Assessment of the implementation of controls for Lead (Pb) exposure amongst laboratory workers at a Science and Research Institution in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract: Background The lead regulations under the OHSA (Act 85 of 1993) prescribes guidelines for the control measures that must be put in place to protect workers from Lead (Pb) exposure in the workplace. Even though stringent measures are implemented at the science and research institution, workers exposed to Pb continue to have Blood Lead Levels (BLL) of over 20μg/dL and these high levels exposes workers to amongst others, neurological, cardiovascular, maskulo-skeletal and associated symptoms. While lead exposure has been investigated at the mining sites, in agriculture, households and amongst the vulnerable groups, investigation in the laboratories of a science and research institutions have not been adequately described in literature. Objective The study sought to assess the implementation of controls for Pb exposure amongst laboratory workers at a science and research institution in Gauteng, South Africa. Methods A quantitative cross section design study was conducted in a science and research council environment with laboratory workers who were more exposed to Pb and those less exposed to Pb. The study sample size was 389 with those exposed to Pb constituting a proportion equal to 181 (46.5%) and those less exposed to Pb 208 (53.5%). The data was collected using an online questionnaire. Secondary data for BLL in the period 2018-2019 was extracted from existing biological monitoring records of the same employees who participated in the online questionnaire. The data management and analysis were performed using EPINFO 7.2 for crude analysis and SPSS version 27 for adjusted odds ratios. Bivariate tests were performed using logistic regression to assess the association between laboratory work and Pb exposure at a confidence interval of 95%...M.A. (Public Health