Increased Lead Absorption in Children of Workers in a Lead Storage Battery Plant

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Abstract
Exposure to toxic materials originating in the workplace was recognized in families of workers in several industries. To date this problem was not studied in the storage battery production industry. Twenty-seven 1-6 yr old children of 22 workers at a storage battery plant at high risk of exposure to lead oxide were compared with 32 1-6 yr old children in 22 neighborhood control families for evidence of increased Pb absorption. Workers'' children had significantly higher blood Pb (P < 0.001) and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (P < 0.003) values than control children. Household exposures to Pb in paint and water were similar for the 2 groups, but workers'' homes had significantly higher concentrations of Pb in dust (P < 0.001). Pb was brought home on the skin, hair and clothing of the workers and their children were ingesting or inhaling the Pb in household dust. This is the 1st report of increased Pb absorption in children of workers in this industry.

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