Abstract:

Objective To analyze the occupational health examination results of workers in a large lead-acid battery enterprise in Shandong Province，and to understand the current situation of occupational lead exposure and blood lead levels among workers. Methods The occupational hazards of major positions in a large lead-acid battery enterprise were detected in 2023. Occupational health examinations and blood lead content measurements for 736 production workers during their employment and blood lead content measurements and health examinations for 70 management personnel were conducted. The contact group consisted of 429 workers who were exposed to lead in the electrode plate and assembly workshop，while the control group consisted of 377 non lead exposed workers and management personnel in the charging workshop. Results During the on-the-job occupational health examination，4 individuals were found to have moderate anemia，with a detection rate of 1.9%（8/429） for abnormal blood lead and 4.1%（30/736） for abnormal hearing. The blood lead concentration in the exposed group was significantly higher than that in the control group（Z=-21.356，P<0.01）. There were statistically significant differences in blood lead concentrations in the exposure groups of different genders，ages，lead types，and electrocardiogram groups（Z=-5.107，-1.989，-8.925，-2.040，all P<0.05）. There was a positive correlation between the blood lead concentration and age of the control group（r=0.172，P<0.01）. The health examination results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the detection rates of five abnormal indicators，including low red blood cell count，low hemoglobin，abnormal electrocardiogram，high alanine aminotransferase，and white blood cell count，between the contact group and the control group（all P>0.05）. Conclusion Long term exposure to lead can pose certain health hazards to workers，and monitoring their blood lead levels and health indicators should be strengthened to protect their physical health.

Key words: Lead-acid battery, Lead dust, Lead smoke, Occupational health examination, Blood lead