The relationship between lead in plasma and whole blood in women.

• DOI: 10.1289/ehp.02110263
• Publication Date: 2010-09-02T13:23:17Z
• Authors: Donald Smith; Mauricio Hernande...; Martha Maria Téll...; Adriana Mercado; Howard Hu
• Keywords: Blood plasma

Studies have suggested that plasma lead levels may better reflect the toxicologically labile fraction of circulatory Pb is more freely available for exchange with target tissues than do in whole blood. also reported an apparent severalfold variation relative partitioning between blood and (or serum) a given whole-blood level. This inherent differences Pb/whole among individuals and/or methodologic challenges associated collection analyses samples generally contain < 1-2 ng total Pb. Here, we conducted longitudinal assessment relationship environmentally exposed reproductive-age women (n = 63) living Mexico City, Mexico. We collected using trace metal clean techniques analyzed them high-resolution inductively coupled mass spectrometry. A subset subjects provided repeated weekly 4 consecutive weeks 17 subjects) or every months over 9-month period 14 subjects). Plasma concentration was significantly positively curvilinear fashion range values observed here (2.13-39.7 microg/dL). best described by function e (-2.392 + 0.0898 x Pb), where SE(coefficient) 0.0054, SE(constant) 0.063 63 subjects, n 141 observations). Results from short- long-term indicated within- between-subject variance components were not different two subsets subjects. The between-subjects component accounts 78% levels, while residual (22%) be attributed to other unmeasured factors. Collectively, this study demonstrates measurements applied general clinical settings, established are adopted. shows (%) naturally varies factor about 2-4-fold at Because considered closely represent circulation readily exchanged peripheral (e.g., brain, kidney, skeleton), routine provide meaningful measure