A comparative health assessment of occupationally lead exposed individuals with blood lead levels range across upper acceptable limit

Abstract

Context: Lead (Pb) smelting workers are exposed to high lead levels and its adverse health effects. Despite no biological role, regulatory bodies regard blood lead levels (BLL) ≤40 μg/dL as upper acceptable limit in occupationally lead exposed population. Objective: To explore the differences in general health status of individuals with BLL ≤40 μg/dL and >40 μg/dL. Methods: All workers (n = 803) of age >18 years employed in a Pb smelting plant were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire to obtain sociodemographics, occupational details, followed by detailed clinical examination. 5 ml of venous blood was collected and BLLs were determined as per standard NIOSH method using GF-AAS technic. A complete general health status was performed including hemoglobin and blood pressure (BP). Results: About 47.7% of the participants exhibited high BLL (>40 μg/dL), while the rest 52.3% were identified to have ≤40 μg/dL. Both groups were grossly similar in the majority of demographic and occupational parameters. Interestingly, both groups had substantially higher fraction of workers with elevated BP. Conclusions: Lead exposed workers with BLL ≤40 μg/dL are at equal risk of health hazards as those with BLL >40 μg/dL. There is a need to revisit the current guidelines on the BLL for workers to protect from the hazards of chronic lead exposure.

Keywords

• anaemia
• blood lead levels
• blood pressure
• occupational lead exposure
• upper acceptable limit