Lead Absorption in Children of Employees in a Lead-Related Industry

Abstract

Children can be exposed to lead from a variety of environmental sources. It has been repeatedly reported that children of employees in a lead-related industry are at increased risk of lead absorption because of the high levels of lead found in the household dust of these workers. A case-control study was done in Oklahoma in 1978 to determine whether children of employees in battery manufacturing plant had a higher prevalence of high levels of blood lead than children whose parents were not employed in a lead-related industry. The data obtained indicated that the blood lead levels of the study children were significantly greater than those of the control children. None of the control children had blood lead levels greater than 30 micrograms/dl, while 53% of the exposed children had blood lead levels of greater than 30 micrograms/dl. Trends indicated that the children whose fathers had higher lead exposure at work also had higher blood lead levels. However, the study children whose fathers had good personal hygiene had blood lead levels comparable to the control children. It appeared that only good personal hygiene, i.e., showering, shampooing and changing clothes and shoes before leaving work, was effective for lead containment. The mere changing of clothes and shoes appeared to be inadequate for lead containment.

Determinants of Elevated Blood Lead during Pregnancy in a Population Surrounding a Lead Smelter in Kosovo, Yugoslavia

“…The transfer of lead dust on the clothing, skin, and hair of lead workers from workplace to the home has been documented as a major source of hazard to children of lead workers (19)(20)(21). We have observed a risk of undue lead absorption in pregnant wives of lead workers.…”

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-90-168-2248, Independence Police Department, Indoor Range, Independence, Missouri.

“…(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39) While these studies have not directly documented increased lead burden in the homes of firing range users, this potential problem should be recognized and warrants further evaluation. In this light, firing range users may be unknowingly exposing their family members to lead from contaminated clothing, skin, hair, etc.…”

Hodges-Lehmann Point Estimates of Treatment Effect in Observational Studies

“…The procedure is then as follows: (1) determine the maximum E,,,,, 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 38 23 41 18 37 36 23 62 31 34 24 14 21 17 16 20 15 10 45 39 22 35 49 48 44 35 43 39 34 13 73 25 27 16 18 18 24 19 1 1 10 15 16 18 18 13 19 10 16 16 24 13 9 14 21 19 7 18 19 and minimum Ey,,,in by applying the formula N -1 times at the points u E C , and (2) find a ,,,, and ar,,in as the solutions of Ey,,in = C Zi.rank(Ri -8) and E,,,, = C Zi-rank(Ri -8). Morton et al ( 1982) studied lead in the blood of children whose parents worked in a factory where lead is used in making batteries. These authors were concerned that children were exposed to lead inadvertently brought home by their parents.…”