Increased lead absorption in children of workers in a lead storage battery plant
Exposure to toxic materials originating in the workplace has been recognized in families of workers in several industries. However, to date this problem has not been studied in the storage battery production industry. Twenty-seven one- to six-year-old children of 22 workers at a storage battery plant at high risk to exposure to lead oxide were compared with 32 one- to six-year-old children in 22 neighborhood control families for evidence of increased lead absorption. Workers' children had significantly higher blood lead (p < 0.001) and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (p < 0.003) values than control children. Household exposures to lead in paint and water were similar for the two groups, but workers' homes had significantly higher concentrations of lead in dust (p < 0.001). It is postulated that lead is brought home on the skin, hair and clothing of the workers and that their children are ingesting or inhaling the lead in household dust. This is the first report of increased lead absorption in children of workers in this industry.
- OSTI ID:
- 6590524
- Journal Information:
- J. Occup. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Occup. Med.; (United States) Vol. 20:11; ISSN JOCMA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY FLUIDS
BUILDINGS
CHILDREN
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
ERYTHROCYTES
HOUSES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INGESTION
INHALATION
INTAKE
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
LEAD
LEAD-ACID BATTERIES
MAMMALS
MAN
METALS
PERSONNEL
POISONING
PRIMATES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES