Chewing electric wire coatings: An unusual source of lead poisoning

Abstract

This report describes a case of lead poisoning occurring in an electrician as the result of an unusual personal habit, namely, the chewing of lead-containing coatings of electric wires. A coating chewing test showed that a few minutes after beginning chewing, saliva lead concentration increased from 10 micrograms/l to several milligrams per liter. This case is an example of poisoning caused by an occupationally related source (coatings containing lead) as a consequence of a singular and unconventional worker's habit.

Prevalence of elevated blood leads and exposure to lead in construction trades in Iowa and Illinois

“…Regular washing of hands before eating, drinking, or smoking was low (8± 64%), 36% reported smoking at work, 25% bit their ®ngernails, and 10% chewed on plastic-coated wires. Extraction of lead from the plastic coating on wires into saliva during chewing has been described [Franco et al 1994;Kelley et al 1993]. Air monitoring was conducted on 13% of these projects and environmental (bulk/surface) monitoring for lead was conducted on only 7% of the sites.…”

Comparative Assessment of Blood Lead Levels of Automobile Technicians in Organised and Roadside Garages in Lagos, Nigeria

“…It is also known that some of these workers who consume their meals in the workshops are greatly exposed to lead [ 17 , 21 ]. Exposure among workers can also occur through the habit of chewing of lead containing connective wires [ 22 ]. Lead poisoning of high magnitude arises from occupational and environmental exposures probably due to high gasoline lead [ 23 ].…”

“…Lead poisoning of high magnitude arises from occupational and environmental exposures probably due to high gasoline lead [ 23 ]. Thus, the lead absorbed in the course of occupational exposure is superimposed on lead absorbed from other means [ 22 , 24 ].…”