Abstract
In this study, six residents of Zawia City who had no history record of occupational lead exposure were investigated. One sample of venous blood was collected from each. Sample preparation consisted of a simple dilution (twenty-fold) with 0.15N HNO3. The was centrifuged to separate serum, which was then isolated and analyzed for lead content by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). The residue of the sample was also analyzed by the same technique for blood level. The blood lead level in the residue was higher than that in serum lead level. Mean lead concentrations were 4.48mg/L in serum and 60.23 mg/L in residual blood respectively. Blood lead level was quietly correlated with serum lead and accounted for 95% of the variability of serum lead concentration. The bivariate regression coefficient of serum lead was 0.221 (p. 0.001). In a multivariate regression model of serum lead levels that include blood and serum lead level remained an independent predictor of lead plasma level (p. 0.007, p<0.001). Our data suggested that the concentrations of lead in residual blood are high compared to that in serum.