Goldman R H, Baker E L, Hannan M, Kamerow D B
N Engl J Med. 1987 Jul 23;317(4):214-8. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198707233170406.
Exposure to lead occurs during automobile radiator repair when soldered joints are heated, but this relatively common hazard has received little public recognition. We therefore studied lead exposure among automobile radiator mechanics in the Boston area. Twenty-seven shops were surveyed, and most were found to be small and poorly ventilated. Seventy-five workers were interviewed and tested for blood lead and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels. Fifty-six of the 75 actually repaired radiators, and they had a mean blood lead level of 37.1 micrograms per deciliter (range, 16 to 73). Thirty-nine percent of these mechanics had levels higher than 40 micrograms per deciliter; hematologic, neurologic, and renal effects are known to develop at or above this blood lead level. Multiple regression analysis showed that the number of radiator repair work stations (an index of exposure) was the variable most significantly associated with increased blood lead levels. We conclude that excessive exposure to lead occurs frequently among radiator repair workers and should be prevented by improved ventilation, engineering controls, and the use of respirators (if indicated) while working.
在汽车散热器维修过程中，当焊接接头受热时会接触到铅，但这种相对常见的危害很少受到公众的关注。因此，我们对波士顿地区汽车散热器修理工的铅暴露情况进行了研究。我们调查了27家修理店，发现大多数店铺规模较小且通风不良。我们对75名工人进行了访谈，并检测了他们的血铅水平和游离红细胞原卟啉水平。75名工人中有56人实际从事散热器修理工作，他们的平均血铅水平为每分升37.1微克（范围为16至73微克）。这些修理工中有39%的人的血铅水平高于每分升40微克；已知在这个血铅水平及以上会出现血液学、神经学和肾脏方面的影响。多元回归分析表明，散热器修理工位数量（暴露指标）是与血铅水平升高最显著相关的变量。我们得出结论，散热器修理工人经常会接触到过量的铅，应通过改善通风、工程控制措施以及在工作时使用呼吸器（如适用）来预防这种情况。
