Influence of high past lead-in-air exposures on the lead-in-blood levels of lead-acid battery workers with continuing exposure

Article Abstract:

Lead components in gasoline, pipes, paints, and batteries have caused of human injury for a long time before their effects were known. Efforts to reduce lead exposure in the home and in the workplace have frequently proceeded at different paces. Limitations on industrial and occupational exposures were begun in the mid-1970s, and have largely been based on models, studies, and other data developed by the battery industry. As technology improved, constraints were placed on the industry by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to reduce allowable limits of exposure. A study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between air and blood lead levels in lead-acid battery workers, the significance of lead particulate size, and employee demographics and length of service. One hundred thirty-two employees at two high-volume production plants in the same company were selected for inclusion in the study. Employees who performed different tasks in the production line, endured different exposures, and had varying blood lead levels, were included. Length of employment, and past exposure to aerosol lead particulates, continued to exert effects on blood lead levels of lead workers. This effect will significantly limit the number of work locations to which employees who have already been exposed to lead can be safety moved, if efforts to lower employee blood lead levels are to continue. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Laws, regulations and rules, Measurement, Prevention, United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Lead poisoning, Lead in the body

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Chronic noise exposure, high-frequency hearing loss, and hypertension among automotive assembly workers

Article Abstract:

Long-term noise exposure is associated with irreversible hearing loss. Short-term noise exposure affects blood pressure, but the relationship between chronic noise exposure and high blood pressure is not well established. An association between these would have implications concerning the occurrence cardiovascular and kidney disease and stroke in workers chronically exposed to constant loud noise. Hearing loss and high blood pressure have been studied in 119 black and 150 white automobile assembly workers. Hearing loss was more prevalent among white workers (45 percent) than black workers (28 percent). Hypertension was more frequently found in black workers (32 percent) than white workers (22 percent), a distribution pattern that is frequently seen. Hearing loss was somewhat related to hypertension among black workers, although not to an extent generally considered significant. No such relationship was found among white workers. The reasons for these differences are unclear. In addition, almost half of all workers with moderate hypertension were not being treated, although health insurance was in force. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Automobile industry workers, Automotive industry workers

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Noise-induced hearing loss: a possible marker for high blood pressure in older noise-exposed populations

Article Abstract:

Chronic exposure to loud noise can cause hearing loss, a widespread occupation-related disability. Cardiovascular problems, particularly high blood pressure, might also result from noise exposure, although this is not well established. The possible relationship between these two factors has been studied in 245 retired metal assembly workers, aged 56 to 68 years. Severe hearing loss was found among 52 percent of younger workers (up to age 63) and among 67 percent of older workers, who had been exposed to more noise before the institution of safe occupational noise levels and use of protective equipment. Among the older workers, both overt severe hearing loss and loss of speech discrimination were significantly related to high blood pressure. This correlation was not observed among younger workers. The results suggest that there is a threshold of occupational noise exposure that must be crossed before noise-induced hearing loss and high blood pressure are related. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects

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