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Material and MethodsThe present cross-sectional study has been conductedonworkers from several workplaces wherematerials containing lead are used between fromDecember 2006 to April 2007 in Eskisehir that isa city of the Middle Anatolian Region of Turkey.The approval of the Ethics Committee of EskisehirOsmangazi University Medical Faculty has beenobtained for the study (28.04.2006, No.11). Followingthe approvals of the owners or people incharge of the workplaces, written informed consentsof the workers were obtained, as well.We determined 15 large business (which has morethan 50 workers) and 160 small business (whichhas less than 50 workers, 132 of those had 2-3workers) which use materials containing lead fromthe records of Eskisehir Trade and Industry Directorateand Eskisehir Lathers and Auto RepairmenChamber, belonging to year 2006. Thenwe talked with the representatives of those businessenterprises by phone or in person. In total,10 enterprises belonging to plastic, ceramic, polyvinylchloride, chemistry, metal, and auto paintingsectors, agreed to involve in the study. Exceptauto painting, all of them were large scaleenterprises. 403 male laborers having lead exposureand working in the included enterprises,constituted the study group of the study. Therewas no female laborer who was exposed to leadin those workplaces.Nine hundred and seven healthy men workingas orderly in Eskisehir Osmangazi University andAnatolian University, living in Eskisehir Provincialcenter, and having no history of previouslead exposure, were included in the study as thecontrol group. Mean ages of study group andcontrol group were similar (t= 0.526, P= 0.600)(no shown data in table).In order to evaluate the lead exposure and influenceof lead over their health conditions, a questionnaireconsistent with the literature (1-19) wasprepared. Moreover, possible symptoms of leadpoisoning such as abdominal pain, constipation,indigestion,lack of appetite, weakness, weight loss,musclepain,headache, nervously, and hand tremor,were questioned as well. Among these symptoms,those which have been experienced in thelast 3 months were accepted.The questionnaire was applied by in person interviewsthat face to face method and eventuallyphysical examination of workers was realized.During the physical examination, symptomswhich are considered as pathognomonic are investigated:Burton line, Gubler stain, silver color,lead colic, hand drop, and foot drop.After each interview with the individuals of studyand control groups, their BPs was measured.Systolic and diastolic BPs were measured by anERKA sphygmomanometer from their upper rightarm in sitting position while holding their rightarms at heart level. Measurements were appliedafter a 5 min. rest and 2 times with at least 2min intervals. Both for systolic and diastolic BPs,average value of the measured two values wereused. Individuals with systolic BP ≥140 mmHgand/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg and/or people,who receive antihypertensive treatment, were describedas hypertensive (20). Further, by using Medical
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