The epidemiology and surveillance of blood lead in Taiwan (R.O.C.): A report on the PRESS-BLL project

 To monitor the lead hazards in industries and to investigate the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in lead-exposed workers, a lead surveillance system (PRESS-BLLs) has been established and operated in Taiwan, Republic of China, since July 1993. A cohort of lead-exposed workers who received a periodic annual health examination at 55 accredited hospital laboratories was constructed. A total of 9807 separate BLL measurements were reported to the system in 1994. The mean BLL was 15.8 μg/dl in male workers and 11.6 μg/dl in female workers. The mean BLL of lead-exposed workers was significantly (P<0.05, z-test) higher than that of the general Taiwanese population (8.6 μg/dl for males and 6.7 μg/dl for females). In addition, the BLLs of 983 (10.0%) workers exceeded the regulatory action level (40 μg/dl for males; 30 μg/dl for females). The workplaces and homes of 57% of the workers with elevated BLLs were thoroughly investigated to determine the sources of lead contamination. These actions identified the causes of elevated BLLs and set up strategies to reduce workers’ lead exposure. The establishment of this occupational lead surveillance system represents a method for monitoring of lead hazards from occupational and environmental settings to prevent lead poisoning. The information acquired from the system can help in the setting up of a priority of prevention and the development of control measures. It is also useful for further monitoring of changes in the BLLs of the lead-exposed-worker cohort. The Health Department of Taiwan can use this information to evaluate the effectiveness of current industrial hygiene practice. Subjects with elevated BLLs have been medically treated and placed on long-term follow-up for sequelae. Received: 2 September 1996/Accepted: 29 November 1996     

NaFeEDTA预防大鼠铅中毒的研究及其对锌、铜的影响

为探讨乙二胺四乙酸铁钠 (NaFeEDTA)在预防大鼠铅中毒及减低铅毒性中的作用 ,同时研究其对锌、铜二元素的影响 ,采用随机分组的动物实验设计方法 ,将 60只Wistar大鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型对照组、阳性药物组和高、中、低NaFeEDTA组 ,共 6组 ,除空白对照组外 ,对其余各组大鼠进行持续性染铅 ,而且除模型对照组外的 4个染铅组分别同时给予二巯基丁二酸 (DMSA)、高、中、低浓度的NaFeEDTA溶液。 5周后实验结束 ,对相关指标进行测定。结果显示 ,三个NaFeEDTA组的血红蛋白含量均显著高于其它各组 ,同时其血铅、脑铅、肝脏铅、肾脏铅及胫骨铅含量显著低于模型对照组 ,而且它们的肝脏铅、肾脏铅和胫骨铅含量与每日每只大鼠铁补充量之间存在显著负相关 ,相关系数分别为 - 0 4432、- 0 61 34和 - 0 3878;除中、高浓度NaFeEDTA组的脑锌水平低于模型对照组以及低浓度NaFeEDTA组的肾脏铜含量高于模型对照组外 ,其余各NaFeEDTA组的脏器锌、铜含量与模型对照组相比均无显著性差异。提示NaFeEDTA可有效提高大鼠的血红蛋白含量 ,能够预防大鼠铅中毒 ,减低铅对大鼠的毒性作用 ;同时对体内锌、铜含量无太大影响     

Prenatal lead exposure in relation to gestational age and birth weight: A review of epidemiologic studies

Although the adverse effect on pregnancy outcomes at high levels of lead exposure in the workplace has been recognized for years, there is uncertainty regarding the impact of exposure at the lower community exposure levels commonly encountered today. This review summarizes the epidemiologic literature and discusses pertinent methodologic issues and possible sources of interstudy variation. The authors conclude that prenatal lead exposure is unlikely to increase the risk of premature membrane rupture but does appear to increase the risk of preterm delivery. Whether prenatal lead exposure decreases gestational age in terms of infants is unclear. Prenatal lead exposure also appears to be associated with reduced birth weight, but results vary in relation to study design and degree of control for confounding. Adjustment for gestational age, a possible confounder of the birth weight-lead exposure association, did not yield clearer results.     

Lead poisoning in precious metals refinery assayers: A failure to notify workers at high risk

Lead poisoning in a precious metals refinery fire assayer and a routine OSHA inspection prompted an investigation of the index facility, a survey of the industry, and efforts to notify assayers of this previously unrecognized hazard. Air and blood samples were obtained at the index facility. Management personnel from all fire assay laboratories in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts were interviewed. The industry's trade association, OSHA, NIOSH, trade unions, and the media were asked to assist in a nationwide notification effort. Assayers at the index facility had excessive exposures to lead due to an age-old, lead-based assaying method that remains the industry gold standard. Blood lead levels of the three assayers (mean 61.3 μ/dl, range 48–86 μg/dl) were considerably higher than those of 16 other refinery workers (mean 27.4 μg/dl, range 13–49 μg/dl). The industry survey revealed inadequate knowledge of both the lead hazard and the applicability of the OSHA lead standard. Notification efforts failed in large part due to economic obstacles. The notification of workers at high risk of lead exposure and the eradication of occupational lead poisoning will require greater attention to economic forces. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

氧化损伤与铅毒性研究进展

铅是一种对全身组织有广泛亲和力的毒物,作用的基点是体内一些生物大分子(蛋白质、脂类、核酸),进而使大分子受损,影响到细胞功能.     

右室心内膜流入道永久性起搏电极植入的体会

目的 :探讨右室心内膜永久性起搏电极植入术中 ,心尖部起搏与流入道起搏二者在术中起搏参数比较 ,以及流入道起搏电极植入方法。方法 :选择本院行永久性心脏起搏器安置术的 67例患者为研究对象 ,在右室心尖部起搏电极不易固定或测试起搏参数不理想时 ,改为右室流入道起搏 (12例 )。结果 :①右室心尖部及流入道两种位置起搏阈值、R波振幅、心肌阻抗比较无显著性差异 ;②术后随访 2～ 14个月两组病例均未发生电极脱位、感知异常、膈肌收缩。结论 :①右室流入道起搏与心尖部起搏一样是电极植入的有效部位 ;②右室流入道起搏与心尖部起搏一样心室电极植入技术简单易行     

Direct and Telemetered Lead Impedance

Objectives: We undertook this study to determine whether telemetered lead impedance measurements (LIM) can be correlated with direct LIM and to determine the stability of LIM over time when measured directly and via telemetry. Methods: Direct LIM and telemetered LIM were measured in 91 patients; 101 leads during initial implantation and 40 leads during pulse generator replacement. Differences in direct LIM measured during initial implant and pulse generator replacement (direct-direct) were compared in 41 patients (28 atrial leads and 37 ventricular leads). The stability of telemetered LIM obtained immediately postoperatively, at 1 month and 1 year, postimplantation was assessed in 50 patients (23 atrial and 49 ventricular leads). Results: In atrial leads acute direct LIM was 633.9 ± 18.4 Ω versus 575.8 ± 18.5 Ω for telemetered LIM (r = 0.58), and chronic direct LIM was 670.9 ± 49.3 Ω versus 607.0 ± 36.3 Ω for telemetered LIM (r = 0.87). In ventricular leads acute direct LIM was 747.3 ± 16.9 Ω and 684.7 ± 16.4 Ω for telemetered LIM (r = 0.69), and chronic direct LIM was 674.8 ± 29.9 Ω and 625.2 ± 28.5 Ω for telemetered LIM (r = 0.68). The mean direct–direct UM rose 124 Ω (P < 0.001) in atrial leads and 10 Ω (P = NS) in ventricular leads. Telemetered LIM for atrial leads was 581.0 ± 27.6 Ω immediately postimplantation compared to 625.7 ± 34.8 Ω at 1 month and 754.1 ± 43.0 Ω at 1 year. Telemetered LIM for ventricular leads was 661.3 ± 17.5 Ω at implant, 684.6 ± 20.7 Ω at 1 month and 724.7 ± 22.7 Ω at 1 year. Conclusions: There is a good but limited correlation between direct and telemetered LIM. Mean direct LIM obtained at initial implantation is similar to that measured at pulse generator replacement. The telemetered LIM is stable over the first month postimplantation but tends to rise during the first year of follow-up and substantial changes in impedance are not uncommon in individuals with normal function. There is a tendency for LIM to rise with lead maturation. If telemetered LIM is to be followed over time, a baseline telemetered value should be obtained immediately postoperatively.     

心电图短P-R间期观测研究

目的：探讨和鉴别心电图短Ｐ－Ｒ间期的产生原因，为临床诊断、治疗提供依据。方法：检测１１５例受检者的常规导联心电图（ＲＬＥＣＧ）、头胸导联心电图（ＨＣＥＣＧ）、食管导联心电图（ＥＬＥＣＧ），对其中５５例临床可疑心律失常和ＲＬＥＣＧ示短Ｐ－Ｒ间期者行食管心房调搏电生理检查。结果：①Ｐ波出现率和振幅均值比较ＥＬＥＣＧ＞ＨＣＥＣＧ＞ＲＬＥＣＧ（Ｐ＜０．０１），出现率分别为１００％、９５％、９１％。②ＨＣＥＣＧＰ－Ｒ段均值（Ｐ＜０．０１）及变异系数＜ＲＬＥＣＧ。③ＲＬＥＣＧ波幅低、图形多变是产生心电图短Ｐ－Ｒ间期的主要原因。结论：作为无创伤性检查方法，ＨＣＥＣＧ和ＥＬＥＣＧ可以对短Ｐ－Ｒ间期者进行初步筛选，而经食管心房调搏能检测ＥＣＧ短Ｐ－Ｒ间期的电生理特性，对鉴别诊断有肯定价值。     

模糊数学方法用于职业危害因素的综合评价

模糊数学方法用于职业危害因素的综合评价徐新云（湖南省劳动卫生职业病研究所，长沙４１０００７）用模糊数学方法进行综合评价时，首先要确定评判等级，各评判因素在不同等级中的取值，以及各评判因素的权重系数三方面内容。本文将评判等级定为优、良、一般、差、很差５...     

Kohl: a hazardous eyeliner

Kohl is a widely used traditional cosmetic. It is mainly worn around the eyes in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The elemental composition of twenty-one kohl specimens originating from various parts of Saudi Arabia, India and the Middle East was determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). The data indicates the presence of significant lead levels in two thirds (14/21) of the kohl specimens ranging from 2.9–100 (mean 48.5). Other less frequent elements present in kohl preparations include aluminum, carbon, iron, titanium, calcium, magnesium, oxygen, silver silicon, sulfur and antimony. Seven kohl specimens were totally lead-free, four had a lead content in the range of 2.9–34.1 and ten had lead levels in excess of 84. Carbon levels in excess of 60 were detected in six kohl samples. Antimony was present in only one kohl specimen at a concentration of 7.8.Five western made eyeliner pencils analyzed for comparative purposes consistently revealed iron as a common constituent (mean 46) but no lead or carbon were detected in these specimens.The findings of this study indicate that modern kohl preparations contain a number of metals derived from natural sources in addition to carbon. The predominance of lead in the kohl preparations tested is of major concern due to the documented adverse effects in humans and the increased susceptibility of children to lead intoxication. Application of lead-containing kohl needs to be considered as a source of lead in evaluating patients with symptoms of lead intoxication in regions where this tradition prevails. The documented toxic effects of lead in humans and the increased sensitivity of children to lead exposure serve to emphasize potential health risks of using traditional lead containing kohl preparations and the need for increased surveillance and regulation of the manufacture of kohl.The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the author and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or Department of Defense.