Abstract

The study investigated the distribution of lead in the blood, liver, lung, kidney, heart and brain of albino rats, after oral administration of 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm of lead solution for 7 consecutive days. The various organs were digested by standard procedures and lead concentrations in these organs were determined by Atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that although lead concentrations in the blood and other tissues of albino rats in the lead treated groups (Groups 2, 3 and 4) were significantly different from those of the control group (Group 1) p < 0.05, these difference were not proportional to the quantity of lead the animals were exposed to. It is therefore probable that factors other than quantity of exposure may be responsible for the distribution of lead in various organs of albino rats.

Key words: Lead, blood, toxicity.