Air Quality Criteria for Lead Volume II of II - (NEPIS)(EPA) - US ...

AX6-55
Table AX6-3.5 (cont’d). Neurophysiological Function and Occupational Lead Exposure in Adults
Reference, Study
Location, and Period Study Description Pb Measurement Findings, Interpretation
Asia (cont’d)
He et al. (1988)
China
Niu et al. (2000)
China
40 workers in a Pb smelter with age range 20
to 45 yrs (no mean provided) and duration of
exposure 5.4 yrs. Fifty controls age 20 to
55 yrs. Nerve conduction studies examined
11 parameters. Student = s t-test examined
for differences between exposed and
controls.
44 Pb-exposed workers (17 men, 27 women)
from Pb printing houses, mean age 35 (4.9)
and education 9.3 (no SD)yrs and 34 controls
(19 men and 15 women), mean age 33 (7.4)
yrs and education 9.5 (no SD) yrs had nerve
conduction studies for maximal motor nerve
conduction velocity. ANCOVA controlling
for age, sex and education examined group
differences and linear regression for doseresponse
relationship.
Mean blood Pb 40 µg/dL
Mean urinary Pb 71 µg/dL
Mean ALAU5 µg/dL
Pb workers
Mean blood Pb 29
(26.5) µg/dL
(8 workers blood Pb
exceeded 50 µg/dL)
Controls
Mean blood Pb 13
(9.9) µg/dL
(1 control blood Pb
exceeded 50 µg/dL)
There were no symptoms or signs of peripheral nerve disorder.
Both motor and sensory conduction velocities were slowed in the Pb
exposed groups. 10 nerve conduction parameters were significant in
the group with blood Pb >40 µg/dL and 6 parameters were
significant in the group with blood Pb