Risk due to exposure to metallic elements in a birdshot factory

The contribution of biological and environmental monitoring to the risk assessment of occupational exposure to lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) was studied in 18 workers at a birdshot factory (Exposed) and in 18 control workers (Controls), by the determination both of airborne Pb (PbA) and As (AsA) only in the exposed workers, and blood Pb (PbB), erythrocytic zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), urinary Sb (SbU) and the urinary As species in exposed workers and controls. PbA (12-42 μg/m(3)) and AsA (1-4 μg/m(3)) were strongly correlated (r = 0.95). PbB, ZPP and the sum of As(3)+As(5)+MMA were significantly higher in the exposed workers. As (3) was higher than the limit of detection in 14 exposed workers and 1 control, As (5) only in 1 exposed worker, SbU in all the exposed workers and in 4 controls. Monitoring for more metallic elements reveals a wider spectrum of exposures than can be achieved by lead surveillance alone and is preferable for characterizing occupational risk wherever possible.