The Lead Content of Bone in Subjects Without Recognized Past Lead Exposure and in Patients With Renal Disease

SUMMARY In 18 subjects without renal disease and without any history of significant past lead exposure, the mean lead content of skull bone was 2·1±1·0 mg. per 100 grammes, the values varying from 0·7 to 4·0 mg. per 100 grammes. The upper figure for the mean plus two standard deviations was 4·1 mg. per 100 grammes. It is suggested that a value close to this be taken as a suitable upper limit of normal for the lead content of skull bone. As a test of the suitability of such a value, it was found that patients with renal disease not caused by lead all had a mean lead content of skull bone less than this figure, while patients with renal disease caused by childhood lead poisoning all had a mean lead content of skull bone greater than this figure. Renal failure of itself, therefore, does not result in accumulation of lead in bone.