This study aimed at determining Pb concentration in the blood of dogs raised in the environment polluted by copper industry. The dogs were divided into groups by age and height. The results show that there is a strong relationship between the age of dogs and Pb contents of canine blood. Besides, Pb content of small dogs was markedly higher than that of large dogs. Comparative studies by other authors on Pb contents of blood in children, adolescents and adults living under the same environmental conditions indicate that there is a close relationship between Pb contents of human and canine blood.
Taking into account the observations mentioned above, the authors of the present study came to the conclusion that canine blood can be a good indicator showing to what extent human health can be threatened by lead. Analyzing Pb concentration in human and dog blood, the conversion factor for the comparison of dogs' and human ages was used.