Angela Mathee1, Pieter de Jager2, Shan Naidoo3, Nisha Naicker1. 1. South African Medical Research Council (Environment & Health Research Unit), PO Box 87373, Houghton 2041, South Africa; University of the Witwatersrand (School of Public Health), PO Box Wits, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; University of Johannesburg (Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences), PO Box 524, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa. 2. University of the Witwatersrand (School of Public Health), PO Box Wits, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service (Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, National Institute for Occupational Health), PO Box 4788, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa. 3. University of the Witwatersrand (School of Public Health), PO Box Wits, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Lead exposure in shooting ranges has been under scrutiny for decades, but no information in this regard is available in respect of African settings, and in South Africa specifically. The aim of this study was to determine the blood lead levels in the users of randomly selected private shooting ranges in South Africa's Gauteng province. METHODS: An analytical cross sectional study was conducted, with participants recruited from four randomly selected shooting ranges and three archery ranges as a comparator group. RESULTS: A total of 118 (87 shooters and 31 archers) were included in the analysis. Shooters had significantly higher blood lead levels (BLL) compared to archers with 36/85 (42.4%) of shooters versus 2/34 (5.9%) of archers found to have a BLL ≥10μg/dl (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Shooting ranges may constitute an import site of elevated exposure to lead. Improved ventilation, low levels of awareness of lead hazards, poor housekeeping, and inadequate personal hygiene facilities and practices at South African shooting ranges need urgent attention.
INTRODUCTION: Lead exposure in shooting ranges has been under scrutiny for decades, but no information in this regard is available in respect of African settings, and in South Africa specifically. The aim of this study was to determine the blood lead levels in the users of randomly selected private shooting ranges in South Africa's Gauteng province. METHODS: An analytical cross sectional study was conducted, with participants recruited from four randomly selected shooting ranges and three archery ranges as a comparator group. RESULTS: A total of 118 (87 shooters and 31 archers) were included in the analysis. Shooters had significantly higher blood lead levels (BLL) compared to archers with 36/85 (42.4%) of shooters versus 2/34 (5.9%) of archers found to have a BLL ≥10μg/dl (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Shooting ranges may constitute an import site of elevated exposure to lead. Improved ventilation, low levels of awareness of lead hazards, poor housekeeping, and inadequate personal hygiene facilities and practices at South African shooting ranges need urgent attention.
Authors: Mark A S Laidlaw; Gabriel Filippelli; Howard Mielke; Brian Gulson; Andrew S Ball Journal: Environ Health Date: 2017-04-04 Impact factor: 5.984
Authors: Shukrullah Ahmadi; Barbara Le Bot; Roméo Zoumenou; Séverine Durand; Nadine Fiévet; Pierre Ayotte; Achille Massougbodji; Maroufou Jules Alao; Michel Cot; Philippe Glorennec; Florence Bodeau-Livinec Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-23 Impact factor: 3.390