Author:
Nakhaee Sareh,Amirabadizadeh Alireza,Nakhaee Samaneh,Zardast Mahmood,Schimmel Jonathan,Ahmadian-Moghadam Jalil,Akbari Ayob,Mohammadian Darmian Homeira,Mohammadi Maryam,Mehrpour Omid
Abstract
ObjectivesThis exploratory investigation aimed to measure blood lead levels and associated risk factors in exposed workers in Iran, and to derive appropriate reference values for blood lead in this population as a means of epidemiological comparison.DesignCross-sectional.SettingManufacturing plants with potential lead exposure in Southern Khorasan Province, Iran.ParticipantsThe study included 630 workers, selected through stratified random sampling.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary measures in this exploratory investigation were venous blood lead concentration (BLC) and associated risk factors of age, gender, work experience, cigarette smoking and history of opium use. The secondary measures were symptoms associated with lead toxicity. Data analyses were conducted using Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman correlation coefficient and regression analysis.ResultsMean and median BLCs were 6.5±8.1 μg/dL and 3.9 μg/dL (IQR: 2.9–5.8), respectively. Of the subjects, 85 (13.5%) had BLC ≥10 μg/dL. The derived reference BLC value in this study was 30 μg/dL for men and 14 μg/dL for women. Increasing work experience and age were associated with BLC >10 μg/dL. Radiator manufacturers were up to 12.9 times (95% CI 4.6 to 35, p<0.005) more likely than painters to have BLC >10 μg/dL. Most subjects reported multiple symptoms.ConclusionsThe mean BLC was above the maximum recommended concentration. There was a significant relationship between higher BLC and age or working in a printing factory or radiator manufacturing. These findings can direct efforts towards reducing occupational lead exposure.
Funder
Birjand University of Medical Sciences
National Institute for Medical Research Development
Cited by
10 articles.
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