[Lead poisoning due to drug addiction: a new source of poisoning with clinical interest and important epidemiological consequences]

An Med Interna. 1989 Sep;6(9):483-5.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Lead poisoning has accompanied the human being throughout history. Owing to the increasing levels of safety at work, the incidence of occupational poisoning has decreased and new forms of non-occupational poisoning have emerged. We present 3 cases of drug addicts, with lead poisoning, as a result of using adulterated drugs. One of them was an intravenous drug addict who had abdominal pain and anemia. The other 2 inhaled heroin, one being slightly anemic and the other without symptoms and with normal hemoglobin levels. The drug adulterated with lead had not been previously recognized as a source of lead poisoning, being likely to cause serious epidemiological effects.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease
  • Drug Contamination
  • Female
  • Heroin
  • Heroin Dependence / complications*
  • Humans
  • Lead Poisoning / diagnosis
  • Lead Poisoning / epidemiology
  • Lead Poisoning / etiology*
  • Male
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • Heroin