Blood lead levels and health problems of lead acid battery workers in Bangladesh.
BACKGROUND
Use of lead acid battery (LAB) in Bangladesh has risen with sharp rise of motor vehicles. As result, manufacture of LAB is increasing. Most of the lead used by these industries comes from recycling of LAB. Workers in LAB industry are at risk of exposure lead and thus development of lead toxicity.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to measure the blood lead concentration and to assess the magnitude of health problems attributable to lead toxicity among the LAB manufacturing workers.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted among the workers of LAB manufacturing industries located in Dhaka city.


RESULTS
Mean blood lead level (BLL) among the workers was found to be high. They were found to be suffering from a number of illnesses attributable to lead toxicity. The common illnesses were frequent headache, numbness of the limbs, colic pain, nausea, tremor, and lead line on the gum. High BLL was also found to be related to hypertension and anemia of the workers.


CONCLUSIONS
High BLL and illnesses attributable to lead toxicity were prevalent amongst workers of the LAB manufacturing industries, and this requires attention especially in terms of occupational hygiene and safety.
Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh.
Sk Akhtar
SA
Ahmad
Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
Manzurul Haque
MH
Khan
Environmental Health Unit, World Health Organization, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.
Salamat
S
Khandker
Department of Community Dentistry, Dhaka Dental College, Dhaka 1206, Bangladesh.
A F M
AF
Sarwar
Addin Women's Medical College, Dhaka 1217, Bangladesh.
Nahid
N
Yasmin
Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh.
M H
MH
Faruquee
Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh.
Rabeya
R
Yasmin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D007854:Lead