Assessment of the relationship between blood lead levels and hematological parameters among lead acid  and #8211;storage battery plant workers

Kalahasthi, Ravibabu; Barman, Tapu; Rao, Hirehal Raghavendra

doi:10.5455/jeos.20120602121627

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Kalahasthi et al reported the highest percentage of elevated BLLs (>30 μg/dL) in pasting workers (74%), followed by oxide mill (44%), assembly (40%) and plate cutting (25%) area workers in India. 34 As per the noted airborne and blood Pb concentrations in lead-acid battery manufacturing plants, the job categories of pasting, plate cutting and assembly sections presented the high risk for Pb-exposure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Lead Exposure and Urinary-δ-aminolevulinic Acid Levels in Male Lead Acid Battery Workers in Tamil Nadu, India

Kalahasthi¹,

Barman²

2018

Journal of Health and Pollution

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Background.Exposure to lead (Pb) affects multiple health outcomes and physiological systems. In adults, even small increases in blood Pb levels have been associated with decreased glomerular filtration rate, increased risk of hypertension and increased incidence of essential tremor. To date, there have been few Pb-exposure assessments using the United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations.Objective.The aim of the present study was to assess Pb-exposure in terms of elevated blood lead levels (BLL) and urinary-δ-aminolevulinic acid (U-δ-ALA) levels of workers exposed to Pb in the lead acid battery industry in Tamil Nadu, India based on Pb exposure regulations set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and OSHA.Materials and Methods.BLLs and U-δ-ALA were estimated in 449 male workers exposed to Pb across ten different job categories in a lead acid battery factory. Worker BLLs were estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and U-δ-ALA was estimated using spectrophotometry.Results.The Biological Exposure Index of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (BEI-ACGIH) were used to assess Pb exposure. BLLs <30 μg/dL were found in 63.5% of workers, and 36.5% of workers had BLLs>30 μg/dL. The present study also assessed Pb exposure using OSHA regulations and found that 83.3% of workers had BLLs <40 μg/dL and 16.7% of workers had BLLs>40 μg/dL. Among these workers, 0.7% of workers had BLLs >60 μg/dL. An excessive excretion of U-δ-ALA (20–40 mg/L) was noted in pasting area workers (2.6%) followed by executives (2.2%) and assembly workers (0.9%).Conclusions.Workers in the job categories of pasting and assembly, as well as executives, are at high risk of Pb exposure compared to other job categories. We recommend placing humidifiers on the roof and keeping a water bath closer the to plate cutting area to reduce fugitive Pb dust emissions. We recommended workers with BLLs >60 μg/dL be removed from jobs involving Pb exposure and return to work only when their BLLs are <40 μg/dL.Participant consent.ObtainedEthics Approval.The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Regional Occupational Health Centre (Southern) Bengaluru, part of the National Institute of Occupational Health of India.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Lead Exposure and Urinary-δ-aminolevulinic Acid Levels in Male Lead Acid Battery Workers in Tamil Nadu, India

Kalahasthi¹,

Barman²

2018

Journal of Health and Pollution

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“…Compliance with utilization of safety facilities at the workplace is one of the prime indexes of assessing the safety practice performance of workers who were exposed to occupational hazard [23]. Also, improper or lack of adequate control measures, non-provision of safety equipment, lack of monitoring, lack of safety training, and lack of health check by battery technicians are safety practices quality indices on lead poisoning [24,25]. Multilevel factors that determine the safety practices on lead poisoning are the enabling environment and availability of PPE (like protective cloth, eye goggle, hand glove, respirator, nose mask and protective shoes), safety facilities, communication, and training on how to use the PPE [26].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safety Practices on Lead Poisoning Among Battery Technicians in Lagos Nigeria, 2017

Rasheed¹

2018

CAJPH

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Battery technicians need to maintain due diligence on safety practices at workplace to guide against lead poisoning, since preventive measures are the most cost-effective interventions against lead-related diseases. This study compared and investigated factors that influence battery technician's safety practices in Lagos, Nigeria. It was predicted that workplace conditions, blood lead levels and perceived risks could influence safety practices on lead poisoning. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design, and systematic sampling were used to select N=293 adults aged 18 years and above. The instrument was validated and reliability established. The hypotheses were tested with chi-square and multiple logistic regression at p < 0.05 and 95% CI. The finding on safety practices status of battery technicians is 20% and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) 18%. There was no significant difference between battery technicians in the organized and roadside settings considering perceived risk of lead poisoning and utilization of safety equipment.

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“…The literature reports a positive and significant association (> 30 μg/dL) between BLL and RC (%) in lead battery workers (22). In the current study, the correlation coefficient between BLL and the reticulocyte count indices (RC, ARC, RI and RPI) was found to be positive and significant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In epidemiological studies, reticulocytosis is associated with cerebrovascular diseases (17) and iron-deficiency anemia (18); whereas, reticulocytopenia is associated with malaria (19) and parasitic infections (20). Studies regarding occupational exposure to Pb have a reported higher RC (%) in workers from traditional tile factories (21), lead battery plants (22), acute lead-intoxicated battery plants (female workers) (23), battery repair shops (24) and shops manufacturing mixtures of talismanic ash (25). A high reticulocyte count was reported in the chronic Pb intoxicated animals (26,27).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Lead Exposure on the Status of Reticulocyte Count Indices among Workers from Lead Battery Manufacturing Plant

Kalahasthi¹,

Barman²

2016

ToxicolRes

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Earlier studies conducted on lead-exposed workers have determined the reticulocyte count (RC) (%), but the parameters of Absolute Reticulocyte Count (ARC), Reticulocyte Index (RI), and Reticulocyte Production Index (RPI) were not reported. This study assessed the effect of lead (Pb) exposure on the status of reticulocyte count indices in workers occupied in lead battery plants. The present cross-sectional study was carried out on 391 male lead battery workers. The blood lead levels (BLL) were determined by using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The RC (%) was estimated by using the supravital staining method. The parameters, such as ARC, RI, and RPI, were calculated by using the RC (%) with the red cell indices (RBC count and hematocrit). The levels of RBC count and hematocrit were determined by using an ABX Micros ES-60 hematology analyzer. The levels of reticulocyte count indices - RC (%), ARC, RI, and RPI significantly increased with elevated BLL. The association between BLL and reticulocyte count indices was positive and significant. The results of linear multiple regression analysis showed that the reticulocyte count (β = 0.212, P < 0.001), ARC (β = 0.217, P < 0.001), RI (β = 0.194, P < 0.001), and RPI (β = 0.208, P < 0.001) were positively associated with BLL. The variable, smoking habits, showed a significant positive association with reticulocyte count indices: RC (%) (β = 0.188, P < 0.001), ARC (β = 0.174, P < 0.001), RI (β = 0.200, P < 0.001), and RPI (β = 0.151, P < 0.005). The study results revealed that lead exposure may cause reticulocytosis with an increase of reticulocyte count indices.

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Assessment of the relationship between blood lead levels and hematological parameters among lead acid and #8211;storage battery plant workers

Cited by 7 publications

References 25 publications

Assessment of Lead Exposure and Urinary-δ-aminolevulinic Acid Levels in Male Lead Acid Battery Workers in Tamil Nadu, India

Assessment of Lead Exposure and Urinary-δ-aminolevulinic Acid Levels in Male Lead Acid Battery Workers in Tamil Nadu, India

Safety Practices on Lead Poisoning Among Battery Technicians in Lagos Nigeria, 2017

Effect of Lead Exposure on the Status of Reticulocyte Count Indices among Workers from Lead Battery Manufacturing Plant

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