Occupational lead toxicity in Craft Potters

Abstract

Lead intoxication risks were studied in a community of ceramic folk art workers in Nabeul (Tunisia),where the manufacture of low temperature lead ceramic ware is a family tradition and often the only source of income. Data onlifestyle, working conditions and clinical disorders were collected from workers.31 potters working in five different workshopswere included in this study. Blood lead levels wereanalyzed by graphite furnaceatomic absorption spectrometry.Blood lead levels ranged from 40 to 540 μg/L, with a mean of 220.3 μg/L. 42 percent of potters had a blood lead level over 200 μg/L and 13 % over 400 μg/L,which is over the World Health Organization guidelinesfor removingworkersfrom exposure,as this is the concentration over which renal damage is accelerated.In the community of ceramic folk art workers living in north-eastern Tunisia, blood lead concentrations were significantly higher (p<0.05).Our findings showedthat the use of lead-oxide glaze can increase the risk ofleadtoxicity and reiterate the needfor strict guidelines regarding the useof lead in pottery and replacing it by lead free paints.