[Biochemical and electrophysiological studies in subjects with occupational exposure to lead poisoning]

In 36 men working in occupations with lead exposure the conduction velocity was measured in the motor fibres of the median, ulnar and peroneal nerves, and determinations were carried out of blood lead level, 24-hour urinary excretion of lead and delta-aminolaevulinic acid, and activity of delta-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase in the erythrocytes. The comparison of the results of electrophysiological and biochemical investigations shows that lesions of the peripheral nervous system are not always correlated with the biochemical indices of lead poisoning and that peripheral nervous system damage, mainly subclinical, may develop in early period of exposure.