[Changes in peripheral hemogram among workers with short-term lead exposure].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of short-term occupational lead exposure on the inflammatory response system in blood among workers.


METHODS
A total of 255 lead-exposed workers (length of service ≤1 year) at an electronics factory in Dongguan, China (exposure group), as well as 205 managers without any occupational exposure at another factory (control group), were included in the study. Occupational physical examination was done to get peripheral blood counts. The blood lead levels of workers were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The relationship between blood lead and peripheral hemogram was analyzed using SPSS software.


RESULTS
The exposure group had blood lead levels of 0.07∼1.70 µmol/L, falling within the normal range. The leukocyte count, percentage of granulocytes, and absolute value of granulocytes were significantly higher in the exposure group than in the control group, and the results remained unchanged after adjustment for age and sex (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in red blood cell count and hemoglobin value between the two groups (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term occupational lead exposure may increase the counts of inflammatory cells in blood, but it has little effect on red blood cells and hemoglobin.
Guangzhou Occupatimal Diserses Prevention and Treatment Center Guangzhou 510620, China.
Xiao-na
XN
Lin
Xia-you
XY
Tan
Lin
L
Wu
Pei-xian
PX
Chen
D000328:Adult; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002681:China; D004581:Electronics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D055815:Young Adult
D007854:Lead