article · Science Journal of Public Health
Technicians repairing lead-acid batteries face major occupational health risks from persistent exposure to elemental lead, which can trigger severe long-term diseases and disability. A descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated 150 active battery technicians to assess their blood lead levels, awareness of hazards, attitudes towards safety, and daily work routines. Questionnaires gathered data on demographics, safety measures, and hygiene habits, alongside direct blood lead measurements. The analysis revealed that a substantial proportion of participants had elevated blood lead levels. Statistical testing demonstrated significant links between high lead levels and specific behaviours, including knowledge regarding rubber apron use, attitudes towards inhaling lead fumes, and washing the face before eating or smoking. These findings indicate that behavioural practices directly influence biological lead absorption, highlighting an urgent need for enhanced health literacy, mandatory protective equipment, and accessible workplace washing facilities.
Lead exposure causes serious, lasting health damage and disability, yet informal repair workers often lack adequate protection. Identifying the exact habits that correlate with high blood lead levels allows public health authorities and workshop managers to focus on direct, practical interventions, such as enforcing basic protective gear and face-washing routines, to safeguard vulnerable technicians.
The findings could inform targeted occupational safety training programmes, personal protective equipment supply packages, and workplace hygiene infrastructure designed for informal battery repair workshops. The insights represent applied public health research, meaning commercial or operational applications would require translation into structured workplace health services, safety training modules, or specialised protective equipment provision programmes.
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Battery technicians who repair lead-acid batteries are consistently exposed to elemental lead, which poses a significant occupational health risk. This exposure is associated with an elevated risk of developing serious lead related diseases and long-term disability. Understanding the interplay between occupational practices, knowledge of hazards, and actual lead exposure is critical for developing effective public health interventions in this high-risk occupational group. The primary objective of this study was to comprehensively assess the blood lead levels (BLLs) of battery technicians, and evaluate their current knowledge of lead health hazards, their attitude towards preventive measures, their adherence to safety practices, and their general work habits. This investigation employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The study population comprised a total of 150 currently active battery technicians operating within a defined geographical area. Data collection was performed using a structured, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. This instrument gathered information on socio-demographics, detailed knowledge of lead's health hazards, specific safety practices utilized, and daily work and personal hygiene habits. The BLLs were concurrently measured for all participants using an appropriate laboratory technique. Statistical analysis, including the Chi-square test, was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20, to test for significant associations, with the significance level set at p≤0.05. Analysis of the data revealed that a substantial proportion of the technicians exhibited elevated BLLs. Key findings indicated that knowledge regarding the appropriate use of a rubber apron, attitude towards the inhalation of lead fumes, and the crucial habit of face washing before eating/smoking were all significantly associated with the measured blood lead level of the battery technicians (p≤0.05). These results underscore that specific behavioral practices directly correlate with the biological burden of lead exposure. The study concludes that there is an urgent need to improve occupational hygiene and health literacy among battery technicians. It is strongly recommended that workplaces ensure the provision and mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly rubber aprons and face masks. Furthermore, intensified health education and regular training on the proper use of PPE, the provision of readily available running water at all workplaces for personal hygiene, and targeted behavioral change communication are essential strategies that will promote consistent personal hygiene habits and, ultimately, reduce the significant occupational lead burden for this vulnerable workforce.
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DOI: 10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.13
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