Effect of exposure to lead on postural control in workers

• Published in: Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) England), 2000-03, Vol.57 (3), p.201-203
• Main Authors: Ratzon, N, Froom, P, Leikin, E, Kristal-Boneh, E, Ribak, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Blood; Blood levels; Blood pressure; Case-Control Studies; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Chemical hazards; Chronic illnesses; Coffee; Dosage; equilibrium; exposure to lead; Head; Humans; Israel; Lead; Lead - adverse effects; Lead - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Mental concentration; Metals and various inorganic compounds; Occupational exposure; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational health and safety; Postural Balance - drug effects; postural stability; Posture; Regression analysis; Sleep; Studies; Toxicology; Tropical medicine; Variables; Workers
• ISSN: 1351-0711; 1470-7926
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.57.3.201

OBJECTIVES To examine the effect of lead on postural control of workers who have been exposed to lead. METHODS 63 Male, lead battery workers mean (SD) age 41.0 (7.4) were compared with 48 age matched male controls after excluding those with acute or chronic diseases. Exposed workers had mean (SD) past blood lead concentrations of 37.5 (9.2) μg/dl and 11.2 (5.7) years of employment. Postural control was measured with a computerised postural sway measurement system which measured both sway and total movements. RESULTS Workers standing straight with eyes open on the bare plates had sway and total movements which were not notably different from controls. On the other hand increased movements were needed in the exposed workers to maintain stability (the general stability quotient 18.2 (5.4)v 15.4 (4.4) in controls, p