Lead Exposure in PVC Stabilizer Production

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Abstract
This study was conducted to examine the lead exposure characteristics in a PVC stabilizer production plant. The concentrations of lead in various production departments were measured. In addition, the concentrations of lead in blood (PbB), lead in urine (PbU), erythrocyte enzyme 8-aminolevulinic acid dehydrase (ALAD), and hemoglobin were also investigated on 125 workers exposed to different levels of lead dust. Results showed that the morphological characteristics of lead dust determined the environmental lead concentration. Packing of tribasic lead compounds with particle size of less than 6 μ resulted in a high environmental lead concentration (0.54 mg/m3). The air lead level was significantly reduced when encapsulated lead stearate was packed (0.018 mg/m3). A highly significant reverse correlation was found between PbB and erythrocyte enzyme ALAD (r = −0.75). There appeared to be no time lag on the depression of ALAD activity with the rise of PbB. The concentration of PbU was also found to be closely correlated with PbB (r = 0.74). This suggests that PbU could be a useful indicator for the biological monitoring of lead stearate exposure. From the industrial exposure control point of view, PVC stabilizer production plants should be encouraged to substitute fine powdered lead compounds with granulated or encapsulated lead in their production process. Ong, C.N.; Ong, H.Y.; Khoo, N.Y.: Lead Exposure in PVC Stabilizer Production. Appl. Ind. Hyg. 4:39–44; 1989.

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