Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Despite existing occupational lead exposure prevention regulations, Lithuanian shooting range workers still complain of chronic lead poisoning related symptoms. This indicates a poor understanding of occupational safety when working in lead-polluted environments.
METHODS: 20 men, whose age ranged from 32 to 57 (mean 41.8 ± 10 years), were consulted at the Toxicology Centre at the Republican Vilnius university hospital in Vilnius, Lithuania in the 2016-2019 year period. All of the patients were working as shooting instructors, with their work experience varying from 2 to 30 years. Clinical examination showed blood lead levels ranging from 5.64 μg/dL to 45.8 μg/dL (norm for occupational exposure - <40 μg/dL). Main symptoms were fatigue (12 patients out of 20), dizziness (5/20), arthralgia (5/20). Other symptoms included impaired memory (3/20), nausea (3/20), sleep disorders (3/20), metallic or sweet taste (3/20), dermatological disorders (3/20), coxarthrosis (2/20), balance disorders (2/20), paresthesia (2/20), abdominal pain (2/20) and others. 4 patients were asymptomatic.
CONCLUSIONS: Shooting range employees are highly vulnerable to daily lead exposure. Even low constant elevated blood lead concentrations can have significant toxic effects over time.
METHODS: 20 men, whose age ranged from 32 to 57 (mean 41.8 ± 10 years), were consulted at the Toxicology Centre at the Republican Vilnius university hospital in Vilnius, Lithuania in the 2016-2019 year period. All of the patients were working as shooting instructors, with their work experience varying from 2 to 30 years. Clinical examination showed blood lead levels ranging from 5.64 μg/dL to 45.8 μg/dL (norm for occupational exposure - <40 μg/dL). Main symptoms were fatigue (12 patients out of 20), dizziness (5/20), arthralgia (5/20). Other symptoms included impaired memory (3/20), nausea (3/20), sleep disorders (3/20), metallic or sweet taste (3/20), dermatological disorders (3/20), coxarthrosis (2/20), balance disorders (2/20), paresthesia (2/20), abdominal pain (2/20) and others. 4 patients were asymptomatic.
CONCLUSIONS: Shooting range employees are highly vulnerable to daily lead exposure. Even low constant elevated blood lead concentrations can have significant toxic effects over time.
摘要：
背景：尽管现有的职业铅暴露预防法规，立陶宛射击场工作人员仍抱怨慢性铅中毒相关症状。这表明在铅污染的环境中工作时对职业安全的理解不足。
方法：20名男性，年龄32~57岁(平均41.8±10岁)，在维尔纽斯共和国维尔纽斯大学医院的毒理学中心进行了咨询，立陶宛在2016-2019年期间。所有的病人都是射击教练，他们的工作经验从2年到30年不等。临床检查显示血铅水平范围为5.64μg/dL至45.8μg/dL（职业暴露标准-<40μg/dL）。主要症状是疲劳（20人中有12人），头晕（5/20），关节痛（5/20）。其他症状包括记忆力受损（3/20），恶心（3/20），睡眠障碍（3/20）金属或甜味（3/20），皮肤病（3/20），关节病（2/20），平衡障碍（2/20），感觉异常(2/20),腹痛（2/20）等。4例患者无症状。
结论：射击场员工极易受到每日铅暴露的影响。随着时间的推移，即使是低恒定的血铅浓度也会产生显著的毒性作用。
方法：20名男性，年龄32~57岁(平均41.8±10岁)，在维尔纽斯共和国维尔纽斯大学医院的毒理学中心进行了咨询，立陶宛在2016-2019年期间。所有的病人都是射击教练，他们的工作经验从2年到30年不等。临床检查显示血铅水平范围为5.64μg/dL至45.8μg/dL（职业暴露标准-<40μg/dL）。主要症状是疲劳（20人中有12人），头晕（5/20），关节痛（5/20）。其他症状包括记忆力受损（3/20），恶心（3/20），睡眠障碍（3/20）金属或甜味（3/20），皮肤病（3/20），关节病（2/20），平衡障碍（2/20），感觉异常(2/20),腹痛（2/20）等。4例患者无症状。
结论：射击场员工极易受到每日铅暴露的影响。随着时间的推移，即使是低恒定的血铅浓度也会产生显著的毒性作用。
