Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2008 Sep;20(3):165-173.

A Study on the Association between Blood Lead Levels and Habitual Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Koreans with No Occupational Lead Exposure

• Park JU
• Oh SW
• Kim SH
• Kim YH
• Park RJ
• Moon JD

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to estimate the normal blood lead (PbB) levels in a group of Korean subjects and to evaluate the association between PbB levels and habitual tobacco and alcohol use.
METHODS
We recruited 532 adults (320 males and 212 females) with no history of occupational exposure to lead, as study subjects.
RESULTS
PbB levels ranged between 0.43 microgram/dl and 9.45 microgram/dl. The adjusted geometric mean PbB in men was 3.19 microgram/dl, which was significantly higher than that seen in women: 2.66 microgram/dl (P=0.017). Geometric mean PbBs were not significantly different between urban and rural patients. The adjusted geometric mean PbB in smokers was 3.31 microgram/dl, which was significantly higher than that seen in nonsmokers: 2.64 microgram/dl (P=0.035). The adjusted geometric mean PbB in drinkers was 3.10 microgram/dl, which was significantly higher than that seen in non-drinkers: 2.75 microgram/dl (P=0.049).
CONCLUSIONS
The PbB levels of some Korean adults seem to be comparable to those seen in foreign countries. Our results suggest that tobacco and alcohol cessation will be helpful in decreasing the harmful effect of lead.

Keyword

Blood lead (PbB); Smoking; Drinking

MeSH Terms

Adult
Drinking
Humans
Male
Occupational Exposure
Smoking
Tobacco