Distribution of blood lead, blood cadmium, urinary cadmium, and urinary arsenic levels in employees of a copper smelter

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(84)90010-0· OSTI ID:7188579

Lilis, R; Valciukas, J A; Weber, J P; Fischbein, A; Nicholson, W J; Campbell, C; Malkin, J; Selikoff, I J

A cross-sectional medical examination of a copper smelter work force included determination of blood lead (Pb-B), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), blood cadmium (Cd-B), urinary cadmium (Cd-U), and urinary arsenic (As-U), since it was known that such metal impurities were present in the copper concentrate. A total of 776 copper smelter employees (680 active and 96 retirees and ex-employees) were examined. Another 144 men, never employed in the smelter, but who had worked in copper mines (and sometimes in gold mines) were also examined. Mean Pb-B, ZPP, Cd-B, and As-U were significantly higher in active copper smelter employees than in retirees or miners, indicating exposure and absorption in the copper smelter. Significant correlations between Pb-B and Cd-B, and Cd-U and As-U were present, confirming the common source of absorption. Although there was evidence for an increased lead absorption, this was very moderate, with practically no Pb-B levels in excess of 60 ..mu..g/dl. A marked effect of smoking on blood cadmium levels was present; nevertheless, for all smoking categories Cd-B levels were significantly higher in active employees, indicating the independent contribution of exposure to cadmium in the smelter. Cd-U did not exceed 10 ..mu..g/g creatinine, the generally accepted critical level for the kidney, but was higher than 2 ..mu..g/g cretinine, a level very rarely exceeded in the general population, in a sizable proportion of those examined. The highest Cd-U levels were found in retired copper smelter employees; age might have been a contributing factor, besides a longer duration of exposure in the smelter.

• Research Organization: City Univ. of New York, NY
• OSTI ID: 7188579
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 33:1; ISSN ENVRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOLS
AGE DEPENDENCE
ARSENIC
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BLOOD
BODY FLUIDS
CADMIUM
COLLOIDS
COPPER
CORRELATIONS
DATA
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
LEAD
MATERIALS
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
PERSONNEL
RESIDUES
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SEMIMETALS
SMELTERS
SMOKES
SOLS
SURVEILLANCE
TOBACCO SMOKES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
URINE
WASTES