In our previous report1), the geometric average of blood
lead level was between 32.3–39.3 µg/dl in the years from
1998 to 2002. The average blood lead level in this research
was 32.7 µg/dl before occupational health education and
corresponded to its results. After occupational health
education, the blood lead level dropped to 22.4 µg/dl. These
results might come from that the workers had knowledge
and / or understanding about the toxicity of lead, that they
changed the attitude toward their work and improved personal
hygiene, and that the managers collaborated with them. In
this research, the difference in blood lead level was not
associated with airborne lead level (personal sampling).
Because the working environment remained unchanged
comparing before occupational health education, the difference
might come from the decreased exposures by routes other
than inhalation, such as contamination on cloths and hands,
inappropriate personal protective equipment use8, 9).
The authors have kept in touch with the workers and the
managers of the factory for these 4 yr. This has lead to our
reliable relationship to them. The authors could consequently
provide the occupational health education and collaborate
with them in this research.
Occupational health education and collaboration between
workers and managers were effective to reduce the blood lead
level of workers as a whole. This indicates the importance of
occupational health education and collaboration in protecting