Industrial lead exposure: a review of blood lead levels in South Island industries, 1974-83.
Relative risks of increased lead absorption found in 31 occupations were investigated. Serial red cell lead measurements on 1319 males and 186 females provided a mean and range for each occupational type. The magnitude of the mean and percentage of raised levels identified the degree of occupational risk. The mean red cell lead for 50% of employees was within the regional usual range for those not occupationally exposed. In 77% the mean red cell lead was less than 4.1 mumol/l. Of the remainder, 4% had levels greater than 5.7 mumol/l and 1% had levels greater than 7.7 mumol/l. Our findings have been used to manage local chronic and acute lead problems.
D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors
D007854:Lead