Elevated blood-lead levels and air-lead levels among radiator repairer in Khon Kaen, Northeastern Thailand

摘要

Introduction: Lead is one of the best known toxic heavy metals. The level of lead in the blood is a highly reliable biological marker of recent exposure to lead. Objective:To examine blood lead levels (PbB), air lead concentration (PbA), and health behavior related to lead contamination prevention in radiator repair workers. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Setting Design: Radiator repair shops, Khon Kaen Province, Northeastern Thailand Subject: Blood samples and air samples in 63 radiator repair workers Method:PbB and PbA were measured for each participant concurrently by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect socio-demographic characteristics, occupational history and health behavior related to lead contamination prevention. All data collected were analyzed by descriptive analysis. Result: The mean PbB and PbA were 23.46 mg/dL, ranging from 16.27 to 33.74 mg/dL and 3.63 mg/m3, ranging from 2.04 to 9.20 mg/m3, that lower than Bareau of occupational and Environmental Disease, Control Disease Division, Ministry of Public Health and the WHO recommended levels for PbB (PbB less than 40 mg/dL, PbA at workplace less than 0.2 mg/m3 for 8 hrs). However, the results showed the PbB ＞ 25 mg/dL was 33.33% of the workers. There was no clear picture of association between PbB and PbA. Descriptive data of workers and protective equipment use did not change the substance of the results. Conclusion: The reduction of PbB in radiator workers to lower than the recommended limit and the low level of PbA could have been due to the result of a previous preventive study to reduce PbB for radiator repair workers and the improvement of their lead contamination prevention.