Lead in human blood
The lead concentrations in whole blood dropped sharply after the Lead-in Petrol Act came into force; now, they are constantly low.
The lead concentration in whole blood of students from Münster dropped from over 70 µg/L (1981) in 26 years by approx. 83% to values below 15 µg/L (2008). In recent years, lead exposure has remained constantly low: in 2018 the mean lead concentration was only about 10 µg/L.
Based on the data of the Environmental Specimen Bank, the reference values for lead exposure of the general population were adjusted by the German Human Biomonitoring Commission in 2018: for 18-69 year old men from 90 µg/L to 40 µg/L and for 18-69 year old women from 70 µg/L to 30 µg/L. These values are still clearly undercut by the students. In view of the absence of an effective threshold and due to the MAK Commission's classification of lead in category 2 ("to be regarded as carcinogenic to humans"), the Commission has suspended the Human-Biomonitoring values for lead in the blood of all groups of people.
![The lead concentrations in whole blood dropped sharply after the Lead-in Petrol Act came into force; now, they are constantly low.](/upb_static/fck/images/chart_en_Blei_Studenten_Vollblut_Muenster.png)
Comparison of East and West Germany
Early measurements showed slightly higher levels of lead in the whole blood of volunteers from the cities in East-Germany (Halle/Saale and Greifswald) compared to the volunteers from the cities in West-Germany (Münster and Ulm). Current data from all four locations is now very similar.
![The lead concentrations in whole blood dropped sharply after the Lead-in Petrol Act came into force; now, they are constantly low.](/upb_static/fck/images/chart_en_Blei_Studenten_Vollblut_alleStandorte_ab1992.png)
Recommended profiles
Specimen
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Ideal matrix for most chemicals because it is in contact with the whole organism and in equilibrium with the organs and tissues in those chemicals are being accumulated.
Analytes
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Naturally occurring poisonous heavy metal
Sampling area
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4 university cities as sampling areas.