Lilis R, Valciukas J A, Weber J P, Fischbein A, Nicholson W J, Campbell C, Malkin J, Selikoff I J
Environ Res. 1984 Feb;33(1):76-95. doi: 10.1016/0013-9351(84)90010-0.
A cross-sectional medical examination of a copper smelter work force included determination of blood lead (Pb-B), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), blood cadmium (Cd-B), urinary cadmium (Cd-U), and urinary arsenic (As-U), since it was known that such metal impurities were present in the copper concentrate. A total of 776 copper smelter employees (680 active and 96 retirees and ex-employees) were examined. Another 144 men, never employed in the smelter, but who had worked in copper mines (and sometimes in gold mines) were also examined. Mean Pb-B, ZPP, Cd-B, and As-U were significantly higher in active copper smelter employees than in retirees or miners, indicating exposure and absorption in the copper smelter. Significant correlations between Pb-B and Cd-B, and Cd-U and As-U were present, confirming the common source of absorption. Although there was evidence for an increased lead absorption, this was very moderate, with practically no Pb-B levels in excess of 60 micrograms/dl. A marked effect of smoking on blood cadmium levels was present; nevertheless, for all smoking categories Cd-B levels were significantly higher in active employees, indicating the independent contribution of exposure to cadmium in the smelter. Cd-U did not exceed 10 micrograms/g creatinine, the generally accepted "critical" level for the kidney, but was higher than 2 micrograms/g creatinine, a level very rarely exceeded in the general population, in a sizable proportion of those examined. The highest Cd-U levels were found in retired copper smelter employees; age might have been a contributing factor, besides a longer duration of exposure in the smelter.
对一家铜冶炼厂的劳动力进行了横断面医学检查，包括测定血铅（Pb-B）、锌原卟啉（ZPP）、血镉（Cd-B）、尿镉（Cd-U）和尿砷（As-U），因为已知铜精矿中存在此类金属杂质。总共检查了776名铜冶炼厂员工（680名在职员工以及96名退休员工和前员工）。另外还检查了144名从未在冶炼厂工作过，但曾在铜矿（有时也在金矿）工作过的男性。在职铜冶炼厂员工的平均血铅、锌原卟啉、血镉和尿砷水平显著高于退休员工或矿工，表明在铜冶炼厂存在暴露和吸收情况。血铅与血镉之间以及尿镉与尿砷之间存在显著相关性，证实了吸收的共同来源。尽管有证据表明铅吸收增加，但程度非常轻微，实际上没有血铅水平超过60微克/分升。吸烟对血镉水平有显著影响；然而，对于所有吸烟类别，在职员工的血镉水平均显著更高，表明冶炼厂镉暴露的独立影响。尿镉未超过10微克/克肌酐，这是普遍认可的肾脏“临界”水平，但在相当一部分受检者中高于2微克/克肌酐，这一水平在普通人群中很少超过。退休铜冶炼厂员工的尿镉水平最高；除了在冶炼厂接触时间更长外，年龄可能也是一个促成因素。
