title: Using structural equation model to explore occupational lead exposure pathways.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the use of a structural equation model to explore the complicated lead exposure pathways in a lead battery plant. A total of 96 out of 113 assembly workers were recruited in this study. Lead measurements included blood lead, respirable airborne lead, and body surface lead loadings. Latent variables of inadvertent contact of lead on fingers and ingested lead had indirect and direct effects on the blood lead levels, respectively, and so did the variables of respirable airborne lead, smoking, and the working-place clothes being washed. A model chi(22)2 value of 31.1 (P=0.094) for a goodness of fit test indicates that the derived structural equation model appropriately accounted for the variation of blood lead levels. It is concluded that lead loadings on fingers and lips had significant effects on occupational lead uptake, and, after-work hours and break times at work were the critical time periods for inadvertent lead exposure.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, ROC. yhh@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Yaw-Huei
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Hwan
authors.forename: Ching-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Kun-Yu
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Fu-Tsan
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: Hui-Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hsin-Zuo
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D003020:Clothing; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D008046:Lip; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016273:Occupational Exposure
chemical_list: D007854:Lead