Occupational exposure to lead and blood pressure: A study in 105 workers

✍ Scribed by W. L. A. M. de Kort; M. A. Verschoor; A. A. E. Wibowo; J. J. van Hemmen

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1987
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 654 KB
• Volume: 11
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0271-3586
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.4700110204

✦ Synopsis

A group of workers, occupationally exposed to lead and cadmium compounds (n = 53), was compared to a group of workers not exposed to these metals (n = 52). The average values of systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure were found to be higher in the exposed group (p < 0.05). In contrast with the correlation between CdU and blood pressure, the correlation between PbB and systolic and mean blood pressure remained statistically significant after controlling for age and pulse rate (r = 0.22, p < 0.05). The prevalence of potential hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure 2 160 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure 2 95 mm Hg and/or under treatment for hypertension) was higher in the exposed group, but the observed relative risk was not statistically significant: relative risk = 1.91 (95% confidence limits, 0.90-4.05). Furthermore, a significant correlation between PbB and Hgb (r = -0.28, p=O.W) was observed. Differences in kidney function, as assessed in this study, were not detected.