Epidemiological-environmental study of lead acid battery workers. I. Environmental study of five lead acid battery plants.

Industrial hygiene measurements were taken at five lead acid battery plants. The average of all personal samples for H2SO4 was 0.18 mg/m3 with a range of "nondetectable" to 1.7 mg/m3. Highest levels of acid were found in the charging and forming areas of the plants. Stibine and arsine were also detected in the charging and forming areas (means = 0.44 and 0.042 mg/m3, respectively). Arsenic in particulate form was also detected, but levels were low (means = 0.00083 mg/m3). The average mass median aerodynamic diameter of the acid mist as measured by cascade impactors was approximately 5 micron. Air lead results were variable with an overall average of 0.072 mg/m3 and a standard deviation of 0.11 mg/m3.