Blood lead levels of Korean lead workers in 2003-2011.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to document the trend in blood lead levels in Korean lead workers from 2003 until 2011 and blood lead levels within each of the main industries.


METHODS
Nine years (2003-2011) of blood lead level data measured during a special health examination of Korean lead workers and collected by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency were analyzed. Blood lead levels were determined by year, and a geometric mean (GM) was calculated for each industry division.


RESULTS
The overall GM blood lead level for all years combined (n = 365,331) was 4.35 μg/dL. The GM blood lead level decreased from 5.89 μg/dL in 2003 to 3.53 μg/dL in 2011. The proportion of the results ≥30 μg/dL decreased from 4.3% in 2003 to 0.8% in 2011. In the "Manufacture of Electrical Equipment" division, the GM blood lead level was 7.80 μg/dL, which was the highest among the industry divisions. The GM blood lead levels were 7.35 μg/dL and 6.77 μg/dL in the "Manufacturers of Rubber and Plastic Products" and the "Manufacture of Basic Metal Products" division, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The blood lead levels in Korean lead workers decreased from 2003 to 2011 and were similar to those in the US and UK. Moreover, workers in industries conventionally considered to have a high risk of lead exposure also tended to have relatively high blood lead levels compared to those in other industries.
Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Jongga-ro 400, Jung-gu, Ulsan 681-230, Republic of Korea.
Ji-Hye
JH
Kim
Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Jongga-ro 400, Jung-gu, Ulsan 681-230, Republic of Korea.
Eun-A
EA
Kim
National Cancer Center, Ilsan-ro 323, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-city 410-769, Republic of Korea.
Dong-Hee
DH
Koh
Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Jongga-ro 400, Jung-gu, Ulsan 681-230, Republic of Korea.
Kiwhan
K
Byun
Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Jongga-ro 400, Jung-gu, Ulsan 681-230, Republic of Korea.
Hyang-Woo
HW
Ryu
Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Jongga-ro 400, Jung-gu, Ulsan 681-230, Republic of Korea.
Sang-Gil
SG
Lee
Blood lead level; Korean; Lead worker; Special health examination