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.