Vigilancia de los niveles de zinc protoporfirina (ZPP) y plomo en sangre en trabajadores de una imprenta en Santa Fe de Bogotá

Abstract

The concentrations of zinc protoporphyrine (ZPP) in the blood of 252 workers from a printshop were studied and the lead concentration in blood (PbH) in 52 workers was measured. Twenty-two workers had blood levels higher than 70 mgldL. Only one worker had a slightly high blood-lead level (39 mg/dl; cut-off point 38 mg/dL). Even though these workers were not really exposed to lead in their daily work, there was little use of personal protection equipment. Analysis found a low rate of ZPP false negatives 0.3%) and high negative predictive values for a threshold of 38 mg Pb/dL. Using this ZPP screening, it is calculated that a 69.7% saving of the blood-lead analysis cost can be made. The use of ZPP is thus recommended as being an economical screening process and usetul for the determination of lead in blood (PhB) for levels higher than 70 mg ZPP/dL.