 16:51-7 (Nov.-Dec.),
1962.
Exact interpretation of laboratory tests facili-
tates the diagnosis of early Pb poisoning. Blood
changes such as an increase of stippled erythro-
cytes and of retlculocytes, polychromatophilia and
hypochromic anemia are of considerable diagnostic
value although they are no certain proof of Pb
poisoning. An increased Pb level in the blood
does not prove the presence of Pb poisoning nor
does it indicate the degree of intoxication. The
presence of Pb in urine and feces indicates Pb ab-
sorption but does not confirm the diagnosis of Pb
poisoning nor give data on its intensity. Deter-
mination of urinary coproporphyrin is very import-
476
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
ant for an early diagnosis because an increase of
urinary coproporphyrins occurs prior to the ap-
pearance of humoral and clinical signs. However,
the increase of urinary coproporphyrins is not
specific for Pb poisoning and must be evaluated in
combination with other humoral and clinical
changes. A diagnosis of Pb poisoning should be
based mainly on clinical symptoms and if these
disagree with laboratory findings, the clinical
signs should be given priority. (From author's
French summary) (41 references)
2478 Stankovic, D. (Ind. Hyg. Center, Sarajevo,
Yugoslavia): Prilog proufiavanju dijagnos-
ticke vrednosti laboratorijskih testova u
otkrivanju pocetne olovne intoksikacije.
(THE DIAGNOSTIC USEFULNESS OF LABORATORY
TESTS IN DETFCTING LEAD POISONING.) Medi-
cinski Glasnik 16:407-9 (Sept.), 1962.
The following tests were evaluated statistically
(Student test) in 67 workers, 23-57 yr old, exposed
to Pb for 4 mo-2 yr: Hemoglobin, erythrocytes,
reticulocytes, stippled cells, porphyrins, leuko-
cytes, differential counts, including basophil
leukocytes.
2479 Stankovic, D. (Inst. of Hyg., Sarajevo,
Yugoslavia): (CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY
OF EARLY MANIFESTATIONS IN OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING.) Srpski Arhiv za Celokup-
no Lekarstvo 90:1141-9 (Dec.), 1962.
A group of 67 founders, exposed for 1 mo to Pb
concentrations of 0.5-24.4 pg/1 air, was studied.
No significant deviations from the normal were
noted for hemoglobin, stippled erythrocytes and
coproporphyrin during the period of exposure,
while reticulocytes increased markedly. The con-
clusion was drawn that an increase of reticulo-
cytes presents an early sign of the toxic action
of Pb at a stage where no other objective or sub-
jective signs exist. Early Pb intoxication is
characterized by marked changes of the red blood
cell count, stippled erythrocytes, reticulocytes
and coproporphyrin. However, there is no signifi-
cant reduction of hemoglobin, since the anemia is
usually only moderate. In manifest Pb poisoning,
all laboratory tests show deviations from the nor-
mal values and subjective and objective signs and
symptoms are present. The arterial pressure does
not change during the early period of development
of Pb poisoning, during Pb absorption and in the
early period of Pb intoxication. (From author's
French summary)
2480 Stankovic', M. , Petrovifi, Lj . , and Poleti,
D. (Inst. Public Health, Belgrade, Ser-
bia): A CONTRIBUTION TO THE LABORATORY
DIAGNOSTICS OF EARLY SATURNISM. Arhiv
za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju 13:189-
94, 1962.
The dicalcium salt of C32EDTA (3 doses of 1 g
each in the course of 1 day) was administered
orally to 8 healthy persons, 29 printers without
clinical manifestations of Pb poisoning and 18 Pb
smelters with distinct symptoms of Pb poisoning.
Average urinary Pb excretion (mg/24 hr) in these
3 groups was 0.117 ± 0,043, 0.236 ± 0.101, and
2.476 ± 1.233, respectively. The conclusion is
drawn that, in a diagnostic test, subjects with
urinary Pb excretion exceeding 0.340 mg/24 hr
(after oral treatment with 3 g C32JEDTA) may be
suspected of Pb poisoning. The test was given
also to a group of 8 workers who, after removal
from Pb exposure for about 5 yr, were considered
as medically rehabilitated and fit to return to
their jobs. In this group, urinary Pb excretion,
at 24 hr after the first dose of C32EDTA, ranged
from 0.336-0.343 (av 0.482) mg/24 hr, which indi-
cated that the workers were not ready to return
to their previous jobs.
2481 Stovbun, A.T., Yatsyuk, M.D., Pomarenko,
V.I,, and Yakovleva, L.S.: (DATA ON THE
TRACE ELEMENT COMPOSITION OF HUMAN MILK
AND VARIOUS MODIFICATIONS OF COW MILK.)
Nauk. Zap. Ivano-Frankivs'k. Med. Inst.
1962, No. 5:38-9.
A spectral method was used to determine Cu, Mn,
Ni, Zn, Pb, Sn, Fe, and Mo in women's milk and in
milk products for children. During the first
days of lactation Cu content in women's milk was
higher than in cow milk, while Fe and Ni contents
were higher than in mature milk. Whey contained
large amounts of Cu, Ni, and Zn but Fe content in
cheese and cream was 5-7 times higher than in
whey. Cow milk contained 10 times more Cu and 2
times more Fe than ion-exchanged milk. (From Ref.
Zh., Biol. Khim. 1963, Abstr. No. 20F1529; Chemi-
cal Abstracts 60:8422, 1964)
2482 Taveira, M. (Univ. Brazil, Rio de Janei-
ro) : (INTOXICATIONS OF DENTAL AND PHAR-
MACEUTICAL INTEREST OCCURRING IN THE CHEM-
ICAL INDUSTRIES.) Med., Cir., Farm. 301:
249-58, 1962.
Untoward effects from Pb, Hg, Bi, HF, S03, ^804,
Cd, Tl, and P are reviewed as these affect the
buccal mucosa, salivary glands, teeth, and bones,
on the one hand, and the chemical and toxic signs
encountered on the other hand. (From Chemical
Abstracts 58:13048, 1963)
2483 Tilis, A.Yu., Vengerskaya, Kh.Ya., and
Stepovaya, N.E. (Uzbek Inst. Sanit. Hyg.,
Occup. Dis., Tashkent, USSR): Diagnosti-
cheskoe znachenie velichiny koeffitsienta
nedookisleniya pri vozdeistvii tyazhelykh
metallov. (DIAGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF
INCOMPLETE OXIDATION IN THE ACTION OF
HEAVY METALS.) Gigiena Truda i Profes-
sional'nye Zabolevaniya 6, No. 3:30-4,
1962.
In individuals exposed to Pb the oxidation pro-
cesses remain unchanged for a certain time. How-
ever, as manifestations of poisoning progress,
the amount of incompletely oxidized products, ex-
creted in the urine, increases. This phenomenon
is an important criterion in assessing the clini-
cal condition of these patients. (From authors'
English summary)
2484 Tolot, P., Jaquis, Genevois, M., Soubri-
er, R., and Bresson, J.-R. (Inst. Ind.
Med., Lyon, France): Emploi des che'la-
teurs "per os" dans le traitement et la
prophylaxie d 1'intoxication saturnine.
(THE USE OF CHELATING AGENTS "PER OS" IN
THE TREATMENT AND PROPHYLAXIS OF LEAD
Man
477
-------
POISONING.) Proceedings of the Society
of Industrial Medicine at Lyon. Archives
des Maladies Professionnelles de Me'decine
du Travail et de S£curit£ Sociale 23:376-
9 (June), 1962.
The efficacy of oral administration of CaEDTA was
tested in 2 patients suffering from occupational
Pb intoxication with colics and anemia, who had
been previously treated with iv injections of
CaEDTA, and 2 Pb welders who did not show any
overt signs of intoxication. A dose of 2 g
CaEDTA was administered orally on the first 5
days of the week for 6 wk. Urinary Pb excretion
was measured every 5th day and the data obtained
were tabulated. Oral administration of CaEDTA is
recommended for use in cases of convalescence
from Pb intoxication, following a course of iv
injections, and as a preventive measure in work-
ers exposed to Pb.
2485 Udenfriend, S. (Natl. Heart Inst., Be-
thesda, Md.): FLUORESCENCE ASSAY IN BI-
OLOGY AND MEDICINE. New York, Academic
Press, 1962, pp. 302-7.
The fluoremetry of porphyrins and its value in
diagnosis of Pb poisoning is included. Urinary
coproporphyrin and erythrocytic protoporphyrin
levels observed in Pb poisoning are listed as 500-
3000 vg/day and 200-2000 vg/100 ml of cells, re-
spectively, while the levels for normals are 100-
300 pg/day for males and 45-275 pg/day for women,
and 20-50 pg/100 ml of cells, respectively.
2486 Veliev, B.A. (Kazakh Acad. Sci., USSR):
K voprosu lecheniya bol'nykh so svintso-
voi intoksikatsiei kompleksonami i vita-
minom Bi2- (COMPLEXONS AND VITAMIN B]_2
IN TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING.) Trudy
Instituta Kraevoi Patologii, Akademiya
Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 10:198-205, 1962.
Twelve patients with Pb poisoning were given com-
plexing agent CaNa2 1,2-ciaminocyclohexanetetra-
acetate, and 14 received CaNa2EDTA. Both drugs
were administered iv in 20 ml of a 10% solution,
once or twice daily, for 3 days, followed by 3
days of rest. Four such 6-day cycles were used.
A 3rd group of 17 patients received CaNa2EDTA plus
100 units of vitamin B-j^ intramuscularly every
other day. In most patients of group 1 and 2 in-
testinal pains were relieved after the 1st injec-
tion but returned after 1-1.5 hr in a lesser de-
gree. Gradually, appetite returned, pains in
bones disappeared, weight increased and blood
pressure became normal. Urinary Pb excretion in-
creased and the blood picture improved. Treatment
in groups 1 and 2 seemed to be equally effective;
use of vitamin 8^2 added to the curative effect
of CaNa2EDTA.
2487 Veliev, B.A. (Kazakh Acad. Sci,, USSR):
Opyt lecheniya bol'nykh so svintsovoi in-
toksikatsiei tiosul'fatom natriya. Pred-
varitel'noe soobshchenie.) (EXPERIMENTAL
TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING PATIENTS WITH
SODIUM THIOSULFATE. (PRELIMINARY RE-
PORT.)) Trudy Instituta Kraevoi Patologii,
Akademiya Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 10:206-11,
1962.
The therapeutic effect of Na thiosulfate was test-
ed in 22 patients (19-45 yr old, 21 men, 1 woman,
who had been exposed to Pb 3 mo-12 yr), suffering
from Pb intoxication. The drug was administered
iv (30% sterile solution) in doses of 20 ml 1-2
times daily. Immediately after administration of
the drug, pains in the abdomen diminished and on.
the 5-6th day or in some cases on the 10th day
they completely ceased. Erythrocytoporphyrinuria
and painfulness of the liver diminished in the
majority of the cases. The antitoxic function of
the liver, judging by the excretion of hippuric
acid, was also improved and restored to normal in
individual cases. However, the constituents of
the blood did not return to normal.
2488 Veliev, B.A. (Kazakh Acad. Sci., USSR):
Izuchenie gemoliticheskogo svoistva syvo-
rotki krovi bol'nykh s anemiei pri svin-
tsovoi intoksikatsii. (STUDY OF THE HE-
MOLYTIC PROPERTY OF THE BLOOD SERUM OF
LEAD-INDUCED ANEMIA PATIENTS.) Trudy
Instituta Kraevoi Patologii, Akademiya
Nauk Kazakhskoi SSR 10:230-9, 1962.
The sera from 18 patients with Pb anemia of vary-
ing degree and of 3 healthy donors were studied.
A thermolabile hemolytic protein factor was pres-
ent in Pb poisoning patients which in vitro hemo-
lyzed its own and donor erythrocytes. Biophysical
changes in the erythrocytes of the patients and of
the donors occurred more rapidly and more inten-
sively in patient sera than in controls. The vi-
tality of erythrocytes in their own serum was
lower in patient sera than in donor sera. (From
author's summary)
2489 Warren, H.V. (Univ. British Columbia, Can-
ada) : DOES GEOLOGY HOLD A KEY TO BETTER
HEALTH? GEOLOGIC-EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDIES
SHOW INTRIGUING RELATIONSHIP. Mining Engi-
neering 14:41-5 (July), 1962.
Trace elements in man, rock, soil and vegetal mat-
ter were discussed. The author then cites Allen-
Price's (1960) epidemiological studies on cancer in
West Devonshire, England, which showed a striking
difference of the cancer rate in various parishes.
Allen-Price stated that the water supply was the
only difference that could account for this. Mill-
man (1957) whose paper apparently had not been
known to Allen-Price, reported that he found an
anomalously high content of Pb, Hg, Sn, Cu and Zn
in trees and soil of this area and that high Pb
concentrations occur in twigs and leaves growing
in the proximity of Pb-Zn deposits. Howe (1961)
also reported clearly varying epidemiologic pat-
terns for some types of cancer and other diseases
and implicated Pb, Zn and polluted water in the
causation of gastric cancer. Presently made stud-
ies of Devonian rocks show a high Pb content in
rocks and soils, a wide variation in the content
of Pb and other metals in different facies and
lower Pb contents in Cretaceous rocks of Sussex.
A carcinogenic action of Pb has first been men-
tioned by Zollinger (1952). Since then other
workers have found that large doses of Pb will in-
duce renal cancer in rats.
2490 Wilcocks, C.: CIDER AND LEAD POISONING -
AN EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY INVESTIGATION.
Health Horizon 1962:31-4(Summer).
478
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
The author recalls Sir George Baker's Essay Con-
cerning the Cause of the Endemial Colic of Devon-
shire, published in 1767. The colic was, in fact,
Pb poisoning and was traced to the use of Pb in
the troughs and presses employed in the manufac-
ture of cider. Pb poisoning of a similar nature
has been reported in Britain and elsewhere in very
recent years and can be related to the increasing-
ly popular practice of domestic wine-making. Such
a case is cited in a man who employed an old
earthenware crock, the glaze of which contained
Pb. What seemed to be a surgical abdominal emer-
gency proved to be a case of Pb poisoning. (From
Bulletin of Hygiene 37:1246, 1962)
2491 Williams, J.D., Matthews, G.A. , and Judd,
A.W. (Dept. Clin. Path., West Herts.; St.
Paul's Hosp., Hemel Hempstead, England):
ORAL CALCIUM DISODIUM VERSENATE IN TREAT-
MENT OF LEAD POISONING. British Journal
of Industrial Medicine 19:211-5 (July),
1962.
Eight Pb workers, 34-60 yr old, who had been ex-
posed to Pb from 3 mo-12 yr and showed an exces-
sive Pb absorption, were treated orally with 4 g
CaNa2EDTA/day in divided doses for 7 days. Before
treatment Pb values ranged from 1.0-170 yg/100 ml
in blood, 140-940 yg/1 in urine; coproporphyrin,
1+-4+, and stippled cells, 1800-56,000/million.
Following treatment the total Pb excretion in
urine ranged from 7.6-23.8 mg, av 14.32 mg Pb/man.
In 7 cases hemoglobin level rose an av of 1.0 g%;
stippled cell count was lower in 4 cases and high-
er in 4. Pb levels in blood fell in 5 patients,
remained the same in 1, and rose in 1. No side
effects were noticed and symptomatically the im-
provement was marked. (20 references)
2492 Zielhuis, R.L., and Hartogensis, F. (Inst.
Prev. Med., Leiden, Netherlands): Die
Beziehungen zwischen der Exposition und
der GefShrdung in bleiverarbeitenden Be-
trieben. (RELATIONS BETWEEN EXPOSURE AND
HAZARD IN PLANTS HANDLING LEAD.) Staub
22, No. 11:435-9, 1962.
During the period from 1956-1959 a technical and
hygienic study was made in 3 Dutch pigment fac-
tories, comprising about 180 workers. In a table
various exposures (0.00->0.65 mg Pb/m of air)
were correlated with data for hemoglobin, copro-
porphyrin excretion and stippled cells. A defi-
nite relation was found between atmospheric Pb
concentration and the clinical data. A Pb con-
centration of 0.1 mg/m^ of air was considered as
the MAC. No Pb hazard exists as long as the cop-
roporphyrin level is <1.5 according to the scale
of Donath. Values of 1.5-2.5 indicate increased
Pb exposure and levels >2.5 indicate a hazardous
Pb exposure. Pb chromate dust has about the same
toxicity as other Pb pigment dusts.
1963
2493
Abdel-Ghaffar, Y., Sherif, Y.A., El-Massry,
Z.H., and Barsoom, K.A. (Ain-Shams Univ.,
Cairo, Egypt): LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY: CASE
REPORT. Journal of the Egyptian Medical
Association 46:965-8, 1963.
A case of Pb encephalopathy in a 19-yr-old worker
in a Pb factory is described. During his 10-hr
workday, he attended to the smelting of alloys and
manipulation of pipes, etc. After an exposure for
18 mo the patient began to complain of abdominal
colics, constipation and headache; his gums showed
a blue line. After an attack of convulsions a
provisional diagnosis of Pb encephalopathy was
made. The man was given 10 ml 10% Ca gluconate iv
every 6 hr and 2 ml dimercaptopropanol (BAL) im
every 4 hr for 3 days. The urine was found to
contain 480 ug Pb/1, spinal fluid 28 yg/100 ml and
blood 124 yg/100 ml. Ten weeks later the Pb con-
tent of spinal fluid and urine had dropped to 14
yg/100 ml and 96 yg/1, respectively.
Attention is drawn to the fact that encephalopthy
was present in this case although the neurological
examination had not shown any evidence of unilater-
alization. The effectiveness of the treatment
with BAL was pointed out,
2494 Aitbaev, T.Kh., Aldanazarov, A.T., and
Beglova, T.G.: (CHANGES IN BLOOD MUCO-
PROTEINS DUE TO LEAD POISONING.) Materialy
1-oi (Pervoi) Resp. Nauchn. Konf. po Vopr.
Gigiena Truda i Prof. Zabolevanii, Kara-
ganda, Sb. 1963:88-9.
The content of serum mucoid was 2.8% lower and the
content of sialic acids 8.1% lower in 124 patients
with chronic Pb poisoning without aggravation as
compared with Pb workers without symptoms of poi-
soning. The corresponding figures for patients
with aggravation were 8.5 and 6.3%, respectively.
The mucoid content in the blood of patients with
chronic Pb poisoning varied. Thirty dogs with ex-
perimental Pb poisoning also had a low content of
sialic acid in the blood serum. (From Referativ-
nyi Zhurnal, Farmakologiya, Toksikologiya 1964,
Abstr. No. 6.54.314; Chemical Abstracts 62:12357,
1965)
2495 Alexeieva, Z., Batolska, A., Kostov,
Moseva, N., and Celebiev, V. (Sofia, Bul-
garia): La cure d'eau sulfureuse dans
1'intoxication par le plomb et par le
mercure. (TREATMENT WITH SULFUR-CONTAINING
WATERS IN LEAD AND MERCURY POISONING.) In
Union des Societes de Sciences Medicales,
Societe d'Hygiene: Premier Congres Nation-
al d'Hygiene et de Securite du Travail.
Rapports et Resumes des Travaux (First
National Congress of Industrial Health.
Abstracts of Papers). Bucharest, 1963,
p. 47.
A 20-day treatment consisting of 8-12 baths at 37°
and the consumption of 1-1.5 1 of S-containing
mineral water was prescribed to a group of 80
workers with abnormal absorption of, or. intoxica-
tion by, Pb and Hg. At the end of the cure, sub-
jective symptoms and clinical manifestations were
obviously improved. There was an increase of red
blood cells, a decrease of stippled red cells and
a return to normal of the number of reticulocytes,
urinary porphyrins, Pb level in blood and urine,
liver function, gastric motility, etc. Best re-
sults were obtained in subjects in the stage of
abnormal absorption or early intoxication. Treat-
ment with S-containing waters for the prophylaxis
and treatment of poisoning by heavy metals is
recommended.
Man
479
-------
2496 Alexeieva, Z., and Moseva, N. (Sofia, Bul-
garia) : La valeur diagnostique de la
methods polarographique de dosage du plomb
dans le sang. (THE DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF
THE POLAROGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF LEAD IN
BLOOD. In Union des Societes de Sciences
Medicales, Societe d'Hygiene: Premier
Congres National d'Hygiene et de Securite
du Travail. Rapports et Resumes des
Travaux (First National Congress of In-
dustrial Health. Abstracts of Papers).
Bucharest, 1963, p. 36-7.
Studies on 66 workers exposed to Pb or with Pb in-
toxication in different clinical stages showed that
manifest clinical symptoms are preceded by an in-
crease of the Pb level in the blood. Simultaneous-
ly, reticulocytosis and urinary porphyrins appear.
There is a relation between the level of Pb in
blood and urine. The investigations revealed that
the determination of Pb in the blood is useful for
early diagnosis of Pb poisoning before manifest
clinical symptoms occur.
2497 Anatovskaya, V.S. (Inst. of Occup. Hyg.
and Prof. Diseases, Khar'kov, Ukranian
SSR): Lechenie unitiolom bol'nykh s
khronicheskoi intoksikatsiei svintsom pod
kontrolem sul'fgidril'nykh grupp belkov
krovi. (UNITHIOL THERAPY OF PATIENTS WITH
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING BY CONTROL OF THE
SULFHYDRYL GROUPS OF BLOOD PROTEINS.)
Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zab-
olevaniya 7:19-23 (Aug.), 1963.
In the past decade a number of drugs containing S
in the form of reactive sulfhydryl groups, have
been used in intoxications by poisons attacking
the sulfhydryl groups of the organism. Drugs of
this type include British Anti-Lewisite (BAL) and
unithiol (sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfonate)
which was synthesized by the Ukranian Scientific
Institute of Sanitary Chemistry. Unithiol is
readily soluble in water, exhibits powerful anti-
dotal activity and being nontoxic, is well toler-
ated .
In the course of several years, 104 workers, 27-
48 yr old, of various trades (typographers, stor-
age-battery plant employees, etc), suffering from
chronic Pb intoxication, who had been admitted to
the clinic of the Ukraine Scientific Institute of
Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases
(Kharkov), were treated with one of the unithiol
preparations. Generally, they had exhibited the
usual signs of poisoning, with 15.3% of them show-
Ing moderately severe intoxication, and the re-
maining being afflicted with the milder form. The
more severe forms of intoxication were character-
ized essentially by abnormal blood counts, and
disturbances of the gastroenteric and central ner-
vous systems; decreased liver and kidney functions
were also observed. Pb line and Pb pallor were
observed only infrequently. The blood and urine
showed increased concentrations of Pb and in-
creased coproporphyrinuria was found. Analyses of
the blood for free sulfhydryl groups showed de-
creased content in all, corresponding to the de-
gree of intoxication (the variations ranged down
to averages of 47.5 mm (as measured by polaro-
graphic waves) as against a normal of 60.9 mm).
The symptomatology of moderately severe and mild
chronic poisoning, including indices of sensory
disorders (auditory, visual, tactile) is discussed
at some length.
The patients were treated with 20-25 im injec-
tions of 5 ml of a 5% solution of unithiol once or
twice daily. No undesirable effects were noted.
After the first 3-5 injections, pains (abdominal,
joint, of extremities, headaches) greatly dimin-
ished, and finally disappeared. Elimination of Pb
increased, the cellular and chemical components of
blood, including the sulfhydryl groups, returned
to normal.
The author concludes that unithiol is an effec-
tive therapeutic agent in Pb poisoning. Combined
treatment with symptomatic agents such as group-B
vitamins, glucose, and others, is considered.
2498 Ankerst, H., and Weimer, G. (Hamburg, Ger-
many): Gefahren bei der Arbeit mit toxi-
schen Emailrohstoffen und Hilfschemikalien.
(HAZARDS IN WORK WITH TOXIC RAW MATERIALS
FOR ENAMELS AND AUXILIARY CHEMICALS.)
Glas-Email-Keramo-Technik 14, No. 4:124-6
(Apr.), 1963.
Hazards in the enamel industry, particularly those
caused by such toxic raw materials as quartz, com-
pounds of Pb, Ba, As, Sb and Zn, mordants and
other additives, are discussed. The Pb compounds
used are minium, Pb carbonate and Pb silicate.
The lethal dose of Pb is between 11 and 27 g, but
daily inhalation of <\,1 mg Pb will cause the so-
called "Pb disease" which is characterized by
colics, muscular pain, paralysis and liver damage.
Although Pb compounds have been largely eliminated
as raw materials in the enamel industry and pre-
cautionary measures are taken where they are still
applied, their complete exclusion should be accom-
plished. The introduction of Pb-free majolica
shows that this is feasible.
2499 Baker, G.: SIR GEORGE BAKER AND LEAD POI-
SONING. Medical Science 14:113 (Oct.),
1963.
This is a brief account of Sir George Baker's
analysis of "Poitiers colic" in Devonshire to be
actually Pb poisoning. An excerpt from his re-
port in 1767 in the Medical Transactions of the
College of Physicians of London, telling of his
discovery that the cider that had caused the ill-
nesses had been made in Pb-lined presses or stored
in a Pb cistern, is included.
2500 Basin, B. (Inst. Ind. Med., Lille, France):
Le dosage de 1'aclde delta-aminolevulinique
dans le saturnisme. (DETERMINATION OF 5-
AMINOLEVULINIC ACID IN LEAD POISONING.)
Archives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Medecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale
24:638-44 (July-Aug.), 1963.
Delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilino-
gen in the urine were determined by chromatography.
For 10 normal subjects the values found (mg/1)
were 1.8 + 1.2 and 1 + 0.5, respectively. In 24
workers of a battery factory, who appeared to be
in good health and without clinical signs of Pb
poisoning, the urinary content of ALA ranged from
5-46 mg/1, while porphobilinogen was about normal,
the highest value being 3 mg/1. Also, the number
of basophilic stippled cells was still in the nor-
480
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
mal range while the concentration of ALA was al-
ready increased. It is pointed out that the de-
termination of urinary ALA is an important bio-
logic test for the diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
2501 Bastenier, H. (Univ. Brussels, Belgium):
Considerations sur le diagnostic et le
traitement du saturnisms d'origins pro-
fessionnelle. (CONSIDERATIONS ON THE
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING.) Acta Clinica Belgica 18:
144-51, 1963.
The clinical picture of occupational Pb poisoning
has been undergoing considerable changes. Due to
improvement of hygiene and sanitary education,
cachexia, encephalopathy and severe anemia have
practically disappeared, Pb colics are becoming
less violent. The diagnosis of Pb poisoning is
now based essentially on such nonspecific phenome-
na as the presence of stippled red blood cells and
urinary coproporphyrin and the specific sign of
increased Pb levels in the blood and urine. A nor-
mal adult ingests daily an average of 0.35 mg Pb
of which 10% is absorbed by the intestine, and in-
hales an average of 0.04 mg of which 30-40% is re-
tained and rapidly absorbed. This results in a Pb
concentration in the blood of 10-70 yg/100 ml,
with 80 yg being considered as the upper limit.
Workers exposed to Pb often have Pb levels of
80-140 yg/100 ml blood without showing detectable
signs of intoxication. Clinical signs are frequent
at Pb levels of 150-500 yg/100 ml blood and they
are always present at values >500 yg. In serious
cases such as encephalopathy with coma, Pb concen-
trations in blood may be =1500-2000 yg. As for
urinary Pb, clinical signs are rare at Pb levels
<150 yg/1, frequent at 150-500 yg and usual at Pb
concentrations >500 yg/1 of urine. However, nor-
mal Pb levels in blood and urine do not guarantee
the absence of Pb absorption. For this reason, it
may be essential to investigate whether Pb has
been absorbed by the bones, by mobilizing any Pb
which may be present by injection of EDTA at doses
of 0.1 ml/kg body weight, using a 10% solution.
Subsequent urinary Pb excretion of <300 ug/1 with-
in 3 and 6 hr indicates the absence of any latent
Pb absorption. Subjects eliminating 300-1000 yg,
without demonstrating clinical signs, should be
subjected to observation, while higher values
point to established or latent Pb poisoning.
Urine samples should not be taken later than 6 hr
after EDTA administration as 90% of the effect of
the chelating agent occurs in the first 6 hr. The
chelation test cannot be used in the presence of
severe renal insufficiency. Since EDTA possesses
some toxicity of its own, it is recommended not to
exceed doses of 50 mg/kg body weight/day which
should be administered in 2 iv perfusions over a
period of 1 hr each. After 5-7 days, the treatment
should be interrupted for 1-2 weeks. Oral adminis-
tration of EDTA causes a less pronounced increase
of urinary Pb excretion than iv injection. Other
chelating agents which may be administered orally,
such as penicillamine, are being studied.
2502 Batolska, A.: (CARBONIC ANHYDRASE IN
OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Nauchni
Trudove, Nauchno-Izsledovatelski Institut
Okhrana Truda Professional'nye Zaboljavan-
ija 10:55-9, 1963.
In a study on 81 Pb workers, the activity of car-
bonic anhydrase decreased as the general physical
condition of the men, due to the Pb poisoning,
deteriorated. Depression of the activity of car-
bonic anhydrase by Pb poisoning had been previous-
ly demonstrated in vitro. (From Abstracts of Bul-
garian Scientific Literature, Medicine and Physi-
cal Culture 6, No. 4:32, 1963; Chemical Abstracts
62:9684, 1965)
2503 Berjak, J. (Johannesburg, South Africa) :
CLINICAL ASPECTS OF AN OUTBREAK OF METALLIC
POISONING AT BY-PRODUCTS LTD. Proceedings
of the Mine Medical Officers' Association
43:7-11 (May-June), 1963.
An outbreak of heavy metal poisoning during which
14 cases were admitted to the Crown Mines hospital,
caring for cases from By-Products Ltd., is de-
scribed. The men (almost all smelters) had various
complaints, mostly of abdominal nature. Ten
showed a Pb line, 9 anemia, 12 basophilia. Ten
had urinary porphyrins in excess of the normal
level. Because of lack of facilities, Pb in blood
could not be determined; for the same reason,
urinary Pb could be determined in only 3 cases.
Treatment consisted of rest and good food; in 3
cases EDTA was administered. After discharge from
the hospital the patients were kept on light work
for 30 days and after re-examination were returned
to normal duty.
2504 Bosshard, R. (Swiss Accident Insurance
Board, Lucerne): Die medizinischen
Aspekte der neuen Verordnung Uber die
Verhdtung von Berufskrankheiten vom 23
Dezember 1960. (THE MEDICAL ASPECTS OF
THE NEW DECREE ON THE PREVENTION OF OC-
CUPATIONAL DISEASES OF DECEMBER 23, 1960.)
Zeitschrift fUr Unfallmedizin und Berufs-
krankheiten 56:180-90, 1963.
The author discusses the rights and limitations of
SUVA (Schweizerische Unfallversicherungsanstalt)
in issuing and enforcing directives to the in-
dustry concerning the technical and medical pro-
phylaxis and supervision of workers in hazardous
occupations. The new directive of special interest
in this discussion makes it obligatory for in-
dustries dealing with hazardous substances, such
as dust (quartz, asbestos), Pb, Hg, benzene and
its homologues (toluene, xylene) C disulfide, tri-
and perchlorethylenes, tar, pitch and similar
materials, ionizing radiation, aromatic amines,
and work under air pressure, to provide medical
examinations for workers and, if deemed necessary
by the physician, to effect removal of the exposed
worker from the hazardous site. SUVA has the
right to control employment of workers in hazard-
ous industries, as well as to retain those insured
workers who are no longer in hazardous occupations
under its surveillance because of possible long-
range effects of past exposure. The medical his-
tory of workers at the time of employment, age of
worker, type and extent of exposure, type and
frequency of laboratory and physical examinations
(blood, urine, cystoscopy, X-rays, pregnancy, etc)
MAC values, etc, are all factors to be considered
in carrying out the new directive.
Man
481
-------
As expressed in this article, it is the purpose
of SUVA to maintain a flexible but effective su-
pervisory program of employment, prevention and
rehabilitation with the greatest possible adapta-
tion to the needs of the individual workers, the
present state of medical science and the circum-
stances prevailing in the various industries and/
or occupations involved.
2505 Brigatti, L., Parigi, A., and Varetto, L.:
II comportamento delle transaminasi in
soggetti esposti al rischio satumino.
(THE BEHAVIOR OF TRANSAMINASE IN SUBJECTS
EXPOSED TO LEAD.) Medicina Sociale 53:
1268, 1962; Medicina del Lavoro 54:231
(Abstracts), 1963.
See Abstract No. 2378.
2506 Byczkowska, Z., and Antczak, K. (Dzialu
Clin. JEnst. Med. Pracy, tfodz, Poland):
Wartosc' testu chelatonowego - plumburii
prowokowanej w diagnostyce ojlowlcy. (THE
VALUE OF THE CHELATION TEST IN PROVOKING
URINARY EXCRETION OF LEAD IN THE DIAGNOSIS
OF LEAD INTOXICATION.) Medycyna Pracy
14, No. 3:211-22, 1963.
The correlation between spontaneous Pb excretion
in the urine, the results of the chelation test
and clinical symptoms were studied on 82 patients
suffering from Pb poisoning. The patients were
divided into 3 groups: (1) subjects exposed to
Pb up to the moment of hospitalization; (2) sub-
jects who had been removed from Pb exposure for
at least several months prior to hospitalization;
(3) a group of individuals with irregular ex-
posure. The results of the administration of 1 g
CaEDTA, led the authors to conclude that indica-
tion for this test be limited to individuals who
excrete spontaneously >100 yg Pb/24 hr and who re-
veal positive signs of Pb intoxication, an in-
crease of coproporphyrin, and basophilic stippling.
In the 2nd part of the study the chelation test
was applied to 107 out-patients, 86 of Whom were
exposed to Pb. The results indicated that a sim-
plified test (urine collection every 8 hr) may be
employed in the out-patient department. The man-
ner of calculating the data from the 8-hr test to
the 24-hr period was discussed. (From authors'
English summary)
2507 California, State of, Department of Public
Health, Bureau of Occupational Health:
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE IN CALIFORNIA ATTRIBU-
TED TO PESTICIDES AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL
CHEMICALS. Report by Goldy D. Kleinman,
1963, 30 pp.
Pb arsenate is one of a number of agricultural
chemicals which are hazardous to farm workers.
During 1963, of a total of 1031 reported cases in
California, 8 were attributable to Pb or arsenic
compounds. Of these, 4 showed systemic poisoning,
1 each a respiratory or skin condition, and 1 was
unspecified.
2508 Capellaro, F., Gaido, P.C., and Allied,
R. (Univ. Turin, Italy): (POSSIBILITY OF
TREATING SATURNISM BY VERSENATE BY THE
ORAL ROUTE.) Minerva Medica 54:474-7,
1963.
A group of 28 workers (18-58 yr old) , of whom 12
showed inital signs of Pb absorption, 8 were in
the acute phase (colic) , and 8 exhibited irreversi-
ble signs of poisoning (especially kidney and ner-
vous system disorders) gave the following labora-
tory findings (means) before oral treatment with
1 g CaEDTA/day: Pb content in blood of 40-130
yg%, urinary Pb of 75-570 yg%, red cell protopor-
phyrin of 71-699 yg%, and coproporphyrinuria of
67-2515 ug/24 hr. Urinary Pb increased in the 1st
group from 144.9 to 566.2 yg%, reaching its maxi-
mum in 2 days, and then fell to 131.6 yg% in 6
days. In more serious cases where Pb colic was
present the same treatment caused a rise of urin-
ary Pb from 410 yg% to 1172.5 ug% in 1 day and a
drop to 352.6 yg% in 6 days. In the chronic cases,
the rise of urinary Pb was from 99.3 to 323.7 yg%
in 1 day, followed by a drop to 127.5 yg% in 6
days. (17 references)
2509 Chalmers, J.N.M., Whitehead, T.P., and
Massey, P.M.O. (Birmingham, England): IN-
CIDENCE OF LEAD POISONING AMONGST BADGE
ENAMELLERS. Journal of Clinical Pathology
16, No. 4:389-90, 1963.
A risk of Pb poisoning among badge enamellers comes
from the habit of "mouth pointing" of the imple-
ments used. The enamel frit which is applied with
a spatula or pen contains ^42% Pb and is partially
soluble in 0.1N HC1 whereby 10 mg of the
white powder yield ^100 yg Pb in solution after
1 hr incubation at 37°C. In an investigation in
Birmingham, of 223 women questioned, 18% admitted
to regular "mouth pointing" with the spatula and
40% said they did it occasionally or rarely.
Thirty-five percent of the group who admitted to
regular "mouth pointing" had hemoglobin values
<12 g/100 ml and 20% of them showed excess urinary
porphyrins. Of this group, 17.5% showed stippling
of the erythrocytes. Among those who said they
never put the spatula or pen in their mouths, only
10.5% had hemoblogin values <12 g/100 ml and none
had excess urinary porphyrins. Four girls admitted
to the hospital were treated with daily oral doses
of 900 mg penicillamine which increased urinary Pb
excretion to up to 2500 yg/day.
2510 Charukchiev, D.: (INTERNAL (TISSUE) AND
EXTERNAL RESPIRATION IN PATIENTS WITH
SILICOSIS AND SILICOTUBERCULOSIS.) Nauch-
ni Trudove, Nauchno-Izsledovatelski In-
stitut Ohrana Truda Professional'nye
Zaboljavanija 10:93-100, 1963.
The 0 metabolism was studied in 130 individuals,
and the oxidation coefficients and some indices
of external respiration in patients with silicosis
and silicotuberculosis. The tissue-oxidation
processes were depressed in ^53% of the 72 pa-
tients studied. Workers employed in Pb-Zn and
rare-metal mines showed a stronger suppression of
internal respiration than patients working in coal
mines. The author suggests that evaluation of the
results of such tests may aid in establishing
early diagnosis and performance of silicotic pa-
tients. (From Abstracts of Bulgarian Scientific
Literature, Medicine, Physics and Culture 6, No.
4:32, 1963; Chemical Abstracts 62:9685, 1965)
2511
Chiesura, P., and Brugnone, F. (Univ.
482
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Padua, Italy): Acido delta-amlnolevulinico
nel siero e suoi rapporti con 1'elimina-
zione urinaria in soggetti con intossica-
zione da piombo. (6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID
IN THE SERUM AND ITS RELATION TO THE URI-
NARY ELIMINATION IN SUBJECTS INTOXICATED
BY LEAD.) Medicina del Lavoro 54:88-94
(Feb.), 1963.
The concentrations of ALA in the serum was deter-
mined in 20 normal subjects and in 41 subjects
either Pb-intoxlcated or exposed to considerable
amounts of Pb and showing a raised level of uri-
nary ALA. The average concentration of ALA in
serum in normal subjects was 7.95 yg%; in individ-
uals intoxicated by Pb or exposed to Pb, serum
concentration of ALA was raised, the increase
being usually directly proportional to the increase
observed in urinary excretion. In almost all cases
investigated, the concentration index of urine to
plasma (U/P) for ALA was very close to the U/P
value for creatinine.
It is concluded that ALA is excreted by glomer-
ular filtration, with only a slight tubular re-
absorption. The rise in urinary ALA concentration
is secondary to the increased plasma level. Hence,
the level of serum or plasma ALA is as valid an
index of the degree of Pb absorption as the uri-
nary value. In practice, however, urinary ALA
determinations are still preferred because the
method is more accurate and the results are eval-
uated more easily.
2512 Chiesura, P., Brugnone, F., and Selmi, G.
(Univ. Padua, Italy): L'intossicazione da
stearato di piombo nella fabbricazione di
materie plastiche. (INTOXICATION DUE TO
LEAD STEARATE IN THE PRODUCTION OF PLAS-
TICS.) Lavoro Umano 15, No. 3:114-22,
1963.
With expanding production, the incidence of Pb
poisoning in the plastics industry has been in-
creasing. A study was therefore designed to ex-
amine workers of a plastics factory in which Pb
stearate was used as a stabilizer. Over a period
of 2 yr, observations were carried out on 10 men
without exposure to Pb and 36 men, average age 34
yr, who had been occupied in weighing Pb stearate
and mixing it with polyvinyl chloride. All men
were given a complete clinical examination, in-
cluding determination of red blood cells, hemo-
globin content and urinary coproporphyrin; in ad-
dition, urinary 6-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was
estimated in 26 men and in some of them, erythro-
cytic protoporphyrin was also measured. In 9 men
the tests were repeated after they had been re-
moved from Pb exposure for sometime. Atmospheric
Pb was also determined at the most important work
places. A notable finding in the 10 controls was
a moderate increase of erythrocytic protoporphyrin
in 3 individuals to 109, 130 and 117 yg/100 cc of
red blood cells, respectively. Findings in the 36
Pb-exposed workers included typical colic in 4
with anemia, abdominal pain and stasis (12 each),
dyspeptic disorders and Burton's line (3 each),
elevated arterial pressure in 4', and enlarged
liver in 19. Although the findings did not re-
veal unequivocally a particularly dangerous action
on the liver, they are considered generally sus-
picious. Urinary coproporphyrin averaged 786 yg/
1, ALA (in 21 of the group) 18.5 mg/1. Nine men
re-examined 1 yr or less after ceasing work,
showed a decrease in urinary coproporphyrin from
953-104 ug/1 and urinary ALA was on the average
7.9 mg/1, whereas erythrocytic protoporphyrin was
still slightly elevated (average 391 ug/100 cc).
Atmospheric Pb at the mixing places was 5.46 mg/m^
and 8.3 mg/m^ where the weighing was done, while
the air in the environment of the controls con-
tained a maximum of 0.4 mg Pb/m3.
The conclusion was drawn that the use of Pb
stearate as stabilizer in the plastics industry
presents a definite hazard. The need of preventive
measures was emphasized, particularly in view of
the constant growth of this industry.
2513 Choi, H. (Catholic Inst. Ind. Med., Korea):
RESULT OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF LABORERS
IN KOREA. (REPORT 2) INTOXICATION CAUSED
BY LEADED (AUTOMOBILE) GASOLINE IN RUBBER
GOODS FACTORIES. Bulletin of Korean In-
dustrial Medicine 2:23-32 (Sept.), 1963.
Gasoline containing tetraethyllead (TEL) is used in
Korea for many industrial purposes; very frequently
it serves as a solvent.
A survey of rubber shoe factories revealed crowd-
ed working conditions, with 50-200 female workers
in poorly ventilated rooms (usually at benches ^10
m long with 5-7 women on each side, 1-1.5 m apart)
with open cans of rubber glue containing 50-70%
Pb-gasoline close-by. The workers apply the glue
with small wooden spoons to pieces of rubber, then
join these; their hands are sometimes dirtied with
the glue. It is estimated that the intake of Pb-
gasoline/worker during an 8-hr day is 400-600 cc.
A total of 814 women, 18-47 yr old (av 25.6 yr),
with 2-mo to 2-yr exposure, were selected for this
survey, 257 women in other departments of the fac-
tory, not using Pb-gasoline, serving as controls.
On the basis of interviews, the ratio of frequency
of manifestations on the part of the nervous sys-
tem in acute TEL intoxication in the 2 groups
were: insomnia, 14.3-1.2%; bad dreams, 41.4-17.5%;
talkativeness, 20.9-4.3%; state of anxiety, 18.4-
5.0%; dizziness, 48.6-35.8%; tremor, 8.7-4.6%;
headache, 42.3-2.1%; nausea or vomiting in the
morning, 21.7-5.4%; hallucination, 10.9-3.1%; and
diplopia, 11.7-2.7%. Three or more of these symp-
toms occurred in a single person at a ratio of
52.2-15.2%; 5 or more symptoms, 27.6-4.7%; 7 or
more, 17.8-1.2%. Marked anemias were found in 26
women with 8 or more symptoms. Most cases were
characterized by anisocytosis or microcytosis,
lymphocytosis and eosinophilia; basophilic stip-
pling was not seen, and there were few cases of
hypotension. No significant differences in weight
were found. Determination of specific gravity of
blood in 1977 rubber plant workers was compared
with 4599 workers of other industries; the ratio
of those having specific gravity of <1.052 was
12.5-26.3%-!.1-5.0%. The author surmises that the
above findings are attributable to a slowly de-
veloping chronic intoxication, causing marked
blood changes. The mental manifestations disap-
peared after removal from work for 1-1.5 mo, and
reappeared upon resumption of work, after 1-2 mo.
Similar signs, though few, were found among
painters who handled for a long time paint diluted
with Pb-gasoline, and in workers who cleaned ma-
Man
483
-------
chine parts with Pb-gasoline for a number of years.
2514 Corsi, G.C., Brugnone, F., and Danieli, A.
(Univ. Padua, Italy): Effetti dell'esposi-
zione al piombo tetraetile sull'elimina-
zione di acido 5-idrossindolacetico. (EF-
FECTS OF EXPOSURE TO TETRAETHYLLEAD ON THE
ELIMINATION OF 5-HYDROXYINDOLEACETIC ACID.)
Minerva Medica 54, No. 82:3097-9, 1963.
Daily elimination of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid
was studied in 43 workers of a tetraethyllead (TEL)
plant, who had been exposed to TEL for 1 mo to 23
yr, and in 38 not so exposed, aged 20-60 yr. Daily
elimination in the controls ranged from 2.85-8.60
mg (mean, 5.19 ± 12.50; a mean of 4.35 ± 3.37 was
found for a group of 8 subjects tested over a per-
iod of 7 successive days), while for the 43 TEL-
exposed subjects, mean elimination was 3.82 i 9.74
mg/24 hr. Individual values for urinary 5-hydroxy-
indoleacetic acid, porphyrin and Pb are listed in
a table. The authors point out that the mean
elimination of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid is
smaller in TEL-exposed than in control subjects and
that workers having a close contact with TEL ex-
crete the smallest amounts. This finding agrees
with results obtained in animal experiments (L.
Galzigna et al, Medicina del Lavoro, in press) in-
dicating that TEL affects the metabolism of tryp-
tophan at the stage of 5-hydroxyindoles even in
the early stage of Pb poisoning. Since the slight
variations between urinary excretion of 5-hydroxy-
indoleacetic acid in healthy and TEL-exposed sub-
jects may be emphasized by administration of 5-
hydroxytryptophan, determination of this acid may
be an early diagnostic criterion for TEL intoxica-
tion before alterations of the nervous system
occur.
2515 Corsi, G.C., and Galzigna, L. (Univ.
Padua, Italy): Transaminasi sieriche
nell'intossicazione umana e sperimentale
da piombo tetraetile e da piombo. (SERUM
TRANSAMINASE IN HUMAN AND EXPERIMENTAL IN-
TOXICATION BY TETRAETHYLLEAD AND LEAD.)
Lavoro Umano 15, No. 8:364-7, 1963.
Since the activity of serum transaminase is known
to reflect even a slight organic damage, a study
was undertaken of the behavior of glutamic-oxa-
lacetic (SCOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
(SGPT) in the blood serum of man and animals in
tetraethyllead (TEL) and Pb poisoning. The human
studies involved 7 patients who had been exposed
to TEL for 2 mo to 22 yr, with symptoms of in-
cipient intoxication or increased urinary Pb and
porphyrins, 3 with signs of subacute TEL poisoning
and 4 with acute Pb poisoning. Animal experiments
were done with 4 groups of adult male rabbits
weighing 2.5-3 kg each. Group 1 (8 rabbits) was
given daily im injections of 10 mg/kg TEL in a
solution of 95% ethanol; Group 2 (8 rabbits) re-
ceived 100 mg TEL/kg/day; Group 3 (4 rabbits) was
injected with 50 mg/kg/day of a solution of neu-
tral Pb acetate and Group 4(5 rabbits), serving
as controls, was treated with 1 cc 95% ethanol.
Blood was collected 3, 6 and 9 days after the
first injection. Transaminase activity was de-
termined by the method of Reitman and Frankel and
expressed in Wroblewski units (UW). Normal values
for SGPT and SCOT in man ranged from 5-35 and 10-
40 UW, respectively. None of the patients showed
any significant increases in either of the trans-
aminases. In rabbits also, whatever differences
were found in the average values were not signifi-
cant statistically. Although SCOT was increased
in 6 of the 16 TEL-poisoned rabbits, the increase
was considerable only in 2 of these animals of
which one showed a simultaneous increase of SGPT.
2516 Coscla, G.C., Perrelli, G., and Meo, G.
(Univ. Turin, Italy): Aspetti dell'elimi-
nazione fecale ed urinaria del piombo in
due casi di intossicazione da stearato di
piombo. (FECAL AND URINARY ELIMINATION
OF LEAD IN TWO CASES OF INTOXICATION BY
LEAD STEARATE.) Folia Medica 46:1125-30,
1963.
According to recent statistics, ^1/3 of all cases
of Pb poisoning are caused by stabilizers added
to plastics, in this instance Pb stearate. This
compound may enter the organism by inhalation or
by way of the digestive tract. In the latter
case, the Pb easily combines with the gastric HC1.
The signs of poisoning by Pb stearate correspond
essentially to those produced by the inorganic Pb
compounds. Normohypochromic anemia and gastro-
duodenitis are observed; however, alterations of
the vascular and peripheral nervous systems are
rarely seen. Liver damage may occur when the
atmospheric concentration to which workers are ex-
posed is high. Exposure to Pb stearate differs
from that of inorganic compounds in that Pb ac-
cumulates predominantly in the gastroenteric
tract. This was investigated in 2 subjects, 1
showing Pb absorption and the 2nd Pb colic, who
received iv 1.8 g CaNa2EDTA on the llth day, and
on the 1st and llth day of observation, respective-
ly. Urinary and fecal Pb excretion were determined
daily over a 16-day period. In case 1, fecal Pb
was up to 10 times that of urinary Pb until EDTA
was administered when fecal Pb decreased from
2850-650 pg/24 hr and urinary Pb increased from
310-1850 pg/24 hr. In case 2, after the 1st EDTA
dose, urinary Pb increased from 500-13,500 ug, and
after the 2nd EDTA dose from 720-5000 yg/24 hr,
while fecal Pb, after having been 8400 pg on the
4th day, decreased on the llth and 12th day to
4500 and 3000 yg/24 hr, respectively. The results
suggest that, particularly in case 1, Pb localized
principally in the digestive tract. The useful-
ness of treatment with EDTA is considered to be
confirmed.
2517 Courville, C.B. (Office of the Coroner-
Medical Examiner, Los Angeles, Calif.):
FORENSIC NEUROPATHOLOGY. X. COMMON CHEM-
ICAL, METALLIC, AND METALLOID POISONS.
Journal of Forensic Sciences 8:481-502
(Oct.), 1963.
Pb is one of the more common industrial poisons
affecting the nervous system, and is perhaps the
most important metal from the viewpoint of fre-
quency with which it affects the central and pe-
ripheral nervous system. There were 3 deaths due
to Pb poisoning in the period from 1950 through
1955. A number of Pb hazards are listed, signs
and symptoms of acute and chronic Pb poisoning
are briefly discussed, and a typical case of
chronic Pb poisoning in a 63-yr-old painter is
484
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
described. An essential part of his work over the
40 yr had been to squeeze continually a large lump
of Pb putty in his hand. A rash, believed to be
due to sensitivity to paint thinner, developed on
his hands and face 5 yr before his death in 1954.
In 1953, when he began having episodes of abdom-
inal pain, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, fol-
lowed later by complaints of pain and weakness in
his arm, a diagnosis of Pb neuropathy and myelo-
pathy was made. Findings of the postmortem ex-
amination of the brain are described in some de-
tail.
2518 Crepet, M., Chiesura, P., Austoni, M.,
and Scandellari, C. (Univ. Padua, Italy):
La ferrocinetica nell'intossicazione umana
da piombo. (IRON KINETICS IN HUMAN LEAD
POISONING.) Minerva Medica 54:3047-53
(Oct. 13) , 1963.
Although autoradiographic examination of the fixa-
tion of Fe has been done on animals, this tech-
nique has not yet been applied to human subjects.
Five men suffering from occupational Pb poisoning
were chosen for this, investigation of whom 4 had
been exposed only for 2-6 mo; one had worked in a
storage battery plant for 8 yr. The tests were
carried out after the men had been removed from
work for ^10 days. None of the men had been sub-
jected to any therapy except for antispasmodics.
Plasma volume and the radioactivity in the areas
of the liver, spleen, sacrum, and in erythrocytes
were calculated by the method of Huff et al after
injection of radioactive Fe (59pe) at a dose of
0.5 yCi/kg; the determination of the exchange of
Fe was done according to Pollycove and Mortimer,
and Sharney et al, and of Fe in blood according to
Heilmeyer and Ploetner. Urinary and red-cell por-
phyrins, 6-aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen
in urine were also measured. All data, including
clinical findings, were tabulated. The erythro-
cyte volume was markedly reduced in all cases; the
plasma volume was reduced in one case and within
normal limits in the other 4 cases; blood Fe was
increased to 140-180 pg% in 4 men and slightly re-
duced (80 ug%) in the fifth. Plasma clearance
time which is indicative of Fe exchange, did not
deviate much from the normal. The survival time
of erythrocytes, which reflects the rate of eryth-
ropoiesis, was decreased by 37-69% in the cases
with increased blood and total plasma Fe, and by
70-72% in the 2 cases with little or no increase
in blood Fe, suggesting to the authors that the
reduction of survival time of erythrocytes depends
to a certain degree upon the availability of cir-
culating Fe. Bone marrow activity declined in 4
and was unaffected in the fifth. Liver activity
was retarded in 1 instance while the curve showed
a normal amplitude in the other 4, in 2 of whom
the decline in radioactivity was slower than nor-
mal. Splenic activity showed some slight changes
similar to that of the liver. Analysis of the
data concerning the Fe volume involved revealed an
increased hemolysis and a retardation of hemoglobin
synthesis and regeneration of circulating cells.
The following conclusions were drawn: Pb anemia
is produced by hyperhemolysis and defective hemo-
globin formation; these factors may act together
or individually; in the stage of regression the
anemia is characterized by hyperplasia and eryth-
ropoietic hyperactivity.
2519 Crutcher, J.C. (Veterans Administration
Hosp., Atlanta, Georgia): CLINICAL MANI-
FESTATIONS AND THERAPY OF ACUTE LEAD IN-
TOXICATION DUE TO THE INGESTION OF IL-
LICITLY DISTILLED ALCOHOL. Annals of
Internal Medicine 59:707-15 (Nov.), 1963.
The clinical manifestations and results of therapy
of 27 patients having had 32 episodes of Pb in-
toxication due to ingestion of whiskey distilled
in Pb-containing apparatus are reported. In the
majority of cases, symptoms appeared 1 or 2 days
after an episode of drinking. In 7 patients, Pb
encephalopathy manifested by convulsions, coma and
increased protein in the cerebral spinal fluid was
observed. One of these patients died because Pb
poisoning was not diagnosed and no therapy was
instituted. Signs and symptoms involving the cen-
tral nervous and gastrointestinal system, hema-
tologic data and coproporphyrin values are tabu-
lated. A hypochromic anemia on peripheral smear,
moderate to marked basophilic stippling both in
the bone marrow and in peripheral blood, and an
occasional direct positive Coombs' test were the
major hematologic findings. The gastrointestinal
symptoms of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
associated with constipation were of sufficient
magnitude to cause surgical exploration in 3 of
the patients. Treatment consisting of iv admin-
istration of CaEDTA dissolved in 5% glucose re-
sulted in the excretion of extremely high quanti-
ties of Pb. All patients responded well to therapy
and no toxic effects were observed.
2520 D'Alonzo, C.A., and Pell, S. (E.I. du
Pont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington,
Del.): A STUDY OF TRACE METALS IN MYO-
CARDIAL INFARCTION. Archives of Environ-
mental Health 6:381-5 (Mar.), 1963.
The trace metals Ni, Mo, B, Zn, Ag, Pb, Mn, Fe,
Mg, Si, Ti and Al were analyzed by spectrography
in sera drawn from 20 hospital patients within 24
hr after admission for myocardial infarction (MI)
and compared with sera from 20 controls matched
to the patients by age and sex. Of the infarc-
tion patients, 19 showed abnormally high and
highly significant levels of Ni, while this was
found in only 4 of the controls. The infarction
patients also showed significantly higher serum
levels of Mo and B; a suggestion of higher Zn
levels in the patients was also found. Differ-
ences between the 2 groups in the levels of the
other trace metals were well within the limits of
sampling error. The concentrations of Pb in 17
MI patients were either not detected or
-------
sons with usual (normal) exposure to Pb, 20 work-
ers exposed occupationally to Pb but showing no
clinical or laboratory signs of intoxication, and
in 20 subjects with clinical signs of chronic Pb
intoxication. Determinations were made by using
Cholak's (1948) coprecipitation method which mea-
sures only the precipitable form, and by the meth-
od of Bessman et al (1955) which permits the esti-
mation of both precipitable and nonprecipitable
Pb. In the normal subjects, the nonprecipitable
fraction was negligible, while in the Pb-exposed
individuals, the total quantity of urinary Pb was
constantly higher than the precipitable fraction.
The nonprecipitable fraction increased as the
total urinary Pb excretion increased. The follow-
ing values were obtained for total, precipitable
and nonprecipitable Pb, respectively, in yg/1:
normal, 49, 47, 2; with increased Pb absorption,
127, 100, 27; in chronic Pb poisoning, 300, 204, 96.
The authors conclude that determination of the
nonprecipitable fraction could be of great useful-
ness in the recognition of excessive exposure and
of one threatening Pb poisoning.
2522 David, A. (Occup. Dis. Clinic, Prague,
Czechoslovakia): Cytochemicke vysetreni
kostni' drene u otravy olovem. (CYTOCHEMI-
CAL EXAMINATION OF BONE MARROW IN LEAD POI-
SONING.) Casopis Lekaru Ceskych 102, No.
3:69-72 (Jan.), 1963.
Cytochemical analysis of normoblasts in chronic Pb
poisoning confirmed older findings concerning the
presence of ribonucleic acid in the basophilic
stippling and an increase of non-hemoglobin Fe.
The tests also revealed a new finding, ie, the
presence of polysaccharides with a positive PAS
reaction. This polysaccharide differed partly from
glycogen and was usually in granular form. It had
no relation to the basophilic stippling but oc-
curred more frequently in sideroblasts and was
found also in many erythrocytes. Supravital stain-
ing with Janus green and neutral red caused a par-
tial increase of mitochondria, particularly of
vacuoles in normoblasts which stained with neutral
red. (From author's English summary)
2523 Dellepiane, B. and Cabella, G. (Univ.
Genoa, Italy): L'indagine elettromio-
grafica in medicina del lavoro. (ELECTRO-
MYOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN OCCUPATIONAL MEDI-
UINE.) Folia Medica 46:777-90 (Oct.),
1963.
The application of electromyography in occupa-
tional medicine and particularly in chronic poi-
soning such as by Pb is discussed. Three cases of
chronic Pb intoxication are briefly described in
which electromyography was used as a diagnostic
test.
2524 Diggs, D.R., Hesselberg, H.E., Ludwig, J.
H., and Maga, J.A. (E.I. du Pont de Ne-
mours & Co., Inc., Wilmington, Del.; Ethyl
Corp., New York, N.Y.; US Pub. Health
Serv.; California State Dept. Pub. Health,
Berkeley): PROGRAM FOR THE SURVEY OF LEAD
IN THREE URBAN COMMUNITIES. Journal of
the Air Pollution Control Association 13:
228-32 (May), 1963.
Objectives and methods are presented for a 1-yr
cooperative program established to survey Pb in
the atmosphere of selected urban areas and in the
blood and urine of selected population groups.
Aerometric stations for sampling Pb have been es-
tablished at 20 fixed sites within Philadelphia,
Cincinnati, and Los Angeles. Subjects from the
above cities, with no known industrial exposure to
Pb, with as wide an age range as possible, who had
lived in the survey areas for at least 5 yr, have
been selected. It is the purpose of this study
to test whether the general population or segments
of the population are exposed to detectable hazards
from atmospheric Pb.
2525 Dingwall-Fordyce, I., and Lane, R.E.
(Nuffield Dept. Occup. Health, Univ. Man-
chester, England): A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF
LEAD WORKERS. British Journal of Indus-
trial Medicine 20:313-5 (Oct.), 1963.
The causes of death among workers known to have
been exposed to Pb were studied. Information was
obtained from a group of companies who made avail-
able the records of their pension fund and from a
large battery plant which provided details of men
who had died during their employment. There were
425 pensioners (between 1926 and 1960; eligibility
requirement: 65 yr of age and not <25 yr service)
of whom 184 had died, and 153 deaths occurred
among an unknown number of employed men who had
not yet reached pensionable age. A significant
excess of deaths from all causes was found among
those pensioners who had been exposed to the great-
est Pb hazard (urinary Pb values 100-250 ug/1 for
last 20 yr (it is noted that in the past these
have not infrequently exceeded 250 pg/1)). The ex-
cess of deaths could not be attributed to malignant
neoplasms but there was evidence that heavy ex-
posure to Pb was associated with an increased in-
cidence of deaths from cerebrovascular diseases.
There are, however, indications that this danger
may have been reduced in recent years.
2526 Dynnik, V.I.: 0 funktsional'nom sostoyanii
pochek pri khronicheskikh svintsovykh intok-
sikatsiyakh. (THE FUNCTIONAL CONDITION OF
THE KIDNEYS IN CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) In
Gigiena i fiziologiya truda, proizvodstven-
naya toksikologiya, klinika profzabolevanii.
(The Hygiene and Physiology of Labor, In-
dustrial Toxicology, and Clinical Aspects
of Occupational Diseases.) Gosmedizdat Ukr.
SSR, Kiev. 2:274-8, L963.
Kidney function was studied in 116 patients with
chronic Pb poisoning, of which 99 were light cases
and 17 of intermediate severity. Urea clearance
rate, Anbar constant, filtration of creatinine and
blood flow through the kidneys were determined and
urine analyses were made. Kidney function was dis-
turbed fairly often whereby the frequency and de-
gree of disturbances increased with the severity of
poisoning. With mild Pb poisoning, the urea clear-
ance rate was decreased in 52 patients, the Anbar
constant increased in 43 of 93, the blood flow
through the kidneys decreased in 37 of 90; cana-
licular filtration was decreased in 25 of 90 sub-
jects and canalicular reabsorption of water in 4 of
14 patients so tested. (From Referativnyi Zhurnal
Otd. Vypusk Farmakol. Toksikol. 1964, No. 20:54,
285; Biological Abstracts 46:Abstr. No. 52599, 1965)
486
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
2527 Efe> S. (Istanbul Univ., Turkey): SatUrn-
izmde delta-aminolevtllinik asidin klinlk
degeri. (6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID IN LEAD
POISONING.) Turk Tip Cemiyeti Mecmuasi
29, No. 10:584-92, 1963.
The excretion of 6-aminolevulenic acid (ALA) was
determined by the method of Mauzerall and Granick.
The groups examined were 63 normal subjects not
exposed to occupational Pb, 18 men with manifest
signs of Pb poisoning, 71 with latent saturnism,
and 17 asymptomatic persons exposed to Pb. The
normal averages found were: ALA, 2.37 mg daily;
Pb in blood, 0.04 mg/100 ml, and in urine, 0.05
mg/1. The excretion of ALA increased as the ex-
cretion of Pb in urine increased. In 3 workers,
1 of whom had been exposed to Pb for 20 days and
the other 2 for 10 days, a 5- to 10-fold increase
of urinary ALA was found, but none of the other
typical subjective or objective signs. In mani-
fest poisoning coproporphyrin excretion was paral-
lel to that of ALA; no increase in porphobilinogen
was observed. Administration of CaNa2EDTA was
followed by a temporary increase in Pb excretion
and a decrease of ALA excretion.
Analysis of the urine of several members of a
family with acute porphyria revealed large amounts
of ALA, coproporphyrin and porphobilinogen. The
author suggests that an increase of ALA should be
considered as the most reliable and earliest sign
of Pb poisoning. Treatment with CaNa2EDTA should
be continued until the level of ALA has returned
to normal. The pathogenesis of the increase of
urinary ALA in Pb poisoning is discussed.
2528 Emmerson, B.T. (Brisbane Hosp., Australia):
CHRONIC LEAD NEPHROPATHY. THE DIAGNOSTIC
USE OF CALCIUM EDTA AND THE ASSOCIATION
WITH GOUT. Australasian Annals of Medi-
cine 12:310-24 (Nov.), 1963.
In this investigation, an attempt has been made to
distinguish between primary chronic glomeruloneph-
ritis, primary chronic pyelonephritis, primary
renal gout and renal disease secondary to gout, as
well as primary chronic Pb nephropathy, and also
to determine the incidence of association of clin-
ical gout. The following groups of patients were
selected for study: (1) 19 control subjects who
had neither hypertension nor gout and no clinical
evidence of significant past Pb absorption; the Pb
content in the skull bone was known to be normal
in 8; (2) 22 patients with chronic Pb nephropathy,
18 of whom have definite histories of Pb poisoning
in childhood and 4 had a Pb etiology for the renal
disease as inferred from an elevated Pb content of
skull bone and a history of childhood Pb poisoning;
(3) 23 patients whose renal disease had causes
other than Pb; (4) 9 patients with a history of
industrial Pb exposure varying from acute indus-
trial Pb poisoning to recent or remote asymptomatic
Pb exposure; (5) 16 patients with chronic renal
failure of uncertain cause. Twenty-four-hour
urine specimens were collected before and after iv
infusion of 1 g of CaEDTA in 250 ml of a 5% aqueous
solution of glucose. The absolute increase in Pb
excretion due to CaEDTA was termed as the EDTA Pb
excretion. Urinary Pb excretion in the controls
ranged from 0.01-0.04 mg/24 hr (with a single level
of 0.06 mg) before, and from 0.09-0.64 mg after the
administration of EDTA. The 8 patients of this
group with the greatest EDTA Pb excretion had also
the greatest urine volumes (2400 ml/day). In Group
2, urinary Pb excretion before and after EDTA was
0.01-0.07 and 0.64-2.51 mg/24 hr, respectively.
The greater the degree of renal failure, the more
prolonged and the greater was the EDTA Pb excre-
tion. One subject with a high Pb content in the
skull displayed impaired urine-concentrating
ability as the only evidence of renal insufficiency;
her EDTA Pb excretion was only 0.80 mg and not at
all prolonged. In Group 3, 19 of the 23 patients
had EDTA Pb excretion in the same range as the con-
trols, while 4 (3 of whom suffered from polycystic
disease of the kidneys) had elevated EDTA Pb ex-
cretion. These results emphasize that an increased
EDTA Pb excretion does not necessarily mean that
Pb caused the renal disease in this case. The 9
subjects of Group 4 had urinary Pb excretion in the
control period varying from 0.01-0.25 mg/24 hr while
the EDTA Pb excretion ranged from 11 mg after
severe and recent exposure down to 0.58 mg when Pb
exposure had been slight and distant in time.
The results obtained for these 4 groups suggest
that the EDTA Pb excretion provides a reliable
method of separating patients with normal and ex-
cessive past Pb absorption, even in the presence
of renal disease. The separating line appeared to
be at M3.6 mg, and patients with an EDTA Pb excre-
tion of <0.6 mg/24 hr were shown as having renal
disease due to causes other then Pb. In the 16 pa-
tients of Group 5, EDTA Pb excretion exceeded 0.6
mg. In 7 of them, abnormally high Pb contents in
the skull gave evidence of excessive past Pb ab-
sorption; 5 probably had suffered excessive
but unrecognized Pb absorption. Of the remaining
4 of this group, 3 had severe hypertension and
nephrosclerosis. No pattern of response was de-
tected for the Pb content in blood after treatment
with EDTA. The values for the EDTA Pb excretion
in relation to previous Pb exposure and disease is
represented in a diagram. Furthermore, a statis-
tical analysis of the results for the EDTA Pb ex-
cretion in relation to renal function and Pb con-
tent of bone is included. An attempt to determine
directly the effect of renal insufficiency on the
EDTA Pb excretion failed due to limitations in the
methods of EDTA estimation. Of the 33 patients
in this study, suffering from chronic Pb nephro-
pathy, 16 had acute attacks of gout.
In the patients with chronic renal disease and
normal past Pb absorption, only 1 in 18 showed any
suggestion of gout. This shows that gout occurs
much more frequently in chronic Pb nephropathy
than in other types of chronic renal disease.
During the present investigation, no deterioration
of renal function directly attributable to admin-
istration of 1-g doses of CaEDTA was observed.
The chief toxic effect of CaEDTA to be noted was
the development of postural hypotension in patients
with severe renal disease, especially those al-
ready receiving hypotensive agents.
2529 Emmerson, B.T., and Lecky, D.S. (Brisbane
Hosp., Australia): THE LEAD CONTENT OF
BONE IN SUBJECTS WITHOUT RECOGNIZED PAST
LEAD EXPOSURE AND IN PATIENTS WITH RENAL
DISEASE. Australasian Annals of Medicine
12:139-42 (May), 1963.
Man
487
-------
The Pb content of bone was determined In normal
subjects, all of whom were living when bone was
obtained, and who could not recall any significant
past Pb exposure. Skull bone was chosen because
previous investigations by Henderson and Inglis in
1957 had shown that the Pb content of this bone
was consistently elevated in chronic Pb nephropathy,
and that such levels were high enough to provide a
differentiation from the normal. The accuracy of
the method of Pb determination was iO.l mg for Pb
concentrations ranging from 0.1-3.0 mg/100 g and
+0.2 mg for those from 3.0-6.0 mg/100 g moist
bone. Although there is a considerable difference
between the Pb content of the inner and outer ta-
bles of the skull, the result of a single specimen
or the average of 2 portions of bone has been
taken in this study as representative of the whole
bone. The Pb content of skull bone was studied in
3 groups of patients: (1) 18 persons, 17-56 yr,
with normal renal function and no clinical evidence
of significant past Pb exposure; (2) 13 patients
with renal disease, but no clinical evidence of
significant past Pb exposure; (3) 10 patients with
chronic Pb nephropathy. In Group 1, Pb contents
of portions of the skull bones and mean standard
deviations for the inner and outer table were,
respectively, in mg/100 g, 0.7-4.6, 2 + 1.1,
2.1+1.1. In 7 patients of Group 2, the Pb con-
tent of the inner and outer tables and standard
deviations were 1.0 + 0.5 and 1.1 + 0.5, respec-
tively; in 6 patients of this group, the Pb con-
tent of a full-thickness portion of occipital bone
was 1.4 t 0.6 mg/100 g; in 11 patients, the Pb
content of rib bone (4th and 5th rib in the mid-
axillary line) was 1.1 ± 0.8 mg/100 g. These
figures, being well within the normal range, show
that renal failure does not result in accumula-
tion of Pb in bone. In Group 3, the occipital
skull bone contained 4.6-17.8 mg Pb/100 g (mean
8.8), the mean Pb content of the inner and outer
tables was 8.5 and 9.0 mg/100 g, respectively. The
Pb content of the rib bone in 5 cases was 2.1-11.1
mg (mean 4.6)/100 g, and of the tibial bone in 4
cases 3.6-16.8 (mean 8.3).
2530 Faulkner Hudson, T.G. (Univ. Bristol, Eng-
land) : SOME HEALTH HAZARDS IN METAL
MAKING. Transactions of the Association
of Industrial Medical Officers 12:114-23
(Jan.), 1963.
Among the hazards discussed, the problem of Pb
poisoning as an occupational hazard and the diag-
nosis of Pb intoxication are stressed. Three
recommendations are made for prevention of Pb poi-
soning: (1) repeated studies of the working
environment, (2) regular examination of the ex-
posed workers; (3) education of employees and
instructing them about the risks and the preven-
tive measures. If one biochemical test only is
being used in supervising Pb workers, it should
be the estimation of hemoglobin. Considering that
many Pb workers are strenuously employed for >38
hr/wk and that not every man will at all times be
entirely fit, the recent raising of the threshold
limit to 200 yg Pb/m^ may seem unwise.
2531 Fave> C.L. (Soc. Ind. Med. Hyg., Paris,
France): Saturnisme alimentaire. Etiol-
ogie imprevue et exposition professionnelle
au plomb. (DIETARY SATURNISM. UNFORESEEN
ETIOLOGY AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO
LEAD.) Proceedings of the Society of In-
dustrial Medicine and Hygiene. Archives
des Maladies Prof essionnelles de Me'decine
du Travail et de Se'curite Sociale 24:545-6
(June), 1963.
A 30-yr-old man, who was in the employ of a storage
battery industry (5 yr), was found to have in-
creased counts of stippled cells which increased
in spite of transfer to work without exposure to
Pb. A search for the cause, it was found that at
home vinegar was kept in a bottle with a stopper
cap from Pb. The vinegar thus became a suspension
of Pb acetate when the bottle was shaken. This
was confirmed by analysis (however, the Pb value
was not reported). The man, his wife and daughter
showed no other effects than a greatly increased
count of stippled red cells. The blood count be-
came normal within 2 wk after consumption of this
vinegar had been discontinued.
2532 Flinn, R.H., Brinton, H.P., Doyle, H.N.,
Cralley, L.J., and Harris, R.L., Jr.,
Westfield, J., Bird, J .H., and Berger, L.B.
(US Public Health Service; Bureau of
Mines): SILICOSIS IN THE METAL MINING IN-
DUSTRY. A REVALUATION, 1958-1961. US
Public Health Service Publication No. 1076,
1963, 238 pp.
The study was an outgrowth of hearings before the
Committee on Education and Labor, House of Repre-
sentatives, 84th Congress, although in 1954 a re-
valuation of the prevalence of silicosis in the
metal mining industry was begun by reviewing com-
pensation and other records of official agencies
to determine the magnitude of the silicosis prob-
lem. At the start of the 1958-61 study, it was
not known whether the present prevalence of sili-
cosis was among miners who had significant ex-
posure before dust control practices were institu-
ted in the mid-30's, or was due to lack of appli-
cation of these controls, or to inadequate stan-
dards .
Environmental conditions were studied in 67 un-
derground mines employing ^20,500 persons (>50% of
the working population of underground metal mines
in the US). The medical study included employees
from 50 of these mines and a large number of U
mines (22 of the mines with a total of 4281 workers
were in the Pb-Zn-Ag commodity group). While the
study as a whole deals with a thorough investiga-
tion of exposure to dust and its silica content
with emphasis on the prevalence of respiratory
diseases, history of Pb and Hg poisoning was also
considered. A past history of Pb poisoning was
reported by 82 miners; in 21, the Pb-poisoning
episode had occurred before they were employed in
metal mining and had been caused by such tasks as
spraying orchards, painting, making storage bat-
teries, and welding and cleaning gasoline tanks.
Considering only men working at mines which were
producing Pb, 26 reported Pb poisoning in their
past experience. This is a prevalence of 0.7% Pb
poisoning in contrast to 14% of Utah metal miners
surveyed in 1939. The decrease is attributed to
many factors, among them a change in the ore mined
(more sulfide and less carbonate ore which is more
likely to cause Pb poisoning). A breakdown of the
488
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
cases by years showed that cases of Pb poisoning
still develop, although ^2/3 of the mines revealed
no workers with a history of Pb poisoning.
In the overall findings, the incidence of sili-
cosis among metal mine workers was much more in-
fluenced by the silica content of the dust than by
the type of commodity produced. Excluding the Fe
and Pb-Zn mines with low free silica exposure, the
total crude rates of silicosis in the various mines
were much the same (4.8% in Pb-Zn mines). Time of
exposure was influential. In no group of mines did
men with <10 yr exposure show as much as 1% sili-
cosis; in the 10-19 yr group 3.1% for Pb-Zn mines;
however, in the 20-29 yr group the Pb-Zn mines
showed 12.7%, compared with up to 7.8% in Cu and Fe
groups, although the other commodity and U mines
showed up to 27.5%.
In the 30-yr or more group, the Pb-Zn, U and
other mines had also higher prevalence of silico-
sis (close to 302) than the Fe and Cu mines (^20%) .
At mines with low free silica, silicosis was mini-
mal even with longest time of exposure (2.5% for
Fe and 2% for Pb-Zn mines).
Numerous recommendations are included in the re-
port as generally applicable to the underground
metal mining industry, including continuance of
medical and environmental studies by the Public
Health Service and Bureau of Mines at ^5-yr inter-
vals, maintenance of dust monitoring programs, con-
trols, and medical and educational programs by in-
dustries.
2533 Fomina, L.I., and Aldanazarov, A.T.:
IMMUNE CHANGES IN THE ORGANISM IN CASES OF
SATURNISM. Materialy 1-oi (Pervoi) Resp.
Nauchn. Konf. po. Vopr. Gigieny Truda i
Prof. Zabolevanii, Karaganda, Sb. 1963:91.
A study of 207 patients with repeated (2-6 times)
Pb poisoning showed that 12 had fixed and free
antierythrocyte autoantibodies in the blood. In
123 patients with a lower frequency of aggrava-
tions, fixed antierythrocyte autoantibodies oc-
curred in 85% and free ones in 78%. Of 72 pa-
tients without aggravations, 19% had fixed and 9%
had free autoantibodies. Thirty dogs had no anti-
erythrocyte autoantibodies before poisoning, but
they were found in all after Pb poisoning. A cor-
relation was observed in the formation of auto-
antibodies in the blood and the development of Pb
anemia. (From Referativnyi Zhurnal, Farmakol.,
Toksikol. 1964:Abstract No. 7.54.277; Chemical Ab-
stracts 62:12357, 1965)
2534 Francois, J., and Evens, A. (Natl. Univ.
Gent, Belgium): De beroepsintoxicaties
van het oog. (OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF
OCCUPATIONAL POISONING.) Belgisch Tijd-
schrift voor Geneeskunde 19:512-6 (May),
1963.
In discussing occupational exposure to toxic sub-
stances which may lead to ocular disorders, the
author begins with those seen in Pb poisoning.
One of the consequences of chronic intoxication
by Pb is the so-called Pb amaurosis. After a per-
iod of colics, constipation and arthropathy, the
worker notices intermittent sensations of a haze
before the eyes which may result in complete
blindness. Aphasia and deafness may also result.
When the photomotor reactions of the pupil in
the fundus of the eye remain normal, the patient
regains his vision within 1-14 days. Vasodilators,
particularly amyl nitrite, are helpful in releasing
the spasm in the occipital zone. Less favorable
are the prospects in the case of retrobulbar neu-
ritis which may lead to bilateral scotoma and in
turn to an optical atrophy. This development,
in 10% of the cases, results in total blindness.
All oculomotor nerves may be affected in Pb poi-
soning, as well as the intrinsic musculature, with
mydriasis and lowered accommodation.
2535 Franke, W. (Dept. of Occupational Med. and
Ind. Hygiene at Lower Saxony, Germany):
Die heutige Bedeutung und das klinische
Bild der Bleivergiftung aus der Sicht des
Gewerbearztes. (THE PRESENT SIGNIFICANCE
AND CLINICAL FORM OF LEAD POISONING FROM
THE STANDPOINT OF THE INDUSTRIAL PHYSICIAN.)
Medizinische Welt 44:2229-34 (Nov.), 1963.
This paper was presented at a symposium on Pb for
general, industrial and governmental physicians in
Lower Saxony. A diagram is shown which indicates
that the incidence of Pb poisoning in that section
of the country had decreased between 1951 and 1955
but had considerably increased from 1958 to 1961.
Pb mines and storage battery plants were mainly
responsible for the increase. The development of
Pb poisoning, the toxicity of Pb in the human
organism and symptoms of Pb poisoning are discuss-
ed. Of 148 patients examined by the author in a
large Pb industry during the war, 73% had a Pb
line; 63.5%, gastrointestinal colics; 54%, pallor;
94% an increase of stippled basophils. The men
had an average of 3.5 million erythrocytes and
their hemoglobin was between 60 and 70%. It was
noted that 106 of the patients had become ill
after 4 mo work, and only 4 men had worked longer
than 1 yr. A case of fatal poisoning due to Pb
encephalopathy is described.
The most convenient test for diagnosis of Pb
poisoning is based on the count of stippled
erythrocytes; other tests are the presence of
urinary coproporphyrin III (threshold value 20
jjg%) , decrease of hemoglobin, and Pb concentra-
tions in the blood >40 Pg%.
The author discusses at some length the value of
blood-Pb determination, first stating that the
German industrial physicians consider this to be
of limited diagnostic importance. He then cor-
relates the blood-Pb values obtained on 777 pa-
tients with the number of stippled cells (using
Koelsch's formula), so that occasional stippling
(1-3/50 fields) corresponds to 44 ug blood-Pb, up
to a massive number of stippled cells (>50/50
fields) corresponding to 93 )Jg% blood-Pb. A cor-
relation of these 2 factors with coproporphyrln-
uria is also found. Therefore, in the author's
experience, >40 stippled cells/50 fields, second-
ary anemia, a coproporphyrin excretion >50 pg% and
a Pb content in the blood >90 ug% are indicative
of excessive Pb absorption. It is pointed out
that blood-Pb determinations be done only by ex-
perienced analysts. The same caution is expressed
concerning urinary Pb analyses. These are per-
tinent in a survey of Pb risk of a group of work-
ers. Useful therapeutic agents in Pb poisoning
are spasmolytic drugs, vitamin-B^2 preparations,
Ca compounds, Na citrate and more recently, EDTA.
Man
489
-------
In summary, periodic stippled cell counts and
coproporphyrin tests are considered sufficient
routine measure for the surveillance of workers at
risk; blood and urinary Pb determinations are re-
quired for doubtful cases, such as the medicolegal
cases and reinstatement in hazardous operations.
2536 Freed, C.C. (Johannesburg, South Africa):
LEAD POISONING. Proceedings of the Mine
Medical Officers' Association 43:1-7 (May-
July) , 1963.
The Pb hazard in a factory treating Au- and Ag-
bearing by-products is described. The material
coming into the factory is separated into lots for
the most suitable treatment. Rich material is
fed into the reverberatory pan furnace together
with litharge or galena, containing 857, Pb, for
smelting. Such a "bath charge" is dropped into
the furnace about every 6 hr and the furnace is
slagged approximately every 3 hr. After the last
charge has been slagged, the furnace is cooled
down to ^900°C and the Pb bullion run into molds;
the main charge contains 17.3% Pb, the slag 4.6%.
Since Pb vaporizes at 500°C, Pb fumes evolve
during the process. Fine material is dealt with
in the sinter plant. The sintering process (sin-
ter charge and sinter produced contain 4.8 and
5.7% Pb, respectively) is the most dangerous part
from the point of view of Pb hazard. Pb fumes
are also produced in the blast furnace and cupella-
tion process.
All employees (106 Bantu and 24 white man) work-
ing in this plant are medically examined every 3
mo; urinary coproporphyrin determinations are
made monthly. The colorimetric test used is graded
from 1-6, with 4 being a threshold level. At and
above this level, Pb line, hypochromic anemia and
increased punctate basophils are found. There
were 17 cases of Pb poisoning in the factory in
August-September, 1962; 1 among them apparently
developed an acute psychosis and may have suffered
from Pb encephalopathy. Surveys revealed that 70%
of the Bantu workers showed -evidence of high Pb
absorption and that 23% of these had overt Pb poi-
soning, whereas Pb poisoning was diagnosed in only
1 white worker and Pb absorption in 4. Pb colic
is best treated by iv administration of Ca glu-
conate. For serious intoxication such as Pb en-
cephalopathy EDTA is recommended. The action of
this chelating agent and its possible toxic ef-
fects are discussed. It is emphasized that nearly
all Pb hazards can be controlled by engineering
devices and industrial hygiene.
2537 Furlanello, F., Crepaldi, V., and Dal
Palu, C. (Univ. Padua, Italy): Docu-
mentazione fonocardiografica ed interpre-
tazione del reperti stetoacustici negli
stati anemici. (PHONOCARDIOGRAPHIC DOCU-
MENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE STETH-
ACOUSTIC FINDINGS IN ANEMIC STATES.)
Minerva Cardioangiologica 11:604-11 (Oct.),
1963.
The studies were carried out on 10 patients, 7 male
and 3 female, 17-46 yr old, who presented a chronic
anemia of various types. The anemia was due in 5
cases to hemolytic anemia; in the others, respec-
tively, to lymphatic leukemia, essential hypochro-
mic anemia, to Pb poisoning, etc. All cases were
studied during the recovery stage after antianemia
therapy. In addition to the phonocardiogram, the
EKG was applied. The findings are described in
detail and tabulated. (These are not related to
the cause of the anemia.)
2538 Fyhrquist, F., Widholm, 0., and Wegelius,
0. (MariaHosp., Helsingfors, Finland):
BlyfUrgiftning inom personalen och preven-
tiva StgHrder vid en ackumulatorindustri
i Finland. (LEAD POISONING AMONG PERSONNEL
AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN A STORAGE BAT-
TERY FACTORY IN FINLAND.) Social-Medicinsk
Tidskrift (Stockholm) 40:25-7, 1963.
Hemoglobin and stippled cell counts had been de-
termined in routine blood analyses performed dur-
ing 1953-1961, at 2- to 3-mo intervals, on the 70-
110 workers employed in a storage battery plant.
The data obtained from a total of 1034 analyses
were compiled as follows: Period I, September
1953 to February 1954, at the end of which ventila-
tors were installed (98 analyses); Period II, May
1954 to September 1957, at the end of which the
plant was moved to a new location (550 analyses);
Period III, December 1957 to May 1961 (386 analy-
ses) . No consideration was given to data on turn-
over among personnel, individual cases of Pb poi-
soning related to performing a certain task, sex,
and age. A table of data compiled on 6 workers
(5 male, 1 female) continuously employed through
all 3 periods showed mean hemoglobin values of
61.6 and 67.1% during the 2 yr of Period I, re-
spectively; 81.9-88.3% in II; 71.0-86.3% in III.
Assuming that anemia exists at hemoglobin values
<12 g in man and 11.5 g in women, it was found
that in Period I, 73% showed anemia and 14% baso-
philic stippling; in II, 5.4% anemia but 27% stip-
pling; in III, 13% anemia and 10.6% stippling;
both anemia and stippling were observed in 14.3,
3.9, and 4.5%, in the 3 periods, respectively.
It is concluded that the installation of venti-
lators had caused the decrease in anemia in Period
II (stippled cell counts are not regarded as a
specific sign or index of Pb poisoning). The
slight increase in Period III is attributed to the
workers' negligence, for many assumed that the new
modern plant would provide automatic protection,
and they disregarded personal protective measures.
The importance of the latter under any conditions
is stressed, as well as the significance of reg-
ular red blood cell counts in detecting signs of
Pb intoxication.
2539 Gelinova, E., Stefkov, D., and Gelinov,
Kh. (Mun. Hosp., Sofia, Bulgaria): Vurkhu
dva sluchaya na podostro olovno otravyane
ot khranitelni produkti. (TWO CASES OF
SUBACUTE LEAD POISONING OF ALIMENTARY ORI-
GIN.) Suvremenna Meditsina (Sofia) 14:
36-9, 1963.
The cases of poisoning occurred in a man, 65 yr
old, and his wife, 52 yr old, from drinking wine
that had been stored in glazed containers. The
description of the case reports includes results
on blood Pb, which was from 300-400 yg%; among
clinical findings were hemolysis and anemia (de-
termined by Coombs' test). The patients were
treated with EDTA.
490
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
2540 German!, C. (Santa Maria and San Gallicano
Hosp. Inst,, none, Italy): Su alcuni
aspetti terapeutici della idrossicobala-
mina in compo dermatologico. (SOME THERA-
PEUTIC ASPECTS OF HYDROXYCOBALAMINE IN THE
DERMATOLOGICAL FIELD.) Minerva Dermato-
logica 38:243-9 (July), 1963.
A daily dose of 1000-2000 ug of hydroxycobalamine
was administered iv or im for 10-60 days to 16 pa-
tients suffering from various forms of acute and
chronic liver disorders, 10 of whom presented der-
matitis. All patients showed a marked improvement
subjectively and clinically after treatment. As
confirmed by laboratory tests, liver function re-
turned to normal and the accompanying skin disease
also exhibited marked remission in all cases in
which the liver disorder could be traced to a defi-
nite pathogenic factor. One of the patients, 35
yr old, was a typographer exposed to Pb for 12 yr.
lie had presented colics, anorexia, vomiting, di-
gestive disturbances, asthenia, headaches. He ex-
aibited diffuse tremors, muscular hypotrophy, jaun-
dice, gingival Pb line, palpable liver (presence
of dermatitis was not indicated). After treatment
with 2000 ug HCA daily for 30 days (iv), a note-
worthy improvement in liver function took place.
(18 references)
2541 Glavatskikh, G.I., and Ermakov, V.V.
(State Med. Inst., Chita, SSSR): TRACE
ELEMENTS IN THE BRAIN OF MAN AND SOME
DOMESTIC ANIMALS. Biol. Rol Mikroelemen-
tov v Organizme Cheloveka i Zhivotn. Vost.
Sibiri i Dal'nego Vostoka, Akad. Nauk SSSR
Sibirsk. Otd., Komis. po Izuch. Mikorele-
mentov, Buryatsk. Kompleksn. Nauchn.-
Issled. Inst., Tr. Konf., Ulan-Ude 1962
32-40 (publ. 1963).
A number of trace metals was determined spectro-
graphically in various parts of the cerebrum and
cerebellum and medulla oblongata of 9 men and 6
sheep. The'average Pb concentration for the whole
brain was found to be 0.47 ppm for man and 0.19 for
the sheep. (From Chemical Abstracts 61:15109,1964)
2542 Goldberg, A. (Univ. Glasgow, Scotland):
THE ANAEMIA OF LEAD POISONING. In Side-
roachrestic Anaemias, Lisbon, Portugal,
1963. Proceedings of the 9th Congress of
the European Society of Haematology (Lis-
bon) No. 2, Ft. 1:272, 1963.
Pb has a multifocal effect on erythropoiesis - on
erythrocyte integrity, on haemoglobin synthesis
particularly prior to and immediately after the
formation of 8-aminolevulic acid, at the stage of
Fe incorporation and in globin synthesis; and pos-
sibly in erythroid proliferation.
When treatment is given with a Pb chelator, for
example CaNaEDTA or penicillamine, these defects of
erythropoiesis are corrected.
The study of Pb poisoning thus can serve as a
model for the study of the mechanisms of other
refractory anemias. (Author's abstract)
2543 Goldberg, A., Smith, J.A., and Lochhead,
A.C. (Gardiner Inst., Glasgow, Scotland):
TREATMENT OF LEAD-POISONING WITH ORAL PENI-
CILLAMINE. British Medical Journal 1:
1270-5 (May 11), 1963.
The daily output of urinary and fecal Pb, urinary
coproporphyrin (CP) , ALA and Pb content in blood
were determined in a pretreatment period of 7-12
days in 9 patients, aged 38-60 yr, suffering from
chronic or subacute Pb intoxication. Seven of the
men were oxyacetylene metal-burners working in a
ship-breaking yard, one had worked in a battery
factory for 15 yr and one had been making Pb ingots
for only 6 wk. Cases 1 and 2 had 7-days' courses
of 900 mg penicillamine/day, case 9 had 2 separate
courses of 7 days each of 900 mg/day, cases 3 and
4 had 900 mg/day for 4 days followed by 1500
mg/day for another 4 days, cases 5,6 and 7 had
1500 mg/day for 7 days, and case 8 who was sensi-
tive to penicillamine was given 150-1200 mg/day in
increasing doses over a period of 23 days. In each
case the penicillamine was administered in divided
doses 3 times/day. In all 9 patients there was a
concurrent decrease of urinary CP, ALA and Pb con-
centration in the blood. A long-term trial was
carried out starting 3 mo (cases 1 and 2) or 10
days (cases 3 and 4) after the end of the short
term trial in which penicillamine was given at 300
mg/day for 3 wk and at 600 mg/day for the following
6 wk. A 5th man of the initial group received 600
mg/day for 4 mo. There was a persistent excretion
of urinary Pb in all 5 subjects, urinary CP and ALA
returned to normal levels, the hemoglobin level in-
creased and the neurological and abdominal symptoms
disappeared. The patient who had received penicil-
lamine for 4 mo, though without symptoms, was found
to have proteinuria. Oral penicillamine is recom-
mended in treatment of Pb poisoning in daily doses
of 600 mg for a period not exceeding 4 wk.
2544 Gontzea, J., Dumitrache, S., Rujinski, A.,
and Cocora, D. (Inst. of Med. and Pharma-
col., Bucharest, Romania): Der Bedarf an
Vitamin C bei Bleiarbeitern. (VITAMIN C
REQUIREMENT OF LEAD WORKERS.) Interna-
tionale Zeitschrift fUr Angewandte Physi-
ologie einschliesslich Arbeitsphysiologie
20:20-33, 1963.
A still unpublished investigation by Sporn and
Dlnu in 1962 of 1157 workers of various industries
showed that the content of ascorbic acid in the
blood of workers exposed to Pb, aniline, trinitro-
toluene or superphosphates was distinctly lower
than in workers of other industries. Gontzea and
co-workers studied the metabolism of ascorbic acid
in 25 workers of a battery plant who had been ex-
posed to Pb for at least 5 yr. The effect of their
exposure to Pb was measured by their urinary Pb
excretion (av 132 yg/1) and by blood counts (4.4
millions erythrocytes mm^, 13.2 g% hemoglobin).
The normal diet of these subjects provided ^80 mg
vitamin C/day, which is an optimal amount for their
caloric intake. At this diet the average level of
ascorbic acid in their blood was 0.37 mg% and uri-
nary excretion of ascorbic acid was 9.80 mg/1. In
none of the subjects did urinary excretion after
iv injection of 500 mg ascorbic acid reach the
normal value of 40% of the injected amount. In
order to define the vitamin C requirement of these
men exposed to Pb, the diet was supplemented, at
intervals of 2 wk, by 70, 120, and 150 mg vitamin
C, respectively, and the effect of the loading
test (iv injection of 500 mg vitamin C) was de-
termined in each case. It was found that in order
Man
491
-------
to prevent hypovitaminosis and to keep the utili-
zation of ascorbic acid at a normal 40% level,
the diet of these workers must contain 150-200 mg
vitamin C/day, (53 references)
2545 Gon^ea, I., Dumitrache, S., Rujinski, A.,
and Cocora, D. (Inst. Med. Pharmacy,
Bucharest, Romania): La ne'cessite en vita-
mine C des travailleurs exposes au plomb.
(THE NECESSITY OF VITAMIN C IN WORKERS EX-
POSED TO LEAD.) In Union des Societes
de Sciences Medicales, Societe d'Hygiene:
Premier ^Congres National d'Hygiene et de
. Securite du Travail. Rapports et Resumes
des Travaux (First National Congress of
Industrial Health. Abstracts of Papers).
Bucharest, 1963, p. 205-6.
The study which was carried out among workers of a
storage battery plant showed that some men, expend-
ing 3500-4000 calories of energy/24 hr, had a de-
ficiency of ascorbic acid although their intake
of 60-100 mg vitamin C appeared adequate. This
phenomenon indicates that Pb increases the re-
quirement for this vitamin. The addition to the
diet, for 2 wk each of 70, 120, and 150 mg of
ascorbic acid, showed that men exposed to Pb need-
ed at least 150 mg ascorbic acid, or twice as much
as nonexposed personnel in occupations requiring
the same cost of energy; also, that a daily intake
of 200 mg was optimal for workers exposed to Pb.
2546 Grieco, B., and Scaling!, G. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): Rischio di contamlnazione col
piombo tetrametile in una raffineria di
petrolio. (THE RISK OF CONTAMINATION WITH
TETRAMETHYLLEAD IN A GASOLINE REFINERY.)
Folia Medica 46, No. 11:940-8, 1963.
In a refinery where TML is added to gasoline, the
personnel exposed to the risks of absorption of
the methyl fluid by inhalation and skin contact
include the operators of the mixing apparatus,
the analysts who test the octane number of samples
of the mixed gasoline and the chemists. Preven-
tive measures for the operators include full pro-
tective clothing, rubber boots and gloves, and
respirators. All components of the fluid, ethyl-
ene dibromlde and dichloride, toluene, as well as
TML constitute hazards to operators and technical
personnel.
Ten men, 37-57 yr old, of whom 3 were operators
of the mixing apparatus, 3 analysts, and 4 chem-
ists of a refinery in southern Italy, were observed
over a period of 10 mo. All men had handled methyl
fluid since 1960 and had earlier performed similar
tasks in the addition of ethyl fluid to gasoline.
Their total service extended over 8-12 yr. At 3-
mo intervals, beginning with December 1962 the
workers were subjected to a medical examination
and the following laboratory tests: determination
of levels of Pb in blood and urine, urinary cop-
roporphyrins, free protoporphyriri in erythrocytes,
liver function, examination of urine, azotemia,
differential blood picture, and blood cholesterol.
All data obtained were within normal ranges. It
is pointed out that in working with TML no hazard
exists when adequate preventive measures are ob-
served; these must include good ventilation as
well as personal protection.
2547 Groos, E., Sattler, E.L., and Stahlhofen,
W. (Max-Planck-Institut fUr Biophysik,
Frankfurt, Germany): (THE NATURAL 210Pb
and 210p0 CONTENT IN THE BONES OF HUMANS.)
Atomkernenergie 8:32-3 (Jan.), 1963.
The average value of 210pb activity in human bones
was found to be 1.1 x 10~13 Ci/g of bone ash and
3.2 x 10~li4 Ci/g of fresh weight. (From Nuclear
Science Abstracts 17:Abstract No. 13957, 1963)
2548 Hanke, J. (Inst. Med. Pracy, Lodz, Poland):
Proba oceny stopnia uszkodzenia ustroju na
podstawie testow enzymatycznych (zasadowa
i kwasna fosfataza, aldolaza, transaminaza
szczawiooctowa i transaminaza pirogronowa.
(EVALUATION OF THE DEGREE OF POISONING BY
ENZYMATIC TESTS (ALKALINE AND ACID PHOSPHA-
TASE, ALDOLASE, AND GLUTAMIC-OXALACETIC
AND GLUTAMIC-PYRUVIC TRANSAMINASES).)
Medycyna Pracy 14, No. 3:223-38, 1963.
The activity of several enzymes of the blood serum
was studied in patients severely poisoned by vari-
ous chemical agents. The activity of acid phos-
phatase was unchanged while that of alkaline phos-
phatase was slightly lowered. Aldolase, glutamic-
oxalacetic and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase show-
ed increased activity especially when liver, heart
muscle or skeletal muscles were injured by the
poison. While in intoxications caused by CO, bar-
biturates, isoniazid, quinine and some tranquili-
zers, the alterations from the normal values were
indicative of the degree of poisoning, this did
not hold true for poisoning by Pb gasoline and
methyl chloride.
2549 Harashima, S. (School of Med., Keio Univ.,
Japan): STUDIES ON INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY,
ESPECIALLY ON OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES DUE TO
HEAVY METALS AND ORGANIC SOLVENTS. In The
Abstracts of the Proceedings of the 16th
General Assembly of the Japan Medical Con-
gress (April), 1963, Osaka, Japan, 2 pp.
Recent developments in industrial toxicology in
Japan, particularly with regard to occupational
diseases due to P"b and C tetrachloride, are re-
viewed. Instead of the threshold limit of 0.12 mg
Pb/m3 air, as recently suggested by the American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
and Horiuchi and Ida's value of 0.05 mg/m3 (1955),
the author proposes a threshold limit of 0.10 mg/
m3.
2550 Holtzman, R.B. (Argonne Natl. Lab., 111.):
MEASUREMENT OF THE NATURAL CONTENTS OF
RaD (Pb210) AND RaF (Po210) IN HUMAN
BONE - ESTIMATES OF WHOLE-BODY BURDENS.
Health Physics 9:385-400 (Apr.), 1963.
The natural RaD (210pb) concentration in man was
determined from measurement of the RaF (210po) in
bone samples obtained from surgery and autopsy of
unexposed individuals, mostly from Illinois.
About 63% of the RaD is in the skeleton in appar-
ent equilibrium with RaF,and, within a factor of
2, it is uniformly distributed in the skeleton.
The average RaD concentration found in 128 bone
samples was 0.146 + 0.020 pCi/g ash as compared to
an average 22f>Ra concentration of 0.037 ± 0.007
pCi/g ash. Little correlation between the 2 nu-
clides was observed. The average RaD concentra-
492
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
tions in the skeleton were 0.161 pCi/g ash In men
and 0.119 pCi/g in women. These concentrations
were generally higher in trabecular than in corti-
cal bone, 0.184 and 0.105 pCi/g ash, respectively.
No particular correlation was found between the
residence histories of the donors and the RaD con-
centrations in their skeletons. Calculations
based on some of the metabolic parameters of Pb
and on the known concentrations of 226Ra> 222gn
and RaD in the human biosphere, show food and air
to be the major contributors of RaD in the sub-
jects studied. The RaDEF decay chain is shown to
contribute a radiation dose to the human skeleton
more than double that from 226Ra aruj about equal
to that from 22&Ra ancj 228Ra combined. (From au-
thor's abstract; 49 references)
2551 Hopkins, S.J.: THERAPEUTICS. Manufac-
turing Chemist 34:534-7 (Nov.), 1963.
The discussion of recent developments in pharma-
ceuticals includes the use of CaNa acetate (sic,
probably EDTA) in Pb poisoning, with the state-
ment that as the drug must be given by injection
and may also cause renal damage, its therapeutic
value is limited. Penicillamine has been shown
to mobilize stored Pb. With the advantage of
easy oral administration, it may become, with
wider experience, the standard treatment for Pb
poisoning. (35 references)
2552 Horeau, J., Greaud, H., LeBourhis, J.,
Bureau, L., and Babin-Chevaye, L. (Medical
Clinic, Paris, France): Nouveau cas de
saturnisme d'origine alimentaire, (A NEW
CASE OF LEAD POISONING OF DIETARY ORIGIN.)
Annales de Medicine Legale et de Crimi-
nologie, Police Scientifique et Toxicologie
43:284-8 (May-June), 1963.
A case of Pb poisoning in a 53-yr-old man, due to
ingestion each morning of a lemonade stored in a
glazed earthenware container, is reported. Lemon-
ade prepared from 2 lemons and 1 1. of water stored
in this container for 24 hr, was found to contain
260 mg Pb/1 compared to 0.020 mg when stored in a
glass vessel, and the Pb content of the lemonade
increased still more when the lemonade was kept in
the glazed container for a longer period of time.
No Pb poisoning was suspected when the man was
admitted to the hospital for the first time with
symptoms of asthenia, dizziness and some hepatic
irregularities. Three mo later he was again ad-
mitted to the hospital with abdominal colics,
vomiting, and a Burton line. He showed a distinct
anemia and presence of stippled basophilic cells;
the Pb content of blood and urine was 120 pg/100
ml and 810 yg/24 hr, respectively; urinary copro-
porphyrins were increased. Three courses of treat-
ment with CaEDTA resulted in complete recovery of
the patient. The risk of Pb poisoning by the use
of earthenware with Pb-containing coatings for
alimentary purposes is discussed.
2553 Horiuchi, K. (Osaka City Univ. Med. School,
Japan): (LEAD POISONING.) Medicine
(Tokyo) 20:71-4 (Jan.), 1963.
A review of the work accomplished on the subject
at Osaka City University. (22 references)
2554
Hoschek, R. (Stuttgart, Germany): Paral-
lelbestiamungen des Bleispiegels in ver-
schiedenen Instituten. (PARALLEL DETERMI-
NATIONS OF THE LEAD CONCENTRATION IN BLOOD
IN DIFFERENT INSTITUTES.) Internationales
Archiv ftir Gewerbepathologie und Gewerbe-
hygiene 20:195-216 (May), 1963.
Seventy-one parallel determinations of the Pb
level in blood were carried out by a team consist-
ing of 14 reputed institutes located in Germany
and other countries. Samples of blood from cattle
to which a measured amount of Pb had been added,
were distributed. The data obtained by the 14 in-
stitutes are shown in diagrams. Two of the in-
stitutes which used spectrographic methods had
very satisfactory results. Four institutes using
various modifications of polarography produced
less satisfactory results. A not yet published
coulometric method by Rosenmund and Opfermann ap-
peared to be promising. The most frequently used
method was the dithizone method. As a standardiz-
ed method of determination the photometric rever-
sion method by Ensslin and Dryer, using dithizone,
is proposed. (20 references)
2555 Hunt, V.R., Radford, E.P., Jr., and Segall,
A.J. (Harvard School of Public Health,
Boston, Mass.): COMPARISON OF CONCENTRA-
TIONS OF ALPHA-EMITTING ELEMENTS IN TEETH
AND BONES. International Journal of Ra-
diation Biology 7, No. 3:277-87 (Sept.),
1963.
The suitability of teeth as indicators of the ap-
proximate levels of human skeletal burdens of
naturally occurring internal ct-emitting isotopes
was studied. Freshly extracted teeth were used.
The time lapse between obtaining and processing
the specimens was >1 yr. Consequently, 210po was
in equilibrium with 2-^Pb initially present and the
results were reported as 210pj,; 226Ra an(j 228xh
were also measured. The coefficient of variation
210pb from tooth to tooth for an individual was
approximately 25%. Comparison of 210pt> and 226Ra
levels in teeth and bones (taken postmortem from
the iliac crest) from the same individual gave a
significant correlation. Because of the varia-
tions found, it is concluded that care should be
exercised in extrapolating from 1 tooth to an in-
dividual's body burden at low levels of radio-
activity; that, however, teeth are as adequate as
small bone samples for comparing levels of a-emit-
tlng elements in groups of human subjects, and in
estimating human skeletal burdens.
255$ Ilic, C. (City Hosp., Belgrade, Yugosla-
via) : Toksicka ostecenja sluha. (TOXIC
DEAFNESS.) Medicinski Glasnik 17:71-5
(Feb.), 1963.
Discussion of the development of deafness from
various toxic sources, such as drugs, alcoholism,
and exposure to occupational poisons, including
Pb, concludes with endogenous toxic states as
cause.
2557 lordanidis, P. (Inst. Ind. Med. Hyg.,
Paris, France): Contribution A la
semiologie electroencephalographique dans
le domaine de la medecine du travail.
(ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC SEMIOLOGY IN OC-
CUPATIONAL MEDICINE.) Archives des Mala-
Man
493
-------
dies Professionnelles de Medecine du Tra-
vail et de Securite Sociale 24:523-34
(June), 1963.
The discussion on the value of electroencephalo-
grams in exposure to various industrial poisons,
includes Pb poisoning. In the latter, the EEC
generally shows an instability of the cortical
electrical activity. The base rhythm is changed
and the a-rhythm may reach or even exceed a fre-
quency of 13 waves/sec. An EEC should be taken in
all cases of Pb poisoning with neurologic symptoms.
(35 references)
2558 Jebavy, Z. (Univ,, Hradci Kralove, Czecho-
slovakia) : Ustni zme'ny p^i intoxikaci
olovem a jejich prukaz. (ORAL CHANGES IN
LEAD POISONING AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS.)
Ceskoslovenska Stomatologie 63, No. 2:84-
8, 1963.
The manifestations of subchronic and chronic Pb
intoxication in the oral cavity are discussed.
Sixty-nine patients with suspected Pb intoxication
were examined. Among these, 30.4% had Pb lines on
their gums and 7.3% had anemic gums. Histochemical
studies, using the chromate method, revealed pre-
cipitates of Pb chromate around capillaries or
directly in the walls of their capillaries. It was
demonstrated that macroscopic examination, using a
magnifying glass, sufficed to detect Pb lines on
the gums. However, a grey line on the gums is
not sufficient to diagnose Pb intoxication. (From
author's English summary)
2559 Johnson, P.C., Jr., ed. (Baylor Univ. Coll.
Med., Houston, Texas): UNIVERSITY ROUND
WARDS: ANEMIA WITH INTESTINAL COLIC.
Medical Record and Annals 56:200-1 (Sept.),
1963.
A 35-yr-old tank cleaner at a refinery complained
about nose trouble (reason for not wearing his
face mask at work), constipation, and abdominal
cramps. Laboratory studies showed an anemia with
9.3 g Hb, a red cell volume of 76 pCi, and a mean
Hb concentration of 28.5%. There were 5.5% re-
ticulocytes with stipplings in the red cells.
Urine urobilinogen level was 7.7 mg/24 hr and
urinary coproporphyrin >1000 mg%. Pb blood level
was 0-10 mg%, urinary Pb content for the 1st 24
hr was 0.3 mg. It became clear that the patient
was intoxicated by TEL. The symptoms and signs of
Pb poisoning are briefly discussed, as is treat-
ment with EDTA (CaNa2-). Concerning the latter,
lower doses (0.5 g iv in 10-20 ml saline)are rec-
ommended at 1-2 g/day to a total of 8-20 g. It
is stated that it may not be effective in TEL poi-
soning.
2560 Kakhn, Kh.A. (Inst. Exptl. Clin. Med.,
Tallin, Estonian SSR); Izuchenie effek-
tivnosti i ustoichivosti lechebnogo deist-
viya CaNa2EDTA pri svintsovom otravlenii.
(STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS AND PERSIS-
TENCE OF THE THERAPEUTIC ACTION OF CaNa2~
EDTA IN LEAD POISONING.) Gigiena Truda i
Professional'nye Zabolevaniya 7:33-7,
1963.
Fifty-one patients with chronic occupational Pb
poisoning were treated with injections of a 10%
aqueous solution of CaNa^EDTA in a daily dose of
2 g (20 ml) for 3 days, followed by a rest period
of 3 days. Symptoms of mild intoxications dis-
appeared after 2-3 such courses, while moderate
and severe cases required 3 and 4 courses, respec-
tively. During treatment, Pb excretion increased
3-100-fold. A definite relationship between the
degree of Pb intoxication and Pb elimination was
established. In the case of residual manifesta-
tions of Pb poisoning the basic treatment should
be followed, within 1-3 mo, by a short supplemen-
tary course of 3-6 injections of CaNa2EDTA. A
lasting therapeutic effect depends on complete
removal of the patient from Pb exposure and may
be achieved within a period of 6 mo. Resumption
of exposure to Pb has resulted frequently in re-
lapses, especially in patients who had suffered
severe intoxication.
2561 Kakhn, Kh.A. (Acad. Sci., Tallin, Esto-
nian SSR): Aktivost' kholinesterazy
syvorotki krovi u bol'nykh khronicheskim
svintsovym otravleniem i ee dinamika pri
lechenii preparatom CaNa2EDTA. (CHOLIN-
liSTERASE ACTIVITY OF THE BLOOD SERUM IN
PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LEAD POISONING AND
ITS DYNAMICS DURING THE CaNa-EDTA TREAT-
MENT.) Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye
Zabolevaniya 7:50-1 (Oct.), 1963.
The author first observes that a decrease in cho-
linesterase (ChE) activity occurs from excessive
exposure to numerous substances. In his study he
examined 39 patients with occupational chronic Pb
poisoning before and after treatment with CaNa2~
jiDTA. Of these, 20 suffered with mild, 17 with
moderate, and 2 with severe poisoning. Along with
ChE activity, the blood picture as to stippled
erythrocytes, red cell and reticulocyte counts,
porphyrin and Pb levels in urine were followed in
21 patients for 4-12 mo (av 5) after treatment.
Sibul's semimicrotitrimetric method was used for
determination of ChE activity. The decrease in
ChE activity parallelled the severity of the poi-
soning: in mild poisoning it was within the lower
limit of normal, and in severe, especially in pa-
tients with toxic hepatitis, it was sharply re-
duced. In spite of treatment with a 10% solution
of EDTA, the normal level of ChE activity was not
reached until 6 mo after treatment was terminated.
In cases of relapse, the ChE activity remained at
the low level.
2562 Kanner, N. L. (Research Inst. of Occup.
Hyg. and Prof. Diseases, Leningrad, USSR):
Funktsional'noe sostoyanie kory nadpochech-
nikov u lits, podvergayushchikhsya khroni-
cheskomu vozdeistviyu svintsa i benzola.
(FUNCTIONAL CONDITION OF THE ADRENAL COR-
TEX IN CHRONIC INTOXICATION WITH LEAD AND
BENZENE IN MAN.) Terapevticheskii Arkhiv
35, No. 11:95-9, 1963.
Adrenocortical function was assessed in 38 cases
of chronic occupational Pb poisoning, in 8 who were
at the time subject to the subacute or severe
chronic types, and in 35 with chronic occupational
poisoning by benzene and its homologs. A group of
28 essentially healthy individuals of the same
ages as the patients served as controls. The fol-
lowing were determined: level of spontaneous secre-
tion (content of free 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in
494
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
blood), function (content in blood 2 hr after ad-
ministration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)),
reaction (absolute increase in 17-hydroxycorti-
costeroids and relative decrease in eosinophil
counts after ACTH), excretion of 17-hydroxycorti-
costeroids and 17-ketosteroids in urine. The data
were first obtained on the control subjects in or-
der to establish normal ranges. The techniques
used are stated. Complete tests could not be car-
ried out on all of the subjects involved. The data
obtained and the number of subjects concerned are
shown in a table.
In the initial stage of intoxication by Pb,
adrenocortical function decreased slightly. Cor-
ticoid excretion was clearly lowered, In the stage
when characteristic clinical signs appeared, a rel-
ative increase in activity took place so that the
values approached the normal. The eosinopenic re-
action was insufficient in 3 of 9 patients. In
subacute poisoning with anemia and colic, excretion
of corticoids and in most cases of 17-ketosteroids
was abnormal in that it was both increased and de-
creased. Benzene intoxication affected the adreno-
cortical function more severely than did Pb.
2563 Katsnel'son, B.A. (Inst. Labor Hyg., Oc-
cup. Dis., Sverdlovsk, USSR): Nekotorye
novye vozzreniya na patogenez i terapiyu
saturnisma. (Obzor zarubezhnoi literatury).
(SOME NEW VIEWS ON THE PATHOGENESIS AND
THERAPY OF LEAD POISONING. (SURVEY OF FOR-
EIGN LITERATURE.)) Gigiena Truda i Pro-
fessional 'nye Zabolevaniya 7:47-9 (Feb.).
1963.
The effect of Pb on the porphyrin metabolism and
treatment of Pb poisoning with chelates are re-
viewed on the basis of 18 references.
2564 Kehoe, R.A., Cholak, J., Mcllhinney, J.G.,
Lofquist, G.A., and Sterling, T.D. (Univ.
Cincinnati, 0.; du Pont Co.; Ethyl Corp.):
POTENTIAL HAZARD OF EXPOSURE TO LEAD.
II. FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS IN THE PREPARA-
TION, HANDLING, AND USE OF GASOLINE CON-
TAINING TETRAMETHYLLEAD. Archives of En-
vironmental Health 6:255-72 (Feb.)> 1963;
Medical Bulletin, Standard Oil Company
(New Jersey) 23:262-91 (Nov.), 1963.
Pb in the air at occupational sites was measured
in 2 petroleum refineries, one near Los Angeles
and the other near San Francisco, in which TML was
being mixed with gasoline from time to time. Av-
erage Pb levels at points in and around the mixing
installations in the 2 refineries were 193.0 and
54.1 Pg/m3 of air, respectively, and <70.0 yg/m3
at other locations near the mixing installations.
Sampling of the atmosphere of 10 service stations
each in Los Angeles and San Francisco showed an
average Pb concentration of 4.6 and 9.9 pg/m3,
respectively, and the concentration of Pb at a
centrally located site in each of the 2 cities
averaged 4.3 and 1.8 )jg/m3) respectively. Medi-
cal surveillance of the workmen employed at the
several sites included the determination of Pb in
.the urine at intervals of ^3 mo over a 16-mo
period and of the Pb content of the blood at the
beginning and end of the investigation. All data
obtained were tabulated and statistically evalua-
ted. The results of the tests demonstrated that
the exposure of the various groups of workmen to
TML under the conditions of the study was negligi-
ble. The urinary Pb values for loaders of tank
trucks averaged 0.026 mg/1; of handlers of TML gas-
oline, 0.025; of TML blenders, 0.021; of service
station attendents, 0.024-0.040 (mean). The blood
Pb concentrations for above occupations averaged
0.029 mg/100 g; 0.024-0.027; 0.024; 0.026-0.040.
2565 Kehoe, R.A., Cholak, J., Spence, J.A.,
and Hancock, W. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.):
POTENTIAL HAZARD OF EXPOSURE TO LEAD. I.
HANDLING AND USE OF GASOLINE CONTAINING
TETRAMETHYLLEAD. Archives of Environmen-
tal Health 6:239-54 (Feb.), 1963; Medical
Bulletin, Standard Oil Company (New Jer-
sey) 23:150-75 (July), 1963.
A controlled experiment carried out on employees
of a taxicab company is described. Observations
were made (1) under the usual conditions of the
operations of the garage, (2) when fuel contain-
ing 3 ml TEL/gal was used, (3) when a fuel con-
taining an equivalent (in terms of Pb content)
quantity of TML was substituted for TEL. Deter-
minations of the Pb content of the air in the
breathing zone of the individuals at work on the
fueling island, made during periods of maximal
activity (ie, when the greatest number of cars
were supplied with fuel), showed a mean concen-
tration (yg/m3) of organic and particulate Pb of
17.65, 28.59, 84.01, and 6.71, 9.88, 16.24, re-
spectively. The periods, at which the air sam-
ples were taken, constituted only ^1/4 of the
hours of work of any one man. Pb analyses of the
urine and blood of the employees were made during
each of the 3 periods. Only 1 of 15 men had an
apparently increased level of urinary Pb during
part 2 (but he had provided only 1 specimen).
Under part 3, 11 underwent very slight increases
over those of part 2 and 7 over those of part 1.
The conclusion was drawn that the change in
atmospheric Pb content in the garage resulted in
no significant change in Pb absorption by the work-
men. The Pb content of the blood, as expected,
changed less and more slowly than that of the
urine. Blood analyses were made both by a spectro-
graphic and the dithizone method, the 1st one
yielding somewhat higher and more variable results.
The outcome of the study shows that, from the as-
pect of a potential hazard by Pb absorption from
TML, there is no hygienic reason against its use.
2566 Kiryakov, K. (Sofia): ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL
FINDINGS IN NEUROINTOXICATIONS WITH TETRA-
ETHYL-LEAD. In Proceedings of the Bulgar-
ian Society of Neurology and Psychiatry
Section of EEG and Clinical Neurophysiology,
Sofia, April 15, 1963, p. 709.
The EEG and the chronaxie of the common extensor
muscles and the superficial flexors of the arm
were investigated in 38 aviation employees, work-
ing in contact with Pb gasoline. The EEG tracings
were predominantly of low voltage fast rhythms,
with reduced (at times even inverted) reaction to
light. Some of them were slowed or dysrhythmic.
There was also a general decrease of chronaxie and
the normal ratio, Chr extensors:Chr flexors = 2,
was reduced. The EEC's in more than half of the
cases could be interpreted as dominance of the
Man
495
-------
processes of excitability. The shortened chronaxie
of subordination is a sign bearing the same sig-
nificance. The electrophysiological findings are
in good correlation with the mild clinical symptoms
and signs of early neurointoxication. (From auth-
or's abstract)
2567 Kleinstein, I., Kleinstein, A., and Sandu-
lesco, G. (Inst. for Med., Jassy, Romania):
L'importance du dosage des precurseurs des
porphyrines dans 1'urine pour le depistage
d'une absorption minime de plomb. (THE
IMPORTANCE OF DETERMINING THE PRECURSORS
OF URINARY PORPHYRINS FOR THE DETECTION OF
MINIMAL ABSORPTION OF LEAD.) In Union
des Societes de Sciences Mddicales, Socie'te'
d'Hygi&ne: Premier CongrSs National
d'Hygiene et de Se'curite' du Travail. Rap-
ports et Resumes des Travaux (First Nation-
al Congress of Industrial Health. Ab-
stracts of Papers;. Bucharest, 1963. p.52.
Urinary excretion of 6-aminolevulinic acid (ALA),
porphobilinogen and coproporphyrin wat> studied in
a group of workers exposed to a minimal absorption
of Pb and in a nonexposed group. ALA was found to
increase in the Pb-exposed subjects while porphobi-
linogen and coproporphyrin remained at normal lev-
els. Compared to urinary Pb excretion provoked by
the administration of ethylenediaminetetraacetate
(EDTA), the increase of ALA as a precursor of por-
phyrin seems to be earlier, more constant and more
significant. ALA returns to normal values after
administration of EDTA. The precursors of por-
phyrin were measured by use of a chromatographic
column and by spectrophotometric analysis.
2568 Kochanowicz, T. (Inst. Med. Pracy, Zabrze,
Poland): Proby stosowania chelatonu w
kremach ochronnych u pracownikow narazonych
na dzialanie soli metali. (SODIUM-CALCIUM
EDETATE IN PROTECTIVE CREAMS FOR WORKERS
EXPOSED TO METAL SALTS. Medycyna Pracy 14,
No.2:199-204, 1963.
Ointments containing 10% CaNagEDTA ware used for
the prophylaxis and treatment of workers exposed
to Cr, Co, Mn, Pb, Ni and Zn salts. The use of the
ointment for protection against skin disorders by
these salts gave encouraging results. The use for
purposes of treatment gave inconsistent results.
The author suggests investigations on a larger
number of workers for confirmation of the protec-
tive action of such ointments. (From author's
summary)
2569 Kosmider, S. (Clin. Internal, Occup. Dis.,
Med. Acad., Zabrze, Poland): Das Verhalten
der alkalischen Phosphatase im Serum bei
gewerblichen chronischen Bleiverglftungen.
(ROLE OF SERUM ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IN
CHRONIC OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) In-
ternationales Archiv fur Gewerbepathologie
und Gewerbehygiene 20:11-20 (Mar.), 1963.
Alkaline phosphatase in the blood serum was de-
termined in 38 patients, 19-57 yr, who had been ex-
posed to Pb for some months to 22 yr, before and
after treatment with CaNa2EDTA, administered every
other day in daily doses of 3 g. In 33 of the
patients the alkaline phosphatase activity averaged
0.70 mM, compared with 1.6 mM in 33 control sub-
jects. During treatment with EDTA, activity
dropped to 0.52 mM, but returned to 1.34 after com-
pleted treatment.
The inhibiting effect of Pb on the activity of
serum alkaline phosphatase was confirmed in experi-
ments with 2 groups of rabbits, intoxicated with Pb
acetate (10 mg/kg for 8 days and 6 mg/kg for 12
days, respectively). The problem whether Pb af-
fects the formation of phosphatase or whether it
acts directly on the enzyme thereby reducing its
activity was studied in 11 in-vitro tests with
human serum to which Pb acetate was added in con-
centrations of 10-4-LM. The results of these tests
showed that Pb acts directly on the phosphatase,
the decrease of activity being proportional to the
concentration of Pb ions. Phosphatase activity
was also determined in 10 normal subjects before
and 1 hr after iv administration of 2 g CaNa2EDTA;
average values found were 1.4 and 0.65 mM, respec-
tively. In vitro tests with sera of 15 normal
individuals to which EDTA in concentrations of
10-4-1M was added indicated that phosphatase activ-
ity is inversely proportional to the level of
EDTA. The cause of phosphatase inhibition by EDTA
was attributed to the binding of Mg ions. For this
reason the author advises Mg supplements during
EDTA treatment to compensate for a possible Mg
deficiency. (20 references)
2570 Kosutid, Z. (Fever Hosp.,Med. Coll.,
Zagreb, Yugoslavia): Diferencijalno-
dijagnosticke poteskoce kod olovnih
kolika. (DIFFICULTIES IN DIFFERENTIAL-
DIAGNOSIS IN LEAD COLIC.) Lijecnicki
Vijesnik 85:161-4 (Feb.), 1963.
Pb poisoning of the gastrointestinal type in a
man and his wife is presented. Their illness had
been diagnosed earlier in another hospital as an
acute intestinal obstruction; in consequence a
laparatomy was performed on the husband. Pb-
glazed earthenware was found as the source of the
alimentary poisoning.
2571 De Kretser, A.J., and Waldron, H.A. (Med.
Dept., Vauxhall Motors Ltd., Luton, Eng-
land): URINARY DELTA AMINO-LAEVULINIC
ACID AND PORPHOBILINOGEN IN LEAD-EXPOSED
WORKERS. British Journal of Industrial
Medicine 20:35-40 (Jan.), 1963.
Of 100 workers exposed to Pb in varying degrees,
the urinary 6-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) concentra-
tion was >0.6 mg/100 ml in 34 subjects and between
0.3 and 0.6 mg/100 ml in 35. In only 20 of the
workers was the urinary porphobilinogen concentra-
tion >0.1 mg/100 ml, 2 of these cases being.>0.2
mg/100 ml. No significant correlation was found
between the urinary concentration of ALA and copro-
porphyrin nor between ALA and the urinary Pb levels;
in fact, the highest ALA level was associated with
a urinary Pb of <200 ug/1. Raised urinary Pb was
always associated with raised ALA. (22 references)
2572 De Kretser, A.J., and Waldron, H.A. (Med.
Dept., Vauxhall Motors Ltd., Luton, Eng-
land): THE MECHANICAL FRAGILITY OF THE RED
CELL IN PATIENTS WITH LEAD POISONING.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine
20:316-19 (Oct.), 1963.
The mechanical fragility of the red cell was stud-
496
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
led in 68 workers who had been exposed to Pb in
varying degrees, and on blood to which Pb had been
added in vitro in concentrations up to 5 ug/ml.
The results showed that the mechanical fragility
index did not vary significantly from that of a
control group. Furthermore, the use of various
anticoagulants produced no significant alterations
in the mechanical fragility index. But this index
was always greatly increased in anemic subjects if
the hemoglobin was below 80%. (24 references)
2573 Krivoglaz, B.A. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Dis., Kiev, USSR): Lechebno-profilakti-
cheskoe primenenie unitiola v klinike
profzabolevanii. (THERAPEUTIC AND PRO-
PHYLACTIC USE OF UNITHIOL IN THE TREATMENT
OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.) Gigiena Truda
i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya 7:15-9
(Aug.), 1963.
The author reviews the effectiveness of unithiol,
developed in the Ukraine by Petrun'kin et al, par-
ticularly in regard to As and Hg poisoning. This
substance (Na 2,3-dimercaptopropane sulfonate) is
related to BAL, but offers many advantages over
it; it can be administered im, orally, or by aero-
sol inhalation. Satisfactory results have been
found by Russian authors in the use of unithiol in
Pb poisoning, although BAL has not been considered
effective by Vigliani and others. Since unithiol
acts somewhat differently from BAL, the author
recommends further trials, both clinical and ex-
perimental. (24 references)
2574 Lechien, P,, and Coutelier, L. (La Louviere,
Belgium): Utilisation d'une methode semi-
quantitative de dosage des porphyrines uri-
naires dans la surveillance en sgrie des
travailleurs exposes au saturnisme. (THE
USE OF A SEMI-QUANTITATIVE METHOD FOR THE
ESTIMATION OF URINARY PORPHYRINS IN THE
SERIAL SURVEILLANCE OF WORKERS EXPOSED TO
LEAD.) Archives Beiges de Me'decine Sociale,
Hygiene, Medecine du Travail et Medecine
L£gale 21:219-37 (Apr.), 1963.
The chemistry, biochemistry, biosynthesis of por-
phyrins and the classifications of the various
porphyrias are discussed. Under normal conditions,
20-200 yg of coproporphyrin are excreted daily in
the urine. In the case of porphyrias, this amount
may be increased to several mg. In Pb poisoning,
2-3 mg of coproporphyrin are excreted daily. Sev-
eral methods exist for the determination of por-
phyrins in the urine. The authors used a modified
method by de Langen and ten Berg, based on the
solubility of the porphyrins in ether and on their
characteristic fluorescence under the influence of
Wood's light.
The relation between the coproporphyrin content
and the number of punctate red blood cells was
studied. No punctate cells were found when the
level of coproporphyrins was normal or very low.
As the urinary coproporphyrin may Increase without
a simultaneous increase of the punctate cells, al-
though the reverse situation may exist, the authors
consider the determination of urinary coproporphy-
rins to be a more important symptom of Pb poisoning
than a test for punctate cells. A system of in-
dustrial surveillance has been established as fol-
lows : hemoglobin and urinary coproporphyrins are
determined in all workers every 3 mo; this is done
monthly or twice a month in workers exposed to a
great risk or demonstrating an elevated level of
coproporphyrins. This scheme has been successfully
utilized in 2 industries comprising more than 200
workers exposed to the hazards of Pb poisoning.
2575 Lewis, C.E. (Univ. Kansas, Kansas City):
THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC INTOXICATION DUE
TO LEAD, ARSENIC AND MERCURY. General
Practitioner 27:129-32 (May), 1963.
The clinical picture of chronic Pb intoxication
in children and adults and methods of treatment
are reviewed.
2576 Lifshits, V.M. (Dept. Therapy State Med.
School, Voronezh, USSR): Soderzhanie
nekotorykh mikroelementov v eritrotsitakh,
leikotsitakh i plazme krovi cheloveka.
(THE CONTENT OF SEVERAL TRACE ELEMENTS IN
ERYTHROCYTES, LEUKOCYTES, AND BLOOD PLASMA
IN MAN.) Voprosy Meditsinkoi Khimii 9,
No. 6:610-4, 1963.
The trace metals Ni, Zr, Zn, Ag, Cu, V, Tl, Al,
Pb, Mn, Fe were determined spectrographically.
The following average values, in yg%, were found
for Pb: whole blood, 33.9 ± 2.16 (males, 33.4;
females, 31.6);, erythrocytes, 29.6 ± 15.9; plasma,
9.05 ± 3.8; leukocytes, traces. (15 references)
2577 Linari, F., Coscia, G.C., Martorano, G.,
and Perrelli, G. (Univ. Turin, Italy):
L'aminoaciduria nella intossicazione
professionale da piombo. (AMINO-ACIDURIA
IN OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Archivio
Scienze Mediche 116:336-47 (Dec.), 1963.
The exploration of urinary excretion of amino acids
by workers exposed to noxious substances, in order
to detect renal lesions or interference with the
general metabolism, has gained the attention of
industrial physiopathologists. As the interpreta-
tion of results is still open to question, the
authors have investigated the occurrence and the
frequency of changes in the excretion of amino
acids and the behavior of these acids in the blood
of 19 workers, 21-55 yr old, with various degrees
of Pb poisoning. There were 4 cases with acute,
4 with subacute and 9 with chronic poisoning, 2
others showed signs of abnormal Pb absorption.
Data obtained on the content of S-amino N in the
blood, excretion in urine, clearance and reabsorp-
tion, as well as data referring to the renal func-
tion were tabulated. In men with Pb poisoning
(showing thiosulfate clearance of 65-156 ml) the
amino acid clearance ranged from 1.528-2.837 ml/min,
exceeding the normal of 2.07 in 10 cases. The
fasting urinary excretion of amino acids varied
from 142-203 yg/min, av 180.526± 19.56, compared
with a normal of 90-180. Amino acids in the blood
were 6.40-10.23 mg%, av 8.35. The hypothesis is
advanced that Pb affects the enzymes involved in
the reabsorption and transport of amino acids,
thereby causing a tubular hypofunction. Confirma-
tion of this was seen by the authors in the com-
parison of the ratio of amino acid to thiosulfate
clearance in patients with Pb poisoning and those
afflicted with kidney disorders due to some other
cause.
Man
497
-------
2578 Lob, M., and Clement, F. (Med. Coll.,
Lausanne, Switzerland): Reactions toxiques
et allergiques de la moelle osseuse.
(TOXIC AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS OF THE BONE
MARROW.) Zeitschrift fur Unfallmedizin
und Berufskrankheiten 56:277-97, 1963.
Various drugs and chemical substances of technolog-
ic importance are the cause of changes in the bone
marrow, at times very serious. Toxic reactions
produced by them are infinitely more frequent than
the allergic. There is need to distinguish medul-
lary reactions of clinical importance (especially
aplasias) from those that are only of secondary
interest prognostically. After classifying the
types of bone marrow changes with their most com-
mon etiologies, the authors discuss in greater de-
tail the disturbances caused by benzene (fatal a-
plasia), chloramphenicol, pyramidon and Pb (in re-
spect to hemesynthesis) they point to the theoreti-
cal interest of hemolysis caused by a deficiency
in glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase. In conclu-
sion, they recommend, among other preventive meas-
ures, frequent examination of the bone marrow, ei-
ther by hematology or by biopsy. (49 references)
2579 Lockhart, R. (Univ. St. Andrews, England):
MILK SUPPLEMENTATION AS A PROPHYLACTIC IN
INDUSTRY. ITS USE AND MISUSE. Trans-
actions of the Association of Industrial
Medical Officers 13:65-6 (July), 1963.
In a small pilot study additional milk was supplied
to workers engaged in paint spraying in Dundee,
England. The quantity given amounted in general to
1 pint/employee/working day. Some of the men stat-
ed that the only effect it had on them was to make
them fat and that they had felt fitter without it.
It is pointed out that the provision and drinking
of milk is no substitute for procedures of good
hygiene as outlined in various Factory Acts and
Regulations.
2580 Lorenzo, J.A., Chiovino, F., and Giberti,
C.A. (Hosp. Teodoro Alvarez, Buenos Aires,
Argentina): Saturnismo agudo. (ACUTE
SATURNISM). Dia Medico 35:1440-1 (Sept.
12), 1963.
The case of a 17-yr-old Pb founder is described.
The diagnosis of Pb poisoning was based on blood
tests and determination of Pb in blood and urine
and of uroporphyrins. The following values were
considered as threshold limits: stippled cells,
0.50-1/thousand red cells; Pb in blood, 0.01-0.08%;
Pb in urine, 0.08 mg/1; coproporphyrins, clear
blue or green color of an acetic-acid solution of
urine in Wood's lamp. In the case described, 1%
of the red cells showed basophilic stippling;
blood Pb was 0.21%; urinary Pb, 0.30%/1 (sic). The
signs had included paresthesia, asthenia, palpita-
tions, abdominal pains. Recovery followed treat-
ment with vitamins C and B, calcium glucoheptanate.
Following a brief discussion of therapeutic
management of Pb poisoning, including the use of
the newer chelating agents, the authors outline
the requisites of prevention: careful and complete
pre-employment examination, proper placement and
rotation of workers on jobs, periodic examination,
showers and change of clothing after work, prohibi-
tion of smoking during work, and certain other
measures followed by his group, such as adminis-
tering to the workers biweekly a very weak solution
of sulfuric acid to form insoluble Pb sulfates;
milk, more for psychologic reasons aside from sup-
plementation of calcium; silicone hand creams to
prevent Pb absorption through the skin.
2581 Martin, S., Boudene, C., Truhaut, R., and
Albahary, C. (Hosp. Saint-Denis, Paris,
France): Etude compare'e d'un nouveau che'la-
teur du plomb, le sel monocalcique et
trisodique de 1'acide diethylene triamine
pentacetique (CaDTPA) et du sel monocalci-
que et disodique de 1'acide ethylene dia-
mine tStracetique (CaEDTA) dans le d£pis-
tage du saturnisme. (COMPARATIVE STUDY OF
A NEW LEAD CHELATING AGENT, THE MONOCALCIUM
AND TRISODIUM SALT OF DIETHYLENETRIAMINE-
PENTAACETIC ACID (CaDTPA) AND THE MONO-
CALCIUM AND DISODIUM SALT OF ETHYLENEDIA-
MINETETRAACETIC ACID (CaEDTA) IN THE DE-
TECTION OF LEAD POISONING.) Archives des
Maladies Professionelles de MSdecine du
Travail et de SecuritS Sociale 24:297-307
(Jan.-Mar.), 1963.
The urinary excretion of Pb after iv administra-
tion of calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetra-
acetate (CaEDTA) or calcium trisodium diethylene-
triaminepentaacetate (CaDTPA) was compared in
subjects exposed to Pb hazards of various degree
and in controls not exposed to Pb, among them
several alcoholics. In one group of tests, DTPA
only was used, but in most cases, both agents, ad-
ministered at a 10-day interval, were compared in
the same subject. DTPA used alone produced greater
excretion of Pb, particularly in the first 5 hr,
than did DTPA before or after EDTA. In most work-
ers exposed to definite or moderate Pb risk, DTPA
caused greater Pb excretion than EDTA; in those ex-
posed to low risk, there was little difference be-
tween the drugs.
It is concluded that even though the difference
in action is not great, the substitution of DTPA
for EDTA appears to be advantageous. However,
further studies on prolonged treatment with DTPA
are necessary to be sure that DTPA does not act
more strongly than EDTA in removing the essential
trace metals.
2582 Martinez, M., and Rojas, E. (Hosp. de la
Raza, Mexico, D.F.): Manifestaciones
gastrointestinales, hiperglicemia, estupor
y terminacion fatal. (GASTROINTESTINAL
MANIFESTATIONS, HYPERGLYCEMIA, AND STUPOR,
WITH FATAL OUTCOME.) Revista de Investi-
gacion Clinica 15:165-72 (Apr.-June), 1963.
A case of chronic Pb intoxication with fatal out-
come in a 27-yr-old miner is described. His
history included alcoholism from 17-25 yr of age,
with inebriation every 8-15 days. The signs and
symptoms consisted of nausea, vomiting, abdominal
pain, anorexia, asthenia and loss of weight. Hy-
perglycemia and constant progressive vomiting over
a period of 10 mo resulted in his death. Various
causes of death were considered in the clinical
diagnosis but discarded, such as diabetes, cancer,
infectious gastritis; finally, on the basis of his
employment, a heavy-metal poisoning and malnutri-
tion were considered. The final diagnosis of Pb
poisoning was based on the presence of lesions in
498
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
the digestive and nervous system and possibly in
the liver, and Pb deposits in the kidney (4+) and
liver (3+).
2583 Meadows, G.S. (City Lab., Salford, Eng-
land): LEAD IN FOOD DERIVED FROM TINNED
STEEL FRYING PANS. Journal of the Asso-
ciation of Public Analysts 1, No.2:26-8,
1963.
After the occurrence of symptoms resembling those
of Pb poisoning in a person who had eaten food pre-
pared in a tinned steel frying pan, this pan and
some other tinned steel frying pans were examined.
Pb was determined in scrapings of the tinning and
in test meals cooked in the pans. In 2 cases,
the amount of Pb found in the tinning was less
than 0.5% but in 4 other instances it ranged from
51.3-54.9%. Test meals cooked in the pan with
54.9% Pb in the tinning contained 35-85, av 55 ppm
Pb, and meals cooked in the pan with 51.3% Pb in
the tinning contained 7.3-11, av 9.2 ppm Pb. Micro-
scopic examination showed some Pb in the meals to
be in the form of very finely divided particles.
It was assumed that some Pb was acquired mechanically
rather than chemically, by the food being in con-
tact with the semi-molten lining. A meal of 150 g
cooked in the pan with 54.9% Pb in the tinning
would thus give a Pb intake of ^8 ppm which is ^4
times the generally accepted maximum allowable
amount for daily Pb ingestion. Although much of
the Pb taken up by food in these frying pans is
probably not in a soluble form, a possible hazard
of Pb poisoning exists in their use.
2584 Meiklejohn, A. (Dept. Ind. Health, Univ.
Glasgow, Scotland): THE SUCCESSFUL PRE-
VENTION OF LEAD POISONING IN THE GLAZING
OF EARTHENWARE IN THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE
POTTERIES. British Journal of Industrial
Medicine 20:169-80 (July), 1963.
The history of Pb poisoning in the pottery industry
Is reviewed. In 1947, a regulation was enacted
that no glaze should be used which is not a Pb-less
glaze or a low-solubility glaze. Since 1944, only
4 cases of Pb poisoning in the pottery industry
have been recorded. Recent studies by the Medical
Inspectorate of Factories, using blood examina-
tions, showed no evidence of Pb absorption among
the workers. (34 references)
2585 Mel'nikova, E.A., Parasenko, Z.G., and
Artamonova, T.A. (Kubansk Inst. Med.,
USSR): 0 vliyanii nekotorykh toksi-
cheskikh veshchestv na syvorotochnye
belki. (EFFECT OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES ON
SERUM PROTEINS.) Gigiena i Sanitariya 28,
No. 3:28-32, 1963.
Examination of the working conditions in an oil
refinery showed that the concentration of gaso-
line vapors in working areas did not exceed the
MFC. In the ethylation department the concentra-
tion of TEL in the air during ethylation exceeded
the MFC by 3 times. A prolongation of the time
of heat coagulation of serum proteins was ob-
served in 24 of 60 workers in contact with TEL
gasoline, and in 7 of 31 workers in contact with
TEL-free gasoline. The protein heat coagulation
time was still prolonged after 1 yr in 4 patients
examined for a 2nd time. The coefficient of se-
rum protein hydrophobization was reduced in 26%
of workers in contact with TEL gasoline and in
4.9% in contact with TEL-free gasoline. In study-
ing the effect of toxic factors on human blood it
is necessary to study serum proteins as well as
the formed elements of the blood.
2586 Merli, A. (Inst. Ind. Med., Milan, Italy):
Comportamento dell'emometria - punteggiati
basofili - porfirine urinarie - in operai
di una fabbrica di accumulator! al piombo,
sottoposti a trattamento con estratto
epatico. (BEHAVIOR OF THE HEMOGLOBIN,
PUNCTATE BASOPHILS, URINARY PORPHYRIN IN
WORKERS OF A LEAD ACCUMULATOR FACTORY
TREATED WITH LIVER EXTRACT.) Rassegna di
Medicina Industriale e di Igiene del
Lavoro 32:568-76 (Nov.-Dec.), 1963.
The manufacture of storage batteries involves vari-
ous operations accompanied by different degrees of
exposure to Pb dusts and fumes. These are briefly
described, indicating the comparative level of ex-
posure to Pb, ranging in magnitude from + to +++.
The author subjected workers of 1 factory, who
upon quarterly examinations exhibited some signs
of suspected or clear signs of Pb poisoning, to
treatment with liver extract. One group was given
the "anti-anemic principle," the other the "anti-
toxic principle." The hemoglobin content, number
of punctate basophils and urinary porphyrins be-
fore and after administration of the liver extract
were tabulated. Both groups reported an improve-
ment subjectively. Objectively, better results
were obtained by treatment with the anti-anemic
liver extract.
2587 Meythaler, F., and Eichhorn, W. (Municipal
Hosp. NUrnberg, Germany): fiber Bleiver-
giftungen. (LEAD POISONING.) Xrztliche
Forschung 17, No. 11:569-71, 1963.
In view of the relatively high frequency of Pb
poisoning among occupational intoxications, the
author briefly discusses Pb poisoning generally,
then cases that had been referred to the Hospital
of NUrnberg. Over a 15-yr period from 1947 to
1962, among 86,395 admissions, there were 1955
cases of poisoning of which 1242 were suicidal
attempts, 557 accidental, 110 occupational, 3
chronic and 56 questionable cases. With 11 cases,
Pb poisoning ranked 3rd in place; aside from this,
there were 3 accidental cases, 1 of which may have
been intentional. Signs and symptoms, diagnosis
and treatment of Pb poisoning are briefly reviewed
and 3 cases are described in some detail. These
concerned a 32-yr-old man, with fatal outcome; his
wife, who exhibited chronic intoxication; their 4-
yr-old child had suffered a mild form of poi-
soning. Inhalation of Pb fumes while melting Pb-
containing scrap in their home was the cause of Pb
absorption. The 3rd case described concerned a 20-
yr-old Pb founder.
2588 Miura, H., Minami, A., Harada, K., et al;
Morikawa, A., Fukui, T., Fukui, S., et al:
(DEVELOPMENT OF LEAD POISONING IN A SHIP
SCRAPING OCCUPATION. 1. STUDY FROM THE
STANDPOINT OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE, AND
HYGIENIC MANAGEMENT. 2. CLINICAL PROGRESS
OF POISONED PATIENTS.) Nagasaki Medical
Man
499
-------
Journal 38:614-20; 621-6 (Sept.), 1963}
Cumulative Index Medicus 5:N-894;N-910, 1964.
2589 Morris, C.E., Heyman, A., and Pozefsky, T.
(Univ. Chapel Hill, Durham, N. Carolina):
LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH DRINK-
ING "MOONSHINE": A COMPLICATION OF ACUTE
LEAD POISONING IN CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM.
Neurology 13, No. 4:358-9 (Proceedings of
15th Annual Meeting of the American Academy
of Neurology), 1963.
Fourteen patients with acute Pb encephalopathy
have been admitted to the university hospitals in
the past 10 yr. All were chronic alcoholics ac-
customed to drinking "moonshine" or other illegal
whiskies. Symptoms usually associated with Pb
poisoning such as peripheral neuropathy were not
observed, but abdominal colic and gingival Pb line
were occasionally present. Laboratory tests showed
severe anemia, coproporphyrinuria and basophilic
stippling. Elevated spinal fluid protein was
frequently present but increased intracranial pres-
sure was not a constant finding. Urinary Pb lev-
els ranged from 0.10-4.5 mg/1, and 1.7-6.6 mg Pb/
100 g of tissue were found in the livers of 4
autopsied subjects. Differentiation of this syn-
drome from other intracranial disorders is often
difficult but immediate diagnosis and therapy with
chelating agents are most important.
2590 Mosur, M. (Warsaw, Poland): 016w i jego
zwiazki ze stanowiska tok sykologii. THE
TOXICOLOGY OF LEAD AND ITS COMPOUNDS.)
Ochrona Pracy 18:13-19 (Nov.), 1963.
Sources of Pb poisoning, paths of entry and excre-
tion, symptoms, course and sequelae of acute and
chronic poisoning, including exposure to tetra-
ethyllead, are discussed. Measures for the control
of Pb poisoning in industry are proposed.
2591 Mountain, J.T. (US Pub. Health Serv., Cin-
cinnati, 0.): DETECTING HYPERSUSCEPTIBILI-
TY TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES. AN APPRAISAL OF
SIMPLE BLOOD TESTS. Archives of Environ-
mental Health 6:357-65 (Mar.), 1963.
Procedures for detecting susceptibility to hemo-
lytic effects from drugs and other chemicals, use-
ful in predicting an individual's response to con-
ditions associated with his industrial environment,
are reviewed. The possible hypersensitivity of
thalassemic individuals toward Pb and the difficul-
ties encountered in the diagnosis of Pb intoxica-
tion in such persons, are mentioned.
2592 Mutafov, B. (Sofia^ Bulgaria): L'exper-
tise de la capacite de travail des ouvriers
qui travaillent avec du plomb. (EVALUA-
TION OF THE WORK CAPACITY OF LEAD WORKERS.)
In Union des Socie'tes de Sciences Me'di-
cales, Societe d'Hygiene: Premier Congres
National d'Hygiene et de Securite du Tra-
vail. Rapports et Resumes des Travaux
(First National Congress of Industrial
Health. Abstracts of Papers). Bucharest,
1963, p. 37.
The possibility of shortening the time of temporary
incapacity to work, in the course of which a mild
development of Pb poisoning is observed, some
positive changes in the hematologic indexes, and
the improvement of working conditions are dis-
cussed. The necessity is emphasized of regulating
by law the temporary removal of workers from ex-
posure and of a change of employment in cases of
definite incapacity.
2593 Myerson, R.M., and Eisenhauer. J.H. (Vet-
erans Admin, riosp., Philadelphia, Pa.):
ATRIOVENTRICULAR CONDUCTION DEFECTS IN
LEAD POISONING. American Journal of Car-
diology 11:409-12 (Mar.), 1963.
The diagnosis of Pb poisoning was established in
1 Pb smelters by the increased urinary and blood
levels of Pb (urine, 0.247 and 0.304 mg/24 hr;
blood, 0.106 and 0.107 mg/100 ml) and the in-
creased amounts of ALA, CP and uroporphyrins in
the urine. Electrocardiograms taken shortly after
admission to the hospital revealed prolongation of
the P-R interval, associated in one case with the
presence of an ectopic auricular pacemaker. The
EKG returned to normal after therapy with EDTA but
recurrences followed reexposure to Pb. The author
concludes that increased vagal tone produced by Pb
seemed to be the most likely mechanism of the dis-
order.
2594 Neudauer, J. (Gen. Hosp., Ptuju, Yugosla-
via): Nasa opaz'anja u dijagnostici alimen-
tarne intoksikacije olovom. (OUR EXPER-
IENCES IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF DIETARY LEAD
POISONING.) Lijecnicki Vjesnik 85:139-48
(Feb.), 1963.
The author marvels about the fact that a disease
such as Pb poisoning, which has been known already
to the ancient Greek, Roman and Arabian, still pre-
sents diagnostic difficulties to the physician of
the 20th century. He maintains that the diagnosis
is easy and the treatment successful when the pos-
sibility of Pb poisoning is taken into considera-
tion. Pb poisonings will occur as long as the
standards of the peasants do not permit them to
discard old clay utensils and as long as glazes
containing soluble Pb oxides instead of insoluble
Pb-B silicates continue to be used in the potteries.
Forty cases of Pb poisoning (21 women, 19 men, 15-
65 yr old) were observed by the author in Croatia.
Detailed blood tests and analyses, including serum
Fe, as well as urinary excretion of Pb and porphy-
rins were done. Mosatil was used in the treatment
of the disease.
2595 Niimi, T., and Maeda, S.: (2 CASES OF
LEAD POISONING.) Naika 12:176-80 (July),
1963; Cumulated Index Medicus 4:A-1004,
1963.
2596 Nottbohm, L. (Hildesheim, Germany): Der
Uberwachungsarzt im bleigefahrdeten Be-
trieb. (THE SUPERVISORY PHYSICIAN IN
PLANTS PRESENTING LEAD HAZARDS.) Medi-
zinische Welt 44:224-8, 1963.
The author describes his work as an industrial phy-
sician in a battery plant in Germany. Preemploy-
ment medical examination is required by law. Men
with previous or present Pb intoxication, tuber-
culosis, vascular, renal, metabolic or liver dis-
ease or ulcers and former prisoners of war who had
acquired some sort of dystrophy, are considered as
unsuitable. As respirators are advocated for high
500
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
levels of exposure, the men should have no nasal
obstruction; mycotic skin troubles should also be
watched for. The law prescribes a monthly super-
vision of battery workers, which includes a weight
check and detailed blood and urine tests. Blood
pressure is taken every 6 mo, X rays of the lungs
every 2 yr. All laboratory tests have to be evalu-
ated in comparison to previously obtained data.
An increase of basophilic erythrocytes and copro-
porphyrin may occur in a new worker who after some
time develops resistance to Pb so that intake and
output of Pb become balanced. An evaluating scheme
is shown in which 5 groups of subjects are classi-
fied on the basis of such tests as count of stip-
pled cells, urinary porphyrin, Pb in blood, hemo-
globin content and clinical symptoms; the classifi-
cations are: (1) no Pb absorption, (2) insignifi-
cant Pb absorption, (3) manifest but still not sig-
nificant Pb absorption, (4) manifest Pb absorption,
(5) incipient Pb intoxication. Another table shows
the percentage distribution of Pb exposure in vari-
ous work places. Preventive measures and education
of the workers are discussed. For prophylactic
purposes, vacations in a stimulating climate and
administration of Mosatil are useful.
2597 Ohlsson, W.T.L. (Central Hospital, Angel-
holm, Sweden): DETECTION OF EXPOSURE TO
LEAD BY A MOBILIZATION TEST WITH PERORAL
PENICILLAMINE. Occupational Health Review
15, No. 3:14-8, 1963.
A mobilization test for the detection of mild, but
potentially toxic exposure to Pb was devised in
which the urinary content of Pb before and after
oral administration of 0.45 g penicillamine was
determined. The maximum permissible concentration
was provisionally set at <100 ug/1 of urine sample
collected at bedtime just before taking penicill-
amine and <300 yg/1 the following morning. The
test was used to assess the degree of exposure to
Pb in industrial premises. When urinary Pb ex-
cretion was found to be in excess of the accepted
norm, protective measures were instituted. On
some occasions, parallel determinations of ALA and
Pb excretion in the urine were made, but because
of the relatively mild exposure, no positive cor-
relation was found. The value of ALA determina-
tion in such cases is questioned as detectable
amounts occur only when toxic effects by Pb already
exist and ALA excretion is not specific for Pb poi-
soning; on the other hand, increased urinary excre-
tion of Pb occurs only when absorption of Pb has
been excessive.
2598 Osborne, R.V. (Royal Cancer Hosp., London,
England): LEAD-210 AND POLONIUM-210 IN
HUMAN TISSUES. Nature 199:295 (July 20),
1963.
Appreciable amounts of ^1()Pb and 210Po may occur
in certain human foodstuffs as a result of deposi-
tion from the atmosphere of long-lived Rn decay-
products . Absorption of these products may there-
fore occur by both inhalation and ingestion, but,
although measurements of the activity of 210Pb in
many human bone samples have been reported, the
ratio of 210Po to 2l°Pb in bone and the activities
of these nuclides in human soft tissues have been
reported in only a few samples.
Results of preliminary radiochemical estimations
of 210Po and 210Pb in human bone and soft tissue
samples indicate an average body burden of 210Po
in the range 330-450 pCi with at least 20% of the
activity in the soft tissues. The upper and lower
limits correspond to the assumptions that the more
highly mineralized cortical portion of the skele-
ton has a 210Po/210Pb ratio equal (a) to that in
the trabecular region, taken here as 0.6, or (b)
to unity, respectively.
2599 Pacseri, I.A.: A mttanyagipar egeszsegtlgyi
vonatkozasairol. (HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THE
PLASTIC INDUSTRY.) Munkavedelem Budapest
9, No. 1-3:36-40, 1963.
Health problems in the Hungarian plastics industry
are reviewed. Pb poisoning, caused by the use of
Pb carbonate as a stabilizer, occurred in the manu-
facture of polyvinylchloride (PVC). Sporadic cases
of Pb poisoning were also reported from a factory
where PVC plates of old storage batteries were used
as a source of PVC for further processing. (From
Bulletin of Hygiene 38:1169-70, 1963)
2600 Paolino, W., Resegotti, L., Sartoris, S.,
and Infelise, V. (Univ. Turin, Italy):
Studio sulla patogenesi dell'anemia
saturina per mezzo del radioferro 59pe.
(STUDY ON THE PATHOGENESIS OF LEAD-INDUCED
ANEMIA BY MEANS OF Fe-59 RADIOIRON.) Min-
erva Medica 54:527-30 (Feb.), 1963.
The mechanism of the development of Pb-induced
anemia is discussed on the basis of the literature
and experiments by the authors. Rabbits were in-
jected im or iv with Pb acetate. The rate of plas-
ma clearance of injected 59pe> aru} the % of 59pe
incorporated in the circulating erythrocytes and
in the heme of the circulating erythrocytes after
2-14 days were determined after 4, 8 and 12 in-
jections and in normal animals. The results showed
that the rate of -^Fe clearance in the plasma of
Pb-poisoned rabbits increased constantly. The
fact that the 59pe content in the circulating
erythrocytes was normal or only slightly increased,
with a concomitant finding of erythroblastic hyper-
plasia of the bone marrow, favors the hypothesis
of greater need of Fe in erythropoiesis and also
demonstrates that, at the doses used, Pb did not
interfere with the incorporation of Fe into the
erythroblasts. Only high doses of Pb, administered
iv, decreased significantly the incorporation of
Fe into the erythroblasts. However, Pb affects the
utilization of Fe in the hemoglobin synthesis,
though also only in sufficiently high doses. This
occurred after 12 im injections of Pb acetate, ie,
240 mg Pb, or after 8 iv injections corresponding
to 160 mg Pb. Thus, anemia induced by large doses
of Pb resembles thalassemia. The faulty utiliza-
tion of Fe is attributed to enzymatic changes. An
intraglobular pathogenesis seems to be present in
Pb-induced anemia.
2601 Pascou, L., Ilia, E., and Ungureanu, S.
(Inst. Pharmaceut. Med., Cluj, Romania):
Les valeurs des donnees de laboratoire en
relation avec les stades de 1'intoxication
saturnine. (RELATION OF LABORATORY FIND-
INGS WITH THE STAGES OF LEAD POISONING.)
In Union des Societes de Sciences Med-
icales, Societ£ d'HygiWe: Premier Congres
Man
501
-------
National d'Hygiene et de Securite du Tra-
vail. Rapports et Resumes des Travaux
(First National Congress of Industrial
Health. Abstracts of Papers). Bucharest,
1963, p. 50.
Urinary Pb excretion before and after administra-
tion of EDTA, urinary coproporphyrin and stippled
red blood cells were determined in a representa-
tive group of workers of a Pb-extraction plant.
Data obtained on 228 subjects showed that spon-
taneous urinary Pb excretion was not related to
the stage of poisoning. Also, urinary copropor-
phyrins measured in 247 men and stippled red cell
counts in 276 workers did not vary significantly
with the severity of poisoning or the working
conditions within the factory.
2602 Pecora, L., Fati, S., Mole, R., Balletta,
A., and Daniele, E. (Univ. Naples, Italy):
II comportamento del metabolismo porfirin-
ico nel saturnismo, con particolare rig-
uardo all'ALA e al PEG. (BEHAVIOR OF THE
PORPHYRIN METABOLISM IN LEAD POISONING
WITH SPECIAL REGARD TO 6-AMINOLEVULINIC
ACID AND PORPHOBILINOGEN.) Folia Medica
46:105-24 (Feb.), 1963.
The behavior of 6-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in
urine and blood plasma, porphobilinogen (PEG),
urinary coproporphyrin (CP), free erythrocytic
protoporphyrin (FEP) and Pb in blood and urine was
studied in 36 subjects exposed to Pb for 1-30 yr
and in 20 healthy controls. The following normal
values were established: urinary ALA, 2.5 mg/24
hr; plasma ALA, 46 pg%; PEG, 1.5 mg/24 hr; CP, 120
pg/24 hr; FEP, 60 pg%; blood Pb, 80 pg%; urinary
Pb, 100 pg/24 hr. In the 36 Pb-poisoned individ-
uals urinary ALA was increased in 30 cases, plasma
ALA in 29, PEG in 14, CP in 17, FEP in 32, blood
Pb in 9 and urinary Pb in 15. A 100% increase was
found for urinary ALA in 12; plasma ALA, 10; PEG,
3; CP, 1; FEP, 14; blood Pb, 0; urinary Pb, 11.
The greatest frequency and significance of in-
crease occurred with FEP (88%) and urinary ALA
(83%), whereas coproporphyrinuria was present only
in 47% of the cases tested.
The conclusion was drawn that determination of
urinary ALA and FEP should be the first tests to
be done in suspected Pb poisoning. Absence of an
increase in both of these excludes the diagnosis
of Pb intoxication; an increase in at least one of
them is a very sensitive index of probable Pb in-
toxication. Since blood Pb values and PEG remain
normal even in severe poisoning, these 2 are the
least important tests for a diagnosis of early Pb
poisoning.
Experimental Pb poisoning was produced in 20
rabbits, av weight 2.8 kg, by gastric administra-
tion of 2 cc of 20% Pb acetate/day, for 36-52 days.
The same tests were carried out as in the studies
with man, with the exception of blood Pb, and the
results were listed in tables. All values were
found to increase in experimental poisoning, par-
ticularly ALA, FEP and urinary CP. In both human
and animal experiments, no correlation could be
found between the degree of increase of the vari-
ous metabolites.
2603 Pecora, L., and Rossi, A. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): Sul test di mobilizzazione del
piombo con dose unica di CaEDTA e carico
orale di acqua. (A TEST OF THE MOBILIZA-
TION OF LEAD WITH ONE DOSE OF CaEDTA AND
ORAL INTAKE OF WATER.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 46:949-61 (Nov.), 1963.
In discussing the various biological signs of Pb
poisoning, the authors recently stated (1963) that
only in rare cases are all signs present. The most
frequently positive signs are increased free eryth-
rocyte protoporphyrin (PP) and urinary ALA; copro-
porphyrin (CP) is increased only in ^47% of
the cases, urinary Pb excretion in 41%, urinary
porphobilinogen in 23%, and blood Pb in 4%. They
consider 50-100 basophilic stippled erythrocytes
(BSE)/million as normal and 500-600 as indicative
of Pb poisoning. Since recent introduction of EDTA
for the treatment of Pb poisoning has suggested its
use also for diagnostic purposes, the authors ap-
plied the schedule proposed by Albahary (1961) in
their present investigation. This consists of: (1)
The subject collects the 24-hr urine on the day pre-
ceeding the test; the Pb concentration in this sam-
ple is the basic value. (2) On the morning of the
test, while fasting,the subject empties his bladder
and then drinks 300 ml water and immediately there-
after is injected with 0.5-1 g EDTA in isotonic
glucose solution. (3) Urine is collected after
5 and then after 19 hr and the samples are separate-
ly analyzed for Pb. The test is considered posi-
tive if the Pb concentration during the first 5 hr
is 800 pg/1 and 700 yg/1 for 24 hr.
On 20 normal subjects, 20 subjects exposed to Pb
but showing no definite clinical and biological
signs of Pb poisoning, and 25 subjects with defi-
nite Pb poisoning, the results of the mobilization
by EDTA were tabulated according to the following
criteria: base blood Pb; PP; BSE; urine Pb base,
in 1st 5 hr, in next 19 hr, and total 24-hr elimi-
nation; base urine CP and 5 hr, 19 hr, and total
after EDTA. Blood Pb and BSE were normal in many
Pb-exposed and Pb-poisoned subjects. PP was nor-
mal in 12 Pb-exposed cases and slightly increased
or within normal limits in the other 8. Among the
Pb-poisoned subjects, PP was normal in 1 and aver-
aged 280 lJg/ml of red blood cells in the other 24.
Urinary Pb was within normal limits in 11 of the
20 Pb-exposed and in 8 of the 25 Pb-poisoned sub-
jects. When all 3 groups were subjected to the
EDTA mobilization test and water intake, urinary
Pb excretion in the normal group averaged a total
of 49.1 pg or 88.2 yg/1 during the 1st 5 hr and a
total of 63.8 pg or 55.7 pg/1 during the remaining
19 hr, with a 24-hr total of 113.6 pg. The cor-
responding data in the Pb-exposed group were: 5
hr, 230.9 pg or 790 pg/1; 19 hr, 235.8 pg or 235
pg/1; 24-hr total, 467.5 pg; in Pb-poisoned group:
5 hr, 547.2 pg or 1491.1 pg/1; 19 hr, 557.1 pg or
675.2 yg/1; 24-hr total, 1293.8 pg.
The results showed that at 19 hr, the quantitative
Pb excretion averaged about the same as the per-
liter value, while at 5 hr, the per-liter values
always exceeded the total excretion. The values
obtained for Pb-exposed subjects were clearly
higher than those for normal individuals; the
highest differences occurred at 5 hr for the per-
liter values, which in Pb-exposed were 9 times
higher than in the normal. In the Pb-poisoned
group, all values were ^2-3 times those of the ex-
posed.
502
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
The conclusion was drawn that the mobilization
test is very useful for the diagnosis of Pb ex-
posure and Pb intoxication, even in the absence
of other biological signs, and that the amount of
Pb excreted during the 1st 5 hr is the most in-
dicative sign. Per-liter values of 200-760 yg
during the 1st 5 hr indicate Pb exposure and values
>1253 yg indicate Pb poisoning. At 760-1253 ug,
additional tests must be made to distinguish be-
tween Pb exposure and Pb poisoning. The authors
point out that the fact that their values for nor-
mal subjects are slightly lower than found by other
authors may be due to differences in water and
food consumption and geographic conditions.
2604 Perrelli, G., Coscia, G.C., and Linari, F.
(Univ. Turin, Italy): Composti organici di
piombo, quale recente causa di saturnismo.
(ORGANIC LEAD COMPOUNDS AS A RECENT CAUSE
OF LEAD POISONING. CLINICAL AND EXPERI-
MENTAL OBSERVATIONS.) Minerva Medica 55:
2587-9 (Sept. 1), 1963.
Inorganic and organic Pb compounds are used as
stabilizers in the plastics industry. The most
frequently used compounds and their percentage in
the finished plastic are: stearate, 0.5-2; dibasic
stearate, 0.5; basic carbonate, 2-4; tribasic sul-
fate, 2-4; dibasic phosphite, 2-4; rarely used are
the dibasic phthalate, 2-8, and salicylate, 2-5;
the caprylate is not used.
During the past 5 yr, 9 cases of Pb poisoning
caused by Pb stearate have been noted by the auth-
ors. The patients had been exposed to this sub-
stance for 1-11 yr. The most frequent clinical
signs were abdominal colic (8 cases), normochromic
or hypochromic anemia (6 cases) and gastroduodeni-
tis (5 cases) ; also Burton's line (4 cases) and in
1 instance hypertension. In 2 patients, renal
function was slightly disturbed, but no liver in-
volvement or polyneuritis was noted. Fecal and
urinary Pb excretion of 2 men, challenged by iv
injection of 1.8 g CaNa2EDTA on the llth day to 1
man and 1st and llth to the other, was followed for
16 days. Concentrations as high as 13,500 yg/hr
urine and 8400 yg/24 hr feces were found. In the
9 cases studied, the syndrome was comparable to
that caused by Inorganic Pb compounds although the
abdominal pains appeared earlier and predominated
the picture. Before administration of EDTA, the
feces contained much more Pb than the urine. In-
jection of EDTA caused a large decrease of fecal
Pb and correspondingly, a large increase of urinary
Pb. A second dose of EDTA had a minor effect on
urinary Pb excretion and hardly any effect on fe-
cal Pb excretion. The chelating agent seemed to
be useful for prophylaxis and therapy.
The absorption of Pb stearate is mentioned to be
the result of inhalation and ingestion, the ease
of absorption being due to the small particles
inhaled, and to the affinity of Pb to gastric
hydrochloric acid with formation of Pb chloride.
2605 Petrova, A., and Bakalov, D. (Sofia, Bul-
garia) : Izsledvane na urina za porfirini
pri nyakoi profesionalni otravyaniya.
(EXAMINATION OF URINE FOR PORPHYRIN IN
SOME OCCUPATIONAL POISONINGS.) Khigiena
(Sofia) 6, No. 4:37-41, 1963.
Urinary coproporphyrins were studied in healthy
individuals and in subjects with occupational ex-
posure to ligroine, benzene, Pb, CO, Hg, Cu, etc.
Coproporphyrinuria was encountered in all cases
with Pb poisoning; it is considered a sensitive
indicator in occupational poisonings.
2606 Pica, A. (Univ. Florence, Italy): Rilievi
igienico-sanitari in due colorifici ceram-
ici. (HYGIENIC SANITARY STUDIES IN TWO
CERAMIC DYE FACTORIES.) Rassegna di Med-
icina Industriale e di Igiene del Lavoro
32:465-79 (Sept.-Oct.), 1963.
Since basic Pb chromate is a raw material for red
ceramic dye, Pb poisoning is one of the hazards
in ceramic dye factories. A total of 161 men, 16-
62 yr old, who had been working in such a factory
for 1-21 yr, were examined. Clinical and labora-
tory findings such as Pb colic, Burton's line,
urinary coproporphyrin, basophilic stippling,
anemia, were tabulated and correlated with the
different phases of work. The greatest risks were
found to occur in fusing and sifting of the raw
material.
2607 Picard, M. (Soc.Jnd. Med. Hyg., Stras-
bourg, France): A propos d'un cas de
saturnisme. (A CASE OF LEAD POISONING.)
Proceedings of the Society of Industrial
Medicine and Hygiene. Archives des Mal-
adies Professionnelles de Medecine du
Travail et de Securite Sociale 24:558-9
(June), 1963.
A Pb content in the blood of 85 yg/100 ml was
found in a patient who suffered from paralysis of
the right hand and left arm. The man worked as an
electrician and had not been exposed occupational-
ly to Pb. Inquiry revealed that he lived in a
house where the water which he used early in the
morning and late in the evening for coffee or
soup, passed through a 10 m-long pipe of Pb. Tests
showed that the 1st 3 liters of water drawn in
the morning contained 7 mg Pb/1. Other inhabitants
of the house were unaffected because they used the
water only at times when it had not been permitted
to stay in this pipe for any length of time.
2608 Fieri, J., Tronconi, Moreau, and Eisinger:
(Medical Society of Hospitals, Marseilles,
France): Conduite et surveillance du
traitement par la penicillamine au cours
de la D.H.L. et dans les intoxications.
(a propos de trois observations.) (METHOD
AND SURVEILLANCE OF TREATMENT WITH PENICIL-
LAMINE DURING HEPATOLENTICULAR DEGENERATION
AND IN POISONINGS (IN CONNECTION WITH
THREE OBSERVATIONS).) Marseille Medical
100:51-7, 1963.
In the treatment of Pb poisoning with chelating
agents the urinary excretion of Pb is increased.
However, it is important to watch the chelating
effect on vital metals in the body. The capacity
of EDTA to do so, and other side effects are point-
ed out. Penicillamine is recommended as the che-
lator of choice. It has a low toxicity and pro-
duces effective and long-lasting results when ad-
ministered in daily amounts of 1.80 g divided into
5-12 doses.
2609
Pislaru, V., Geleriu, R., Ungureanu, S.,
Man
503
-------
Culie, F., and Glurgiu, I. (Inst. Med.
and Pharmacy, Cluj, Romania): Etude de
certaines modifications fonctionnelles de
1'appareil cardio-vasculaire chez les
travailleurs d'une usine d'extraction du
plomb. (STUDY OF CERTAIN FUNCTIONAL MODI-
FICATIONS OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM IN
WORKERS OF A LEAD-EXTRACTION PLANT.) In
Union des Societes de Sciences Medicales,
Societe d'Hygiene: Premier Congres Nation-
al d'Hygiene et de Securite du Travail.
Rapports et Resumes des Travaux (First
National Congress of Industrial Health.
Abstracts of Papers). Bucharest, 1963, p.
60.
Determination of blood pressure, oscillometry,
capillaroscopic and plethysmographic studies and
the Teslenko test were applied to 2 groups of work-
ers in March and May 1962. The studies showed
that the cardiovascular apparatus is not so much
affected by the presence of Pb as by complex fac-
tors of the work place. The observed effects that
could be attributed to Pb were more of a central
nervous or plexal origin. An arterial hypotension
and a very low frequency of hypertension were noted.
Oscillometric and capillaroscopic tests showed a
clearly defined neurovegetative imbalance which
correlated well with blood-pressure readings, and
which the other tests revealed to be of central
nature.
2610 Plamieniak, Z.( and Smolik, R. (Clinic
Internal Med., Wroclaw, Poland): Zachow-
anie sie bia^ek surowicy w przypadkach
przewlekjego zatrucia ojowiem. (SERUM PRO-
TEIN PATTERN IN CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.)
Polski Tygodnik Lekarski 18:358-61 (Mar.
4), 1963.
Electrophoretic studies of the serum protein in 32
patients with chronic Pb poisoning revealed that
the y-globulins were decreased, the decrease being
related to the degree of intoxication. These ob-
servations confirm the injurious effect of Pb on
the reticuloendothelial system. (From authors'
English summary)
2611 Freda, N., Lillis, R., Nestorescu, B.,
and Roventa, A. (Inst. Hyg., Bucharest,
Romania): La valeur de la decharge du
plomb par le Ca-EDTA-Na^ pour le diagnos-
tic du saturnisme. (THE VALUE OF ELIMI-
NATION OF LEAD BY MEANS OF Ca-EDTA-Na2
IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISONING.) In
Union des Socie'te's de Sciences Me'dicales,
Societe d'Hygiene: Premier Congres
National d1Hygiene et de Securite
Travail. Rapports et Resume's des Travaux
(First National Congress of Industrial
Health. Abstracts of Papers). Bucharest,
1963, p. 57.
A study on 260 workers showed that excretion of Pb
produced by daily iv administration of 2 g CaNa2~
EDTA for 5 consecutive days is a useful criterion
in the diagnosis of Pb poisoning. The amounts of
Pb excreted in the urine during the treatment in-
dicate the amount of Pb accumulated in the organ-
ism and are characteristic, in most cases, of the
clinical state of poisoning. Excretion of Pb in
amounts not >1.20 mg in 24 hr or 3 mg in 5 days
indicate abnormal absorption of Pb without patho-
logic phenomena, whereas in Pb poisoning the val-
ues are not <1.70 mg/24 hr or 6 mg in 5 days. The
test is conclusive both for a short or a longer
(24 hr or 5 days) mobilization period and is help-
ful in cases where the usual diagnostic methods
fail.
2612 Prodan, L., Ursan, G., and Suciu, I.
(Inst. of Pharmaceut. Med., Cluj, Romania):
Contribution Na 1'evolution dynamique du
saturnisme chronique professionnel. (CON-
TRIBUTION TO THE DYNAMIC EVOLUTION OF
CHRONIC OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) In
Union des Societes de Sciences Medicales,
Societe d'Hygiene: Premier Congres Na-
tional d'Hygiene et de Securite du Tra-
vail. Rapports et Resumes des Travaux
(First National Congress of Industrial
Health. Abstracts of Papers). Bucharest,
1963, pp 38-9.
Studies carried out over the last 12 yr concerning
the evolution of chronic occupational Pb poisoning
have shown that several stages of intoxication can
be distinguished. Presaturnism is characterized
by an increase of the Pb level in the urine and
blood, porphyrlnuria, basophilia and some function-
al and clinical symptoms such as gingivitis, en-
larged liver, anemia. In the next stage, a com-
plex clinical symptomatology appears, with func-
tional reversible disturbances of the asthenovege-
tative, digestive, muscular and vascular systems.
This is followed by the occurrence of lesions of
the nervous system and other organs. In each
stage, severe phases alternate with remissions.
As the intoxication progresses, the severe phases
become more frequent and longer and those of re-
mission briefer. The following classification is
proposed: presaturnism; saturnism of 1st degree
(w~ ;h functional reversible disturbances); saturn-
isi of 2nd degree with organic lesions: first of
compensating, and then of decompensating nature.
2613 Raikhman, L.M. (San.-Epidemlol. Div., Uman
District Hosp., USSR): Sluchai pishchevogo
otravleniya svintsom. (A CASE OF FOOD POI-
SONING DUE TO LEAD.) Gigiena i Sanitariya
28:74-5 (June), 1963.
A combine farmer and his wife were referred to the
hospital with severe stomach pains, frequent vom-
iting, nausea, headache. They were pale, showed
dark gum line, moderate anemia (3.67 and 3.54 mil-
lion erythrocytes); there were no stippled cells.
Although at first contamination of food (pre-
serves, etc) by glazed utensils was suspected,
this and work exposure could be eliminated. It
was found that for the last 3-4 days they had
used flour out of a newly opened bag. This flour
was darker than that in another bag; both lots
came from the same grinding. Chemical analysis
showed in the dark flour considerably more Pb
(10-15 mg/kg) than in the light flour (3-5 mg/kg).
Therefore in the past 1-1-1/2 mo the couple had
ingested daily (considering that daily consumption
of bread was 0.5-0.7 kg) 1.5-2 mg Pb, and in the
last few days, even more. This is higher than the
toxic dose (1 mg/day for 1 mo). The author states
in a footnote that unfortunately analyses of the
Pb content of blood and urine could not be made.
504
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
The source of Pb was the repair of the millstone
with molten Pb.
2614 Ramzin, S. , Atanackovic, V., and Sibalic,
M. (Inst. for Public Health of SR Serbia,
Belgrade): (ENDEMIC GOITER, NUTRITION, AND
MICROELEMENTS IN GOITROGENIC AND NONGOITRO-
GENIC AREAS.) Acta Medica lugoslavica 17,
No. 3:263-78, 1963.
The role of environmental factors, such as the
trace elements as well as nutrition (aside from
I), in the etiology of goiter, cretinism, deaf-
ness and dumbness was studied among the population
of a small village in Yugoslavia, located in an
area of endemic goiter and cretinism.
About 80 yr ago 26 families had migrated there
from an area of mild endemic goiter but no cretin-
ism. Marked degeneration took place from the 1st
generation in this locality, so that by the end
of the 50's a survey of some 1000 persons dis-
closed 6.9% to have degenerative symptoms. Consan-
guinity was excluded.
The investigation now reported includes analysis
of the drinking water supply for content in I, F,
Cu, Pb, Ni, and urochrome (for evidence of organic
contamination) in this village and in 4 others
showing either low or no endemic goiter and no
cretinism, although in 1 of them there was endemic
nephritis; another was 1 of endemic fluorisis.
Extensive data were compiled of the nutrition and
caloric intake of the families with and without
cretins.
The conclusions were as follows: In the regions
particularly poor in I, subclinical forms of
cretinism, deafness and dumbness, and endemic hypo-
thyroidism were found. Except for the I content,
the nutrition of the populations in the most af-
fected areas was similar to the nutrition of under-
nourished populations in goiter-free areas. The
deficiency in both cases was significant in cal-
ories, proteins of animal origin, fats, liposoluble
vitamins, and Ca. A deficiency of this kind was
particularly marked in the families with cretins.
The monotonous food consisting of cereals had an
aggravating effect. The concentrations of Pb in
the drinking water of the villages investigated
ranged from 2.2-15.7 yg/1. They were considerably
lower in the goiter regions than in those without
goiter and cretinism. The F content ranged from
136-7600 yg/1 and showed no correlation with the
incidence of goiter and cretinism. Therefore both
ions played no role as cogoitrogenic factors. The
concentrations in Ni and Cu were low in these areas
and there was a positive correlation between the
concentrations of I and Cu in water in the in-
vestigated areas. Supplementation with 100-150
yg I daily/person contributed to the eradication
of endemic cretinism and deafness and dumbness,
and particularly to the reduction in the incidence
of the most severe forms of goiter.
2615 Riecken, E.O. (Univ. Hosp., Hamburg-
Eppendorf, Germany): Histochemische
Untersuchungen zum Schwermetallnachweis
im menschlichen Knochen. (HISTOCHEMICAL
INVESTIGATIONS FOR IDENTIFYING HEAVY METALS
IN HUMAN BONES.) Histochemie 3, No. 4:298-
306, 1963.
The availability of a simplified bone-biopsy tech-
nique (Bartelheimer, 1957, 1959) and the histo-
chemical demonstration by Timm (1958) of heavy
metals, particularly Pb, in bone by use of the
sulfide-Ag reaction prompted the author to inves-
tigate whether the latter reaction gives positive
results in human bone. He also wished to test the
reproducibility of the sulfide-Ag method in animal
experimentation, and its applicability for the
clinical diagnosis of intoxication by Pb.
Human specimens were removed from the iliac crest
and cortical bone of the femur by biposy or at
autopsy (Pb exposure is not indicated in any of the
cases); the animal bones were the femurs of Wistar
albino rats and NMRI albino mice poisoned by 4
ip injections, every other day, of 100 mg/kg of Pb-
Na EDTA.
The reaction was positive in 60% of the human
specimens. The fact that in the bone of some of
the older persons both positive and negative re-
sults were obtained suggested to the authors an
exposure to Pb varying from individual to individ-
ual. The cortical portion of the femur gave a
stronger reaction than did the spongy substance of
the iliac crest. Positive reaction was seen in
all sections of the animal femurs.
It is concluded that the method is sufficiently
sensitive for clinical diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
2616 Roth, B., and Klimkova-Deutschova, E.
(Charles Univ., Prague, Czechoslovakia):
THE EFFECT OF THE CHRONIC ACTION OF IN-
DUSTRIAL POISONS ON THE ELECTROENCEPHALO-
GRAM OF MAN. Review of Czechoslovak Med-
icine 9, No. 4:217-27, 1963.
A group of 56 patients, 16-64 yr old, exposed
occupationally to some toxic environment, was
studied. Ten worked with heavy metals, 2 of them
with Pb. All patients had complaints which made
them seek medical aid; most of them had objective
signs of intoxication or preintoxication. The
electroencephalogram (EEC) was abnormal in 46% of
the patients; 32% of the tracings showed sleep
rhythms, and only 32% of the cases had normal
tracings. (The finding of both abnormal changes
and sleep rhythms in several cases accounted for
the greater than 100% total.)
The authors conclude that even though a diagnosis
of occupational disease and its cause cannot be
made on the basis of the EEC alone, changes in the
tracing may provide valuable information on a dis-
order of the central nervous system, on the local-
ization of brain changes, their intensity and
development. They therefore urge the inclusion of
the EEC in the comprehensive clinical and labora-
tory examination before employment in hazardous
jobs as well as in the subsequent periodic exami-
nations. (31 references)
2617 Rubino, G.F., Coscia, G.C., Perrelli, G.,
and Parigi, A. (Univ. Turin, Italy): Corn-
portamento del glutatione, del test di
stabilita del glutatione e dell'attivita
glucosio-6-fosfato-deidrogenasica nel
saturnismo. (BEHAVIOR OF GLUTATHIONE, THE
GLUTATHIONE STABILITY TEST AND GLUCOSE-6-
PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITY IN LEAD
POISONING.) Minerva Medica 54:930-2
(Apr.), 1963.
A total of 30 patients suffering from Pb poisoning
Man
505
-------
was studied. Group 1, consisting of 8 subjects,
was in the stage of acute or subacute poisoning.
Group 2, consisting of 19 individuals, showed
signs of Pb absorption and the 3 cases in Group 3
demonstrated chronic saturnism. Data for Hb con-
tent, red cell and reticulocyte counts, urinary
coproporphyrin, glutathione content in the erythro-
cytes, glutathione stability and glucose-6-phos-
phate dehydrogenase activity were tabulated for
all patients and compared with those of 20 normal
individuals. Average values for erythrocytic glu-
tathione content, glutathione stability and de-
hydrogenase activity, respectively, were as fol-
lows: normal, 57 ± 6.74, 47.1 ± 3.77, 277.53 ±
12.34; acute and subacute Pb poisoning, 39.73 i
8.6, 34.91 + 9.9, 231.1 ± 30.8; Pb absorption,
47.21 ± 11.4, 40.68 ± 8.04, 245.03 ± 33. It is
concluded from the results that the changes found
were caused by the action of Pb on the oxidation-
reduction system of the erythrocytes.
2618 Ruzlcka, J. (Dept. of Occup. Diseases,
Ostrava, ^Czechoslovakia): Pouzlti metody
stanoveni olova po mobilizaci komplexonem
EDTA v sestihodinovem vzorku moci. (DE-
TERMINATION OF LEAD IN URINE SAMPLES SIX
HOURS AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF AN ETHYLENE-
DIAMINETETRAACETATE COMPLEX.) Pracovni'
Le'karstvi 15:242-5 (Aug.), 1963.
The urinary Pb content was determined on 72 sam-
ples from 40 workers exposed to Pb, 6 hr after iv
administration of 2 g CaNa2EDTA. The results
showed a direct relationship between the amounts
of excreted Pb and the hygienic conditions at the
work place. Workers from plants where control
measures had been taken, excreted an average of
0.468 mg Pb/24 hr, whereas urinary Pb excretion
in workers from industries where working conditions
were poor, was 3.323 mg/24 hr. The author empha-
sized the value of this test for out-patient
practice.
2619 Saita, G., and Moreo, L. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): Comportamento dell'acido delta-
aminolevulico nel siero di intossicati da
piombo. (BEHAVIOR OF DELTA-AMINOLEVULINIC
ACID IN THE BLOOD SERUM IN LEAD POISONING.)
Medicina del Lavoro 54:183-90 (Mar.), 1963.
The content of ALA in the blood and urine and
urinary Pb excretion before and after administra-
tion of CaNa2EDTA were tabulated for 8 subjects
presenting symptoms of acute Pb intoxication and
for 11 chronic cases. Data for urinary copropor-
phyrin, protoporphyrin, Pb concentration in the
blood, Hb and number of red cells and stippled
basophils for the patients are also included. ALA
concentration in the serum, before EDTA administra-
tion, ranged from 0.037-0.128 mg%, with a mean of
0.0975 mg% for the acute cases and 0.0503 mg% for
the chronic. Upon administration of EDTA the
acute cases responded with a rapid fall in ALA
concentration, particularly during the first 2 days
of treatment, while in the chronic cases the re-
duction was less marked.
The possible pathogenic mechanism responsible
for the rise in ALA is discussed. The conclusion
was reached that there is probably an interaction
of various causative factors, ie, inhibition of
ALA-dehydrogenase by Pb and increased permeability
of the membrane of the erythrocytes. The decrease
of ALA in the serum during EDTA therapy, which is
more rapid than the corresponding decrease in
urinary ALA, is attributed to a reduction of the
enzyme block and a loosening of the spasm of the
renal arterioles due to Pb. (19 references)
2620 Sbertoli, C. (Univ. Milan, Italy): Estese
paralisi degli arti superior!, insorte
dopo breve esposizione al piombo. (EXTEN-
SIVE PARALYSES OF THE UPPER EXTREMITIES
AFTER BRIEF EXPOSURE TO LEAD.) Medicina
del Lavoro 54:201-7 (Mar.), 1963.
A case of subacute Pb poisoning in a 23-yr-old,
mentally subnormal worker in a battery factory is
described. After 1 mo exposure as a mixer of Pb-
containing material the patient showed abdominal
colic and symptoms of a neuropathy of the upper
extremities. Shortly after returning to work he
developed symmetrical paralysis, nephrosis and
subicterus. After iv treatment with CaEDTA, Pb
and coproporphyrin in the urine and protoporphyrin
and ALA in the blood were increased, indicating
Pb intoxication. The severity of the case was
attributed to the irresponsibility of the patient
rather than to the hazard of the job.
2621 Schdttmann, Ch., and Schilttmann, W. (Inst.
of Occup. Med., Berlin-Lichtenberg, Ger-
many) : Die medikamentBse Prophylaxe der
gewerblichen Bleivergiftung mit oralen
Gaben der Dinatriumkalziumverbindung der
Athylendiamintetraessigsaure (Na2CaEDTA)..
(THE MEDICAL PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL
LEAD POISONING BY ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF
CALCIUMDINATRIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRA-
ACETATE (Na2CaEDTA).) Zeitschrift fUr
jirztliche Fortbildung 57:1301-7 (Dec.),
1963.
Treatment of Pb intoxication with chelates such as
EDTA is discussed. The mechanism of the chelating
reaction is described. Due to the high affinity
of Ca to the EDTA salts, it is essential to use an
EDTA salt that is saturated in Ca, so that the
chelate cannot combine with Ca in the blood. In
the German Democratic Republic a CaNa2EDTA called
"Weiss" (made by Weiss and Co.) is available, which
is administered by infusion or iv injection at a
level of 1 g, twice daily for 3 days. This treat-
ment is repeated 2 to 4 times with intervals of 2-
3 days. The possibility exists that the chelates
combine also with Fe and trace metals such as Zn,
Cu, and Mn. The literature reporting an increased
excretion of these metals during treatment of Pb
poisonings with CaNa2EDTA is cited. Another pos-
sible side-reaction mentioned by some authors is
the development of toxic necrotic nephroses which,
however, are generally caused by excessive doses
of the chelate. The author never encountered this
reaction but advises that the renal function be
checked before and during treatment with EDTA and
that a daily dose of 2 g not be exceeded. Since
orally given CaNa2EDTA is partly resorbed, iv
treatment may be followed up with oral administra-
tion of 3 g EDTA daily in tablets to insure a
consistent flow of Pb elimination.
Prophylactic treatment of Pb intoxications by
oral administration of CaNa2EDTA is suggested.
Such pharmacologic prophylaxis is opposed by Kehoe.
506
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Johnstone, Skinner and others, because it may lead
to reduced efforts of industrial preventive meas-
ures. As Kehoe points out, it may even conceal
poor industrial hygiene. The literature referring
to the prophylactic use of EDTA is cited. The
authors report that they introduced in a battery
plant the prophylactic use of oral CaNa2EDTA. The
plant previously had a high rate of Pb poisoning;
at some work places the air was found to contain
100 times the maximum allowable Pb concentration
of 0.15 mg/cm3. A selected group of 138 workers
with high Pb exposure was divided into 2 groups,
1 of which was given 2 g CaNa2EBTA daily for 1 wk
of each mo, for a period of 1 yr. No manifest Pb
intoxication occurred in the treated group while 5
cases with acute symptoms of Pb poisoning occurred
among the controls. These results led to the in-
troduction of prophylactic treatment of all Pb-
exposed workers and since then no new cases of Pb
poisoning were observed. Twelve spot checks of
the Fe level in the serum gave values of >100 mg%.
Situations which call for prophylactic treatment
with EDTA are discussed. A distinction should
be made between routine prophylaxis and preventive
treatment of pre-saturnism (characterized by a Hb
content of <75 mg%, stippled cells of >3/1000
erythrocytes, increased porphyrinuria). The latter
is treated with 3 g EDTA daily for 7-10 days and
possibly a 2nd course after an interval of several
days. In some cases a change of the work place may
be advisable. (59 references)
2622 Schwarzbach, W., and Schwerd, W. (Univ.
Erlangen-NUrnberg, West Germany): Klini-
sche und quantitative chemische Befunde
bei akuter Bleivergiftung. (CLINICAL AND
QUANTITATIVE FINDINGS IN ACUTE LEAD INTOXI-
CATION.) Archiv fUr Toxikologie 20:173-8,
1963.
A 21-yr-old woman ingested a total of 10 g of
litharge (Pb oxide) in increasing doses over a
period of 7 days for the purpose of abortion. On
the 7th day diarrhea started, followed by weakness
and paresthesia in the legs, vomiting and abdom-
inal pains. Clinical tests revealed a normochromic
anemia, changes of the electrocardiogram, a Pb
content in the blood of 74 pg% and in the urine of
225 ug/1; urinary coproporphyrin was 177 yg%. The
patient was treated with Ca, Na citrate and anti-
dotum metallorum Sauter and given blood trans-
fusions . Recovery was complete within about a
month.
2623 Serra, C. (Orthopedic Center of Traumatol-
ogy, Naples, Italy): Interesse das pes-
quisas electromiograficas nas mole'stias
internas e na medicina do trabalho. (IM-
PORTANCE OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC INVESTIGA-
TIONS IN INTERNAL DISEASES AND IN INDUS-
TRIAL MEDICINE.) Resenha Clinico-Cientif-
ica 32:267-77 (Nov.-Dec.), 1963.
The author reviews the significance of electromyo-
graphic examination in various disease states, ie,
metabolic diseases, musculoskeletal and other dis-
orders, and in occupational disease states, in-
cluding Pb poisoning; the application in the lat-
ter was described by himself with Armbrosio, San-
tanelli, and others, in addition to other workers
in this field.
2624 Serra, C., and Pannain, B. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): BIOCHEMICAL AND E.E.G. FINDINGS
IN SOME MODERN OCCUPATIONAL POISONINGS.
Rivista Sperimentale di Freniatria e Med-
icina Legale delle Alienazioni Mentali
87:858-62 (June 30), 1963.
Previous publications of the authors concerning
biochemical or electroencephalographic findings in
various industrial poisonings are summarized and
reviewed. In chronic Pb poisoning, changes in the
activities of enzymes have been observed along
with changes in the electroencephalogram. There
was an increased reaction of brain electrical
activity to intermittent photic stimulation, with
"photic driving" patterns, which, in turn, caused
an increase in the porphyrin content of blood.
The authors conclude that the most important
advances in industrial and legal medicine can be
achieved only through the correlation of many
findings, such as the biochemical, histopathologic,
and electrophysiologic; also that the activity of
various parts of the central nervous system in oc-
cupational poisoning is not yet known.
2625 Shakhbazyan, G.Kh., and Trakhtenberg, I.M.
(Kiev Med. Inst., USSR): PROBLEMS OF THE
HYGIENIC EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL FACTORS
IN AN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT. Journal of
Hygiene, Epidemiology, Microbiology and
Immunology 7, No. 3:371-86, 1963.
This evaluation of published information toward
the establishment of standards for occupational
exposure to various poisons includes data on the
need for special differential norms for Pb in
cases where workers are simultaneously exposed to
high temperatures. (46 references)
2626 Shakhbazyan, G.Kh., Trakhtenberg, I.M.,
Savitskii, I.V., and Goncharuk, G.A.:
(EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF
COMMERCIAL POISONS ON HEART FUNCTION. THE
CARDIOTOXIC EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS.) Gi-
giena ± Fiziologiya Truda, Proizvodstven-
noi Toksikologii Klinika Profezional'noi
Zabolevanii (Kiev: Cos. Izd. Med. Lit.
Ukr. SSR) Sb. 1963:81-6.
In the presence of an asthenovegetative syndrome,
Pb caused a tendency to bradycardia, connected
with neurodynamic cortical changes in the myocard-
ium. The accompanying hypotonia was due to block-
ade of sulfhydryl groups of chemoreceptors of ves-
sels and to alterations of vagus nerve tonus.
(From Referativnyi Zhurnal Khimiya 1964:Abstract
No. 11275; Chemical Abstracts 61:6253, 1964)
2627 Shatrova, S.P. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Dis., Gor'ki, USSR): Effektivnost lechen-
iya elektrosnom pri nekotorykh profes-
sional 'nykh zabolevaniyakh. (THE EFFEC-
TIVENESS OF ELECTRIC SLEEP THERAPY IN SOME
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.) Gigiena Truda i
Professional'nye Zabolevaniya 7:45-7
(Sept.), 1963.
Electric sleep therapy was prescribed for 40 pa-
tients, 30-50 yr old, 16 of whom suffered from
chronic TEL poisoning, 14 from chronic Pb poison-
ing, and 10 from vibration sickness. All exhib-
ited, among other clinical signs and symptoms,
neurologic involvement, the chief of which were
Man
507
-------
complaints of sleep disturbances. The patients
were followed for up to 2 yr. The effectiveness
of this therapeutic means was evident to the au-
thor by improvement in sleep patterns, general
well-being and frame of mind. However, it was
evident that in some patients, the course of ther-
apy has to be repeated.
2628 Shraiber, L.B., and Mosevich, P.N. (Uzbek
Res. Inst. Sanit. Hyg. Occup. Dis.,
Tashkent, Uz. SSR): K patogenezu prei-
mushchestvennogo porazheniya luchevogo
nerva pri svintsovom otravlenii. (CONTRI-
BUTION TO THE PATHOGENESIS OF THE PRE-
DOMINANT INVOLVEMENT OF THE RADIAL NERVE
IN LEAD POISONING.) Zhurnal Nevropatologii
i Psikhiatrii 63, No. 12:1775-9, 1963.
Based on clinical and experimental procedures and
electrophysiological, chemical, biochemical and
histochemical tests it was found that Pb caused
the most significant destruction in the radial
nerve and to a slightly less extent in the median
and ulnar nerves. The selective action of Pb is
related to the different structures of nerve
fibers. Chromatography showed that changes had
occurred in the quantity and distribution of amino
acids in the albumin hydrolyzate obtained from the
facial nerve. (From Biological Abstracts 45:
Abst. No. 100424, 1964)
2629 Siegel, G.S. (US Publ. Health Serv.,
Washington, D.C.): LEAD EXPOSURE AMONG
DECORATIVE AND HOUSE PAINTERS. Archives
of Environmental Health 6:720-3 (June),
1963.
Although the diminished use of Pb-pigmented paints
and good industrial hygiene practice have markedly
reduced the prevalence and severity of Pb poison-
ing among painters, special purpose Pb paints are
still used. To ascertain the extent of Pb risk,
among painters, 107 of some 300 painters regularly
employed by the Federal General Services Admini-
stration were enlisted. The Pb exposure of this
group had never been monitored. Since these men
perform all types of interior and exterior finish-
ing, and many also paint in their spare time for
remuneration, their techniques and types of paint
used were considered to be representative of cur-
rent practices in the trade. In addition, 10 con-
trol subjects (5 male and 5 female) served for the
assessment of Pb absorption as measured by concen-
trations in single 10-ml samples of blood. The
analyses were performed by the Division of Occupa-
tional Health using the PHS method. No elevated
blood Pb levels were found, the mean for the group
being 0.023 mg/100 g Pb and the range from 0.013-
0.040 mg/100 g. This mean level approximated that
of a control group of 5 males (0.024, range 0.018-
0.034 mg/100 g) and the recently reported mean
blood concentration value of an urban male popula-
tion (Hofreuter et al, 1961). The 5 female con-
trols showed a mean of 0,014 and a range of 0.010-
0.017 mg/100 g. Tables show the results on each
of the 107 painters with age, occupational data
(years of service, type of painting), and of con-
trols, with age, sex, occupation.
The author concludes that the risk of Pb poison-
ing associated with current materials and methods
of application used in the decorative and house
painting trades appears to be negligible. Within
the painter group, no significant relationship be-
tween blood Pb values were associated with age,
methods of application, or number of years en-
gaged in the painting trades.
2630 Singerman, A. (Univ. Buenos Aires, Argen-
tina) : Incidencia de las plantas elabora-
doras de plomo y derivados sobre la vecin-
dad. (INFLUENCE OF FACTORIES PRODUCING LEAD
AND ITS DERIVATIVES ON THE POPULATION.)
Revista de la Asociacion Bioquimica Argen-
tina 28, No. 147-8:91-100, 1963.
After a critical review of diagnostic methods for
the determination of ALA and urinary coproporphy-
rin in Pb poisoning, the author reports values ob-
tained by her in 10 Pb founders and 12 individuals
living near a minium and litharge plant. All sub-
jects of the 1st group showed a significant in-
crease of ALA compared to the normal of 2.5 mg/24
hr. Excretion of coproporphyrin was below the
normal limit of 200 yg/24 hr in 3 cases and above
this threshold in the other 7 men. The Pb level
in blood was ^60 yg/100 g in all of them, which is
considered within normal limits. In the 2nd group,
3 subjects showed excessive levels of ALA and co-
proporphyrin, the remainder being within or close
to normal limits.
The author points out the importance of sanitary
supervision of individuals exposed to Pb hazards.
2631 Sonkin, N. (Pawtucket, R.I.): STIPPLING
OF THE RETINA. A NEW PHYSICAL SIGN IN THE
EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISONING. New
England Journal of Medicine 269:779-80
(Oct. 10), 1963.
Eight workers in a wire manufacturing company, who
had been exposed to Pb compounds for 6 mo-1 yr,
developed retinal stippling. Retinal changes,
visualized as a glistening deposition of greyish
Pb pigment surrounding the optic disk, appear to
be a reliable early sign of Pb intoxication. Lab-
oratory findings such as excess urinary Pb and
stippling of the erythrocytes showed some correla-
tion with the retinal findings. The retinal stip-
pling was reversible within a period of 4 mo fol-
lowing removal of the workers from Pb exposure.
2632 Sours, J.A. (Columbia Presbyterian Medi-
cal Center, New York, N.Y.): NARCOLEPSY
AND OTHER DISTURBANCES IN THE SLEEP-WAKING
RHYTHM: A STUDY OF 115 CASES WITH REVIEW
OF THE LITERATURE. Journal of Nervous and
Mental Disease 137:525-42 (Dec.), 1963.
Patients coded under the categories of hypersom-
nia, somnolence and narcolepsy at the Columbia-
Presbyterian Medical Center from 1932-61 were
identified, their clinical records were reviewed,
and follow-up studies were carried out whenever
possible. Patients were seen for neurologic and
psychiatric evaluation, using the established cri-
teria for diagnosis. Of the 130 identified cases,
all of whom complained of somnolence, 15 were re-
jected. There were 75 with primary (idiopathic)
narcolepsy; of the remaining with secondary (symp-
tomatic) , 1 was a case of Pb encephalopathy. In
the description of the cases and types of narco-
lepsy, the author reports that organic hypersomnia
was associated with lues, head injuries and both
508
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
endogenous and exogenous intoxications. The pa-
tient with a chronic brain syndrome secondary to
Pb poisoning had episodes of hypnosia lasting 6-12
hr. i'he review of the literature is based on 112
references.
2633 Stahuljak, D., and Zuskin, E.: Otrovanje
olovom-problem javnog zdravstva. (LEAD
POISONING. A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM.)
Lijecnicki Vjesnik 85:187-90 (Feb.), 1963.
The occurrence of Pb poisoning from Pb-contaminated
food and beverages is discussed. (29 references)
2634 Stancev, S. (Sofia, Bulgaria): La prophy-
laxie du saturnisme chronique par 1'admin-
istration buccale de CaNa2EDTA. (PROPHY-
LAXIS OF CHRONIC LEAD POISONING BY ORAL
ADMINISTRATION OF CaNa2EDTA.) In Union
des Socie'tes de Sciences Medicales, So-
cie'te d'Hygiene: Premier Congres National
d'Hygiene et de Securite du Travail. Rap-
ports et Resumes des Travaux (First Nation-
al Congress of Industrial Health. Abstracts!
of Papers). Bucharest, 1963, pp. 37-8.
A group of 14 workers was treated prophylactically
for 8 days, without interruption of work, with 2
g CaNa2EDTA/day (10 cc of a 10% solution in the
morning and evening). These men, who were engaged
in the production of Pb oxides, were exposed to
elevated atmospheric concentrations of Pb and
showed signs of incipient Pb poisoning. The Pb
level in blood and urine was determined daily be-
fore and after treatment and compared with that of
10 untreated workers. The treated men excreted in
their urine during the 8 days of treatment an
amount of Pb which, without treatment, would have
been excreted in the course of 52.3 days. Hema-
tologic values and porphyrinuria improved. In 3
cases, urinary Pb excretion after administration
of 1 g EDTA was determined every 2 hr for 24 hr.
In other cases, serum Fe was determined and proved
to be normal. In 2 cases, the prophylactic treat-
ment was repeated with good success after 4 mo.
Oral treatment with 2 g EDTA in a 10% solution
for 8 days is recommended for workers who show
signs of incipient Pb intoxication and for those
subjected to the inhalation of Pb. Prophylactic
treatment with EDTA is much more efficient than
that with Na citrate.
2635 Storozheva, N.N.: (CONTENT OF Pb AND Sn
IN HEALTHY AND CARIOUS TEETH.) Stomatolo-
giya 42, No. 1:44-8, 1963.
Pb and Sn were measured spectrographically. The Pb
content of permanent teeth was found to increase
with age, being 3.5 yg/g in children aged 5-10 yr
and reaching 15 yg/g in adults aged 40 yr and
above. The Pb content of milk teeth was 3.9-7.0
yg/g. In adults of a given age group carious
teeth had a significantly higher Pb content; the
Pb level was highest in enamel and least in cement.
(From Chemical Abstracts 59:988, 1963)
2636 Suzuki, T. (Univ. Tokyo, Japan): (LEAD IN-
TOXICATION AND HEMOGLOBIN BIOSYNTHESIS.)
Igaku No Ayumi 44:100-2, 1963.
A review with 42 references. (From Chemical Ab-
stracts 62:15336, 1965)
2637 Sverdlov, S.L. (Novozybkov Hosp. Bryanskoi
Region, USSR): 0 klinicheskoi diagnostike
bytovogo saturnisma. (CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS
OF LEAD POISONING OCCURRING IN HOME LIFE.)
Sovetskaya Meditsina 27, No. 6:140-1 (Ab-
stracts), 1963.
Pb poisoning frequently occurs in families using
glazed earthenware for the preparation of food.
In the investigation described, quantitative deter-
mination of Pb of 135 glazed jars and other con-
tainers revealed Pb poisoning risk in 118. From
1958-60, 384 patients with a varying course of ill-
ness were admitted in the local clinic; in addi-
tion, 300 ambulatory cases were seen. Pb colic,
and other signs of poisoning were observed. Al-
most all exhibited arterial hypotension, distur-
bances of gastric and gallbladder function, muscu-
lar pains, etc. Correct diagnosis is considered
to be essential for the elimination of Pb poisoning
in everyday life.
2638 Tarasova, A.V., and Davydova, G.N. (Inst.
of Ind. Hyg. and Occup. Diseases, Lenini-
grad, USSR): Vliyanie svintsa na aktiv-
nost shchelochnoi fosfatazy krovi. (EFFECT
OF LEAD ON THE BLOOD ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
ACTIVITY.) Trudy Leningradskogo Sanitarno-
Gigienicheskogo Meditsinskogo Instituta
75:207-14, 1963.
The experiments reported were undertaken to de-
termine whether changes in the levels of alkaline
phosphatase in the blood appear in the initial
stages of Pb poisoning, and would thus be useful
in the diagnosis of the disease.
Preliminary in vitro tests showed that inacti-
vation of phosphatase activity increases with in-
creased concentrations of Pb added to the serum.
Severe Pb poisoning was then induced in 2 rabbits
(weight 2-3.2 kg) by iv injection of 20-50 mg Pb
nitrate; 2 rabbits served as controls. After in-
jection, the phosphatase activity was measured
daily for a wk, and then on alternate days for a
period of 2 mo and more. Chronic intoxication was
induced by repeating the injection after 20 days.
The external signs of poisoning in the acute ex-
periment were variable and appeared due to indi-
vidual susceptibility. Alkaline phosphatase
activity of both control and experimental animals
before poisoning showed significant individual
variations. After administration of Pb, the ac-
tivity rose sharply (to 144-199 mg%) in the course
of 2-7 days, and just as rapidly returned to ini-
tial values. The response to repeated administra-
tion of Pb was similar. In 1 rabbit, the activity
continued to decrease and the animal died on the
17th day after injection.
The behavior of alkaline phosphatase was then
followed in the Clinic in 128 hospitalized workers
who had been subject to exposure to Pb (ages 19-60
yr, 101 men and 27 women), and in 172 practically
well workers of the machine shop of a metallurgic
factory. All investigations were done in the same
season of the year. Most of the workers observed
(68%) were from 26-35 yr old and had worked from
2-15 yr. Ten workers had earlier experienced Pb
poisoning, and 6 showed initial signs of poisoning
(high stippled cell counts, disorders of the cen-
tral nervous system). The levels of alkaline
phosphatase activity in the blood varied from 10.3-
Man
509
-------
67.3 mg% (av 34.8 mg%). No significant changes in
the activity could be observed in the workers show-
ing no signs of intoxication. There was a tenden-
cy toward an increase in workers <21 and >45 yr
old as compared with those from 21-45 yr old. The
means of the activity in workers of the machine
shop and the Pb-exposed varied only insignificantly.
Comparison of the phosphatase activity of the Pb-
exposed group aged from 21-45 yr with the control
group, again showed no significant differences,
and only indicated a tendency to some increase in
activity.
2639 Teichmann, W. (Martin-Luther Univ. Halle-
Wittenberg, Germany): Kasuistischer Bei-
trag zur Behandlung der Bleivergiftung
mit dem Chelatbildner Na2~HDTA in niedrig-
er Dosierung. (CASE REPORT ON THE TREAT-
MENT OF LEAD POISONING WITH THE CHELATING
AGENT Na2EDTA IN SMALL DOSES.) Zeitschrift
fUr die gesamte innere Medizin und Ihre
Grenzgebiete 18:597-9 (July 1) , 1963.
A 37-yr-old worker who had been exposed to the
fumes of Pb smelting in a cable factory for 8 mo,
complained of paresthesla and nausea and showed a
distinctive Pb line and urinary coproporphyrins of
0.690 mg/day. A diagnosis of Pb poisoning was
made and the patient was given treatments with 1 g
NaEDTA in 500 ml physiological Nad solution as a
continuous drip infusion over a period of at
least 3 hr. Two infusions/wk were administered to
a total of 8 g within 4 wk. The subjective com-
plaints disappeared after the 1st 3 days. After
2 infusions basophilic stippling was no longer
detectable. The Pb line disappeared after 4 wk.
The Pb content of the blood which was 0.354 mg/100
ml at the beginning of the treatment dropped to
0.088 mg/100 ml after 4 wk, and the urinary ex-
cretion of Pb dropped to 0.182 mg/day. After com-
pletion of the treatment the following data were
found: Hb 85%, erythrocytes 4.05 x 10^, serum Fe
103 yg%, serum Ca 9.8 mg%, coproporphyrin 0.034 mg/
day. The advantages of the treatment with small
intermittent doses of EDTA are discussed. (31
references)
2640 Teisinger, J. (Prague): Biologische Ex-
positionsteste in der Gewerbetoxikologie.
(BIOLOGICAL EXPOSURE TESTS IN INDUSTRIAL
TOXICOLOGY.) Handbuch der Gesamten Ar-
beitsmedizin, Vol. IV, Part 2, 1963.
In reviewing the title subject, the author points
out that in establishing biological exposure
threshold limits, a number of difficulties must be
resolved. Concerning normally occurring sub-
stances, such as Pb, oenzoic acid, phenol, etc, it
is necessary to establish the normal concentra-
tions of nonexposed people. This cannot be done
on the basis of literature data, because environ-
mental conditions, dietary habits, etc, vary, but
must be worked out for each country or locale.
Other factors to be considered in the absorption
and elimination of toxic substances, among many
others, are individual metabolic and other differ-
ences, physical effort in respect to inhaled sub-
stances, as well as temperature. The occupational
exposures discussed are: aniline, As, benzene,
phenol, Be, Pb, Cr, F, Cd, CO, Mn, nitro- and
•dinitrobenzene, Hg, CS2, H2S, Tl, toluene, tri-
chloroethylene, U, HCN, CN, and nit riles. An
extensive bibliography for each of the above sub-
stances is included.
2641 Teisinger, J., and Styblova, V. (Inst. of
Ind. Hyg. and Occup. Diseases, Prague,
Czechoslovakia): Hallazgos neurologicos
en el saturnismo cronico. (NEUROLOGICAL
FINDINGS IN CHRONIC PLUMBISM.) Medicina
y Seguridad del Trabajo 11:12-6 (Jan.-
Mar.), 1963.
Sixty-one persons, 23-64 yr old, with proved Pb
poisoning, seen in the Clinic for Occupational
Diseases in Prague, who had been exposed to vary-
ing degrees of Pb hazards, were examined neuro-
logically. Of these 61 men, 21 had worked as Pb
smelters, 16 had been employed in a battery plant,
12 in a paint factory, 3 in glass works, 6 were
typographers, and 3 had been occupied in other
work. The length of exposure was 3 mo-34 yr;
40 had been exposed <5 yr. Neurological changes
due solely to Pb were present in 46 subjects, of
whom 3 were severely affected, 20 slightly, and
23 moderately. The changes were either mainly
functional (with symptoms of headache, excitabil-
ity, weakness) or organic (consisting of lesions
in the central nervous system). A significant
correlation was found between the neurological
changes and the degree of poisoning.
2642 Tipton, I.H., and Cook, M.J. (Univ. Tennes-
see, Knoxville; Oak Ridge Natl. Lab.,
Tenn.): TRACE ELEMENTS IN HUMAN TISSUE.
PART II. ADULT SUBJECTS FROM THE UNITED
STATES. Health Physics 9:103-45 (Feb.),
1963.
Central values and an estimate of the variation
about the central values are given for 24 trace
elements in 29 tissues of 150 adult subjects,
victims of instantaneous death, who had spent
their lives in the US. This group is considered
as a sample of the normal adult population of the
US and as such a source of information for "stan-
dard man." The data, obtained by spectrographic
analysis of the samples prepared, were analyzed
both by common statistical methods and by a dis-
tribution-free method involving ranking the values
of the concentrations of the elements in the tis-
sues. Median concentrations of Pb in tissues
(yg/g of tissues ash) were as follows: Adrenal,
27; aorta, 140; brain, 5; diaphragm, 10; esophagus,
10; heart, 5; duodenum, 25; jejunum, 13; ileum,
20; cecum, 27; sigmoid colon, 13; rectum, 20; kid-
ney, 98; larynx, 64; liver, 130; lung, 47; muscle,
-5; ovary, 13; omentum, 30; pancreas, 49; pros-
tate, 10; spleen, 27; skin, 46; stomach, 12; tes-
tis, 12; thyroid, 10; trachea, 44; urinary blad-
der, 13; uterus, 5. Pb was observed in >8% of all
samples analyzed though less frequently in brain
and muscular tissues. The concentrations of Pb
in tissues varied widely. (29 references)
2643 Tipton, I.H., Cook, M.J., Steiner, R.L.,
Boye, C.A., Perry, H.M., Jr., and Schroe-
der, H.A. (Univ. Tennessee, Knoxville; Oak
Ridge Natl. Lab., Tenn.; Alcoa Res. Lab.,
New Kensington, Pa.; Tennessee Eastman
Corp., Kingsport; Washington Univ. School
Med., St. Louis, Mo.; Dartmouth Med.
510
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
School, Hanover, N.H.): TRACE ELEMENTS
IN HUMAN TISSUE. PART I. METHODS. Health
Physics 9:89-101 (Feb.), 1963.
Emission spectroscopy was used for the determina-
tion of 26 trace elements, including Pb, in as
many tissues and organs from as many normal in-
dividuals from as many locations in the US in as
short a time as possible in order to throw light
on the elemental composition of "standard man."
This information was required by Committee II of
the International Commission on Radiological Pro-
tection upon which MFC calculations could be made.
The methods described are for collection and prep-
aration of samples, including a sample autopsy in-
formation sheet; the method used, and the statisti-
cal methods. (15 references)
2644 Tolot, F., Zech, and Soubrier, R. (Bern,
Switzerland): Traitements actuels du
saturnisme. Resultats et possibilites.
(PRESENT-DAY TREATMENT OF LEAD POISONING.
RESULTS AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES.) Revue
Suisse de Medecine 52:938-42 (July), 1963.
The urinary elimination of Pb and the therapeutic
and diagnostic value of CaNa2EDTA was studied in
47 cases of Pb poisoning over a period of 3 yr.
Intravenous infusion of EDTA caused a high urinary
Pb elimination while oral administration produced
lower results (1690 Ug/1 on the average). In
doubtful cases of Pb poisoning, diagnosis may be
confirmed by a clearly positive elimination of Pb.
With regard to tolerance, no detrimental effects
were noted in the 47 cases treated. (From Occupa-
tional Safety and Health Abstracts 2:342, 1964)
2645 Tritsmans, E. (Inst. of Hyg., Antwerp,
Belgium): La presence de globules rouges
a granulations basophiles dans le sang
peripherique. (THE PRESENCE OF RED BLOOD
CELLS WITH BASOPHILIC STIPPLING IN THE
PERIPHERAL BLOOD.) Archives Beiges de Med-
icine Sociale, Hygiene, Meclecine du Tra-
vail et Medecine Legale 21:161-72, 1963.
The number of stippled basophilic erythrocytes was
studied in the blood of 1082 healthy subjects (797
men and 285 women), not exposed to Pb risk, aged
15-65 yr (av 28.5 yr). In 95% of the observations,
0-0.4 stippled cells/1000 red blood cells were
found; this range was therefore considered as nor-
mal; findings beyond 1/1000 were considered to be
outlying observations. Thus, in the author's lab-
oratory, values >0.4/1000 give rise to suspicion of
excessive Pb absorption. No sex variation was
noted, means being 0.145 for men and 0.142 for
women. However, those older than 40 showed lower
values (means: 15-25 yr, 0.145; 26-40 yr, 0.140;
41-65 yr, 0.086). Variations were also caused by
the method of determination, and the author sug-
gests that each laboratory establish its own nor-
mal values.
The effect of air pollution was investigated by
comparing data on 497 persons living in Antwerp,
Malines and Boom with 500 residents of rural areas.
The means were 0.149 in "polluted" areas and 0.132
in rural, with 8.45% and 6.20% of the values, re-
spectively, being >0.4/1000. Therefore, the effect
of air pollution was deemed not to be significant.
Questioning revealed that 1/3 of the group from
the polluted areas might have consumed water con-
taining Pb and the remainder was exposed to Pb
occupationally. All data obtained were statistic-
ally evaluated. (26 references)
2646 Unseld, D.W. (Municipal Hosp., Ulm, Ger-
many) : Moderne Therapie der Bleivergift-
ung. (MODERN THERAPY IN LEAD POISONING.)
Medizinische Welt 1963:1403-7 (July 6).
In the past 5 yr, 38 cases of Pb poisoning were
seen in the author's hospital, indicating the need
of continuing interest in the problem. The author
calls attention to the need of experience in the
diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
The treatment of Pb intoxication in many cases
is limited to removing the patient from further
exposure. Pb intoxications of fairly short dura-
tion disappear spontaneously either by excretion
of the excessive Pb or by its storage and immo-
bilization in the skeleton. However, treatment is
advisable to speed up the elimination of Pb. The
drug of choice in the author's clinic is CaEDTA or
CaNa2EDTA. CaNa2EDTA is injected iv in daily
doses of 1 g for 2 days at 2-day intervals. Spe-
cial dental care is required as long as the gingi-
val Pb line exists. Additional therapy is needed
for intestinal disorders, liver and kidney dis-
eases and hematologic and nervous disturbances.
2647 Urbanowicz, H., Sroczynski, J., and Pie-
karski, B. (Inst. tof Toxicol. and Occup.
Med., Zabrze, Poland): Wydalanie kwasu
6-aminolewulinowego w przebiegu o^owicy.
(URINARY EXCRETION OF 5-AMINOLEVULINIC
ACID IN LEAD POISONING.) Medycyna Pracy
14, No. 3:205-10, 1963.
Urinary excretion of ALA was studied in 20 persons
with chronic Pb poisoning, before and after admin-
istration of CaNa2EDTA. The results were cor-
related with urinary excretion of coproporphyrins
and the number of basophil stippled red cells in
the peripheral blood. A great increase of ALA in
Pb poisoning was noted. This test is considered
to be the most sensitive and specific method of
detecting increased Pb absorption. In the course
of treatment with EDTA, urinary excretion of ALA
decreased rapidly. The mechanism of increased
urinary excretion of ALA in Pb intoxication is
discussed. (From author's English summary; 27
references)
2648 Veliev, B.A., and Levanov, Yu.M.: (COM-
POSITION OF SERUM PROTEINS UNDER THE
STRAIN OF CHRONIC SATURNISM.) Izv. Akad.
Nauk Kaz. SSR, Ser Med. Nauk 1963, No.
1:76-9.
In chronic Pb poisoning, the total protein content
of the blood and the albumin:globulin ratio are
reduced. (From Chemical Abstracts 59:10681, 1963)
2649 Vurdelja, B. (Univ. Zagreb, Yugoslavia):
Saturnizam s atipicnim tokom. (UNUSUAL
CLINICAL COURSE IN A CASE OF LEAD POISON-
ING.) Lijecnicki Vjesnik 85:157-60 (Feb.),
1963.
A case of Pb poisoning with some unusual clinical
and laboratory findings is reported. These find-
ings (febrile course, high erythrocyte sedimenta-
tion rate, fluid levels in bowels in the X-ray
picture of the abdomen) suggested an acute intes-
Man
511
-------
tinal obstruction. However, the effect of treat-
ment with Mosatil (CaNa2EDTA) at the dosage of 2.4
g daily confirmed the diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
The man admitted that he had been drinking daily
3-5 1. of wine which had been stored in earthen-
ware vessels.
2650 Walshe, J.M. (Univ. Cambridge, England):
CURRENT THERAPEUTICS. 192. PENICILLAMINE.
Practitioner 191:789-95 (Dec.), 1963.
This is a review of the chemistry, pharmacology,
toxicology and clinical uses of penicillamine.
(24 references)
2651 Westerman, M.P., and Jensen, W.N. (Pitts-
burgh, Pa.): EFFECT OF LEAD, IN VIVO AND
IN VITRO, ON RADIOPHOSPHORUS INCORPORATION
INTO ERYTHROCYTE PHOSPHATIDES. Journal of
Clinical Investigation 42:991-2 (Proceed-
ings of 55th Annual Meeting) (June), 1963.
The in vitro rate of 32p incorporation into red
cell phosphatides of 5 patients and 6 rabbits with
hemolytic anemia of chronic Pb poisoning was de-
termined. Similar measurements were made in normal
human blood after preincubation with various con-
centrations of Pb. 32p uptake in in-vivo and in-
vitro Pb blood was limited to the phosphatidic
acidlike fraction. Phosphatidic acid 32p in pb
human and rabbit erythrocytes was, respectively,
64-114 and 35-132 counts/min/yg (normal values
163 ± 40 (man) and 236 + 71 (rabbits) cpm/yg of red
cell phosphatidic acid) . Blood incubated with Pb
(0.01-20 pM) showed increased 32p incorporation
into phosphatidic acid at 0.06 uM and complete in-
hibition at 20 yM. The studies show a suppression
of •* P incorporation into red cell phosphatidic
acid in Pb poisoning that might contribute to the
hemolytic anemia in saturnism. High concentrations
of Pb added in vitro to whole blood cause inhibi-
tion of 32P incorporation into phosphatidic acid,
while at lower concentrations enhancement occurs.
2652 Willett, R.W. (Raleigh, N.C.): ACUTE LEAD
ENCEPHALOPATHY DUE TO INGESTION OF ILLIC-
IT WHISKEY. North Carolina Medical Jour-
nal 24:21-4 (Jan.), 1963.
A case of acute Pb encephalopathy is reported be-
cause, though the signs and symptoms of chronic Pb
poisoning are well known, less widely known is the
fact that Pb poisoning may also cause an acute Pb
encephalopathy in adults. In adults presenting
convulsions, somnolence, mania, delirium, or coma,
the possibility of Pb encephalopathy should not be
excluded.
A 34-yr-old Negro woman was admitted to the
hospital presenting a bizarre combination of symp-
toms and signs including stupor, high fever, con-
vulsions, metabolic acidosis and anemia. Her case
remained an extremely difficult diagnostic problem
until the combination of chronic alcoholism (she
was estimated to have drunk 1/2-1 pint of whiskey/
day, most of which was illicit "white lightning"),
anemia, and basophilic stippling of the red cells
led to the presumptive diagnosis of acute Pb poi-
soning. This was later substantiated by necropsy
and blood level findings. The liver appeared to
be enlarged, pale and mottled owing to increased
fat in the central areas, the brain weighed 1265 g
and a marked softening was discovered; hyperemia
and prominence of small vessels in the basal nuclei
and internal capsules were found; the cerebral ven-
tricles were slightly dilated. The blood Pb level
was 155 pg/100 ml. The patient died on the 3rd day
after admittance.
2653 Williams, R.T. (St. Mary's Hosp. Med.
School, London, England): METABOLIC FATE
OF FOREIGN COMPOUNDS AND TOXICITY. Ar-
chives of Environmental Health 7:612-20
(Nov.), 1963.
This discussion includes TEL among the substances
causing toxicity by oxidation. The reaction in
the case of TEL is that an oxidative deethylation
yields triethyllead (TrEL) and acetaldehyde. The
enzymes involved in this biological oxidation oc-
cur in liver microsomes. TEL is metabolized to
TrEL in the liver only, but its site of toxic ac-
tion is the brain and central nervous system. TEL
as such is inert in the brain but its metabolite
TrEL is toxic. Probably, the TrEL formed in the
liver is transported to the brain where it exerts
its toxic effect.
2654 Wyllie, J., Petermann, H., and Petermann,
E. (Kingston, Ontario): EFFECT OF PENI-
CILLAMINE IN PROMOTING LEAD EXCRETION.
Canadian Medical Association Journal 88:
1155-9 (June 8), 1963.
A spectrochemical study was carried out of the
urine and blood of 14 subjects exposed to Pb in
their work for several yr, but without obvious
signs of intoxication. Determinations were made
before and after a dose of 0.9 g penicillamine,
administered on a single day, as follows (mg/1) :
average total urinary porphyrin excretion 0.506,
0.386 (normal 0.274); average Pb excretion <0.013,
0.367 (normal 0.031 and 0.047, respectively); av-
erage erythrocyte porphyrin content (yg%) 76.8,
76.95 (both ^3 times normal); blood Pb (yg%) 7.61,
5.68.
2655 Yaverbaum, P.M. (Regional Hosp., Irkutsk,
USSR): Aktivnost al'dolazy v syvorotke
krovi pri kontakte so svintsom. (BLOOD
SERUM ALDOLASE ACTIVITY FOLLOWING EXPOSURE
TO LEAD.) Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye
Zabolevaniya 7, No. 10-38-42, 1963.
Aldolase activity in the blood was determined in
16 women and 14 men, 18-62 yr old (controls). The
group of Pb-exposed subjects who showed no signs
of Pb poisoning consisted of 67 males and 7 women,
21-55 yr old. The results in the latter group
showed that regardless of the length of contact
with Pb, 27% showed increased aldolase activity
in the blood.
In experiments with white mice (av 18.2 g
weight), given sc for 7-9 days 0.1 ml 1% solution
of Pb nitrate, no change in liver aldolase activ-
ity was found.
In addition to the increase in aldolase activity
of the serum in the human subjects exposed to Pb
a correlation was seen with the increase in uri-
nary Pb excretion, while in the control subjects
no such correlation was observed. A correlation
was also sought between coproporphyrin (CP) excre-
tion in 29 workers. Increased aldolase activity
(>9.11 units) and increased CP was found in 6;
normal aldolase and CP in 8; normal aldolase was
512
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
accompanied by increased CP in 10 and a reverse
relationship was found in 5. The author therefore
concludes that in Pb-exposed subjects the deter-
mination of serum aldolase activity may represent
an effective test in the diagnosis of Pb poison-
ing.
2656 Zahorski, W. (Silesian Acad. Med., Zabrze,
Poland): Mechanizm patogenetyczny ojowicy
w swietle badan klinicznych i doswiadczal-
nych. (PATHOGENIC MECHANISM OF LEAD POI-
SONING IN THE LIGHT OF CLINICAL AND EXPERI-
MENTAL INVESTIGATIONS.) Polskie Archiwum
Medycyny Wewnetrznej 33:323-5, 1963.
The review considers the mechanism of Pb action on
the basis of changes in the porphyrin metabolism,
ALA, enzymes, glutathione, sulfhydryl groups, and
amino acid metabolism. (17 references)
2657 Zegarski, W. (Clinic Intern. Med., Gdansk,
Poland): Zachowanie sie zelaza w surowicy
krwi u ludzi w zatruciu olowiem. (THE BE-
HAVIOR OF SERUM IRON IN PEOPLE WITH LEAD
POISONING.) Acta Biologica e Medica
(Gdansk) 7:33-60, 1963.
The possible causes of Pb anemia are reviewed and
an investigation of the effect of Pb on the serum
Fe level in 71 workers, exposed to Pb poisoning,
is reported. The men were employed in sorting and
salvaging batteries, painting with red Pb or cut-
ting and cleaning sheet-metal painted repeatedly
with red Pb. The diagnosis of Pb poisoning was
established on the basis of interviews with the
patients, physical examination, determination of
the Pb level in blood and urine, urinary copropor-
phyrins, basophil stippling and hematology. Serum
Fe was determined by Heilmeyer and Pldttner's
method (normal value, 111.2 + 14.6 yg Fe/100 ml
serum). Data obtained by different authors for
the Pb content in blood and urine for normal and
Pb-poisoned subjects are tabulated. The patients
were divided into 4 groups according to their
symptoms. In 31 men with obvious Pb poisoning a
statistically significant increase of serum Fe (av-
erage 181 ug%) was noted. In 5 individuals in the
early stage of Pb poisoning, the serum Fe level
averaged only 133 vg%. The serum Fe increased
with the time of exposure to Pb. Both of these 2
groups showed distinct relationship between the
coproporphyrin concentration and the serum Fe
level. There was, however, no relation between
the rate of anemia and the increase of serum Fe,
and there were only 3 cases of pronounced anemia.
The conclusion was drawn that the hypersideremia in
Pb poisoning must have other causes besides a dis-
turbed Hh synthesis and hemolysis. Possible other
causes for the increase of serum Fe are discussed
such as porphyrinuria and the effect of Pb on Fe-
containing enzymes, causing an interference of Fe
utilization. When Pb poisoning remains untreated,
hemochromatosis may occur as a result of hyper-
sideremia. Since Pb anemia is not connected with
an Fe deficiency, treatment with Fe drugs will be
useless. The harmful effect of Pb on enzymes
leading to deficient synthesis of Hb and to copro-
porphyrinuria suggests the administration of vita-
min #12 and lactoflavin in the treatment of Pb poi-
soning. Experiments, employing these drugs, con-
firmed their useful effect. The most frequent
symptoms in Pb poisoning were listed as copropor-
phyrinuria, increase of Pb in blood and urine and
increase of serum Fe. The increased excretion of
coproporphyrins is considered as a very sensitive
indicator of the toxic action of Pb. (From
author's English summary) (52 references)
2658 Zorina, L.A. (Inst. Hyg. Occup. Disease,
Moscow, USSR): (CURRENT STATUS OF THE
PROBLEM OF THE USE OF CaNa2EDTA IN LEAD
POISONING IN CLINICAL CONDITIONS.) Gigiena
Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya 7:
9-14 (Aug.), 1963.
Data reported in the literature and personal ob-
servations of the author concerning the use of
CaNa2EDTA in Pb poisoning are reviewed. EDTA is
used for therapy, prophylaxis and diagnosis of
Pb poisoning. Its ability to control Pb colics is
pointed out. While EDTA is very efficient when
used in mild poisonings, its use is contraindicated
in Pb poisoning with nervous manifestations. Side-
effects occurring during treatment limit its use
in out-patient practice. (From author's English
summary)
1964
2659 Albahary, C. (Hospital Center of St.
Denis, Paris, France): Les troubles por-
phyriques dans le saturnisme. Etude com-
paree (a propos de 33 malades hospitali-
ses) . (PORPHYRIA IN LEAD POISONING. COM-
PARATIVE STUDY (IN REFERENCE TO 33 HOS-
PITAL CASES.)) Archives des Maladies Pro-
fessionnelles, de Medecine du Travail et
de Se'curite Sociale 25:495-507 (Sept.),
1964.
Clinical signs, counts and stippled cells, free
protoporphyrin and 6-amlnolevulinic acid (ALA) in
the blood; ALA, porphobilinogen, coproporphyrin
and Pb in the urine and the results of provoked
urinary Pb excretion were tabulated for 33 sub-
jects suffering from Pb poisoning. Thirty-one of
these patients were workers, exposed to Pb for 2
mo to 18 yr, of whom 3 were eliminated after 3-9
mo, 2 were women suffering from alimentary Pb poi-
soning. The following threshold values were
adopted from the literature: red blood cells, 4
million/mm3; stippled cells, 10/100 erythrocytes;
protoporphyrin, 0.060 mg%; ALA in blood serum,
0.060 mg%; urinary ALA, 5 mg/24 hr; urinary por-
phobilinogen, 2 mg/24 hr; urinary coproporphyrin,
0.2 mg/24 hr; Pb in urine, 0.10 mg/24 hr. The
tabulated data were summarized in a diagram and
the following observations were made: ALA in the
blood rarely exceeded twice its threshold value
and never exceeded 5 times its threshold value;
the determination of urinary porphobilinogen was
of no interest; the following were the most im-
portant tests in this order: urinary coproporphy-
rin, protoporphyrin in the blood, urinary ALA. By
setting the threshold value for urinary ALA at 5
mg/24 hr, this test is of preponderant interest;
also very important is the study of urinary copro-
porphyrin and particularly that of free protopor-
phyrin in the blood. An increase of urinary ALA
is the most indicative biologic anomaly whereas an
increase of ALA in the blood has only limited val-
Man
513
-------
All these tests are of interest from the view-
point of physiopathology. They demonstrate that
Pb is a powerful enzyme-inhibitor which interferes
with the synthesis of hemoglobin at various stages.
For diagnostic purposes, however, clinical signs,
anamnesis, hematology and toxicological signs
must be considered since porphyrin disorders are
not specific for Pb poisoning. For the detection
of harmful Pb absorption, the determination of Pb
in the urine before and after iv administration of
EDTA or DPTA is indispensable. A urinary fb ex-
cretion of ~i mg Pb/24 hr after administration of
a chelating agent indicates that further examina-
tions should be carried out, regardless of the Pb
content in urine and blood previous to EDTA treat-
ment.
Presently, the law for Pb industries in France
requires only an initial determination of blood
urea and periodic blood checks including the count
of punctate red cells. It appears desirable to re-
quire a half-yearly check of the ratio of punctate
cells to red blood cells, and of urinary Pb concen-
tration, and to recommend, where necessary, the es-
timation of urinary ALA and protoporphyrin and of
urinary Pb excretion after EDTA administration.
2660 Aleksieva, C., Batolska, A., Rostov,
MoSeva, N., Mutafov, B., Panajotov, B., and
Celebiev, A.: BALNEOTHERAPY WITH SULPHUR
MINERAL WATERS IN HEAVY METAL POISONING.
Works of the Scientific Research Institute
of Labour Protection and Occupational Dis-
eases, Profizdat, Sofia, Bulgaria, 12:53-
61 (Sept.), 1964.
See Abstract No. 2495.'
2661 Altman, I., and Ciocco, A. (School Public
Health, Univ. Pittsburg, Pa.): INTRO-
DUCTION TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH STATISTICS.
II. RATES. Journal of Occupational Med-
icine 6:409-15 (Oct.), 1964.
The authors discuss the meaning of statistics in
relation to absolute numbers and proportions,
stating that "statistical significance is an in-
ference involving chance " Statistics by
themselves are not sufficient for complete judg-
ment but are a tool to be used along with other
observations.
In a report on Pb poisoning in a storage bat-
tery plant, the data collected to show the effects
of Pb upon the health of workers included number
of employees, employment records (showing age,
sex, occupation, exposure, dates of employment,
transfer, illnesses, accidents, etc), records of
Pb poisoning (through compensation records),
hospital records, laboratory results, and results
of physical examinations of those with Pb poison-
ing. From these types of data a table was made for
2 hypothetical plants which showed by age brackets
total number of employees, number of deaths,
deaths/1000 in each plant, combined number of em-
ployees, expected deaths/each plant rate. From
this then, crude death rates and age-adjusted
rates were calculated. The report also gave inci- '
dence rates of compensation cases by duration of
employment and by department. The authors used
this brief account to emphasize the care and i
thought that should go into a statistical study.
2662 Altshuler, B., Nelson, N., and Kuschner,
, M. (New York Univ., N.Y.): ESTIMATION OF
LUNG TISSUE DOSE FROM THE INHALATION OF
RADON AND DAUGHTERS. Health Physics 10:
1137-61 (Dec.) , 1964.
In an assessment of the radiation dose in relation-
ship to the risk of lung cancer, such as has been
observed in U and fluorspar miners, it is
assumed that the malignancy is induced by alpha
irradiation of basal cells in the bronchial epi-
thelium. The radon (Rn) decay chain proceeds from
222Rn in 3.8 days to 218Po in 3.05 min to 214Pb
in 26.8 min to 214Bi in 19.7 min to 214Po in 2.7 x
10-6 min to 21°Pb in 19.4 yr to 210Bi in 5.02
days to 210po in 138.3 days to stable 206pb. The
study attempts to associate measurements of atmos-
pheric concentrations with a carcinogenic tissue
dose. The effective dose is calculated by an
analysis which includes the distribution of atmos-
pheric activity by size and daughter, the predic-
tion of a decay in the bronchial regions, measure-
ments of epithelial thickness and classification
of dose by inhaled daughter, size, alpha particle,
region and tissue depth. The cancer-related dose
associated with one working level (WL) of Rn
daughters is estimated to be 20 rads/yr for nose
breathing at 15 1/min, and may be higher. Com-
parison with animal experiments suggests that the
working level may not be safe and that 30 pCi/1
of daughters (0.1 WL) may not be too conservative
fo^- the MFC.
2663 Angle, C.R. and Mclntire, M.S. (Children's
Memorial Hosp., Omaha, Nebr.): LEAD POI-
SONING DURING PREGNANCY. FETAL TOLERANCE
OF CALCIUM DISODIUM EDETATE. American
Journal of Diseases of Children 108:436-9
(Oct.), 1964.
The literature concerning the effect of maternal
Pb poisoning on the fetus and the use of Pb as an
abortifacient is briefly reviewed. As no previous
reports of the treatment of Pb poisoning during
pregnancy were found, the authors consider their
case unique.
A family of 6 had been heating their living room
stove with battery casings as fuel for several mo.
Pb poisoning was diagnosed in the 19-mo-old son
who had been having convulsions for 8 wk, and a
3-yr-old brother died with acute Pb encephalopathy.
Two older brothers showed high Pb concentrations
in the blood, anemia with basophilic stippling,
and signs of hyperactivity. They were treated
iv with 75 mg/kg/day of CaNa2EDTA, for 4 days.
The mother, who was in the 8th mo of pregnancy,
showed 0.24 mg% Pb in blood, anemia with 8.6 g%
hemoglobin and marked basophilic stippling, posi-
tive urinary coproporphyrins and abdominal colics.
She was given 75 mg EDTA/kg/day iv, for 7 days.
When she was delivered of a normal infant, the
cord blood had a Pb concentration below 0.06 mg%.
The urine of both mother and infant was negative
for coproporphyrin; the mother's hemoglobin had
increased to 10.2 g% and there was no more baso-
philic stippling. When the child was given a com-
plete pediatric-neurologic examination at the age
of 4-1/4 yr, no abnormalities were found in the
electroencephalogram, radiographs of skull and
long bones, blood urea nitrogen, urinalysis and
blood count. The authors point out that therapy
514
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
of the mother with EDTA 4 wk before delivery had
apparently no ill effects on the infant. It might
be assumed that EDTA, due to its low molecular
weight, passes the placental membrane. However,
since fetal toxicity occurs in <25% of cases of Pb
poisoning in the last trimester, the successful
outcome may have been independent of the treatment.
2664 Anonymous: 21^Pb per rapide diagnosi di
avvelenamento da piombo. (THE USE OF
FOR PROMPT DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISONING.)
Comitato Nazionale per 1'Energia Nucleare,
Rome (Italy) Notiziario 10, No. 5:50-1,
1964.
A review of research done in the US on the use of
210pb for rapid diagnosis of Pb poisoning was
presented. (From Excerpta Medica, Sect. 23, 2 :
Abstr. No. 1130, 1965)
2665 Aprosina, Z.G. (Acad. Med. Sci., USSR):
Nekotorye osobennosti techeniya khroni-
cheskikh toksicheskikh (professional'nykh)
gepatitov. (CERTAIN PECULIARITIES IN THE
COURSE OF CHRONIC TOXIC (OCCUPATIONAL)
HEPATITIS.) In Trudy 1-go Moskovskogo
(Ordena Lenina) Meditsinskogo Instituta
imeni I.M. Sechenova, E.M. Tareev, ed.
28:183-96, 1964.
Sixty patients (54 women, 6 men), 30-55 yr old,
who had had long contact with hepatotoxic sub-
stances (nitrobenzenes, benzene, dichloroethane,
carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, halo-
wax, Pb) , were observed by the author. The role
of diet, cholesterol levels, diagnostic aids and
prognosis are discussed without reference to any
particular exposure. Stress is laid on the bilia-
ry tract as one of the most important sites in the
clinical picture of chronic toxic hepatitis; what-
ever changes are observed in it, will reflect
functional disorders and organic lesions. For the
demonstration of lesions of the biliary tract it
is necessary to examine carefully the syndrome by
means of duodenal catheterization and cholecystog-
raphy. The latter particularly appears to be the
method of choice for the study of biliary function
in chronic toxic hepatitis and its sequelae.
2666 Bariety, M., Gajdos, A., and Poulet, J.
(Hosp. Hotel-Dieu, Paris, France):
Anemic severe avec hypoplasie medullaire
globale provoquee par une intoxication
saturnine aigue. (SEVERE ANEMIA WITH
GLOBAL MEDULLARY HYPOPLASIA DUE TO ACUTE
LEAD POISONING.) Presse Medicale 72:597-
9 (Feb. 29), 1964.
The case of a 50-yr-old man who had worked until
shortly before hospitalization for 3 wk, 4-5 hr/
day, in a storage battery plant grinding Pb
plates, is described. The man had severe abdomi-
nal pains and asthenia, but no signs of a poly-
neuritic syndrome. Blood tests revealed the pre-
sence of stippled erythrocytes and a severe anemia.
Since there was a suspicion of Pb poisoning, the
porphyrin metabolism was studied. Urinary copro-
porphyrin excretion was found to be 0.516 mg (nor-
mal, 0.100-0.150); urinary 6-amlnolevulinic acid
(ALA)/24 hr amounted to 16 mg (normal, 1-2 mg);
ALA in the blood plasma was 0.067 mg/100 ml (nor-
mal, 0.007-0.057), free protoporphyrin in the red
blood cells, 0.420 mg/100 ml (normal, 0.050-0.070).
The Pb concentrations in blood and urine were
0.284 mg/1 and 1.411-2.730 mg/24 hr (normal, <0.090
and O.100, respectively). Treatment with EDTA,
glucose, khellin, atropine and novocain controlled
the digestive troubles within 48 hr, but the asthe-
nia worsened and the red blood cell count dropped
from 4,010,000-2,780,000 within 6 days and to
2,320,000 in the following 3 days. A grave global
medullary hypoplasia with hypoleukocytosis, hypo-
polynucleosis and decrease of platelets was ob-
vious. The hypoplasia was attributed to the Pb
intoxication although literature studies by the
author did not reveal another example of this
phenomenon. A massive toxic effect of Pb was ob-
served also in the severe derangement of the por-
phyrin metabolism which until shortly before dis-
charge reached a urinary excretion of 74 mg/24 hr
of ALA and 3 mg of coproporphyrin (normal, 2 and
0.0150 mg, respectively). In discussing the
mechanism of Pb anemia, the authors point out the
combined causative action of 3 factors, ie, (1)
inhibition of hemo-synthetase, (2) partial hemoly-
sis and (3) direct action of Pb on the medullary
elements.
For unusually severe cases of Pb poisoning,
treatment with adenosine-5-monophosphoric acid has
proved beneficial. This patient was given a daily
dose of 250 mg, im, for 4 wk. However, the authors
are not certain whether the improvement of the
hematologic picture could be attributed solely to
this therapy, while its favorable effect on the
porphyrin metabolism seemed to be less question-
able.
2667 Barry, P.S.I., and Turner, D. (Assoc.
Octel Co. Ltd., Ellesmere Port, Cheshire,
England): TETRAETHYL LEAD POISONING.
Letters to the Editor. Lancet 1:1275
(June 6), 1964.
Referring to the article by Dr. 0. Gutniak in
Lancet 1:1137-8 (May 23), 1964, the authors point
out that there is no recorded case of chronic TEL
intoxication. Cases that have occurred were
ascribable to an acute exposure, with only a few
days or at most a few weeks of symptoms being re-
ported. Also pointed out is a misinterpretation
of the report by Cremer who refutes the view that
the solubility of TEL in brain lipids causes its
neurotoxic action. The signs and symptoms re-
corded by Gutniak et al, could well be associated
with undue exposure to gasoline vapors, for the
vapor-pressure relationship of the latter and TEL
are such that air contamination by gasoline occurs
before the concentration of TEL rises to any ap-
preciable level. Since Pb levels in blood are not
unduly raised in TEL intoxication, the elevated
levels reported by Gutniak could be due to nonoc-
cupational exposure to inorganic Pb or to Pb-con-
taining filling metals, solders, and combustion
products present in garages, which may well have
contributed to the body burden of Pb in certain of
these cases.
2668 Bartolozzi, 0.: Consuntivo di nove anni
di profilassi con versenato di calcio in
uno stabilimento di accumulator!. (REPORT
OF NINE YEARS OF PROPHYLACTIC TREATMENT
WITH CALCIUM VERSENATE IN A STORAGE BATTERY
Man
515
-------
PLANT.) Abstracts of Meeting of the As-
sociation of Industrial Physicians of Lom-
bardy. Medicina del Lavoro 55:315-6,
(Apr.), 1964.
In a storage-battery plant employing 400 workers
the hygienic conditions during a period of 5 yr
prior to prophylactic treatment with CaEDTA were
compared with those during 9 yr after introduction
of such treatment, as well as with those of a new
battery plant of ^150 workers, which was almost
completely automated, with good sanitary facili-
ties. For various reasons, prophylactic treatment
was not practiced in the new plant. A daily dose
of 2 g EDTA in 10% aqueous solution was given for
10 consecutive days twice a year; in special cases,
the dose was doubled. The results of the compari-
son as to presence of disease, coproporphyrin,
stippled erythrocytes and average mortality rate
showed the beneficial effect of the treatment.
Any fears as to harmful effects of the treatment
were allayed.
In the discussion, Sassi points out that pre-
vention by drugs, the innocuousness of which has
not been established, is no substitute for techni-
cal preventive measures. However, even the most
modern plants have not yet solved completely the
technical problems.
2669 Besancon, F., Buzzi, F., and Debray, C.
(Hosp. Bichat, Paris, France): Le rythme
du jejunum humain au cours de la diges-
tion: Electromanographie endocavitaire
avec repas lacte. (THE RHYTHM OF THE HU-
MAN JEJUNUM DURING DIGESTION: ENDOCAVI-
TARY ELECTROMANOGRAPHY WITH A MILK MEAL.)
Archives des Maladies de 1'Appareil Diges-
tif et de la Nutrition (Paris) 53:525-34
(May), 1964.
The motility of the small intestine during di-
gestion of a milk meal was studied in 18 subjects
of whom 12 were normal, 3 were affected by pernici-
ous anemia, 1 by Pb poisoning, 1 by multiple sten-
osis of the jejunum and 1 by scleroderma. Inser-
tion of catheters into the jejunum and recording
were done according to the technique of Emerit
(1962). In the normal individuals, the motile
response of the jejunum was immediate and intense;
the pressure of the endocavitary jejunal base and
the number of waves were increased. In the Pb-
poisoned patient, jejunal pressure was recorded
during an attack of Pb colic which occurred 1.5 hr
after ingestion of the milk meal. The pressure of
the endocavitary jejunal base rose progressively
from 12-38 cm (of water) within ^80 sec and re-
turned abruptly to the base level at the same time
as the pain stopped. This phenomenon of pain and
elevation of pressure took place 4 more times
after which the motile response was normal again.
The tracings made by the authors support the
hypothesis that the pain in Pb colics is associ-
ated with a spasm of the small intestine. Levrat
et al, who took X rays of the intestine of Pb pa-
tients, observed a slow passage of Ba and a very
abnormal distention of the small intestinal loops.
However, Lerza et al, in a study of 73 Pb patients,
noted that hypertonic spasms of the small intes-
tines occurred 4 times as often as hypotonic
spasms, a finding which agrees with that of the
authors.
2670 British Industrial Biological Research
Association: THE METABOLISM OF EDTA. Food
and Cosmetics Toxicology 2:741-5 (Dec.),
1964.
The treatment of Pb poisoning with iv injections
of Ca edathamil (CaEDTA) has been studied exten-
sively. Since, however, small quantities of EDTA
salts are also used as food additives, the question
posed itself whether prolonged intake of small
quantities of EDTA salts could adversely affect
the mineral metabolism of the body. A review of
available evidence indicates that the amount of
EDTA likely to be ingested by an adult eating
food containing EDTA in the necessary technical
quantities will chelate only a minute fraction of
the available dietary Ca and, if CaEDTA is used,
this depletion becomes negligible. Also, the re-
duction of Fe absorption that results from the use
of EDTA is very small and probably occurs only in
states of positive Fe balance.
2671 Brugsch, H.G. (Dept. of Labor and Indus-
tries, Boston, Mass.): HAZARDOUS LEAD EX-
POSURES AMONG STRUCTURAL-STEEL WORKERS.
New England Journal of Medicine 270:211
(Jan. 23), 1964.
Attention is called to hazardous exposure to Pb
fumes among structural-steel workers who are en-
gaged in torch cutting or spray painting. In 1960,
23 men engaged in the restoration of a bridge
across the Charles River were found to excrete
abnormally high quantities of Pb in the urine.
The same phenomenon was found more recently in 4
out of 5 men dismantling girders of a bridge. In
both cases, acetylene-torch cutting was carried
out on structures which had received repeated coats
of paint, many containing Pb. Two other cases of
Pb poisoning had occurred recently among bridge
workers doing spray painting. Symptoms such as
abdominal colics, loss of weight, constipation and
unexplained anemia in workers engaged in torch
cutting or spray painting should always raise the
suspicion of Pb poisoning. It is requested that
any information in such cases be communicated to
'the Division of Occupational Hygiene, which is
equipped to carry out determinations of urinary Pb
and coproporphyrin.
2672 Buchwald, H. (Occup. Hyg. Service, Slough,
England): THE EXPRESSION OF URINE ANALY-
SIS RESULTS. OBSERVATIONS ON THE USE OF
A SPECIFIC GRAVITY CORRECTION. Annals of
Occupational Hygiene 7:125-36 (June), 1964.
Urine analysis is very useful in the detection and
control of environmental hazards. Air sampling
tests are used to measure the actual concentra-
tions of harmful substances in the air, but the
results do not necessarily indicate the extent of
absorption by those exposed. The author reviews
the problems brought out in the literature con-
cerning the collection of specimens and expression
of results. These may be expressed as total ex-
cretion/24 hr, excretion/unit volume of urine
(usually mg/1) on a 24-hr specimen, or per unit
volume on a spot specimen (single voiding), or per
unit volume on spot or cumulative specimens (com-
posite of 2 or more voidings) corrected for urine
concentration. The total excretion/24 hr, accept-
ed as the most reliable is difficult to obtain
516
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
from personnel. Also, the total volume of urine
excreted In 24 hr varies according to body weight,
degree of physical exertion, temperature and drink-
ing habits, so that without a correction for urine
concentration, results on any of the specimens can
be most misleading.
Means of correcting for concentration are the
determination of the urinary creatinine content,
or by measuring the specific gravity (SG) . The
latter is done with a urinometer (hydrometer) in
a fraction of the time required for the determina-
tion of creatinine, and is therefore the more
practical. Caution is expressed in applying the
correction factor in cases where renal damage is
suspected, which may be caused by certain toxic
substances such as Hg, C tetrachloride, and others,
and which may lead to changes in the output of
urinary solutes; therefore, in such cases, the in-
vestigator must verify whether a concentration
correction is still valid. The mean used for SG
correction by many investigators, particularly
in the United States, is 1.024, as determined by
Levine and Fahy (1945) in a survey of a large pop-
ulation sample in the USA, whereas the mean of
1.016, as based on several hundred determinations
in the Slough area and in Eire, is considered to
be a more realistic standard for persons in the
British Isles. The implications of the two stan-
dards is that using the latter will give results
having 2/3 the value of those corrected to the
former. Since it has been proposed that "maximum
biological concentrations," such as the urinary
(MUC) be considered, the author questions whether
the North American SG correction of 1.024, with
the correspondingly higher MUC values be accepted
in the United Kingdom or the more realistic mean
of 1.016.
Experimental data collected in routine investi-
gations by the Occupational Hygiene Service (with
summaries of the analytical methods used given in
the Appendix), are presented for urinary Hg,
phenol, sulfates, F, and Pb, to demonstrate the
effectiveness of the SG correction in correlating
the results of urine analysis.
Concentration corrections are specially important
when considering the results of long-term monitor-
ing of exposure to environmental hazards. The ap-
plication of the SG correction to urinary Pb analy-
ses is demonstrated in 4 graphs of monthly urinary
Pb analyses for 4 persons exposed to Pb dust and
fume. The figures show the variation of SG as
well as the corrected and uncorrected Pb concentra-
tions. The findings pointed to the fact that in
these cases airborne Pb was not necessarily the
only source of contamination. Though the Pb con-
centration in the atmosphere may have been fairly
constant, the total amount of Pb absorbed by a
person is dependent on other factors, including
method of working and standards of personal hy-
giene.
2673 Buczkowski, M. (Silesian Med. Academy,
Zabrze, Poland): Der Einfluss der Bleiver-
giftung auf die Bildung von fetalem HHmo-
globin. (THE EFFECT OF LEAD POISONING ON
THE DEVELOPMENT OF FETAL HEMOGLOBIN.)
Internationales Archiv fUr Gewerbepathol-
ogie und Gewerbehygiene 20, 537-46 (Aug.),
1964.
The fetal hemoglobin level was studied in 28 men
and 1 woman, aged 24-56 yr, who suffered from Pb
poisoning, 30 controls of the same age bracket and
22 rabbits, weighing 2500-3500 g each, which had
been experimentally poisoned with Pb. Pb intoxi-
cation in the human subjects was established on the
basis of their anamnesis and clinical and labora-
tory tests such as presence of stippled basophils,
coproporphyrinuria and decreased content of hemo-
globin and erythrocytes. Fetal hemoglobia was
estimated using Singer's alkali denaturation test,
modified by B. Fischer (American Journal of Clin-
ical Pathology 27:48-51, 1957). In the control
group, the arithmetic mean of fetal hemoglobin
was 0.54%, SD +0.12. The group of patients was
subdivided into 2 groups according to the degree
of Pb intoxication: (1) The fetal hemoglobin in
12 severe cases ranged from 1-2.8%, av 1.83%, SD
iO.57. A correlation between fetal hemoglobin
and number of stippled basophils and erythrocytes,
respectively, was obvious in this group. (2) In
the 17 less severe cases the arithmetic mean of
fetal hemoglobin was 0.58%, statistical signifi-
cance 0.6.
In the experimental studies, Pb poisoning was
induced in the rabbits by daily iv injection of 6
mg/kg body weight of a 0.9% alkaline solution of
Pb acetate, for 10 days. The animals showed a
rapid decrease of erythrocytes and of hemoglobin
content and an increase of stippled basophils.
The fetal hemoglobin level increased from a pre-
experimental av of 51.01% to an av of 58.65%;
there was also a distinct correlation between
fetal hemoglobin and number of erythrocytes and
stippled basophils, respectively.
The author points out that both the clinical and
experimental data indicate a statistically signi-
.ficant increase of fetal hemoglobin in Pb poison-
ings. This increase which is directly proportion-
al to the degree of intoxication, is best demon-
strated in the animal experiments.
Literature references are quoted to show the
specific behavior of fetal hemoglobin which de-
creases from 91.2% in an 18-wk old fetus to 73.7%
in a newborn and to 5% during the 1st year of life.
Both the author's results and the literature ref-
erences point out that the globin synthesis may be
affected by genetic factors as well as by outside
influences. The conclusion is drawn that severe
Pb anemia may be considered as an acquired disorder
of hemoglobin synthesis and that the increase of
fetal hemoglobin is one of the causes of increased
hemolysis in Pb poisonings.
2674 BrUschke, G. (Med. Univ. Clinic Charite',
Berlin; German Coll. Body Culture, Leipzig,
Germany): Zur Problematik des histochemis-
chen Eisennachweises in Erythrozyten, Leu-
kozyten und Thrombozyten des peripheren
Blutes. (PROBLEMS OF HISTOCHEMICAL DEMON-
STRATION OF IRON IN ERYTHROCYTES, LEUKO-
CYTES AND THROMBOCYTES OF THE PERIPHERAL
BLOOD.) Deutsche Gesundheitswesen 13:565-
7 (Mar. 26), 1964.
As reviewed by the author, erythrocytes containing
ionizable Fe in granule form have been called
siderocytes, and erythroblasts with analogous
structure, sideroblasts. The Fe of the granules
is trivalent and present in a chemical bond as yet
Man
517
-------
unknown. Siderocytes are young cell elements com-
parable to reticulocytes or young erythrocytes,
usually more abundant in bone marrow than in per-
ipheral blood, sharing in the process of erythro-
poiesis. In the neonate, 3-17% siderocytes are
present in the blood and disappear entirely after
3-4 days. In the premature neonate, the abundance
of siderocytes moves in reverse proportion to the
infant's age, decreasing rapidly with increasing
age of the fetus. In the blood of the normal
human being, siderocytes are either absent or pre-
sent in very minute amounts.
The presence of siderophile granules in the red
blood cell precursors is thus an entirely normal
phase of Hb metabolism for the formation of eryth-
rocytes. Their appearance in the peripheral blood
however denotes pathologic changes in Hb synthesis
as can occur in Pb poisoning, after splenectomy,
sometimes in hemolytic anemia and occasionally in
leukocytosis, after massive roentgen irradiation
and from overdoses of Fe. It is believed that in
Pb poisoning the incorporation of Fe into the por-
phyrin structure is impaired because of interfer-
ence with its penetration through the cell mem-
brane into the cell and its retention on the cell
membrane.
The presence of siderophile granules in the
white blood cells is due to phagocytosis of col-
loidal Fe complexes administered parenterally in
high doses. The appearance of siderophile gran-
ules in the thrombocytes can be explained by the
uptake on the surface of the thrombocytes of col-
loidal Fe complexes injected in high doses, re-
sulting in thrombocytopenia due to platelet ag-
glutination.
2675 Butt, E.M., Nusbaum, R.E., Gilmour, T.C.,
Didio, S.L. and Sister Mariano (Los An-
geles County Hosp., Calif.): TRACE METAL
LEVELS IN HUMAN SERUM AND BLOOD. Archives
of Environmental Health 8:52-7 (Jan.),
1964.
Trace metal concentrations were determined in the
sera of 3 groups of individuals in the Los Angeles
area. Series 1 consisted of 122 blood donors at
the Los Angeles County Hospital; series 2 of 93
patients in Saint Luke Hospital, Pasadena, Calif.,
subjected to surgery and treatment; and series 3
was composed of 50 presumably normal individuals
who were employees of Saint Luke Hospital. The
results are tabulated. The mean values of Pb con-
centrations and standard error (SE) for the 3 ser-
ies were, respectively (mg/100 ml): 0.0039 +
0.0002, 0.0027 t 0.0005; 0.0028 t 0.0003. The Pb
content in the whole blood from 47 individuals
from series 3 had a mean of 0.0177 mg/100 ml, SE
0.0008. When the subjects of series 3 were di-
vided into age groups of 20-29, 30-49 and 50-63
yr, the respective mean values for the Pb content
in the serum were 0.0028, 0.0025, and 0.0029 mg/
100 ml. Pb levels in the serum of subjects re-
siding in the Los Angeles area for 0-10, 10-30 and
30-60 yr, were, respectively: 0.0025, 0.0032 and
0.0026 mg/100 ml. For individuals driving an auto-
mobile for 0-500 and >500 miles/mo, the mean Pb
concentration in the serum was 0.0059 and 0.0069
mg/100 ml, respectively; for smokers and non-
smokers it was 0.0064 and 0.0060 mg/100 ml, re-
spectively. Mean values of Pb levels in serum in
individuals from series 2 (patients in Saint Luke
Hospital) arranged in age groups, were as follows
(mg/100 ml): newborns, 0.0065; 5-19 yr, 0.0013;
20-29 yr, 0.0026; 30-49 yr, 0.0024; 50-79 yr,
0.0033. In this same group, the mean Pb concen-
trations in serum in 37 males, age 14-82 yr, and
45 females, age 8-76 yr, was 0.0023 and 0.0022 mg/
100 ml, respectively.
In discussing the results, the authors remark
that their blood Pb values are lower than those
reported by Kehoe and Bowen, and that the metal
serum levels were rather uniform in all classifi-
cations such as age, race, sex, or length of resi-
dence in the Los Angeles area. Age, sex, auto
driving, and length of time in the Los Angeles
area had no effect on the mean serum values for Pb.
2676 Castellino, N., and Grieco, B. (Univ.
Naples, Italy): Determinazione compara-
tlva del piombo nel sangue e nelle urine
mediante metodo polarografico e colori-
metrico. Considerazloni sulla forma
chimica del piombo urinario. (COMPARATIVE
DETERMINATION OF LEAD IN THE BLOOD AND
URINE BY POLAROGRAPHIC AND COLORIMETRIC
METHODS. CONSIDERATIONS ON THE CHEMICAL
FORM OF URINARY LEAD.) Folia Medica 47:
57-72 (Jan.) , 1964.
In view of the diagnostic importance in Pb poi-
soning of the determination of concentrations of
Pb in blood and urine, the authors undertook the
comparison of results obtained by the colorimetric
dithizone and polarographic methods on samples
collected from 15 normal subjects and 24 workers
exposed to Pb under basal conditions and after
challenge with CaNa2EDTA. Among the Pb-exposed,
14 were patients of the authors' clinic on whom
diagnosis of Pb poisoning had been established,
and 10 were typographers who, while showing ele-
vated absorption of Pb, continued their work dur-
ing the period of the tests. The chemical form
of urinary Pb was investigated to determine the 2
fractions of "total Pb" and "precipitable Pb"
which, according to Dinischiotu et al (1960) and
others, reveals, before any other tests or clini-
cal signs do, the degree of exposure. In other
words, the finding of elevated nonprecipitable Pb
represents an increased absorption; upon removal
of the worker from the exposure, this fraction
rapidly diminishes. In their comparative investi-
gation, the authors determined the total urinary
Pb as follows: 2 samples of 10 ml urine were
ashed with nitric and perchloric acid; one sample
was then analyzed by the colorimetric method of
Bessman (1955) ; the dry residue of the 2nd sample
was dissolved in a mixture of tartaric and hydro-
chloric acid (HC1), then treated with 8% HC1 and
read on the polarograph. For the determination of
the precipitable Pb, 2 samples of 40 ml urine were
treated with a saturated solution of ammonium
chloride and hydroxide, and a saturated solution
of Na phosphate. The precipitate of one of the
samples was then dissolved and treated as above
described for the polarographic method. That of
the second sample was ashed with nitric and per-
chloric acid and extracted according to Bessman's
colorimetric dithizone method. The nonprecipita-
ble portion (in which Pb was thought to be probably
present in the form of an organic complex) was
518
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Obtained by subtracting the precipitable from the
total Pb. Further, by applying the formula
total Pb - precipitated Pb ,nr. ,
total Pb— x 100' the iuantity of
the bound Pb was obtained, expressed as the per-
centage of the total quantity of excreted Pb.
Tabulation of the results showed that there was
no statistically significant difference between
the values obtained by the 2 methods, but that
a statistically significant difference existed be-
tween the Pb values for blood and urine in the 2
groups tested. The nonprecipitable fraction of
urinary Pb ranged within rather wide limits (4-
23.3% of total urinary Pb in controls and 22.5-51%
for exposed subjects). The nonprecipitable frac-
tion increased parallelly with the total Pb. The
values of precipitable and total urinary Pb be-
fore administration of EDTA indicated that the ad-
ministration of the chelating agent produced a
statistically significant increase of total urinary
Pb excretion, and that this increase was greater
in the exposed group. However, the values of pre-
cipitable Pb in constant volumes of urine did not
change after EDTA treatment, which was attributed
to the excess of Pb as being excreted in the form
of a complex.
In the opinion of the authors, the polarographic
method is the more rapid, particularly for the
measurement of Pb in blood, also more sensitive
and specific. Since dithizone reacts with other
metals such as Bi, Cd, and Zn, high Pb values
found in exposed subjects by colorimetric analysis
may be due to the presence of other metals besides
Pb. Concerning the determination of the 2 frac-
tions of urinary Pb, the authors do not believe it
to be of practical value, as it does not permit
the differentiation between exposure or nonexposure
to Pb in individual cases, for a wide variation
was found in both normal and exposed subjects.
2677 Cempel, M., Krechniak, J., and Byczkowski,
S. (Med. Acad., Gdansk, Poland): (BE-
HAVIOR OF SERUM PROTEINS IN PERSONS EX-
POSED TO LEAD POISONING.) Gdanskie Tow-
arzyst. Nauk., Wydzial Nauk. Mat .-Przyrod-
niczych, Rozprawy Wydzialu III No. 1:42-8,
1964.
Total serum proteins, globulins and prothrombin
time were determined in the blood of 95 shipyard
painters exposed to Pb. Total serum proteins
were normal (6.5-8%) in 40 and elevated (8.0-9.3%)
in 55 cases. A normal albumin content of 60-70%
was found in 17 workers while in 78 it was de-
cidedly lowered (30-60%). Fractionation of glob-
ulins was reported only for 89 cases of whom 88
showed an increased a^-level, 81 an increased a~-
level, and 83 and 80 men, respectively, had in-
creased 3- and y-globulins, 32 of them showing y-
globulin increases of >20% above normal. Pro-
thrombin time was normal in 32, lowered in 33 and
increased in 16. No uniform trends were observed.
(From Chemical Abstracts 64:14847, 1966)
2678 Chisolm, J.J., Jr. (Johns Hopkins Univ.,
Baltimore, Md.): DISTURBANCES IN THE BIO-
SYNTHESIS OF HEME IN LEAD INTOXICATION.
Journal of Pediatrics 64:174-87 (Feb.),
1964.
The purpose of this discussion was to summarize
recent experimental data on the relationships be-
tween the effects of Pb and EDTA on heme synthe-
sis, to correlate the findings with those in hu-
man Pb poisoning, and to point out how this in-
formation has been applied to the early detection
and therapeutic management of Pb intoxication in
man. The concluding remarks bring out the finding
that the steps inhibited by Pb are those mediated
by sulfhydryl enzymes, yet these steps are not
uniformly inhibited by other heavy metals. While
heme synthesis in the red cell is clearly de-
ranged by Pb, little is known of Pb effect on
heme synthesis in other organs such as kidney,
liver, and brain; although it is clear that solar
irradiation and vitamin D administration enhance
the absorption of Pb from the intestine, the in-
creased incidence of acute Pb poisoning in child-
ren during the summer months is still not fully
explained. Deranged porphyrin synthesis merits
further study with respect to any possible rela-
tionship which it may have to the seasonal inci-
dence of Pb poisoning.
The experimental studies of the past decade have
clarified the complex interrelationships in the
mechanisms responsible for the anemia of Pb poi-
soning. To this the role of the basophilic stip-
pled cell is central. Removal of these abnormal
erythrocytes from the circulation appears to be
largely responsible for the reduced red cell sur-
vival time observed in Pb poisoning. The incor-
poration of Fe into protoporphyrin IX is largely
inhibited so that Fe and protoporphyrin IX accu-
mulate but little heme is formed. The basophilic
stippled cell contains a complement of enzymes not
found in mature erythrocytes and these are capable
of synthesizing porphyrins. This is apparently
responsible for much of the excess porphyrin ac-
cumulated.
Although the disturbance in heme synthesis
caused by Pb does not correlate closely with the
other more serious clinical manifestations of Pb
intoxication, its importance lies in the fact that
this derangement can be readily detected prior to
the onset of serious symptoms. The preliminary
evidence of the effects of EDTA alone and in the
presence of Pb upon porphyrin synthesis in the
experimental animal suggests that the clinical use
of CaEDTA alone especially in severely ill pa-
tients may be hazardous for it enhances the toxic
effect of Pb on heme synthesis. Because of this
finding the current therapy of acute Pb poisoning
with chelating agents is being re-evaluated. (62
references)
2679 Chojecki, Z., and Kowalski, H. (Clinic of
Internal Diseases, Warsaw, Poland): Bada-
nia wchXaniania witaminy Co^°-B^2 w
przewlekZej oXowicy. (STUDIES ON THE AB-
SORPTION OF VITAMIN B-12 LABELED WITH Co58
IN CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) Polski Tygod-
nik Lekarski 19:938-41 (June 15), 1964.
The gastric contents of 14 patients with chronic
Pb poisoning and of 5 normal subjects were analyzed
for their secretion of HC1 and of pepsin. The Pb-
poisoned patients frequently showed a deficiency
in or no secretion of HC1 and a decrease of pepsin
secretion. In some cases, there was also a de-
creased secretion of the intrinsic factor. The
mean value of secretion of the intrinsic factor,
Man
519
-------
expressed as the amount of -*°Co and vitamin B-^
excreted in the Schilling test, was 21.5% in the
controls and 16.1% in the Pb patients. The re-
duced secretion of the intrinsic factor in Pb poi-
soning was associated with achlorhydria and de-
creased activity of plasma pepsinogen, and not with
the signs of megaloblastic anemia in the peripheral
blood. The development of megaloblasts in Pb poi-
soning may be explained by insufficient excretion
of the intrinsic factor and exhaustion of vitamin
B-^2 stored in the liver. (From authors' summary)
2680 Cis, c-> Perani, G., and Cavagna, G.
(Univ. Milan, Italy): Alterazioni cocleo-
vestibolari nell'intossicazione da piombo-
tetraetile. (COCHLEOVESTIBULAR CHANGES IN
TETRAETHYL LEAD POISONING.) Medicina del
Lavoro 55:811-9 (Dec.), 1964.
Twenty workers from a plant manufacturing TEL, ad-
mitted to the Milan Industrial Clinic, were sub-
jected to tests of the auditory and vestibular
system in order to study the characteristics and
the location of otoneurologic changes and to as-
certain whether such changes would be indicative
in the diagnosis of TEL poisoning for medicolegal
purposes. The men, aged 21-58 yr, had been subject
to moderate exposure to TEL for a prolonged period
of time and had shown indications of subacute poi-
soning. The diagnosis was based on determinations
of the level of Pb in blood, urinary Pb excretion
before and after administration of versenate,
urinary coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin IX in
the red blood cells. They had been selected from
a large group of TEL-exposed workers so that only
such men were included whose cochleovestibular
function had been affected solely by TEL. The
usual tests indicated only slight alterations in
heating. However, vestibular examination, using
a modified method of Veitz, revealed in all cases
a significant syndrome characterized mainly by
nucleoreticular lesions. Nine men showed spontane-
ous polymorphic symptoms of the whole vestibular
system, whereas in 11 men the picture was almost
normal, with only a slight decrease of bilateral
reflex activity. In discussing the findings, the
authors observe that after the toxic stage had
passed, changes are detectable only by means of
instruments, the dizziness having gradually worn
off with time. They consider the otovestibular ex-
amination of value in the diagnosis of TEL poison-
ing, together with laboratory tests demonstrating
past exposure to the agent. In addition, this
examination is considered useful in deciding
whether the patient who has overcome the stage of
intoxication is able to resume work.
2681 Consolazio, C.F., Nelson, R.A., Matoush,
L.O., Hughes, R.C., and Urone, P. (US Army
Med. Research and Nutrition Lab., Denver,
Colo.): THE TRACE MINERAL LOSSES IN
SWEAT. US Army Medical Research and Nu-
trition Laboratory Report No. 284, Aug.
18, 1964, (AD447-382) 14 pp.
The trace mineral losses in sweat in relation to
a normal intake and to the minimal daily require-
ment or allowance was studied on 3 healthy men
during 4-day periods, in an environmental chamber
at 37.8°C and 50% relative humidity. The daily
physical activity of the subjects consisted of
only 30 min of moderate activity on the bicycle
ergometer with the remainder of the day spent in
sedentary activities. The daily food consisted
of 4 menus which were notated to coincide with
each period. The menus provided 3283 calories
each with 12.46 mg Zn, 3.52 mg Cu, 4.24 mg Mn,
889 yg Cr, 172 ug Mo, 202 pg Ni and 404 yg Pb.
Sweat rates were measured for each period by
Adolph's (1947) method, using arm sweat samples,
by measuring weight changes during exposure and
adjusting for water intake and weight loss due to
urinary and fecal output. Data were tabulated
for the excretion in sweat of Co, Cu, Mn, I, Cr,
Se, Sr, Zn, Mo, Al, Pb, Ni and Sn, over 7.5 hr
exposure periods during each of the 4 day experi-
ments. Cu excretion was fairly high, averaging
1.94, 1.79, and 1.04 mg during the last 3 periods;
Se excretions averaged 0.30-0.37 mg, and those of
Cr 0.057-0.061 mg; for Pb analyses, samples were
available only for the 2 last periods, with a Pb
content of 0.317 and 0.195 mg respectively. Fig-
ures for intake, output and balance were shown for
Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Mo, Co, Ni and Pb. Percentage
losses in sweat, in relation to the daily intake,
were, approximately, Zn 18, Cu 40, Cr 6.9, Mn 2.3,
Mo 35.5, Ni 41, Pb 50. The implication of these
losses for the evaluation of minimal daily require-
ments was pointed out. The studies also confirm
that the excretion of trace minerals in sweat
decreases appreciably after acclimatization to a
hot environment.
2682 Corsi, G.C., and Picotti, G. (Inst. Ind.
Med., Univ. Padua, Italy): Su alcuni
aspetti clinici dell'intossicazione da
piombo tetraetile (con particolare ri-
guardo al sistema nervoso centrale e al
sistema emopoietico). (SOME CLINICAL AS-
PECTS OF TETRAETHYLLEAD INTOXICATION (WITH
SPECIAL REGARD TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS AND
HEMOPOIETIC SYSTEMS).) Acta Medica Pata-
vina 24, No. 4:545-68, 1964.
Of the workers studied, all (47) were engaged in
the manufacture of TEL; among them were 2 chemi-
cal laboratory workers exposed in the mixing op-
eration. Four workers who had died were not seen
by the authors, but the records were made avail-
able to them. The type of work varied as did the
duration of exposure (3 wk-14 mo); the time
elapsed between discontinuing work because of on-
set of poisoning and admission to the hospital
also differed. The frequency of subjective and
objective symptoms is tabulated. The "triad" of
bradycardia, hypotension and hypothermia was
given special attention. The authors emphasize
that this triad of signs may be masked by the
gravity of the general clinical picture. EEC and
vestibular function examination showed frequent
damage to the brain stem; therefore, these tests
must always be carried out on such patients. A
slight degree of anemia was noted in some cases.
The erythrocyte protoporphyrin (PP) level, copro-
porphyrinuria and urinary Pb elimination are con-
sidered valuable diagnostic signs. The increase
in the PP does not seem to be dependent on a
failure of Fe incorporation into the PP molecule.
(28 references)
2683
Cosraa, V., Fodor, 0., llunteanu, P.,
520
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Schwartz, M. , Medrea, B., ErdHsy, S.,
Badea, G., Forgacs, V., Craciun, I., and
Farkas, M. (Med. Clinic, IMF, Cluj; Metal-
lurgical Ind. Med. Dept., Baia Mare, Ro-
mania) : C'ercetari privind unele boli di-
gestive in mediul toxic saturnin profes-
ional (boala ulcerosasa si hepatita cro-
nica). (RESEARCH ON SEVERAL DIGESTIVE
DISEASES IN OCCUPATIONAL RISK OF LEAD POI-
SONING (ULCER DISEASE AND EPIDEMIC HEPA-
TITIS).) Medicina Interna 16:221-3
(Feb.), 1964.
In a study of the consequences of epidemic hepati-
tis and of the incidence of ulcers in workmen of
a Pb processing plant, the authors found a high
proportion of chronic hepatitis (24%) among those
who had suffered from epidemic hepatitis. No pe-
culiarities of the clinical picture were noted and
results of function tests were marginal. In expo-
sure to Pb, ulcerous afflictions exhibit certain
clinical peculiarities as regards the periodicity
of dyspepsia, which is dominated by pain. The au-
thors classify the symptomatology into 2 groups:
the "classical" group, and the other, more specif-
ic one, superimposed by signs of Pb absorption.
(From authors' summary; 18 references)
2684 Dantin Gallego, J. (Natl. Inst. of Med.
and Occup. Health, Madrid, Spain): El
saturnismo, enfermedad general. (LEAD
POISONING, A GENERAL DISEASE.) In XlVth
International Congress of Occupational
Health, Madrid, Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963.
International Congress Series No. 62,
Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica Foundation,
1964, Vol. II, pp. 752-4.
Knowledge of what is perhaps the oldest occupa-
tional disease has undergone great fundamental
changes. Whereas formerly painters and typogra-
phers were mainly affected by Pb poisoning, the
hazards today are greatest among galvanizers,
founders, storage battery workers, moulders, etc.
The formerly unknown route of absorption by in-
halation has proved to be 10-20 times as active as
that by the digestive tract. Treatment of Pb poi-
soning has experienced a revolution with the use
of chelating agents such as EDTA. Much, however,
remains to be improved in the diagnostic field.
The evolution of the concept of the clinical pic-
ture of Pb poisoning since Renaut (1875) is brief-
ly reviewed. Although Pb poisoning has not dis-
appeared, the classical symptoms have changed.
As absorption occurs over an extended period of
time, the syndrome of acute poisoning has lost
importance. The role of the nervous system in Pb
poisoning and the interpretation of neurologic
symptoms formerly and today are discussed. Nor-
mal individuals have a Pb content in the spinal
fluid of less than 18 pg%; in nonfatal cases of
Pb encephalopathy it is 25-50 wg, in fatal cases
about 100 yg. Relations between the cerebral
cortex and the digestive apparatus have been dis-
cussed by Rabano. Typical though not specific
alterations have been found in the bone marrow;
also involved in Pb poisoning is the vascular
system. In conclusion, the author presents a
survey of modern techniques available for the
diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
2685 Dashash, A. (Inst. of Ind. Hyg. and Occup.
Diseases, Moscow, USSR): Izmenenle soder-
zhaniya zheleza v krovi i moche u bol'nykh
s intoksikatsiei svintsom pod vliyaniem
kompleksonoterapii (pentatsin-CaNa^DTPA).
(CHANGES IN THE IRON LEVELS OF THE BLOOD
AND URINE IN PATIENTS WITH LEAD POISONING
TREATED WITH A COMPLEXING AGENT (PENTA-
CYNIUM CaNa3-DPTA). Gigiena Truda i Pro-
fessional 'nye Zabolevaniya 8, No. 12:12-6,
1964.
The Fe content of the urine following treatment
with CaNag pentetate (pentacynium) was studied in
15 patients with chronic Pb poisoning, generally
of mild or moderate nature. The drug was admin-
istered in doses of 20 ml/day (5-10% solution) in
3-day courses at intervals of 4-5 days. A slight
increase in excretion of Fe occurred which, how-
ever, promptly returned to its normal level after
the treatment was discontinued. Blood studies
showed that during medication total Fe gradually
increased and plasma Fe declined. Concomitantly,
the Hb level increased. The author concludes that
pentacynium has a normalizing effect on the syn-
thesis of Hb which in the opinion of many authors
is deranged in the development of Pb-induced ane-
mia.
2686 De Zorzi, C. (Univ. Rome, Italy): II
livello della protoporfirina libera eri-
trocitaria ed il tasso urinario dell'acido
6-aminolevulinico e delle coproporfirine
in un gruppo di soggetti esposti all'azi-
one tossica protratta del piombo. (THE
LEVEL OF FREE ERYTHROCYTE PROTOPORPHYRIN
AND URINARY LEVEL OF DELTA-AMINOLEVULINIC
ACID AND COPROPORPHYRINS IN A GROUP OF
SUBJECTS EXPOSED TO THE PROLONGED TOXIC
ACTION OF LEAD.) Zacchia 27:464-71 (July-
Sept.), 1964.
The modifications of porphyrin and its precursors
in individuals exposed to Pb were studied in 24
male workers, aged 29-62 yr and exposed to Pb for
2-40 yr, and 10 nonexposed subjects. 6-Aminolevul-
inic acid (ALA) was determined by the method of
Mauzerall and Granick (1956) , urinary coproporphy-
rin by that of Askevold and Schwartz and Rimington
and Sveinsson (cited by Haeger-Aronsen, 1960);
blood and urinary Pb were determined colorimetrl-
cally and polarographically, respectively. Litera-
ture data for nonexposed subjects give 0.600 mg
Pb/1000 g blood, 0.050 mg Pb and 0.080 mg CP/1
urine and a maximum of 0.293% ALA. Free protopor-
jjhyrin (PP) in the 10 controls, as determined by
the method of Grinstein and Wintrobe (1948) ranged
from 0.018-0.050 mg/100 cc of erythrocytes. Data
for the exposed subjects ranged as follows: PP
0.024-0.435 mg%, ALA 0.071-1.754 mg%, CP 0.010-
0.716 mg/1, blood Pb 0.190-0.647 mg/1000 g, uri-
aary Pb 0.005-0.105 mg/1. PP was increased above
normal in 7 cases; ALA in 5 (simultaneously with
PP); CP in 4 (but only in 2 of these PP and ALA
exceeded the normal); and in 1 case, PP, ALA, CP,
and blood and urinary Pb showed a parallel in-
crease.
The conclusion was drawn that a test for PP and
ALA is particularly useful in the detection of
early Pb poisoning.
Man
521
-------
2687 Dingwall-Fordyce, I. (Univ. Manchester,
England): A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF LEAD WORK-
ERS. In XlVth International Congress of
Occupational Health, Madrid, Spain, Sept.
16-21, 1963. International Congress Se-
ries No. 62, Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica
Foundation, 1964, Vol. II, pp. 843-4.
A retrospective survey, based on records of a
group of companies, of men with known Pb exposure
was undertaken to test the suggestion made by Boy-
land in 1962 that exposure to Pb compounds might
cause cancer in man. The samples included 425 re-
tired workers of whom 184 had died in the years
1926-1960; of an unknown number of men employed
from 1946-1961 in a storage battery factory, 153
who had died while still employed. Each man was
graded according to the degree of recognized Pb
hazard associated with the jobs he held. Pb haz-
ard and Pb in urine, respectively, were nil and
within normal limits in Grade A; negligible and
within normal limits in Grade B; and considerable
and 150+ yg/1 in Grade C. Actual numbers of
deaths compared with expected numbers which for
the pensioners were calculated from the population
at risk assuming the same mortality standardized
for age and yr as that of all males in England and
Wales. This could not be done for the employed
men as the population at risk was unknown; in-
stead, the actual number of deaths was compared
with expected deaths based on the ratio of specif-
ic causes to all causes. A significant excess of
observed deaths from all causes was found in
Grade C (greatest exposure). Among pensioners who
had been subjected to the greatest exposure to Pb,
deaths from malignant disease occurred in 10
vs an expected 12.5, and among the employed, in
17 vs an expected 18.5. The number of deaths from
malignancy increased as exposure to Pb decreased
after improvement in factory conditions. It was
thus concluded that malignancy was not related to
Pb absorption. A relatively large number of
deaths was attributed to cerebral hemorrhage and
cerebral thrombosis, with incidence diminishing as
exposure decreased with improved working condi-
tions.
2688 Dizon, G.D., Anselmo, J.E., Almonte, J.B.,
Aquino, R. , and Navarro, A. (Bureau of
Health Services, Manila, Philippines):
STUDY OF HEALTH HAZARDS IN THE STORAGE
BATTERY MANUFACTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
In XlVth International Congress of Occu-
pational Health, Madrid, Spain, Sept. 16-
21, 1963. International Congress Series
No. 62, Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica Founda-
tion, 1964, Vol. Ill, pp. 1004-10.
Cases of Pb poisoning in storage battery shops in
Manila, which had occurred between 1949 and 1956
(7 in 1949, 3 in 1950-1951 (these were acute poi-
soning in children of battery shop owners), 6 in
1955 and 1 in 1956), were reviewed and the results
of a study done in 1963 in 5 big battery shops lo-
cated in the suburbs of Manila were reported.
Four of these plants employed >20 workers and one
had <10 men. The length of employment ranged from
7 mo to 17 yr, and 1 supervisor had worked for 28
yr. The following determinations were made and
tabulated: atmospheric Pb levels in the working
environment; urine spot sampling for porphyrin and
Pb; and examination of exposed workers for clini-
cal manifestations of poisoning. In 2 of the
shops, atmospheric Pb concentrations were within
the threshold limits and laboratory and clinical
findings were satisfactory; in 1 of them the work-
ers wore gauze nose covers and were treated pro-
phylactically with EDTA-tablets. In the 3 other
shops, the data obtained indicated unsatisfactory
working conditions. It was pointed out that su-
pervision of storage battery shops in the Philip-
pines was started in 1949. Companies are willing
to follow recommendations, yet much is still to be
desired in their compliance. Some have installed
exhaust systems, some supply respirators, but
workers prefer the use of gauze nose covers. Ro-
tation of jobs is practiced and a few shops ad-
minister EDTA-tablets prophylactically to workers
with positive urinary porphyrin.
2689 Djuric, D., Kilibarda, M. , Novak, L.,
Panov, D., and Vukotic, M.: (Inst. Occup.
Health, Belgrade, Yugoslavia): STUDIES ON
AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION OF
MINERS IN A YUGOSLAV URANIUM MINE. Health
Physics 10:1059-64 (Dec.), 1964.
The atmosphere of a Yugoslavian uranium mine was
periodically measured for 4 yr for Rn concentra-
tions. The concentrations of Po in the urine
of miners were determined and the potential
sources of Pb and Po and the possibility of
correlation Rn exposure and Po excretion in urine
were discussed. (25 references)
2690 Druyan, R. , and Haeger-Aronsen, B. (Univ.
Lund, Sweden): AMINOACETONE EXCRETION IN
PORPHYRIAS AND IN CHRONIC LEAD INTOXICA-
TION. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical
and Laboratory Investigation 16, No. 5:
498-502, 1964.
The excretion of aminoacetone (AA) and ALA was
studied in patients with diseases characterized by
increased excretion of ALA: acute intermittent
porphyria, porphyria cutanea tarda, porphyria
variegata and chronic occupational Pb intoxica-
tion. Fresh urine samples were analyzed immedi-
ately or stored at -20°C, pH5, to minimize break-
down of aminoketones. Creatinine, uroporphyrin
and coproporphyrin were determined by standard
methods as described previously by Haeger-Aronsen
(1958, 1960), aminoketones were measured by the
method of Urata and Granick (1963). AA and ALA
were identified by their chromatographic proper-
ties; ALA did not contaminate AA column fractions
and vice versa. In 10 normal control subjects,
the mean excretion and 95% confidence limits of AA
and ALA in mg/g creatinine were 0.59, 0.15-1.03
and 1.63, 0.85-2.40, respectively. In all pa-
tients, ALA excretion was increased to more than
2.4 mg/g creatinine while AA excretion was within
the 95% confidence limits established for normal
controls. No relationship could be demonstrated
between the excretion of AA and ALA among the pa-
tients. Therefore, diversion of glycine from AA
to ALA appeared unlikely.
The effect of diet on aminoketone excretion was
studied in 2 obese women, receiving no medication,
whose intake after a control period with an ad
libitum diet was restricted to 600 calories glu-
cose/day. ALA excretion remained constant but AA
522
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
excretion was significantly reduced.
2691 Dynnik, V.I. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. and Occup.
Diseases, Kharkov, USSR): Funktsional'naya
deyatel'nost pochek pri nachal'nykh
proyavleniyakh khronicheskoi intoksikatsii
svintsom. (RENAL FUNCTION IN INITIAL MAN-
IFESTATIONS OF CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.)
Gigiena Truda i Professional'nve Zabole-
vaniya 8, No. 9:57-9, 1964.
Clinical examination and renal function tests were
performed on 99 patients with mild chronic Pb
poisoning, using modern methods: urinalysis, Zim-
nitskii's test, determination of the urea clear-
ance coefficient, Anbar's constant, creatinine
clearance, tubular reabsorption, renal flow of
blood plasma by means of cardiotrast, filtered
fraction.
The patients, who had been exposed to higher
than permissible levels of concentration of Pb,
comprised 41 smelters, 43 were engaged in gas-
cutting painted metal, and 15 were in other Pb
trades. Most were from 25-50 yr old, only a few
>50, and their exposure to Pb was from 2-10 yr.
Ijpon admission, the predominant complaints were
general weakness, excessive sweating, irritabili-
ty, periodic headaches, decreased appptite, etc.
History revealed no previous renal disease. Exam-
ination showed pallor in 23, loose and easily
bleeding gums in 27. Muffled heart sounds were
noted in 48. Blood pressure was normal. Neuro-
logic findings included, among others, slight
sensory, polyneuritis.
Concentrations of Pb in the urine ranged up to
0.2 mg/1; in blood, 0.06 mg %, counts of stippled
erythrocytes were from 800-4000/million cells;
reticulocytes ranged to 2%; polychromasia, 2+-3+;
Hb was decreased to 70-75%; urinary porphyrins
were up to 0.09 mg/1.
Mild Pb poisoning was most frequently character-
ized by vasculovegetative dystonia, incipient
blood disorders, at times spastic colitis, etc.
In 29, traces of albumin, cylinders, erythrocytes
and renal epithelia were seen in the urine. Poly-
uria was noted in 10, and nycturia in 14. Dis-
turbed concentrating capacity of the kidney was
not demonstrable. Decreased urea clearance of
74-50% was found in 29, and <50%, in 16 of 93 so
tested. Increased Anbar constant from 0.12-0.15
occurred in 27; >0.15, in 16. The renal flow of
plasma was reduced from 600-400 ml/min in 30; to
<400, in 17; in 43 it was normal. Of 90 men
tested, creatinine clearance was decreased in 25,
and the filtered fraction was increased in 37.
Tubular reabsorption was found only rarely.
The changes in renal function observed confirm
to the author his assumption that chronic Pb poi-
soning produces spasms of the abducent (efferent)
blood vessels of the kidney.
2692 Editorial: (G. Richet) (Tenon Hosp.,
Paris, France): Saturnisme et insuffisance
renale chronique. (SATURNISM AND CHRONIC
RENAL INSUFFICIENCY.) Acta Clinica Bel-
gica 19:1-4, 1964.
Editorial objection was raised to the present ten-
dency to eliminate Pb poisoning as one of the
causes of Bright's disease. Henderson (1953) was
able to follow the fate of 266 of 401 children ad-
mitted to the Brisbane, Australia, Pediatric
Clinic with Pb poisoning between 1915-1934. Of
these, 127 had kidney disease or arterial hyper-
tension, leading to death of 101 within 5-35 yr
following intoxication. This finding was confirm-
ed by Nye (1933) , and Vigdortschik who compared
the frequency of cardiovascular disorders and
nephropathy in 3500 workers having contact with Pb
and 1600 having none. Hypertension and uremia in
the former group was 3-fold of the latter. As ad-
ditional evidence, Henderson and Inglis observed
that in Queensland, primary chronic nephropathy
was accompanied by a clearly higher bone Pb con-
tent than in other Bright's disease patients.
Confirmation of the signs of Pb-induced chronic
nephropathy described in the last century was
found by the author and associates (1964)
in a systematic study of the kidneys of 8 patients
suffering from chronic Pb poisoning. These in-
clude knowledge of long exposure to Pb, if not the
duration of Pb poisoning or of the latent period
before kidney lesion becomes evident, which con-
sists of habitual absence of all urinary anomalies,
proteinuria, hematuria, leukocyturia, frequent
precession of a hypertensive syndrome before the
slowly developing renal insufficiency and finally,
severe vascular lesions involving not only the
kidney but the entire arteriolar system. In 3 of
these subjects gout (tophus in 1) was also ob-
served; in 4 others uremia was elevated, suggesting
an elective defect of renal uric acid excretion.
Two procedures for the proof of Pb as cause are
described. The 1st is the induced Pb excretion
test with iv administration of 500 mg EDTA; the
2nd is renal biopsy. In 2 of the above subjects
electron microscopy of the sections revealed nu-
clear inclusions in the proximal tubular cells,
signs considered to be specific for Pb poisoning.
Both patients had had no contact with Pb for 6 and
7 yr, yet the inclusions were present, indicating
Pb as the origin of Bright's disease.
Electron microscopy is a long and difficult pro-
cedure. However, the author feels certain that
methods of staining and fixation will be improved,
thus allowing Pb intranuclear lesions to be more
readily identified. It will then be possible to
determine the exact position of Pb poisoning
among the chronic nephropathies of toxic origin.
(19 references)
2S93 Editorial (I.H. Scheinberg): D-PENICIL-
LAMINE, WITH PARTICULAR RELATION TO
WILSON'S DISEASE. Journal of Chronic
Diseases 17:293-3, 1964.
The chemistry and use primarily in Wilson's dis-
ease of D-penicillamine, the regimen, toxicity
and results are reviewed. Other therapeutic uses
include Pb poisoning in which it has clearly in-
creased urinary excretion of Pb. While it is
less effective than EDTA on a molar basis, this
is in part offset by the fact that it can be ad-
ministered orally while EDTA cannot be so given
in Pb poisoning. (17 references)
2694 Efe> s- (Univ. Istanbul, Turkey): STUDIES
ON URINARY EXCRETION ON DELTA-AMINO-
LEVULINIC ACID IN CASES OF SATURNISM AND
IN PLUMB WORKERS. New Istanbul Contribu-
tion to Clinical Science 7:209-26, 1964.
Man
523
-------
The author suggests the differentiation of 3 de-
grees of Pb poisoning: (1) latent Pb poisoning
with objective manifestations but few or no sub-
jective symptoms; (2) manifest Pb poisoning char-
acterized by objective signs and subjective symp-
toms; and (3) asymptomatic Pb poisoning which in-
cludes individuals exposed to Pb but without sub-
jective symptoms and objective signs except in-
creased urinary excretion of ALA.
Urinary ALA, Pb and coproporphyrin, Pb in blood,
porphobilinogen and stippled erythrocytes were
determined in 18 cases of manifest, 75 of latent
and 17 of asymptomatic Pb poisoning; ALA was also
determined in 63 subjects without known exposure
to Pb. ALA was found to be increased in all
cases of manifest poisoning, in all cases of la-
tent Pb poisoning with the exception of typogra-
phers who are exposed to exceedingly small a-
mounts of Pb, and in 9 of 17 asymptomatic Pb
workers. Since an increase of ALA is rather
specific for Pb poisoning, this test is consid-
ered to be the most sensitive and reliable cri-
terion for the diagnosis of Pb intoxication. It
is also one of the earliest signs of Pb exposure
as evidenced in the case of 3 workers in whom,
after only 10-20 days of exposure, urinary ALA
excretion had increased 5- to 10-fold the normal,
while neither stippled erythrocytes nor lympho-
cytosls and eosinophilia had yet developed. On
the contrary, in the 63 patients with diseases
unrelated to Pb exposure, ALA excretion showed
normal value. In the treatment of Pb poisoning
with EDTA, the return to normal levels of uri-
aary ALA excretion can be considered as a crite-
rion of cure of the patients. In the explana-
tion of increased ALA excretion in Pb intoxica-
tion, the author favors the hypothesis that Pb
promotes the synthesis of ALA rather than the
assumption that Pb inhibits ALA-dehydrase.
2695 Ermakov, E.V. (USSR): Khronicheskoe
otravlenie tetraetilsvintsom. (CHRONIC
POISONING BY TETRAETHYLLEAD.) Lenmedgiz,
1963, 98 pp. Reviewed by A.B. Reznikov.
Gigiena i Sanitariya 29, No. 7:122-4,
1964.
The reviewer remarks that although Ermakov ob-
served only individuals in contact with ethyl
gasoline for aviation or automotive purposes, he
considers intoxication by ethyl gasoline to con-
stitute chronic intoxication by TEL. In taking
exception to this view, Reznikov, himself a doc-
tor of medical sciences, argues that intoxication
by ethyl gasoline is reversible and differs both
qualitively and quantitatively from intoxication
by TEL. Though acute and subacute poisoning by
ethyl gasoline may occur more frequently in peo-
ple thus exposed, chronic intoxication by ethyl
gasoline is possible only in cases of complete
disregard of industrial safety measures. The re-
viewer also objects to the lack of differentia-
tion by Ermakov of aeronautical gasoline contain-
ing 4 ml ethyl fluid/kg, and automotive gasoline
containing 0.75 ml ethyl fluid/kg. He points out
that the symptomatology of intoxication by avia-
tion gasoline is not at all identical with that
by automotive gasoline and that neither one may
be equated with TEL poisoning.
Nonetheless, Reznikov considers the book to be
of interest to hyglenists, neuropathologists,
psychiatrists and young physicians for diagnostic
purposes.
2696 Evans, R.D. (Massachusetts last. Tech-
nol., Cambridge): GENERAL RADIOBIOLOGY.
In Radium and Mesothorium Poisoning and
Dosimetry and Instrumentation Techniques
in Applied Radioactivity. Annual Prog-
ress Report, U.S. Atomic Energy Commis-
sion Document MIT-952-1, May 1964, Pp.
152-62.
Routine weekly measurements of the ^^Cs body
burdens of 6 normal subjects showed an increase
to 6-7 times that of the winter of 1961 and
1962. Data from whole-body y counts of individu-
als given a tracer injection of ^-^Cs were ana-
lyzed with a computer Frantic program. Results
are reported from whole-body - V counting of indi-
viduals for 137Cs, 186Re, 19SPt, 226Ra and 210Pb.
(From Nuclear Science Abstracts 18: Abstract No.
43184, 1964)
2697 Ezhdik, I., Suev, I., Veleganov, S., and
Ilchev, I. (Bulgaria): Nyakoi osobenosti
v ozdravitel'niya protses na ranite b
usloviyata na olovno-tsinkovite rudnitsi.
(SOME FEATURES OF THE WOUND HEALING PRO-
CESS AMONG WORKERS IN A LEAD-ZINC MINE.)
(Preliminary Report.) Khirurgiia (Sofia)
17:145-7, 1964.
The investigation was concerned with the effects of
silica dust and sanitary conditions, with no refer-
ence to Pb.
2698 Falkowska, Z., Sobkowicz, H., and Tur, J.
(Eye Clinic AM, Warsaw, Poland): Przypadek
przewlekiej oXowicy ze zmianami w os"rod-
kowym ukZadzie nerwowym i narzadzie
wzroku. (CHRONIC LEAD POISONING WITH
VISUAL AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DAMAGE.)
Polski Tygodnik Lekarski 19:12-5 (Jan. 1),
1964.
See Abstract No. 2254.
2699 Fleming, A.J. (Du Pont de Nemours, Wil-
mington, Del.): INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND
MEDICAL CONTROL PROCEDURES. MANUFACTURE
AND HANDLING OF ORGANIC LEAD COMPOUNDS.
Archives of Environmental Health 8:266-70
(Feb.), 1964.
The manufacture and distribution of tetraethyl-
(TEL) and tetramethyllead (TML) in the United
States is carried out under strict and systemati-
cally applied measures of control, proposed by
the US Public Health Service and implemented by
the manufacturers and distributors. The control
of the health of employees working with these
compounds is based on sound clinical medicine,
proper industrial hygiene and adequate analytical
procedures. Representative examples of the dis-
tribution of Pb in tissues, blood and excreta of
adults having no exposure to Pb and of those with
various degrees of exposure are shown in 3 tables.
With the knowledge of these data, an examination
schedule for the worker can be set up. The con-
trol procedures followed at the Chambers Works for
all Pb workers and their selection are outlined
and the form used is shown. Pb workers report
524
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
to the nurse every 2 mo. If urinary Pb exceeds
0.11 mg/1, the employee is rechecked monthly, un-
less deemed otherwise; if it exceeds 0.15 mg/1,
he is moved to an area of less exposure; if it
exceeds 0.20 mg/1, he is kept out of the Pb areas,
and examined by the physician, i'he health super-
visors ascertain the reasons for any increased
elimination of Pb. Medical inspections and edu-
cational talks are made periodically. Air sam-
pling in Pb areas is done daily. As a result of
the program, there has been no serious incident of
exposure and no case of Pb poisoning in the past
30 years.
Assistance and consultation is also extended by
the manufacturers or distributors of Pb alkyls to
petroleum refineries in providing environmental
and medical supervision for workers in mixing op-
erations and advisory services in the storage and
distribution of TEL-gasoline. While the use of
gasoline containing TEL in concentrations of 4
ml/US gal or less as a motor fuel involves no haz-
ard by inhalation or skin contact, the cleaning
and repairing of storage tanks and tank cars and
trucks requires strict precautionary measures to
render these operations safe. Precautions in the
handling of TEL and related compounds in the lab-
oratory are also set forth. The measures as for-
mulated and publicized have been remarkably ef-
fective.
2700 Foreman, H. (Univ. Minn., Minneapolis):
TOXIC SIDE EFFECTS OF ETHYLENEDIAMINE-
TETRAACETIC ACID. In XlVth International
Congress of Occupational Health, Madrid,
Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963. International
Congress Series No. 62, Vol. 11:881-4,
1964.
In view of the fact that EDTA is used extensively
for the treatment of Pb poisoning, its toxic side
effects were investigated. The most significant
of these is renal irritation. Other distressing
symptoms are the so-called "excessive chelation
syndrome, occasional glycosuria and trace metal
depletion'1. A judicious dosage schedule is recom-
mended, that is doses not exceeding 50 mg/kg for
5 days followed by 2 days of rest, using a 0.5%
concentration in 5% glucose in water or saline.
Concomitant administration of vitamin B, particu-
larly Bg, is advisable.
2701 France, National Board for Social Security
(Paris): Les maladies professionelles.
(OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.) (Published by
the Social Security, Paris) Travail et
Securitg 16:283, 1964.
The number of people dying of occupational dis-
eases had decreased in France from 37 in 1961 to
31 in 1962; one death was due to Pb poisoning.
The total number of men receiving workmen's com-
pensation for the 1st time decreased from 4836 to
4339 and Pb cases decreased by 103. The list of
diseases for which workmen's compensation was
paid for the 1st time in 1963 is headed by Pb poi-
soning which contributed 239 cases. (From Zen-
tralblatt fur Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz
16:52 (Feb.), 1966)
2702 Gajdos, A. (Hosp. H6tel-Dieu, Paris,
France): L'intdrgt du dosage de 1'acide
S-aminolevulinique dans les urines pour
le dgpistage du saturnisme. (IMPORTANCE
OF THE DETERMINATION OF 6-AMINOLEVULINIC
ACID IN THE URINE FOR THE DETECTION OF
LEAD POISONING.) Archives des Maladies
Professionelles de Medecine du Travail
et de SScurite' Sociale 25:436-9 (July-
Aug.), 1964.
The author considers the determination of urinary
CP and free erythrocytic protoporphyrin to be in-
teresting but nonspecific tests for the diagnosis
of Pb poisoning. Also, they may yield normal data
in cases of definite latent Pb poisoning. This
latter phenomenon was experienced during a mass
intoxication due to consumption of wine that con-
tained 4.5 mg Pb/1. Examination of 37 individuals
showed 59% with anemia, 78% with stippled erythro-
cytes, 92% with increased erythrocytic protopor-
phyrin (>50 pg/100 ml) and 89% with increased uri-
nary CP (>300 pg/24 hr), ie, 8 and 11% respective-
ly, had normal values for protoporphyrin and CP.
A more sensitive and more specific test is the
determination of urinary ALA, the normal value of
which fluctuates between 1 and 2 mg/24 hr or 1-
1.5 mg/1. ALA was estimated by the method de-
scribed by Mauzerall and Granick (Abstract No.
3696) . The diagnostic value of the estimation
of urinary ALA in human Pb poisoning was dem-
onstrated in a group of 46 cases. Although
urinary CP was normal in 4 subjects, ALA was
increased in all 46. Corresponding observa-
tions were made by Haeger-Aronsen (Abstract
No. 2141) who found that 15 men among 100 Pb-
poisoned workers showed increased urinary
excretion of ALA but normal urinary CP. The
specificity of the increase of ALA in Pb poi-
sonings was illustrated in a study of 94 sub-
jects with various diseases or occupational
intoxications other than Pb poisonings. ALA
was increased in only 3 among 20 cases of
anemia, 1 among 18 cases of hepatic cirrhosis
and 2 of 20 cancer cases. Furthermore, ALA
is always greatly increased in acute porphyrias.
In conclusion, the author points out that, by i
considering simultaneously the clinical picture,
the determination of urinary ALA is a valuable
test for the diagnosis of Pb poisoning. Since
the determination is a simple procedure, its
routine use in occupational medicine is ad-
vocated.
2703 Gammarrota, M. and Bartoli, E. (Univ.
Bari, Italy) : Considerazioni sui rapporti
tra intossicazione saturnina e deficit
cocleare. (CONSIDERATIONS ON RELATIONS
BETWEEN LEAD INTOXICATION AND COCHLEAR
DEFECT.) Clinica Otorino-laringoiatrica
16:136-44 (May-June), 1964.
Previous investigations on the effect of Pb on
the cochlear-vestibular system were reviewed and
studies made by the authors on 50 workers of a
storage battery plant were reported. These men
of whom 90% were between the ages of 20 and 30
years, had been in their present job for 1-14 yr,
74% of them ^4 yr. Internal symptoms were absent
in 34; the Pb blood level in the group ranged
from 27-144 ug%, with 70-90 ng% in the majority;
a defect of the hearing apparatus was found in 32
men or 64% of those tested, but in 2/3 of those
Man
525
-------
so affected the hearing loss did not exceed 40 db
and concerned mainly the high-frequency tones.
No endoscopic auricular alterations were found
and the affected men were not aware of their de-
creased hearing capacity. About 32% of the af-
fected workers showed a minor symptomatology
characteristic of chronic Pb poisoning which,
however, did not require their removal from work.
Pb concentrations in the blood ranged from 45-144
yg%, with 70-90 yg in the majority of cases. The
incidence of the defect was 70% in men exposed to
Pb <3 yr and 58% in those exposed >3 yr. An in-
dividual sensitivity to Pb was assumed.
27Q4 Gattner, H. (Univ. Freiburg/Br. , Germany):
Die 6-AminolMvulinsHureausscheidung bei
der Bleieinwirkung. (THE EFFECT OF LEAD
ON THE EXCRETION OF <5-AMINOLEVULINIC
ACID.) In XlVth International Congress
of Occupational Health, Madrid, Spain,
Sept. 16-21, 1963. International Congress
Series No. 62, Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica
Foundation, 1964, Vol. II, pp. 633-4.
The mechanism of the action of Pb on the basis of
latest knowledge of the synthesis of the hemo-
globin (Hb) molecule is discussed. Increased ex-
cretion of coproporphyrin III, anemia due to in-
creased degradation of the porphyrin-hemoglobin
molecule, and the occurrence of stippled erythro-
cytes are not manifestations of increased degrada-
tion as caused by Pb, but rather indicate an in-
hibition of the synthesis of the Hb molecule.
Blockage of the first stages of this synthesis
causes a so-called overflow mechanism, or an in-
crease of heme precursors, one of which is ALA.
i'he occurrence of stippling also finds another
interpretation. In the young erythrocytes, sup-
pression of mitochondria takes place with simul-
taneous accumulation of ribonucleic acid. Their
ability to synthesize heme to equalize the Hb
deficit is termed a state of "self-deception."
jiS Heilmeyer mentioned, a feed-back mechanism
caused by blockage of enzymes active in the me-
tabolism may take place. The following enzymes
are inhibited by Pb: (1) ALA-dehydrase which
enables formation of porphobilinogen from 2 mole-
cules of ALA; (2) coproporphyrinogen-decarboxyl-
ase which catalyzes coproporphyrinogen to proto-
porphyrin IX; and (3) Goldberg enzyme or heme
chelatase which enables incorporation of iron in-
to the porphyrin molecule, this being the last
step of heme synthesis.
Studies on normal individuals and Pb-exposed
workers (typographers, printers, storage battery
workers) yielded the following results: (1) Ex-
cretion of ALA increases parallel to urinary ex-
cretion of Pb and other clinical findings of Pb
poisoning; (2) this test is very sensitive; (3)
determination of coproporphyrin is also a valu-
able test in Pb poisoning; (4) examination of
spot urine samples is inconclusive (a finding of
1000 yg ALA in morning urine still permits a nor-
mal ALA excretion in a 24-hr period; a finding of
1000-2000 yg is indicative of increased ALA excre-
tion; but only values exceeding 3000 yg are defi-
nitely pathologic) . Determination of creatinine
excretion yields inaccurate data which permit only
vague conclusions. (5) Excretion of ALA is highly
specific for Pb poisoning. Details of this in-
vestigation have been published in the Deutsche
Medizinische Wochenschrift 89:1027-35, 1964.
2705 Gattner, H. and Schrantz, G. (Univ. Frei-
burg, West Germany): Bestimmung der
(5-AminolavullnsHure-Ausscheidung im Urin
zur Frlihdiagnose der Bleivergiftung. (DE-
TERMINATION OF 6-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID EX-
CRETION IN URINE FOR THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS
OF LEAD POISONING.) Deutsche Medizinische
Wochenschrift 89:1027-35 (May 22), 1964.
The urinary excretion of ALA was determined in
healthy controls, aged 23-54 yr, and in Pb-ex-
posed workers of a printing and battery plant,
aged 18-66 yr. In each case, urine was collected
over the 24-hr period. Estimations of ALA and
coproporphyrin III were made in the morning urine
and in the urine voided during the day so that the
24-hr excretion could be calculated. The ALA con-
centration is generally larger in the morning
urine than in that voided during the day. There-
fore, determination of ALA only in the morning
urine would lead to an incorrect calculation of
the 24-hr excretion. The increase in coproporphy-
rin practically corresponds to that of ALA. Nor-
mal values for ALA and coproporphyrin III are
tabulated and compared with data given in the
literature. Haeger-Aronsen's method of measuring
ALA in relation to creatinine is also discussed.
The significance of the determination of ALA and
coproporphyrin III for the diagnosis of Pb poison-
ing is explained as follows: (1) Practically con-
sidered, an increase of urinary excretion of ALA
is a specific sign of Pb intoxication, although a
similar increase of ALA is observed in hereditary
acute porphyria; however, there is a simultaneous
increase of porphobilinogen which is not typical
of Pb poisoning. (2) Determination of ALA and
coproporphyrin III are more sensitive tests than
the count of basophilic erythrocytes. The follow-
ing threshold values in yg/24 hr are proposed:
coproporphyrin, 120; ALA, 4000. (3) Considering
the wide range of fluctuations of the ALA content
in the morning and the daytime urine, an ALA ex-
cretion in the morning urine up to 1000 yg may be
considered to be in the normal range; amounts
ranging from 1000-2000 yg are suspicious and those
>3000 yg are definitely pathologic. In doubtful
cases determinations must be made of a 24-ar spec-
imen. (4) Determination of coproporphyrin and
count of basophilic erythrocytes are valuable pre-
liminary tests, while the estimation of ALA will
confirm the diagnosis. (5) Urinary Pb excretion
approximately parallels the ALA values and, with-
in limitations, may indicate the degree of the
poisoning. (37 references)
2706 Gaultier, M. , Fournier, P.E., Gervais, P.,
and Beusnel, J. (Hosp. Fernand Widal,
Paris, France): Possibilite's d'action
d'un Centre Regional de toxicologie en
M^decine du Travail. (POSSIBILITY OF ES-
TABLISHING A REGIONAL CENTER OF TOXICOL-
OGY IN OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE.) Archives
des Maladies Professionelles, de Me"decine
du Travail et de Se'curite' Sociale 25:430-
6 (July-Aug.), 1964.
The increasing use of chemical products in all
spheres of modern life has multiplied the sources
526
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
of possible intoxications. During 1962, the in-
formation center of Professor Gaultier in the Hos-
pital Fernand Widal in Paris has had 4000 tele-
phone calls, of which 292 referred to poisonings
by industrial, household or agricultural products
and 78 to occupational poisonings, 1 among them
caused by Pb. Among hospitalizations for chronic
poisoning during 1960 to 1962, 45 out of 50 cases,
or 90% of all chronic intoxications, were attrib-
uted to Pb. During the same period, 128 workers
of a total group of 670, needing consultation for
occupational diseases, were Pb cases. Manifesta-
tions of intoxications and first-aid measures are
discussed.
2707 Gaultier, M., Fournier, E., Gervais, P.,
and Cabrol, P. (F. Widal Hosp., Paris,
France): L'augmentation des granulocytes
sanguins apres injection d'endotoxine, me-
sure de la reserve medullaire fonctionnelle,
son utilisation chez les sujets exposes a
un risque hematologique professionnel.
(INCREASE IN BLOOD GRANULOCYTES AFTER ENDO-
TOXIN INJECTION, MEASUREMENT OF FUNCTIONAL
BONE MARROW RESERVE, ITS UTILIZATION IN
SUBJECTS EXPOSED TO OCCUPATIONAL HEMATOLO-
GIC RISK.) In XlVth International Congress
of Occupational Health, Madrid, Spain,
Sept. 16-21, 1963. International Congress
Series No. 62, Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica
Foundation, 1964, Vol. Ill, pp. 1122-4.
The authors sought to evaluate the value, in the
diagnosis of occupational neutropenias, of the
endotoxin test for the measurement of the func-
tional medullary reserve. The subjects studied
were exposed to various occupational risks, prin-
cipally benzene, radiation, and Pb. Contraindica-
tions for applying this test were: cardiac or
respiratory insufficiency, adrenal or liver insuf-
ficiency, tuberculosis, recent gastroduodenal ul-
cer and current infectious diseases. The prepa-
ration used was Pyrexal (Wander Laboratories); 1
Pg was injected iv. Immediately before, 2 hr and
4 hr after injection, red cell counts and leuko-
cytic formula were performed. In the 7 Pb poison-
ing patients the test gave normal results.
2708 Gel'fon, I.A., and Zorina, L.A. (Inst.
Ind. Hyg. Occup. Dis., Acad. Med. Sci.,
Moscow, USSR): Belkovye fraktsii krovi
pri svintsovoi intoksikatsii i ikh izmene-
niya pod vliyaniem kompleksonoterapii.
(BLOOD PROTEIN FRACTIONS IN LEAD POISONING
AND THEIR CHANGES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF
COMPLEXON THERAPY.) Gigiena Truda i Pro-
fessional'nye Zabolevaniya 8, No. 8:24-8,
1964.
The blood protein fractions were studied in 92 pa-
tients (59 men and 33 women) of whom 24 suffered
from mild Pb poisoning, 42 from moderately severe
poisoning, 10 had marked poisoning and 16 had
residual manifestations of Pb poisoning. In mild
poisoning, the content of g- and a- globulins was
insignificantly elevated and the ratio of albumin
globulin was decreased. In moderately severe poi-
soning, aside from these changes, the level of al-
bumin was reduced and that of a-globulins increas-
•ed. Severe poisoning compared with moderately
severe poisoning was characterized by a decreased
content of total protein, globulins and mainly a-
globulins. Complexon treatment in most cases
caused an increase of total protein, albumin and
a-globulin. (From author's English summary; 13
references)
2709 Ge"rard, A., Guerrin, F., and Roussel, P.
(Regional Hosp., Lille, France): Diag-
nostic des icteres au cours des he°moglo-
binopathies. (DIAGNOSIS OF JAUNDICE DUR-
ING HEMOGLOBINOPATHIES.) Archives des
Maladies de 1'Appareil Digestif et des
Maladies de la Nutrition 53:151-4 (Jan.-
Feb.) , 1964.
The diagnosis of hereditary hemoglobin anomalies
has been greatly facilitated by the electrophore-
sis techniques. In cases of jaundice, this test
is applied routinely, and was done in the 2 cases
described. The 1st case was that of a 26-yr-old
Senegalese man who presented mild jaundice and
abdominal pains accompanied by vomiting of 15 days'
duration before hospitalization. Pb poisoning was
established on the basis of the presence of the
Burton line, increased elimination of porporphy-
rins in the urine (860 ug/1) as coproporphyrin III
(determined by chromatography), blood Pb of 15
yg/1 and urinary Pb of 48 and 76 yg/1 in 2 analy-
ses. After EDTA, Pb in urine increased to 189
yg/1. Since the patient had been employed only 2
mo in a company manufacturing batteries, the de-
velopment of Pb poisoning in such a short time
was considered remarkable. The jaundice was rela-
tively mild and disappeared in 5 days when the
bile pigment in blood markedly decreased. The
bromsulphalein test at that time was normal.
Hematologic examination revealed an erythrocytic
defect, with anemia, anisocytosis, microcytosis,
and reticulocytosis. Although cellular resistance
was not disturbed, there were evident signs of
hemolysis. Starch gel electrophoresis confirmed
extremely high level (38.7%) of abnormal hemoglo-
ain justifying the diagnosis of sickle cell ane-
mia. This was regarded as a valid explanation
for the rapid evolution of Pb poisoning, since it
had been shown that the existence of a hemoglo-
binopathy increased the sensitivity of such sub-
jects to Pb poisoning.
The 2nd case was a 60-yr-old European, hospi-
talized because of febrile jaundice and abdominal
pains. History revealed that he had had dyspeptic
troubles for the past 2 yr and that his brother
had been operated for biliary lithiasis 2 yr be-
fore. Cholecystectomy in the above patient
yielded stones consisting entirely of Ca biliru-
binate. i'his finding did not surprise the authors
as they had already found a high percentage (15%)
of hemoglobin A2 accompanying a mild anemia, re-
ticulocy tosis and hemolysis. They would have
liked to have done a study of the brother's blood,
but could not obtain permission. In conclusion
they say that the electrophoretic techniques
would probably reveal a much greater frequency of
thalassemia which, as shown above, occurs not only
among Mediterraneans but also in people of Euro-
pean extraction.
2710 Gerard, A., Guerrin, F., and Roussel, P.
(Regional Hosp., Lille, France): Aspect
particulier du saturnisme survenant chez
Man
527
-------
les malades souffrant d'hemoglobinopathie.
(PARTICULAR ASPECT OF LEAD POISONING IN
SUBJECTS SUFFERING FROM HEMOGLOBIN ANOM-
ALIES.) Archives des Maladies Professi-
oelles de Medecine du Travail et de Se'cu-
rite Sociale 25:346-8 (June), 1964.
Two cases of Pb poisoning in Senegalese workmen,
25 and 27 yr old, of a storage battery factory, is
described. Both patients developed abdominal col-
ics and a Burton line after working for 2 mo. The
Pb content of their blood and urine was essentially
normal; urinary Pb increased only after perfusion
with EDTA. An icteric or subicteric condition
which was present during the first days, disap-
peared rapidly. Blood tests revealed the follow-
ing data, respectively: erythrocytes, 3,800,000
and 3,940,000; reticulocytes, 47 and 66/1000; sid-
eremia, 240 and 210 yg, with saturation coeffi-
cients of 50 and 54%; bilirubin, 15 and 18 mg;
subject 1: sickle-cell hemoglobin, 38.7%, subject
2: thalassemia, 17% hemoglobin Aj • Neither of the
2 subjects had shown any clinical manifestations
of hemolysis prior to the Pb poisoning which, how-
ever, seemed to bring forth hemoglobin disorders.
It is pointed out that the hazard of Pb intoxica-
tion is particularly great in subjects with hemo-
globin disorders. This phenomenon should be con-
sidered in the employment of Mediterranean and
African laborers who frequently show hemoglobin
anomalies.
2711 Gerasi, L. (Dept. of Ind. Health, Kupat-
Cholim, Haifa, Israel): Hakriterionim
Leivchun haralot taasitiot.(THE CRITERIA
FOR DIAGNOSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL INTOXICA-
TIONS.) Harefuah 67:21-2 (July 1), 1964.
Some basic formulas to aid in the diagnosis of
occupational intoxication, secondary to differen-
tial diagnosis are suggested. A schema of the
development of chronic occupational Pb intoxication
is presented in order to illustrate the importance
of early detection of biochemical changes caused by
Pb in the period when preventive measures may still
be effective.
2712 Gherardi, M. (Univ. Parma, Italy): Aspetti
clinica e patogenesi della intossicazione
cronica da piombo tetraetile. (CLINICAL
FEATURES AND PATHOGENESIS OF CHRONIC TETRA-
ETHYLLEAD INTOXICATION.) Medicina del La-
voro 55:107-21 (Feb.), 1964.
A syndrome observed by the author in workers en-
gaged in the production of TEL, either for a pro-
longed period of time or for only a few months,
could not be designated by him as acute or subacute.
The first symptoms noticed by the patients were
usually fatigue, asthenia, decreased appetite or
anorexia, headache, nausea, "indigestion," and
vomiting. Some also complained of poor sense of
taste, feeling of foreign object in the throat,
dizziness, insomnia and excitation, inability to
concentrate, dimmed vision. Objective signs were
very few, one of the most striking being a greyish
facial color and masklike expression. The other
findings included gradual loss in weight and a
hypotension which did not respond to therapy. Oc-
casionally, there was a transitory bradycardia.
Neurologic and mental functions were normal except
for faulty memory and increased irritability.
Laboratory findings revealed no pathologic signs.
Pb in the blood ranged from 50-100 ug/100 ml, and
in the urine from 0.15-0.25 mg/1; coproporphyrins
were normal or slightly increased. Some patients
showed a moderate hypochromic anemia without sig-
nificant increase of stippled erythrocytes. The
electroencephalogram was also normal. Two cases,
one 27- and one 35-yr-old man, were described.
Both had been exposed to moderate absorption of
TEL. The 27-yr-old man, operating a distillation
column, first showed loss in weight after 6 mo on
the job. He had to give up this work completely,
while the other patient also so employed for many
yr, could return to his job after 2 mo of rest and
treatment with liver extract, vitamin B, librium
and largactil. Laboratory findings in the first
case showed concentrations of Pb in urine in the
first 6 mo of 0.113 mg/1 which increased up to
0.243 mg 1 mo later. A year after removal from
exposure Versene-provoked elimination showed 1.365
mg/1. The blood Pb at this later examination was
65 yg/100 ml, and copropoiphyrin, 75 yg in the
24-hr urine sample. Aside from finding 132 ng
coproporphyrin in the 24-hr urine, the results
were similar in the second case. Kidney and liver
functions were normal.
The author points out that the most obvious
symptoms are sleeplessness and vivid dreams, fol-
lowed by asthenia, nausea, vomiting, headache,
loss of weight, hypothermia, sweating and changes
of the sense of taste. After any of these symp-
toms have set in, they do not easily recede. Re-
moval from exposure for 10-15 days results only
in their partial attenuation. Patients who re-
turned to their former occupation showed a typical
intolerance to the odor of TEL. Barbiturates were
useless for combating the insomnia while pheno-
thiazine gave better results. For want of a spe-
cific therapy, administration of liver extract
enforced with polyvitamins and removal from ex-
posure for 8-10 wk were recommended.
In his discussion the author considers the syn-
arome to correspond to that occurring in the in-
itial stage of acute and subacute TEL intoxica-
tions, except that it is less pronounced and that
the Pb concentration in blood and urine is not
increased. While it doeb not seem probable that
TEL in low concentrations passes the blood-Drain
barrier to cause irritation of the central ner-
vous system, such irritation is undoubtedly the
basis of the above syndrome. TEL is known to
have a short biologic life, which had led to the
belief that only high concentrations could cause
the neurologic changes. The new theory, based on
experimental findings, of Cremer and Gherardi, is
that the tetraalkyllead molecule as such is not
toxic, but once it has penetrated the organism,
it is dealkylated by enzymes contained mainly in
the microsomes of the liver cells, to form the
relatively stable, hydrosoluble, highly ionizable
and neurotropic triethyllead. According to
Cremer, this process is reversible due to the
interference of enzymes bound to sulfhydryl
groups. This reversibility is confirmed in the
findings of Kehoe and Machle that after severe
intoxication, men recovered without appreciable
psychic or neurologic sequelae, and that acutely
poisoned experimental animals returned to a per-
fectly normal state and grew and reproduced the
528
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
same as controls. Kehoe's experiments also showed
that the Pb content in the brain of experimentally
poisoned animals was about the same in those sacri-
ficed during the acute phase and in those killed
after a certain length of time.
Similar experiments were carried out by the au-
thor who injected 15 male Swiss albino mice subcu-
taneously with 49.9 mg TEL/kg and sacrificed'5
animals each at 5, 25, and 45 days. While the
concentrations of Pb in liver and kidney decreased
progressively and rapidly, those in the brain de-
creased very gradually, indicating a slow elimina-
tion of Pb from the nervous system. This phenome-
non is considered important in cases of repeated
exposure to TEL. As complete recovery follows in
time even after acute TEL intoxication, this might
indicate that triethyllead that has reached the
brain has been changed into a metabolite which is
no longer toxic.
The problem of reporting the cases observed for
compensatory purposes is discussed, in view of the
absence of positive laboratory findings. For this
reason, the necessity of frequent analyses of the
urine for Pb content is stressed. The findings
could then be correlated with signs and complaints
determined upon medical examination. As there is
a certain latent period between absorption of TEL
and the onset of signs and symptoms, frequent uri-
nalyses only during, and not after, exposure can
provide proper diagnosis. The fact that in intoxi-
cations by Pb alkyls elimination of Pb is more
rapid than in that by inorganic Pb, is illustrated
by data obtained on 2 men, who had been exposed to
considerable amounts of TEL, on the urinary excre-
tion of Pb, blood pressure, pulse, onset of symp-
toms and body weight at 4 hr to 20 days after ex-
posure. These showed Pb excretion to reach a
maximum directly after exposure, while signs and
symptoms appeared later and still persisted after
the urinary Pb excretion had returned to normal.
The Versene test also was not so conclusive as in
poisoning with the more common Pb compounds.
The author proposes that the syndrome observed
by him which was caused by the absorption of mod-
erate but appreciable amounts of TEL, repeated at
short intervals of time, be classified as chronic
intoxication.
The signs are mainly subjective with few or no
clinical or laboratory evidence, and last for quite
some time. The outcome is always favorable; it
results only long after exposure has been termi-
nated. Once diagnosed, those affected should be
removed from exposure immediately to avoid further
absorption which might culminate in an acute stage.
Wherever such cases occur in industry, control
measures must be instituted to eliminate these
hazards.
2713 Gofman, J.W., deLalla, O.F., Kovich, E.L.,
Lowe, 0., Martin, W., Piluso, D.L., Tandy,
R.K. and Upham, F. (Univ. of California,
Berkeley): CHEMICAL ELEMENTS OF THE BLOOD
OF MAN. Archives of Environmental Health
8:105-9 (Jan.), 1964.
Sixty-six chemical elements between the atomic
numbers 15 and 92 were determined in the serum of
39 ostensibly healthy men, mean age 35.3 yr, work-
ing and residing in the California Bay area, by
using X-ray spectrochemical analysis. This method
is not sufficiently sensitive to estimate levels
below 1 ppm. Aside from Fe, Cu, Zn, and Br it is
considered highly unlikely that any elements of
atomic numbers higher than 20 approach a mean
serum level of 0.5 ppm. The standard error of
mean and the 99% confidence limit on the mean val-
ue for Pb were calculated as 0.09 and 0.07-0.53
ppm, respectively. The observed mean values for
the elements at very low concentration are omit-
ted, but standard error of the mean and the 99%
confidence ranges are presented for the reason of
focusing attention on the latter ranges.
2714 Gorlo-Shil'ko, A.I.: (EXPERIENCE IN THE
TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LEAD
POISONING WITH THE SEQUESTERING AGENT
EDATHAMIL CALCIUM DISODIUM.) In Materi-
aly XXII Nauchnoi konferentsii Smolenskogo
meditslnskogo instituta. (Proceedings of
the 22nd Scientific Conference of Smolensk
Medical Institute.) Smolensk, pp. 365-6,
1964.
Forty-seven patients were treated with edetate for
a period of time depending on the degree of poi-
soning and the amount of Pb deposited in the body.
The treatment was successful in alleviating or
eliminating all clinical symptoms of poisoning.
(From Referativnyi Zhurnal Odt Vypusk Farmakol.
Toksikol. 1965, No. 2.54.346; Biological Abstracts
47:Abstr. No. 7321, 1966)
2715 Great Britain Ministry of Labour: ANNUAL
REPORT OF H.M. CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES
ON INDUSTRIAL HEALTH, 1963. Presented
September, 1964. London, Her Majesty's
Stationery Office, 56 pp.
In Chapter 1, Review of the Year, on page 10, draft
regulations covering workers in the Pb industry
are discussed. These regulations, issued as a re-
vised preliminary draft in March 1963, provide
that the medical examination in every 3-mo period
shall include an estimation by an approved method
of the hemoglobin (Hb) in the blood. Where the Hb
content is =13 g/100 ml of whole blood in the case
of a male or =12 g/100 ml in the case of a female,
another estimation should be made within a period
of <3 mo. Further investigation whether any anemia
is due to Pb poisoning, will be undertaken in
specified hospitals under the normal National
Health Service arrangements. A copy of the Health
Register must be sent to the Inspector for the
District monthly to enable him to take action in
the case of unsatisfactory working conditions.
Details of statutory periodic medical examina-
tions by appointed factory doctors are recorded in
a table (page 17). In Pb processing plants (car-
bonate, etc), 14,674 examinations were made and 4
men were suspended. In Pb smelting, there were
28,921 examinations, 23 suspensions, 5 rejections
on 1st examination and 14 certificates permitting
return to work after suspension. In making of
flaked litharge and of red and orange Pb, there
were 1070 and 1437 examinations, respectively.
Chapter 2 deals with Industrial Diseases, Poi-
soning and Gassing (reference to Pb, pp 18, 20-29).
A total of 407 persons exposed to Pb and its com-
pounds were examined during 1963. Among 181 men
and 12 women from 13 factories, 7 had Hb levels
<12 g% and 4 of the's.e also showed increased ex-
Man
529
-------
cretion of coproporphyrin (CP) (>1000 lag/day in 4,
and >1500 vg/day in 3). Six of the 7 anemic males
had a hemolytic anemia which was almost certainly
due to Pb exposure. In 2 of the most anemic men,
urinary CP was only moderately raised, but in 1
case had risen to 1000 yg/1 on reexamination 1 wk
later. Tests of workers engaged in motor-car body
building indicated that both diskers and men em-
ployed in finishing work after the bodies have
left the disking booth may be affected. CP was
found to be >1500 ug/1 in 12 men out of 214 so
tested.
The total number of Pb poisonings notified and
regarded as confirmed was 93 during 1963, compared
with 80 in 1962. All but 11 had definite subjec-
tive effects, although symptoms were not marked in
some. The opinion in the earlier years of this
century that chronic Pb poisoning could progress to
chronic nephritis or Bright's disease is generally
less accepted today. A case, first diagnosed as
kidney disease, then changed to Pb poisoning is
described. This involved a 51-yr-old Pb smelter
who had worked for 12 yr on the blast furnace and
casting Pb. The findings included, aside from
moderate hypertension, slight edema and a trace of
protein in urine, a severe anemia with 62% Hb, 85
yg Pb/100 ml blood and 132 pg Pb/1 of urine.
About 6 mo after he returned to work his blood and
urine showed Pb concentrations of 179 yg/100 ml
and 290 ug/1, respectively.
Of 5 cases notified by ship-breaking firms, 4
had minimal symptoms, the 5th whose Hb level was
only 9.5 g% and who suffered from abdominal pain
and vomiting, was successfully treated with a che-
late.
Five cases were reported from white and red Pb
works and 21 cases among workers having contact
with molten Pb, of which 5 were due to wire patent-
ing. A survey showed that the Pb concentration in
the working atmosphere was everywhere below the
maximum permissible concentration of 0.2 mg/m^.
In non-ferrous foundries, 18 workers with evi-
dence of Pb poisoning were found. Atmospheric Pb
levels were well >0.2 mg/m^. Two cases were
notified from a foundry where an alloy of 30% Pb
and 70% Cu was cast; the air in the breathing
level of the casters contained >2 mg Pb/m^.
Three cases of Pb poisoning occurred in a firm
making litho transfers, containing Pb color, for
pottery decoration; 20 cases in the storage bat-
tery manufacture; 2 were due to spraying a Pb-
based paint in the interior painting of an air-
craft hangar and 31 were recorded under a miscel-
laneous heading (19 of these in the demolition of
Pb-painted structures).
Of 3 cases of Pb poisoning in motor-car building
factories, that of a man employed as a Pb disker
for 14-15 yr ended in death due to uremia. Medi-
cal opinion was divided whether the renal failure
was a direct result of Pb poisoning or of malig-
nant hypertension, and an open verdict was re-
turned by the jury.
2716 Griggs, R.C. (Western Res. Univ., Cleve-
land, 0.): LEAD POISONING: HEMATOLOGICAL
ASPECTS. Progress in Hematology 4:117-37,
1964.
A review of 81 publications concerning the struc-
tural and metabolic alterations produced by Pb in
the human red blood cell is presented and the
causes and consequences of such effects are dis-
cussed.
After briefly presenting the history of Pb poi-
soning, the author lists averages and ranges of
hematological values in 20 male adults with chron-
ic occupational Pb poisoning to illustrate the mild
to moderate microcytic hypochromic anemia! red
blood cells, 4.21, 3.45-5.36 millions/m3; hemo-
globin (Hb), 10.7, 8.1-12.8 g%; hematocrit, 35,
28.8-43%; mean corpuscular volume, 79, 70-92 y;
mean corpuscular Hb concentration, 31, 27-36 g/100
ml; reticulocytes, 4.4, 1.5-11.6%; stippled cells,
1.8, 0.1-7.5%; icterus index, 6.5, 4-10.
Stippling is generally considered an unreliable
criterion of Pb poisoning and should be used only
as an indication to look for other signs of Pb in-
toxication. Information available at present sug-
gests that there are 2 types of granulations in
Pb-poisoned men and animals, one being ferritin
deposits or accumulations of excessive Fe and the
other enlarged and possibly damaged mitochondria
without Fe content.
The common occurrence of changes in osmotic and
mechanical fragility of the red cells is illus-
trated by measurements obtained by the author on
10 adult patients. All showed either increased
resistance to lysis after incubation, a decrease
in resistance which was less than expected for the
normal, or a combination of these in which some
cells became more and some less resistant to os-
motic stress. Average unincubated mechanical
fragility did not differ significantly from the
normal range (10.5% ± 3.5%). During a course of
therapy with EDTA, the red blood cells became even
more resistant to osmotic lysis and more suscep-
tible to mechanical lysis. After therapy and with
time, the fragility tests gradually returned to
normal. There was no consistent relation between
degree of anemia, stippled cells, reticulocytosis
and alterations in mechanical and osmotic fragili-
ty-
It has been shown by electrophoresis that in
about 50% of Pb-poisoned children, an abnormal
minor hemoglobin component is present. Animal ex-
perimentation does not produce this fraction.
Papers on the mechanism of anemia and red blood
cell survival in Pb poisoning as well as the
Coombs' test are discussed. There is no evidence
at present that Pb interferes with Fe absorption,
transport of Fe by the iron-binding protein of the
plasma, Fe storage or transfer of Fe from protein
to developing red blood cells. But there is evi-
dence suggesting that Pb interferes with the in-
tercellular metabolism of Fe and its incorporation
into protoporphyrin during the synthesis of heme.
The effects of Pb on the biosynthetic steps in
heme synthesis are reviewed and the effects of Pb
on porphyrin metabolism in man as evidenced by in-
creased excretion of coproporphyrin, increase in
free erythrocytic protoporphyrin, and increased
serum concentration and urinary excretion of ALA
are discussed. Published information indicates
that Pb blocks the biosynthesis of heme at several
steps with varying degrees of effectiveness.
2717 Grippaudo, G. (Univ. Rome, Italy): I mi-
croelementi dei tessuti duri dei denti
esaminati con il metodo della spettro-
530
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
grafia ottica. (TRACE ELEMENTS OF THE
HARD TISSUES OF TEETH SURVEYED BY OPTICAL
SPECTROGRAPHY.) Annali di Stomatologia 8,
No. 3:185-92, 1964.
Healthy, decayed and impacted teeth were analyzed
for 19 mineral components in a preliminary study.
The results obtained were essentially qualitative.
Pb was present in traces in the enamel, dentin
and cement of the healthy and decayed teeth, and
in somewhat greater amounts in the same tissues of
impacted teeth.
2718 Grut, A. (Hellerup, Denmark): DUST IN POR-
CELAIN FACTORIES. In XlVth International
Congress of Occupational Health, Madrid,
Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963. International
Congress Series No. 62, Amsterdam, Excerpta
Medica Foundation, 1964, Vol. II, pp. 351-2.
Results of dust investigation in Danish Porcelain
Factories showed that dust content in the breathing
zone of men working with a 30% Pb-containing glaze
was 5 mg/tn3 with a Pb content of 0.7%, ie, 13 ug
Pb/m3. Dust concentrations at various working
stages were tabulated. In no case was the maximum
allowable amount of dust of 1.5-2.0 mg/m3 surpassed.
2719 GuSpin, J. (Assoc. of Ind. Hyg. and Occup.
Med., Nantes, France): "X propos d'un cas
de saturnisme professionnel. (A CASE OF
OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Ouest Medi-
cal 17:570-3 (May 10), 1964.
The case described was that of a 25-yr-old worker
in a storage battery plant, first seen by the au-
thor on November 26, 1962. The man complained of
abdominal pain and constipation; the blood picture
showed 2,600,000 erythrocytes, 5000 leukocytes
(60% polynuclear), and 300 stippled erythrocytes/
100 leukocytes (9400/1,000,000 erythrocytes).
Oral treatment with 5 tablets of 0.25 g each of
CaEDTA/day was begun. Acute abdominal pain oc-
curred 2 days later (not witnessed by the author),
followed by jaundice. Treatment was discontinued.
Jaundice, without fever, persisted for 8 days. In
mid-December, urine analyses showed 0.3 mg/Pb and
2.6 mg coproporphyrin/1 of urine. The patient re-
covered rapidly without any treatment other than
rest and returned to work. The author visited the
workshop which consisted of a large room. The
task of his patient was the mounting of plates in-
to the battery cases. This involved soldering,
but no appreciable volume of toxic fumes was ap-
parent. He was neat, did not smoke or drink on
the job. riis employer, who did the same kind of
work, had never noticed any indications of unto-
ward effects. The patient soon again developed
signs of Pb poisoning (300 stippled erythrocytes/
100 leukocytes) with a mobilization test with EDTA
confirming the diagnosis of Pb poisoning. The
mild anemia was of hemolytic type; no associated
blood dyscrasia was found. The gall bladder was
normal upon X ray. At another examination ^1 mo
later, he showed 0.272 mg Pb and 0.360 mg copro-
porphyrin/1 urine, 0.08 mg Pb/100 g blood and 150
stippled erythrocytes/100 leukocytes. Another
visit to the shop revealed that a Pb hazard truly
existed: The patient had failed to tell that he
routinely brushed the plates. The need for ade-
quate ventilation and other safety measures were
discussed with the employer who instituted them.
Exposure to Pb at home was excluded. After iv
treatment with chelating agents, the blood picture
had returned to normal, and the man was permitted
to return to his job. While soldering, he used a
respirator, and at the most recent test, his blood
picture was practically normal.
In reviewing the syndrome of Pb poisoning, the
author points out that constipation presents an
informative sign while the presence of stippled
blood cells (evaluated according to the German
method) is more convenient for the diagnosis. The
determination of urinary coproporphyrins is diffi-
cult and not specific whereas estimation of the Pb
content in blood and urine is more useful. The
intercurrent jaundice observed in this case could
not be attributed by the author to EDTA, but in
the absence of simple tests for liver function,
the question of the cause remained open. The im-
portance of protection and prevention by amicable
discussions between physician and employer, partic-
ularly of small industries is stressed.
2720 Guerrin, F., Havez, R., Gerard, A., and
Roussel, P. (Fac. Med., Lille, France): *
Hgmoglobinopathie et saturnisme. (HEMO-
GLOBINOPATHY AND SATURNISM.) Lille Medi-
cal 9:547-9 (June-July), 1964.
The relationship between disorders of hemoglobin
(Hb) content of the blood and Pb intoxication was
studied in 2 Senegalese workers (26 and 27 yr old)
of a storage battery plant who had been hospital-
ized because of abdominal pains. The 26-yr-old
patient started to complain of abdominal distur-
bances and vomiting after having worked as a
founder for ^6 wk. Two wk later when he was ad-
mitted to the hospital, he showed a Burton line
with urinary porphyrins up to 860 yg/1, blood-Pb
of 15 yg/100 ml, and urinary Pb 48-76 yg/1 before
and 189 yg after provocation by a chelate. Jaun-
dice was visible in the conjunctiva and anemia was
distinctly present. The 27-yr-old man who was hos-
pitalized 5 mo later, also exhibited jaundice, Bur-
ton's line, anemia, urinary Pb of 30 yg/1 before
and 160 yg after injection of EDTA. Tests showed
that both patients suffered from sickle cell ane-
mia. The conclusion was drawn that Pb poisoning
promotes Hb disorders and, inversely, that Hb de-
ficiency causes proneness to Pb poisoning.
2721 Gutniafc, 0., Koziolowa, H., and Kowalski,
E. (Warsaw Med. School, Poland): FREE PRO-
TOPORPHYRIN CONTENT OF ERYTHROCYTES IN
CHRONIC TETRAETHYL LEAD POISONING. Lancet
1:1137-8 (May 23), 1964.
The content of free protoporphyrin in the red blood
cells was studied in tetraethyllead (TEL) poisoning
in order to gain information on the mechanism of
the disease. The premise for this study was that
ionic Pb inhibits incorporation of Fe into proto-
porphyrin with a subsequent rise in both free pro-
toporphyrin and nonheme-Fe content in red blood
cells. Free protoporphyrin in the erythrocytes was
determined in 13 patients, 25 to 56 yr old, who
were drivers or mechanics in garages and had been
exposed to the fumes of Pb gasoline for >8 yr; 11
had been so exposed until admission to the hospi-
tal, 2 had contact with TEL for 2 yr. Forty-six
healthy donors and 5 patients with inorganic Pb
poisoning were used as controls. The mean ages of
Man
531
-------
the TEL- and Pb-poisoned groups were similar, 42.1
and 43.8 yr, respectively. The subjects suffering
from TEL poisoning complained of headache and diz-
ziness; 8 showed neurological signs of damage to
the central nervous system, 5 had digestive and
gastric disturbances, but none were anemic. The Pb
content in the blood, as determined polarographi-
cally, ranged from 50-198 (mean 79.8) ug/100 ml in
the patients with Pb poisoning and from 62-155
(mean 114.2) yg/100 ml in those with TEL poison-
ing. The mean protoporphyrin content in the 13
patients poisoned with TEL was in the normal range
(21.12 ug/100 ml ± 2 S.D. 9.7) and did not exceed
the mean values in the 46 healthy blood donors
(24 ug/100 ml ± 2 S.D. 11.06). In the 5 patients
with Pb poisoning, the protoporphyrin content was
greatly increased (312 ug/100 ml ± 2 S.D. 143.1).
As reported in the literature, inorganic Pb com-
pounds inhibit the enzymes regulating heme-oio-
synthesis, with resulting increase in free proto-
porphyrin, and inducing hyprochromic anemia. The
authors conclude that since in TEL poisoning the
protoporphyrin content of the erythrocytes was
within the normal range, this mechanism of damage
is absent in poisoning with organic Pb compounds
which cause predominantly neurologic signs without
2722 Gwizdek, E. (Krakow, Poland): Der Ein-
fluss von Faktoren der BerufsgefHhrdung
in der Industrie auf das Bild des Zahn-
fleischrandes. (THE EFFECT OF OCCUPATION-
AL EXPOSURE IN INDUSTRY OF THE GINGIVAL
MARGIN.) Zentralblatt ftir Arbeitsmedizin
und Arbeitsschutz 14:25-7 (Feb.), 1964.
In an investigation of the effects of occupational
exposure on the gingival margin, the author in-
cluded in his statistical data workers referred to
the clinic for occupational medicine in Krakow,
and cases seen by specialists in industry. A to-
tal of 2319 male workers of approximately the same
age were seen. Inflammatory and atrophic gingivi-
tis were evaluated separately. The data were or-
ganized according to types of industry, and ac-
cording to chemical exposure. A group of construc-
tion workers, active in the open and not exposed
to chemical hazards, served as controls. Among
those exposed to dusts and fumes (particularly
Pb, Hg, fluorides, Co oxide, As compounds, CO,
and high temperatures) a high percentage, 37% of
those examined showed inflammatory gingivitis, and
18.8% the atrophic form. The length of exposure
of men with lesions was about the same: ^10-15% of
those examined had worked an av of 3 yr; 15-20%,
5 yr; 45-50%, 10 yr; and 20-25%, >10 yr. The
data applying to Pb were as follows: of 285 work-
ers of an av age of 34.2 yr, 122, or 42.8%, exhib-
ited the inflammatory type of gingivitis, and 52,
or 18.3%, the atrophic. Of the control group of
200 men, av age of 33.2 yr, 29, or 14.7%, had in-
flammatory gingivitis and 26, or 13.2%, the atroph-
ic. In the case of workers exposed to Pb, examina-
tion for the presence of the Pb line was included.
This phenomenon had been considered up to the
present time as one of the most important criteria
of a Pb hazard. ihe author points out that he has
recently shown (Medycyna Pracy 5:371-3, 1962) that
medical and laboratory tests of Pb-exposed workers
do not confirm this theory.
2723 Hanke, J.Z.: PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS
OF PROLONGED OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO TOX-
IC SUBSTANCES ON THE LEVEL OF SOME SERUM
ENZYMES. Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Tok-
sikologiyu 15:57-66, 1964.
The activity of aldolase, alkaline phosphatase,
glutamic-oxalic and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase
was studied in workers chronically exposed to ben-
zene and Pb, respectively. Men exposed to Pb
showed lower values of aldolase activity but a
higher ratio of glutamic-oxalic to glutamic-pyr-
uvic transaminase than the controls. (From
author's abstract; Industrial Hygiene Digest 28:
Abstr. No. 1086, 1964)
2724 Hernberg, S., and Laamanen, A. (Inst. of
Occup. Health, Helsinki, Finland): RE-
SULTS OF DIAGNOSTIC LEAD MOBILISATION
TESTS IN A FINNISH SERIES. Annales Medi-
cinae Internae Fenniae 53:123-8, 1964.
Results obtained by Pb mobilization tests, using
CaNa2EDTA, vary widely even for normal individuals
when measurements from different investigations
are compared. This may be due to variations in
the EDTA dosage, the commercial origin of EDTA
used, different analytical techniques and particu-
larly to different Pb burdens of the human organ-
ism in different countries. In order to obtain a
basis for the test under Finnish conditions, a
series of Pb mobilizations was carried out on a
group of 25 unexposed subjects, living in the
neighborhood of Helsinki, and the results obtained
were compared with those in 2 Pb-exposed groups.
The first of the latter ones, without present evi-
dence of intoxication, consisted of 3 individuals
with previous clinical symptoms of Pb poisoning
and 3 working in an atmosphere where exposure had
been established by air sampling. The other group
consisted of 8 patients suffering from slight Pb
poisoning as evidenced by pathological laboratory
findings. Criteria employed in the interpretation
of these laboratory tests were as follows: hemo-
globin, <12 g/100 ml blood; stippled erythrocytes,
>0.03%; reticulocytes, >1.5%, urinary coproporphy-
rin, >0.150 mg/24 hr. If 2 of the tests yielded
pathological values, a diagnosis of Pb poisoning
was made.
Each subject was infused, over a period of 1.5-
2 hr, with a solution of 2 g EDTA in 500 ml of
physiological saline. Urine was collected 24 hr
before and after the infusion. Mean urinary Pb
excretion, mg/24 hr, before and after mobilization,
respectively, was: unexposed individuals, 0.26 ±
0.016, 0.157 ± 0.097; exposed subjects, 0.029 ±
0.022, 0.346 ± 0.121; Pb-poisoned group, 0.108 ±
O.G42, 1.106 ± 0.422. The statistical differences
of the mean values for the 3 groups were signifi-
cant, i'he relatively low Pb values in the unex-
posed group were probably due to low Pb levels in
the air, the drinking water, the soil and the
food, i'he Pb content in the air of Helsinki is
considerably lower compared with other cities of
the same size because of smaller traffic density,
decentralization of industry and many green belts.
It is pointed out that the mobilization tests,
together with other available data, are helpful in
the diagnosis of past exposure to Pb but that an
intoxication should rather be diagnosed by func-
tional disturbances such as neurologic disorders
532
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
and by a high erythrocytic protoporphyrin content.
2725 Illinois State Medical Society: WATER
COMPOSITION AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH.
ileport of the Educational and Scientific
Foundation of the Illinois State Medical
Society. Illinois Medical Journal 125:
25-31 (Jan.), 1964; Journal American Water
Works Association 56:369-77 (Apr.), 1964.
Six scientists (J.H. Jingle, M.D., Western Reserve
University; Oglesby, Paul, M.D., Northwestern Uni-
versity; W.ii. Sebrell, Jr., M.D., Columbia Univer-
sity; William H. Strain, Ph.D., University of
Rochester; Abel Wolman, Dr. Eng., The Johns Hop-
kins University; James R. Wilson, M.D., Coordina-
tor for the Educational and Scientific Foundation
of the Illinois State Medical Society) oriented to
various aspects of the problem, were invited to
study the problem of cardiovascular health in re-
lation to the composition of water and to prepare
a statement of group opinion.
In the introduction, the panel states that at-
tempts to relate environmental factors to causes
of death among population groups is a popular but
hazardous research technique, and that results
must be critically examined. The evaluation of
published reports associating cardiovascular
deaths with inorganic constituents (including
F and Pb in some) begins with J. Kobayashi's
(1957) studies in Japan in which the highest in-
cidence of "apoplexy," according to the 1950 vi-
tal statistics, was found in areas having a high
content of sulfate in river water. Subsequent
publications by H.A. Schroeder (1960-1961), Mor-
ris, Crawford and Heady (1961), and others, in-
cluding reports of experiments with animals, re-
lated hard water to a lesser incidence of deaths
by cardiovascular diseases, although exceptions
found in areas of soft waters were admitted. In
discussing these correlations, the panel points
to difficulties in using death certificates and
even pathological reports as undisputed evidence
of the prevalence of a disease, citing from Paul's
book on epidemiology that "differences in the pre-
cision and manner of labeling and the priorities
ascribed to pathological syndromes may well re-
flect diagnostic interests or fashions." The ne-
cessity of defining the hardness or softness of
water in terms of specific anions and cations is
also pointed out, as is the fact that Americans
travel a great deal and drink water from differ-
ent areas at various times of the year, also that
water used in bottled beverages and canned foods
may come from various sources.
On the basis of available data, the panel con-
cluded that no causal relationship has been es-
tablished between the total dissolved inorganic
constituents in water and cardiovascular disease,
although it is evident that the minor constitu-
ents of the environment can influence human phys-
iology profoundly (eg, Fe in anemia, I in goi-
ter, F in dental decay). It then suggested that
further work on the subject, if undertaken,
should involve the study of comparable populations
in which the water supply with respect to one or
more given constituents is controlled; the length
of time an individual is on a given water supply
must be taken into consideration; uniform criteria
for diagnosis must be established, and the study
must be continued over a period of years to obtain
a definite answer.
2726 ' Jacobi, W. (Hahn-Meitner-Inst. Nuclear
Research, Berlin, Germany): THE DOSE TO
THE HUMAN RESPIRATORY TRACT BY INHALATION
OF SHORT-LIVED 2/Rn- /iND Rn-DECAY
PRODUCTS. Health Physics 10:1163-74
(Dec.), 1964.
The deposition of radon daughters in the different
regions of the human respiratory tract is derived
from the particle size of their carrier aerosol in
ordinary unfiltered air. The resulting mean dis-
tribution of the radioactivity in the respiratory
tract is estimated taking into account the clear-
ance from the alveolar tissue and the ciliary
transport in the bronchial tree. The radiation
dose distribution in the epithelium of trachea and
bronchi is calculated, taking into account the
a-absorption in the mucus layer and the variation
of stopping power with a-energy. The resulting
mean absolute a-dose is given for each inhaled
nuclide (RaA, RaB, RaC, ThA, ThB, ThC). The re-
sults indicate that a considerable fraction of the
dose in the upper respiratory tract is due to the
transfer of activity from the bronchioli and
lower bronchi in the mucus stream. ihe highest
dose should be expected in the lower bronchi.
2727 Jarcho, S. (Mt. Sinai Hosp, New York,
N.Y.): LEAD IN THE BONES OF PREHISTORIC
LEAD-GLAZE POTTERS. American Antiquity
30:94-6 (July), 1964.
In view of a report by Haury (1932) about Pb-glaze
pottery from the prehistoric Southwest, it ap-
peared interesting to investigate whether the
makers of such pottery suffered from Pb poisoning.
Forty-six bone specimens from Kinishba Ruin where
prehistoric people had painted pottery with a Pb-
containing glaze, and 33 fragments of human bone
from Point of Pines where such pottery was not
known, were examined by X ray and X-ray diffrac-
tion, and the 11 most promising specimens of both
series were subsequently analyzed by atomic ab-
sorption spectrophotometry. Many of the fragments
came from flat bones, digits and vertebrae. Spec-
imens from Kinishba contained 0.5-11 ppm Pb and
bone fragments from Point of Pines 9-17 ppm. The
4 samples containing the lowest Pb concentrations
came from Kinishba where Pb-glazed pottery was
both made and used. The trial therefore did not
reveal any correlation between the manufacture of
Pb-glaze pottery and increased concentrations of
Pb in the bones. The author points out that
aside from the small size of the samples, the im-
possibility of differentiation between users and
makers of the pottery, a more favorable selection
of bone fragments according to skeletal region
might have given different analytical data. Al-
though no evidence was provided that Pb poisoning
existed at either place, the author feels that
such trials may point the way for future research
by archaeologists who discover artifacts contain-
ing toxic materials.
2728 Jaworowski, Z. (Inst. of Nuclear Research,
Warsaw, Poland): (EVALUATION OF RADIUM D
HAZARDS IN AN URANIUM MINE.) Nukleonika
9, No. 1:57-66, 1964.
Man
533
-------
Statistical studies carried out on U miners from
Czechoslovakia, Germany, and the US indicate a
high incidence of lung cancer among the miners.
As 210Pb (or RaD) and its parent and daughter
elements are components of the mixture of radio-
active substances inhaled by the U miners, it can
be expected that the Pb chain may be one of the
etiological factors in the disease. 2l°Pb is
stored in the skeleton in a way similar to stable
Pb. Since urinary excretion of ^lOpt, does not
correlate with the amount of radio-Pb deposited in
the lung, or in the whole body, and bone biopsies
cannot be taken for routine control of exposure,
the 210pb content of hair was thought to be a
suitable criterion for assessment of absorption
(on the basis that the Pb content of hair is known
to be similar to that of bone).
Analysis of 9 samples of hair obtained from un-
exposed subjects living in the Warsaw and London
areas gave mean concentrations of stable Pb and
10Pb of 10 yg/g, and 0.034 pCi/g hair, respec-
tively; the corresponding values for bone as pub-
lished previously by Hill and Jaworowski (1961)
were 6.2 and 0.026. For the calculation of Pb
in bone, the proportions between the mean concen-
trations in hair and bone were therefore 1.63 for
stable Pb and 1.31 for Pb. Measurements of the
Pb concentration in hair samples, from 57 U
miners of a Polish mine gave a range of 0.34-3.72
pCi/g hair, mean 1.42 ± 0.93; this mean concentra-
tion of 210pb was ^-50 times higher than in an
unexposed population. The 21 Op}, content of the
hair depended on the duration of the underground
work. The mean Pb concentration in the hair of
men working >10 yr underground was 2.5 times high-
er than in those working <10 yr (1.83 ± 0.96 and
0.73 ± 0.33 pCi/g, respectively. The 210Pb con-
centration was lower in the hair of older subjects
than in younger ones. Based on an av ^lOpj, con-
centration of 1.42 pCi/g in hair of miners (av for
all groups of ages and duration of underground
work) and a hair-bone ratio of 1.31, the mean
Pb level in the bones of miners was calculated
as 1.08 pCi/g of wet bone, and for the longer
working group, 1.4 pCi/g of bone.
Since inhaled 21"Pb is deposited first in the
lung and lymph nodes, the author concludes that
the lymphatic nodes constitute the critical organ
of U miners for the nuclide, and for the unexposed
population, the skeleton. As based on the mea-
sured concentrations of RaD in the U mine air and
in the hair of the miners it was calculated that
the mean radiation-dose rate in the mediastinum
lymph nodes and the skeleton is 277 and 100 mrems/
wk respectively. It was also calculated that
62.5% of the RaD burden in the skeleton origi-
nat-ed from the RaD in U mine air, 35.0% from
Ra and 2.8% from natural contaminations.
2729 Johnstone, R.T. (Los Angeles, Calif.):
CLINICAL INORGANIC LEAD INTOXICATION. Ar-
chives of Environmental Health 8:250-55
(Feb.), 1964.
Certain misconceptions regarding Pb intoxication
are discussed in detail on the basis of personal
experience. Although the incidence of occupation-
al Pb intoxication has greatly declined in the
US, the occurrence of the gastrointestinal type of
plumbism is still fairly frequent. The number of
such cases occurring annually is not known due to
inaccurate diagnosis and to the inefficient system
of reporting occupational diseases. Although Pb
intoxication occurs most frequently in small
plants, it is incurred also in plants of nationally
known industries. Industrially induced Pb intoxi-
cation is not difficult to diagnose, although there
are few objective findings upon examination. The
symptom which causes the patient to consult his
physician is the intestinal colic. In establish-
ing the history of exposure, not only occupational
contact, but also home and any other source of ex-
posure must be explored. The gastrointestinal
type of Pb poisoning is usually not associated
with peripheral neuritis, tremor or wrist drop.
It is often cured solely by withdrawal from expo-
sure. To relieve the pain of more severe colic,
Ca gluconate iv is recommended. The author cau-
tions against the use of chelating agents in the
milder cases; these are indicated in severe intoxi-
cation, but only after a renal profile has been
obtained. He also dispels the older beliefs of
sequelae of Pb poisoning under the present-day
usual conditions of exposure on the basis of sound
epidemiologic studies.
In discussing laboratory findings as a diagnos-
tic component, it is emphasized that Pb analysis
in blood and urine be done in a laboratory quali-
fied to do so and that the results be viewed ju-
diciously for chance error; that the presence of
basophilic stippled cells does not vouch for the
existence of intoxication. Finally, it is impor-
tant that the physician should differentiate be-
tween Pb absorption and Pb intoxication; that no
diagnosis should rest on laboratory tests alone,
and that the interpretation of results should be
made only by a physician. Control and prevention
of Pb poisoning requires supervision by an experi-
enced physician and by effective engineering and
industrial hygiene.
2730 Kalic-FilipoviS, D. , Dodifi, S., and Vida-
kovic, A. (Inst. Ind. Med. Belgrade,
Yugoslavia)^: Hematoloski poremecaji u
toku hronicnog trovanja olovom. (HEMATO-
LOGIC CHANGES IN CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.)
Medicinski Glasnik 18:72-5 (Mar.-Apr.),
1964.
Among 80 hospitalized chronic Pb poisoning cases
(typographers, storage battery workers, painters,
and workers of several other trades) 18.5% showed
no changes in the blood picture; 37% were affected
by anemia, 16.7% by leukopenia, 9.2% by leukocyto-
sis, 16.7% by lymphomonocytosis, 1.9% by polynu-
cleosis. Pb poisoning was established on the ba-
sis of numbers of erythrocytes, leukocytes, baso-
philic stippling, reticulocytes, leukocytic for-
mula, and % hemoglobin.
2731 Kar, A. (Government of West Bengal, Cal-
cutta, India): A RARE CASE OF LEAD PALSY
IN AN UNUSUAL OCCUPATION. Industrial med-
icine and Surgery 33:884-5 (Dec.), 1964.
The case described is that of a 50-yr-old man,
resident of Howrah, West Bengal, who had been en-
gaged >20 yr in the reclamation of traces of Au
and Ag from the trade wastes of goldsmiths. As
is usually done, he did the work in his home, in
1 of the 2 rooms of a tenement where he lived
534
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
with his wife and 10 children. There was of
course no exhaust over the furnace and the family
normally occupied the room where the work was
done. The waste products were washed with water
and then placed in an earthen pot furnace together
with lime, Pb and charcoal, with air being blown
through the furnace. In this process all metals
present with the exception of Au form a Pb amal-
gam, and the remaining Au is recovered from the
bottom of the furnace. This is repeated several
times until all traces of Au are removed. The
work was done usually 10-15 days/mo, with active
monthly exposure to Pb fumes amounting to ^30-45
hr/mo, excluding the chronic exposure from fumes
remaining in the room after the furnace was
stopped.
Beginning in 19^7, the man had attacks of acute
constipation. In 1960 he was hospitalized with
severe abdominal colics, and Pb poisoning was di-
agnosed. After an injection of atropine and a
saline enema on the 1st day, he was given iv in-
jections of Ca gluconate and oral doses of vita-
min B-complex. His symptoms disappeared and he
was discharged from the hospital after a month. A
short time later, an increasing weakness developed
in his hands and he became unable to extend his
fingers. Physical findings included loss of
weight, anemia, constipation, tremor and muscular
atrophy. The porphyrin test was negative but his
blood contained 11 mg Pb/100 ml, 2.3% stippled
erythrocytes, Hb, 128 g and erythrocytes, 4 mil-
lion/mm .
2732 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): NOR-
MAL METABOLISM OF LEAD. Archives of En-
vironmental Health 8:232-5 (Feb.), 1964.
The first finding of investigations, conducted
during the past 30 yr into the sources of Pb to
which the population of the US is exposed, re-
vealed that all persons investigated were ex-
creting Pb in their urine. This led to investiga-
tions of the environment, beginning with food and
beverages, feces, urine and tissues of seemingly
"normal" populations. Also, in order to determine
whether this environment was due to industrial and
technologic developments, corresponding investiga-
tions were carried out in a primitive part of the
Western Continent. The same general facts were
found to be true under the conditions of primitive
life, with only a moderate decrease in their
quantitative data. Subsequently, a series of bal-
ance experiments with human subjects was under-
taken in the Kettering Laboratory. Experiments
were carried out under normal conditions and later
the metabolic effects of the addition of measured
quantities of Pb in the diet or in the respired
air on the input and output of Pb was measured in
15 subjects over a period of weeks, months and
years. Since the results of these studies have
been presented in the Harben Lectures in 1960 (see
Journal of the Royal Institute of Public Health
and Hygiene 24:81-97 (Apr.), 1961), only a summary
is given here. i'he average or normal adult in-
gests with his food and beverages quantities of Pb
varying from somewhat <0.1 mg to somewhat <0.6
mg/day and occasionally, due to an excessive con-
tamination of an item, up to several mg/day. The
mean quantity of Pb ingested by 10 experimental
subjects ranged from 0.12-0.35 mg Pb/day. The
concentration of Pb in the ambient atmosphere of a
a.,number of cities in the,US varies from 1-5 yg/
m , with somewhat <2 yg/m in Cincinnati.
The respiratory intake of Pb by the average nor-
mal adult in a city as Cincinnati was calculated
to be of the order of 30-40 yg/day; of this, 70-
75% is discharged in the expired air, and probably
only 25-30%, at most not more than 50% is retained
in the lung and absorbed. This makes the total
intake of Pb from food, beverages and air of the
order of 0.33 mg/day. Most of this intake is
eliminated in the feces, the mean Pb content of
the feces being ^0.3 mg/day and the mean in the
urine ^0.03 mg/day. There is considerable varia-
tion from individual to individual, from day to
day and even hour to hour. Necropsies have shown
that Pb occurs in low concentrations in all soft
tissues including the brain (0.04-0.28 mg/100 g
fresh liver) while the highest concentrations are
found in the skeleton (0.67-3.59 mg/100 g).
The available evidence provides little reason
for believing that there is a progressive increase
in the Pb content of the human body with age under
strictly "normal" environmental conditions. Ex-
perimental evidence does suggest that there are
relatively brief periods (as compared with a life-
time) during which such an increase may occur,
that there are other periods during which there
is a decrease, and that these periods tend to al-
ternate, under somewhat variable environmental
conditions, throughout life. If, therefore, there
is a general trend toward progressive increase, it
is slight and ill defined, being masked by the
effects of the environmental variability.
2733 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): ME-
TABOLISM OF LEAD UNDER ABNORMAL CONDI-
TIONS. Archives of Environmental Health
8:235-43 (Feb.), 1964.
Investigations of the absorption, excretion and
retention of Pb under occupational and other con-
ditions involving the exposure of man to unusual
quantities of Pb are discussed. Both the inci-
dence and the severity of occupational Pb poison-
ing were found to be related directly to the in-
tensity and duration of the exposure, as revealed
by the excretion of Pb in the urine. Subsequent-
ly, the severity of occupational exposure was
found to be related even more precisely to the Pb
concentration in blood. A sharp demarcation line
could be discerned between safe and dangerous
types of occupational exposure to Pb. When the
individual excretes in the urine >0.15 mg Pb/1 or
when the Pb concentration in the blood ^0.08 mg/
100 g, the individual has absorbed a potentially
dangerous quantity of Pb. (The precision of the
analytical method used was ±0.01 mg/100 g of whole
blood for samples of not <10 g.)
Experiments were designed in the Kettering Lab-
oratory in which healthy adults were subjected to
exposure of Pb under carefully controlled condi-
tions. The ingestion of Pb was studied in 4 sub-
jects who were given with their diet (which con-
tained ±0.3 mg Pb/day) Pb quantities (usually as
nitrate, for short periods as chloride or acetate)
of 0.3, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg/day, respectively,
divided into 3 doses to be taken with each meal.
Daily ingestion of a sufficient quantity of a so-
lution of a Pb salt resulted promptly in an in-
Man
535
-------
crease in the concentration of Pb in the urine
and to a lesser extent in the blood, with a pro-
portionally corresponding increase in the Pb con-
centration in the body tissues (body burden) . At
the end of 4 yr, the ingestion of 1.0 mg Pb daily,
in aqueous solution, in addition to that in the
diet, has not resulted in a dangerous degree of
absorption of Pb, the mean concentration in the
urine at that time being 0.08 mg/1 and in the
blood, O.u46 mg/100 g. The Pb accumulation in the
body during this period amounted to ^118 mg. Af-
ter ingestion of 2.0 mg Pb daily (added to that
in the diet) for 2 yr in another subject the Pb
levels in urine and blood were 0.11 mg/1 and
0.065 mg/100 g, respectively. At the end of 4
mo, the ingestion of 3.0 mg Pb daily had in-
creased the Pb levels in urine and blood to 0.08
mg/1 and 0.05 mg/100 g, respectively. Based on
extrapolation of the rates of increase, the po-
tentially dangerous level of 0.08 mg Pb/100 g
blood would be reached by daily ingestion of a
total of 3.27 mg Pb/day for 8 mo, or of 2.35 mg/
day in 4 yr, or of 1.27 mg in ^8 yr. The effect
of daily ingestion of 0.6 mg Pb cannot be as-
sessed with satisfactory precision because of the
nearness of the results to the limits of error of
the experimental procedures. But it may reason-
ably be concluded that a potentially dangerous
concentration of Pb in the blood under such con-
dition would not be arrived at within a lifetime.
At the termination of the experimental ingestion
of Pb in the larger doses (1-3 nig/day), the rate
of loss of Pb accumulated in the body depended
more on the length of time of the accumulation
than on the quantity accumulated. The time re-
quired for elimination of the accumulated Pb was
at least twice the time required for its accumu-
lation.
In another series of experiments, healthy human
subjects were exposed to an atmosphere containing
Pb sesquioxide. These experiments were under-
taken to determine the effects of dosage, of the
size of particles dispersed, of the chemical com-
position of the dispersed compounds and of the
duration of exposure on the retention of the par-
ticles within the respiratory tract. The follow-
ing general results were obtained: Retention of
Pb was ^35 ± 2% at a mean particle size of 0.05
p, 54% at 0.75 u, down to 43, 45 and 53% (in 3
subjects, respectively) at 0.9-1.2 u- The Pb con-
centration in the urine increased promptly in
these experiments and after several months reached
a peak above which it did not go subsequently.
At an atmospheric concentration of 0.075 mg Pb/m ,
the stabilized Pb level in the urine approximated
0.048 mg/1; at about twice this atmospheric con-
centration, the plateau was at 0.071 mg/1. The
Pb concentration in the blood in both instances
was 0.04 mg/100 g of whole blood. No demonstrable
portion of the inhaled Pb was deposited in the
upper respiratory tract and diverted therefrom in-
to the alimentary tract when the mean diameter of
the particles was in the low range. When a signi-
ficant proportion of the particles was >1 p in
diameter, the amount of Pb excreted in the feces
was well in excess of that introduced by food and
beverages consumed, which indicates that Pb de-
rived from the air was absorbed from the respira-
tory and alimentary tract. The potential hazards
associated with regular ingestion of Pb on one
hand and with intermittent respiratory exposure
on the other hand are discussed. The highest con-
centration in the blood of any subject, following
respiratory exposure to air containing 0.15 mg
Pb/m for 37.5 hr/wk, over 102 wk was 0.45 mg/100
g (0.74 mg/1 in the urine).
Observations at necropsy are limited mostly to
analyses of the tissues of fatally poisoned chil-
dren. The clinical severity of the intoxication
in these cases varies not so much with the total
quantity of Pb in the body (body burden) , as with
the concentration of Pb in the soft tissues which
is related to the immediate dosage and speed of
absorption. The concentration of Pb in the brain
in fatal encephalopathy may range from 0.2-0.6
mg/100 g. That of the skeleton in fatal Pb in-
toxication may be increased 20- to 30-fold and,
as the result of the recent absorption of abnor-
mal quantities of Pb, the concentrations in the
flat bone exceeds that of the long bone; this is
directly opposite to the relationship found under
usual environmental conditions.
2734 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): TET-
RAMETHYLLEAD AS SUBSTITUTE FOR TETRAETHYL-
LEAD. USE IN GASOLINE FROM THE ASPECT OF
RELATIVE HAZARD. Archives of Environmen-
tal Health 8:296 (Feb.), 1964.
A preliminary investigation was conducted over a
period of months to determine the effects on work-
men of TML, used as an antiknock agent in motor
gasoline in place of TEL. The results of these
tests demonstrated that no significant hazard had
been introduced by the use of TML over the period
of time involved in the investigation. When, sub-
sequently, TML went into commercial use, repre-
sentative groups of the personnel engaged in the
several operations were investigated clinically
and from the aspect of Pb content in urine and
blood. This investigation was published in the
Archives of Environmental Health 6:239-54; 255-72
(Feb.), 1963.
2735 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): AN
ILLUSTRATION OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE. Ar-
chives of Environmental Health 8:378-83
(Mar.), 1964.
A brief consideration of early investigations and
certain policies and procedures instituted in
1926 by the distributor and manufacturer of TEL,
in cooperation with the United States Public
Health Service, is presented. After a tragic
start in 1924, the situation called for the in-
vestigation of toxicologic facts to be obtained
by animal experimentation, including the magni-
tude of the lethal dose of TEL as compared with
those of well-known inorganic Pb compounds, the
nature of the potential human hazard and the
speed of absorption.
After this information was acquired, all opera-
tions that involved human contact with, or haz-
ardous exposure to TEL, were subjected to thorough
hygienic control. Careful consideration was given
to the development of a pattern of operations to
which the essential hygienic regimen could be ap-
plied, and provision was made for effective means
of detecting and correcting promptly any faults.
Control of the problems in transportation of TEL
536
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
included the use of special containers, distinct
labeling and special handling. The number of
sites at which TEL was to be mixed with gasoline
was limited to a minimum and detailed instruc-
tions for the mixing procedures were issued. No
case of TEL poisoning has ever occurred in con-
nection with these mixing operations in the US and
Canada, nor in any country where this regimen has
been followed consistently.
When, after some years, an unanticipated hazard
in connection with the handling of Pb gasoline
appeared in the refineries and storage plants
(men engaged in cleaning and repairing storage
tanks for Pb gasoline were found to be subjected
to hazardous exposure to TEL and its decomposi-
tion products), adequate precautionary measures
were devised. Where these precautions were ap-
plied faithfully, no further cases of poisoning
developed. In addition, detailed operating man-
uals were distributed, which from time-to-time
are reviewed and brought up-to-date. Compliance
with the instructions of the manuals was closely
supervised. Responsible authorities in other
countries were constantly advised of all hygienic
facts and a satisfactory international program of
industrial medicine and hygiene was accomplished.
The services of competent medical consultants are
engaged in each country where the product is
used, who act for the industry in seeing that the
hygienic regulations and practices are complied
with. A significant feature of the hygienic pol-
icy of this industry has been that of sanction-
ing the publication of medical and hygienic in-
formation for the benefit of the profession, so
as to spread the full knowledge of occupational
hazards to students and practitioners of occupa-
tional medicine and hygiene.
2736 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. of Cincinnati, 0.):
PROPER EVALUATION OF LEAD POISONING.
Letters to the Editor. Journal of the
American Medical Association 189:331
(July 27), 1964.
This letter was written in answer to M. Rubin's
reply in Questions and Answers: Chelation in the
diagnosis of lead poisoning. (Journal of the
American Medical Association 188:478 (May 4),
1964.) Dr. Kehoe is sharply critical of the reply
itself as well as of the fact that this question
was referred to a person who is not a physician.
A diagnosis cannot be made on the basis of "labo-
ratory tests for Pb poisoning" but must be based
on symptoms and physical findings, supplemented by
hematologic tests, both morphologic and biochemi-
cal. Quantitative observations on Pb relate not
to illness, but to severity of exposure in time
and intensity. The clinical pattern was further
confused by reference to "subacute" or "chronic"
Pb poisoning, and to absorption through the skin
which occurs only in the case of organo-Pb com-
pounds. Also, "Pb lines" are never found, except
in children. The "provocative" test of adminis-
tering a chelating agent is difficult to perform
and interpret and is strictly an empirical and not
a recommended procedure. It does not replace the
precise determination of the blood concentration
of Pb which, under totally undisturbed conditions,
is the most accurate and reliable index of the
"body burden" of Pb. Since medicolegal conse-
quences may be involved, questions relating to
clinical problems should not be handled by non-
physician personnel.
2737 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): METH-
ODS FOR THE PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING
IN INDUSTRY. Journal of Occupational Med-
icine 6:247-54 (June), 1964.
Dr. Kehoe points out that although Pb poisoning
has been known for many centuries, laymen still
know virtually nothing about it and comparatively
few physicians outside of industry have had any
experience that would qualify them to diagnose and
treat the disease, or to make a valid appraisal of
the conditions under which it occurred.
Due to the progress in industrial medicine and
hygiene in the US during the past 40 yr, the fa-
miliar types of industrial intoxication have been
brought under control in a number of industrial
establishments. There are industries in which
large quantities of Pb and its compounds are being
used in potentially dangerous operations in which
no cases of Pb poisoning, even of mildest type,
have occurred for many years.
In contrast to this are plants in which exposure
to Pb in operations that are well known to be dan-
gerous occurs practically without control and in
disregard of all principles of industrial hygiene.
The determination of the rate of Pb excretion in
urine and of the concentration of Pb in the blood
provide definitive means for establishing the ap-
proximate level of Pb absorption into the body and
for estimating the severity and hygienic signifi-
cance of an occupational exposure to Pb. By means
of systematic observations of the workmen, crite-
ria have been developed by which dangerous occupa-
tional conditions can be distinguished from those
which are safe. Methods of analysis required for
these determinations have placed this analytical
service in the hands of highly competent chemists
in specially designed laboratories. However, the
collection of satisfactory samples of blood and
of urine as well as the interpretation of the re-
sults and the handling and supervision of men
threatened by disease, are the responsibility of
the physician.
The establishment of tolerable limits of the
concentration of Pb and its compounds in the at-
mosphere of industrial plants provides at best
some "rules of thumb" in relation to degrees of
hazard, as the latter vary with the physical and
chemical characteristics of the particles dis-
persed in the air. Habits of cleanliness on the
part of the workers are necessary so as to limit
the possibility of swallowing the larger particles
of Pb to which men are exposed.
Other criteria used to maintain a check upon the
status of workers in Pb trades range from some
form of periodic physical examination to the use
of clinical laboratory tests among which micro-
scopic examination of the blood for stippling of
the erythrocytes and examination of the urine for
the presence of abnormal quantities of porphyrin
are the most common. However, none of these clin-
ical procedures should be relied upon solely in an
industry in which there is an actual hazard of Pb
poisoning. Actual prevention of occupational Pb
poisoning is delegated to the industrial hygiene
engineer and his efforts must be implemented by
Man
537
-------
management either directly, or through the medical
department. The duty of the physician in environ-
mental control is the cultivation among workmen of
the utmost in knowledgeable compliance with the
requirements of the use of respirators and other
methods of prevention of hazards.
The reasons for the continuing occurrence of Pb
poisoning in industry despite the availability of
adequate means of its prevention lie in the dif-
ferences among industries in the recognition and
practice of good industrial medicine and hygiene.
There is an even greater divergence among states
in their legislation in matters of industrial hy-
giene. Another reason for laxity in preventive
measures in many Pb-using industries is the in-
sidious and often mild character of the intoxica-
tion induced by absorption of moderate quantities
of Pb. The severe type of disease is now rela-
tively rarely seen and what has resulted in a
fairly general reduction in severity of the cases
and not in the incidence of the disease.
There is now available overwhelming evidence
that when the rate of absorption of Pb is kept
within certain well-defined limits, no intoxica-
tion occurs. Therefore, the combined armamentar-
ium of industrial medicine and hygiene can be so
applied as to eliminate Pb poisoning when the de-
termination to do so has become a general policy
of industrial management.
2738 Kehoe, R.A. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): FREE
PROTOPORPHYRIN CONTENT OF ERYTHROCYTES IN
CHRONIC TETRAETHYLLEAD POISONING. Letter
to the Editor. Lancet 2:594 (Sept.), 1964.
Referring to Gutniak's preliminary communication
"Free protoporphyrin content of erythrocytes in
chronic TEL poisoning " (Lancet 1:1137-8 (May 23),
1964), Kehoe points out that in 40 yr experience
only an acute form of TEL poisoning has become
known. More importantly, according to Gutniak, 11
patients with "chronic" TEL poisoning were drivers
or workers in car workshops. This is in contra-
diction to repetitive and detailed investigations
since 1925 in the United States of handlers of Pb
gasoline, which have failed to locate a single in-
dividual who has developed symptoms of TEL intoxi-
cation. Pb contents in the blood of 62-155 vg/100
ml, as listed by Gutniak, have not been found even
in acute fatal TEL poisoning. Indeed the concen-
tration of 50 yg of whole blood has rarely been
exceeded. The comparatively low level of blood Pb
constitutes an important distinguishing feature in
the differential diagnosis of TEL intoxication.
For this reason, there is something obviously
faulty in Gutniak's relating the findings to the
absorption of TEL.
2739 Koelsch, F. (Erlangen, Germany): Uber die
Hautresorption der organischen Blei-Ver-
bindungen. (CUTANEOUS ABSORPTION OF
ORGANIC LEAD COMPOUNDS.) Arbeitsmedizln
2:25-9 (July), 1964.
Cutaneous absorption of organic Pb compounds
from pharmacologic preparations and in industry
is discussed. Some Pb compounds are still being
used in medicine though much less frequently than
at the turn of the century. For instance, aqueous
solutions of basic Pb acetate (Plumbum aceticum),
Pb plasters with Pb oxide, and unguentum diachy-
lon or salicylic diachylon are still used. These
are innocuous if applied to the intact skin but
may be harmful to injured skin and for children
when used in excess. Tests on 25 patients with
eczema and 30 healthy controls, using unguentum
diachylon, showed that after application of
small amounts for a short period of time the
urine contained no Pb or only traces; after 1 wk
application, urinary Pb amounted to 100-200 ug/1
and after i mo use, to 200-280 ug/1. No stippled
erythrocytes or porphyrin were found (Hermann,
dissertation, 1939 to 1943; Schmid, J., 1939; and
Schmid, R., 1938, 1940). In a 2nd series of tests,
when normal or salicylic diachylon was applied to
5 and 10 healthy individuals, respectively, aver-
age urinary Pb after 24 hr application was 115-
148 ug/1 and up to 268 yg after 48 hr applica-
tion. The perspiration contained 17 and 20 yg%
Pb, respectively. Pb penetrated through the
epidermis via the cutis into the deeper layer,
forming deposits of very fine grey-brown granules.
One of the cited authors pointed out that though
urinary Pb excretion was generally below the harm-
ful threshold, damage to organs and fetus after
excessive doses may occur.
Koelsch then reports a case from his own ex-
perience: A worker from a chemical plant who was
hospitalized because of severe corrosion of the
skin, complained of colic, constipation and
anorexia; after 7 wk his erythrocyte count was
low, hemoglobin 60%, with increased stippled
erythrocytes, increased coproporphyrin and slight
liver damage. The syndrome was explained as an
autointoxication from resorption of decomposed
protein. Then it was reported that for 25 yr
previously the patient had been an automobile
driver and during this time had been continuously
exposed to leaded gasoline. The suggestion was
advanced that a "latent Pb deposit" had formed
which, due to the corrosion trauma and maybe ex-
cessive alcohol consumption, had been mobilized.
But the final explanation was the fact that the
wounds had been treated every 3 days with dia-
chylon ointment containing 13% Pb oxide, for a
total of 22 days. Koelsch states that with re-
gard to indemnity, the accident had been caused
by corrosion and the moderate Pb intoxication
due to the treatment was only temporary. Effects
by Pb-containing cosmetics are negligible today.
Cutaneous absorption of Pb in industry may
occur by contact with Pb soaps, Pb stearate and
naphthenate, and Pb alkyls. The literature re-
lating to these hazards is reviewed and the im-
portance of protective clothing particularly for
workers engaged in the mixing of Pb alkyls, is
pointed out.
2740 Konchalovskaya, N.M., and Zorina, L.A.
(Acad. Med. Sci., USSR): Izmeneniya
sistemy krovi pri nekotorykh profes-
sional 'nykh intoksikatsiyakh. (BLOOD
CHANGES IN SEVERAL OCCUPATIONAL POISON-
INGS.) In Trudy 1-go Moskovskogo
(Ordena Lenina) Meditsinskogo Instituta
imeni I.M. Sechenova, E.M. Tareev, ed.
28:148-59, 1964.
Thirteen cases are presented, of which 4 involved
Pb: (1) a 29-yr-old man who developed a hemolytic
process 4 yr after exposure to small amounts of
538
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Pb as a linotypist. Pb was not detected in urine
except after administration of CaNa2EDTA, when
excretion was 0.04 mg/1; coproporphyrin (CP) , 2+.
(2) A 31-yr-old brass worker with 4-yr exposure
to Pb. When seen, he exhibited a hemolytic syn-
drome. (Stippled cells in blood, 2-3/field; CP
in urine, 4+, Pb, 0.01 mg/1). Positive reaction
to urobilin. These 2 cases are concluded to be
an acquired form of hemolytic anemia developing
from Pb poisoning. The 2 other atypical cases
were: (1) a 25-yr-old female worker in a storage
battery factory with 7 yr contact with Pb who in
addition to the usual signs of Pb poisoning
(reticulocytosis, basophilic stippling, urinary
Pb elimination, 0.1-0.25 mg/1, CP, 2+, spastic
colitis, dyskinesia, asthenovegetative syndrome,
exhibited a hepatolienal syndrome with incipient
deficiency of liver function. (2) A 49-yr-old
chauffeur who used as fuel a mixture of TEL-
containing gasoline and benzene (50-75%) . In him
typical changes in the blood appeared, leading to
a hemorrhagic syndrome at the climax of the ill-
ness which subsequently led to a typical "Verl1-
gof" syndrome. The diagnosis at the 1st hospital-
ization was severe benzene poisoning. The author
remarks that the reason for the atypical courses
of illness is not clear, but may depend on indi-
vidual susceptibility to low concentrations of
poisonous substances; the role of the complex
action of a number of industrial chemicals cannot
be excluded.
2741 Kondo, H. (Keio Univ. School of Med.,
Tokyo, Japan): THE SCREENING LEVEL OF
LEAD INTOXICATION AMONG LEAD WORKERS.
Japanese Journal of Public Health 11, No.
14:901-4, 1964.
The diagnosis of occupational Pb poisoning in
Japan is based on the determination of urinary co-
proporphyrin (CP), stippled erythrocytes and spe-
cific gravity of whole blood. In order to estab-
lish a screening level between Pb absorption and
Pb poisoning, a statistical analysis was made on
Pb-poisoned and normal subjects. It was decided
that positive urinary CP, an increase of stippled
erythrocytes >0.5%, and a reduction of the specif-
ic gravity of the whole blood <1.0540 are reason-
able criteria for the diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
(From Excerpta Medica, Sect. 17, ll:Abstr. No.
3116, 1965)
2742 Kovnatskii, M.A., Vasil'eva, V.A., Velik-
son, I.M., Kogan, A.G., Konikova, G.S.,
Kuz'minskaya, G.N., and Cherednichenko,
L.K. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup. Diseases,
Leningrad, USSR): Materialy o vliyanii
svintsa na razvitie ateroskleroticheskogo
protsessa. (INFLUENCE OF LEAD ON THE
DEVELOPMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS.) Gigiena
Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya 8,
No. 12:6-12, 1964.
i.s the significance of noxious substances in the
forking environment in the development of athero-
sclerosis has not been sufficiently defined, the
luthors undertook the examination of 63 workers (35
romen and 28 men) who had had long exposure to Pb.
"he maximum age was 40, so as to exclude changes
ue to aging, and more than 1/2 were 30 yr old.
tost of them had worked at torch cutting and weld-
ing, and more than 1/2 had been exposed to Pb for
<5 yr. Chronic intoxication by Pb was diagnosed
in 44. Among them were persons in the initial
stages of poisoning as evidenced by an astheno-
vegetative syndrome and changes in the peripheral
blood. Ten had Pb colic with anemia, a number of
them showed bone-marrow changes. Six exhibited en-
larged and damaged liver, 4 of whom had increased
blood cholesterol levels, and lowered antitoxic
function of the liver, and 1, a lowered prothrom-
bin content of the blood. Nineteen workers showed ,
no symptoms of Pb poisoning.
In 9 of the 63 persons, diagnosis of myocardial
dystrophy was made. The arterial blood pressure
was normal in most cases. Although pathologic EKG
changes were found in only 9, they were interpreted
to point to serious disturbance of the myocardium.
EKG's were normal in those showing no symptoms.
Heart index, determined on 47, 31 of whom had Pb
poisoning (by mechanocardiography) was increased
at rest or showed insufficient rise after physical
work in 22 (13 with poisoning). Plethysmography
on the same number as above, showed changes in only
9. Changes in the capillary tension (studied on 49
(35 with intoxication)) were seen in 37. The above
changes were attributed to disturbed nervous reg-
ulation. X rays, done on 10 patients with poison-
ing, showed no changes in the abdominal aorta.
Total cholesterol, determined on 49, was elevated
in those exposed to Pb as compared with 15 controls
not employed in industries. Levels of cholesterol,
unbound or loosely bound with proteins were in-
creased, and the ratio of phospholipids to choles-
terol was decreased. The changes were more pro-
nounced in persons with Pb poisoning.
In animal experiments, atheroclerosis was induced
in rabbits by daily feeding of 600 mg cholesterol
for 3.5 mo, whereupon the animals were sacrificed.
Pb poisoning was by daily administration of 0.025
g Pb acetate (10% solution)/kg body weight for 4
wk, then, after an interval of 3-4 wk, for another
12 days. One group of untreated rabbits served as
controls; Group 1 received cholesterol; Group 2,
cholesterol + Pb; Group 3, Pb alone. The choles-
terol level of the blood of rabbits of Group 1 was
313 mg% at the beginning and 611 mg% after 3.5 mo.
In Group 2 the final value was 790 mg%. In Group
3, the cholesterol level did not differ markedly
from initial values. Total lipids were increased
in Group 1 and 2, especially in the latter. In
Group 3 the aorta lipids were increased only slight-
ly. In Group 1, atherosclerotic changes in the
aorta, heart and kidneys, were found and these
changes were more severe in Group 2 while in Group
3, the aorta walls and large arteries of the heart
and kidneys were not damaged. Focal hemorrhages
were observed in the myocardium.
The authors point out the fact that atheroscler-
osis may occur relatively early and assume a severe
course in persons exposed to Pb for an extended
period ,of time.
2743 Koziolowa-Lipska, H., and Gutniakowa, 0.
(1st Clin. of Internal Diseases (AM), War-
saw, Poland): Wydalanie porfiryn i ich
prekursordw z moczem u osob narazonych na
przewj!ekie wchZanianie o^owiu i jego zwi-
azkow. (URINARY EXCRETION OF PORPHYRINS
Man
539
-------
2743 AND THEIR PRECURSORS IN SUBJECTS EXPOSED
TO CHRONIC ABSORPTION OF LEAD AND ITS COM-
POUNDS.) Polskie Archiwum Medycyny
Wewnetrznej 34, No. 9:1213-22, 1964.
Urinary ALA, porphobllinogen, coproporphyrin (CP)
and urinary porphyrin were determined in 41 sub-
jects exposed to Pb and its compounds. Those ex-
posed to TEL showed disorders of the central nerv-
ous system and usually a high Pb level in the
blood, but no rise in urinary ALA excretion. Indi-
viduals exposed to inorganic Pb compounds showed
an increase in certain heme precursors in the
urine. The increase in urinary ALA was usually
associated with an increase of CP while porpho-
bilinogen was normal or only slightly elevated.
A certain correlation was noted between the elevat-
ed excretion of ALA and changes in the gastroin-
testinal tract and the peripheral blood counts.
There was no correlation between the urinary out-
put of ALA and the nervous symptoms. Treatment
with CaNajEDTA decreased urinary excretion of ALA
to normal when determined 4 days after termination
of the treatment.
2744 Krotkiewski, A., Juskowa, J., and Kozi-
olowa, H. (1st Clin. of Internal Diseases
(AM), Warsaw, Poland): Zmiany elektrokar-
diograficzne u chorych z olowica. (ELEC-
TROCAEDIOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN PATIENTS WITH
LEAD POISONING.) Polskie Archiwum Medy-
cyny Wewnetrznej 34, No. 9:1223-8, 1964.
The electrocardiograms of 300 patients with Pb
poisoning were compared with those of 291 individ-
uals with no exposure to Pb. The conclusion was
drawn that Pb does not damage the heart directly.
The statistically significant prevalence of abnor-
mal electrocardiograms in the Pb patients is be-
lieved to have been due to arteriosclerosis since
they occurred only in persons 46 years and older.
The authors consider it possible that Pb acceler-
ates and increases arteriosclerosis.
2745 Kvirikadze, N.A. (Acad. Sci., Georgian
SSR): Khimicheskaya forma margantsa,
svintsa, medi, serebra, tsinka, titana i
nikelya v zlokachestvennoi opukholi moche-
vogo puzyrya. (CHEMICAL FORM OF MANGA-
NESE, LEAD, COPPER, SILVER, ZINC, TITANI-
UM, AND NICKEL IN MALIGNANT TUMORS OF THE "
URINARY BLADDER. Soobshcheniya Akademii
Nauk Gruzlnskoi SSR 35, No. 3:579-86,
1964.
Finding no data in the literature on the chemical
form of the trace elements mentioned in the title,
as they occur in urinary bladder tumors, the au-
thor investigated by electrodialysis 9 surgically
removed malignant tumors and 8 healthy bladders
removed at autopsy. The results showed that in
healthy tissue Cu, Ni, and Zn were bound in the
organic substances, and in the malignant, Cu and
Ni were transformed into the ionic form. Zn was
present in both forms in equal amounts in both
types of tissue. This is stated to result from
the lowered capacity of organic substance of tumor
tissue to combine with the trace elements under
investigation. In malignant tumors the ratio of
the chemical forms of Ag, Pb, Mn and Ti did not
change. In healthy tissue and in tumors, Ag was
predominantly bound in the organic components, Ti
and Mn were mainly found in the ionic, and Pb was
present in equal amounts in both forms. (The con-
centrations of Pb found in tumors were: 1.9 ±
0.25 mg% ash in bound, 1.9 ± 0.36 in ionic form;
in healthy bladder, 1.7 ± 0.17 and 1.77 ± 0.15
mg%, respectively.
In earlier work (1963), the author had found
that the amount of Ag in blood and in tumors was
increased, that of Pb was increased in blood and
had a tendency to increase in tumors. He inter-
prets these increased concentrations of Ag and Pb
as follows: it is known that these metals exert
a toxic action on almost all enzymes and block the
sulfhydryl groups of the protein molecules. There
are also literature data that tumors and blood of
patients with malignancies contain lower amounts
of sulfhydryl groups. Therefore, Ag and Pb could
play a role in the pathogenesis of malignant tu-
mors, particularly of the urinary bladder, by a
blockage of sulfhydryl groups of proteins. The
change in Cu bonding is assumed to impair the ac-
tivity of Cu-containing enzymes.
2746 Lane, R.E. (Univ. Manchester, England):
HEALTH CONTROL IN INORGANIC LEAD INDUS-
TRIES. A FOLLOW-UP OF EXPOSED WORKERS.
archives of Environmental Health 8:243-50
(Feb.), 1964.
Three points are discussed in this paper: (1)
what legislation has achieved in the Pb industries
in the 20th century in Great Britain; (2) the
question at which level protection should be
pitched and the need of follow-up studies; (3) the
requirement of extension of legislative control of
the British Pb industries.
Although the use of Pb has increased, the num-
uer of notified cases of Pb poisoning has steadily
declined throughout the 1st half of this century.
Smelting of Pb is still a hazardous job. However,
Pb poisoning has disappeared in the pottery, paint
and printing industry. Due to medical supervision
and improved techniques, Pb intoxications have
been eliminated in 90% of the storage battery in-
dustries while cases still occur in the other 10%
of industry which does not employ modern methods
and supervision. Some hazard exists in the auto-
mobile industry and in ship-breaking (torch cut-
ters) . It is pointed out that the statistics in-
clude only notified cases of Pb poisoning, ie,
of persons experiencing a toxic episode; this does
not include the "slightly poisoned" man who con-
tinues to work and whose condition may remain un-
detected unless he is cared for by an alert fac-
tory physician. The author believes that from
this group come cases of chronic nephritis, cere-
bral hemorrhage and premature death, due to Pb.
Chronic nephritis has long been accepted in Great
Britain as a long-term result of plumbism for the
purpose of compensation. Australian studies have
shown that a relationship exists between con-
tracted kidney and Pb content of bone. This fact
is confirmed by the author's experience 12 yr ago,
when he reported 9 deaths from renal failure in a
group of 150 Pb workers who had been exposed for
long periods to high levels of Pb absorption (0.5
mg/m ). A study was made among pensioners from Pb
industries to determine (1) whether their life
expectancy was different from that of the general
population and related to the degree of exposure;
540
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
(2) if so, what diseases accounted for the dif-
ference. An excess of deaths from vascular le-
sions affecting the central nervous system was
noted. Furthermore, the occurrence of vascular
lesions appeared to be associated with the degree
and duration of exposure. It must, however, be
considered that these pensioners had still worked
under the old bad conditions and later during war-
time. Further follow-ups are necessary to prove
that present conditions are safe (as the author
believes they are). Control measures should in-
clude (1) new standards for the interpretation of
degrees of Pb absorption; (2) suitable biological
control examinations and extended environmental
and biological control by legislation. A healthy
Pb worker, exposed to increased Pb absorption,
should exhibit a blood Pb <80 yg/100 ml; urinary
Pb <150 yg/1; hemoglobin (Hb) >13 g (90%); punc-
tate basophils <10,000/10°; coproporphyrin (CP)
500 pg/1. In the danger area, these values are,
respectively: >80; >200; <13 g or falling; 5-
20.000/106; 800 yg/1. According to the author's
view, the CP test is too sensitive for most indus-
trial situations. He prefers assessment by blood
examination and urinary Pb whereby serial Hb val-
ues are most valuable. The estimation of Hb in
all Pb workers in prescribed occupations, at regu-
lar intervals, is required by law in Great Brit-
ain as a screening operation. Men with high Pb
absorption should be deleaded while still at work
and removed to a less hazardous job.
2747 Lange, J. (Univ. Bonn, Germany): Zur
Chemotherapie von Schwermetailspeicher-
ungen und -vergiftungen. (CHEMOTHERAPY
OF POISONING BY HEAVY METALS AND OF THEIR
ACCUMULATIONS IN THE BODY. Proceedings
of the 3rd International Congress of
Chemotherapy, Stuttgart, July 22-27, 1963.
Stuttgart, Georg Thieme, 1964, pp. 1313-8.
The chemotherapy of heavy metal poisoning with
chelating agents was discussed on the basis of 41
references. For the treatment of industrial Pb
poisoning, iv injection of CaNa2EDTA is recom-
mended. D-Penicillamine is less effective in mo-
oilizing Pb but has the advantage of oral applica-
tion and less toxicity; it seems particularly
suitable for prophylaxis.
2748 Larizza, P. (Univ. Perugia, Italy): Ane-
mie sideroacrestiche. (SIDEROACHRESTIC
ANEMIA.) Minerva Medica 55:2074-31
(June), 1964.
This is a discussion of the biosynthesis of pro-
toporphyrin in normal persons and in those with
erythropoietic porphyria, and in Pb poisoning.
ALA is eliminated in the urine as a consequence
of the poisoning of the enzymes which should con-
vert it to porphyrobilinogen. Other types of en-
zyme poisoning which lead to anemia, and results
of treatment with deferrioxamine are also dis-
cussed. (24 references)
2749 Lattimer, J.K. (Columbia Univ., New York):
EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENT ON GENITOURINARY
TRACT. Archives of Environmental Health
9:8-13 (July), 1964.
Lattimer, J.K. (Columbia Univ., New York):
EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT ON GENITOURINARY
TRACT. Archives of Environmental Health
9:8-13 (July), 1964.
Some of the environmental effects, resulting from
changed living conditions of the 20th century, are
presented as they impinge on the genitourinary
tract, in the order of their frequency: trauma;
changes in bacterial flora by antibiotics, and
effects of new drugs (relaxants, tranquilizers);
chemicals (limited to 2 brief paragraphs including
the statement "industrial exposure to such chem-
icals as Hg, Pb, U, Ba, borate, arsenate, F, and
iodide may all cause renal toxicity if absorbed
in significant amounts"); factors in the forma-
tion of urinary stones; exposure to carcinogens;
discussion of fertility, congenital malformations,
and function in outer space. In closing, it is
stated that while the external environment has
been stressed, "the genitourinary system, like the
rest of the body, is subjected to all the stress-
ful impacts, hormonal, enzymal, etc , to which
every other system is exposed. In the over-all
picture, the harmonious response of the body to
the changes imposed by the external environment is
a major factor."
2750 Lazarini, H.J., 1'Epe'e, P., Ortscheid, G.,
and de Larrard, J.: NA propos de certaines
intoxications medicamenteuses. (APROPOS
OF CERTAIN MEDICAMENTOUS POISONINGS.)
Annales de Medicine Legale 44:353-4 (July-
Aug.), 1964.
Of the 2 cases of intoxication reported, one was
a 50-yr-old kitchen helper who, in 1960, had con-
tracted burns of the left leg by upsetting a pot
containing hot water. Examination ^2.5 yr later
showed no traces of the burns but a superficial
scar and erosions on the leg, indicating a caustic
lesion due to some cause. Upon questioning it was
learned that for >2 yr she had been using a com-
mercially available adhesive bandage containing 31%
litharge, 55% peanut oil, 9.3% resin and 4.7% soap.
The dermatitis was attributed to the litharge, the
inclusion of which in a bandage is considered to
be entirely unjustified.
2751 Loesch, D. , Darocha, T. , and Gregor, A.
(Hosp. Neurol. and Psychiat. Diseases,
Pruszkow, Poland): Rola zatrucia oj'owiem
w ujawnianiu sie ostrej przerywanej por-
firii. (ROLE OF LEAD POISONING IN THE
APPEARANCE OF ACUTE INTERMITTENT PORPHYRIA.
Neurologia, Neurochirurgia i Psychiatria
Polska 14:775-80 (Sept.-Oct.), 1964.
Treatment with vitamins and vascular dilators
was ineffective. Then adenosine-5-monophosphoric
acid (AMP) was injected at doses of 100 mg/day at
1st, and every other day after 1 wk (total dose,
2 g) . After ^10 days of treatment, gradual im-
provement started, accompanied by a decrease in
the values of urinary porphyrin and its precur-
sors (in April 1963, the previously listed values
had changed to 7.1 mg, 13.1 mg, 315 yg, and 136
yg, respectively). Although these levels still
remained abnormally high at discharge, the patient
showed no psychic or neurologic signs except a
slight degree of paresis in some parts of the
limbs, which did not impair their motions.
When penicillamine was administered following
the AMP treatment, at doses of 750 mg/day for 3
wk, the urinary porphyrin levels increased (to
21.5 mg, 44.0 mg, 410 yg, and 6314 yg, respective-
Man
541
-------
ly), but the Improved clinical condition was not
affected by this rise.
Examination of the 4 other members of the pa-
tient's family showed that 2 of them also had
abnormally high urinary porphyrin levels, but no
clinical signs or complaints. The role of the Pb
intoxication in the case described in the clinical
appearance of the congenital metabolic defect in
porphyrin metabolism is discussed.
A 53-yr-old female, employed since 1954 in a fac-
tory producing radio tubes was admitted to the
psychiatric hospital on January 6, 1963. For the
previous 2 yr she had suffered periodically from
anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. In September
1962, chills and fever had appeared, with severe
abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea, which subsided
on its own after several days. As Pb poisoning was
suspected (the exposure to Pb is not made clear by
the author), the patient was hospitalized, and a
laparotomy was performed to investigate her re-
current epigastric pain. The level of Pb in blood
serum was then 208 ug%. After the operation,
severe pain in the limbs and the back appeared, as
well as persistent constipation and a considerable
decrease in general well-being. Her repeated sui-
cidal attempts (the means of these are not given)
had necessitated transfer to the psychiatric hos-
pital. On the 2nd day there, she suddenly de-
veloped paresis with flabbiness of all limbs and
severe difficulty in breathing. The findings in-
cluded cyanosis of the lips; paresis of all limbs,
mostly in the upper parts where pronounced muscular
atrophy was observed; general weakening of the
extensor reflexes; inability to sit down unaided;
deep depression, restlessness, and insomnia.
Cerebrosplnal fluid and liver tests, as well as
X rays gave normal results. The Pb content in
blood serum was 101 yg%; the protoporphyrin level
in the red cells (determined by the method of
Schwartz and Wikoff, 1952) was 256 ug%. Analyses
of 24-hr urine, performed in February 1963, showed
the following: 6-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), 15.0
rag; porphobilinogen, 55.0 mg; coproporphyrin, 762
Ug; uroporphyrin, 1538.0 vg.
2752 Lucas, H.F., Jr., Holtzman, R.B. and
Dahlin, B.C. (Argonne Natl. Lab., 111.):
THE CONCENTRATION OF Ra226, Ra22§, Pb210,
LEAD AND FLUORIDE IN HUMAN BONE FROM INDI-
VIDUALS WITH AN OSTEOGENIC SARCOMA.
Science 144:1573-5 (June 26), 1964.
(Also US Atomic Energy Commission Document
No. ANL 6769, 1963, pp. 66-74)
The concentrations of 226Ra, 228Ra, 210Pb, stable
Pb and F were determined in bone specimens from 32
individuals, having a verified osteogenic sarcoma.
The mean value of 210Pb was 0.080 pCi/g ash and
that of stable Pb 16.1 yg/g ash. These concentrations
were not significantly different from those of
individuals without osteogenic sarcoma.
2753 McCammon, C.P., and Roberts, D.P. (Tennes-
see Dept. of Public Health, Nashville):
A COMPARISON OF LEAD OXIDE AND LEAD SILI-
CATE ABSORPTION AMONG AN INDUSTRIAL POPULA-
TION. American Industrial Hygiene Confer-
ence Abstracts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Apr. 27, 1964, p. 113.
Using spot urinary Pb samples and conventional meth-
ods of evaluating atmospheric Pb concentrations to
which industrial workers were exposed during normal
work routine, a comparison was made of the relative
toxicity of Pb silicate and Pb oxide. The data sug-
gest that Pb silicate is slightly less toxic than
Pb oxide. Due to limitations of the study, a more
definite statement could not be made.
2754 Magnus (Brussels): De electrophysiologie
van net saturnisme. (ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY OF
SATURNISM.) Journal Beige de Medecine
Physique et de Rhumatologie 19:192-5
(July-Aug.), 1964.
The electromyolographic technique described by
Giovini (Milan) was applied in 14 cases of Pb poi-
soning, after the normal curve of the anterior tib-
ial muscle had been established in 42 controls. In
the 14 cases studied, 9 showed no neurologic signs,
4 of them showed a normal EMG curve, 1 a very
slight chronaxia; 4 had relatively elevated chron-
axia, of whom 3 had complaints of fatigue and sub-
jective loss of strength. Only 1 patient showed
manifest neurologic symptoms with a pathologic
curve (paralysis).
The author concludes that the intensity/time
curve confirms the existence of a "latent" neuri-
tis in cases with Pb poisoning. The test showed
that radial impairment is due to peripheral neuro-
genic disorder as indicated by the detection of all
signs of it. "Latent neuritis" could be establish-
ed by electromyographic findings. He suggests that
further studies be done to establish the value of
these signs for early diagnosis of Pb poisoning.
2755 Maikova, O.P., and Kharakhokina, K.D.:
Opyt ispol'zovaniya obogaschennykh pektinom
pishchevykh produktov v profllakticheskom
pitanii rabochikh kontaktiruyushchikh so
svintsom. (EXPERIENCE IN THE USE OF EN-
RICHED PECTINS FROM FOOD PRODUCTS IN THE
PROPHYLACTIC NUTRITION OF PRODUCTION WORK-
ERS IN CONTACT WITH LEAD.) In Materialy
XV Nauchnoi sessii Institute pitaniya
Akademii medltsinskikh nauk SSSR. 1964
(Information on the 15th Scientific Session
of the Institute of Nutrition of the Acad-
emy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, 1964)
Moscow 2:111-12, 1964; Referativnyi
Zhurnal, Otd. Vypusk. Farmakol. Toksikol.,
1964, No. 23:54-468; Biological Abstracts
46:Abstr. No. 66375, 1965.
2756 Maljkovic, I. (Ind. Med. Center, Zadar,
Yugoslavia): Slucaj kronicnog profesio-
nalnog otrovanja olovnim stearatom i kar-
bonatom. (A CASE OF CHRONIC OCCUPATIONAL
POISONING BY LEAD STEARATE AND CARBONATE.)
Arkhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju
15:393-7, 1964.
The case described is that of a man, born in 1939,
who began work in a plastics factory in 1960, and
from 1962 had been engaged in the mixing opera-
tions with exposure to Pb stearate and carbonate.
In 1963 he was admitted to the hospital with colic
which was attributed in view of other positive
signs to Pb poisoning. It was also found that he
had poor vision. Examination of the work site
showed atmospheric Pb concentrations of 3 and 4.6
mg/m . The author attributes this incident to in-
sufficient safety measures in the factory as well
as to the worker's bad physical condition and poor
542
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
eye-sight. He urges improvement in preventive
measures in view of the increasing production of
plastics in the country.
2757 Mallein, M.L., Baron, J., Bruel, M., and
David, C. (Lyon, France): Les examens
hematologiques systematiques. Etude com-
parative des resultats. Quelques conclu-
sions pratiques. (ROUTINE HEMATOLOGICAL
EXAMINATIONS. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RE-
SULTS. SOME PRACTICAL CONCLUSIONS.) Ar-
chives des Maladies Professionnelles de
Me"3ecine du Travail et de Securite Sociale
25:599-600 (Oct.-Nov.), 1964.
Of 19,000 routine hematologic studies performed at
the Institute for Occupational Medicine in Lyon
between January 1959 and December 1963, 2343 con-
cerned cases (2242 men and 101 women) of exposure
to Pb (Group 1), the remainder of the patients
having been exposed mostly to benzene and some to
radioactivity (Group 2). When the results were
classified into normal and abnormal, 22.7% of the
men and 24% of the women exposed to Pb showed ab-
normal values. Considering all cases examined,
none of the abnormal showed any sort of aplasia of
the bone marrow. Myeloid leukemia was found in 1
case. Comparison of both groups revealed that
there were more abnormal male cases in Group 1
than in Group 2, while for the women the % was
about the same. Anomalies of the red blood cells
in benzene exposure were found in 25.2% of the
women and in 7% of the men. This anomaly occurred
in 13% Pb-exposed males compared with 7% of men
exposed to benzene. Hyperchromia was rare. Hypo-
chromia was more frequent, particularly in women
and in Pb workers (16.2% males, 37.3% females).
Numerous cases of slight thalassemia were noted.
Findings of leukocytosis and leukopenia were about
the same in the women at both risks, but in men
leukocytosis occurred more frequently than did
leukopenia. Anomalies of the polynuclear neutro-
phils were frequent; in general, neutropenia was
more frequent than polynucleosis. The % of anoma-
lies of polynuclear eosinophils was also about
equal for both sexes and risks. Basophilia was
infrequent.
It is pointed out that the industrial physician
should investigate the possibilities of nonoccupa-
tional causes for the blood anomalies before at-
tributing them to occupational exposure. The
blood tests should be repeated after 2 wk to 2 mo
at the same laboratory to obtain comparable data.
The number of polynuclear neutrophils should be
determined. A count of 3000-2500 neutrophils/mm3
requires surveillance of the worker, while values
below 2500 indicate a true neutropenia. Chronic
Pb poisoning can be prevented by following stippled
erythrocyte counts. Benzene poisoning is more dif-
ficult to detect, although aplasia of the bone mar-
row usually develops. Future, more sensitive
tests may perhaps reveal enzymatic changes in the
cells or modifications in the granulocytes.
2758 Martin, S., Boudene, C., Truhaut, R., and
Albahary, C. (Hospital Center of St. Denis,
Paris, France): Action du sel trisodique
et mono calcique de 1'acide diethylenetri-
amine-penta-acetique (CaD.T.P.A. Na-p dans
le saturnisme humain. (ACTION OF THE CAL-
CIUM TRISODIUM SALT OF DIETHYLENETRIAMINE-
PENTAACETIC ACID (Ca D.T.P.A. Na3) IN HU-
MAN LEAD POISONING.) Archives des Maladies
Prof essionnelles, de Meliecine du Travail
et de Securite Sociale 25:407-18 (July-
Aug.), 1964.
Results of a study on ^100 subjects, using calcium
trisodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) in
the treatment of Pb poisoning are reported. The
group of subjects consisted of (1) 25 controls
without known exposure to Pb, (2) 12 hospital
cases with Pb colic, (3) 12 founders in a Pb re-
finery plant and 16 men of a battery plant, all of
whom were exposed to a high Pb risk, (4) 14 work-
ers in various industries with a slightly smaller
risk, (5) 19 men of a printing plant where the Pb
risk was minor and (6) 5 persons suffering from
alimentary Pb poisoning. The subjects were treated
either with iv injections of 0.50 g EDTA or with
iv or im injections or perfusions of 1 g DTPA.
Urinary Pb excretion was measured during 24 hr
prior to the 1st injection (basic excretion) and 5
and 24 hr after the injection. The results are
tabulated in detail for each subject followed.
Generally DTPA seemed to be a little more effective
than EDTA. In the controls urinary Pb excretion
was <1 mg/1 after 5 hr and usually <0.6 mg and
never >1 mg in 24 hr. In the other groups urinary
Pb excretion was as follows: in Group 2, 10 mg/24
hr was exceeded only in 1 instance; in Group 3 who
showed increase of stippled erythrocytes and of
basic urinary Pb even in the absence of symptoms
and clinical signs, urinary Pb reached a maximum
of 10-12 mg/1 at 5 hr after treatment and 5-6 mg
at 24 hr; in Group 4, peaks of 8-9 mg/1 were
reached at 24 hr; in Group 5, concentrations >1 mg
at 24 hr occurred only in 3 instances, and in
Group 6, they ranged to 4 mg/1.
The authors summarize the results by stating that
the chelating agent, DTPA or EDTA, is preferably
administered iv. Recent experiments, using 3-3
dimethylcysteine or penicillamine orally, gave less
satisfactory results. In treating Pb poisoning, a
daily urinary Pb excretion of 5-8 mg is sufficient.
Circulating Pb and Pb in the soft tissues are more
easily mobilized than Pb in the bones. There
seems to be no threshold dose for the chelating
agent since in a given case, 0.50 g produced the
same Pb elimination as 1 or even 2 g. Usually, a
daily dose of 1 g, the same as in elimination of
Fe, 2 or 3 times/wk or in repeated courses of 6-
18 days was applied. The possibility that DTPA
may have an inactivating effect on metals besides
the chelating action, is mentioned. Tolerance of
the chelating agents and possible adverse incidents
caused by the treatment are discussed. The same
precautions are advised in using DTPA as have been
practiced with EDTA. (32 references)
2759 Meeroff, M. (Ministry of Social and Pub-
lic Welfare, Argentina): Afecciones que
slmulan el abdomen quirurgico agudo.
(DISEASES WHICH SIMULATE THE ACUTE SURGI-
CAL ABDOMEN.) La Semana Medica 124:255-
61 (Jan. 16), 1964.
This review of diseases that may simulate acute
abdominal conditions was prepared in order to re-
duce diagnostic errors. The diseases discussed
are the infectious, intoxications, blood, meta-
Dolic, endocrine, nervous system, allergic pleu-
ropulmonary, heart diseases, retroperitoneal
Man
543
-------
processes, and miscellaneous. The intoxications
include food poisoning, Pb colic, congenital
erythropoietic and hepatic porphyrias.
2760 Melkonyan, A.M., and Gasparyan, A.A.: A
COMPARATIVE EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE
PATHOGENIC ACTION OF THE DUST FROM COPPER,
MOLYBDENUM,. AND LEAD MINES OF ARMENIA ON
THE ORGANS OF RESPIRATION. In Materialy
2-i Itogovoi nauchnoi konferentsii
Institute gigieny truda i profzabolevanii,
posvyashchennoi voprosam gigieny truda i
profpatologii, 1963. (Proceedings of the
second scientific conference of the Insti-
tute of Labor Hygiene and Occupational Dis-
eases on problems of labor hygiene and oc-
cupational pathology, 1963) Erevan 37-42,
1964.
Intratracheal administration and inhalation of
dust from Mo and Pb mines produced coarser and
more rapidly occurring pathological changes in the
lungs of rats than did dust from Cu mines. Since
the content of Si dioxide in the rocks of these
mines was practically the same, the differences in
reaction must be related to the effect of the
metals. (From Referativnyi Zhurnal, Otd, Vypusk
Farmakol. Toksikol. 1965, No. 24:54.668; Biological
Abstracts 47:Abstr. No. 77968, 1966)
2761 Mel'nikova, N.D. (Inst. of Ind. Hyg. and
Occup. Diseases, Gorki, USSR): Sostoyanie
organa zreniya u rabotayushchikh s tetra-
etilsvintsom, po dannym dinamicheskikh
nablyudenii. (THE STATUS OF THE ORGAN OF
VISION IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO TETRAETHYL-
LEAD ACCORDING TO DYNAMIC OBSERVATIONS.)
Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabo-
levaniya 8:41-4 (Aug.), 1964.
The effects of prolonged exposure to TEL on vision
•were investigated in the periodic examination of
180 workers (155 male, 25 female), most of whom
(129) were >40 yr old. Most of them (139) had
been in contact with TEL for >10 yr and 78 of
these, up to 25 yr. The principal criteria of
chronic TEL poisoning were the presence of an
asthenic condition caused by pronounced vasovege-
tative disturbances. Forty-one persons showed
variations in blood pressure with transient rise,
and 14 had a tendency to marked hypertension. A
number of patients exhibited the so-called angio-
spastic crises, occurring in apparently good
health, ie, brief episodes of sharp headache,
nausea; colicky pain, at times blurred vision.
Ophthalmologic examination revealed no marked
decrease in the sharpness of vision; measurement
of the range of vision showed in 29 an inconstant
reduction in the limits of 3-10°. In 21, the
fundus showed changes characteristic of vascular
spasm and slight weakening of the optic nerve;
however, the visual acuity usually remained nor-
mal. Particular attention was paid to a possible
increase in intraocular tension, since Skripni-
chenko, having observed this phenomenon in TEL
workers, assumed that exposure to TEL leads to
glaucoma. Although 20 of the 180 workers examined
showed a transient rise in intraocular pressure
and 72 (40%) had an abnormal elastometric curve,
the provocative "platyphyllin" test, to detect
onset of glaucoma, was normal in all cases. The
author concludes that whatever reversible changes
in intraocular pressure were observed, were those
frequently encountered in any state of illness,
and that this condition became normalized with re-
turn to general good health. In summary, as TEL
principally affects the central nervous system and
its vegetative apparatus, it also affects the
functional condition of the eye. The changes are
in the form of circulatory disturbances and the
observed changes in intraocular tension can be
attributed to disturbances in the reflex regula-
tion of this tension, although they do not lead to
decreased vision and optic nerve disorders typical
of glaucoma.
2762 Meo, G., Martdrano, G., Bonzanino, A., and
Perrelli, G. (Univ. Turin, Italy): L'es-
crezione urinaria dell'aminoacetone nel
saturnismo. (URINARY EXCRETION OF AMINO-
ACETONE IN PLUMBISM.) Bollettino della
Societa Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
(Napoli) 40:649-51 (June), 1964.
The heme synthesis in Pb poisoning is markedly
altered since the metal acts as a blocking agent
for the enzymes which induce the synthesis of pro-
toporphyrin and the incorporation of Fe. Urinary
excretion of coproporphyrin as well as of uropor-
phyrin and ALA is increased. ALA was determined
by the method of Mauzerall and Granick (1956) .
These authors also showed that in the normal sub-
ject, part of the aminoketones which are eliminat-
ed consists of aminoacetone which may be separated
by ether extraction at pH 8. Urinary elimination
of total aminoketones, ALA and aminoacetone was
determined in 34 normal and 13 Pb-poisoned sub-
jects, respectively as follows, yM/24 hr: 22.08,
199.56; 14.83, 183; 7.25, 16.56; ALA/aminoacetone,
2.34, 6.30. Thus, aminoketones in Pb-poisoned sub-
jects were 9 times the amount in controls; ALA was
increased 11-fold and aminoacetone 6-fold. A
study of the correlation of urinary coproporphyrin
and aminoketones revealed that, though a signifi-
cant relationship existed between coproporphyrin
and total aminoketones on one hand and copropor-
phyrin and ALA on the other hand, no correlation
was found with respect to aminoacetone.
The investigation confirmed that in Pb poisoning
urinary elimination of ALA is markedly increased
due to the inhibition of ALA dehydrase which pro-
motes the condensation of ALA to porphobilinogen.
2763 Mlnarikova, J., Jankova, J., and Huzl, F.:
Otrava olovem u klepac'u tendrfi. (LEAD
POISONING IN TENDER ATTENDANTS.) Pracovni
Lekarstvi 16, No. 1:24-6, 1964.
A study of 24 workers engaged in knocking out old
paint inside engine tenders revealed chronic Pb
poisoning in 9 and symptoms of increased exposure
to Pb in 7 men. The dust concentration inside the
tender during removal of old red Pb layers with
pneumatic hammers was 328 mg/m^. Working condi-
tions were improved by removing the pneumatic
tools, and improved ventilation, alternating work
shifts, and division of labor were recommended.
The authors also proposed preventive administra-
tion of Ca disodium edetate to workers exposed to
Pb hazards. The editors of the journal do not
approve of that, maintaining that it would cause
a neglect of hygienic measures. To this, the
544
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
authors answered that preventive treatment should
not be used as a substitute for technical improve-
ments but only as an auxiliary measure until the
technical conditions have been changed.
2764 Moeschlin, S.: Klinik und Therapie der
Vergiftungen. (DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
OF POISONING.) 4th ed., Stuttgart, Georg
Thieme, 1964. Translated by J. Bickel.
New York, Grune & Stratton, 1965).
Pb is the first of the inorganic poisons consider-
ed in this book; 30 pages are devoted to this
subject. The discussion is limited to clinical
and environmental aspects, and is introduced by
the statement that Pb poisoning is still of great
practical significance. It occurs despite pre-
cautionary measures in industries, where the dan-
ger to the workman is well known. In the US,
poisoning in children due to paint scrapings is
relatively frequent, while this form has practi-
cally disappeared in Europe.
The routes of absorption and exposure are first
discussed, then the mechanism of action, metabo-
lism of Pb, the significance of serum Pb; acute
and chronic poisoning manifestations on the basis
of the author's observation of 70 cases; Pb en-
cephalopathy in the adult and in children; treat-
ment of acute and chronic poisoning and of special
forms, ie, palsy and encephalopathy. Organic Pb
compounds are discussed separately, and are limit-
ed to TEL and the so-called leaded gasoline, fol-
lowed by treatment; Pb stearate poisoning com-
pletes the section on Pb.
Several cases of poisoning are presented; in 1
of them, seen in 1955, an occupational type of
exposure (garage mechanic and driver) was assumed,
but later was explained by a plastic operation
with insertion of small porcelain balls contain-
ing Pb into the maxillary bone, which had caused
unusually high levels of Pb in blood.
2765 Moiseev, V.S. (Acad. Med. Sci., USSR): K
voprosu o klinike porfirinovoi bolezni.
(DIAGNOSIS OF PORPHYRIA.) In Trudy 1-go
Moskovskogo (Ordena Lenina) Meditsinskogo
Instituta imeni I.M. Sechenova, E.M.
Tareev, ed. 28:200-5, 1964.
The clinical picture and etiology of porphyria is
discussed on the basis of 2 cases: (1) a 56-yr-old
man who developed porphyria upon prolonged expo-
sure to sunlight. (2) A 43-yr-old man seen in
1961, who in 1952-53 had been employed in the ex-
traction of Pb-containing ore. In 1953 he devel-
oped pruritus of the face, and 3 yr later, signs
of internal and nervous system involvement oc-
curred. The case is described in some detail.
The diagnosis was: mixed form of porphyria with
lesions of the skin, gastrointestinal tract,
nervous system with paranoid syndrome. In dis-
cussing the case, the author says that diagnosis
was not difficult. However, the onset of the ill-
ness occurred during the period when the patient
was exposed to Pb. Even though there were no
signs of either acute or chronic Pb poisoning, it
is possible that even small amounts of absorbed
Pb which would not have been hazardous for another
individual, in this patient led to the develop-
ment of porphyria. For this reason, this may be
considered a secondary porphyria which may develop
in poisonings by sulfanilamide, Pb, hemolytlc
jaundice, posthemorrhagic regeneration, etc.
These are easily distinguishable from porphyria by
taking into account their characteristic symptoms.
In secondary porphyrias coproporphyrin is found
in urine, but only rarely porphobilinogen and uro-
porphyrln..
2766 Mole1, R., and Pesaresi, C. (Univ. Naples,
Italy): II comportamento dell'aladeidrasi
nel saturnismo umano e speriraentale. THE
BEHAVIOR 'OF ALA-DEHYDROGENASE IN HUMAN AND
EXPERIMENTAL SATURNISM.) Folia Medica
(Naples) 47:73-9 (Jan.), 1964.
Studies were carried out on 15 human subjects with
established Pb intoxication and 10 rabbits, weight
2.8 kg, which had been poisoned by gastric admin-
istration of 3 cc of a 30% solution of Pb acetate,
on 4 consecutive days. Five normal individuals
and 5 rabbits served as controls. The blood plasma
and urine were examined for their content of ALA
and porphobilinogen (PEG), using the methods of
Haeger-Aronson, and Mauzerall and Granick, and the
red cells for activity of ALA-dehydrogenase by the
method of Gibson et al, and expressed in pM of PEG
synthesized/hr. The results showed the highest
values for normal subjects and average values in
the Pb-poisoned subjects, respectively, to be as
follows: ALA-dehydrogenase, 1.03 and 1.08 pM/hr/
ml of red cells; ALA in plasma, 46 and 126.73 ug%;
urinary ALA, 2.5 and 19.07 mg/24 hr; plasma PEG,
30 and 29.10 pg%; urinary PEG, 1.5 and 1.94 mg/24
hr. For the control and experimental rabbits the
corresponding values were: 0.29 and 0.31; 34 and
63; 0.021 and 0.71; 22 and 23; 0.058 and 0.18.
In human Pb poisoning, both plasma and urinary
ALA levels were increased in all cases, while
urinary PEG was increased in only 50%. The find-
ings in experimental poisoning were similar, ex-
cept that the increase in urinary PEG was constant.
As neither PEG in the plasma nor ALA-dehydrogenase
were changed significantly in man and rabbit, there
is no justification to assume that Pb has an in-
hibitory effect on this enzyme.
2767 Molyneux, M.K.B. (Univ. Manchester,
England): USE OF SINGLE URINE SAMPLES FOR
THE ASSESSMENT OF LEAD ABSORPTION. British
Journal of Industrial Medicine 21:203-9
(July), 1964.
Because of the ease of obtaining spot urine samples
for the assessment of Pb exposure, this technique
continues to be used throughout industry in spite
of the uncertainty of the results due to variabil-
ity in uncorrected Pb concentrations of single
specimens. The investigation reported has been
carried out to study the variations encountered in
the Pb concentration and excretion rate in samples
collected from subjects with widely different ex-
posures. The urinary specific gravity was used to
correct for the variation in urinary volume, but
the variation remaining in the Pb concentration
after such correction indicated that a factor other
than a change in urinary volume influenced the
variation in concentration. The effect of cre-
atinine correction was studied as an alternative
but there was no statistical difference between
either method of correction. The diurnal rhythm
of the excretion of Pb was then studied in day
and night shift workers and was seen to influence
both the corrected and observed results. The rate
Man
545
-------
of excretion rose to a maximum at 'Vj pm in the
day workers but decreased in night workers, falling
to a minimum at ^-2 am. From this, it was con-
cluded that the rhythm is independent of immediate
exposure and of physiologic origin. The plasma-Pb
clearance was estimated at 1.4 ml plasma/min, sug-
gesting that only a small proportion of plasma-Pb
may be unfiltrable and that little Pb is secreted
by the tubules.
The results of the investigation indicate that
the diurnal rhythm of the rate of Pb excretion has
a major influence on the variation in concentra-
tion. This was particularly true in subjects with
a mean Pb concentration in excess of 200 pg/1. The
collection of a single sample at a standard time
is therefore considered essential. For any one man,
when the time of collection and either method of
correction is applied, the concentration of any
one spot sample may still be an unreliable indica-
tion of the mean Pb concentration. When the re-
sults are being compared with a "maximum allowable
concentration of Pb in the urine," collection late
in the working day should increase the reliability.
Attention is called to the fact that the correc-
tion of samples of a specific gravity of <1.010
was responsible for a considerable increase of
variation after correction. This was less marked
when creatinine concentration was used for the cor-
rection.
2768 Molyneux, M.K. (Univ. Manchester, England):
LEAD EXCRETION. In XlVth International
Congress of Occupational Health, Madrid,
Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963. International
Congress Series No. 62, Amsterdam, Excerpta
Medica Foundation, 1964, Vol. II, pp. 507-8.
See preceding abstract.
2769 Morgan, K.Z. (Oak Ridge National Labora-
tory, Tenn.): THE BODY BURDEN OF LONG-
LIVED ISOTOPES. Archives of Environmental
Health 8:86-99 (Jan.), 1964.
210Pb is one of the principal naturally occurring
long-lived radionuclides of the U chain which are
found in the human body. Its half-life is 22 yr.
The experimental determination of the body burden
of 2lOpt, an(j other radioisotopes is discussed.
The aspect of radiation hazards in view of the body
burden of radionuclides is pointed out. (31 ref-
_erences)
2770 Morris, C.E., Heyman, A., and Pozefsky, T.
(Univ. North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Duke
Univ., Durham): LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY CAUSED
BY INGESTION OF ILLICITLY DISTILLED WHIS-
KEY. Neurology 14:493-9 (June), 1964.
The clinical and laboratory findings of Pb enceph-
alopathy in 17 adults (12 men and 5 women, aged
28-61 yr) admitted to the hospital between 1952
and 1963 were described. All subjects had been
drinking illicitly distilled whiskey which had been
contaminated by the Pb solder in the connecting
pipes or in the discarded automobile radiators used
as condensing units in the distilling apparatus.
Only 2 of the regional revenue offices in various
parts of the US found significant amounts of Pb
contamination in their confiscated samples of
spirits. In 1960, the Atlanta office reported
that some 174 of 540 samples contained 1.0 mg or
more of Pb salts/1 and during an 18-mo period be-
ginning January 1962, 3.57, of some 1100 samples
examined by the Cincinnati office contained 4-75
ppm Pb salts.
The initial manifestations of Pb encephalopathy
included fatigability, lethargy, headaches, cramp-
ing pains of the limbs, nervousness. Thirteen of
the 17 patients developed recurrent severe sei-
zures, the remaining 4 exhibited acute delirium
with auditory and visual hallucinations. Differ-
entiation from alcohol withdrawal and delirium
tremors was on the basis of increased spinal fluid
protein, presence of papilledema and the charac-
teristic hematologic and urinary findings. Marked
anemia, basophilic stippling and reticulocytosis
were almost always present. Among 14 patients
tested, all but 2 showed urinary Pb levels in ex-
cess of 0.1 mg/1, and treatment with CaNa2EDTA
significantly increased urinary Pb excretion. Each
of 4 autopsied patients showed levels of 2-7 mg Pb/
100 g of brain or liver. Gross and microscopic
examination of their brains revealed characteristic
signs of cerebral edema, but none of them showed
the histological picture usually seen in Pb en-
cephalopathy of children. All showed hepatic and
renal changes such as acid-fast intranuclear in-
clusions within the liver cells and the epithelial
cells of the kidney tubules.
The majority of patients were given an iv infu-
sion of 1 g CaNa2EDTA daily for 10 days. The im-
portance of administration of CaNa2EDTA as a diag-
nostic test was pointed out.
In addition to the above cases, 7 adults and 7
children with Pb poisoning were seen. The adults
had symptoms of Pb colic or anemia due to occupa-
tional Pb exposure; the children, all of whom had
had pica or had inhaled fumes of batteries burned
for fuel, exhibited symptoms referable to the cen-
tral nervous system. While in the above 17 cases
it was considered possible that the clinical syn-
drome was a combination of alcohol withdrawl with
a high Pb content in the brain and tissues caused
by long-term ingestion of Pb-containing whiskey,
the absence of characteristic histologic findings
of Pb encephalopathy suggests that the pathogenesis
of central nervous symptoms differs from that in
young children who inhale or consume large quanti-
ties of Pb. Encephalopathy caused by occupational
exposure to Pb has become a rare occurrence.
2771 Neronskii, O.G. (Inst. of Med., Minsk.
USSR): 0 toksichnosti aerozolya krasok
soderzhashchego svinets. (THE TOXICITY OF
PAINT AEROSOLS CONTAINING LEAD.) Gigiena
Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya 8:
•52-4 (June), 1964.
Paint aerosols are composed not only of finely dis-
persed particles, but larger ones (25-500 u), and
conglomerates as well. As it is difficult tech-
nically to bring into solution pigment in specified
proportions to the solvent, the author studied the
solubility of pure Pb chromate (Pb sulfochromate)
and of the components of the dry residue of a com-
mercial paint aerosol in gastric juice, in 0.1 N
HC1, and 0.85% NaCl solution. The Fe minium con-
tent was 20.7%. In the gastric juice, 28.2% of the
Pb chromate was recovered, in HC1, 16.5%, and in
546
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
NaCl, 1.1%. The % of dry residue recovered in the
same solutions was 7.8, 3.8, and 0.18, respectively.
Subsequently, the exposure of spray painters to
Pb and their health status were investigated in an
automobile factory. The Pb content of the air in
the workroom was 0.004-3.452 mg/m3 (>0.01 mg in
96.7% of the samples), benzene 0.02-0.45 mg/1,
toluene 0.02-0.32 mg/1, naphtha solvent 0.04-0.71
mg/1. The content of aromatic hydrocarbons ex-
ceeded the permissible levels in 67.9% of the sam-
ples . Of the 216 painters examined (duration of
employment from, several months to 12 yr), 9.7%
showed mild signs of chronic Pb poisoning with
elevated number of stippled erythrocytes, 9% had
increased counts of reticulocytes, and Pb in blood
ash was 0.0005-0.026%. Increased urinary Pb (0.04-
0.24 mg/1) was found in 16 of 59 painters examined.
Very frequently observed were signs of chronic ef-
fects of benzene and its homologs in the form of
leukopenia (34.2%), neutropenia (32.4%), lympho-
cytosis (40.7%), and thrombocytopenia (36.9%).
Therefore, the health hazards are not by the pig-
ment alone but also by the solvents contained in
the paint.
The author recommends that for the prevention of
hazards to painters, Pb-containing paints be sub-
stituted by Pb-free paints, and that solvents other
than benzene and its homologs be used.
2772 Nowotny, B., Kliks, I., and Sikorski, M.
(Przych. Med. Pracy, Poznan, Poland):
O^owica w zakZadach porcelany. (LEAD POI-
SONING IN PORCELAIN PLANTS.) Medycyna
Pracy 15, No. 1:59-63, 1964.
Pb poisoning was confirmed in 4 among 15 men hand-
ling Pb-containing ceramic paints. There was no
correlation with the length of service, but one was
established between the frequency of the disease
and the concentration of Pb in the dust at the
workplace. (From Excerpta Medica, Sect. 17, 10:
Abstr. No. 5241, 1964)
2773 Nuffield Department of Industrial Health,
University of Newcastle upon Tyne: THIRD
QUINQUENNIAL REPORT. Annals of Occupa-
tional Hygiene 7:75-8 (Jan.), 1964.
This report covers the period of June, 1956 to
May, 1961. Research carried out in this period
includes a study of Pb excretion in Pb smelters
and the analysis of Pb in urine as an aid to the
physician in the early diagnosis of intoxication.
Samples of urine and blood were taken at regular
intervals for 2 yr from 200 Pb workers. Those in
the age group of 30 yr and below were found to ex-
crete urinary Pb at about twice the rate of those
aged 30-45 yr and over. Maximum Pb excretion ap-
peared to occur in the 2nd yr of employment.
Smelters had the highest rate of Pb excretion,
followed by workers engaged in dusty jobs such as
sinter plant, sweeper and mechanical shovel. No
correlation between Pb excretion and punctate
counts was noted, though there was a slight cor-
relation between Pb excretion and coproporphyrin
excretion. It was concluded that no single test
is adequate for the diagnosis of Pb poisoning and
that even a complete set of tests must be inter-
preted with care.
A rapid and accurate method for the determina-
tion of Pb in 20-ml samples of urine was devised,
permitting determination of a single specimen in 3
hr. The mean results of triplicate analyses by
this method were within ±12.5 yg/1 of the true
concentration in 19 times out of 20.
Mention is made of an investigation of the Pb
hazard in the manufacture of Pb glazes, which in-
cluded recommendations on ventilation and handling
of materials.
2774 Oettle', A.G. (South African Inst. Med.
Research, Johannesburg): CANCER IN
AFRICA, ESPECIALLY IN REGIONS SOUTH OF THE
SAHARA. Journal of the National Cancer
Institute 33:383-440 (Sept.) , 1964.
Striking differences were noted in cancer inci-
dence, situation, and histopathological type be-
tween and within races of Africa, which suggested
that 80% or more of the cancers affecting western
races are environmentally induced and potentially
preventable. Among the negriform races, cancers
of stomach, large bowel, breast endometrium,
ovary, brain, and leukemia are generally rare.
Common to them are primary cancer of the liver,
Kaposi's sarcoma, Burkitt's tumor, and, in some
regions esophageal cancer. Before the termination
of World War II the esophageal cancer was rare in
Africa and still is in many regions, although the
Bantu have experienced a remarkable increase. It
was observed that esophageal cancer was more com-
mon in the Bantu than gastric cancer. The disease
is now common in all the large cities of South
Africa, Southern Rhodesia, Kenya, and Malawi, but
not in those of Mozambique, Northern Rhodesia,
Tanganyika, Uganda or West Africa. The same
patchiness could be noted in the South African
rural areas, in some of which it is very low while
in others it is very high. Association with alco-
hol and smoking did not give a satisfactory ex-
planation. Between 1941 and 1949 tin plating of
kerosene containers was abandoned in South Africa
in favor of Pb plating. These tins are commonly
used as receptacles for brewing in some areas,
while in others clay pots are preferred. Drums or
even tea chests (which may be lined with Pb foil)
are also used. The beverages certainly contain a
wide variety of metals (as found by the author
with Schutte in unpublished work) and local varia-
tions in use might explain the variation in in-
cidence of the disease. The author notes that in
the meanwhile there is a great increase in cases
of this cancer, and that prevention would be
better than cure.
Incidence of other cancers and their distribu-
tion, therapy and prevention are discussed. Since
most cases of cancer in Africa are out of reach of
methods of treatment other than chemotherapy, great
need as well as opportunities exist for the study
of carcinostatics. (229 references)
2775 Okhnyanskaya, L.G. (Inst. Ind. Hyg. Occup.
Diseases, Moscow, USSR): 0 kharakternykh
izmeneniyakh v deyatel'nosti vysshikh
otdelov tsentral'nol nervnoi sistemy pri
vozde^stvii razlichnykh proizvodstvennykh
faktorov. (CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES IN THE
ACTIVITY OF HIGHER SEGMENTS OF THE CENTRAL
NERVOUS SYSTEM UNDER THE ACTION OF VARIOUS
INDUSTRIAL FACTORS.) Gigiena Truda i Pro-
fessional 'nye Zabolivaniya 8:33-40 (June),
Man
547
-------
1964.
As summarized by the author, the discussion of the
unconditioned and conditioned vascular, respira-
tory, wink reflexes, the activity of the olfactory,
visual and motor analyzers, the biological activity
of the blood and of the olfactory-humoral reflex,
was directed to the elucidation of general regula-
tions and as they portray the response of the high-
er segments of the central nervous system to the
effects of Pb, Hg, carbon disulfide, Mn, and Si-
containing dust. Examination as to response of
reflexes should be carried out early, ie, at the
incipient stage of pathological processes by harm-
ful irritants.
277g Pacseri, I. (Natl. Inst. Occup. Health,
Budapest, Hungary): A foglalkoza'si be-
tegsegekkel kapcsolatos idBszakos orvosi
vizsgalatok kerdeseirol. (PROBLEMS OF
PERIODIC MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS IN OCCUPA-
TIONAL DISEASES.) Nepegeszsegugy 45:71-
5 (March), 1964.
The author believes that the task of periodical
examinations should be primarily the responsibili-
ty of the industrial physician. However in fac-
tories with no such staff, or with a physician
lacking facilities, the provision of medical su-
pervision is still a major problem. A survey now
being conducted in Hungary will probably offer so-
lutions as to the type of establishment (specialty
clinics, mobile laboratories) necessary to facili-
tate the execution and uniformity of the various
examinations (laboratory and special clinical)
needed to protect the health of workers exposed to
dangerous materials in the course of their occupa-
tion. Pb is included in the tabulation of chemi-
cal hazards with the respective diagnostic tests
and principal signs and symptoms.
2777 Pearce, W.G., and Reynard, W.A. (Oxford
Eye Hosp., England): AN EARLY SIGN OF LEAD
POISONING. British Journal of Industrial
Medicine 21:247 (July), 1964.
N. Sonkin's article on "Retinal stippling - a new
physical sign in the early diagnosis of Pb poison-
ing (New England Journal of Medicine 269:779-80
(Oct. 10), 1963)" is reported. Since in industries
involving a Pb hazard every possible sign that
might help in drawing the line between Pb absorp-
tion and Pb intoxication is important, this new
test was included by the authors in the regular
medical examination of a total of 102 workers of a
factory manufacturing motor car bodies. The men
were known to be exposed to Pb in varying degree.
Based on Hb estimation, urinary coproporphyrin and
punctate basophil count, 11 of these 102 men showed
evidence of Pb absorption which caused their re-
moval from exposure. Not 1 of the 102 men, in-
cluding the 11 with signs of excessive of Pb ab-
sorption, showed the discrete grey deposits around
the optic disk as described by Sonkin.
The authors conclude therefore, that an examina-
tion of the fundus has no place in the medical con-
trol of workmen exposed to Pb.
2778 Pearce, W.G., and Sonkin, N. (Oxford Eye
Hosp., England; Pawtucket, R.I.): MORE ON
RETINAL STIPPLING. Letters to the Editor.
New England Journal of Medicine 270:533-4
(Mar. 5), 1964.
W.G. Pearce points out that in the factory of the
Pressed Steel Company in Oxford, >800 men are ex-
posed to Pb dust in the air in concentrations >0.3
yg/1. The workers are examined for evidence of Pb
absorption every 2-4 mo. In addition to the usual
routine tests for urinary coproporphyrin, Hb and
basophilic stippling, the fund! of 102 randomly
selected men were examined ophthalmoscopically.
All these men had been exposed to Pb for over 2 yr
and an av of 9 yr. Of those examined, 11 men had
coproporphyrin levels of 4+ and >2000 stippled
cells/million red blood cells. None of them and
none of those with lower laboratory levels of Pb
absorption had the discrete gray deposits around
the optic disks as described by N. Sonkin (ibid
269:779-80, 1963). Pearce maintains that if these
absorption levels of Pb were not high enough, the
sign of retinal stippling is of no value in the
early diagnosis of significant Pb absorption. He
believes that it is highly unlikely that the de-
posits found by Sonkin in 8 patients were Pb and
that all other ophthalmologists of the past 100 yr
missed this finding in Pb intoxication.
In his answer, Sonkin states that (1) apparently
funduscopic examinations have not been done for
many years as a routine examination in early Pb
poisoning, (2) that the exposure in Pearce's sub-
jects was an extremely slow and subtle process, and
(3) that he had not claimed that retinal stippling
was either a pathognomonic or ubiquitous sign for
Pb absorption or poisoning. Time only will cor-
roborate the validity of this sign for early diag-
nosis of Pb poisoning. In the meantime, interest
in funduscopic examination in suspected cases has
been engendered.
2779 Piguet, H. (Hopitaux de Paris, France):
Les hemopathies toxiques. (TOXIC HEMO-
PATHIES.) Clinique (Paris) 59:459-66
(Sept.), 1964.
Blood diseases due to occupational exposure are
discussed. In Pb poisoning, one of the earliest
hematologic signs is the presence of stippled
erythrocytes. A count of >200 stippled cells/mil-
lion of erythrocytes is indicative of Pb poison-
ing. Pb anemia is rather infrequent, even though
severe cases of isochromic type, of <2 million,
have been reported. A diagnosis of Pb anemia is
suggested by an increased content of Pb in the
blood (normal, 30-80 wg Pb/100 ml blood), an in-
creased level of urinary coproporphyrins (normal,
<100 ug/24 hr) and such clinical signs as Pb colic,
arterial hypertension with renal insufficiency and
Burton's line. Although occupational Pb intoxica-
tion is usually recognized by industrial surveil-
lance, alimentary Pb poisoning may occur without
being diagnosed. Alimentary Pb poisoning may be
caused by Pb pipes of the water supply, by flour
which has been ground in mills repaired with Pb
parts, by grape juice from vines treated with Pb
arsenate, or by venison from deer shot with Pb.
Recently, poisoning by Pb stoppers used for vine-
gar bottles has increased. There is no special
treatment of Pb anemia. Workers demonstrating in-
creased counts of stippled erythrocytes and even
a moderate anemia should be removed from exposure.
2780
Pilat, L., Preda, N., and Muica, N. (Oc-
548
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
cup. Dis. Clinic, Bucharest, Romania):
Jiagnosticul saturnismului. (DIAGNOSIS
OF LEAD POISONING.) Medicina Intern!
16:1101-8 (Sept.), 1964.
The authors discuss the various diagnostic crite-
ria for Pb poisoning on the basis of laboratory
tests and the classical signs. The normal metab-
olism of Pb has been determined by them as fol-
lows: Pb in blood, from 10-40 pg, and in urine,
10-80 yg/100 ml; in feces, 0.2-0.4 mg/24 hr; in
spinal fluid, 0-18 ug/100 ml. The body burden
may range from 100-300 mg. Treatment is also dis-
cussed. In closing, they point to the' extreme
infrequency of the occurrence of radial paralysis
and encephalopathy in adult Pb poisoning; for
these forms, diagnosis has to be based on intense
and prolonged exposure to Pb; clinical signs and
laboratory results indicating excessive absorp-
tion. It emphasizes that only specialists in oc-
cupational diseases and in neurology can give the
correct diagnosis.
2781 Pines, A.G.: Nekotorye pokazateli gum-
oral 'noi regulyatsii u lits, podvergay-
ushchikhsya dlitel'nomu vozdeistviyu
svintsa (Predvarit. soobshenie). (SOME
VARIABLES OF HUMORAL REGULATION IN PERSONS
SUBJECTED TO THE PROLONGED ACTION OF LEAD:
A PRELIMINARY COMMUNICATION.) Gigiena
Truda Zdorov'ya; Kiev. 179-85, 1964.
Examinations were made of 14 men and 18 women who
had been subjected to the action of Pb (linotyp-
ists, printers, solderers, and molders). All of
those examined were young or a little older and
their work history ranged from 1-10 yr. The Pb
content of the urine of the patients was 0.01-
0.05 mg/1, the number of erythrocytes with baso-
philic granules reached 2-28/10,000 erythrocytes,
and the number of reticulocytes was 33%. The con-
centration of 17-ketosteroids in the daily urine
was low. The sc injection of 3 ml of a 5% solu-
tion of ephedrine increased the concentration of
17-ketosteroids in the urine and caused an inten-
sified eosinophil reaction. After taking a stan-
dard meal (1200 cal) and also 45 rain and 1-1/2 and
3-1/2 hr after the injection of 1 ml of a 5% solu-
tion of ephedrine, the leukocyte reaction proved
to be inhibited or absent altogether (in 9). It
was distorted in 15 persons. Patients with chronic
Pb poisoning showed disturbances in the activity
of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-suprarenal appara-
tus. (From Ref. Zh. Otd. Vypusk. Farmakol. Khimio-
terap. Sredstva Toksiikol, 1966, No. 1.54.806;
Biological Abstracts 48:Abstr. No. 96297, 1967)
2782 Pokrant, H., and Witek, E. (Inst. Stomatol.,
Danzig, Poland): ^Stan bXony sluzowej jamy
ustnej u robotnikow majacych stycznosc z
ojowiem. (THE CONDITION OF THE MUCOUS
MEMBRANE OF THE ORAL CAVITY IN WORKERS
DEALING WITH LEAD.) Czasopismo Stomatol-
ogiczne 17, No. 5:451-6, 1964.
The influence of Pb on the mucous membrane of the
mouth in chronic Pb poisoning was studied in 90
workers employed in shipbuilding in Danzig. These
men who were occupied with preserving and painting
ships and ship furnishings were continuously ex-
posed to Pb. A considerable number of these sub-
jects showed an increased level of Pb in blood and
urine, stippled erythrocytes and porphyrinuria.
Some of those with prolonged exposure to Pb had a
Pb line, gingivitis and inflammation of the oral
cavity.
The authors concluded that a Pb line is not a
constant and essential symptom of Pb poisoning
though it may be significant in the diagnosis of
chronic Pb poisoning. On the other hand, the
absence of a Pb line does not exclude Pb poisoning.
For a dependable diagnosis of Pb poisoning, clini-
cal tests must be combined with laboratory tests.
2783 Preda, N-, Lillis, R., Nestorescu, B., and
Roventa, A. (Inst. Hyg., Bucharest, Roma-
nia) : Valoarea descarcarii plumbului prin
Ca-jiDTA-Na2 in vederea diagnosticului
saturnismului. (THE VALUE OF ELIMINATION
OF LEAD BY MEANS OF Ca-EDTA-Na2 IN THE
DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISONING.) Medicina
Interna 15, No. 9:1109-12, 1964.
See Abstract No. 2611.
2784 Preda, N., Niculescu, T., and Rafaila, E.
(Internatl. Metal Workers Federation,
Bucharest, Romania): Tratamentul saturnis-
mului prin agenti chelanti. (THE TREATMENT
OF LEAD INTOXICATION WITH CHELATING AGENTS)
Igiena (Bucharest) 13, No. 3:233-42, 1964.
Treatment of Pb-poisoned patients in the Clinic
for Occupational Diseases, Bucharest, with iv in-
jections of 2 g CaNa2EDTA/day for 2-20 days mark-
edly increased urinary excretion of Pb. Oral
doses of 4-6 g EDTA/day were less effective.
2785 Primakov, S.V., and Khaselev, Ya.P. (USSR):
Klinika ostrogo otravleniya glazur'ya.
(CLINICAL ASPECTS OF ACUTE POISONING BY
, GLAZED POTTERY UTENSILS.) Klinicheskaya
Meditsina 42:128-30 (June), 1964.
The authors remark that acute Pb poisoning from
glazed pottery occurs seldom, as very high concen-
trations are required to be leached into food, so
that unusual circumstances would have to exist.
A large role in the course of poisoning is played
by individual sensitivity or susceptibility to Pb,
by weakened defense mechanism, and other internal
disturbances.
In illustration of the above statements, the
authors had observed acute Pb poisoning in 3 indi-
viduals who had consumed homemade kvas that had
been allowed to ferment in a glazed pottery con-
tainer for 3-4 days. Analysis of the kvas showed
a Pb content of 300 mg/1. One of the hospitalized
patients, a 50-yr-old woman, died within 10 days
following intense gastroenteric and urinary dis-
turbances, anemia, and liver lesions with jaundice,
despite heroic treatment. A 46-yr-old male, after
developing signs of toxic hepatitis with jaundice,
recovered after treatment. The third patient, who
had consumed a small quantity of the kvas, refused
hospitalization. He showed transient porphyrin-
uria, slight yellowing of the sclera, moderate
albuminuria. He recovered after ambulatory treat-
ment .
2786 Quer-Brossa, S., Estadella-Botha, S.,
Baselga Monte, M., and Fornells Martinez,
Man
549
-------
E. (Barcelona, Spain): El tratamiento de
las manifestaclones neurologicas de la in-
toxicacion por el plomo. (TREATMENT OF
THE NEUROLOGIC MANIFESTATIONS IN LEAD POI-
SONING.) In XlVth International Congress
of Occupational Health, Madrid, Spain,
Sept. 16-21, 1963. International Congress
Series No. 62, Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica
Foundation, 1964, Vol. II, pp. 917-8.
Among 111 men with Pb poisoning (of a total of 1600
employees periodically examined) who had worked
for an av of 15.8 yr as founders, printers, typog-
raphers or in a litharge and storage battery plant,
11 showed neurologic symptoms. One patient who was
mentally deficient exhibited electroencephalograph-
ic as well as electromyographic changes. In pa-
tients who had had a paralysis of long standing,
the mobilization test produced a 100- to 150-fold
increase of urinary excretion of Pb. The electro-
myogram was particularly useful in revealing the
neurogenic signs in Pb poisoning. These cases were
treated with CaNa2EDTA by a 2-hr iv infusion of
300 ml of an isotonic glycosaline solution contain-
ing 1 g EDTA. Tolerance to the drug was tested by
giving this dose once daily for 3 days; after 1
wk, the dose was administered twice weekly for 3
mo to 1 yr. The highest total dose of EDTA ad-
ministered was 50 g in 9 mo. The chemical lab-
oratory tests gave normal results after treatment.
Among 4 cases who had had severe encephalopathic
lesions for a protracted period of time, clinical
improvement was seen in 1 while the results in the
other 3 were slight or nil. With the exception of
1 patient with paralysis of both extensors, all,
including those with severe peripheral nerve dam-
age, recovered clinically and functionally.
The authors state in conclusion that neurologic
disorders caused by Pb and its compounds, should
not be considered as mere complications in Pb poi-
soning but as clinical types of the disease. He
also states that actually the peripheral nervous
system is more affected than the central nervous
system. An early diagnosis is indispensable so
that an effective early treatment may be institu-
ted.
2787 Questions and Answers: TRACE ELEMENTS AND
LEUKAEMIA. British Medical Journal 1:1237
(May 9), 1964.
The question is posed whether there is a possible
association between trace elements and leukemia,
whether there is any evidence of blood dyscrasia in
metal poisoning, and whether a "leukemic picture"
as a result of metal poisoning has ever been re-
ported.
The answer states that no definite association
has been proved between the absence or presence
of trace metals in the etiology of leukemias. How-
ever, blood dyscrasias such as secondary thrombo-
cytopenic purpura, aplastic anemia and agranulo-
cytosis have been reported after exposure to or in-
gestion of compounds of Pb, As, Au, Hg and other
metals. A leukemic picture has been observed fol-
lowing ingestion of or exposure to Pb and As and a
case of agranulocytosis terminating in acute leu-
kemia has been noted after exposure to Pb and
treatment with sulfonamide.
2788 Questions and Answers: CHELATION IN THE
DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POISONING. Journal of
the American Medical Association 188:478
(May 4), 1964.
The question concerning the accuracy of laboratory
tests for Pb poisoning was answered by M. Rubin as
follows: In subacute Pb poisoning resulting from
the cumulative effect of Pb inhalation, skin ab-
sorption or ingestion in food or water, blood and
urine levels of Pb are sharply elevated from the
normal ranges of 1-90 ug (mean 40 ug)/100 ml and
0-100 yg (mean 27 ug)/l, respectively. There is
stippling of the red blood cells and increased
urinary coproporphyrin. Pb lines in bones occur
seldom, except in children. In chronic Pb poi-
soning due to long-term, low-level increased Pb
absorption, Pb concentrations in blood and urine
are in the high-normal or slightly elevated range.
There is marked stippling of the erythrocytes and
a high increase of urinary coproporphyrins. Anemia
occurs in both subacute and chronic Pb poisoning.
A dose of 0.3-2.0 g of CaNajEDTA resulting in
urinary excretion of >1 mg Pb within 24 hr confirms
the suspicion of an excessive body burden of Pb.
The accuracy of all these tests depends on the
availability of a well-directed laboratory where
competent studies can be done.
(See also letter by R.A. Kehoe, July 27, 1964
issue of the Journal.)
2789 Raffl, G.B., and Alessandri, M. (Univ.
Bologna, Italy): DEFERRIOXAMINE B AND
CHELATION OF LEAD IN VIVO AND IN VITRO.
Giornale Clinica Medica 45, No. 4:351-9,
1964.
For the in-vitro tests, urine containing ^1 pg Pb/
100 ml, was reacted with 20 ug Pb/10 ml. Then,
100 mg deferoxamine (DFO) and 50 mg CaNa2EDTA,
respectively, was added to 10-ml aliquots. Pb
determinations showed that 50% of the Pb present
was chelated with DFO and 100% with EDTA.
In-vivo tests were made with 1 normal individual
and 2 subjects showing clinical signs of chronic
Pb poisoning. After determination of the Pb level
in blood and urine, the subjects were given 3 daily
im injections of 1 g DFO and after a 3-day inter-
val the normal subject and 1 patient received iv 3
injections of EDTA to a total of 1500 mg and the
other patient up to 1000 mg. DFO produced diure-
sis, and only a modest urinary elimination of Pb;
EDTA eliminated much more Pb. The use of DFO for
treatment of Pb poisoning is considered to be of
doubtful value. (From Chemical Abstracts 61:
15240, 1964)
2790 Rasetti, L., and Pettinati, L. (Univ.
Turin, Italy): Chelanti e metabolismo
profirinico. (CHELATING AGENTS AND POR-
PHYRIN METABOLISM.) Minerva Medica 57,
No. 7:219-23, 1964
The effects of EDTA and deferoxamine on the por-
phyrin metabolism were studied in 2 cases of Pb
poisoning, 2 with hepatic cirrhosis and 1 with
acute intermittent porphyria. Deferoxamine had
no effect on urinary Pb excretion in Pb poisoning.
Urinary coproporphyrin and erythrocyte protopor-
phyrin decreased by ^40% with both drugs.
2791 Rashevskaya, A.M., and Zorina, L.A.:
(Central Inst. Advancement Physicians,
550
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
Moscow, USSR): Rol bazofil'no-zernistykh
eritrotsitov v diagnostike svintsovykh in-
toksikatsii. (ROLE OF BASOPHIL-STIPPLED
ERYTHROCYTES IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD POI-
SONING.) Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye
Zabolevanlya 8:20-6 (June), 1964.
Blood tests made on Pb smelters showed a great
variability in the number of stippled erythrocytes
even under continuous exposure to Pb. No correla-
tion was observed between the number of stippled
erythrocytes and other symptoms caused by Pb poi-
soning. (From authors* English summary)
2792 Richet, G., Albahary, C., Ardaillou, R.,
Sultan, C., and Morel-Maroger, A. (Hosp.
Tenon, Paris, France): Le rein du satur-
nisme chronique. (THE KIDNEYS IN CHRONIC
LEAD POISONING.) Revue Francaise d'Eludes
Cliniques et Biologiques 9, No. 2:188-96,
1964.
A study was made on 8 men, aged 29-58 yr, who had
been exposed to Pb occupatlonally and who dis-
played definite signs and symptoms of Pb poisoning.
Excessive Pb absorption was confirmed by iv in-
jection of 500 mg EDTA which resulted in urinary
excretion of 800-6000 pg Pb/24 hr. Six of the pa-
tients showed neither proteinuria nor abnormal
urinary sediment; however, light or electron micro-
scopy revealed interstitial, vascular or tubular
lesions in 5 of them. Severe glomerular lesions
were found in the 2 patients who had proteinuria.
Arterial pressure was normal during rest in 6 pa-
tients, but immersion of the forearm in cold water
caused hypertension in 4 of them. Global renal in-
sufficiency was observed in 4 subjects who had been
exposed to Pb for 8-25 yr. A discrepancy was noted
always between the creatinine and urea clearances;
uric acid excretion was impaired selectively; 3 men
suffered from gout. Biopsies of the right kidney
were made in 7 individuals. Light microscopy of
these samples showed no particular lesions. Three
of 4 samples, examined by electron microscopy,
showed characteristic tubular lesions similar to
those found in chronic experimental Pb poisoning.
These observations suggest that there is a chronic
Pb nephropathy which can be recognized even after
some years' duration, and that possibly some forms
of Bright's disease can be shown to be of saturnine
origin. The importance of treatment with EDTA is
emphasized. (18 references)
2/93 Rodriguez Navarro, M. (Caracas, Venezuela):
Limpieza de tanques de gasolina (con tetra-
etilo de plomo) en el medio tropical Ven-
ezolano. (THE CLEANING OF GASOLINE TANKS
(WITH TETRAETHYLLEAD) IN THE TROPICAL EN-
VIRONMENT OF VENEZUELA.) In XlVth Inter-
national Congress of Occupational Health,
Madrid, Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963. Inter-
national Congress Series No. 62, Amsterdam,
Excerpta Medica Foundation, 1964, Vol. II,
pp. 732-4.
Observations made in storage and distribution
plants for TEL-containing gasoline, belonging to
the Shell Company in northern and central Venezuela
where the temperature ranges from 31-16° C and the
humidity from 93-61%, are reported. Of a total of
96 tanks, 23, of a capacity of 619-6826 m3, are
used for TEL-containing gasoline. Every tank has
a door through which a man can enter for cleaning
the tank; these doors are kept open for 8 days be-
fore the cleaning begins. Every man who starts on
this job is subjected to a thorough medical exami-
nation with detailed clinical and laboratory tests
and is then furnished with special protective
clothing and masks, which are carefully inspected
after use. A companion-worker checks the length
of time spent in the tank, which is limited to 15
min, whereupon the companion then enters the tank.
Work within the tank (15 min) is alternated with a
stay of 25-30 min outside it. Since the tempera-
ture in the tank is very high (from 32.7-33.3° C)
and the clothing of the worker very heavy, pulse
and arterial pressure are checked before and after
the work. The man has to inspect first the tech-
nical parts of the tank and then to remove the
sediment which, upon analysis, was found to con-
tain 0.29% inorganic Pb as oxide and 0.24% organic
Pb as TEL. The men assigned to this job are under
constant surveillance of an industrial physician.
They are rotated in their work and if any alarm-
ing signs are found, they are given weekly medi-
cal checks and removed from exposure. An educa-
tional program has been effective in having work-
ers recognize the serious nature of risks in-
volved.
2794 Rogulski, J., Senezuk, W., and Zegarski,
W. (Med. Acad. Gdansk, Poland): (BEHAVIOR
OF THIOL GROUPS IN THE SERUM OF MEN EXPOSED
TO LEAD POISONING.) Gdanskie Towarzyst.
Nauk. Wydzial Nauk Mat., Przyrodniczch,
Rozprawy Wydzialu III No. 1:49-56, 1964.
The concentration of sulfhydryl (SH) groups in
serum proteins was determined in 84 shipyard work-
ers who had been working with paint containing
^80% red Pb for 2.8-4.5 yr. Based on values of
blood and urinary Pb, urinary coproporphyrin and
Hb, the subjects were divided into 3 groups: (1)
10 men showing symptoms of Pb poisoning, (2) 36
showing insignificant symptoms of Pb poisoning and
(3) 38 exposed to Pb but showing no symptoms.
Taking a serum SH content of 61.7 uM/100 ml, found
in healthy young men, as the reference standard,
19 of the workers had normal serum SH values
(57.94 yM/100 ml) and 65 workers lowered ones
(52.44-45.01). Lowered SH values were found in
all 3 groups; there were 8 in Group 1, 22 in
Group 2 and 29 in Group 3. The decrease in serum
SH concentration was not due to a decrease in the
total concentration of serum proteins. (From
Chemical Abstracts 64:16518, 1966)
2/95 Roth, B., et al: (ON THE EFFECT OF CHRONIC
EXPOSURE TO INDUSTRIAL POISONS ON THE
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPH IN MAN.) Cesko-
slovenska' Neurologie 27:40-7 (Jan.), 1964.
See Abstract No. 2616.
2796 Rotta, C., and Parigi, A. (Med. Dept.
FIAT, Turin, Italy): Sulle variazioni
della quantita di piombo assorbito da
leghe Pb-Sn a diversa composizlone percen-
tuale. (VARIATIONS OF THE QUANTITY OF LEAD
ABSORBED FROM A Pb-Sn ALLOY OF VARIOUS COM-
POSITION.) In XlVth International Con-
gress of Occupational Health, Madrid,
Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963. International
Man
551
-------
Congress Series No. 62, Amsterdam, Excerpta
Medica Foundation, 1964, Vol. II, pp. 738-
40.
Men working with a Pb-Sn alloy are exposed to
metallic dust which may enter the organism by way
of the digestive tract or by inhalation. The com-
monly used alloy contains 97% Pb and 3% Sn. The
possible hazards of intoxication in men involved
in this work were studied in vitro and in vivo.
In-vitro experiments carried out with alloys con-
taining 97% Pb-3% Sn, 75% Pb-25% Sn and 50% Pb-
50% Sn, respectively, showed that the Pb amounts,
dissolved after 6 hr in 0.1N HC1, were 17, 3.6 and
2.2%, respectively, of the total Pb present. In
the in-vivo experiments, dogs were fed alloys con-
taining 97 or 75% Pb. The Pb level in the blood
of dogs fed the 75% Pb-containing alloy was <50%
of that in the dog fed the 97% Pb-containing alloy.
When 50% Pb-containing alloy was fed, the further
decrease in the Pb level in blood was only slight.
Similar results were obtained when dogs were ex-
posed to the inhalation of the 3 alloys.
Studies were also done on 36 men engaged in fil-
ing alloys containing 97 and 75% Pb, respectively.
The following data were obtained for the 2 groups,
respectively (% in whom the abnormalities occur-
red) : <4,000,000 red blood cells, 52.78 and
16.67%; Hb <80%, 69.45%; presence of stippled
erythrocytes, 47.22 and 11.11%; Pb in blood >70
yg%, 61.12 and 19.45%; coproporphyrin >300 yg/1 of
urine, 61.12 and 25%. The greatly lesser hazard
of using an alloy containing 75% Pb is pointed out.
2797 Russanov, E., and Balevska, P. (Bulgarian
Acad. Sciences): Semiquantitative spektro-
chemische Bestimmung der Spurenelemente in
Blut und Plasma. (SEMIQUANTITATIVE SPECTRO-
CHEMICAL DETERMINATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN
BLOOD AND PLASMA.) Comptes Rendus de
1'Academie bulgare des Sciences 17, No. 5:
519-21, 1964.
Aside from their importance in the function of the
liver, the trace elements have become of interest
in more recent years because of the use of radio-
active substances and nuclear technology.
Blood was collected from 17 male and female resi-
dents of Sofia, Bulgaria, age 20-40 yr. The blood
and plasma samples were dried at 105°C and concen-
trated at a temperature not exceeding 500°C which
resulted in a 100-fold concentration of the trace
elements. A mixture of 66% NaCl, 4.4% CaO, 7.2%
basic K phosphate and 22.4% powdered spectrochemi-
cally pure C was used as a comparison preparation.
An ISP-22 spectrograph with electrodes of spectro-
chemically pure C was used for the measurements.
The following data, in ug%, were obtained for blood
and plasma, respectively: Cu, 50-150, 50-150; Al,
50-150, 10-45; Zn, 500-1500, 100-500; Mn, 0.5-2,
0.5-2; Ti, 5-15, 5-15; Pb, 15-50, 5-20; Ni, 0-0.20,
0.2. The high Pb values may have been caused by
the high Pb content of most soils in Bulgaria
attributed to the occurrence of Pb ores.
2798 Russanov, E., and Balevska, P. (Bulgarian
Acad. Sciences): Razpredelenie na mikro-
elementi v serumnite protein!. (DISTRIBU-
TION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN SERUM PROTEINS.)
Izvestiya na Instituta po Fiziologia,
Bulgarska Akademiya na Naukite 8:201-7,
1964.
The distribution of Cu, Ti, Al, Ni, Mn, Cr, Pb and
Zn in the serum proteins and in dialyzed and native
serum of 605 normal men and women was determined
by a semiquantitative spectrochemical method. An
acetone precipitation method was used for the frac-
tionation of the serum proteins. Depending on the
strength of the bond between the metal and the
protein in the precipitation with acetone, the
metal-protein complexes were divided into the un-
stably and stably bound ones. The concentrations
of Pb were as follows, in ug%: serum, 15-45; dia-
lyzed serum, 2-6; total protein, 1.5-4.5; albumin,
0.3-1; globulin, 1.2-3.5. The globulin fraction,
therefore, contained the basic quantity of Pb
bound with the proteins.
2799 Rustagi, J.S. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.):
STOCHASTIC BEHAVIOR OF TRACE SUBSTANCES.
Archives of Environmental Health 8:68-76
(Jan.), 1964.
The lognormal distribution is proposed for the
random phenomena of the intake and output of trace
substances in the human system. Experimental data
on Pb and other trace metals entering the human
organism through food, beverages, and air, and ex-
creted through feces, urine, and air are utilized
to fit this distribution. Graphical procedures
are employed to test the assumption of lognormality.
Some results of queueing theory in probability are
indicated. Through their use a mathematical model
for the amount expected to be stored in the body
is presented. (From author's summary) (30 ref-
erences)
2800 Sagara, M., Dodo, H., Munaka, M., and
Yoshinaga, F. (Hiroshima Univ. Med.
School, Japan): (STUDIES ON LEAD POISONING
FOLLOWING THE USE OF OXYACETYLENE TORCH
CUTTING OF LEAD-PAINTED STEEL ON A SHIP.
4.) Hiroshima Medical Journal 12:5-10
(Feb.), 1964.
Statistical studies were made on hemograms and
urine coproporphyrin content of 73 oxyacetylene-
torch cutters of Fe, 8 gas cutters of nonferrous
metals, 10 helpers for gas-cutting workers and 6
other workers not engaged on metal cutting work,
Pb poisoning having been found to occur in workers
using oxyacetylene torches for cutting Pb-painted
steel. Differences of Pb content in the blood were
found among the various grades of workers, with 1%
of error. The Pb content in the blood of Fe-gas-
cutters, nonferrous-metal cutters, helpers and
clerks was 76.6 yg/100 ml, 42.8 yg/100 ml, 36.6
Ug/100 ml, and 30.2 ug/100 ml, respectively. Al-
though some evidence of anemia was found in the
hemograms of some Fe-gas-cutters, no case of co-
proporphyrin-positive urine was found in any of
the worker groups. The results obtained suggest
that workers engaged in breaking-up ships incur a
danger of Pb poisoning, and periodical physical
examinations of such workers are advisable. (From
Excerpta Medica, Sect. 17, ll:Abstr. No. 6471,
1965)
2801 Saita, G., and Moreo, L. (Univ. Milan,
Italy): La determinazione dell'acido
deltaaminolevulinico sierico ed urinario
ai fini della diagnosi di pregressa in-
552
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
tossicazione da piombo. (DETERMINATION OF
BLOOD AND URINARY DELTA-AMINOLEVULINIC
ACID IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PAST LEAD POISON-
ING.) Medicina del Lavoro 55:357-64 (May),
1964.
The authors were among those who have in recent
years investigated behavior of ALA in blood and
urine in Pb poisoning. Since it is difficult to
recognize certain symptoms as being due to prior
Pb poisoning after exposure to Pb had been dis-
continued for some time, and the usual tests (ie,
coproporphyrinuria, stippled erythrocytes, blood
and urinary Pb concentrations) no longer give ab-
normal values, the authors wished to explore the
value of determining ALA in blood and urine in
such cases. Concurrently, the following were de-
termined: Pb level in blood and urine, erythro-
cytic protoporphyrin, urinary coproporphyrin,
blood counts, stippled erythrocyte counts as well
as urinary Pb excretion after administration of 2
g of EDTA. Mobilization of Pb by EDTA was included
because this test had already been found useful in
demonstrating past abnormal exposure to Pb for up
to 10 yr. Twenty-six subjects chosen for this pur-
pose were divided into 3 groups: (1) 9 cases who
had been removed from exposure to Pb 3 mo-1 yr;
(2) 11 cases, 1-3 yr; (3) 6 cases, >3 yr to a
maximum of 9 yr. The following av values were ob-
tained for the 3 groups, respectively: ALA in
blood, 0.065, 0.043, 0.032 mg/100 ml (normal max-
imum 0.026); ALA in urine, 29, 15, 4.56 mg/24 hr
(normal, 1.3-2.8); free protoporphyrin IX in eryth-
rocytes, 232, 225, 159 pg/100 ml (normal 35-55).
The results showed that ALA remained at signifi-
cantly increased levels for up to 3 yr after ces-
sation of exposure. For periods >3 yr, the values
were only slightly higher than normal and there-
fore could not be used for diagnostic and medico-
legal purposes. The inhibition of ALA-dehydrogen-
ase by Pb is evidently shorter than that of heme-
synthetase. The values of erythrocytic protopor-
phyrin remained significantly increased. While
levels of Pb in urine, especially in groups 2 and
3 remained within or scarcely above normal, those
provoked by EDTA were regularly increased even in
the cases that had been free from exposure to Pb
for the longest period of time. The other criteria
examined showed deviations consistent with the
length of time away from exposure to Pb, with
Groups 2 and 3 exhibiting almost normal values.
2802 Samuels, S. (New York Univ. Med. Center,
N.Y.): HIGH-RESOLUTION SCREENING OF AMINO-
ACIDURIAS. Archives of Neurology 10:322-
6 (March), 1964.
High-voltage paper electrophoresis alone or in a
bidimensional system with a fairly rapid chromato-
graphic solvent gives excellent resolution of the
amino acid components of tissue samples or unde-
salted urine specimens. This procedure carried
out for 1 hr at pH 1.9 is sufficient to dis-
tinguish the urinary amino acid patterns in phe-
nylketonuria, maple syrup disease, histidenemia and
Pb poisoning. Detection is enhanced by using a
ninhydrin reagent. (From author's summaryj 22
references)
2803 Sanders, L.W. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.):
TETRAETHYLLEAD INTOXICATION. Archives of
Environmental Health 8:270-7 (Feb.), 1964.
In discussing TEL intoxication, the author first
points out that, considering the toxicity and the
volume of TEL produced and used, no other product
has had a better record with respect to illness
associated with its handling and distribution.
Almost all, if not all, cases of intoxication on
the American continent have been reported to, or
investigated by, the staff of the Kettering Lab-
oratory. Not counting the cases that had occurred
in the development and early manufacturing years,
there have been 88 cases, among them 16 fatal, in
the US and Canada.
A sound history of valid evidence of the absorp-
tion of dangerous quantities of TEL is of utmost
importance in the diagnosis of TEL intoxication as
the signs and symptoms are not specific for the
disease. Unlike the inorganic Pb compounds, TEL
is confined in its distribution to only 1 industry,
the petroleum, and to only 1 use, that of anti-
knock agent, thus confining generally the possi-
bilities of exposure. These are in the cleaning
and repairing of tanks for the storage of gasoline,
in the TEL manufacturing plant, in handling TEL in
gasoline refineries, and in the transportation of
antiknock compounds containing TEL, Exceptional
circumstances involving exposure have ranged from
the ingestion of TEL accidentally or with suicidal
intent, to its mistaken use as an insecticide;
also, in the emergencies of World War II, careless-
ness in observing precautions had led to unauthen-
ticated cases of poisoning. A history of exposure
in any of these occupational situations is not
necessarily or even probably associated with a
dangerous degree of exposure to TEL. Inquiry must
be made as to the possibility of absorption of TEL.
The approximate permissible concentration of TEL
in the air in areas where men work >40 hr/wk, is
of the order of 75 pg Pb/m^. Concentrations of
1.00, 0.6, 0.4, and 0.28 mg/m3 will be tolerated
without risk for 1, 2, 3, and 4 hr, respectively.
Illness may be induced by continuous respiratory
exposure for 1 hr to 100 mg Pb/m3. Washing with
kerosene followed by soap and water within 15 min
after contact eliminates the danger of percutaneous
absorption of toxic quantities of TEL. The period
between exposure and onset of the earliest symptoms
may be as long as 10 days or as short as 6 hr.
The more severe the exposure, the quicker is the
onset of symptoms. The 1st symptoms of poisoning
are of nervous irritability, insomnia, excessive
dreaming, followed by anorexia, diarrhea, pallor,
lowered blood pressure and tremor. Constipation
has not been seen. There is no change in the
blood picture nor in the porphyrin metabolism, as
in inorganic Pb poisoning. In TEL poisoning, the
Pb concentration in the blood is only slightly ele-
vated or normal; in the urine it is appreciably
higher than in poisoning by inorganic Pb. TEL in-
toxication exhibits itself purely as a psychotic
state. Although recovery is uncertain when a pa-
tient has gone into a deep coma, no residual damage
has been seen in patients who have recovered from
the most severe forms of poisoning. Treatment is
essentially symptomatic and supportive, with heavy
and prolonged sedation, although the short-acting
barbiturates are more easily controlled. The patient
must be restrained. Shock therapy has been used
with seemingly excellent results.
Man
553
-------
2804 Savicevic, M., and Petrovic, Lj.: 0
novijim pogledima na terapiju industrijskog
saturnizma. (NEW VIEWS ON THE TREATMENT OF
OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING.) Vojnosan-
itetski Pregled 21:173-7 (Mar.), 1964.
The effectiveness of EDTA therapy using Mosatil in
various strengths iv, im or as tablets was studied
on groups of patients with chronic Pb poisoning
and compared with nontreated controls. The follow-
ing criteria were examined over 7 days of treat-
ment: basophilic stippling, Hb content of erythro-
cytes, number of reticulocytes, urinary excretion
of Pb and coproporphyrins, and blood Pb, as well
as subjective complaints. The conclusion reached
was that it be considered the drug of choice in
the treatment of Pb poisoning.
2805 Schales, F. (Max-Planck-Inst., Frankfurt/
M., Germany): THE EXCRETION OF THORIUM X
AND ITS DAUGHTER PRODUCTS AFTER INTRAVEN-
OUS INJECTION IN MAN. In Assessment of
Radioactivity in Man. Vienna, Interna-
tional Atomic Energy Agency, 1964, Vol. 2,
pp. 267-76.
ThX is used in Germany for the therapy of Spon-
dylarthrosis ankylopoietica, whereby 250-350 yCi
are injected intravenously in weekly doses of ^32
UCi. The body burden was checked by means of a
whole-body counter by moving a Nal crystal along
the body axis and feeding the pulses of the crys-
tal to a multichannel analyzer. Exhaled thoron
was measured with a vibrating-reed-electrometer;
feces and urine were measured without chemical
treatment under a Nal crystal in a steel and Hg
shield. The body burden decreased by ^0% during
the 1st 8 days and more slowly thereafter. Be-
cause of the rather long sojourn time of the feces
in the intestine, fecal excretion reached a maxi-
mum 1-2 days after injection; excretion by urine
started shortly after injection. The decrease of
the body burden, the amount of excreted ThX and
ThB, and the exhalation of thoron can be described
by power functions in the 1st period and by ex-
ponetial functions in the 2nd period. It is sug-
gested that the therapeutic use of ThX may serve
as a test in vivo of the behavior of the short-
lived Ra daughter products 220Rn, 212pb and 212gi.
In the discussion, C.J. Maletskos commented
that in similar work he found that most of the
212pt> remained in the blood after injection and,
until this decayed, the Y-output of the body would
be more representative of the activity distributed
in blood than of Ra going to or distributed in
bone. The lack of equilibrium between 212pt> an(j
224Ra due to the injection procedure might cause
additional complications in the y-output of the
body, although the effect of this could be mini-
mized.
2806 Schilling, R.S.F. (London School of Hy-
giene and Trop. Med., England): OCCUPA-
TIONAL HEALTH UNDER NATIONALIZED SYSTEMS
OF MEDICAL CARE. Bulletin of the New
York Academy of Medicine 40:591-9 (Aug.),
1964.
In introducing his address, the author states his
intention of outlining some of the major defects
in the British health services which result from
a "laissez-faire attitude towards the health of
people at work" rather than from a nationalized
system of medical care. Following a discussion of
the latter, the program of prevention of chronic
disease, and the role of the occupational physi-
cian therein, the British occupational health ser-
vices are discussed. These are: services pro-
vided voluntarily by the employer as he pleases
and with no set standards; the nationalized indus-
tries (coal, gas and electricity) required to es-
tablish occupational health services, and the Fac-
tory Inspectorate of the Ministry of Labour which
maintains minimal standards of health, safety and
welfare in certain types of operations through the
Factories Act. The deficiencies of the latter
services are briefly stated, and after describing
the example of the successful control of Pb poi-
soning by the Chloride Battery Company and by
other large companies belonging to the Battery
Manufacturers' Association through their own ser-
vices since 1930, the author wonders if it is pos-
sible for services run by the state to maintain
their enterprise after the pioneering days are
over. In the factories above between 1930 and
1961 there were 24 notified cases of Pb poisoning
while in the remainder of the battery companies
and small firms dependent on governmental ser-
vices, there had been 346 notifications for the
same period. In closing, the author sees no rea-
son why Britain and US should not follow the rec-
ommendations of the International Labour Confer-
ence (1959) which had been accepted by the Euro-
pean Common Market countries in 1962, and urges
that in the interests of the employee and effi-
ciency of industry, some provisions must be made
at the work place for both taedical care and envi-
ronmental hygiene.
2807 Schlenker, F.S., Taylor, N.A., and Kiehn,
B.P. (Veterans Admin. Hosp. Memphis,
Tenn.): THE CHROMATOGRAPHIC SEPARATION,
DETERMINATION, AND DAILY EXCRETION OF
URINARY PORPHOBILINOGEN, AMINO ACETONE,
AND (S-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID. American Jour-
nal of Clinical Pathology 42:349-54 (Oct.),
• 1964.
Twenty-four hr urine samples were obtained from a
group of 57 adults and 63 children, 5-16 yr old,
chosen randomly. Urinary porphobilinogen (PBG),
amino acetone (AA) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)
were separated by adsorption on Dowex 2, Amberlite
CG-50 and Dowex SOW, respectively. After elution,
the latter 2 metabolites were converted to pyrroles
with acetyl acetone and all 3 reacted with p-di-
methylaminobenzaldehyde. When known amounts of
the 3 metabolites were added to urine and analyzed
by the above described method, recoveries ranged
from 89-94%. Ranges of daily urinary excretion
values of PBG, AA, ALA and total porphyrins of
this group were tabulated and used as controls.
Excretion rates of the 3 metabolites were also
studied in 3 cases of acute intermittent porphyria,
2 of porphyria cutanea tarda, 2 of Pb poisoning
and some patients with cirrhosis, Hodgkin's leu-
kemia, multiple myeloma, sickle cell anemia and
cancer. In 1 of the Pb patients, the daily uri-
nary excretions before and after treatment with
CaNa2EDTA were, respectively, yg: PBG, 1000 and
190; AA, 652 and 648; ALA, 21,250 and 2110; total
porphyrin, 1400 and 143. Corresponding values for
554
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
the 2nd subject who had a longer exposure to Pb
paint were: 3500 and 807; 414 and 613; 57,000 and
16,417; 1930 and 1600. The results show that the
excretion of PEG and ALA was increased in Pb poi-
soning and in acute intermittent porphyria whereas
AA remained within control limits in all of the
diseases studied in this investigation.
2808 Simpson, J.A., Seaton, D.A., and Adams,
J.F. (Northern Gen. Hosp., Edinburgh,
Scotland): RESPONSE TO TREATMENT WITH
CHELATING AGENTS OF ANAEMIA, CHRONIC EN-
CEPHALOPATHY, AND MYELOPATHY DUE TO LEAD
POISONING. Journal of Neurology, Neuro-
surgery and Psychiatry 27:536-41 (Dec.),
1964.
A case of chronic Pb poisoning in a 39-yr-old
acetylene burner, who showed unusual neurological
and hematological abnormalities, was reported.
The man, who had been in his job for >20 yr, was
treated in 1949 for abdominal pain and constipa-
tion caused by Pb poisoning, and in 1955 developed
giddiness and occasional blackouts which in 1957
became more frequent. Simultaneously he noticed
weakness and wasting of his right hand. When ad-
mitted to the hospital in January 1960 he stated
that while burning Pb he rarely washed. He showed
general psychologic impairment withouc specific
defects, occasional twitching of muscles in all
limbs. Among the laboratory findings, Hb was 8.8
g%, blood Pb levels were 27 and 28 ug%, urinary Pb
87 pg/24 hr, urinary coproporphyrin (I and III)
280 ug/24 hr. An electroencephalogram revealed no
foca.1 or paroxysmal disorders. Upon electromyo-
graphic examination it was concluded that there
was evidence of denervatlon without significant
collateral re-innervation (giant polyphasic units)
and with normal nerve conductivity and neuromuscu-
lar transmission. The evidence pointed to a cen-
tral lesion (myelopathy) rather than to a peripher-
al neuropathy. Subsequently (in January 1960) his
urinary Pb output became 378 yg/24 hr. He was
given oral penicillamine treatments of 300 mg
every 6 hr, for 2 days, and subsequently 4 g EDTA
daily for 9 days. The latter course was repeated
at intervals during the next 3-4 wk. During this
time, his Hb rose to 13.5 g%, and by October, to
15.1 g%. Blood Pb at that time was 18 yg% and
urine Pb 106 jjg%. One yr later, his muscle power
was practically normal again and some clinical
improvement continued when he was last seen in 1963,
though electromyographic damage remained. The
long-term follow-up (4 yr) suggests that the diag-
nosis of chronic Pb encephalopathy with toxic
myelopathy was correct. It is believed that this
case is the 1st in which Pb myelopathy has been
reversed by treatment and that the small risk of
mobilizing bone Ca by chelating agents in view of
the danger of exacerbation of toxic symptoms was
worth taking in this case.
2809 Singerman, A. (Univ. Buenos Aires, Argen-
tina) : STUDIES ON LEAD POISONING IN
ARGENTINA. In Forensic Immunology, Medi-
cine, Pathology and Toxicology, Report of
the Third International Meeting, April 16-
24, 1963. Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica
Foundation, 1964, p. 133.
See following abstract.
2810 Singerman, A. (Columbia Univ., New York;
Univ. Buenos Aires, Argentina): STUDIES
ON LEAD POISONING IN ARGENTINA. Archives
of Environmental Health 9:464-72 (Oct.),
1964.
Industry has developed markedly in Argentina over
the last 40 yr, with metallurgy representing ^21%
of it, of which ^2% involves Pb and Pb compounds.
Although in several large-size establishments
hygienic principles are respected, this is not the
rule in numerous small workshops where the hazard
of handling such material is either ignored or un-
derestimated. The purpose of the present study
was to establish a program for the early diagnosis
of excessive absorption of Pb in people working in
Pb industries and in those living in the neighbor-
hood of Pb plants. The author considers blood
counts and a finding of basophilic stippling only
of relative diagnostic value since he found several
cases with clinical evidence of Pb poisoning where
stippled cells were not present and the anemia was
rather slight. According to his experience, the
most important tests are determination of the Pb
level in blood, of the urinary ALA, and of copro-
porphyrin. A discussion of methods for the de-
termination of the above criteria is followed by
a report of analyses made on 10 workmen of a fac-
tory where Pb from galena is refined and molded
into ingots, 2 workers and 2 administrative em-
ployees of a battery plant, and a group of people
living in the neighborhood of a plant manufactur-
ing Pb oxides. Good correlations were always
found between urinary ALA, coproporphyrin excre-
tion and Pb concentrations in blood. From this,
the author concludes that both ALA and copropor-
phyrin estimations are able to reflect an abnormal
Pb absorption. In some cases, an increase in ex-
cretion of ALA proved to be an earlier sign of im-
paired heme synthesis due to Pb than did an in-
crease of coproporphyrin excretion. There was
also an increase in the total aminoaciduria in
almost every case of Pb poisoning. However,
further studies are believed necessary to obtain
reliable data. (47 references)
2811 Sinha, J.K. (Centr. Mining Research Sta-
tion, Dhanbad, India): STUDIES ON THE
NATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF ERYTHROCYTE
STIPPLING IN LEAD WORKERS. Indian Journal
of Industrial Medicine 10, No. 4:159-67,
1964.
Seventeen Pb workers were examined for stippled
erythrocytes. The blood film was stained with
methylene-blue and the stippled cells were counted
both under dark-ground illumination and transmit-
ted light. The data obtained by dark-ground il-
lumination were twice as large as those obtained
by transmitted light and varied in the range of
400-2600/million erythrocytes. Since there is an
individual variation in susceptibility to the
toxic action of Pb it is not possible to establish
the level of stippled cells which may be consider-
ed to be the deciding factor for the diagnosis of
industrial Pb poisoning. Other tests, such as red
blood cell count and determination of Hb and uri-
nary coproporphyrin could not be done. In such
cases where only the stippled cell count can be
undertaken, the author feels strongly that counts
up to 2600 stippled cells/million erythrocytes
Man
555
-------
found by dark-ground illumination may not be con-
sidered unsafe in Pb workers. (From Excerpta Medi-
ca, Sect. 17, ll.-Abstr. No. 6697, 1965)
2812 Skripnichenko, Z.M. (Ukrainian Sci.-Res.
'Inst. Eye Dis., USSR): Kliniko-eksperi-
mental'nye issledovaniya patogenesa toksi-
cheskoi glaukomy. (CLINICAL AND EXPERI-
MENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE PATHOGENESIS
OF TOXIC GLAUCOMA.) Oftal'mologicheskii
Zhurnal 19:597-603, 1964.
Following a review of the literature on the sub-
ject, the author describes the results of clinical
studies performed in the Institute on 563 workers
exposed to TEL. Pathologic intraocular tension
was found in 38%. As observed in the out-patient
department, irregular diurnal fluctuations of the
tension were found in 88 workers. These distur-
bances were followed in 53 workers for 2-5 yr.
i'he maintenance of visual acuity and visual field
in these persons could be explained by the pres-
ence of high intraocular tension in the central
artery of the retina.
In experiments with rabbits, TEL caused distur-
bances of the regulation of intraocular tension,
a decrease in the cholinesterase activity in
blood, and an increase of protein in the aqueous
humor. Compression of the eye produced a decrease
in intraocular tension and increase in the outflow
of the aqueous humor, i'he author concludes that
the disturbance of regulation of intraocular ten-
sion in the workers under observation and in the
experimental animals appeared to be one of the
symptoms of TEL intoxication and was accompanied
by the presence of general vasovegetative distur-
uances. Tonographic data, indexes of functional
conditions of the eye, and the clinical course of
TEL poisoning point to the hypersecretional char-
acter of congestive toxic TEL glaucoma. (From
author's summary; 26 references)
2813 Sluka, F., and Stenzel, E.: BleigefHhr-
dung in Akkumulatorenfabriken. (THE LEAD
HAZARD IN ACCUMULATOR FACTORIES.) In
Die AmtstHtigkeit der Arbeitsinspektorate
im Jahre 1963. Vienna, Austria, Zentral-
Arbeltsinspektorat, June, 196A, p. 106-11.
A study was carried out in 4 factories. Along with
the determination of the Pb concentration in the
ambient air, the workers were subjected to medical
examination. Since many of the men were employed
in different workplaces with varying Pb exposure,
it was difficult to decide whether pathological
symptoms accompanied high atmospheric Pb concen-
trations. However, there was a definite correla-
tion between the results of the medical examination
and the atmospheric Pb concentrations. (From Oc-
cupational Safety and Health Abstracts 3, No. 7:
419, 1965)
2814 Sroczynski, J. (Clinic of Internal Dis-
eases, Zabrze, Poland): Kryteria kliniczne
i biochemiczne rozpoznawania zatrucia
o/owiem. (CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CRI-
TERIA OF LEAD POISONING.) Polski Tygodnik
Lekarski 19, No. 15:541-45, 1964.
The results of clinical and laboratory examinations
done on 150 persons were analyzed in an attempt to
correlate the findings with the clinical signs and
forms of Pb poisoning. Since this disease may be
considered as resulting from an interference with
the activity of enzymes, the author proposes that
the milder forms, in which clinical signs have not
yet appeared, be designated as "Pb poisoning pro-
dromes," instead of "signs of Pb absorption."
The various degrees of poisoning are discussed
and tabulated as to the following diagnostic
criteria: stippled erythrocytes, coproporphyrin-
uria, aminolevulinlc acid in urine, Pb in blood and
urine, red-cell count, Hb, glutathione in blood,
phosphatase, and the clinical findings observed.
Aside from giving values in healthy individuals,
those in the "prodromal stage," in the mild, mod-
erately severe and severe chronic forms of poison-
ing as well as in the acute, are tabulated.
2815 Sroczynski, J., Buczkowski, M., and Wiec-
zorek, M. (Inst. Occup. Med., Lodz, Poland).
WpZyw zatrucia oXowiem na nerki. (THE EF-
FECTS OF LEAD POISONING ON THE KIDNEYS.)
Medycyna Pracy 15, No. 3:139-44, 1964.
Thirty rabbits experimentally poisoned with Pb and
118 human subjects with occupational Pb poisoning
were studied. Severe injury of the kidneys, par-
ticularly lesions in the tubular epithelium, but
no alterations in vessels and glomeruli were seen
in the rabbits. The clinical observation per-
formed on the patients, which included laboratory
tests (creatinine clearance, examination of urine,
etc) demonstrated only a slight % of pathogenic
changes.
The authors conclude that kidney injury depends
on the degree of exposure and that the differences
observed between experimental and occupational poi-
soning are due to this fact. (From authors' Eng-
lish summary)
2816 Sroczynski, J., and Urbanowicz, H. (Clinic
for Internal Diseases, Zabrze, Poland):
Perturbations de la synthese de 1'heme dans
1'anemic saturnine. (DISTURBANCES OF THE
SYNTHESIS OF HEME IN ANEMIA IN LEAD POISON-
ING.) Archives des Maladies Professionnel-
les, de Medecine du Travail et de Securite
Sociale 25:487-93 (Sept.), 1964.
Hemoglobin content, number of red blood cells and
of stippled red cells, excretion of urinary ALA
and presence of coproporphyrinuria were determined
in 25 Pb-poisoned workers, aged 23-60 yr, and 16
controls without known exposure to Pb. Urinary
ALA in the controls and in Pb-exposed subjects
without clinical manifestations averaged 1.8 ±
0.08 mg/1, while the patients with Pb anemia showed
a range of 4.7-64 mg/1. (However, in the tabula-
tion of the 25 patients, for 3 indicated as show-
ing no clinical syndrome ALA of 3.6, 11.9, and
49.8 mg is given.) A correlation was noted between
the amount of excreted ALA and the number of red
blood cells as well as the number of stippled
cells, the coefficients of correlation being -0.76
and 0.61, respectively. As the anemia improved
upon treatment with CaNa2EDTA, the number of stip-
pled red cells and the excretion of urinary ALA
decreased at a parallel rate. The mechanism of
these phenomena with regard to reports in the
literature and the authors' own results is dis-
cussed. The conclusion is drawn that the present
studies indicate that in Pb poisoning the synthe-
556
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
sis of heme is disturbed at an early stage. The
investigations are being continued. (33 ref-
erences)
2817 Stahlhofen, W. (Max-Planck-Inst. for Bio-
physics, Frankfurt, Germany): MEASUREMENT
OF THE NATURAL CONTENT OF Th228, Ra226 AND
ITS DAUGHTERS IN THE HUMAN BODY. Vienna,
International Atomic Energy Agency, 1964,
Preprint SM-52/60, 22 pp.
The content and distribution of 22^Ra, 228lh,
210po and 2l°Pb were determined in the bones and
soft tissues of persons ranging in age from 5-70
yr. The ratio of 210po and 210pb ±n tne skeleton
was found to be 0.8 on the av. (From Nuclear Sci-
ence Abstracts 18:Abstract No. 36944, 1964)
2818 Stantschew, S. (Regional Hygienic Inst.,
Warna, Bulgaria): Prophylaxe des chron-
ischen Saturnismus durch orale Anwendung
von Kalzium-Natrium-EDTA. (PREVENTION OF
CHRONIC SATURNISM BY ORAL USE OF CALCIUM-
SODIUM-EDTA.) Zeitschrift filr die Gesamte
Hygiene und Ihre Grenzgebiete 10:180-6
(Mar.), 1964.
Since in Bulgaria, EDTA has not yet been used for
the treatment or prevention of Pb poisoning, the
author reports his observation on 24 workers en-
gaged in the manufacture of Pb pigments. All show-
ed signs of excessive absorption of Pb and all had
earlier received treatment. The "test" group of
14 workers received orally twice a day for 8 days
a 10% solution (10 ml) of the CaNa2 salt of EDTA,
and 10 received no EDTA. Of the test group 4 had
no complaints; 4 had periodic abdominal cramps;
the others complained of various sorts of digestive
discomfort, 1 had joint pain and in 1 the liver
could be palpated. All showed facial pallor. De-
tailed blood and porphyrin tests and determina-
tions of urinary Pb were made 1 day before admin-
istration was started, on the 5th day and 1 day
after treatment was discontinued. Average urinary
Pb excretion increased from an initial value of
0.149 mg/1 to 1.174 on the 5th day and returned
to 0.150 on the llth day, that is, each man ex-
creted a total of 7.894 mg Pb on the av over the
8 days of treatment. The control group that was
not given EDTA, excreted an av of 0.115 mg Pb/1
or a total of 0.920 mg over the 8-day period. In
3 men, urinary Pb was measured every 2 hr for 24
hr. Pb excretion had doubled within 2 hr after
EDTA administration, increased 4- to 7-fold after
6-8 hr and kept on increasing up to the 24th hr.
Coproporphyrin was positive in all 14 men before
treatment; after treatment it was negative in 7,
decreased in 5 and unchanged in 2, while there
were no changes in the control group. Hemoglobin
increased an av of 5.1% after the EDTA doses,
stippled erythrocytes disappeared in all but 2 of
the 14 patients. Objective and subjective im-
provement was obvious in all treated workers. The
men were observed for 6 more mo. When 2 of them
after 4 mo again showed indications of Pb poison-
ing, EDTA treatment was repeated and again was
successful. Generally, no harmful effects of the
treatment were noted and its use is recommended.
It is contraindicated in cases of renal damage.
2819
Sterling, T.D. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.):
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH
LEAD. Archives of Environmental Health 88;
333-48 (Feb.), 1964.
In introducing his discussion, the author distin-
guishes between classical and statistical epidemi-
ology. Classical epidemiology deals with a rela-
tion between environmental characteristic and
specific disease, which has an element of invari-
ability, such as an investigation of the occurrence
of signs and symptoms associated with Pb intoxica-
tion in a population exposed to appreciable amounts
of Pb. Statistical epidemiology deals with a
variable relation between environmental character-
istics and subsequent disease, in which the en-
vironmental characteristic is one of many alterna-
tives that may lead to a specific disease, for ex-
ample, an investigation into the occurrence of
neoplasia in a population exposed to Pb in their
environment. Epidemiological methods and criteria
for proof of association have been examined for
application to investigations as to the effects
of environmental Pb on exposed populations by
covering the following topics: observations on the
relationships of Pb in the environment and in the
body, on the relation of Pb in the urine and blood
to Pb intoxication, on the relation of the cumula-
tive absorption of Pb to diseases other than Pb
intoxication; and on the effects of prolonged ex-
posure to low levels of Pb. The author concludes
that while epidemiologic methods have been highly
successful in helping man master his environment,
it must be noted that epidemiology has never been
applied with success, unless it has led to crucial
laboratory experimentation. The tools available
by epidemiology narrow down the conditions causing
disease. However, the methods are neither infal-
lible, nor easy, nor conclusive. The only conclu-
sive proof is furnished by the fully described
and reproducible experiment. In view of the known
causal relationships between Pb and its effect on
the body, the need for epidemiologic investigations
may be much reduced.
2820 Sterling, T.D., Kehoe, R.A., and Rustagi,
J.S. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): MATHEMATICAL
ANALYSIS OF LEAD BURDENS. Archives of
Environmental Health 8:44-51 (Jan.), 1964.
Mathematical models illustrating the intake and
output of Pb are presented. The mathematical
analysis coincides with data found experimentally
for 2 healthy subjects whose pattern of Pb in-
gestion and excretion was established for normal
conditions and for prolonged exposure to Pb in a
respiratory chamber. Urinary excretion of Pb was
stable in the pre-experimental period. When the
subject spent 3 hr every other day in the chamber,
urinary Pb excretion increased rapidly and then
reached a new level of equilibrium. When another
equal increment of Pb was added to the subject's
body burden by increasing the time of exposure to
6 hr, urinary Pb excretion increased again. The
differences in the levels at which equilibrium was
established and re-established were approximately
equal. From the fit of the data to the mathemati-
cal model, appraisal of the body burden of Pb may
be made by working with practical equilibrium
states. When known increments of absorbed Pb re-
sult in stable rates of increased elimination, it
is possible to ascertain: the amount of this Pb
Man
557
-------
retained by the body and that eliminated; and
amounts of Pb actually absorbed from the amount
excreted. It is pointed out that data obtained
from 2 subjects are not sufficient to provide bases
for general application and that experiments are
now under way with additional subjects. However,
investigations with 12 subjects showed patterns of
the Pb metabolism to be remarkably uniform.
2821 Stich, W. (Univ. Munich, Germany): Physio-
logie und Pathologic der Hamsynthese.
(PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY OF HEME SYNTHE-
SIS. 1 Folia Haematologica 9, No. 3-4:197-
216, 1964.
The title subject is reviewed in detail on the ba-
bis of the metabolism of porphyrin and precursors
generally and in respect to pathologic states,
such as aplastic anemias, erythropoietic porphy-
rias, deficiency anemias, and sideroachrestic ane-
mias. The latter occurs particularly in Pb poi-
soning. (31 references)
2822 Suleimenov, B.N.: (CHANGES IN SOME PHYS-
ICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE BLOOD IN
LEAD POISONING.) Izvestiya Akademii Nauk
Kazakhskoi SSR, Seriya Meditsiny Nauk
1964, No. 3:54-9.
Workers showing symptoms of Pb poisoning had a
decreased number of thrombocytes while the speed
of blood coagulation and clot retraction was in-
creased. (From Chemical Abstracts 62:9676, 1965)
2823 Takhchi, K.G.: K voprosu o klinike ostrogo
otravleniya tetraetilsvintsom. (CLINICAL
ASPECTS OF ACUTE POISONING WITH TETRAETHYL
LEAD.) Sb. Nauch Rabot kievskii voennvi
gospital' 5:92-4, 1964. (From Referativnyi
Zhurnal otd. Vypusk Farmakol. Toksikol.
1964, No. 20:54. 292; Biological Abstracts
46:Abstr. No. 103311, 1965)
2824 Tareev, E.M. (Acad. Med. Sci., USSR):
Nespetsificheskie sindromy pri profes-
sional'nykh zabolevaniyakh. (NONSPECIFIC
SYNDROMES IN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.) In
Trudy 1-go Moskovskogo (Ordena Lenina)
Medltsinskogo Instituta imeni I.M. Seche-
nova, E.M. Tareev, ed. 28:7-22, 1964.
The discussion of the title subject is illustrated
in tables of cases with benzene poisoning, sili-
cosis, berylliosis, vibration sickness, TEL and
TEL-gasoline exposure (15 yr, with 5 yr since re-
moval from exposure), and Pb (10 yr exposure).
In the TEL case, the primary disease was mild TEL
poisoning with asthenovegetative syndrome; the
secondary nonspecific syndrome was systemic scle-
roderma with lung, joint, and skin involvement;
the course of illness was rapidly progressing sys-
temic scleroderma. In Pb case, the primary dis-
ease was chronic poisoning; the secondary, nodular
periarteritis; the outcome, remission after symp-
tomatic treatment.
2825 Teisinger, J. (Clinic of Occup. Diseases,
Prague, Czechoslovakia): (PRACTICAL SIG-
NIFICANCE OF DIAGNOSTIC MOBILIZATION OF
LEAD.) Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Tokslko-
logiju 15:243-8, 1964.
In 1961, Teisinger and Srbova' introduced in Czech-
oslovakia a diagnostic mobilization test for Pb in
which a urine sample was taken 6 hr after inges-
tion of 1 1. of tea and iv injection of 10 ml of
"Edtacal Spofa" (containing 2 g CaNa2EDTA). Since
the amount of Pb excreted during the 1st 6 hr
after administration of EDTA represents 50% of the
total Pb eliminated within 24 hr, the total daily
amount can be calculated. In subjects not exposed
to Pb, this daily amount does not exceed 0.350 mg.
In order to establish which amount of Pb ex-
creted in the urine after injection of EDTA can be
considered as indicative of a Pb hazard, 50 Pb work-
ers in whom excessive Pb absorption was evidenced
by such tests as count of stippled erythrocytes,
porphyrinuria and blood Pb level, were studied,
A finding of >1000 stippled cells/million erythro-
cytes,. porphyrinuria exceeding 0.150 mg/1 and Pb
concentrations in the blood of >0.070 mg% were
considered as positive. Statistical analysis
showed that in 887. of the subjects with at least 2
positive tests, the urinary Pb excretion after the
mobilization test was higher than 3 mg/24 hr or
1.7 mg/6 hr; only in rare cases was the 24-hr Pb
excretion lower, for instance 1.8 mg/24 hr. The
author concludes that when 2 tests are positive,
the mobilization test need not be carried out
routinely. However, it is useful for the ex-
amination of individuals treated for Pb intoxica-
tion in order to decide whether they may return to
work. Persons with negative laboratory tests and
a Pb excretion of 3 mg/24 hr after mobilization
were not tested further, although this might be
recommendable since they rank among the so-called
Pb carriers. Of the 50 subjects studied, 28 had
no subjective complaints while laboratory tests
were positive in all 50. Pb intoxication was con-
sidered only in cases with subjective complaints
and anemia. Thus, the diagnosis was based largely
on information given by the patient, even in cases
of a positive mobilization test. Since the pa-
tient may "simulate or dissimulate" symptoms, the
trustworthiness of the patient should be investi-
gated in the presence of subjective complaints.
In the 18 patients with anemia, urinary Pb excre-
tion averaged 5.05 mg/24 hr, compared with 3.77 mg
in the cases without anemia. The author points
out that administration of penicillin shortly be-
fore the mobilization test will distort the re-
sults since penicillin in the organism changes into
penicillamlne which mobilizes Pb deposits in the
body.
Based on present experience, Pb excretion ex-
ceeding 0.350 mg/24 hr signifies close contact
with Pb, and an excretion of 0.8-1 mg/24 hr does
not yet manifest any effects of Pb. At a Pb ex-
cretion of 3 mg/24 hr, 2 tests are positive in at
least 90% of cases and often signs of intoxication
are evident; excretions of 5 mg/24 hr are usually
accompanied by anemia. Therefore the author recom-
mends that in out-patients, for a decision as to
treatment and return to work, urine samples be
taken 6 hr after injection of EDTA, and that Pb
concentrations of 0.8-1 mg/24 hr be considered as
the maximum permissible concentration. He also
points out that urinary Pb excretion should be ex-
pressed in absolute values rather than as concen-
tration/1 of urine until the relation between ex-
cretion of Pb and diuresis is clarified.
558
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
2826 Teisinger, J. (Karlova Univ., Prague,
Czechoslovakia): Zkusenosti s ambulantnim
vysetrovanim diagnostic^ mobilizace olova.
(EXAMINATION OF DIAGNOSTIC LEAD MOBILIZA-
TION IN OUT-PATIENTS.) Pracovni Lekarstvi
16, No. 4:145-7, 1964.
Based on experience over a period of several years,
the author recommends the collection of urine sam-
ples 6 hr after injection of 2 g CaEDTA for the
diagnosis of suspected Pb poisoning. According to
the author, the maximum permissible Pb concentra-
tion in urine is 0.8-1 mg during 24 hr after the
EDTA injection or 0.45-0.56 mg within 6 hr. When
the Pb content exceeds 3 mg in 24 hr, at least 90%
of the patients will show a positive reaction for
2 of the following 3 laboratory tests: urinary
porphyrin, blood-Pb or stippled erythrocytes. If
urinary Pb excretion amounts to 5 mg, anemia is
present. The test is recommended for the diagnosis
of atypical cases, for controlling treatment and
for deciding whether the patient may resume work
involving Pb exposure. (From author's English sum-
mary)
2827 Teisinger, J., and Srbova', J. (Klin. Nemocf
Povolani, Prague, Czechoslovakia): Vliv
D-penicilaminu na vylucovani rtuti a olova
v moc'i. (EFFECT OF D-PENICILLINAMINE ON
THE URINARY EXCRETION OF MERCURY AND LEAD.)
Pracovni Lekarstvi 16, No. 10:433-5, 1964.
Seven patients with chronic Pb poisoning were
treated with daily oral doses of 150 mg D-penicil-
linamine for 4-7 days. Urinary excretion of Pb
increased about 4-fold which is practically as
much as after administration of 0.5-g tablets of
CaEDTA, 4 times/day. If future studies confirm its
lower toxicity in long-term administration, D-
penicillinamine may replace EDTA.
2828 Tipton, I.H., and Shafer, J.J. (Univ.
Tennessee, Knoxville): STATISTICAL ANALY-
SIS OF LUNG TRACE ELEMENT LEVELS. Archives
of Environmental Health 8:58-67 (Jan.),
1964.
Tissues from 200 victims of instantaneous death,
aged 0->70 yr, from 9 cities in the US (Baltimore,
Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Miami, New York, Rich-
mond, San Francisco, Seattle), were analyzed for
22 trace metals. Nonparametric statistical meth-
ods were used in the analysis of the data, with
calculations made by computers. Pb concentrations
in the lungs of adult subjects from 8 cities in
the US ranged from 5-550 yg/g of tissue ash (mean
of 67 ± 5.8) and from 20-250 yg/g (mean 58 ± 12)
in the lungs of 27 individuals from San Francisco.
Significant correlations were found between the
Pb concentrations in the lungs and in almost all
other tissues. None of the other metals except Fe
showed such correlations. Pb appears to enter the
lungs in soluble form and to be quickly carried to
other parts of the body. Tests of variations were
made for age, sex, and geographical location.
Many elements, including Pb, increased with age;
significantly higher concentrations of Cr, Fe, Mn,
Ni, Pb, and Ti were found in males; there was no
apparent consistent pattern of variation with
geographical location. A word of caution is ex-
pressed against the acceptance of data in the
analysis of variation by the procedure used.
2829 Tompsett, S.L. (Univ. Edinburgh, Scotland):
LEAD POISONING. In Methods of Forensic
Science, A.S. Curry, Editor. New York,
Interscience Publishers, 1964, Vol. Ill:
1-45.
A review on Pb poisoning, with 244 references, is
presented. The following subjects are discussed
in separate chapters: Factors associated with the
causation of Pb poisoning in nonindustrial and in-
dustrial exposure, such as contamination of food
and water, use of Pb-containing ointments, burning
of battery cases in homes, etc, for the former,
and the different industrial processes for the
latter; determination of Pb in biological mater-
ials; Pb in human excreta, with normal range es-
timated at 0-70 yg/day in urine and 0.5 mg in
feces; distribution of Pb in human tissues; nor-
mal Pb values in human blood, an estimated $40-70
yg/100 ml, with Pb in milk and spinal fluid also
given; Pb in tissues and excreta in Pb poisoning;
mobilization of Pb; factors that influence the ab-
sorption of Pb from the alimentary tract, such as
the composition of the diet; treatment of Pb poi-
soning; porphyrin metabolism in Pb poisoning in-
cluding determination of coproporphyrin and ALA in
urine; laboratory examinations in Pb poisoning.
Under the heading of control of the Pb hazard, the
marked reduction in the number of industrial cases
in Britain from 1058 reported in 1900 to only 48 in
1952 is attributed to the efforts of Sir Thomas
Oliver and others, and to the establishment of
regulatory measures which are cited. The nonin-
dustrial hazards are controlled in part by the
Food and Drug Acts of Great Britain and recommen-
dations by the Ministry of Food. TEL poisoning,
and the determination of volatile Pb in tissues
are briefly reviewed.
2830 Truhaut, R., Boud'ene, C., and Albahary, C.
(Univ. Paris, France): Role possible de.
la consommation exageree de vin dans 1'e-
tiologie du saturnisme. (POSSIBLE INFLU-
ENCE OF EXCESSIVE WINE CONSUMPTION IN THE
ETIOLOGY OF LEAD POISONING.) Bulletin of
the World Health Organization 31, No. 1:
127-9, 1964.
Albahary et al (1961) had found, in an earlier
study on the detection of Pb absorption by a mo-
bilization test, using CaEDTA, that heavy wine
drinkers excreted excessive amounts of Pb in their
urine. Potential sources of Pb in alcoholic bev-
erages have been listed by Jaulmes et al (1960).
Analyses of several French wines by various au-
thors have shown that the Pb content of wine exceeds
200 yg/1, which is the maximal limit proposed in
1955 by the subcommittee on metallic contamination
of the British committee for food standards, and
is even >300 yg/1, adopted as the maximal limit by
the Society of Chemical Experts of France in 1950.
It was estimated that the normal Pb concentration
in wine ranges between 25 and 400, with a maximum
of 600 yg/1; this was considered to be permissible
from the standpoint of health. Truhaut and asso-
ciates agree with this, in so far as moderate
drinkers are concerned However, this limit is
too high for alcoholics who drink 4-5 1 of wine/
day, since Pb poisoning may occur after prolonged
ingestion of >1 mg daily.
Since the wines analyzed by Jaulmes et al were
Man
559
-------
vintage wines, Truhaut and his group decided to
determine, by a polarographic method, the Pb con-
tent of inexpensive commercial table wines. The
following results were obtained: 13 samples of
white wine, alcoholic content 11%, contained 60-
250, av 145 yg Pb/1; 4 rose wines, 11-13%, 105-
255, av 189; 21 red wines, 10-12%, 85-160, av 132.
These concentrations were considered as harmless
at a daily consumption of not more than 500 ml of
wine, but not so for alcoholics who drink up to 5
1 of wine/day, thereby ingesting an av of 800 and
sometimes >1250 yg Pb,
The authors point out that Pb poisoning should
always be considered in alcohol intoxications
since at relatively small concentrations Pb acts a
as a poison on certain enzymatic systems, notably
dehydrases which are important in the intermediate
metabolism.
2831 Tsuchiya, K. (Keio Univ., Tokyo, Japan):
COPROPORPHYRINS IN LEAD AND MERCURY WORK-
ERS . Industrial Health 2:162-71 (Dec.),
1964.
In the place of urinary Pb analyses, the author
proposes the determination of coproporphyrin by a.
modification of the Askevold method (1951) for the
screening of Pb workers where facilities for re-
liable Pb analyses are not available. Ninety
urine samples were collected from workers in a
storage battery and a Pb oxide plant where atmos-
pheric Pb concentrations ranged from 0.2 to several
mg/m^. In addition, urinary Pb and coproporphyrin
of a 42-yr-old hospitalized Pb worker were analyzed
almost daily for 40 days, and normal excretion of
coproporphyrin was determined in male physicians
and students of the laboratory. Excretion of Pb
and coproporphyrin in the hospitalized patient
(who was not under treatment at the time of analy-
ses) started to increase on about the 10th day
after admission, reached a peak on the 16th day,
then decreased and rose to a 2nd peak on the 30th
day. There was a significant correlation between
both coproporphyrinuria and urinary Pb excretion,
and atmospheric Pb concentration. In normal sub-
jects, the upper limit of urinary coproporphyrin
was found to be 53.1 yg/1 (95% confidence level).
When Pb concentration in air was plotted against
urinary coproporphyrin and the percentages trans-
formed to the Bliss probit values, a threshold
limit value (TLV) for Pb in air of 0.08-0.12 mg/
m was found (at a TLV of 0.08, 5% showed copro-
porphyrin >50 yg/1).
Since in Hg absorption, coproporphyrin was found
to increase also to some extent, the author con-
cludes that the determination of coproporphyrin is
important for the periodic medical examination of
Pb and Hg workers.
2832 Unseld, D.W. (Municipal Hosp., Ulm, Ger-
many) : Diagnostische Erfahrungen mit
Chelatbildnern bei vermehrten Blei- und
Eisendeponierungen im Kifrper. (DIAGNOSTIC
EXPERIENCES WITH CHELATING AGENTS IN THE
PRESENCE OF INCREASED DEPOSITION OF LEAD
AND IRON IN THE BODY.) Verhandlungen der
Deutschen Gesellschaft fUr Innere Medizin
70:401-4, 1964.
The use of chelating agents such as CaEDTA and
desferrioxamine for the diagnosis of the accumula-
tion of Pb and Fe, respectively, in the body is
discussed. The tests for Pb were made on 12 pa-
tients who had a Pb content in the blood ranging
from 6-74 yg%. No residual Pb intoxication was
found in the 1st 2 patients since urinary Pb after
administration of EDTA remained <300 yg/1. In pa-
tients 3-6, urinary Pb excretion after an EDTA
dose ranged from 480-2400 yg/1, indicating more or
less increased Pb deposits in the organism. Pa-
tients 7, 8 and 9 had formerly been exposed exces-
sively to Pb and the question was whether they
could be exposed to it again without risk. The
tests showed that patients 7 and 8 were not ready
for another exposure since their urinary Pb after
mobilization with EDTA was still 840 and 440 yg/1,
respectively, while patient 9 with a urinary Pb
after mobilization with EDTA of 120 yg/1 had fully
recovered. Also fully recovered after EDTA therapy
was patient 10 while 11 still showed a small in-
crease of urinary Pb (400 yg/1). Patient 12 had
suffered an acute Pb intoxication and excreted
1440 yg Pb/1 of urine. In his case the mobiliza-
tion test would normally not have been necessary
since his blood Pb level of 74 yg% already defi-
nitely indicated a greatly increased Pb absorption.
The author concludes that the EDTA mobilization
test presents a useful means for the diagnosis of
Pb deposits in the body.
2833 Vavra, J.D., and Mayer, V.K. (Washington
Univ., St. Louis, Mo.): IN VITRO PORPHY-
RIN SYNTHESIS BY HUMAN BLOOD: PORPHYRIN
SYNTHESIS BY THALASSEMIC ERYTHROCYTES.
Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medi-
cine 63:754-71 (May), 1964.
The porphyrin synthesis from glycine, amlnolevu-
linic acid and porphobilinogen by red blood cells
and hemolysates from patients with thalassemia
major and other types of anemia, and the effects
of Pb on the synthesis of porphyrin were studied.
Pb was found to inhibit conversion of aminolevu-
linic acid to porphobilinogen and of heme formation
from glycine and protoporphyrin. Red blood cells
from patients with Pb poisoning showed just as
marked an inhibition of heme synthesis as red
blood cells exposed to Pb in vitro. The hemoly-
sates of 2 patients with Pb poisoning incubated
with aminolevulinic acid showed reduced total por-
phyrin synthesis. (29 references)
2834 Veronese, A. (Univ. Padua, Italy): Quadri
oto-vestibolari nei postumi di intossica-
zione da piombo tetraetile. (THE OTO-
VESTIBULAR PICTURE IN PATIENTS WITH TETRA-
ETHYLLEAD POISONING.) Minerva Otorinolar-
ingologica 14:123-7 (Nov.-Dec.), 1964. ,
After reviewing the signs and symptoms of TEL poi-
soning the author describes his own investigation
in the Otorhinolaryngologic Clinic on 21 male pa-
tients, age 21-52 yr, who after exposure to TEL
(most probably inhalation) in a TEL-producing or
mixing plant were already in the state of recovery
and presented a nonspecific and transient sympto-
matology consisting mainly of anemia, vertigo,
apathy, insomnia, and impotence. Objective signs
involving the central nervous system were moderate
or absent. All these patients were subjected to
an examination of the cochlear and vestibular ap-
paratus and in some of them an electronystagmo-
560
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
graph of the vestibular response to a thermic and
an accelerating stimulus was recorded.
Audioraetric tests showed normal function in 18
individuals and some loss of hearing in 3 who were
in an advanced age and had worked for some years
in a noisy environment. Spontaneous vestibular
signs were absent except in one case. Vestibular
reflex activity was somewhat lowered with respect
to thermal and rotatory stimuli. The electrony-
stagmograph revealed uni- or bilateral arrhythmia
of nystagmic movements.
On the basis of his findings the author con-
cludes that TEL does not cause lesions in the
cochlear or the acoustit nerve. The diminished
function of the labyrinthine reflexes can hardly
be due to an involvement of the receptors or the
acoustic nerve because a selective effect of TEL
on the vestibular and not the cochlear apparatus
appears improbable. The hypothesis is advanced
that the vestibular lesion is located at the brain
stem. Although the oto-vestibular syndrome des-
cribed in this study occurs also in other intoxi-
cations of endogenous and exogenous origin, the
author believes that a test of the hearing func-
tion will be a helpful diagnostic tool in patients
showing late effects of TEL poisoning.
2835 Verveen, G. (Mycofarm-Delft, Holland);
Elskamp, D.M.W.: Het gebruik van penicil-
lamine en N-acetyl-dl-penicillamine als
antidotum bij intoxicaties met koper, lood
en kwik. (THE USE OF PENICILLAMINE AND
N-ACETYL-DL-PENICILLAMINE AS AN ANTIDOTE
IN COPPER, LEAD AND MERCURY INTOXICATIONS.)
Letters to the Editor. Pharmaceutisch
Weekblad 99:547-54 (May 15); 577-8 (May
22), 1964.
Verveen takes exception to Elskamp's review of the
relative merits of penicillamine and its acetyl
derivative as compared with EDTA. After reviewing
the literature, Verveen holds that penicillamine
is the most reliable therapeutic agent in the
treatment of Cu, Pb and Hg poisoning. Elskamp re-
plies that while penicillamine has been shown to
be effective in Cu poisoning, it has not yet been
proved to be so in chronic Pb poisoning. Also,
the acetyl derivative was reported to have serious
side effects.
In the second correspondence, Verveen resumes his
debate and concludes that (1) D-penicillamine is
very effective in controlling poisoning by some
metals (Pb, Cu, Au) (N-acetyl-D-penicillamine in
Hg poisoning); (2) D-penicillamine is an antidote
of very low toxicity; (3) the advantage of D-
penicillamine lies in that it can be given orally,
ie, to ambulant patients. To this, Elskamp re-
plies briefly that he agrees with items 2 and 3.
2836 Viala, J.J., Lejeune, E., and Gate, A.:
Brfilure par plomb fondu. Inclusions sous-
cutanees de plomb sequellaires. Apprecia-
tion du risque de saturnisme. (BURNS DUE
TO MELTED LEAD. SUBCUTANEOUS INCLUSIONS
OF LEAD PARTICLES. EVALUATION OF THE LEAD
HAZARD.) Archives des Maladies Profession-
nelles, de Medecine du Travail et de Se-
curite" Sociale 25:449-52 (July-Aug.),
1964.
The case of a 32-yr-old man who was hospitalized
for accidental burns of the face due to molten
metal while working in a factory producing Pb
pipes, is reported. After several months the pa-
tient's face appeared only slightly tattooed, uut
X rays revealed inclusions of Pb fragments under
the skin. This finding suggested the possible
presence of Pb intoxication. Tests yielded 5 mil-
lions of red blood cells, 80% Hb, 6600 white blood
cells, urinary coproporphyrin up to 225 yg/1, Pb
in the blood <100 yg/1, urinary Pb 33 yg/24 hr be-
fore administration of chelating agents and up to
2288 yg/24 hr following their administration.
These results were typical for subjects exposed to
Pb but without clinical signs of Pb intoxication.
No similar case has been reported so far in the
literature. Generally, in burns the molten metal
becomes embedded only at the surface of the skin.
In the present incident, solid Pb particles may
have been projected into the sc layer or Pb drop-
lets may have penetrated the skin.
In view of the great number of sc Pb particles
the possibility that the patient may develop Pb
poisoning over the years is considered doubtful and
continued treatment with chelating agents is not
advised. However, special surveillance is recom-
mended.
2837 Vigliani, E.G. (Milan, Italy): ADVANCES
IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF SOME OCCUPATIONAL
DISEASES. In XlVth International Con-
gress of Occupational Health, Madrid,
Spain, Sept. 16-21, 1963. International
Congress Series No. 62, Amsterdam,
Excerpta Medica Foundation, 1964, Vol.
II, pp. 126-36.
Silicosis and other pneumoconioses, pulmonary dis-
ease due to the inhalation of vegetable dusts,
toxic hemolytic anemias, metal fume fever and other
miscellaneous diseases are discussed. Toxic hemo-
lytic anemias may be caused by heavy metals, the
best known example of which is Pb. Inorganic Pb
acts both on the red cell membrane and the erythro-
cytes. It blocks some sulfhydryl enzymes of the
porphyrin synthesis as well as heme synthetase,
thereby causing an increased urinary elimination
of ALA and coproporphyrin and a diminished produc-^
tion of heme with accumulation of protoporphyrin
and ferritin in the red cell. Red cells altered
by Pb are rapidly destroyed mainly in the spleen
after having been coated with 6-globulins. The
mechanism of production of stippled cells is re-
viewed. Part of an erythrocyte from a Pb-polsoned
guinea pig is illustrated.
TEL and TML have a different effect on the organ-
ism than inorganic Pb. Cremer (1962) showed that
both TEL and TML are not toxic per se but become
so after having been converted by the liver into
trialkyl compounds which inhibit glycolysis with
subsequent reduction of oxygen consumption and
synthesis of adenosine triphosphate and other high
energy substances. Magistretti-Peirone and Majoni
(1961) showed that TEL and TML also inhibit the
cerebral monoamine oxidase, thus blocking the con-
version of serotonin to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid,
and Galzigna-Brugnone and Corsi (1963) found a de-
creased output of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in
rabbits poisoned with TEL. (38 references)
2838
Vinogradova, O.M. (Acad. Med. Sci., USSR):
Man
561
-------
K voprosu o vliyanii svintsa na razvitie
uzelkovogo periarteriita. (THE INFLUENCE
OF LEAD ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERIARTERI-
TIS NODOSA.) In Trudy 1-go Moskovskogo
(Ordena Lenina) Meditsinskogo Instituta
imeni I.M. Sechenova, E.M. Tareev, ed.
28:92-5, 1964.
A 41-yr-old worker in a nonferrous industry was
referred to the author's clinic in 1960 with a
suspected periarteritis nodosa. From 1950-1960 he
had worked in a smelter and had begun being trou-
bled with tingling of extremities in 1956 which
progressed with time together with other disor-
ders. When seen, he complained of headaches,
weakness, numbness in legs, abdominal pain, an-
orexia, vomiting, blood-streaked stool, periodic
pain in the heart region, diminished vision. The
findings are described in detail. The diagnosis
was periarteritis nodosa and mild degree of Pb
poisoning. In discussing the case, the author ob-
serves that the diagnosis of periarteritis nodosa
was unquestionable, but that the assumption of Pb
polyneuritis was not substantiable since the car-
dinal signs of Pb poisoning were absent except for
the presence of Pb in the urine which were not re-
lated to proved signs of Pb poisoning. She sug-
gests that perhaps the prolonged contact with Pb
had given rise to a state favoring the development
of periarteritis, but that this question would
have to be further elucidated.
2339 Waldron, H.A. (Med. Dept., Vauxhall Motors
Ltd., Luton, Gt. Britain): PLASMA POR-
PHYRINS IN LEAD WORKERS. British Journal
of Industrial Medicine 21:315-7 (Oct.),
1964.
Plasma porphyrin, urinary coproporphyrin and Hb
concentrations were determined on a group of 50
workers exposed to Pb and on a group of persons
with no industrial exposure. Porphyrin was deter-
mined by the method of Schlenknr et al (1961, 1963)
with slight modifications. Values obtained for
plasma porphyrin in test and control subjects,
respectively, ranged from 0.0-2.9 and 0.0-0.9 yg/
100 ml (means 0.7 and 0.2). In 74% of the Pb
workers, the plasma porphyrin levels were higher
than 0.2 ug/100 ml and in 22%, they were >0.9 yg/
100 ml. Urinary coproporphyrin ranged from 0.7-
69.8 yg/100 ml (mean 10.6) in the Pb workers and
from 0.3-7.8 (mean 2.7) in the controls. There
was no correlation between plasma porphyrin and
urinary coproporphyrin concentrations. Chroma-
tography of the plasma porphyrins from Pb workers
showed that some protoporphyrin was present where-
as only coproporphyrin was found in the plasma from
the controls. The Hb values ranged from 86-106%
in the test subjects and from 86-110% in the con-
trols.
2840 Waldron, H.A. (Med. Dept. Vauxhall Motors
Ltd., Luton, Beds., England): SERUM
ASPARTATE AND ALANINE TRANSAMINASE LEVELS
IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO LEAD. Journal of
Clinical Pathology 17:149 (Mar.), 1964.
Serum aspartate and alanine transaminase levels
were studied in a group of 46 workers at Vauxhall
Motors Ltd., who had been exposed to Pb for at
least 11 mo. Most of them had worked with Pb for
^5 yr, but none of them showed any clinical evi-
dence of Pb poisoning. A group of 50 healthy
workers without industrial exposure to Pb served
as controls.
The following mean values, in international units
/I, were found for Pb-exposed and control subjects,
respectively: serum alanine transaminase, 6.8,
5.5; serum aspartate transaminase, 11.1, 9.8.
Mean blood-Pb concentrations for the 2 groups were
0.42 (9 men had >0.8) and 0.16 yg/ml, respectively.
The author points out that in none of the Pb-
exposed workers was an increase of either serum
aspartate or alanine transaminase observed and
that no correlation between these levels and the
blood-Pb concentration was noted.
2841 Williams, J.D., and Leigh, D.A. (Edgware
General Hosp., Middlesex, England): LEAD
POISONING. Letters to the Editor. British
Medical Journal 1:1511 (June 6), 1964.
This letter was prompted by the leading article in
the May 9 issue of the Journal. The authors had
carried out a series of tests on men working with
Pb in the Hemel Hempstead area. The test included
stipple-cell and reticulocyte counts, and deter-
mination of urinary coproporphyrin and of Pb in
blood and urine. Often a discrepancy was found be-
tween the results of the tests in the same indi-
vidual, some indicating excessive absorption and
some giving results in the normal range. In order
to assess the amount of absorbed Pb, a test dose
of 1 g CaNa^EDTA was administered orally and uri-
nary Pb was determined before and 8 hr after the
dose. In normal persons, unexposed to Pb, very
little change occurred before (30-40 yg Pb/1) and
after the dose (45-80 ug/1) . In cases of mild and
moderate Pb absorption and in Pb poisoning, uri-
nary Pb excretion before and after EDTA was in yg/
1, respectively: 70-140 and 160-700; 180-240 and
600-1000; 200+ and 900-2700. The authors point
out that the CaNa2 salt of EDTA and not the acid
is used. In their experience, a 7-day course of
oral EDTA resulted in as good a Pb excretion as a
5-day course of iv administration, was consider-
ably more convenient to use in industry, and
should be even more so for children. It appears
to them that the amount of Pb removed by EDTA salts
is greater than that following treatment with pen-
icillamine, and that their toxicity is probably
low, according to experience reported by others.
2842 Wilson, A.T. (Innerleithen, Peeblesshire,
Gt. Britain): METHODS OF PROSPECTING FOR
LEAD EFFECTS IN GENERAL PRACTICE. Pro-
ceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine
57:257-9 (Apr.), 1964.
The possibility of injurious effects of water car-
ried in Pb pipes dates back to Roman times
(Vitruvius, ca. 20 B.C.). The US Public Health
Service Drinking Water Standards of 1946 adopted a
maximum limit for Pb of 0.1 ppm; this figure was
also proposed by the World Health Organization in
1958. Although the US Standards of 1960 lowered
the limit to 0.05 ppm, a Committee of the American
Water Works Association in 1962 recommended a max-
imum allowable amount of not more than 0.03 ppm;
at this concentration, Pb intake from water would
be ^15% of the maximum allowable total daily in-
take. There is no statutory legal limit in Brit-
ain. Almost all public supplies in Britain were
562
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
-------
stated by Wood (1961) to be capable of dissolving
>0.1 ppm Pb from Pb pipes under certain conditions.
These include acidity, soft waters, although cer-
tain types of very hard water with high nitrate
content may dissolve Pb. Various tests are men-
tioned, the simplest of which is placing 2 drops of
bromo-thymol blue indicator into 10 ml of water in
a test tube, a yellow color indicating acidity and
thus providing warning of the possibility of dis-
solution of Pb.
From the clinical aspects, the usual signs and
symptoms of Pb poisoning would give a general
practitioner great difficulty in diagnosis, and
tests for punctate basophilia require special mi-
croscopes. However, determination of coproporphy-
rin in urine as a screening test can be done con-
veniently by use of a simple apparatus described
by Donath (1956) . Confirmatory tests of the Pb
content of blood and urine and others should then
be sought.
The author has been screening for 2 yr maternity
patients in a neighborhood where the water sup-
plies have the prerequisites for dissolving Pb.
In the 1st yr, 10 out of 40 maternity patients
reached a coproporphyrin level of 100-200 yg/1 and
were therefore told to restrict their water intake.
After a stillbirth with evidence suggesting exces-
sive Pb exposure had occurred, all maternity pa-
tients were instructed to limit their total water
intake to 1 pint/day and to increase their milk in-
take correspondingly. After this regulation, only
1 patient out of 50 on restricted water intake
reached a coproporphyrin range of 100-200 yg/1; as
she lived on a top floor, the length of the Pb
pipe might have had some effect. Two other pa-
tients, who had not obeyed the instruction on re-
stricted water intake, also showed the high copro-
porphyrin level.
The author concludes his discussion by stating
that testing the urine of the maternity patient,
for long regarded as specially sensitive to Pb,
may prove the simplest way of estimating any haz-
ard from Pb in water supplies.
2843 Winterhalter, K.H. (Univ. Washington,
Seattle): HEMOGLOBIN SYNTHESIS. Patho-
logia et Microbiologia 27:508-20, 1964.
The biosynthesis of heme and the possible control
mechanism of this process are discussed. The
pathology of heme biosynthesis is illustrated by
examples of pyrodoxin deficiency, Pb poisoning and
erythropoietic porphyria.
In Pb poisoning several blocks in heme synthesis
have oeen reported. Although the total heme syn-
thesis is decreased, a number of heme precursors
are increased in the erythrocyte and in the urine
of Pb poisoned individuals. In children the
fluorescence of porphyrin-laden cells under the UV
microscope has been used as a diagnostic test for
Pb poisoning. (Whitaker et al, 1959). There is
also inhibition of Fe-proto chelatase (Jandl et al,
1959; and Labbe et al, 1961), responsible for the
accumulation of tetrapyrroles in the red cell pre-
cursors. Other blocks involve ALA synthethase
(Dresel et al, 1956; Goldberg et al, 1956), ALA
dehydratase, responsible for the increased urinary
excretion of ALA, and coprooxydase (Eriksen 1955).
Globin synthesis is also impaired, but to a lesser
degree (Kassenaar et al, 1957). The exact mech-
anism of this phenomenon has not yet been elucida-
ted. (54 references)
2844 Yaverbaum, P.M.: Vydelenie svintsa s
mochoi pri kontakte s soedineniyami etogo
metalla i pri khronicheskoi svintsovoi
intoksikatsii. (THE EXCRETION OF LEAD IN
THE URINE WITH EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND WITH
CHRONIC LEAD POISONING.) In Problemy
Gigieny Truda i Professional'nykh Zabole-
vanii (Problems of Labor Hygiene and Oc-
cupational Diseases) Irkutsk 1:66-71,
1964.
The Pb content in the urine was determined in 29
persons with chronic Pb poisoning, in 17 subjects
who had been exposed to Pb in the past, and in 220
essentially healthy workers in contact with Pb com-
pounds. The av content found was ^208.44 and
128.96 ug/1, respectively. The duration of Pb ex-
posure did not affect the urinary excretion of Pb.
The mean total Pb in the urine could therefore
characterize the plant environment. (From Refer-
ativnyi Zhurnal, Otd. Vypusk Farmakol. Khimioterap.
Sredstva Toksikol. 1966, No. 1,54.816; Biological
Abstracts 48:Abstr. No. 49268, 1967)
2845 Yaverbaum, P.M.: (NORMAL LEAD CONTENT IN
THE URINE.) Probl. Gigieny Truda i
Profzabolevanii, Irkutsk, Sb. 1964, No.
1:72-6.
The urinary Pb concentration was determined in 58
individuals with no known contact with Pb. Upper
normal limits were 73 ug/1 for total Pb, 35 for
inorganic Pb and 65 for organic Pb. (From Refera-
tivnyi Zhurnal, Khimiya 1965, Abstr. "No, 191274;
Chemical Abstracts 64:14681, 1966)
2846 Yaverbaum, P.M.: Rezul'taty opredeleniya
porflrinov v moche u rabochikh, imeyush-
chikh kontakt so svintsom. (THE RESULTS
OF PORPHYRIN DETERMINATIONS IN THE URINE
OF WORKERS IN CONTACT WITH LEAD.) In
Problemy Gigieny Truda i Professional'nykh
Zabolevanii. (Problems of Labor Hygiene
and Occupational Diseases) Irkutsk 1:77-
80, 1964.
Urinary porphyrins were determined in 265 persons
exposed to Pb. Hyperporphyrinuria was found in
41.4%. The duration of exposure to Pb had no ef-
fect on the degree of porphyrinuria and the latter
was not related to the urobilinogen-forming func-
tion of the liver. There was a moderate correla-
tion between the porphyrinuria and urinary Pb ex-
cretion. Determination of Pb and porphyrin in the
urine was recommended for the early diagnosis of
Pb poisoning. (From Referativnyi Zhurnal, Otd.
Vypusk Farmakol. Khimioterap. Sredstva Toksikol.
1966, No. 1.54.815; Biological Abstracts 48:Abstr.
No. 49269, 1967)
2847 Zabugina, E.A., Los', L.I., Polyakova, E.
G., and Pyatnitskaya, L.K. (Agricultural
Inst., Saratov, USSR): Mikroelementy vo
vneshnei srede i endemicheskoe uvelichenie
shchitovidnoi zhelezy. (TRACE ELEMENTS IN
THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENDEMIC ENLARGEMENT OF
THE THYROID GLAND.) Hygiene and Sanita-
tion (USSR) 29:112-5 (Mar.), 1964 (Pub-
lished in 1965) Gigiena i Sanitariya 29:
Man
563
-------
91-3 (Mar.), 1964.
Analyses for I and trace metals such as Mn, Mo,
Cu, Cr, Pb and Ni in 123 samples of water and in
45 soil samples from the Saratov Region showed
traces or absence of Cr, Pb and Ni. Aside from the
inverse relationship found with I, there was no
statistically significant relationship between the
number of inhabitants with thyroid enlargement and
content of these elements in water and soil.
2848 Zagarese, G., Turchetto, P., and Coltro.L.
(Univ. Padua, Italy): Rilievi elettro-
cardiografici nell'intossicazione da Pb-
tetraetile. (Contribute clinico). (ELEC-
TROCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN TETRAETHYL-
LEAD POISONING (CLINICAL CONTRIBUTION).)
Lavoro a Medicina 18:81-4 (July-Aug.),
1964.
Electrocardiography, in addition to detailed clin-
ical tests, was performed in the University of
Padua Institute of Industrial Medicine in 1959-1963
on 21 men, aged 20-60 yr, who had worked for 5 mo
to 10 yr in various departments of a TEL plant.
All patients complained of neuropsychic and diges-
tive disorders. On the basis of the findings,
particularly the presence of porphyrins, the diag-
nosis of subacute or chronic TEL poisoning was
made. The presence of more or less accentuated
bradycardia was seen in 67% of the group. The P-
wave and the P-R interval were normal. In only 9
cases were abnormalities in the S waves with an
elevation of the S-T segment in the precordial
Pb's observed. No signs of myocardial or coronary
damage were noted. The changes observed are at-
tributed to disturbances of vagal innervation by
TEL.
2849 Zavon, M.R. (Univ. Cincinnati, 0.): PROB-
LEMS IN RECOGNITION OF LEAD INTOXICATION.
Archives of Environmental Health 8:262-5
(Feb.), 1964.
Difficulties encountered in the diagnosis of Pb
poisoning are discussed. Pb intoxication result-
ing from excessive absorption of inorganic Pb may
result in an abdominal, a neuromuscular or central
neurological syndrome or any combination of these
disease entities. Pb intoxication from excessive
absorption of an organic Pb compound may lead to a
neurological syndrome different from that caused
by inorganic Pb. The manifestations of the var-
ious syndromes are discussed and similarities with
those in other diseases are pointed out. Speci-
fic problems in diagnosis are presented by the
gingival Pb line, basophilic stippling of erythro-
cytes and the radiographic Pb line. In conclusion
it is said that the development of an illness in a
person exposed to Pb should not automatically re-
sult in the diagnosis of Pb intoxication, and on
the other hand, a history of Pb exposure should
not lead to the abandonment of a proper medical
diagnosis.
«US. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1972 U81t-ll86/281j 1-3
564
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD
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