[Indicators of effects of free radicals in workers at risk of lead exposure]

The authors examined indicators of the action of free radicals in 40 workers exposed to the risk of lead (work with lead containing glazing and prints). The lead concentration in the atmosphere did not exceed the highest permissible concentrations and the biological exposure tests as regards lead exposure did not exceed the highest permissible limits. In the examined subjects the authors found a significantly elevated level of superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.05) which suggests long-term increased peroxide formation. The correlation of the selenium concentration in blood and the period of lead exposure was at the borderline of statistical significance (p = 0.1159). Further investigations will be focused on subjects with symptoms of increased exposure to lead and lead intoxication where the probability of pathological findings is greater.