Objective To discuss the impact of lead pollution of tin foil processing in family workshops on surrounding population, and to reduce lead hazards based on the occupational health investigation.
Methods Randomly sampled 290 villagers, including people who engaged in tin foil processing and who did not, and 46 children with one parent engaged in this job. Blood lead content was detected in all of them.
Results The blood lead level of occupational exposed people was significantly different from the people did not exposed (χ2=5.60, P < 0.05). It was also significantly different from those people who had exposed but was out of touch with tin foil processing (χ2=7.36, P < 0.01). By comparing people in different work positions who had occupational exposure, their blood lead level was still significantly different (χ2=34.18, P < 0.01), with the work position of knocking the foil as most severe polluted. The longer exposure time the higher level of blood lead (χ2=11.54, P < 0.01), it seems that blood lead was related to lead accumulation in the body. In the investigated children, the rate of excess lead in blood reached 97.82%, far more than normal adults.
Conclusion Tin foil in family workshops processing brought serious lead pollution to operators and their families. On-site occupational hygiene interventions may have positive effects on improving the work environment and reducing lead pollution.
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