Lead Poisoning at an Indoor Firing Range
Journal of Korean Medical Science
;
: 1713-1716, 2017.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-16258
ABSTRACT
In March 2014, a 39-year-old Korean male presented with a 6-month history of various nonspecific symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, asthenia, irritability, elevated blood pressure, palpitation, eyestrain, and tinnitus. His occupational history revealed that he had been working as an indoor firing range manager for 13 months; therefore, he was subjected to a blood lead level (BLL) test. The test results showed a BLL of 64 µg/dL; hence, he was diagnosed with lead poisoning and immediately withdrawn from work. As evident from the workplace environmental monitoring, the level of lead exposure in the air exceeded its limit (0.015–0.387 mg/m³). He received chelation treatment with calcium-disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (1 g/day) for 5 days without any adverse effects. In the follow-up results after 2 months, the BLL had decreased to 9.7 µg/dL and the symptoms resolved. This report represents the first occupational case of lead poisoning in firing ranges in Korea, and this necessitates institutional management to prevent the recurrence of poisoning through this route. Workplace environmental monitoring should be implemented for indoor firing ranges, and the workers should undergo regularly scheduled special health examinations. In clinical practice, it is essential to question the patient about his occupational history.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Poisoning
/
Recurrence
/
Asthenia
/
Tinnitus
/
Blood Pressure
/
Firearms
/
Environmental Monitoring
/
Asthenopia
/
Follow-Up Studies
/
Edetic Acid
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Korean Medical Science
Year:
2017
Type:
Article
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