Blood and Urinary Levels of Metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Mn, Sb, Co and Cu) in Cloisonne Workers.

Abstract

Blood and urine samples from cloisonne ware workers were assayed for Pb, Cr, Cd, Mn, Sb, Co and Cu for biological monitoring. Mean blood Pb levels were 47.8 +/- 27.3 micrograms/dl (111-13.3 micrograms/dl) for 49 cloisonne glaze workers, and 0.97 +/- 0.47 microgram/dl (2.4-0.6 microgram/dl) for 62 normal subjects. There was a distinct difference between the 2 groups, and slight differences (p < 0.01) in mean Cr, Cd and Mn levels. There was a distinct difference in mean urinary Pb level between the 2 groups, and slight differences (p < 0.01) in mean Cr, Cd and Mn levels. The correlation coefficient, r, between blood Pb and Cd levels was 0.631 (p < 0.01) for 132 subjects consisting of cloisonne ware workers and normal subjects. r between blood Pb and blood Cr levels was 0.501 (p < 0.01), and that between blood and urinary Pb levels, 0.794 (p < 0.01). The above assays showed that glaze workers at cloisonne plants suffer severe exposure to lead and slight exposure to Cd and Cr.