skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Epidemiologic study of renal function in copper smelter workers

Abstract

A medical cross-sectional examination of a copper smelter work force was undertaken after environmental contamination with lead, cadmium and arsenic had been documented. A total of 920 subjects was examined, including active smelter employees, retired workers and copper mine employees who had never worked in the smelter. Slight to moderate absorption of lead and cadmium was definitely present in the active copper smelter employees, who had significantly higher levels of Pb-B, ZPP and Cd-B than retired employees and miners. Cd-U levels were higher in retired workers, who were also older and had, as a group, longer duration of exposure in the smelter. Cd-U did not exceed 10 ..mu..g/g creatinine, the level considered critical for nephrotoxicity, in any of the subjects. Median Cd-B level for active workers was 2.75 ..mu..g/L. Lead absorption was characterized by a relatively small proportion (16.7%) of active employees with Pb-B levels 40 ..mu..g/dL or higher. That kidney function could be impaired by long-term exposure in the smelter was only indirectly suggested. Effects on renal function at the low levels of cadmium and lead absorption that were observed in this smelter population are minimal. 21 references, 8 figures, 21 tables.

Authors:
; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the City Univ. of New York, NY
OSTI Identifier:
5927533
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 54
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; ARSENIC; BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION; BLOOD; CHEMICAL ANALYSIS; CADMIUM; KIDNEYS; BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS; LEAD; URINE; AGE DEPENDENCE; BODY BURDEN; DATA COMPILATION; ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY; EPIDEMIOLOGY; HEALTH HAZARDS; MINES; OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE; SMELTERS; TIME DEPENDENCE; BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS; BIOLOGICAL WASTES; BODY; BODY FLUIDS; DATA; ELEMENTS; FUNCTIONS; HAZARDS; INFORMATION; MATERIALS; METALS; NUMERICAL DATA; ORGANS; SEMIMETALS; UNDERGROUND FACILITIES; WASTES; 560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)

Citation Formats

Lilis, R, Valciukas, J A, Weber, J P, Malkin, J, and Selikoff, I J. Epidemiologic study of renal function in copper smelter workers. United States: N. p., 1984. Web. doi:10.1289/ehp.8454181.
Lilis, R, Valciukas, J A, Weber, J P, Malkin, J, & Selikoff, I J. Epidemiologic study of renal function in copper smelter workers. United States. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8454181
Lilis, R, Valciukas, J A, Weber, J P, Malkin, J, and Selikoff, I J. 1984. "Epidemiologic study of renal function in copper smelter workers". United States. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8454181.
@article{osti_5927533,
title = {Epidemiologic study of renal function in copper smelter workers},
author = {Lilis, R and Valciukas, J A and Weber, J P and Malkin, J and Selikoff, I J},
abstractNote = {A medical cross-sectional examination of a copper smelter work force was undertaken after environmental contamination with lead, cadmium and arsenic had been documented. A total of 920 subjects was examined, including active smelter employees, retired workers and copper mine employees who had never worked in the smelter. Slight to moderate absorption of lead and cadmium was definitely present in the active copper smelter employees, who had significantly higher levels of Pb-B, ZPP and Cd-B than retired employees and miners. Cd-U levels were higher in retired workers, who were also older and had, as a group, longer duration of exposure in the smelter. Cd-U did not exceed 10 ..mu..g/g creatinine, the level considered critical for nephrotoxicity, in any of the subjects. Median Cd-B level for active workers was 2.75 ..mu..g/L. Lead absorption was characterized by a relatively small proportion (16.7%) of active employees with Pb-B levels 40 ..mu..g/dL or higher. That kidney function could be impaired by long-term exposure in the smelter was only indirectly suggested. Effects on renal function at the low levels of cadmium and lead absorption that were observed in this smelter population are minimal. 21 references, 8 figures, 21 tables.},
doi = {10.1289/ehp.8454181},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5927533}, journal = {Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 54,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1984},
month = {Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1984}
}