LEAD-POISONING AMONG BATTERY RECLAMATION WORKERS IN ALABAMA

Lead exposures were evaluated at a battery reclamation facility in Ala bama. A questionnaire obtained work and health information. Medical te sts included blood lead, zinc protoporphyrin, hematocrit, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and uric acid. An investigation of workers' famil y members and neighborhood residents was conducted. Fourteen of 15 wor kers had blood lead levels greater than 50 mug/dL. Zinc protoporphyrin was >79 mug/dL in 14 workers. Four workers had hematocrit <40%; six h ad elevated serum creatinine (>1.3 mg/dL). Workers' blood lead levels increased significantly over 2 years (beta = 1.004 mug/dL per month). Ten workers had elevated air lead levels. Twelve of 16 employee childr en had blood lead levels >10 mug/dL; 3 were greater than 40 mug/dL. Wo rkers' children had significantly higher blood lead levels than did ne ighborhood comparison children. Reclamation of lead batteries unaccomp anied by smelting poses a health hazard to workers and their children.