Health Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Composite Report on Lead Studies for TA-76-106, Sherwin Williams, Coffeyville, Kansas (Supplement)

摘要

In November 1973 this inorganic chemicals plant producing zinc-oxide was inspected by OSHA and cited for violation of the air-borne lead standard. Lead is a contaminant of the zinc-oxide. At OSHA's request, NIOSH arranged for a medical evaluation of the workers' health status. In November 1976, 179 workers were examined for evidence of lead absorption and intoxication. All but one were screened using a zinc protoporphyrin test (ZPP). Following this, 62 of them, including those considered to be working in high-risk jobs, or with ZPP levels equal to or greater than 90 microgram percent, were subjected to a medical questionnaire regarding history of symptoms of lead intoxication, a partial physical examination confined to neurological tests and blood pressure and chemical analyses, including urinalysis and hemoglobin, hematocrit, and Chem-24 (automated screening test for blood chemistries). Only two workers had a blood lead level over 60 microgram of lead per 100 ml of blood. An abnormally large number had evidence of abnormal renal function, particularly creatinine and to a lesser degree, BUN. Half of the workers were found to have an abnormal elevation of one or more components of the blood pressure. Additionally, 10 percent had abnormally low hemoglobins and hematocrits.