Ethnic differences in blood lead concentration among workers in a battery manufacturing factory.
Blood lead levels of two ethnic groups (11 Chinese and 25 Malays) of workers in a factory manufacturing lead accumulator battery were studied. The mean adjusted (for environmental lead levels, age, exposure duration and stick-years of smoking by analysis of covariance) blood lead level of the Malays was 34.8 micrograms/dl as compared to 22.4 micrograms/dl for the Chinese. This difference was significant (p less than 0.02). Oral ingestion of lead, through eating of food with hands contaminated by lead compound, among the Malay workers was suggested as a possible cause for the difference in the mean blood lead levels. Preventive measures and recommendations to overcome the problem among this particular group of workers were discussed.
Chia
S E
SE
Department of Community, Occupational & Family Medicine, National University of Singapore.
Chia
K S
KS
Ong
C N
CN
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000208:ethnology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012846:Singapore
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D007854:Lead