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Risks associated with lead exposure in adults

Risks associated with lead exposure in adults
Blood lead level
(mcg/dL)		 Short-term risks
(lead exposure <1 year)		 Long-term risks
(lead exposure ≥1 year)
<5
  • None documented
  • None documented
5 to 9
  • Possible spontaneous abortion
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Preeclampsia*[1]
  • Possible spontaneous abortion
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Possible hypertension and kidney dysfunction
  • Essential tremor*[2]
10 to 19
  • Possible spontaneous abortion
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Reduced birth weight
  • Possible spontaneous abortion
  • Reduced birth weight
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Hypertension and kidney dysfunction
  • Possible subclinical neurocognitive deficits
  • Essential tremor*[2]
  • Increased cardiovascular mortality*[3]
20 to 29
  • Possible spontaneous abortion
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Reduced birth weight
  • Possible spontaneous abortion
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Reduced birth weight
  • Hypertension and kidney dysfunction
  • Possible subclinical neurocognitive deficits
30 to 39
  • Spontaneous abortion
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Reduced birth weight
  • Adverse effects on sperm or semen*[3]
  • Spontaneous abortion
  • Reduced birth weight
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Hypertension and kidney dysfunction
  • Possible neurocognitive deficits
  • Possible nonspecific symptoms
40 to 79
  • Spontaneous abortion
  • Reduced birth weight
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Nonspecific symptoms
  • Neurocognitive deficits
  • Sperm abnormalities
  • Spontaneous abortion
  • Reduced birth weight
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Nonspecific symptoms
  • Hypertension
  • Kidney dysfunction/nephropathy
  • Subclinical peripheral neuropathy
  • Neurocognitive deficits
  • Sperm abnormalities
  • Anemia
  • Colic
  • Possible gout
≥80
  • Spontaneous abortion
  • Reduced birth weight
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Nonspecific symptoms
  • Neurocognitive deficits
  • Encephalopathy
  • Sperm abnormalities
  • Anemia
  • Colic
  • Spontaneous abortion
  • Reduced birth weight
  • Possible postnatal developmental delay
  • Nonspecific symptoms
  • Hypertension
  • Nephropathy
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Neurocognitive deficits
  • Sperm abnormalities
  • Anemia
  • Colic
  • Gout
BLL: blood lead level.
* This is an UpToDate clinical suggestion.
¶ Nonspecific symptoms may include headache, fatigue, sleep disturbance, anorexia, constipation, arthralgia, myalgia, and decreased libido.
Adapted from Environmental Health Perspectives with permission from the authors: Kosnett MJ, Wedeen RP, Rothenberg SJ, et al. Recommendations for medical management of adult lead exposure. Environ Health Perspect 2007; 115:463. Copyright © 2007.
Additional information from:
  1. Poropat AE, Laidlaw MAS, Lanphear B, et al. Blood lead and preeclampsia: A meta-analysis and review of implications. Environ Res 2018; 160:12.
  2. Lanphear BP, Rauch S, Auinger P, et al. Low-level lead exposure and mortality in US adults: a population-based cohort study. Lancet Public Health 2018; 3:e177.
  3. US Department of Health and Human Services: National Toxicology Program. Health effects of low-level lead. Available at: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/noncancer/completed/lead/index.html (Accessed on October 24, 2019).
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