Study of lead effects on the mental health of tin laborers in a carmaking company of Tehran city 2007

Abstract

Background and aims The main objective of this research was assessing the effects of lead on the mental health of laborers engaged in tinworks of a car making company in Tehran city. Methods This study is a descriptive and cross sectional study. The sample included matched and randomly selected of 30 tin laborers and 30 administration employees in a car making company in Tehran city. The 28 version of general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) used as a screening tool for detection of mental disorders in the two groups. Results Study on knowledge of tin workshop employees showed that 16.7% of them were not familiar with lead effects on their body. There was a meaningful differences between total scores of two groups in GHQ-28. 28.3 percent of samples were detected as mental patients; the prevalence rate was 33.3percent in tin laborers and 23.3 percent in administration employee. Conclusion This study shows that working with lead, increases prevalence of mental disorders in the work environment and decreases their efficacy, Therefore with conducting training workshops in the aspects of mental health and immunization, can prevent and promote the mental health status of laborers.

Keywords

• Lead
• mental health
• tin laborers
• car making factory
• Tehran city