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Journal Article

Citation

Kang KW, Park WJ. J. Korean Med. Sci. 2017; 32(10): 1713-1716.

Affiliation

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Aerospace Medical Research Center, Republic of Korea Air Force, Cheongju, Korea. luvoem@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Korean Academy of Medical Science)

DOI

10.3346/jkms.2017.32.10.1713

PMID

28875619

Abstract

In March 2014, a 39-year-old Korean male presented with a 6-month history of various nonspecific symptoms including dizziness, fatigue, asthenia, irritability, elevated blood pressure, palpitation, eyestrain, and tinnitus. His occupational history revealed that he had been working as an indoor firing range manager for 13 months; therefore, he was subjected to a blood lead level (BLL) test. The test results showed a BLL of 64 μg/dL; hence, he was diagnosed with lead poisoning and immediately withdrawn from work. As evident from the workplace environmental monitoring, the level of lead exposure in the air exceeded its limit (0.015-0.387 mg/m³). He received chelation treatment with calcium-disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (1 g/day) for 5 days without any adverse effects. In the follow-up results after 2 months, the BLL had decreased to 9.7 μg/dL and the symptoms resolved. This report represents the first occupational case of lead poisoning in firing ranges in Korea, and this necessitates institutional management to prevent the recurrence of poisoning through this route. Workplace environmental monitoring should be implemented for indoor firing ranges, and the workers should undergo regularly scheduled special health examinations. In clinical practice, it is essential to question the patient about his occupational history.

© 2017 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.


Language: en

Keywords

Firearms; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Korea; Lead Poisoning; Military Personnel

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