Blood lead level of Cairo traffic policemen.

Blood lead level, haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and urinary delta-aminolevulenic acid (ALA) were determined for 126 traffic policemen and a control group of 50 office-based policemen of Cairo city. Mean blood lead level and Hb of traffic policemen were significantly higher than those of the controls; ALA of both groups were similar. The blood lead level of traffic policemen was not related to age, duration of employment or Hb. Although the observed blood lead level of Cairo traffic policemen (29.2 +/- 7.5 microns dl-1) may be considered acceptable for their occupation, it indicates a potential risk from traffic-exhaust-induced air pollution for other groups of the Cairo population such as children and pregnant women.