Lead exposures and biological responses in military weapons systems: Aerosol characteristics and acute lead effects among US Army artillerymen: Final report
This study was to determine the concentration and chemical nature of lead (Pb) aerosols produced during the firing of artillery and to determine the exposures and biological responses of crew members exposed to lead aerosols during such firing. The concentrations of lead-containing aerosols at crew positions depended on wind conditions, with higher concentrations when firing into a head wind. Aerosol concentrations were highest in the muzzle blast zone. Concentrations of lead in the blood of crew members rose during the first 12 days of exposure to elevated airborne lead concentrations and then leveled off. There was no rapid decrease in blood lead concentrations after completion of firing. Small decreases in hematocrit and small increases in free erythrocyte porphyrin were correlated with increasing exposure to airborne lead. These changes were reversed by seven weeks after firing. Changes in nerve conduction velocity had borderline statistical significance to airborne lead exposure. In measuring nerve conduction velocity, differences in skin temperature must be taken into account.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOD; Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6466018
- Report Number(s):
- ANL-93/7; ON: DE93012075
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
LEAD
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
MILITARY PERSONNEL
HAZARDS
AEROSOLS
BLOOD CHEMISTRY
FIELD TESTS
FILTERS
NERVES
PROGRESS REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS
WIND
ANIMALS
BIOCHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
MAMMALS
MAN
METALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
PERSONNEL
PRIMATES
SOLS
TESTING
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
450000 - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense