Lead poisoning in shooting-range workers in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Two case studies
Background. Lead exposure constitutes a major public health concern globally. Relative to developed nations, lead exposure is understudied and poorly addressed in Africa, and there is a dearth of information available to inform lead poisoning prevention strategies, even in high-risk groups such as w...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
South African Medical Association
2017-04-01
|
| Series: | South African Medical Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/11860/8019 |
| _version_ | 1797368721116758016 |
|---|---|
| author | S Naidoo N Naicker |
| author_facet | S Naidoo N Naicker |
| author_sort | S Naidoo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. Lead exposure constitutes a major public health concern globally. Relative to developed nations, lead exposure is understudied and poorly addressed in Africa, and there is a dearth of information available to inform lead poisoning prevention strategies, even in high-risk groups such as workers in shooting ranges who are potentially exposed to lead daily.
Methods. Two workers at a private shooting range in Gauteng, South Africa (SA), had blood lead levels and exposure histories taken.
Results. Workers had highly elevated blood lead levels and clinical symptoms associated with elevated blood lead levels.
Conclusion. Workers in private SA shooting ranges are vulnerable to lead exposure and poisoning, and scaled-up action is required to protect them and their families, as well as shooting-range users, from lead and the related health risks. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T17:36:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4596b7e366a64305ac906a1505379506 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0256-9574 2078-5135 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T17:36:44Z |
| publishDate | 2017-04-01 |
| publisher | South African Medical Association |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-4596b7e366a64305ac906a15053795062024-01-02T11:53:26ZengSouth African Medical AssociationSouth African Medical Journal0256-95742078-51352017-04-01107430230310.7196/SAMJ.2017.v107i4.12176Lead poisoning in shooting-range workers in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Two case studiesS Naidoo0N Naicker1School of Public Health, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South AfricaEnvironment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Public Health, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South AfricaBackground. Lead exposure constitutes a major public health concern globally. Relative to developed nations, lead exposure is understudied and poorly addressed in Africa, and there is a dearth of information available to inform lead poisoning prevention strategies, even in high-risk groups such as workers in shooting ranges who are potentially exposed to lead daily. Methods. Two workers at a private shooting range in Gauteng, South Africa (SA), had blood lead levels and exposure histories taken. Results. Workers had highly elevated blood lead levels and clinical symptoms associated with elevated blood lead levels. Conclusion. Workers in private SA shooting ranges are vulnerable to lead exposure and poisoning, and scaled-up action is required to protect them and their families, as well as shooting-range users, from lead and the related health risks.http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/11860/8019Occupational healthLead poisoningShooting rangesLead exposure |
| spellingShingle | S Naidoo N Naicker Lead poisoning in shooting-range workers in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Two case studies South African Medical Journal Occupational health Lead poisoning Shooting ranges Lead exposure |
| title | Lead poisoning in shooting-range workers in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Two case studies |
| title_full | Lead poisoning in shooting-range workers in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Two case studies |
| title_fullStr | Lead poisoning in shooting-range workers in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Two case studies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lead poisoning in shooting-range workers in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Two case studies |
| title_short | Lead poisoning in shooting-range workers in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Two case studies |
| title_sort | lead poisoning in shooting range workers in gauteng province south africa two case studies |
| topic | Occupational health Lead poisoning Shooting ranges Lead exposure |
| url | http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/11860/8019 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT snaidoo leadpoisoninginshootingrangeworkersingautengprovincesouthafricatwocasestudies AT nnaicker leadpoisoninginshootingrangeworkersingautengprovincesouthafricatwocasestudies |