Chewing electric wire coatings: an unusual source of lead poisoning

This report describes a case of lead poisoning occurring in an electrician as the result of an unusual personal habit, namely, the chewing of lead-containing coatings of electric wires. A coating chewing test showed that a few minutes after beginning chewing, saliva lead concentration increased from 10 micrograms/l to several milligrams per liter. This case is an example of poisoning caused by an occupationally related source (coatings containing lead) as a consequence of a singular and unconventional worker's habit.