| How Times Have
Changed
by
Fred Salome, CTI Consultants Pty Ltd.
The picture of a lead poisoned painter
shown here was found in "The Disease of Occupations" by Donald Hunter, first
published in 1955.
In the section dealing with occupational lead poisoning, the 1975
edition contains a statement from a number of eminent doctors published in the British
Medical Journal in 1968 to promote greater awareness of lead poisoning. In a table
accompanying this statement these doctors gave their interpretation of blood lead levels,
with a "normal" blood lead level being regarded (in 1975) as <40
µg/dL, "acceptable" levels as 40-80 µg/dL and "dangerous" levels
were considered to be >120 µg/dL.
These compare with the present day NH&MRC "level of
concern" of 10 µg/dl. Occupational blood lead levels > 40 µg/dL are now
considered unsafe and removal from lead tasks is required at 50 µg/dL or more. 
Such radical changes over a period of less than 30 years reflect the
increased scientific advance for the adverse health effects of what was once considered
low level lead poisoning.
Fig 81-Chronic Lead Poisoning in an American House Painter. J. C. P., man aged 60.5
years: Repeated Attacks of Lead Colic. 18 months: Bilateral Wrist-drop. 3 weeks:
Symmetrical Paralysis and Wasting of Shoulder-girdle Muscles. After treatment with
Ammonium Chloride the Shoulder-girdle Paralysis largely recovered but Complete Bilateral
Wrist-drop persisted |
