[Lead Exposure and Mental Processes. Contribution to the Discussion on Dose-response Relationships Following Short-term Exposure]

Effects of exposure to lead during 6-9 months are investigated in 33 workers. They are divided into groups of 21 exposed workers (greater than 2.88 mumol/l PbB) and 12 exposed workers (1.92-2.88 mumol/l PbB). 14 workers were tested as references. We observed significant differences of some sensomotor and mental function between exposed and nonexposed workers. Errors in choice-reaction are correlated with increased levels of the lead exposure (delta-ALA-U, PbB). It is remarkably having established differences between the groups investigated and the correlations already after a duration of exposure shorter than one year. After 18 months without exposure to lead in 11 workers we found tendencies of improving of the results in testing psychic functions.