Metal exposure remains a significant public health problem, particularly in the informal sector. The rise in informal foundries to cast scrap metal into artisanal cookware is widespread in low- and middle-income countries. The main aim of this study was to characterize metal exposure in artisanal cookware makers working in informal foundries in South Africa by measuring lead (Pb) in blood as well as sample metal concentrations on hands before and after work. The blood Pb distribution of the artisanal pot makers ranged from 1.1 to 4.6 μg/dl with the median blood Pb level being 2.1 μg/dl (IQR 1.7–2.5). The median blood Pb level in artisanal pot makers was 1.0 μg/dl higher compared with the non-exposed community members (p < 0.0001). Before-and-after handwipe sampling revealed a median increase in all 22 elements. Pre and post aluminum (Al) load on the handwipes revealed a 7.3 factor increase (0.53 and 3.9 mg Al/handwipe respectively) (p = 0.003). Hand Pb load before and after pot making revealed a 3.5-fold increase (median increase of 6.2 μg Pb/handwipe). An increase in backyard informal foundries may be linked to increased exposure to toxic metals for workers, family members and communities.

金属暴露仍然是一个重大的公共卫生问题，尤其是在非正规部门。在低收入和中等收入国家中，将非正式金属铸造成手工炊具的非正式铸造厂的兴起十分普遍。这项研究的主要目的是通过测量工作前和工作后血液中的铅（Pb）以及手上的样品金属浓度，来表征在南非非正式铸造厂工作的手工炊具制造商中的金属暴露情况。手工制罐机的血液Pb分布范围为1.1至4.6μg/ dl，中位血液Pb水平为2.1μg/ dl（IQR 1.7–2.5）。与未暴露的社区成员相比，手工制罐机中的血液中Pb水平高1.0μg/ dl（p <0.0001）。前后手擦取样显示所有22个元素的中位数增加。手拭纸上的前后铝（Al）负荷显示增加了7.3倍（分别为0.53和3.9 mg Al /手拭纸）（p = 0.003）。制罐前后的手Pb含量显示增加了3.5倍（中值增加6.2μgPb /手擦拭）。后院非正式铸造厂的增加可能与工人，家庭成员和社区对有毒金属的接触增加有关。