Health interventions to reduce occupational exposure to lead in the production of water meters and branch equipment: an interventional study

Abstract

Introduction: Lead is a toxic metal found in the earth's crust, which humans have extensively utilized in industries for the past 7000 years, resulting in numerous occupational exposures and public health problems worldwide. Considering its effects on all body systems and organs, such as impairing cognitive function, increasing blood pressure, decreasing kidney function, this article, will evaluate the strategies to reduce the serum lead levels among workers and seek to identify the most effective methods for safeguard and improve occupational health.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as an interventional study in 1402-1403 at the Talayeh Factory in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. The study population included workers from different factory departments who were directly involved with metal melting and casting processes. In this study, several changes were made in the workplace and work processes, including changing the type of raw materials, improving the ventilation system, utilizing personal protective equipment, regular monitoring of lead levels, personnel transfers, and providing nutritional and dietary recommendations to reduce the serum lead levels of the workers.

Results: The results showed that the mentioned interventions significantly reduced the serum lead levels in workers, with the average serum lead level decreased from 24.56 micrograms per deciliter before the intervention to 15.84 micrograms per deciliter following the intervention.

Conclusion: The present study showed that workplace and health interventions can effectively reduce the serum lead levels of workers.