Lead exposure during demolition of a steel structure coated with lead-based paints. I. Environmental and biological monitoring.

Abstract

(1987)52-55. Demolition of a steel railway bridge was carried out by nine workers using flame-torch cutting. The air in the breathing zone of the workers contained from 2 to 38 mg of lead /rn t, which is a very high level in comparison with the Dutch exposure limit of 0.15 mg/m ' (8-h time-weighted average). Without very effectiverespiratory protection these concentrations may result in acute lead poisoning. Upwind of the flametorch exposure the level was below the exposure limit, whereas downwind lead concentrations of up to ten times the exposure limit were observed. Although filtering facepieces were used by the workers, average blood lead concentrations of about 4.5 /lmolll were rapidly attained. Possibly under these work conditions this value represents a maximum concentration attainable in blood. After termination of the exposure, there was a fast decrease of lead in the blood. This finding indicates that lead was mainly present in rapidly exchangeable compartments like blood. No stable correlation between the concentration of lead in blood and the concentration of zinc protoporphyrin in blood was found.

Airborne Lead Exposure to Workers during Deleading Activity as Part of a Building Demolition Project

“…Most lead exposure studies have focused on steel structure activities (e.g. bridges) [3,12,[15][16][17]18]. Current lead regulations have been designed to protect public health, the environment and those occupationally employed in the lead industry [6,19].…”

Lead exposure during demolition of a steel structure coated with lead-based paints. II. Reversible changes in the conduction velocity of the motor nerves in transiently exposed workers.

“…Initially the party was assisted by 56 a ninth worker, number 8 in the paper of Spee & Zwennis (19), but only for a short period, and that particular worker was therefore not included in the study. All eight consented to take part in the investigation.…”

“…Towards the completion of the hob two workers complained about gastrointestinal symptoms indicative of lead intoxication. Further details regarding exposure have been presented by Spee & Zwennis (19).…”

“…(See references 1,7 and 9). In a recent study, Spee & Zwennis (19) reported that workers involved in the demolition of a large steel bridge showed a sharp rise in blood lead levels. Thus it was decided to evaluat e the peripheral nerve conduction of these workers.…”

Lead exposure in the construction industry: results from the California Occupational Lead Registry, 1987 through 1989.

“…In the present study, the potential lead exposures for people from such beverages stored in lead crystal decanters are compared with the regulatory level established for California's Proposition 65. 3 …”