Lead Exposure Among Workers at a Shipyard-Wisconsin, 2015 to 2016

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Debora WeissHenry A Anderson

Abstract

In March 2016, the state health departments of Wisconsin and Minnesota learned of three shipyard workers with blood lead levels (BLLs) more than 40 μg/dL. An investigation was conducted to determine the extent of and risk factors for the exposure. We defined a case as an elevated BLL more than or equal to 5 μg/dL in a shipyard worker. Workers were interviewed regarding their symptoms and personal protective equipment (PPE) use. Of 357 workers, 65.0% had received more than or equal to 1 BLL test. Among tested workers, 171 (73.7%) had BLLmax more than or equal to 5 μg/dL. Workers who received respirator training or fit testing had a median BLLmax of 18.0 μg/dL, similar to the median BLLmax of workers who did not receive such training (22.6 μg/dL, P = 0.20). Our findings emphasize the importance of adequate provision and use of PPE to prevent occupational lead exposure.

References

Jun 1, 1976·Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health·S TolaR Vesanto
Jan 1, 1985·American Journal of Industrial Medicine·P J Landrigan, W E Straub
Dec 1, 1985·American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal·F S Rosenthal, J M Paull
Oct 1, 1969·Archives of Environmental Health·F E Rieke
Jan 1, 1981·American Journal of Industrial Medicine·P Grandjean, S H Kon
Aug 1, 1994·American Journal of Industrial Medicine·K Y Chao, J D Wang
Jul 10, 1999·American Journal of Industrial Medicine·S J ReynoldsP Whitten
Mar 15, 2003·Occupational Medicine·Simon Folkard, Philip Tucker
Apr 9, 2005·Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·Brent C DoneyKi Moon Bang
Jan 30, 2007·Military Medicine·Francis X Hall
Dec 10, 2008·Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·M Abbas VirjiLewis D Pepper
Oct 5, 2010·Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health·Imelda S WongPaul A Demers
Sep 29, 2011·Journal of Public Health·I Kar-PurkayasthaR Cordery
May 14, 2016·International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health·Ronnie Levin

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.