[Evaluation of cellular and humoral immunity in men after occupational exposure]

Hundred twenty seven adult men have been examined to determine an effect of the occupational exposure to lead on the immunity. A group of 77 men occupationally exposed to lead absorbed by respiratory has been selected on the basis of the determination of exposure to lead in their working places, detection of lead deposits and its metabolites in the body. Fifty men constituted a control group. They were exposed to lead corresponding to an exposure of general population. Immunological studies have shown that high lead levels in the occupational environment produced significant disorders in all stages of both types of immunological response--a decrease in the cellular and humoral immunity.