Blood Lead Levels in Radiator Repair Workers in Colorado

A laboratory-based blood lead surveillance system in Colorado identified radiator repair workers as having the highest blood lead levels of all worker groups reported. A survey of 42 radiator repair shops in ten locales throughout Colorado was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of workers with el...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 1997-01, Vol.39 (1), p.58-62
Main Authors: Dalton, Craig B., McCammon, Jane B., Hoffman, Richard E., Baron, Roy C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Colorado
Environmental Monitoring
Humans
Lead - blood
Lead poisoning
Medical sciences
Metals and various inorganic compounds
Occupational Exposure
Occupational hazards
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Population Surveillance
Sensitivity and Specificity
Toxicology
United States
United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Ventilation
Work environment
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Summary:A laboratory-based blood lead surveillance system in Colorado identified radiator repair workers as having the highest blood lead levels of all worker groups reported. A survey of 42 radiator repair shops in ten locales throughout Colorado was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of workers with elevated blood lead levels > 25 µg/dL. The survey was designed to test the sensitivity of the surveillance system and to assess working conditions and practices in the radiator repair industry in Colorado. Of 63 workers, 39 (62%) had blood lead levels >25 µg/dL. The sensitivity of the surveillance system for detecting radiator repair workers with elevated blood lead levels was estimated at 11%. None of the radiator repair shops had adequate local exhaust ventilation. Work practice and engineering modifications are needed to reduce lead exposure in this industry.
ISSN:1076-2752
1536-5948
DOI:10.1097/00043764-199701000-00011