Peripheral blood findings associated with asymptomatic lead exposure

This study was done to determine whether erythroid alterations can be found on a peripheral blood smear from an asymptomatic person exposure to excess atmospheric lead. Thirty healthy, asymptomatic adults who lived within five miles of a major Los Angeles, California freeway for five consecutive years were studied. Erythroid cytologic alterations-including-anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, polychromasia and basophilic stippling were statistically associated with increased free erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels. These findings indicate that erythroid alterations may be found on a peripheral blood smear prior to the development of clinical symptoms of lead intoxication.