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<THS RECOGNITION, MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD EXPOSURE
Recognition of Lead Exposure
Inspection of plant - balancing sources of exposure against methods
of control
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Sources of exposure
Inhalation
Fume - melting, soldering, burning, cutting painted or coated metals
Dust - origin, deposits permitted to collect on rafters, ledges, etc.
Spray - molten metal, paint
Adequacy of removal - return from stacks, etc.
Use of masks, type, and uniformity of use supervision
Hcusecleaning
Janitor personnel
Eouipment - brooms, vacuum cleaners
Supervision
Ingestion
Facilities for workmen
Clothing, locker rooms, wash rooms, lunch room
Adequacy, convenience,' cleanliness
Instructions and regulations for workmen
O By whom given? How?
r- Placards? Repetition - safety meetings
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Supervision of workmen in matters of cleanliness
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Inquiry into medical facilities, personnel, practice, records
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be to determine availability and reliability of information
Survey of information in relation to health and disease Employment records - labor turnover - lost time
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Survey of status of plant population - if medical information inadequate
Medical examination of representative persons - search of
ei i sets
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/* Subjective, objective and'laboratory signs of lead ab
sorption
Signs having special significance
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Lead line - occurrence, differentiation and significanc
/o Stippling - significance in relation to lead exposure
Measurement of Lead Exposure
By air analyses
cr Which? or Both?
By analytical studies on blood and excreta
Dependent upon facilities available in equipment and personnel
Dependent upon information desired Air. Analyses|Role - advantages and disadvantages - technique
Advantages of air analyses
Information can be obtained by non-medical man
May be interpreted within limits of experience by non-medical
man Can be done without cooperation of workmen and without disturbing
them r^ Methods not too difficult - facilities and equipment available r
o Can be used to Identify changes in environmental conditions
o> <=> promptly
^ Disadvantages AC
Information is limited in its application
(a) Applies only to the time and place of sampling
and is onIp as representative as the sampling will
allow
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(b) Makes no allowance for effects of use of madcs, or
lack of cleanliness on part of men
(c) Conditions not necessarily those to which the workmen
are exposed
(d} Includes no time factor in the measurement
Precautions in use of air analysis
Careful technique
Sampling
Analytical methods
Repetition in relation to any and all changes
Analysis on Blood and Bxcreta
Role - advantages or disadvantages - technique
Selection of subjects
Representation of occupation
Representation or basis of long exposure
Numbers required
Frequency of repetition
Significance of results on feces
Physiologic mechanism and technique
iZ Disadvantage - in relation to absorption
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Disadvantage in relation to fume
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Disadvantage in roughness of measurement
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Advantage in locating foci of exposure
Advantage in recognizing ingestion
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Significance of results on blood
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Physiologic significance - index of absorption
low variability
Technique of collection - Contamination
Advantage of requiring no cooperation from patient
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Significance of results on urine
Physiologic factors
Variation in relation to lead absorption
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K variation in waTer output 77
Variation in renal threshold
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Variation in renal concentration
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^ / 3J l vjJpS, JW/f Technioue of collection
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Large samples - no need for 2Vhr. samples
Spot samples - Variable concentration - Contamination
Advantage of collection in presence of attendant
Advantage as diagnostic procedure
Weed for comparison with blood or with other
samples
Control of Lead Exposure
By design of plant
By installation of proper ventilating .and safety equipment
By adequate sanitary facilities
By careful maintenance of operating and safety equipment
By critical and continuing examination of facilities and practices
By critical medical study of workmen - Clinical - Laboratory
By supervision of safety procedures
Cleanliness of men
Cleanliness of plant 05
Maintenance and supervision of condition and use of masks if
co
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required
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In emergencies
Vu Special attention to matters of housekeeping and sanitation to avoid unnecessary exposure
Special attention to supervision of operating procedures and
safety practices
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Rotation of workmen to avoid lengthened hours-of exposure Special care in medical supervision to recognize incipient intoxication.;
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