BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to evaluate trends in occupational lead exposures throughout U.S. industry after the establishment of the general industry lead standard in 1978 and the construction industry standard in 1993. METHODS: Lead exposure measurements collected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under their compliance and consultation programs were analyzed. Time trends in the distributions of exposure levels were evaluated graphically. Trends in the proportion of exposures above the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) were analyzed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The distribution of lead exposure levels declined over the study time period for general industry, but not for construction. The median exposure levels for general industry facilities decreased five- to tenfold. Logistic regression models reveal statistically significant declines in the odds of a lead exposure exceeding the PEL. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for relatively large decreases in lead exposure levels in general industry facilities over time. The study does not provide similar evidence for the construction industry. Given the limited number of years of data available since the implementation of the revised construction standard for lead, re-analysis of lead exposure levels within this industry would be worthwhile when more data become available.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to evaluate trends in occupational lead exposures throughout U.S. industry after the establishment of the general industry lead standard in 1978 and the construction industry standard in 1993. METHODS: Lead exposure measurements collected by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under their compliance and consultation programs were analyzed. Time trends in the distributions of exposure levels were evaluated graphically. Trends in the proportion of exposures above the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) were analyzed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The distribution of lead exposure levels declined over the study time period for general industry, but not for construction. The median exposure levels for general industry facilities decreased five- to tenfold. Logistic regression models reveal statistically significant declines in the odds of a lead exposure exceeding the PEL. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for relatively large decreases in lead exposure levels in general industry facilities over time. The study does not provide similar evidence for the construction industry. Given the limited number of years of data available since the implementation of the revised construction standard for lead, re-analysis of lead exposure levels within this industry would be worthwhile when more data become available.
Authors: Sarah J Locke; Nicole C Deziel; Dong-Hee Koh; Barry I Graubard; Mark P Purdue; Melissa C Friesen Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2017-02 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Philippe Sarazin; Igor Burstyn; Laurel Kincl; Melissa C Friesen; Jérôme Lavoué Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2018-03-12 Impact factor: 2.179
Authors: Jean-François Sauvé; Joemy M Ramsay; Sarah J Locke; Pamela J Dopart; Pabitra R Josse; Dennis D Zaebst; Paul S Albert; Kenneth P Cantor; Dalsu Baris; Brian P Jackson; Margaret R Karagas; Gm Monawar Hosain; Molly Schwenn; Alison Johnson; Mark P Purdue; Stella Koutros; Debra T Silverman; Melissa C Friesen Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2019-07-15 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Anila Bello; Susan R Woskie; Rebecca Gore; Dale P Sandler; Silke Schmidt; Freya Kamel Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2017-04-01 Impact factor: 2.179
Authors: Vladislav Kondrashov; Joseph L McQuirter; Melba Miller; Stephen J Rothenberg Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2005-04 Impact factor: 3.390