Lead and its compounds (except lead arsenate, lead chromate and alkyl lead compounds) – Addendum for re-evaluation of the BLW. Assessment Values in Biological Material – Translation of the German version from 2019

Abstract

In 2018 the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re-evaluated lead [7439-92-1] and its compounds and has derived a biological guidance value at the workplace (BLW) for the blood concentration of lead. Available publications are described in detail. The re-evaluation is entirely based on studies in humans. The following critical health effects were considered: effects on haem synthesis, behavioural toxicity/neurotoxicity, male fertility, developmental toxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiovascular effects, geno-toxicity/carcinogenicity. Effects on neurobehaviour and nephrotoxicity have been described at blood levels around 300 µg Pb/l and higher. Therefore, a BLW of 200 µg Pb/l blood has been de-duced. As investigations of lead-exposed workers show no statistically significant increase in lymphocyte micronuclei at this blood level, it is reasonably expected that the proposed BLW will also minimize a lead-induced genotoxic/carcinogenic risk. For women a Biological Reference Value (BAR) of 70 μg Pb/l blood is proposed, based on the 95 th percentile of lead blood levels of the general population in Germany. Because of the long persistence of lead in the body, the sampling time is not fixed. the lead levels of the general population the a 95 th percentile of 40 µg lead/l for the female general in the = and of 60 µg lead/l for the male population