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Document ID (ISN)24079
CIS number 75-1949
Year 1975
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Repko J.D., Morgan B.B., Nicholson J.
Title Behavioral effects of occupational exposure to lead.
Bibliographic information HEW Publication No.(NIOSH)75-164, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Post Office Building, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, USA, May 1975. 239p. Illus. 172 ref.
Abstract Final report on controlled studies in which 80 behavioural tests were performed in 316 lead-exposed subjects (5 levels of body burden were distinguished) engaged in storage battery manufacture, with statistical analysis of the results. Intellectual functions were not affected by lead exposure, whereas sensory (hearing), neuromuscular and psychomotor, and psychological functions all were. Neuromuscular and psychomotor functions showed the greatest effect: major changes occurred at blood lead (PbB) levels of 70-79µg%. PbB levels are not a sensitive measure of changes in functional capacity, blood aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) being found the most sensitive predictor of task performance. Recommendations are made for a biomedical standard of 70µg% for PbB, and of 21 units of ALA-D activity, as well as on the use of functional tests in routine monitoring of exposed workers. Directions for future research. Numerous appendices.
Descriptors (primary) lead; battery and dry cell manufacture; neuropsychic effects
Descriptors (secondary) USA; report; biological threshold limits; behaviour study; perceptual-motor performance tests; neuromuscular disorders
Document type E - Books, reports, proceedings
Subject(s) Toxic and dangerous substances
Broad subject area(s)
Browse category(ies) Inorganic substances
Diseases of the nervous system
Manufacturing of electrical appliances and equipment
Lead and compounds