Relationship between personal-sampled air lead and blood lead in low-lead-exposure workers in Japan to apply multiple regression models determining permissible air lead concentration

Abstract

Objectives We investigated the relationship between lead in air (Pb‐A) measured by personal sampling and blood lead (Pb‐B) in workers with relatively low lead exposure to estimate the permissible air concentration of lead corresponding to the biological tolerance value of Pb‐B of 15 µg/dL. Methods We collected air samples at a lead‐acid battery factory in Japan by personal sampling devices attached to 32 workers (19 males and 13 females) and measured Pb‐A by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer in 2017‐2020. In addition, we collected information on age, smoking habits, Pb‐B, and urinary δ‐aminolevulinic acid from the records of medical examinations for lead poisoning. Samples were collected two times from four workers, resulting in 36 data sets. Results Before analyses, we excluded four inappropriate data sets. The levels of Pb‐A in the factory and Pb‐B in the workers were almost under the current permissible limits. Multiple regression models showed significant correlations between Pb‐B and Pb‐A, and sex, and borderline significance between Pb‐B and age. Based on them, we calculated Pb‐A corresponding to Pb‐B 15 μg/dL, and obtained similar values to the current occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 30 μg/m 3 , with slight variation between sex and age. Conclusion These results validate OEL, although supplementary conditions in terms of sex and age may be necessary.

An Investigation of Lead Concentration in the Breathing Air and the Blood of Automobile Welders in Birjand, Iran

“…It was shown that there was no significant difference between the mean BLC of two groups. In line with our study, Ono (2021) found no significant difference between BLC in smoker and non-smoker workers in Japan 23 ; moreover, a study already done in Tunisia (2019) on battery manufacturing workers showed that there was no significant difference between the BLC of cigarette-smoker and non-smoker workers. The close association between cigarette smoking habit and BLC in some studies could be attributed to some confounding factors 43 .…”

“…Base on the results of this research, the mean BLC of automobile welders and the mean ALC were significantly lower than the permissible limit recommended by ACGIH; moreover, Pearson correlation coefficient demonstrated a positive correlation (r = 0.18) between ALCs and BLCs. A significant correlation between ALC and BLC of the workers being occupationally exposed to lead-containing aerosols, has been reported by Ono (2021) and Pierre (2002) 23,24 .…”

“…It was shown that the mean BLC of welders was 7.97 ± 1.92 μg/dL, while in non-exposed population the mean BLC was 1.09 ± .073 μg/dL, this difference was statistically significant, but the reported BLC was lower than the permissible limit recommended by ACGIH. 15 Another cross-sectional study done by Ono et al 23 , (2014) to investigate the association between ALC and BLC in workers of lead-acid battery factory in JAPAN, which showed that the mean BLC was 10.2 μg/dL, which was lower than the permissible limit. Similar findings were shown by Shriadeh et al 28 , (2018); compared to controls, they indicated a significantly higher BLC of automobile workers in Jordan.…”

Group-specific Differences in Blood Lead Levels among Occupationally Exposed Workers in Greater Banjul Area, The Gambia

“…Worksite parameters and substantive lowering of personal hygiene standards have shown in several studies to be associated with elevated BLLs [13,25,26]. In addition, behaviors involving hand-to-mouth contact such as smoking and eating while at work may lead to additional exposure via ingestion.…”