A survey of the effects of lead on gunners

An environmental and biological survey of lead involving 35 soldiers from an artillery training unit was carried out. The soldiers had a minimum of eighteen months service. The eight hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) for lead in air (0.19 mg/m3) exceeded the Standard (0.15/m3) on a maximum of three days per month. However, the weighted average for 40 hours (0.03 mg/m3) was well within the Lead in Air Standard. No toxic effects on the soldiers were revealed by the biological tests employed. A comparison of blood lead (BPb) was made with those in a group (n = 292) of recruits (Fig. 1) which showed a statistically significant difference (t(df 328) = 4.28, P less than 0.001). The survey indicated that the level of lead exposure is not sufficient to require any special monitoring or corrective measures as laid down in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations.