Abstract

The relationship between urinary and salivary lead levels, and body burdens is unknown. Research on the mechanism of salivary gland and renal lead transport is therefore indicated.

Following controlled exposures, the lead levels in the salivary glands and renal cells of rats were determined.

The results indicate that the saliva lead levels are good indicators of current exposure, but are not useful for the estimation of total lead body burden, since lead transport in the salivary glands occurs passively. On the other hand, lead accumulates in the kidney as a result of active transport, and urinary lead levels may therefore prove to be good indicators of chronic exposure.

Further research on the behaviour of lead in the kidney is suggested, in order to identify potentiel renal effects in chronically-exposed workers.