• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.111-117
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• 2001

A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate associations between lead biomarkers, lead-related symptoms, and ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) genotype among 598 lead workers and 144 control office workers in storage battery industries, secondary smelting and litharge making industries. Lead inhibits the second enzymes, ALAD, in the heme synthesis pathway. ALAD gene, which codes for one of three isozymic proteins (termed ALAD1-1, ALAD1-2, and ALAD2-2), seems to modify the toxicokinetics of lead. The result as follows; The percents of total workers whose genotype of ALAD1-1 and ALAD1-2 were 88.4% and 11.6%, respectively. The zinc protoporphyrin in blood (ZPP) and ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid in urine (ALAU) of lead workers with ALAD1-2 were significantly lower than those of lead workers with ALAD1-1, but there were no significant difference between two genotype for blood lead, age, and work duration. The proportion of ALAD1-2 genotype in control office workers was 13.2%. The proportions of ALAD1-2 genotype of lead workers were 14.0%(their mean air lead level below $0.024mg/m^3$), 10.4%($0.025-0.049mg/m^3$), 11.8%($0.050-0.099mg/m^3$), and 9.4%(above $0.100mg/m^3$), respectively. In the logistic analysis of 15 lead related symptoms, 'arthralgia'(S7) symptom of ALAD1-2 was significantly lower (OR=0.481; 95% CI=0.248-0.932) than that of ALAD1-1, but 'feeling of irritation'(S11) of ALAD1-2 was significantly higher(OR=1.636; 95% CI=1.035-2.586) than that of ALAD1-1 after controlling possible confounder (blood lead, work duration, smoking and drinking habit).

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.335-348
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• 2015

Objectives: We aimed to assess the risk of metabolic syndrome one year after the 2007 Hebei Spirit oil spill in Taean, Korea among people exposed to spilt oil during clean-up work. Methods: A total of 6,923 adults, including 3,019 males and 3,904 females, participated in the study. Health examinations and blood tests (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, fasting blood sugar) were performed. A logistic regression model adjusting for age, gender, smoking history, drinking history, income, education, and marital status was used to estimate the risk of metabolic syndrome associated with the level of oil spill exposure. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 24.9% among males and 18% among females. Compared with people living within 20 km of the coastline, the risk of metabolic syndrome among people living within 0.8 km of the coastline was significantly higher (male OR=1.696, 95% CI=1.320-2.178, female OR=1.992, 95% CI=1.549-2.561), including a significant dose-response relationship for distance from early contaminate coastline (p<0.001). The risk of metabolic syndrome was higher according to the increase of duration of cleaning work. The risk of metabolic syndrome among people who participated in the clean-up work for more than 116 days, compared with people who participated in the cleaning work for or less 14 days, was significantly higher (male OR=1.845, 95% CI=1.448-2.353, female OR=1.752, CI=1.378-2.228), with a significant dose-response relationship for days of clean-up work (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that there is a significant association between exposure to the oil spill during the clean-up work, distance from early contaminate coastline and the risk of metabolic syndrome in a doseresponse manner.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.303-313
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• 2003

다이옥신은 단일 화학물질이 아니라 비슷한 화학적 구조와 독성작용을 갖는 화학물질들의 그룹이다. 다이옥신 중에 가장 많은 연구가 이루어졌고 독성도 강한 물질이 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin(TCDD)인데, 다이옥신 혼합체의 독성을 평가할 때는 각 물질 별로 TCDD에 대한 상대독성을 고려하여 독성등가계수(TEQ)라는 지표를 만들어 사용한다. 일반인들의 평균적인 혈중 다이옥신에 대한 기준값은 명확하게 제시되지는 않고 있으나 관련 연구들을 종합할 때 대략 10-20 ppt $I-TEQ_{DF}$ 범위를 일반인의 평균적인 수준으로 볼 수 있다. 오염 가능지역의 주민들의 혈중 다이옥신 값은 지역에 따라 차이가 있으나 대부분 20ppt $I-TEQ_{DF}$ 이상의 값을 나타내고 있으며 특히 오염이 심한 지역의 주민들의 경우에는 직업적인 노출이 없는 일반 주민들임에도 불구하고 혈중 다이옥신 농도가 약 50 ppt $I-TEQ_{DF}$까지 상승할 수 있다. 다이옥신의 건강영향에 관해서는 수많은 역학적 연구들이 수행되었지만 혈액내에서 TCDD를 직접 측정하여 인체 노출을 비교적 정확하게 평가한 사업장 코호트나 세베소 지역 주민 코호트에서 나온 결과들이 보다 많은 신뢰를 받고 있다. 다이옥신 노출에 따른 건강영향은 크게 암발생과 암을 제외한 건강영향으로 구분할 수 있다. 국제암연구기구(IARC)나 미국 환경보호청(EPA) 모두 TCDD를 인체 발암물질로 분류하고 있으나 역학적 증거들이 충분한 상태는 아니다. TCDD를 제외한 나머지 다이옥신에 대해서는 IARC에서 발암성의 증거가 불충분한 물질(Group 3)로 분류하고 있다. 대부분의 장기에서 다이옥신의 건강영향에 대한 조사가 이루어져 왔다. 현재까지 비교적 다이옥신 노출과 관련성이 높은 것으로 평가되고 있는 것은 염소성여드름, 간 효소의 하나인 GGT의 상승, 그리고 생식호르몬의 변화 등이다. 그밖에 지질농도, 당뇨, 면역학적 영향, 심혈관계에 대한 영향, 갑상선기능, 신경계에 대한 영향, 소아 발달에 대한 영향 등에 대해서는 역학 연구들이 일관된 결과를 보여주지 못하고 있기 때문에 계속적인 연구를 필요로 하고 있다. 다이옥신의 독성은 수많은 동물실험을 통해 증명이 되었으나 인간을 대상으로 한 역학적 연구는 아직 기대만큼 명료한 결과들을 제시해주지 못하고 있다. 그러나 IARC나 EPA모두 인체발암물질로 분류하였고 다양한 건강영향에 대한 증거들이 있는 것은 분명한 만큼 다이옥신 노출을 최소화하려는 노력을 게을리 해서는 안 될 것이다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.196-204
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• 2016

Objectives: Aluminum is well known as a potent neurotoxicant. There are many reports that aluminum can be toxic to humans and to animals. However, there are only few studies on the assessment of aluminum exposure among humans in Korea. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate current aluminum concentrations among the adult population in regions of Korea. Methods: We selected 439 adults aged 20-89 years from the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region and certain other sites. Blood aluminum concentrations were analyzed using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS). The geometric means (GM) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of aluminum concentrations were calculated, and we also confirmed the proportion of excess of the aluminum reference value. Results: Total GM (95% CI) of aluminum levels was 14.26 (13.43-15.14) ppb. Levels among males (15.58 [14.09-17.22] ppb) were higher compared to among females (13.51 [12.54-14.55] ppb), and levels increased with subject age from 40 years and over. Three point one nine percent of the subjects exceed the reference value of 50 ppb. Lastly, aluminum concentration has a log-normal distribution with lnN (x; 2.89, 0.642), x>0. Conclusion: In the present study, we evaluated the distribution of blood aluminum concentrations among the normal population in Korea, and we found some adults exceeding the reference levels. However, in order to compare the results with other studies, an extended study including measurement of serum aluminum level is required. In addition, further research on various population groups, including occupational exposure of workers, is required.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제27권
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• pp.3.1-3.4
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• 2012

Objectives: The current use of humidifier detergent and its harmful impact on humans has arisen as a societal environmental health issue. Therefore, in this study we aimed to explore the relationship between demo-socio characteristics and humidifier use, as well as the monthly usage changes in pregnant women; thus, we report the actual status of humidifier usage of Korea's pregnant population. Methods: From a birth cohort of a Mothers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study, 1,144 pregnant women who responded through questionnaires including demo-socio characteristics, obstetric status and household environment including whether they use humidifier and frequency of use were included in this study. Statistical analyses were performed to explore the relationship between maternal characteristics and the relevance of the use of humidifiers was performed using a chi-square test, a t-test and univariate logistic regression analysis. The monthly usage rate was demonstrated in the graph. Results: The humidifier usage rate in pregnant women was 28.2%. The average frequency of humidifier usage was 4.6 days per week, 7.3 hours per day. The usage rate was higher in the multipara group and the above the age of 34 age group than in the primipara and below the age of 34 groups. Seoul showed a higher usage rate than Cheonan and Ulsan and as the education level and income increased, the usage rate of humidifiers among pregnant women also increased. In the monthly trend of usage rate, the winter season showed the highest usage rate of over 45% and the lowest in late summer and beginning of fall with a value of 12% or less. Conclusions: During pregnancy, the mother's body is especially vulnerable to hazardous environmental exposure that not only affects the pregnant woman but also the fetus. Further research is still needed to elucidate the route and effect of environmental risk factors. Therefore, based on precautionary and preventive principles, special interest and caution in harmful environments are strongly needed not only at an individual level but also at a national level.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.77-87
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• 1996

다량의 연을 사용하는 제조업 중에서 7개의 축전지 제조업, 3개의 폐전지 제련공장, 그리고 2개의 연분 및 광명단을 제조 또는 사용하는 사업장 총 11개 대상 사업장에서 정기 보건관리시 혈중 Zinc Protoporphyrin 농도를 고려하여 생산직 남자 근로자 234명을 선정, 혈액에서 혈중연, 혈중 ZPP, 혈색소 등을 측정하고 소변에서 ${\delta}$-ALA 배설량을 비색법과 HPLC법으로 분석하여 그 차이점을 확인하고 연노출 지표들과의 관련성을 조사하여 연중독 판정기준의 새로운 기준을 마련하기 위하여 본 연구를 시도한 바 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 비색법과 HPLC법에 의한 요중 ${\delta}$-ALA 배설량은 높은 상관성이 있으나 비색법이 HPLC법 보다 2 mg/L 정도 높게 측정되었다(r = 0.989, 회귀식 ; HALA = - 0.8194 + 0.8110 ${\times}$ CALA) 2. 요중 ${\delta}$-ALA 배설량은 두 방법 모두 혈중연 및 혈중 ZPP 농도와의 상관계수가 각각 0.46, 0.37 이상이었으며, ${\delta}$-ALA 배설량을 대수변환하였을 때는 상관계수가 0.63, 0.57로 높아졌으며 통계적으로도 유의하였다. 3. 혈중 ZPP를 독립변수로, 비색법과 HPLC법에 의한 요중 ${\delta}$-ALA 배설량을 종속변수로 한 단순회귀방정식은 다음과 같다. CALA = 2.0421 + 0.0341 ${\times}$ ZPP $R^2=0.1385$ p = 0.0001 HALA = 0.8006 + 0.0280 ZPP $R^2=0.1389$ p = 0.001 4. 혈중연을 독립변수로, 비색법과 HPLC법에 의한 요중 ${\delta}$-ALA 배설량을 종속변수로 한 단순 회귀 방정식은 다음과 같다. CALA = - 0.4134 + 0.1545 ${\times}$ PbB $R^2=0.2085$ p = 0.0001 HALA = - 1.2893 + 0.1287 ${\times}$ PbB $R^2=0.2154$ p = 0.0001 5. 비색법과 HPLC법에 의한 요중 ${\delta}$-ALA 배설량을 대수변환하였을 때 혈중연 및 혈중 ZPP를 독립변수로 하는 회귀식은 다음과 같다. logHALA = 0.3078 + 0.0060 ${\times}$ ZPP $R^2=0.3329$ p = 0.0001 logCALA = 1.0189 + 0.0044 ${\times}$ ZPP $R^2=0.3290$ p = 0.0001 logHALA = - 0.0221 + 0.0246 ${\times}$ PbB $R^2=0.4046$ p = 0.0001 logCALA = 0.7662 + 0.0184 ${\times}$ PbB $R^2=0.4108$ p = 0.0001 6. 요중 ${\delta}$-ALA 배설량에 대한 연중독 주의한계의 cut-off point를 5 mg/L로 하였을 경우 혈중연과 혈중 ZPP의 주의한계에 대한 비색법의 누적 빈도가 HPLC법 보다 높았으며, 따라서 HPLC법의 cut-off point를 3 mg/L로 하였을 때 비색법과 좋은 일치도를 보였고 연노출지표들과 량-반응 관계를 나타내었다. 이상의 결과로 연중독 판정기준의 주의한계와 선별한계의 개정이 필요하나 남자 근로자들만의 연구이므로 여자 근로자에 관한 연구가 추가로 필요하다고 생각된다.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.71-81
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• 2005

The purposes of this study was to collect, analyze, and describe the MF exposure levels from subways in Korea and to measure and evaluate the MF levels generated from electric appliances used at general homes. The target subway lines were Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 to Line 8, Bundang Line, Incheon Line, Daegu Line, Gwangju Line, and Busan Line 1 and Line 2. We measured at each station in those subway lines and, all the train types (pantograph-equipped, motor-equipped, and common), and platform types(facing and isolating) were investigated by the distance(80, 200, 400 cm) from the train on 19 targeted subway lines using 3 magnetic field measuring devices (EMDEXII, Enertech Co.) during the survey from January till October, 2004. On the other hand, the levels of the 60Hz magnetic fields generated from 14 items of home electric appliances such as electric blankets, hair dryers, electric razors, etc. were measured at 10 general homes using 5 EMDEXII meters with a sampling interval of 1.5 second by the distance(surface, 30, 50, 100, 300cm ) from the target electric appliances. The survey results in the whole subway lines examined in this study were as follows; Seoul Metropolitan Line 4 using AC(alternating current) power source showed the highest mean value of $2.85{\mu}T$, followed by Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 running between Seoul and Incheon using AC($2.78{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 between Seoul and Uijongbu using AC($2.73{\mu}T$), Bundang Line using AC($1.79{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 connected from Yongsan using AC($1.67{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 between Seoul and Suwon using AC($0.79{\mu}T$), and so on. In general, the intensity of the magnetic field in the subway systems in Korea was significantly higher when using AC($2.14{\pm}0.91{\mu}T$) than when using DC($0.29{\pm}0.44{\mu}T$) power source. Among the home electric appliances examined, microwave ovens showed the highest mean value of $7.69{\mu}T$, followed by hair dryers($6.47{\mu}T$), vacuum cleaners($5.27{\mu}T$), televisions ($2.26{\mu}T$), electric blankets($1.38{\mu}T$), personal computers ($0.81{\mu}T$), and so on. Two items of electric appliances showed the excess value of $0.2{\mu}T$ at the distance of 30cm in the MF exposure level; electric razors $1.58{\pm}2.13{\mu}T$ and vacuum cleaners $0.48{\pm}0.44{\mu}T$. As a whole, this study showed a tendency that the shift of the MF levels according to the increase of distance from the electric appliances was lower than those of the results surveyed in UK and USA. As a result, this study is expected to suggest meaningful data for the future study in exposure assessment of magnetic fields and for the establishment of guidelines for subways and electric appliances in Korea. More detailed and large scaled exposure assessment studies should be performed continuously to get the various and useful information on health risk assessment of MFs in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.3243-3254
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• 2013

It is well known that increased incidences of lung, skin, and bladder cancers are associated with occupational exposure to PAHs. Animal studies show that certain PAHs also can affect the hematopoietic and immune systems and can produce reproductive, neurologic, and developmental effects. As a consequence, several studies have been attempted to investigate the fate of PAHs in atmospheric environment during the past decades. However, there is still a lack of information in regard to the atmospheric concentration of PAHs during the "Bon Fire Night". In this study, twenty-three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and twenty-eight aliphatics were identified and quantified in the $PM_{10}$ and vapour range in Birmingham ($27^{th}$ November 2001-$19^{th}$ January 2004). The measured concentrations of total particulate and vapour (P+V) PAHs were consistently higher at the BROS in both winter and summer. Arithmetic mean total (P+V) PAH concentrations were $51.04{\pm}47.62$ ng $m^{-3}$ and $22.30{\pm}19.18$ ng $m^{-3}$ at the Bristol Road Observatory Site (BROS) and Elms Road Observatory Site (EROS) respectively. In addition arithmetic mean total (P+V) B[a]P concentrations at the BROS were $0.47{\pm}0.39$ ng $m^{-3}$ which exceeded the EPAQS air quality standard of 0.25 ng $m^{-3}$. On the other hand, the arithmetic mean total (P+V) aliphatics were $81.80{\pm}69.58$ ng $m^{-3}$ and $48.00{\pm}35.38$ ng $m^{-3}$ at the BROS and EROS in that order. The lowest average of CPI and $C_{max}$ measured at the BROS supports the idea of traffic emissions being a principle source of SVOCs in an urban atmosphere. The annual trend of PAHs was investigated by using an independent t-test and oneway independent ANOVA analysis. Generally, there is no evidence of a significant decline of heavier MW PAHs from the two data sets, with only Ac, Fl, Ph, An, 2-MePh, 1+9-MePh, Fluo and B[b+j+k]F showing a statistically significant decline (p<0.05). A further attempt for statistical analysis had been conducted by dividing the data set into three groups (i.e. 2000, 2001-2002 and 2003-2004). For lighter MW compounds a significant level of decline was observed by using one-way independent ANOVA analysis. Since the annual mean of $O_3$ measured in Birmingham City Centre from 2001 to 2004 increased significantly (p<0.05), it may be possible to attribute the annul reduction of more volatile PAHs to the enhanced level of annual average $O_3$. By contrast, the heavier MW PAHs measured at the BROS did not show any significant annual reduction, implying the difficulties of 5- and 6-ring PAHs to be subject to photochemical decomposition. The deviation of SVOCs profile measured at the EROS was visually confirmed during the "Bonfire Night" festival closest to the $6^{th}$ November 2003. In this study, the atmospheric PAH concentrations were generally elevated on this day with concentrations of Fl, Ac, B[a]A, B[b+j+k]F, Ind and B[g,h,i]P being particularly high.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.199-207
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• 2010

In this study, breast milk levels of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were estimated, and statistics drawn, for 22 Koreans in the general population, aged 26-38, who had resided in metropolitan areas for more than 5 years without occupational exposure to organochlorine pollutants. Concentrations of indicator PCBs were measured using the isotope dilution method with a high resolution gas chromatograph/high resolution mass detector, which provided accurate and precise data for investigation of trends, and international comparisons. The geometric mean of total indicator PCB levels was 22.3 ng/g lipid, which is significantly lower than the level in individuals from European countries. Overall, the geometric mean and 95th percentile of the most abundant congener PCB 153 were 8.04 ng/g lipid and 16.4 ng/g lipid, respectively. PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 together accounted for about 75% of the indicator congeners analyzed. Breast milk total indicator PCB concentrations were significantly associated with age and parity, but not with body mass index (BMI), rate of body weight increase, or smoking habits. The geometric mean level of PCB 153 in breast milk from mothers with a pre-pregnant BMI < $21\;kg/m^2$ was significantly higher than in pre-pregnant women with a BMI of ${\geqslant}\;21\;kg/m^2$ (p<0.05). Women who ate more fish, meat, and milk products did not have significantly higher total indicator PCB levels than those who ate less of these products, but a significant difference in PCB 153 levels was demonstrated between the subjects consuming higher (11.45 ng/g lipid) and lower (6.79 ng/g lipid) amounts of fish (p<0.05), after adjusting for confounders. These results suggest that age, parity and fish intake are the important factors affecting the concentrations of indicator PCBs in these subjects.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.235-240
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• 2001

This study was performed to compare the lead levels of 20 quality control standard samples(KOSHA:18-2000) and 72 field samples in lead-acid battery manufacturing plant between ICP and portable-XRF methods. 1. While the proficiencies of 20 quality control standard samples by ICP were 100%, those of analytic result values by XRF were 75%. 2. The correlation coefficient(r) between the reference values for quality control (REF) and the analytic result values by ICP (ICP) was 1.0(p<0.05), and simple linear regression equation and the coefficient(R2) were REF = -0.0009 + 1.016 ICP and 0.9997, respectively. 3. The correlation coefficient(r) between the analytic result values of quality control standard samples by ICP (ICP) and by XRF (XRF) was 0.975(p<0.05), and simple linear regression equation and the coefficient(R2) were ICP = -0.0003 + 1.002 XRF and 0.950, respectively. 4. The correlation coefficient(r) between the analytic result values for lead samples of a lead-acid battery manufacturing plant by ICP (ICP) and by XRF (XRF) was 0.993(p<0.05), and simple linear regression equation and the coefficient(R2) were ICP = -2.058 + 0.996 XRF and 0.987, respectively. 5. While the frequency distributions of XRF /ICP(Ratio) for each ICP concentration levels in a lead-acid battery manufacturing plant revealed high proportion in ratio range of 0.876-1.125 than in ration range of 1.126-1.375. Also, ICP concentration level in ration range of 0.786-1.125 was increased with increase of frequency distribution of XRF/ICP. 6. The limit of detection of XRF on lead was determined to be $6.11{\mu}g$/filter The data presented in this study indicated that relationship for lead level of quality control samples and field samples in a lead -acid battery manufacturing plant by ICP and portable-XRF methods was proved. The practicing industrial hygienist can use portable-XRF to produce a rapid on-site determination of lead exposure that can immediately becommunicated to workers and help identify appropriate levels of personal protection.