[The chronic action of lead on the vascular system: the problem of ecological pathology]

Problem of chronic effects of the lead (L) on the cardiovascular system is presented from the viewpoint of the ecological pathology. The review summarizes: sources of L in the environment, industries in which L is widely used in the technological process, occupations in which L intoxication is possible, routes of L penetration into the organism and the organs of its accumulation, mechanisms and variants of chronic L effects on the vascular system. In case of chronic L toxicity the vessels of various organs and system are affected; the pathologic process is of a vasculitis or arteriosclerosis type and is predominantly observed in the arteries of small and mean caliber. The mechanisms of vascular L effect is not sufficiently studied.