Article
Lead exposure of welders and bystanders in a ship repair yard
Article first published online: 11 JAN 2007
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.4700020111
Copyright © 1981 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
1097-0274/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=e0f33b687598b5adbbbced84abe7a827fb4a7d56 "American Journal of Industrial Medicine")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Grandjean, P. and Kon, S. H. (1981), Lead exposure of welders and bystanders in a ship repair yard. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 2: 65–70. doi: 10.1002/ajim.4700020111
Publication History
- Issue published online: 11 JAN 2007
- Article first published online: 11 JAN 2007
- Manuscript Accepted: 6 MAY 1981
Funded by
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Grant Number: ES-00928
- Danish Medical Research Council
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- blood analysis;
- lead exposure;
- metal workers;
- painters;
- shipyard workers;
- welders
Abstract
Blood samples were collected from 126 long-term ship repair workers and 42 retirees. Lead concentrations were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Three groups with different degrees of lead exposure were identified: (1)59 welders, burners, and combination men (median blood lead, 39 μg/100 ml); (2) 67 painters, laborers, shipfitters, riggers, and other ship repair workers (median blood lead, 26 μg/100 ml); and (3) 42 retired welders, painters, and shipfitters (median blood lead, 23 μg/100 ml). Thirty active ship repair workers, including 28 welders and burners, had blood lead concentrations above the OSHA “action level” of 40 μg/100 ml. Increased levels in several men without direct exposures to lead were apparently caused by “bystander's exposure.” In the retirees, blood lead levels decreased with increasing length of retirement. Thus, after eight or more years, the average level was below 20 μg/100 ml.