• Margarida Coelho, Diogo Abreu, Laura Silva, Miguel Pereira, and Fernando Mautempo.
• Serviço de Medicina do Trabalho e Saúde Ocupacional. Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga. Aveiro. Portugal.
• Acta Medica Port. 2023 Sep 1; 36 (9): 595597595-597.

AbstractThe recycling of used batteries has raised public health concerns as this activity is associated with occupational and environmental exposure to lead. We describe the case of a 26-year-old woman who experienced palpitations associated with headaches, fatigue and insomnia. Blood tests showed anemia (Hb 11.9 g/dL) and a lead concentration of 59 μg/dL. This was reported about four months after starting work in a battery recycling company. She left the company and, reported a gradual decrease in symptoms about one month later. The analytical study revealed a normalization of hemoglobin levels (12.2 g/dL) and a decrease in blood lead levels to 23.4 μg/dL. The health effects of lead exposure are nonspecific, and its diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion. In this context, the collaboration between the Attending Physician and the Health and Safety Departments of companies is important.

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