Air lead exposures and blood lead levels within a large automobile manufacturing workforce, 1980-1985

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Archives of Environmental Health; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1989.9935890· OSTI ID:5465676

Kintner, H J; Bivol, K R ^[1]

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1. General Motors Research Laboratories, Warren, MI (USA)

Recent (1980-1985) trends in air lead (PbA) exposures and blood lead (PbB) levels experienced by approximately 10,000 workers employed in various stages of the automobile manufacturing process (i.e., auto assembly, lead-acid battery manufacture, foundry work, and other manufacturing-related operations) are described. Between 1980-1985, the mean PbB levels of assembly, battery, foundry, and other workers decreased by 28, 24, 3, and 27%, respectively, to 16.6, 23.6, 15.9, and 11.8 micrograms Pb/dl. Workers in the following job categories experienced the highest annual mean PbB levels: paste machine operators (battery plants), solder-grinders (assembly plants), and crane operators (foundries). During the same period, median 8-h Time Weighted Average PbA exposures (micrograms Pb/m3) in assembly plants, battery plants, and foundries decreased by 10, 12, and 20%, respectively, to 8.1, 13.6, and 10.9 micrograms/m3.

• OSTI ID: 5465676
• Journal Information: Archives of Environmental Health; (USA), Journal Name: Archives of Environmental Health; (USA) Vol. 44:4; ISSN AEHLA; ISSN 0003-9896
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
ELEMENTS
FABRICATION
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRY
JOINING
LEAD
METALS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
RISK ASSESSMENT
TOXICITY
WELDING