Lead and hypertension in a mortality study of lead smelter workers.

Hypertension has been associated with occupational lead exposure and may in part be a consequence of renal injury. To assess the epidemiology of death potentially associated with lead-induced hypertension, the authors have reviewed data from a larger study. This study evaluated the mortality of a cohort of white, male, hourly workers hired at a lead smelter in Idaho between January 1, 1940, and December 31, 1965, and employed for at least 1 year. Mortality was determined as of December 1, 1977. Of the 1987 males qualifying for the study group, 1281 were known to be alive, 665 were known to be deceased, and the remainder (2.1%) were lost to follow-up. The findings of renal disease and cancer are more suggestive of an association with lead exposure.