engleski

Non-occupational lead poisoning in Croatia

Workers occupationally exposed to lead are periodically controlled for lead exposure and effects in our laboratory. Occasionally, cases of excessive exposure to lead from various non- occupational sources have been identified. Social conditions and life-style factors such as dietary habits, smoking, alcohol and self-medication were found to be the important sources contributing to lead poisoning. Cases and sources of non- occupational lead poisoning in Croatia for the period 1987-1995 are rewieved. The custom of using lead-glazed ceramics, produced in private manufacture, for storage of wine, lemonade or other acidic beverages, was the prevailing cause of lead poisoning. Nineteen cases of poisoning were registered, including 15 adults and 4 children. A home-made severely lead-contaminated brandy was the cause of lead poisoning in 4 cases, whereas a self-medication using a recently available lead-contaminated Indian remedy was the cause of lead poisoning in 8 cases. As most of the early symptoms of lead poisoning are poorly specific and other well-known symptoms such as colic usually occur at considerably excessive blood lead levels (>800 g/L), many cases of lead poisoning may not have been registered. However, GP physicians should be aware that a possibility of non-occupational lead poisoning is not uncommon.

lead poisoning; lead-glazed ceramics; alcohol beverages; Indian remedies

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