Blood lead levels in scuba divers: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION

Lead is a toxic element which is known to accumulate in the body. Nevertheless, it is very widely used as a diving weight.

METHODS

Blood samples were taken from 20 recreational scuba divers to assess blood lead concentrations.

RESULTS

The last dive before blood sampling was an average of 4.8 weeks previously (range 1-18 weeks). All the samples were within the normal background range, the highest lead concentration being 44.8 µg∙L⁻¹ with an average concentration of 26.5 µg∙L⁻¹ (range 11.7-44.8 µg∙L⁻¹).

CONCLUSIONS

The results show no elevated blood lead concentrations in this group of divers compared to background levels. However, owing to the small number of divers studied and the variable, often long interval between the last dive and blood sampling, the results cannot be generalized.