OBJECTIVES: Lead toxicity has been labeled as a major health problem globally with limited therapeutic options. Literature reveals controversial reports on the lead detoxifying potential of vitamin C. The aim of this study was to see if vitamin C supplementation reduces lead levels of blood in adult subjects exposed to lead. METHODS: After ethical approval and informed consent the traffic police study subjects (all male) were randomly divided into two groups each containing 40 subjects. One group received 500 mg vitamin C, while the second group was given 1000 mg orally daily for a period of one month. Blood samples were collected at 0, 15, and 30 days of treatment and lead levels were analyzed from the PCSIR Lab, Karachi using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The data showed raised levels of lead in study subjects of both groups (21.74 ± 1.62 and 22.51  ± 1.28 mcg/dl; mean ± SEM; N=40) compared to the safe limit (<10 mcg/dl) recommended by WHO. The treatment with vitamin C (500 mg) reduced the lead levels to 16.91 ± 1.08  mcg/dl (N =29) after 15 days treatment (P<0.01), while the lead level after 30 days treatment was further reduced to12.61 ± 1.50 mcg/dl (N = 36; p<0.001 compared to control, 21.74 ± 1.62). In the second group subjects, which received 1000 mg vitamin C, the lead level after 15 days treatment was 15.80 ±0.89 mcg/dl (N =33; P<0.001)), with no further drop (P>0.05) after 30 days treatment, as the resultant lead level was 14.64 ± 1.05 mcg/dl (N =31). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that vitamin C has a dose and time-dependent lead-detoxifying effect and that vitamin C supplementation may be an effective, safe and economical method in reducing blood lead levels in chronically exposed subjects such as traffic police.