Lead Exposure as Cause of a Clinical Scenario of Cardiac Arrhythmias

• Autor(a) principal: Coelho, Margarida
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Abreu, Diogo, Silva, Laura, Pereira, Miguel, Mautempo, Fernando
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/18791
• topic: Arritmias Cardíacas/induzidas quimicamente; Exposição Ocupacional; Intoxicação por Chumbo; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/chemically induced; Lead Poisoning; Occupational Exposure

The recycling of used batteries has raised public health concerns as this activity is associated with occupational and environmental exposure to lead. We describe the case of a 26-year-old woman who experienced palpitations associated with headaches, fatigue and insomnia. Blood tests showed anemia (Hb 11.9 g/dL) and a lead concentration of 59 μg/dL. This was reported about four months after starting work in a battery recycling company. She left the company and, reported a gradual decrease in symptoms about one month later. The analytical study revealed a normalization of hemoglobin levels (12.2 g/dL) and a decrease in blood lead levels to 23.4 μg/dL. The health effects of lead exposure are nonspecific, and its diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion. In this context, the collaboration between the Attending Physician and the Health and Safety Departments of companies is important.