Trends in blood lead levels in UK workers, 1995–2007

• Published in: Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) Vol. 67; no. 9; pp. 590 - 595
• Main Authors: Morton, Jackie, Cotton, Richard, Cocker, John, Warren, Nicholas D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.09.2010; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bayesian; Biological and medical sciences; biological monitoring; biomonitoring; Blood; Blood lead; Blood levels; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Claws; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Female; Hemoglobins - metabolism; Humans; Industrial refining; Industrial sectors; Industry - statistics & numerical data; Industry - trends; Laboratories; Lead; Lead - blood; Lead acid batteries; Lead alloys; Lead content; Lead industry; Lead poisoning; Male; Medical sciences; Metals and various inorganic compounds; Middle Aged; Occupational exposure; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Occupational health; Occupational health and safety; occupational health practice; Protoporphyrins - blood; Smelting; statistics; time trends; Toxicology; Trends; United Kingdom; Workplace; Young Adult; United Kingdom; Europe; United Kingdom > UK; British Isles; Human; 2007; 1995; Lead; Trend; Worker; Occupational exposure; Blood lead level; Saturnism; Occupational medicine; Public health; Heavy metal
• ISSN: 1351-0711; 1470-7926
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.2009.047258

ObjectivesThis study evaluated blood lead data (including zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and haemoglobin levels) collected at the UK's Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) in order to determine temporal changes in occupational exposure to lead between 1995 and 2007.MethodsA total of 20 889 blood lead measurements and accompanying ZPP and haemoglobin results from 8810 workers at 972 companies from routine samples received by HSL over the period 1995–2007 were analysed. Time trends in blood lead levels for each industry sector were estimated using Bayesian mixed effects modelling.ResultsReductions in median blood levels over the period 1995–2007 were seen in every sector except for those samples forwarded by occupational health providers, and range from 1.6% per year for workers in the smelting industry to 12% per year for workers in pottery and glazing industries. An overall reduction of 3.1% per year across all industries was determined. The percentage of results above the current UK suspension limit of 60 μg/dl fell from 4.8% in 1995 to 0.6% in 2007. ZPP and blood lead exhibited a strong association, but no significant correlation was found between blood lead and haemoglobin.ConclusionsOccupational exposure to lead has fallen across UK industries in recent years, although it remains substantially above background levels. There is evidence that many workers are exposed to elevated lead levels over a long period of time and this deserves renewed consideration now that inorganic lead has been reclassified as a probable human carcinogen.