BLOOD AND URINARY LEVELS OF METALS (PB, CR, CD, MN, SB, CO AND CU) INCLOISONNE WORKERS

Blood and urine samples from cloisonne ware workers were assayed for P b, Cr, Cd, Mn, Sb, Co ad Cu for biological monitoring. Mean blood Pb l evels were 47.8 +/- 27.3 mu g/dl (111-13.3 mu g/dl) for 49 cloisonne g laze workers, and 0.97 +/- 0.47 mu g/dl (2.4-0.6 mu g/dl) for 62 norma l 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 is mean urinary Pb level between the 2 groups, a nd slight differences (p < 0.01) in mean Cr, Cd and Mn levels; The cor relation coefficient, r, between blood Pb and Cd levels was 0.631 (p < 0.01) for 132 subjects consisting of cloisonne ware workers and norma l subjects. r between blood ph 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 sev ere exposure to lead and slight exposure to Cd and Cr.