Evaluation of occupational exposure in a slide bearings factory on the basis of urine and blood sample analyses.

The impact of a slide bearings factory on its workers was examined. Urine and blood samples were collected from 42 workers and six people employed in the offices in the same factory (control group). Concentrations of Al, Cu, Pb and Zn in blood and urine samples were measured twice (before and after chelation therapy) by ICP-MS technique using standard addition method. The essential differences in concentrations of elements for workers and control group were evaluated using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. Significant differences between workers and control group were found for Pb in blood and Al in urine samples. The study was also undertaken to indicate correlation between blood and urine element content, workers' ages, their period of work and work section. It was also found that intravenous administration of 1 g of calcium-disodium versanate significantly increased urinary excretion of Pb and Zn, but not Al.