Pulmonary distributions of lead in human subjects

The concentration of lead in five lung segments and in regional lymph nodes was determined post mortem in ten subjects by atomic absorption technique. In each case there was a considerable variation in the concentration of lead in different lung segments, and, in general, the apical segment in the upper lobe tended to be more contaminated than segments in the lower lobes. With one exception, the lead levels in the regional lymph nodes exceeded those of the lung segments. Individual differences in the distribution of lead in the lungs may be due to differences both in exposure and physiological response. When comparative analyses are made, we suggest that samples be taken from the same and preferably the basal segments of the lung.