Blood lead levels of the battery and exhaust workers and their pulmonary function tests

• Published in: International journal of clinical practice (Esher) Vol. 58; no. 6; p. 568
• Main Authors: Bagci, C, Bozkurt, A I, Cakmak, E A, Can, S, Cengiz, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-06-2004
• Subjects: Adult; Case-Control Studies; Electric Power Supplies; Forced Expiratory Volume - drug effects; Humans; Inhalation Exposure - adverse effects; Lead - blood; Lung Diseases - blood; Lung Diseases - chemically induced; Lung Diseases - physiopathology; Male; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate - drug effects; Vehicle Emissions - toxicity; Vital Capacity - drug effects
• ISSN: 1368-5031
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1368-5031.2004.00002.x

In an attempt to understand the impact of inhaled lead on the pulmonary functions, we assessed the blood lead levels and pulmonary functions of the battery and exhaust workers who are potential candidates for lead inhalation. The hospital staff served as control group. The measurements of lead levels were performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed using a portable spirometer. The blood lead levels of the battery workers, exhaust workers and controls were found to be 36.83, 26.94 and 14.81 microg/dl, respectively. The values of the workers were significantly higher than the controls (p < 0.001). The lead levels of the battery workers were also significantly higher than the exhaust workers (p < 0.001). PFT results (maximum voluntary ventilation, forced expiration flow and first forced expiration volume values of the workers) were significantly worse than the controls, and their pulmonary function test results were consistent with restrictive problems in the airways.