{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,25]],"date-time":"2026-07-25T04:58:27Z","timestamp":1784955507185,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":23,"publisher":"BMJ","issue":"3","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Occup Environ Med"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[1998,3]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the neuropsychological effects of current low level and previous higher levels of exposure to lead and evaluate the relation between effects of lead and bone lead. METHODS: A neuropsychological test battery was given to 54 storage battery workers with well documented long term exposure to lead. The effect was studied in two subgroups: those whose blood lead had never exceeded 2.4 mmol\/l (the low BPbmax group, n = 26), and those with higher exposure about 10 years earlier (the high BPbmax group, n = 28). In both groups, the recent exposure had been low. Correlations between the test scores and the indices of both long term and recent exposure--including the content of lead in the tibial and calcaneal bone--and covariance analyses were used to assess the exposure-effect relation. Age, sex, and education were controlled in these analyses. RESULTS: Analyses within the low BPbmax group showed a decrement in visuospatial and visuomotor function (block design, memory for design, Santa Ana dexterity), attention (digit symbol, digit span), and verbal comprehension (similarities) associated with exposure to lead and also an increased reporting of subjective symptoms. The performance of the high BPbmax group was worse than that of the low BPbmax group for digit symbol, memory for design, and embedded figures, but there was no reporting of symptoms related to exposure, probably due to selection in this group. No relation was found between the output variables and the tibial lead concentration. The calcaneal lead concentrations were related to the symptoms in the low BPbmax group. CONCLUSIONS: Neuropsychological decrements found in subjects with high past and low present exposure indicate that blood lead concentrations rising to 2.5-4.9 mmol\/l cause a risk of long lasting or even permanent impairment of central nervous system function. Milder and narrower effects are associated with lower exposures; their reversibility and time course remain to be investigated. History of blood lead gives a more accurate prediction of the neuropsychological effects of lead than do measurements of bone lead.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1136\/oem.55.3.202","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2009,1,1]],"date-time":"2009-01-01T00:13:30Z","timestamp":1230768810000},"page":"202-209","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":50,"title":["Occupational exposure to lead and neuropsychological dysfunction."],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"55","author":[{"given":"H","family":"H\u00e4nninen","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"A","family":"Aitio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"T","family":"Kovala","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"R","family":"Luukkonen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"E","family":"Matikainen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"T","family":"Mannelin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"J","family":"Erkkil\u00e4","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"V","family":"Riihim\u00e4ki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"239","published-online":{"date-parts":[[1998,3,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"295","DOI":"10.5271\/sjweh.2696","article-title":"Psychological dysfunctions in lead exposed workers","volume":"4","author":"Grandjean, P.; Arnvig, E.; Beckman, J.","year":"1978","unstructured":"Grandjean P, Arnvig E, Beckman J. Psychological dysfunctions in lead exposed workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 1978;4:295\u2013303.","journal-title":"Scand J Work Environ Health"},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"683","article-title":"Psychological performance of subjects with low exposure to lead","volume":"20","author":"H\u00e4nninen, H.; Hernberg, S.; Mantere, P.","year":"1978","unstructured":"H\u00e4nninen H, Hernberg S, Mantere P, et al. Psychological performance of subjects with low exposure to lead. J Occup Med 1978;20:683\u20139.","journal-title":"J Occup Med"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"217","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00378753","article-title":"Behavioral indicators of lead neurotoxicity: results of a clinical field study","volume":"41","author":"Valciukas, J.A.; Lilis, R.; Singer, R.","year":"1978","unstructured":"Valciukas JA, Lilis R, Singer R, et al. Behavioral indicators of lead neurotoxicity: results of a clinical field study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1978;41:217\u201336.","journal-title":"Int Arch Occup Environ Health"},{"key":"ref_4","first-page":"99","article-title":"Neuropsychological test results and symptoms among workers with welldefined long-term exposure to lead","volume":"40","author":"Hogstedt, C.; Hane, M.; Agrell, A.","year":"1983","unstructured":"Hogstedt C, Hane M, Agrell A, et al. Neuropsychological test results and symptoms among workers with welldefined long-term exposure to lead. Br J Ind Med 1983;40: 99\u2013105.","journal-title":"Br J Ind Med"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"233","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00398816","article-title":"Psychological performance of workers with blood-lead concentration below the current threshold limit value","volume":"53","author":"Campara, P.; D\u2019Andrea, F.; Micciolo, R.","year":"1984","unstructured":"Campara P, D\u2019Andrea F, Micciolo R, et al. Psychological performance of workers with blood-lead concentration below the current threshold limit value. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1984;53:233\u201346.","journal-title":"Int Arch Occup Environ Health"},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"352","article-title":"Occupational lead neurotoxicity: a behavioural and electrophysiological evaluation. Study design and year one results","volume":"41","author":"Baker, E.L.; Feldman, R.G.; White, R.A.","year":"1984","unstructured":"Baker EL, Feldman RG, White RA, et al. Occupational lead neurotoxicity: a behavioural and electrophysiological evaluation. Study design and year one results. Br J Ind Med 1984;41:352\u201361.","journal-title":"Br J Ind Med"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"535","DOI":"10.1002\/ajim.4700090605","article-title":"Psychological performance in relation to central and peripheral nerve conduction in workers exposed to lead, zinc and copper","volume":"9","author":"Araki, S.; Yokoama, K.; Aono, H.","year":"1986","unstructured":"Araki S, Yokoama K, Aono H, et al. Psychological performance in relation to central and peripheral nerve conduction in workers exposed to lead, zinc and copper. Am J Ind Med 1986;9:535\u201342.","journal-title":"Am J Ind Med"},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"626","article-title":"Neuropsychological studies on lead workers in Singapore","volume":"43","author":"Jeyaratnam, J.; Boey, K.W.; Ong, C.N.","year":"1986","unstructured":"Jeyaratnam J, Boey KW, Ong CN, et al. Neuropsychological studies on lead workers in Singapore. Br J Ind Med 1986;43:626\u20139.","journal-title":"Br J Ind Med"},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"374","article-title":"Neurobehavioural eVects of occupational exposure to lead","volume":"43","author":"Williamson, A.M.; Teo, R.K.","year":"1986","unstructured":"Williamson AM, Teo RK. Neurobehavioural eVects of occupational exposure to lead. Br J Ind Med 1986;43:374\u2013 80.","journal-title":"Br J Ind Med"},{"key":"ref_10","first-page":"698","article-title":"Cognitive functioning in lead workers","volume":"46","author":"Stollery, B.T.; Banks, H.A.; Broadbent, D.E.","year":"1989","unstructured":"Stollery BT, Banks HA, Broadbent DE, et al. Cognitive functioning in lead workers. Br J Ind Med 1989;46:698\u2013 707.","journal-title":"Br J Ind Med"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"472","DOI":"10.1136\/oem.53.7.472","article-title":"Relation of cumulative exposure to inorganic lead and neuropsychological test performance","volume":"53","author":"Lindgren, K.N.; Masten, V.L.; Ford, D.P.","year":"1996","unstructured":"Lindgren KN, Masten VL, Ford DP, et al. Relation of cumulative exposure to inorganic lead and neuropsychological test performance. Occup Environ Med 1996;53:472\u2013 7.","journal-title":"Occup Environ Med"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"261","DOI":"10.1093\/oxfordjournals.aje.a114234","article-title":"A psychiatric epidemiologic study of occupational lead exposure","volume":"123","author":"Parkinson, D.K.; Ryan, C.; Bromet, E.J.","year":"1986","unstructured":"Parkinson DK, Ryan C, Bromet EJ, et al. A psychiatric epidemiologic study of occupational lead exposure. Am J Epidemiol 1986;123:261\u20139.","journal-title":"Am J Epidemiol"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"487","DOI":"10.1136\/oem.54.7.487","article-title":"EVects of low-level lead exposure on neurophysiological functions among lead battery workers","volume":"54","author":"Kovala, T.; Matikainen, E.; Mannelin, T.","year":"1997","unstructured":"Kovala T, Matikainen E, Mannelin T, et al. EVects of low-level lead exposure on neurophysiological functions among lead battery workers. Occup Environ Med 1997;54: 487\u201393.","journal-title":"Occup Environ Med"},{"key":"ref_14","first-page":"631","article-title":"In vivo measurements of lead in bone at four anatomical sites: Long term occupational and consequent endogenous exposure","volume":"49","author":"Erkkil\u00e4, J.; Armstrong, R.; Riihim\u00e4ki, V.","year":"1992","unstructured":"Erkkil\u00e4 J, Armstrong R, Riihim\u00e4ki V, et al. In vivo measurements of lead in bone at four anatomical sites: Long term occupational and consequent endogenous exposure. Br J Ind Med 1992;49:631\u201344.","journal-title":"Br J Ind Med"},{"key":"ref_15","article-title":"Neurobehavioral test battery of the Institute of Occupational Health","author":"Institute of Occupational Health","year":"1989","unstructured":"H\u00e4nninen H, Lindstr\u00f6m K. Neurobehavioral test battery of the Institute of Occupational Health. Helsinki: Institute of Occupational Health, 1989."},{"key":"ref_16","article-title":"Neuropsychological assessment","author":"Lezak, MD","year":"1983","unstructured":"Lezak MD. Neuropsychological assessment, 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1983.","edition":"2nd ed"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.5271\/sjweh.2364","article-title":"Prospective follow-up study on psychological eVect of workers exposed to low levels of lead","volume":"10","author":"Mantere, P.; H\u00e4nninen, H.; Hernberg, S.","year":"1984","unstructured":"Mantere P, H\u00e4nninen H, Hernberg S, et al. Prospective follow-up study on psychological eVect of workers exposed to low levels of lead. Scand J Work Environ Health 1984;10: 43\u201355.","journal-title":"Scand J Work Environ Health"},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"333","article-title":"Subjective symptoms in low-level exposure to lead","volume":"1","author":"H\u00e4nninen, H.; Mantere, P.; Hernberg, S.","year":"1979","unstructured":"H\u00e4nninen H, Mantere P, Hernberg S, et al. Subjective symptoms in low-level exposure to lead. Neurotoxicology 1979;1:333\u201347.","journal-title":"Neurotoxicology"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"408","DOI":"10.1136\/oem.52.6.408","article-title":"Neurobehavioural evaluation of Venezuelan workers exposed to inorganic lead","volume":"52","author":"Maizlish, N.A.; Parra, G.; Feo, O.","year":"1995","unstructured":"Maizlish NA, Parra G, Feo O. Neurobehavioural evaluation of Venezuelan workers exposed to inorganic lead. Occup Environ Med 1995;52:408\u201314.","journal-title":"Occup Environ Med"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109","DOI":"10.1037\/0033-295X.85.2.109","article-title":"Mechanics of verbal ability","volume":"85","author":"Hunt, E.B.","year":"1978","unstructured":"Hunt EB. Mechanics of verbal ability. Psychol Rev 1978;85: 109\u201330.","journal-title":"Psychol Rev"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"878","DOI":"10.1037\/0003-066X.38.8.878","article-title":"Comprehending verbal comprehension","volume":"85","author":"Sternberg, R.J.; Powell, J.S.","year":"1983","unstructured":"Sternberg RJ, Powell JS. Comprehending verbal comprehension. Am Psychol 1983;85:878\u201393.","journal-title":"Am Psychol"},{"key":"ref_22","first-page":"507","article-title":"Occupational lead neurotoxicity: improvement in behavioural eVects after reduction of exposure","volume":"42","author":"Baker, E.L.; White, R.F.; Pothier, L.J.","year":"1985","unstructured":"Baker EL, White RF, Pothier LJ, et al. Occupational lead neurotoxicity: improvement in behavioural eVects after reduction of exposure. Br J Ind Med 1985;42:507\u201316.","journal-title":"Br J Ind Med"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2","DOI":"10.1136\/oem.52.1.2","article-title":"Cumulative exposure to inorganic lead and neurobehavioural test performance in adults: an epidemiological review","volume":"52","author":"Balbus-Kornfeld, J.M.; Stewart, W.; Bolla, K.I.","year":"1995","unstructured":"Balbus-Kornfeld JM, Stewart W, Bolla KI, et al. Cumulative exposure to inorganic lead and neurobehavioural test performance in adults: an epidemiological review. Occup Environ Med 1995;52:2\u201312.","journal-title":"Occup Environ Med"}],"container-title":["Occupational and Environmental Medicine"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/syndication.highwire.org\/content\/doi\/10.1136\/oem.55.3.202","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2024,5,23]],"date-time":"2024-05-23T16:51:25Z","timestamp":1716483085000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/oem.bmj.com\/lookup\/doi\/10.1136\/oem.55.3.202"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[1998,3]]},"references-count":23,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-online":{"date-parts":[[1998,3,1]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[1998,3]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1136\/oem.55.3.202"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/oem.55.3.202","relation":{},"ISSN":["1351-0711","1470-7926"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1351-0711","type":"print"},{"value":"1470-7926","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[1998,3]]}}}