An investigation of metal concentrations in blood of industrial workers.

Abstract

Pigments may contain chromates of zinc and lead, dioxide of manganese, oxides of copper and cobalt, and sulphides of cadmium. Workers engaged in the production of colored glass articles are exposed to fumes and dusts from these pigments. Exposure to these metals through inhalation may lead to a high concentration of these metals in blood. Correlations between biometric characteristics of workers and the blood levels of metals, and between blood levels of different metals were explored. Blood copper and chromium were correlated with occupational history. Significant correlations between blood levels of lead, copper, chromium and manganese were also observed.