• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.29 no.3 s.54
• /
• pp.693-700
• /
• 1996

The purpose of this study was to determine whether workers at a factory next to a lead recycling factory in Pusan, were affected by lead contamination. The mean air lead concentration of lead recycling factory was $0.21mg/m^3(TWA=0.05mg/m^3)$. Thirty-nine male workers of Factory A, Cr. plating factory next to the lead recycling factory were exposed group and a comparison group, 62 male workers of Factory B were selected from another Cr. plating factory about 8.5km away from lead recycling factory. Air lead concentration of each workplace was checked for 4 times from August f to August 20 in 1995 by low volume air sampler. Each subject was interviewed about age, life-style, smoking, work history, and residence etc, and venous blood was drawn for lead measurement by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. We have observed that air lead concentration and blood lead concentration of Factory A was higher than Factory $B(2.6{\pm}1.6\;Vs.\;1.2{\pm}0.2{\mu}g/m^3,\;14.9{\pm}1.6\;Vs.\;12.2{\pm}1.6{\mu}g/dl)$. We believe that other environmental lead sources such as transportation and residence did not affect air lead and blood lead concentration differences of both factory. We concluded that high air lead and blood lead concentration of Factory A were caused by lead contamination generated by the neighboring lead recycling factory.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.267-275
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The causes of dementia have been reported in various ways, but there has been little research on the interrelationship between heavy metals and dementia, and the results also show little consistency. Therefore, it is imperative to compare the levels of heavy metal exposure between the dementia-suffering group and a control group to confirm the correlation between the level of heavy metal exposure and the likelihood of dementia. Methods: In order to assess the dementia level of the elderly, the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were applied. To analyze the concentration of heavy metals in the blood, blood was collected from the veins of study subjects and measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between lead and manganese concentrations in the blood and the MMSE and GDS. It was found that there was a statistically significant correlation between cadmium concentration in the blood and the GDS, but the MMSE was less relevant. It was found that the blood mercury concentration and the MMSE and GDS were less relevant. The lead concentration in the blood was 0.95±0.74 ㎍/dL in the dementia patient group and 0.33±0.22 ㎍/dL in the normal group, while cadmium was 0.69±0.37 ㎍/L in the dementia group and 0.18±0.10 ㎍/L in the normal group. Mercury was 0.81±0.31 ㎍/L in the dementia group and 1.16±0.80 ㎍/L in the normal group. Manganese was 6.83±2.01 ㎍/L in the dementia group and 4.78±1.59 ㎍/L in the normal group. All of these show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: As the concentration of lead, cadmium and manganese in the blood increases, the MMSE scores and GDS scores were found to worsen, and it was confirmed that there is a correlation between heavy metal exposure and cognitive degradation.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 1994.02a
• /
• pp.561-575
• /
• 1994

Williams, M K., King, E., and Walford, Joan (1969). Brit. J. industr. Med., 26, 202-216. An investigation of lead absorption in an electric accumulator factory with the use of personal samplers. Thirty-nine lead workers and controls, in stable conditions of exposure, each wore personal lead-in-air samplers daily for two weeks. During the second week samples for blood lead, urinary lead, urinary coproporphyrin, urinary $\gamma$-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), the punctate basophil count, and haemoglobin were taken daily. Duplicate estimations were made on one day. The lead exposures of men doing almost identical jobs differed by ratios of up to four to one. This could be attributed on y to personal differences in working habits. The correlation coefficients and regression equations of the biochemical tests with lead-in-air and with each other were determined. The mean values and $95\%$ confidence limits of single determinations of some of the biochemical tests corresponding to the two commonly accepted TLVs of lead-in-air (0-20 and 0-15 mg./$m^{3}$) were calculated from the regression equations. For each biochemical test the variation due to analytical error, the variation from day to day within subjects and the residual variation about the regression on lead-in-air were calculated. Previous estimates of the latter are not known. Excessive confidence may be placed in an index of exposure due to its low coefficient of variation within subjects unless the coefficient of variation between subjects about regression is taken into account. The correction for specific gravity of estimations of lead and ALA in spot samples of urine was found to reduce slightly the residual variation between subjects about the regression on lead-in-air and to increase the correlations with lead-in-air and with the other biochemical tests, but these changes were not statistically significant. The modified method used for estimating blood lead and urinary lead is described and validated.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.11
• /
• pp.1482-1489
• /
• 2010

This study aimed to determine the effects of vitamin C and propolis-supplemented feeds on some blood parameters, lipid peroxidation, and activities of some antioxidant enzymes in broilers exposed to oxidative stress. 360 three-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into four treatment groups each containing 90 animals, including six replicate groups for each treatment. The experimental groups were designated for a 3-42 days period as follows: no supplement to basal ration (Control-Group I); supplement of 500 ppm vitamin C and 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group II); supplement of 1 g/kg propolis and 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group III); and supplement of 200 ppm lead (as lead acetate) to basal ration (Group IV). The highest TG level (86.83 mg/dl) was observed in the lead supplemented group; however, the lowest aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) level (90.71 IU/L) was observed in the control group (p<0.05). The addition of lead increased the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level (p<0.01) compared to other treatments. However, the addition of vitamin C and propolis decreased the plasma MDA level close to control levels. The highest erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was observed in the lead addition group (p<0.01) while no significant differences were observed for SOD activities of the control, vitamin C +lead, and propolis+lead groups. The plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) activity of the control ($2.30{\mu}mol$/ml) was significantly lower than the lead administered group ($6.20{\mu}mol$/ml) (p<0.01); while this parameter was determined to be similar to other groups. No significant differences were observed between groups for liver GSH activity, but heart GSH activity of the control was significantly higher in comparison to other treatments (p<0.05). To obtain similar antioxidant effects, it is recommend that using propolis (1 g/kg) and vitamin C (500 mg/kg) supplementation in broiler diets may overcome the adverse effects of oxidative stress originating from dietary lead.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 1979

For the purpose of further health control, D-penicillamine was orally administered to 8 persons who were employed in lead industry and suspected lead intoxication routine industrial health examination. The does of D-penicillamine was 600 mg per day and was administered orally in every other 5 days, For the laboratory analysis 24 hours urine and 10 gm of whole blood were collected every day. The results were as follows; 1. It was found that mean urinary lead excretion per day was 446.5 g/l and 394.98 g/l, respectively during the first 5-day and the second 5-day administration with D-penicillamine. 2. Mean lead excretion per day was $130.56{\pm}66.42g/l$ after first 5-day administration and $159.28{\pm}104.44g/l$ after second 5-day administration with D-penicillamine. 3. The level of urinary lead excretion after administration increased 3 to 4 times than that before administration with D-peniciilamine. 4. Blood and urinary lead level investigated after 6 months were $44.4{\pm}10.2g/100g\;and\;72.7{\pm}29.7\;g/l$ for the eight persons.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.111-117
• /
• 2001

A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate associations between lead biomarkers, lead-related symptoms, and ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) genotype among 598 lead workers and 144 control office workers in storage battery industries, secondary smelting and litharge making industries. Lead inhibits the second enzymes, ALAD, in the heme synthesis pathway. ALAD gene, which codes for one of three isozymic proteins (termed ALAD1-1, ALAD1-2, and ALAD2-2), seems to modify the toxicokinetics of lead. The result as follows; The percents of total workers whose genotype of ALAD1-1 and ALAD1-2 were 88.4% and 11.6%, respectively. The zinc protoporphyrin in blood (ZPP) and ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid in urine (ALAU) of lead workers with ALAD1-2 were significantly lower than those of lead workers with ALAD1-1, but there were no significant difference between two genotype for blood lead, age, and work duration. The proportion of ALAD1-2 genotype in control office workers was 13.2%. The proportions of ALAD1-2 genotype of lead workers were 14.0%(their mean air lead level below $0.024mg/m^3$), 10.4%($0.025-0.049mg/m^3$), 11.8%($0.050-0.099mg/m^3$), and 9.4%(above $0.100mg/m^3$), respectively. In the logistic analysis of 15 lead related symptoms, 'arthralgia'(S7) symptom of ALAD1-2 was significantly lower (OR=0.481; 95% CI=0.248-0.932) than that of ALAD1-1, but 'feeling of irritation'(S11) of ALAD1-2 was significantly higher(OR=1.636; 95% CI=1.035-2.586) than that of ALAD1-1 after controlling possible confounder (blood lead, work duration, smoking and drinking habit).

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.113-124
• /
• 2022

This study was conducted to analyze the relationship between the levels of lead (Pb) exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Korean adult women. We used cross-sectional data on blood lead and self-reported diagnoses of ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke and hypertension in a subsample of 1.821 adults 19 years and older who participated in the 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). CVD and blood Pb concentrations were analyzed through logistic regression analysis, and correlations between factors were confirmed using the pearson correlation coefficient. An increase of blood Pb was associated with an increased risk of IHD (OR 5.68, 95% CI 1.01-17.51) and hypertension (OR 3.37, 95% CI 2.24-5.07) only in women. Additionally, there was a correlation between blood Pb and nutrient intake. This suggest that blood Pb levels may be used as a key predictor of CVD development, and that women are more susceptable to IHD and hypertension associated with Pb exposure.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.29 no.9
• /
• pp.958-970
• /
• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the effect of dietary calcium level on cadmium and lead toxicity in rats. Fifty-four male rats of Sprague-Dawely strain weighing 152$\pm$12g were blocked into 9 groups according to body weight, and were raised for 30 days. Nine experimental diets different with cadmium(0%, 0.04%), lead (0%, 0.071%) and calcijm(0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%) levels were prepared. The results are summarized as follow. Weight gain, F.E.R.(food efficiency ratio), and weights of liver, kidney and femur were lower in cadmium exposed groups than those of heavy metal free groups. Weight gain F.E.R. and ash weight of lead groups were lower than those of heavy metal free groups. But, these were increased with increasing dietary calcium level. Cadmium and lead concentrations in blood, liver, kidney and femur were lower in rats fed 1.5% calcium than 0.5% calcium diet. Fecal cadmium and lead excretions were remarkably increased in 1.5% calcium groups, and cadmium and lead retention rates were decreased in 1.5% calcium groups. Metallothionein concentrations in liver, kidney and small intestine were higher in rats exposed to cadmium and lead. Calcium content in blood, femur and daily urinary and fecal calcium excretion were decreased by cadmium and lead additions, and increased in 1.5% calcium groups. Creatinine clearance were decreased with cadmium administratino and calcium addition. In conclusion, weight gain and organ weights were decreased with cadmium or lead administration. But, cadmium administration was more toxic than lead adminstration. Cadmium or lead toxicity was alleviated by increasing dietary calcium level. Especially, lead toxicity was alleviated in proportion to dietary calcium level.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.213-223
• /
• 2016

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the level of physical exposure to heavy metals among residents who live around a Chungcheongnam-do Province industrial complex and to provide baseline data on the effects and harms of heavy metals on the human body by comparing their exposure levels to those of people from control regions. Methods: We measured blood lead and cadmium levels and urine mercury and chromium levels and conducted a survey among 559 residents from the affected area and 347 residents of other areas. Results: Blood lead and cadmium levels and urine mercury levels were significantly higher in the case region than among those in the control region (p=0.013, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In the thermoelectric power plant area, blood cadmium and urine mercury levels were significantly higher than in the control region (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). In the steel mill and petrochemical industry areas, blood cadmium level was significantly higher than that in the control region (p<0.001). Dividing groups by the reference level of blood cadmium ($2{\mu}g/L$), the odds ratios between the case and control regions were 2.56 (95% CI=1.83-3.58), 3.11 (95% CI=2.06-4.71) for the thermoelectric power plant area, 1.78 (95% CI=1.19-2.65) for the steel mill area and 4.07 (95% CI=2.40-6.89) for petrochemical industry area. Conclusion: This study showed that the levels of exposure to heavy metals among residents living near a Chungcheongnam-do Province industrial complex were significantly higher than those in the control region. This seems to be attributable to exposure to heavy metals emissions from the industrial complex. Further research and safety measures are required to protect residents' health.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.166-174
• /
• 2001

Objectives : To obtain basic data on blood lead level and urinary level of arsenic and cadmium of children living near a petrochemical estate and a suburban area in Ulsan, Korea and to observe the trend of the changes. In the level of these metals in these children. Methods : The study subjects comprised 626 children living near a petrochemical estate and 299 children living in a suburban area of Ulsan. We analyzed the level of lead, arsenic and cadmium using atomic absorption spectrometer. Results : The mean levels of blood lead in children living near the petrochemical estate were $5.25{\mu}g/dl,\;5.24{\mu}g/dl,\;and\;7.24{\mu}g/dl$, and in the years 1997, 1999, and 2000, respectively, whereas those of children living in the suburban area were $3.81{\mu}g/dl,\;4.75{\mu}g/dl,\;and\;7.19{\mu}g/dl$ respectively. The mean levels of urinary arsenic in children living near the petrochemical estate were $4.57{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, $4.78{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, and $6.02{\mu}g/g$ creatinine in the year 1997, 1999, and 2000 respectively, whereas those of children living in suburban area were $2.35{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, $4.75{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, and $7.07{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, respectively. The mean levels of urinary cadmium in children living near the petrochemical estate were $1.15{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, $1.05{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, and $1.71{\mu}g/g$ creatinine in the year 1997, 1999, and 2000, respectively, whereas those of the children living in the suburban area were $0.74{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, $1.29{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, and $1.48{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, respectively. There were increasing trends in the level of blood lead, urinary arsenic and cadmium of children in Ulsan, and the differences in the level of these metals were disappearing between the children living in other areas year by year. Conclusions : These results suggest that the amount of exposure to lead, arsenic, and cadmium is increasing from year to year, and there is a need for periodic biological and atmospheric monitoring of these metals in Ulsan.