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Screening for lead toxicity among autobody repair workers
Author(s) -
Rose David N.,
Cummings Curtis E.,
Molinaro John,
Fertig Andra
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700030406
Subject(s) - medicine , toxicity , occupational exposure , environmental health , toxicology , biology
Fifty‐one workers in 10 small, neighborhood autobody repair shops were screened for lead toxicity using blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels and work history questionnaires. Those with high ZPP levels (greater than 50 μg/dl) had further studies, including blood lead determinations. The shops were dusty with ground putty dust (lead‐free) and paint spray (lead content range 0–40%). Thirteen (26%) workers had mildly elevated ZPP levels (all were full‐time sander/sprayers) though few had symptoms and none had elevated blood lead levels. Eighteen controls, workers in other occupations, had normal ZPP levels. Air monitoring during inactive periods failed to reveal high lead levels (range 0–28 μg/m 2 ). These data suggest that workers in autobody repair shops are at risk of lead toxicity but the exposure and biologic effects are less than in many other industries that utilize lead.