Lead in a Baltimore shipyard.
OBJECTIVE
The goal was to monitor the effectiveness of the Coast Guard Yard's lead program by comparing a shipyard period in 1991 to one in 2002-2003.


METHODS
Comparisons of airborne lead levels by paint removal techniques, airborne lead levels by welding techniques, and blood lead levels of workers were evaluated by chi2 analysis.


RESULTS
Airborne lead levels in paint removal techniques decreased over time for all methods used. Airborne lead levels in welding techniques decreased over time for all methods used. Blood lead levels of the high-risk group revealed a 2-fold reduction (prevalence rate ratio = 8.3; 95% confidence interval, 3.7-18.6) and in the low-risk group revealed a 1.6-fold reduction (prevalence rate ratio = 6.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-44.7).


CONCLUSIONS
The Coast Guard Yard runs an effective lead program that exceeds the national Healthy People 2010 goal for lead. The results validate the Coast Guard Yard's use of air-line respirators and lead-free paint on all vessels.
Hall
Francis X
FX
Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Unit 37178, FPO AP 96603-7178.
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010150:Paint / Q000633:toxicity; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012767:Ships; D013997:Time Factors; D014896:Welding
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D007854:Lead