influence of smoking habits and menopause on the blood lead level in relation to its effect on some body systems

In this study, blood samples were obtained from 300 adult men and women who had no occupational exposure to lead. One hundred and fifty men were subdivided into three equal groups, each of 50, to assess the influence of smoking on blood lead level: The first group was nonsmokers acted as a control group, the second group involved smokers with mean consumption <20 cigarettes daily and the third group involved smokers men with mean consumption >20 cigarettes daily. The duration of smoking averaged 3-5 years in both groups. In a separate analysis, 150 women were subdivided into three equal groups, each of 50, to assess the influence of menopause on blood lead level: The first group was premenopausal women as a control group, the second group was recent menopausal women [less than four years] and the third group was postmenopausal women more than four years