Saturnism is an occupational disease, caused by exposure of the body to lead compounds, in certain time intervals. The purpose of this paper is to highlight aspects regarding the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of lead and its compounds, the symptomatology of intoxications and treatment measures. We also followed the presentation of some clinical cases of poisoning with lead compounds, as well as methods of isolation, identification and quantitative determination of lead, both from biological material and from samples from the environment or from contaminated food.
Three cases of patients, who developed symptoms specific to poisoning with lead compounds, through professional exposure, were presented. Methods for the analysis of lead and its compounds were presented, both from biological material and from water, air, soil or contaminated food samples.
Among the clinical cases, all presented the characteristics of lead poisoning, highlighted both by laboratory examinations and by toxicological expertise. To determine the lead content of samples from water, air, soil or food, atomic absorption spectrometry analysis was applied, according to national ISO standards.
The etiology of lead poisoning, the knowledge of cases of saturnism, but also the laboratory methodology regarding their detection and quantification, represent useful tools and of national interest, regarding public health strategies
Prof. Florica Nicolescu Pharm., PhD
Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania
Strada Doamnei 27, București 030052