[Biological and enviornmental monitoring of lead and exposure in the automobile industry]

Soldering is one of the most common activities in metal industries. Lead is used in soldering process and has considerable toxic effects. The aim of this study, therefore, was biological and environmental monitoring and effects of exposure to lead in soldering unit workers at an automobile industry. In order to evaluate biological and environmental exposure to lead, a case-control study was accomplished on 60 workers in soldering unit [case group] and 60 workers in official unit [control group]. Demographical and medical information were gained by a questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and analyzed using the NIOSH 8003 method and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy [AAS] respectively and air samples were collected and analyzed using the NIOSH 7300 method and Inductively Coupled Atomic Emission Spectroscopy [ICP-AES] respectively. The obtained results shown that, with increasing age and work experience, the blood lead level is also increased. [p=0.033] [p=0.003] In exposed group, the blood lead mean value was significantly higher than the control group [p-value <0.001]. Prevalence of digestive, nervous, respiratory, dermal, kidney disorders, anemia diseases, and disorder in bone metabolism in exposed group were higher than the control group. Amount of lead level was negative correlated with hemoglobin [r=-0.287; p=0.026] and hematocrit [r=-0.336; p=0.009] but there was no significant correlation between air and blood lead level. The blood lead level may be increased in lead exposure due absence of personal protective equipment and poor personal hygiene. Increased lead level in blood can be resulted to various diseases and decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in blood

Assessment of worker's exposure to heavy metals in zinc melting industry, Zanjan, Iran, 2004-2005

Heavy metal emission to the workplace and environment is a major health problem due to human activity posing a serious threat to the public especially to those working in manufacturing industries and consumers. Thus, this study was conducted with the aim of extent of worker's exposure to heavy metals in zinc melting industry in Zanjan during 2002-2004. This descriptional study was conducted in 6 industrial units of Zanjan through which airborne heavy metals concentrations including lead, zinc, cobalt, cadmium and nickel were measured. Measurements were performed based on National Institute of Occupational Health [NIOSH] 7300 method, using closed-filter cassettes, ester cellulose filter with pore size of 0.8 micro m followed by atomic absorption spectrometry [AAS] analysis, and the data were analyzed statistically using SPSS software version 11.5. The mean value of worker's exposure to heavy metals including Pb, Zn, Co, Cd, and Ni were 0.058, 2.518, 0.0025, 0.003, and 0.0108 mg/m[3] respectively. According to the obtained results 25% of the workers were exposed to lead higher than threshold limit values [TLVS]. However, worker's exposure to combined concentrations of different heavy metals [heavy metal mixed exposure] showed that more than 75% of the workers were exposed to heavy metals concentrations higher than TLV. In spite of short history of zinc melting industry in Zanjan [under 15 years] and young age of workforce, exposure of many workers to heavy metals concentration of higher than standard value increases the possibility of occupational diseases in the coming years. Thus, in order to protect national and human resources, preventive measures such as worker's health monitoring and control techniques are highly recommended