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External and internal antimony exposure in starter battery production
M Kentner1, M Leinemann, K H Schaller
1Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, University of Göttingen, Germany.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Occupational exposure to antimony trioxide and stibine in lead battery production was assessed. Both compounds showed similar absorption and elimination, supporting proposals for biological exposure limits.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Lead battery production involves antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) in grid casting and stibine (SbH3) in plate formation.
- Worker exposure to these antimony compounds necessitates understanding absorption and elimination pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess occupational exposure to antimony compounds in lead battery manufacturing.
- To investigate the relationship between air concentrations, blood, and urine antimony levels.
- To propose biological exposure limits for occupational antimony exposure.
Main Methods:
- Measured antimony air concentrations (Sb-A) using personal air samplers in grid-casting and formation workers.
- Collected urine samples at various time points (pre-shift, end-of-shift, post-weekend).
- Measured antimony concentrations in blood (Sb-B) and urine (Sb-U).
Main Results:
- Antimony air exposure levels were significantly lower than threshold limit values in both worker groups.
- Statistically significant correlations were found between Sb-A/Sb-B and Sb-A/Sb-U.
- Antimony trioxide and stibine exhibited similar pulmonary absorption and renal elimination patterns.
Conclusions:
- Occupational exposure to antimony compounds in lead battery production is below current limits.
- The findings support the establishment of biological exposure limits for antimony.
- Antimony absorption and elimination are comparable between Sb2O3 and SbH3.