Assessment of lead exposure among automobile technicians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Exposure to Pb among automobile technicians in selected towns of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, was studied using a questionnaire, biological sampling (blood, hair, nails), and analysis of Pb biomonitoring data across various subgroups of occupation, age, and years of exposure. The study population included exposed automobile technicians (n=50) and a control group (n=50). The automobile technicians were further stratified into 4 groups: mechanics, auto-body technicians, electricians, and painters. Mean Pb levels in biological samples of the automobile technicians were significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01). The Pb concentrations (mean±standard deviation) in whole blood, hair, and nails of automobile technicians were 65.3±41.9μgdL-1, 23.6±11.2mgkg-1 and 29.7±14.5mgkg-1, respectively, whereas concentrations in the control group were 21.7±17.6μgdL-1, 4.8±3.4mgkg-1 and 7.2±3.9mgkg-1. Fifty two percent of the automobile technicians had blood levels >50μgdL-1, but only 14% of the control group exceeded this level. Considering that Pb blood levels of 50μgdL-1 exceed maximum concentrations recommended by leading public health organizations, appropriate measures should be taken to protect the welfare of the exposed automobile technicians and their families.