Relationship of Blood Lead Levels to Personal Hygiene Habits in Lead Battery Workers:

Background: The blood lead concentrations of workers in lead battery factories are more than 4 times higher than those of the general population in Taiwan. Therefore, efforts are needed to reduce lead exposure in this high-risk population. A health promotion program on personal habits that reduce lead exposure has been carried out in a lead battery factory since 1991. This study investigated the longitudinal relationship of workers ’ blood lead concentra-tions and personal hygiene habits from 1991 through 1997. Methods: In each of the 7 years of the study, occupational physicians questioned workers regarding nine personal hygiene items, personal information, and medical history before their annual health examination. The relationship between blood lead concentrations and personal hygiene habits was analyzed by longitudinal multiple regression in a mixed effect model with adjustment for potential confounders. In addition, the risk ratio of a blood lead concentration exceeding 40 µg/dL in men and 30 µg/dL in women (the action levels set by the Department of Health, Taiwan) was estimated by generalized estimating equations. Results: Blood lead levels decreased significantly in the first 5 years of the study. The personal habits most closely related to blood lead concentrations were smoking at work site