Occupational lead intoxication from terracotta tiles manufacturing: a case study

Abstract We report the case of a 63-year-old terracotta tiles manufacturer who presented with acute abdomen and normocytic anaemia. The patient elevated levels urinary delta-aminolaevulinic acid without any increase in urine porphobilinogen or coproporphyrin. Detection lead blood (1939 µg/dL one month before hospital admission occupational medicine clinic 44.70 at admission, values come from two different laboratories) confirmed diagnosis chronic poisoning due to exposure. Chelation therapy D-penicillamine resulted improvement clinical symptoms levels. Clinicians should be aware that caused by exposure can still occur sporadically manufacturing workers, being neglected abdominal pain.