Review of parameters
For an article to fit the parameters of primary research toxicology, it must describe the adverse effects of the hazardous substance being studied. The study of adverse effects of the substance could be conducted in vitro with the use of animal models.
In addition, the paper should address some gaps in the area of toxicology (Kasperczyk et al., 2013). For a paper to fit the parameters of primary research epidemiology, it must provide essential epidemiological information about a hazardous substance. It must also describe health effects and strategies to avoid chemical exposures (Riedt et al., 2009).
Important exposure pathways for lead
Lead enters the body through three exposure pathways. If lead is inhaled, it gets to the lungs via the mouth. From the lungs, it enters the blood stream which transports it to other parts of the body like the bones. It could also get into the body through ingestion. From the stomach, the ingested lead enters the blood stream.
This is the fastest pathway of accumulating lead in the body. Absorption is another exposure pathway whereby lead gets into the body via the skin. From the skin, it is absorbed into the blood. High levels of lead cause adverse effect to body organs and tissues (Riedt et al., 2009; Kasperczyk et al., 2013).
Article description on
Riedt, C. S., Buckley, B. T., Brolin, R. E., Ambia-Sobhan, H., Rhoads, G. G., & Shapses, S. A. (2009). Blood lead levels and bone turnover with weight reduction in women. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 19(1), 90-96.
The primary research epidemiological study aimed to determine whether an increase in bone turnover linked to loss of weight could increase blood lead levels. The researchers measured blood lead levels in 73 women before and after weight loss (severe and moderate). Blood lead levels were also measured in women who did not lose weight (Riedt et al., 2009). The study found that bone turnover correlated positively with weight loss. The results have practical implications on epidemiology because measures could be adopted to reduce the amount of lead released into the blood stream when there is high rate of bone turnover (Riedt et al., 2009).
Article description on
Kasperczyk, A., Dziwisz, M., Ostałowska, A., Świętochowska, E., & Birkner, E. (2013). Function of the liver and bile ducts in humans exposed to lead. Human & experimental toxicology, 32(8), 787–796.
The primary research toxicological study aimed to determine the effects chronic lead exposures on functions of the liver and bile ducts. The study participants (n=145) were selected because their occupations exposed them to significant amounts of lead (Kasperczyk et al., 2013).
The shapes of the liver and bile ducts were determined through imaging procedures. To assess the functions of the bile ducts and liver, the enzymatic activities of particular enzymes and amounts of bilirubin were determined in blood serum. The study found that lead caused abnormalities of the liver and bile ducts. The degree of the abnormal functions was dependent on the amount of lead exposures. Lead exposures were also found to activate inflammatory reactions (Kasperczyk et al., 2013).
Summary of the two studies
Both studies aimed to determine the effects of lead exposures on the human body. In both studies, time was a key factor that helped to determine the blood lead levels and effects of lead on body organs. Riedt et al. (2009) used different parameters of weight loss as the independent variables and blood lead concentrations as the dependent variables.
The results are useful because they correlated bone turnover with increase blood lead concentrations. On the other hand, Kasperczyk et al. (2013) used lead chronic exposure times as the independent variables and biological functions as the dependent variables. The study findings are essential because they positively correlated prolonged lead exposures with increased liver and bile ducts damage.
References
Kasperczyk, A., Dziwisz, M., Ostałowska, A., Świętochowska, E., & Birkner, E. (2013). Function of the liver and bile ducts in humans exposed to lead. Human & experimental toxicology, 32(8), 787–796.
Riedt, C. S., Buckley, B. T., Brolin, R. E., Ambia-Sobhan, H., Rhoads, G. G., & Shapses, S. A. (2009). Blood lead levels and bone turnover with weight reduction in women. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 19(1), 90-96.