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Elevated blood lead levels among adults in Massachusetts, 1991-1995
C M Tumpowsky1, L K Davis, R Rabin
1Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston 02108, USA. catharine.tumpowsky@state.ma.us
Objective:
Lead poisoning, the oldest recognized occupational disease, remains a danger for children and adults. Data collected for 664 cases reported to the Massachusetts Occupational Lead Registry in 1991-1995 were summarized in a 1998 state report. Here, the authors present some of the key findings from that report for a wider audience.
Methods:
The authors summarize key findings of the 1998 state report.
Findings:
Construction workers, in particular licensed deleaders and house painters, accounted for almost 70% of occupational cases involving blood lead levels > or = 40 micrograms of lead per deciliter (mcg/dl) of blood. Among 100 workers with the highest blood lead levels (> or = 60 mcg/dl), 29% were house painters. Hispanic workers were over-represented in the Registry. A small proportion of cases were non-occupational, typically associated with recreational use of firing ranges or do-it-yourself home renovations.
Conclusion:
Lead poisoning is a preventable disease, yet these data indicate that additional prevention efforts are warranted.
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