Trace element levels in the blood of workers in two steel works and a non-ferrous plant handling lead and cadmium compared with a non-exposed population.

The concentrations of 14 elements in the blood of steelworkers and industrial workers exposed to lead- and cadmium-containing dusts were measured and compared with a control group drawn from University and hospital laboratory staff. Measurements were also made of the concentrations of 20 elements in the dusts. Significantly elevated levels were observed for cadmium and lead in whole blood, but no other significant variations were noted. The concentrations of these two elements in the dusts confirmed the exposure of those groups showing high levels of cadmium and lead. High levels of iron or chromium in some of the dusts were not correlated with any changes in the mean blood levels of the exposed groups.