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dc.contributor.authorShiundu, Paul M
dc.contributor.authorKamau, Geoffrey N
dc.contributor.authorWafula, Godfrey A
dc.contributor.authorP, Gottesfeld
dc.contributor.authorMoturi, M Charles
dc.contributor.authorWere, Faridah H
dc.date.accessioned2014-12-18T15:05:36Z
dc.date.available2014-12-18T15:05:36Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.identifier.citationWere, Faridah H., M. Charles Moturi, P. Gottesfeld, Godfrey A. Wafula, Geoffrey N. Kamau, and Paul M. Shiundu. "Lead Exposure and Blood Pressure among Workers in Diverse Industrial Plants in Kenya." Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene just-accepted (2014): 00-00.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15459624.2014.908258
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11295/77971
dc.description.abstractThe study evaluated airborne exposures and blood lead (BPb) levels in 233 production workers at six diverse industrial plants in Kenya. Blood and personal breathing zone air samples were collected and analyzed for lead (Pb) using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Blood pressure (BP) levels were measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. The results indicated mean airborne Pb levels ± standard deviation (SD) as follows: 183.2 ± 53.6 μg/m3 in battery recycling, 133.5 ± 39.6 μg/m3 in battery manufacturing, 126.2 ± 39.9 μg/m3 in scrap metal welding, 76.3 ± 33.2 μg/m3 in paint manufacturing, 27.3 ± 12.1 μg/m3 in a leather manufacturing, and 5.5 ± 3.6 μg/m3 in a pharmaceutical plant. The mean airborne Pb levels exceeded the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) for Pb of 50 μg/m3 in the battery manufacturing, battery recycling, welding, and paint manufacturing plants. Similarly, mean BPb concentrations exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) biological exposure index (BEI) for Pb of 30 μg/dl. A significant positive association was observed between BPb and breathing zone air Pb (R2 = 0.73, P < 0.001). Approximately 30% of the production workers (N = 233) were in the hypertensive range with an average systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) of 134.7 ± 12.7 mmHg and 86.4 ± 8.9 mmHg, respectively. In the multivariate regression analysis, age, duration of work, airborne Pb and BPb levels were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with a change in BP. We recommend improved engineering controls, work practices, and personal hygiene to reduce Pb exposures. In addition, workers should undergo comprehensive medical surveillance to include BPb and BP testing, and airborne Pb assessments in all industries with significant lead exposures.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.titleLead Exposure and Blood Pressure among Workers in Diverse Industrial Plants in Kenyaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
dc.type.materialenen_US


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