Effects of long‐term exposure of lead and cadmium on cholinergic enzymes

Abstract

Atmospheric lead and cadmium either in particilate form or fumes were measured in three main departments of a factory which produced different types of metals and alloys, and where lead and cadmium were the predominant air pollutants. The blood levels of these metals as well as the serum choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and cholinesterase (ChE) activities and total protein content of 118 workers were determined. The concentrations of both forms of lead measured in the work environment exceeded the threshold limit value (TLV) whereas those of cadmium were below the (TLV) set for cadmium. An increase in blood levels of lead and cadmium and a decrease in the ChAT and ChE activities and protein content of serum of the exposed workers was noticed.

Keywords:

• lead
• cadmium
• fumes
• particles
• metals
• atmosphere
• pollutants
• enzymes
• proteins

Notes

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