title: Blood lead levels of traffic policemen in Bursa, Turkey.
abstract: This study was conducted in January 2001, in Bursa, Turkey. Of the 99 traffic policemen who were included in the study, 21 were office workers. Blood lead levels were determined by using an electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrometer (ET-AAS). Average blood lead levels were 9.4 +/- 1.6 micrograms/l and 8.7 +/- 1.7 micrograms/l for policemen working outdoors and indoors, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). When policemen less than 15 years on duty were taken into account (n = 48) the difference between the outdoors and indoors working groups was significant (9.3 +/- 1.3 and 8.2 +/- 1.8 micrograms/l, P < 0.05). In order to prevent the negative effects of tetraethyl lead on humans and the environment the use of lead in petrol must be prohibited.
authors.affiliation: Uludağ University Medical School, Department of Public Health, Turkey. kpala@uludag.edu.tr
authors.forename: Kayihan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pala
authors.forename: Nalan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akiş
authors.forename: Belgin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Izgi
authors.forename: Seref
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gücer
authors.forename: Neriman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Hamdi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aytekin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016495:Police; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D007854:Lead