Size Characteristics of Lead Particles Generated in Four Industries

Workers' exposure to lead particles with diverse characteristics was assessed using personal cascade impactors in four different industries. Correlation analyses found that total airborne lead (PbA) concentrations could not explain the variation on MMAD of lead particles. From regression analysis, the concentrations of lead particles smaller than 1 um in AD were found to rise very slowly with increases in total PbA. They rarely contributed more than 50 ㎍/㎥ of total PbA over the range of 5.6-7,740 ㎍/㎥ although there are a few high values greater than 100 ㎍/㎥ while respirable lead concentrations significantly increased with increasing total PbA concentrations. In the secondary smelting and radiator manufacturing industries requiring high temperatures, the average fraction of respirable concentration in total PbA was 43.3% and 48.9%, respectively, which indicated an important contribution to the total PbA. In lead powder and battery manufacturing, it was less than 27%. Our study results concluded that workers' exposure to lead particles with diverse characteristics might not be effectively monitored by the current total PbA sampling alone. To protect workers exposed to different sizes of lead particles generated in many operations, an occupational standard for respirable lead particles should be added to the current total lead standard.