Lead contamination in the homes of employees of secondary lead smelters

The lead content of particulates in 33 homes of employees of two secondary lead smelters in different geographical areas of the country was investigated. Employees generally showered before going home and work clothes were laundered by the companies. Despite these hygiene measures, the lead content of particulates in the workers' homes was found to be significantly greater than in samples collected in control homes in the same or similar neighborhoods. Samples were collected by the Vostal method. In one area, a geometric mean of 79.3 μg of lead/towel was found in the workers' homes, compared with 28.8 μg/towel in the homes of workers with no history of lead exposure. In the second area studied, a geometric mean of 112.0 μg was determined in the workers' homes, compared with 9.7 μg in the homes of controls. In the latter area, paint chips, particulates from the sidewalk curb, and settled dust were also collected and analyzed for lead content. Elevated zinc protoporphyrin levels were found in some children of lead-exposed workers, but not among children in control homes.