Absorption of lead in Tehran traffic policemen

In this study 228 traffic policemen and 68 policemen engaged in office duties were studied for lead absorption. The average value of blood lead of traffic policemen (29.52 +/- 7.78 micrograms/100 mL) in the city of Tehran was significantly (p less than 0.01) higher than for the policemen in office duties (21.74 +/- 5.63 micrograms/100 mL). No correlation between blood lead level and age and/or length of occupation was found. The most reasonable explanation for the findings of this study is that lead emission from motor vehicles is causing this effect.