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Lv X, Jiang Y, Wang R, Li L, Liu R, Wang M. The Association Between Self-Reported Household Renovation and Semen Parameters Among Infertile Men: A Cross-Sectional Study. Am J Mens Health 2023; 17:15579883231156310. [PMID: 36803307 PMCID: PMC9947698 DOI: 10.1177/15579883231156310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that outdoor air pollution has a negative impact on semen quality; however, few studies have examined whether living in a recently renovated residence is one of the factors influencing semen parameters. We aimed to examine the association between household renovation and semen parameters among infertile men. Our study was conducted at the Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University (Changchun, China) from July 2018 to April 2020. A total of 2267 participants were enrolled in the study. The participants completed the questionnaire and provided a semen sample. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between household renovations and semen parameters. Of the participants, about one-fifth (n = 523, 23.1%) had undergone renovations in the last 24 months. The median progressive motility was 34.50%. There was a significant difference between participants whose residences had been renovated in the last 24 months and those whose residences had not been recently renovated (z = -2.114, p = .035). Compared with participants whose residences were not recently renovated, participants who moved into the residence within 3 months after renovation had a higher risk of abnormal progressive motility after adjusting for age and abstinence time (odds ratio [OR] = 1.537, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.088-2.172). Our findings indicated that progressive motility was significantly associated with household renovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lv
- Reproductive Medicine Center and
Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun,
China
| | - Yuting Jiang
- Reproductive Medicine Center and
Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun,
China
| | - Ruixue Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center and
Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun,
China
| | - Linlin Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center and
Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun,
China
| | - Ruizhi Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center and
Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun,
China
| | - Mohan Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center and
Prenatal Diagnosis Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun,
China,Mohan Wang, Reproductive Medicine Center
and Prenatal Diagnosis, Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin
Street, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, China.
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Ghaffarian-Bahraman A, Taherifard A, Esmaeili A, Ahmadinia H, Rezaeian M. Evaluation of blood lead among painters of buildings and cars. Toxicol Ind Health 2021; 37:737-744. [PMID: 34797729 DOI: 10.1177/07482337211042731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to lead-based paints is a major threat to the health of painters. This study aimed to evaluate the blood concentration of lead (Pb) in painters of buildings and cars. The present study was a cross-sectional study in which a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic information. Lead concentration in blood samples was determined using the atomic absorption spectrometry method. A total of 32 male painters were selected based on inclusion criteria. The mean blood lead level (BLL) in the painters was 8.1 ± 4.93 μg/dL. Pb levels in car and building painters were 9.42 ± 5.5 μg/dL and 6.7 ± 1.85 μg/dL, respectively. Pb concentration in none of the blood samples was more than 30 μg/dL. The prevalence of BLL ≥ 5 μg/dL and BLL ≥ 10 μg/dL was 97% and 19%, respectively. According to the findings, the rate of BLL among car painters was higher than building painters. Considering the presence of Pb in all blood samples, it seems necessary to increase the awareness of painters about the adverse effects of lead exposure even in low concentrations. However, the sample size in this study was small and more investigations are required in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ghaffarian-Bahraman
- Occupational Environment Research Center, 113396Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Alireza Taherifard
- Occupational Environment Research Center, 113396Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Abbas Esmaeili
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Occupational Environment Research Center, School of Health, 113396Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hassan Ahmadinia
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Occupational Environmental Research Center, Rafsanjan Medical School, 113396Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rezaeian
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Occupational Environmental Research Center, Rafsanjan Medical School, 113396Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE In March 2016, the state health departments of Wisconsin and Minnesota learned of three shipyard workers with blood lead levels (BLLs) more than 40 μg/dL. An investigation was conducted to determine the extent of and risk factors for the exposure. METHODS We defined a case as an elevated BLL more than or equal to 5 μg/dL in a shipyard worker. Workers were interviewed regarding their symptoms and personal protective equipment (PPE) use. RESULTS Of 357 workers, 65.0% had received more than or equal to 1 BLL test. Among tested workers, 171 (73.7%) had BLLmax more than or equal to 5 μg/dL. Workers who received respirator training or fit testing had a median BLLmax of 18.0 μg/dL, similar to the median BLLmax of workers who did not receive such training (22.6 μg/dL, P = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS Our findings emphasize the importance of adequate provision and use of PPE to prevent occupational lead exposure.
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Nurul AH, Shamsul BMT, Noor Hassim I. Assessment of dust exposure in a steel plant in the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia. Work 2017; 55:655-662. [PMID: 27792033 DOI: 10.3233/wor-162433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Steel manufacturing produces dust, fumes, and pollutant gases that may give adverse health effects to the respiratory function of workers. Improper occupational hygiene practice in the workplace will affect both workers wellbeing and productivity. OBJECTIVE To assess the level of particulate matter [(PM2.5, PM10, and Total Particulate Matter (TPM)], and trace metal dust concentrations in different sections of a steel plant and compare with the occupational exposure values. METHODS The work environmental parameters of the particulate matters were evaluated using Indoor Air Quality, while metal dust concentrations were measured using portable personal air sampler. A total of 184 personal samples were randomly collected from workers in three major sections; steel making plant, direct reduced plant, and support group. Trace metal dust concentrations were subjected to wet mineral acid mixture digestion and analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). RESULTS The overall average PM2.5 concentration observed was varied according to the section: steel making plant was 0.18 mg/m3, direct reduced iron plant was 0.05 mg/m3, and support plant was 0.05 mg/m3. Average PM 10 concentration in steel making shop (SMS) plant, direct reduced (DR) plant, and support plant were 0.70 mg/m3, 0.84 mg/m3, and 0.58 mg/m3, respectively. The average TWA8 of trace metal dusts (cobalt and chromium) in all the sections exceeded 1 to 3 times the ACGIH prescribed values, OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs as well as USECHH OSHA, whereas TWA8 concentration of nickel for each section did not exceed the occupational exposure values. CONCLUSIONS The average PM2.5, PM10 and TPM did not exceed the prescribed values, while average trace metal dust concentration TWA8 for cobalt and chromium in all plants exceeded occupational exposure prescribed values. However, the nickel found did not exceed the prescribed values in all the plants except for NIOSH RELs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainun Hamzah Nurul
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Environmental and Occupational Health Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Bahri Mohd Tamrin Shamsul
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ismail Noor Hassim
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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La-Llave-León O, Salas Pacheco JM, Estrada Martínez S, Esquivel Rodríguez E, Castellanos Juárez FX, Sandoval Carrillo A, Lechuga Quiñones AM, Vázquez Alanís F, García Vargas G, Méndez Hernández EM, Duarte Sustaita J. The relationship between blood lead levels and occupational exposure in a pregnant population. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:1231. [PMID: 27927239 PMCID: PMC5142354 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3902-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pregnant women exposed to lead are at risk of suffering reproductive damages, such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, premature delivery and low birth weight. Despite that the workplace offers the greatest potential for lead exposure, there is relatively little information about occupational exposure to lead during pregnancy. This study aims to assess the association between blood lead levels and occupational exposure in pregnant women from Durango, Mexico. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in a population of 299 pregnant women. Blood lead was measured in 31 women who worked in jobs where lead is used (exposed group) and 268 who did not work in those places (control group). Chi-square test was applied to compare exposed and control groups with regard to blood lead levels. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Multivariable regression analysis was applied to determine significant predictors of blood lead concentrations in the exposed group. Results Exposed women had higher blood lead levels than those in the control group (4.00 ± 4.08 μg/dL vs 2.65 ± 1.75 μg/dL, p = 0.002). Furthermore, women in the exposed group had 3.82 times higher probability of having blood lead levels ≥ 5 μg/dL than those in the control group. Wearing of special workwear, changing clothes after work, living near a painting store, printing office, junkyard or rubbish dump, and washing the workwear together with other clothes resulted as significant predictors of elevated blood lead levels in the exposed group. Conclusions Pregnant working women may be at risk of lead poisoning because of occupational and environmental exposure. The risk increases if they do not improve the use of protective equipment and their personal hygiene. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3902-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osmel La-Llave-León
- Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Avenida Universidad esq. con Volantín, Zona Centro, C.P. 34000, Durango, DGO, Mexico.
| | - José Manuel Salas Pacheco
- Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Avenida Universidad esq. con Volantín, Zona Centro, C.P. 34000, Durango, DGO, Mexico
| | - Sergio Estrada Martínez
- Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Avenida Universidad esq. con Volantín, Zona Centro, C.P. 34000, Durango, DGO, Mexico
| | - Eloísa Esquivel Rodríguez
- Facultad de Enfermería y Obstetricia, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Ave. Cuauhtémoc, 223 norte, CP 34 000, Durango, Mexico
| | - Francisco X Castellanos Juárez
- Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Avenida Universidad esq. con Volantín, Zona Centro, C.P. 34000, Durango, DGO, Mexico
| | - Ada Sandoval Carrillo
- Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Avenida Universidad esq. con Volantín, Zona Centro, C.P. 34000, Durango, DGO, Mexico
| | - Angélica María Lechuga Quiñones
- Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Avenida Universidad esq. con Volantín, Zona Centro, C.P. 34000, Durango, DGO, Mexico
| | | | - Gonzalo García Vargas
- Facultad de Medicina de Gómez Palacio, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, La Salle 1 y Sixto Ugalde, S/N. Col. Revolución, CP. 35050, Gómez Palacio, Durango, Mexico
| | - Edna Madai Méndez Hernández
- Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Avenida Universidad esq. con Volantín, Zona Centro, C.P. 34000, Durango, DGO, Mexico
| | - Jaime Duarte Sustaita
- Facultad de Medicina de Gómez Palacio, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, La Salle 1 y Sixto Ugalde, S/N. Col. Revolución, CP. 35050, Gómez Palacio, Durango, Mexico
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Gender-dependent behavioural impairment and brain metabolites in young adult rats after short term exposure to lead acetate. Toxicol Lett 2012; 210:15-23. [PMID: 22285975 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2012.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2011] [Revised: 01/12/2012] [Accepted: 01/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the behavioural effects of short-term lead (Pb) exposure in adult rats producing blood Pb concentration (<10 μg/dL) below those associated with neurological impairment in occupationally exposed individuals. In order to assess gender differences, we performed parallel behavioural experiments in male and female rats. Exposure to Pb acetate (50 mg/L in drinking water) for 30-45 days induced behavioural alterations consisting in hyperactivity in a novel environment and impairment of spatial memory. These effects were observed only in male rats. Object recognition, motor coordination were unaffected by Pb exposure. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy allows in vivo assessment of main brain metabolites (glutamate/glutamine, creatine, myoinositol, N-acetylaspartate and choline) whose changes have been demonstrated in several central nervous system pathologies. Exposure to Pb did not affect metabolite profile in the striatum and increase myoinositol signal in the hippocampus of male rats. The increase in myoinositol in hippocampus suggests early Pb-induced alteration in glial metabolism in this brain region and may represent a potential marker of early brain dysfunction during Pb exposure.
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Neitzel RL, Daniell WE, Sheppard L, Davies HW, Seixas NS. Evaluation and comparison of three exposure assessment techniques. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2011; 8:310-23. [PMID: 21491323 PMCID: PMC4570846 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2011.568832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This study was conducted to verify the performance of a recently developed subjective rating (SR) exposure assessment technique and to compare estimates made using this and two other techniques (trade mean, or TM, and task-based, or TB, approaches) to measured exposures. Subjects (n = 68) each completed three full-shift noise measurements over 4 months. Individual measured mean exposures were created by averaging each subject's repeated measurements, and TM, TB, and SR estimates were created using noise levels from worksites external to the current study. The bias, precision, accuracy, and absolute agreement of estimates created using the three techniques were evaluated by comparing estimated exposures with measured exposures. Trade mean estimates showed little bias, while neither the TM nor the SR techniques produced unbiased estimates, and the SR estimates showed the greatest bias of the three techniques. Accuracy was essentially equivalent among the three techniques. All three techniques showed poor agreement with measured exposures and were not highly correlated with each other. Estimates from the SR technique generally performed similarly to the TM and TB techniques. Methods to incorporate information from each technique into exposure estimates should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Neitzel
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98185-4695, USA.
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Mansouri MT, Cauli O. Motor alterations induced by chronic lead exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2009; 27:307-313. [PMID: 21783958 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2009.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2008] [Revised: 12/15/2008] [Accepted: 01/18/2009] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) as other environmental neurotoxicants substances has the capability to interfere with many biochemical events present in cells throughout the body and it can produce a wide spectrum of alterations in many organs and systems. Among that alterations induced by Pb exposure in adults and children those involving motor system dysfunction represent a common public health problem. The review summarizes the sources of lead exposures in both occupational and residential environments and motor deficits induced by chronic Pb exposure taking in account the last literature in the field. We wish to focus on the current state of knowledge concerning the long-lasting neurological effects of Pb in motor functions and to correlate the neurological deficits induced by Pb exposure in animal models with those reported in humans. The great interest in whether exposure to Pb can cause long-term, progressive declines in central nervous system (CNS) function have revealed that Pb exposure is involved in chronic CNS diseases such Parkinson's and poor motor coordination in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Taghi Mansouri
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology Research Center, School of Medicine, Ahwaz Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences (AJUMS), Ahwaz, Iran; Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, Avda Autopista del Saler, 16, 46013, Valencia, Spain
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Virji MA, Woskie SR, Pepper LD. Skin and surface lead contamination, hygiene programs, and work practices of bridge surface preparation and painting contractors. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2009; 6:131-142. [PMID: 19107672 DOI: 10.1080/15459620802656636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A 2005 regulatory review of the lead in construction standard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) noted that alternative pathways of exposure can be as significant as inhalation exposure and that noncompliance with the standard pertaining to hygiene facilities and practices was the second most commonly violated section of the standard. Noncompliance with provisions of the standard and unhealthy work and hygiene practices likely increase the likelihood of take-home lead via contaminated clothing, automobiles, and skin, thus contributing to elevated blood lead levels (BLL) among construction workers and their family members. We performed a cross-sectional study of bridge painters working for small contractors in Massachusetts to investigate causes of persistent elevated BLLs and to assess lead exposures. Thirteen work sites were evaluated for a 2-week period during which surface and skin wipe samples were collected and qualitative information was obtained on personal hygiene practices, decontamination and hand wash facilities, and respiratory protection programs. Results showed lead contamination on workers' skin, respirators, personal automobiles, and the decontamination unit, indicating a significant potential for take-home lead exposure. Overall, the geometric mean (GM) skin lead levels ranged from 373 microg on workers' faces at end of shift to 814 microg on hands at break time. The overall GM lead level inside respirators was 143 microg before work and 286 microg after work. Lead contamination was also present inside workers' personal vehicles as well as on surfaces inside the clean side of the decontamination unit. Review of the respiratory protection programs, work site decontamination and hand wash facilities, and personal hygiene practices indicated that these factors had significant impact on skin and surface contamination levels and identified significant opportunities for improving work site facilities and personal practices. Elevated lead exposure and BLL can be minimized by strict adherence to the OSHA provisions for functioning decontamination and hygiene facilities and healthy personal hygiene practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Abbas Virji
- Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA.
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Tak S, Roscoe RJ, Alarcon W, Ju J, Sestito JP, Sussell AL, Calvert GM. Characteristics of US workers whose blood lead levels trigger the medical removal protection provision, and conformity with biological monitoring requirements, 2003-2005. Am J Ind Med 2008; 51:691-700. [PMID: 18561249 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Workers with blood lead levels (BLL) > or =60 microg/dl (50 microg/dl for construction workers) or with three or more consecutive BLLs over at least 6 months that average 50 microg/dl or greater are required to be removed from work involving lead exposure that exceeds the OSHA action level. This study estimates the proportion of workers with BLLs that trigger the medical removal provision by industry sector, and examines whether workers received appropriate follow-up blood lead testing. METHODS Three years (2003-2005) of data from the Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance program were analyzed to identify those industries with a high percentage of workers with BLLs that trigger the medical removal provision. Adjusted rate ratios (RR) of adults with such BLLs were estimated by industry sector compared to the battery manufacturing industry using Poisson regression models. RESULTS Out of 13,724 adults with BLLs > or =25 microg/dl, a total of 533 adults had BLLs that triggered the medical removal provision. RRs of adults with BLLs triggering medical removal were highest for "painting and wall covering contractors" (RR = 22.1) followed by "highway, street and bridge construction" (RR = 14.7), "amusement, gambling, and recreation" (RR = 11.4), and "glass product manufacturing" (RR = 10.1). Overall, 29% of adults with BLLs triggering medical removal received appropriate follow-up blood lead tests and met the eligibility to return to lead work. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that additional efforts are needed to prevent occupational overexposure to lead in adults, and to ensure proper medical management of those workers who meet medical removal criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- SangWoo Tak
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
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Blando JD, Lefkowitz DK, Valiante D, Gerwel B, Bresnitz E. Survey of current lead use, handling, hygiene, and contaminant controls among New Jersey industries. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2007; 4:539-46. [PMID: 17558800 DOI: 10.1080/15459620701426214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In 2003, a chemical handling and use survey was mailed to New Jersey employers identified as currently using lead in their industrial processes. This survey was used to ascertain characteristics about lead use, handling, and protection of employees during manufacturing operations. The survey included a diverse group of current lead users with a total lead use range from less than 1 pound to more than 63 million pounds of lead per year. The survey allowed for a comprehensive characterization of hazards and protective measures associated with this metal, still commonly used in many products and industrial processes. Forty-five surveys were returned by companies that are listed in the New Jersey Adult Blood Lead Registry, which is part of the New Jersey Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) program. This program records and investigates cases of adults with greater than 25 mu g/dL of lead in their blood; most cases are related to occupational exposures. This survey found that greater than 25% of these surveyed companies with significant potential for lead exposure did not employ commonly used and basic industrial hygiene practices. In addition, the survey found that 24% of these companies had not conducted air sampling within the last 3 years. Air sampling is the primary trigger for compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) general industry lead standard. Only 17% of the companies have ever been cited for a violation of the OSHA lead standard, and only 46% of these companies have ever had an OSHA inspection. State-based surveillance can be a useful tool for OSHA enforcement activities. Elevated blood lead values in adults should be considered as a trigger for required compliance with an OSHA general industry lead standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Blando
- New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services-Occupational Health Surveillance, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360, USA
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Abstract
This study reports on airborne exposure levels and soil concentrations of lead in regard to abatement of a steel structure (water tank). The tank was de-leaded by abrasive sand blasting. The ball of the tank had a lead surface level that exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) definition of lead-based paint (LBP) (0.5% lead), but paint on stem and base was below this criterion. Personal and area airborne samples were collected during different activities of lead abatement of the tank. Summary results suggest during abrasive blasting of ball and stem/base personal exposure levels, as reported with arithmetic and geometric means, exceed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (50 microg/m3). Highest personal exposure (occupational exposure) was associated with blasting of ball. Distribution of airborne and soil samples suggest non-normality and is best represented by a logarithmic form. Geometric standard deviations for air and soil lead support a non-normal distribution. Outlying values were found for personal and area air samples. Exposure levels associated with blasting stem/base section of tank support OSHA's policy requiring air monitoring of work at levels below the criterion established by EPA in identifying LBP. Area samples were statistically lower than personal samples associated with blasting ball and stem/base of tank. Exposure data suggest that workers performing abatement on steel structures have elevated lead exposure from surface lead. Respirator protection requirements are discussed. Soil lead concentration was suggested to decrease as distance increased from tank. Soil lead is suggested to be a result of deposition from LBP on tank surface. Minimal efforts were required to reduce average lead soil levels below EPA's upper acceptable criterion (1200 ppm Pb).
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Lange
- Envirosafe Training and Consultants, Pittsburgh, PA 15239, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND In 1990, Yale University, the Connecticut Departments of Health Services and of Transportation, the Connecticut Construction Industries Association, and the state's construction trade unions created the Connecticut Road Industry Surveillance Project (CRISP). METHODS Data from 90 bridge projects from 1991 to 1995 and approximately 2,000 workers were evaluated. The distribution of peak lead concentrations in the blood for CRISP workers classified into five groups were compared to that from workers outside of Connecticut. RESULTS This demonstration project was instrumental in lowering bridge worker blood lead levels. After 1992, only the painting contract employees experienced peak blood lead levels with < or = 2% exceeding 50 microg/dl. Compared to similar workers in other states, Connecticut workers had significantly lower peak blood lead levels. CONCLUSIONS Two thousand workers and over 120 contractors benefited directly from CRISP. Two key features of the CRISP model differed from the 1993 OSHA standard: a contract-specified lead health protection program and a centralized system of medical monitoring. These differences may account for the improved protection observed between the CRISP and non-Connecticut cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Vork
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, 94720-7360, USA
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