Trends in blood lead levels in Christchurch (NZ) and environs 1978-85.

Blood lead levels have been monitored since 1974 and have shown a significant decrease (p less than 0.001) from 1978 to 1985 in 2830 subjects from Christchurch and environs. From a baseline in August 1978-81 to August 1985 blood lead levels in a population which had no relevant exposure to lead other than that from the general environment have fallen in adult males and females (greater than 17 years) by 42%, and in school and pre-school children greater than 9 months by 44% and 46% respectively.

Teamwork can improve the health of lead process workers.

A team working co-operatively to improve the health of lead workers has evolved over the last 10 years. We have monitored 704 employees for red cell lead (4800 samples) from a factory since 1974. In 1975, 32 employees, one-third of the workforce were suspended at a red cell lead level of greater than 10.

Industrial lead exposure: a review of blood lead levels in South Island industries, 1974-83.

Relative risks of increased lead absorption found in 31 occupations were investigated. Serial red cell lead measurements on 1319 males and 186 females provided a mean and range for each occupational type. The magnitude of the mean and percentage of raised levels identified the degree of occupational risk.

Diabetes mellitus in a Christchurch working population.

Using criteria recommended by the World Health Organisation, prevalence rates for diabetes mellitus have been determined in a Christchurch working population of adults aged 15-65 years. Ninety-three percent of 1047 workers employed by a large industrial group were screened for diabetes mellitus using 75 G oral glucose tolerance tests. Three point one percent of the survey group were diabetic--1.

Epidemiology of cancers: I. Cancerous diseases of the large bowel.

A pilot study of cancerous diseases of the large bowel in Canterbury is described. The experience of 346 patients derived from the Cancer Registry for 1970-72 is presented. The feasibility of the method is demonstrated with the identification of guidelines for future work.