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OBJECTIVES: Changes in enzymatic antioxidant activity are frequently observed in workers occupationally exposed to lead. Few studies have investigated the influence of lead on the non-enzymatic antioxidant system. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of occupational exposure to lead on the plasma concentration of two hydrophobic forms of vitamin E: [alpha]-tocopherol and [gamma]-tocopherol. METHODS: A sample of 401 healthy men, aged 19-62, participated in the study. In total, 340 of these subjects were employed at the Mine and Metallurgical Plant in southern Poland. The workers who were occupationally exposed to lead were divided into quartiles (groups of 85 subjects). The lead concentrations in the blood of the subjects in the control group and in the lead exposure quartiles correspond to the following ranges: 10-72 [mu]g/l (control group); 82-206 [mu]g/l (Q1); 209-308 [mu]g/l (Q2); 308-394 [mu]g/l (Q3) and 395-644 [mu]g/l (Q4), respectively. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed only for the plasma concentration of [gamma]-tocopherol, which differed between the control group and Q1 (by 24.1%, p=0.0368), between Q1 and Q3 (by -18.8%, p=0.0115) and between Q1 and Q4 (by -25.7%, p=0.0002). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the statistically significant, predictive properties of the [gamma]-tocopherol plasma concentration were as follows: triglycerides ([beta]=0.440)> age ([beta]=0.131)> whole cholesterol ([beta]=0.117)> blood lead concentration ([beta]=-0.108). For [alpha]-tocopherol, significant prognostic properties were triglycerides and total cholesterol ([beta]=0.485 and [beta]=0.399, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to lead is strongly correlated with the concentration of [gamma]-tocopherol but not [alpha]-tocopherol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.). This medicinal plant grows in southern Poland. The report stated that the content of leaves of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) proved the presence of heavy metals like cadmium, iron, lead, manganese, and zinc.

In 2009 we investigated exposure to lead, cadmium, and mercury in 80 women aged 50-59 in an urban area of Poland. Blood levels of lead, cadmium, and total mercury were used as biomarkers. The participants completed an extended questionnaire to identify potential sociodemographic, lifestyle, and nutritional correlates for the concentration of metals in the blood. The geometric means in the study population were: 21.5 µg/l (95% CI 20-23) for blood lead, 0.67 µg/l (95% CI 0.56-0.79) for blood cadmium, and 0.75 µg/l (95% CI 0.64-0.87) for total mercury in the blood. Regression analyses revealed that the increased lead levels in the blood were significantly associated with BMI values under 25 kg/m², being postmenopausal, smoking habits, the use of heating sources other than electricity or centrally heated buildings, and frequent or constant trucks passing through a residential area. The levels of cadmium in the blood were significantly higher in subjects who smoked cigarettes and decreased as education increased. Fish consumption and the number of teeth containing amalgam were the only factors that were significantly associated with blood mercury levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]