USING STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODEL TO EXPLORE OCCUPATIONAL LEAD EXPOSURE PATHWAYS
Resource
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT v.284 n.1-3 pp.95-108
Journal
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
Journal Volume
v.284
Journal Issue
n.1-3
Pages
95-108
Date Issued
2002
Date
2002
Author(s)
HWANG, YAW-HUEI
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the use of a structural equation model to explore the complicated lead exposure pathways in a lead battery plant. A total of 96 out of 113 assembly workers were recruited in this study. Lead measurements included blood lead, respirable airborne lead, and body surface lead loadings. Latent variables of inadvertent contact of lead on fingers and ingested lead had indirect and direct effects on the blood lead levels, respectively, and so did the variables of respirable airborne lead, smoking, and the working-place clothes being washed. A model X-22(2) value of 31.1 (P = 0.094) for a goodness of fit test indicates that the derived structural equation model appropriately accounted for the variation of blood lead levels. It is concluded that lead loadings on fingers and lips had significant effects on occupational lead uptake, and, after-work hours and break times at work were the critical time periods for inadvertent lead exposure . (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Subjects
lead battery
blood
lip
structural equation model
latent variable
ACID-BATTERY WORKERS
Type
journal article