Occupational lead toxicity in battery workers.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Toxicology
• Industrial Hygiene

Background:

• Lead exposure poses significant health risks, particularly in industrial settings.
• Lead acid battery manufacturing is a known source of occupational lead exposure.
• Understanding the extent of lead toxicity among these workers is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine blood lead levels (BLL) in lead acid battery (LAB) industrial workers.
• To identify and assess the clinical features of lead toxicity in this population.
• To establish the prevalence of elevated BLL and associated health issues.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study conducted from March 2012 to March 2013 in Karachi.
• Fifty LAB industry workers (17-65 years) divided into directly (n=40) and indirectly (n=10) exposed groups.
• Data collected via detailed history, physical examination, and blood lead level estimation using flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Main Results:

• Elevated BLL was found in 34 workers (group 1) and 3 workers (group 2).
• Group 1 workers exhibited higher prevalence of anemia, bone pain, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, irritability, weakness, lethargy, tremors, and hypertension.
• Lead line was observed in 4 directly exposed workers, and insomnia in 5 group 1 and 4 group 2 workers.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of elevated blood lead levels was observed among lead acid battery industry workers in Karachi.
• Clinical features consistent with lead toxicity were common in workers with direct exposure.
• The findings underscore the need for improved occupational safety measures and health surveillance in this industry.