Health hazard evaluation and technical assistance composite report on lead studies for TA-76-105, Gould and Co. , Kankakee, Illinois (supplement)

In January of 1975 OSHA inspected this plant and cited them for violations of the air-borne lead standard. At OSHA's request, NIOSH arranged for a medical evaluation of the worker's current health status. The medical examinations were performed during October 1976 on workers in this lead battery plant which was still under abatement. There were 278 workers screened using a ZPP test, followed by the examination of 109 with a history, physical examination and laboratory tests. The more extensive study involved those who worked at high risk jobs or had a ZPP value equal to or greater than 90 micrograms percent. Three-fourths of all the workers tested had blood lead levels equal to or greater than 40 micrograms per 100 ml of blood, 9% being over 60 micrograms/100 ml but not over 70 micrograms/100 ml. One-third had abnormally elevated ZPPs. Almost half apparently had abnormally elevated blood pressure and a significant number had abnormalities of the urine and other parameters of renal function including creatinine and BUN. Further, 10 percent were found to have abnormally low hematocrits and hemoglobins.