Hiller J, Göen T, Drexler H (2018)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2018
Book Volume: 53
Pages Range: 392-399
Journal Issue: 6
Aim: Elevated and potentially hazardous antimony levels in Berlin police officers were reported in spring 2016, giving rise to a critical look at occupational hygiene in police shooting ranges. The study objective was to assess occupational exposure to antimony among police officers in Bavaria by means of biological exposure monitoring. Collective and Method: Levels of antimony and lead were ascertained in male police officers with additional firearms training in two series of examinations between July and December 2016. Initially, a baseline value (n = 8) for antimony in urine was determined and rechecked after a collective firing practice (n = 6). Subsequently, a larger collective (n = 38) was checked for antimony in blood and urine and for lead in blood. Antimony and lead were analysed by ICP-MS. Results: In the first series of examinations the reference value for antimony in urine was exceeded by 25 % of the police officers. Progressive measurements after the practice showed no direct association between the individual antimony exposure and the firearms training. In the second series of examinations antimony in urine and blood exceeded the reference values in 11 % and 21 %, respectively, of the police officers. Additionally, two persons showed elevated lead levels in the blood. Both of them also shoot privately on a regular basis. Conclusions: A direct association between firearms training and internal antimony exposure was not observed. Nevertheless, the exceedance frequency of the reference values indicated a slight increment to the background antimony exposure among the police officers examined. However, since the toxicological and carcinogenic effects of antimony only occur in the event of high-dose exposure, antimony-induced health hazards are not expected at the determined exposure levels. Private shooting which explains the elevated lead levels was identified as a significant factor influencing antimony levels.
APA:
Hiller, J., Göen, T., & Drexler, H. (2018). Antimon- und Blei-Belastungen durch Schießtraining bei Polizisten. Arbeitsmedizin, Sozialmedizin, Umweltmedizin, 53(6), 392-399.
MLA:
Hiller, Julia, Thomas Göen, and Hans Drexler. "Antimon- und Blei-Belastungen durch Schießtraining bei Polizisten." Arbeitsmedizin, Sozialmedizin, Umweltmedizin 53.6 (2018): 392-399.
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