Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuania; Republican Vilnius University Hospital, Toxicology Centre, Lithuania.
Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuania.
J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2022 Jan;69:126886. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126886. Epub 2021 Oct 29.
Despite existing occupational lead exposure prevention regulations, Lithuanian shooting range workers still complain of chronic lead poisoning related symptoms. This indicates a poor understanding of occupational safety when working in lead-polluted environments.
20 men, whose age ranged from 32 to 57 (mean 41.8 ± 10 years), were consulted at the Toxicology Centre at the Republican Vilnius university hospital in Vilnius, Lithuania in the 2016-2019 year period. All of the patients were working as shooting instructors, with their work experience varying from 2 to 30 years. Clinical examination showed blood lead levels ranging from 5.64 μg/dL to 45.8 μg/dL (norm for occupational exposure - <40 μg/dL). Main symptoms were fatigue (12 patients out of 20), dizziness (5/20), arthralgia (5/20). Other symptoms included impaired memory (3/20), nausea (3/20), sleep disorders (3/20), metallic or sweet taste (3/20), dermatological disorders (3/20), coxarthrosis (2/20), balance disorders (2/20), paresthesia (2/20), abdominal pain (2/20) and others. 4 patients were asymptomatic.
Shooting range employees are highly vulnerable to daily lead exposure. Even low constant elevated blood lead concentrations can have significant toxic effects over time.
尽管存在职业性铅暴露预防法规，但立陶宛射击场工人仍抱怨与慢性铅中毒相关的症状。这表明他们在铅污染环境中工作时对职业安全的理解不足。
2016 年至 2019 年间，在立陶宛维尔纽斯的共和维尔纽斯大学医院毒理学中心，有 20 名年龄在 32 至 57 岁之间（平均 41.8 ± 10 岁）的男性接受了咨询。所有患者均为射击教练，工作经验从 2 年到 30 年不等。临床检查显示，血液中铅含量在 5.64μg/dL 至 45.8μg/dL 之间（职业暴露的正常值<40μg/dL）。主要症状有疲劳（20 例中有 12 例）、头晕（20 例中有 5 例）、关节痛（20 例中有 5 例）。其他症状包括记忆力减退（20 例中有 3 例）、恶心（20 例中有 3 例）、睡眠障碍（20 例中有 3 例）、金属味或甜味（20 例中有 3 例）、皮肤病（20 例中有 3 例）、髋关节炎（20 例中有 2 例）、平衡障碍（20 例中有 2 例）、感觉异常（20 例中有 2 例）、腹痛（20 例中有 2 例）和其他症状。4 例患者无症状。
射击场员工极易受到日常铅暴露的影响。即使是低水平的持续升高的血铅浓度，随着时间的推移也会产生显著的毒性作用。
