Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

09:43
Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells
Published on: July 9, 2015
Blood protoporphyrin IX as a biological indicator of increased absorption of lead
Toxicology Letters
|January 1, 1981
Abstract:
Blood lead and erythrocyte zinc-protoporphyrin levels were studied in 45 male adults exposed to lead (traditional home-factory pottery) and compared with two control populations. These two variables are well correlated in all the studied populations. Delta-aminolevulinic acid levels in urine (ALA-U) were significantly higher in the exposed group. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (Hc) values and clinical data were also considered. We conclude that the zinc-protoporphyrin method here used is a simple reliable field test of the selection of individuals who need more detailed clinical investigation.

