LEAD LEVELS IN THE BLOOD SPECIMENS OF PAINTERS IN DAVAO CITY DETERMINED USING ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY

Adorico  M. Aya-ay,; Kristine Jeal  A. Ahig,; Janica  J. Alinsugay,; Bernadette  O. Duenas,; Febritz Marie  D. Labarinto,; Ruben Jr.  M. Munar,

LEAD LEVELS IN THE BLOOD SPECIMENS OF PAINTERS IN DAVAO CITY DETERMINED USING ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY

Abstract:

Lead is known as an environmental toxicant present in air and is most commonly used in car batteries, ammunition, and paints. It causes variety of serious health problems. Lead poisoning can build up slowly and occurs from repeated exposure to small amounts. Health problems get more severe as the level of lead in the blood gets higher. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set the exposure limit of inorganic lead at 0.05ppm. This study determined the lead levels in the blood specimen from selected painters in Davao City. Twenty four painters were randomly selected from different groups or organizations. Criteria for the selection of respondents include history of smoking cigarettes and number of years serving as painters in establishments. Blood samples from the respondents were collected using a syringe, digested, and tested using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results obtained showed no significant difference in the lead levels of the painters between smokers and non-smokers (p> 0.05). Furthermore, there is no significant difference in the lead median lead level of painters of 7.581ppm is significantly higher than the tolerable limit set by OSHA which is 0.05 ppm (p< 0.05).