Lead assay in blood of occupationally and non‐occupationally exposed donors

Ninety‐seven blood samples of occupationally and non‐occupationally exposed Nigerians were analysed by trichloro acetic acid precipitation (TCA) method. The values of lead in the samples range from ≤ 10.5–55.0 μg/100 ml. The mean blood levels for the occupationally exposed group vary between 28.5 ± 17.3 (SD), μg/100 ml, and 35.5 ± 15 (SD), μg/100 ml. The mean values for the non‐occupationally exposed group range from ≤ 10.5–16.3 ± 8.8 (SD) μg/100 ml. Blood lead levels are low in non‐occupationally exposed group and values are generally lower than the quoted threshold values. The lead levels are higher in blood of exposed group and most of the values exceed the quoted threshold values although lower than critical lead value that could cause poisoning. The mean blood levels in painters, drivers and motor mechanics are 30.4 ug/100 ml, 37–39 μg/100 ml and 36.7 μ.g/100 ml, respectively. The lead levels obtained in this study are consistent with low industrialization in Nigeria and with the small car population in relation with vast size of the country.