Environmental lead hazard in a high-risk Jamaican population

During the last decade there has been a rapid proliferation of lead smelters, particularly illegal backyard smelters in Jamaica which has increased the risk of lead poisoning to employees and those living in proximity to these operations. Blood samples from 351 persons working in or living near lead smelting factories were analyzed for lead levels. There were 116 children and 235 adults. The mean age of the children was 5.9 years and the mean period of exposure to environmental lead was 5.2 years. The mean age of the adults was 30 years, with the mean period of exposure being 7.1 years. The mean blood lead level in the children was 62.1 ug/dl which was greater than that in adults in whom the mean level was 43.3 ug/dl. Fifty-one per cent of the children and 60 percent of adults had a blood lead level of 40 ug/dl or greater. Toxic levels occur commonly in adults and especially children working in or living near lead smelting operations. Urgent measures are needed to reduce the risk of lead toxicity to this high-risk population and the community. (AU)

Pulmonary function in cement industry workers

Pulmonary function studies, including one second forced expiratory volume (FEV 1.0 percent) and mean transit time, were carried out in 217 persons employed in the cement manufacturing industry. The results showed that abnormal pulmonary functions were positively correlated with the length of employment and dust concentration. The highest incidence of low FEV 1.0 percent, peak expiratory flow rate and mid-expiratory flow rate were found in the high dust areas where the dust concentration exceeded the threshold limit value (TLV) by 2620 per cent. Most of the abnormalities were of the restrictive type. It is suggested that the quartz content of the raw and finished product may be a causative factor in the disease entity (AU)

Environmental lead poisoning in high-risk populations in Jamaica - abstract

Over the last decade, there has been a rapid proliferation of lead smelters, particularly illegal backyard smelters (BYS) in Jamaica. This has increased the risk of lead poisoning in employees as well as in those living in proximity to these operations. Blood samples from 351 person working in or living near lead smelting factories were analyzed for lead levels to determine the prevalence of toxic lead levels in these high-risk populations. The sampled population consisted of 116 children and 235 adults. The mean age of the children was 5.9 years, and the mean period of exposure to environmental lead was 5.2 years. The mean age of the adults was 30 years with the mean period of exposure being 7.1 years. The mean value of blood lead in the children was 62.1 æ/dl which was greater than that in adults in whom the mean level of lead was 43.3 æg/dl. Children living in proximity to backyard smelters had the highest lead levels, and 81 percent of them required referral to hospital. Among adults, those working in the metal refining industry had the highest lead levels, and 34 percent were referred to hospital. Seventy-six per cent of 21 blood smears had basopholic stippling. Domestic water samples from 3 homes revealed lead levels of 1.0 æg/dl. Toxic blood lead levels occur commonly in adults and especially children working in or living near lead smelting operations. Urgent measures are needed to reduce the risk of lead toxicity in this high-risk population and the community (AU)

Arsenic poisoning in a glass factory in Kingston, Jamaica

A case is presented of a 46-year-old labourer in Kingston glass factory who exhibited the typical manifestations of arsenic poisoning after participating in the dismantling of an old furnace in the factory. An investigation of the factory by a Ministry of Health team found the safety practices of the company to be inadequate. Measurement of 24-hour urinary arsenic content in nine workers showed that five had levels above the upper limit of the range acceptable for exposed persons. This case serves to emphasize the need for increased attention to safe industrial practices by Caribbean industries, governments, and health communities (AU)