Patricia Lynne Simmonds



Project title: A Comparison of Urinary Coproporphyrin, Erythrocyte ALAD Activity and Zinc Protoporphyrin/Heme Ratio as Biochemical Indices of Lead Exposure in Rats

Degree: MS (Thesis) | Program: Environmental Toxicology (Tox) | Project type: Thesis/Dissertation
Completed in: 1993 | Faculty advisor: James S. Woods

Abstract:

Lead exposure is a major public health concern for the general population and for workers in a wide variety of occupations. Considering either cumulative or current production, the figures for lead vastly exceed those of any other inorganic human toxicants. People are exposed to lead by ingestion of food, water or dust that contains lead, or breathing air polluted with lead from industrial processes or automobile exhaust. Populations most at risk are prescholl-aged children, pregnant women and their unborn children, and middle-aged men.

This study was conducted to compare three biochemical indicators of lead exposure in respect to blood lead using a rat model. These biochemical indicators have not previously been directly compared. The objective was to compare the responsiveness and magnitude of urinary coproporphyrin with that of ALAD activity and ZPP/heme as a biomarker of lead response.

Taken from the beginning of thesis.