[Heavy metal exposure of the population in an area of nonferrous metallurgy--a prerequisite for the development of atherosclerotic diseases].

A survey is carried out among the population of a district with nonferrous metallurgy in view of studying the mutual relation between the exposure to heavy metals and some basic risk factors for the development of ischemic disease of the heart. The study pertains to the content of lead, cadmium, copper and zinc in blood and its relation to the serum lipids, glutathione in blood, arterial pressure and age. A higher level of triglycerides and free butyric acids were established in the serum with absence of clinical manifestations as a result of exposure to heavy metals. A significant correlation of cadmium, copper and zinc with serum lipids was found. On the basis of regressive analysis equations for the changes in the biochemical indices are derived under the effect of exposure to heavy metals, as well as for the connection of the arterial pressure with age and serum cholesterol. It is reckon that in clinical healthy young people under the effect of nonoccupational exposure to heavy metals a prerequisite is created for development of atherosclerotic diseases in mature and advanced age. It is recommended that the environmental pollution by nonferrous metallurgy to be accepted as risk factor for development of ischemic disease of the heart and to be taken under consideration in the complex preventive measure for this disease.