A Mathee1, P De Jager, S Naidoo, N Naicker. 1. Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Public Health, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. amathee@mrc.ac.za.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lead exposure constitutes a major public health concern globally. Relative to developed nations, lead exposure is understudied and poorly addressed in Africa, and there is a dearth of information available to inform lead poisoning prevention strategies, even in high-risk groups such as workers in shooting ranges who are potentially exposed to lead daily. METHODS: Two workers at a private shooting range in Gauteng, South Africa (SA), had blood lead levels and exposure histories taken. RESULTS: Workers had highly elevated blood lead levels and clinical symptoms associated with elevated blood lead levels. CONCLUSION: Workers in private SA shooting ranges are vulnerable to lead exposure and poisoning, and scaled-up action is required to protect them and their families, as well as shooting-range users, from lead and the related health risks.
BACKGROUND: Lead exposure constitutes a major public health concern globally. Relative to developed nations, lead exposure is understudied and poorly addressed in Africa, and there is a dearth of information available to inform lead poisoning prevention strategies, even in high-risk groups such as workers in shooting ranges who are potentially exposed to lead daily. METHODS: Two workers at a private shooting range in Gauteng, South Africa (SA), had blood lead levels and exposure histories taken. RESULTS: Workers had highly elevated blood lead levels and clinical symptoms associated with elevated blood lead levels. CONCLUSION: Workers in private SA shooting ranges are vulnerable to lead exposure and poisoning, and scaled-up action is required to protect them and their families, as well as shooting-range users, from lead and the related health risks.