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Citation
Tags
HERO ID
787266
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Lead: Ongoing public and occupational health issues in vulnerable populations: A case study
Author(s)
Kar-Purkayastha, I; Balasegaram, S; Sen, D; Rehman, AJ; Dargan, PI; Johnston, D; Raynal, A; Wood, DM; Abrahams, A; Kamanyire, R; Murray, V; Cordery, R
Year
2012
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Journal of Public Health (Online)
ISSN:
1741-3850
Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
Location
OXFORD
Volume
34
Issue
2
Page Numbers
176-182
Language
English
PMID
21954302
DOI
10.1093/pubmed/fdr077
Web of Science Id
WOS:000304197300004
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lead has been recognized increasingly as a public health risk, although with the introduction of wide-ranging occupational and public health measures, levels of blood lead in the general population of the UK and other developed nations have been in decline in recent years. Nonetheless, cases of lead poisoning still occur.
METHODS: We report on a large cluster of exposed lead workers and their families, including several children. The focus of the occupational and public health investigations was to identify the different groups at risk and the pathways by which potential exposures were taking place.
RESULTS: Lead in the workplace was found to account for the raised blood lead levels amongst the workers with exposure occurring as a result of insufficient demarcation between 'clean' and 'dirty' areas, and from contamination of personal belongings with lead. Furthermore, there was evidence of para-occupational exposure of family members.
CONCLUSIONS: The successful control of lead in this case required multidisciplinary working. Efforts included extensive workplace controls, along with the education and care of workers and their families, though complicated by lack of familiarity with the UK health service amongst the affected groups, language barriers, underlying low levels of literacy and high mobility.
Keywords
occupational diseases; public health; social determinants
Tags
NAAQS
•
ISA-Lead (2013 Final Project Page)
Considered
Health Effects
•
ISA - Lead (2024 Final Project Page)
Title-Abstract Screening (SWIFT-AS) - Included
Title-Abstract Screening (SWIFT-AS) - Included
Full-Text Screening Included
Full-Text Screening Included
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