Occupational Exposure to Lead Among Battery Repair Technicians in Kaduna State

Lead exposure in the informal battery repair and recycling industry is a critical occupational and environmental health hazard in Nigerian cities. This study assessed lead exposure levels and associated health effects among battery repair technicians in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was adopted, recruiting 145 technicians from informal battery shops in Kaduna North and Kaduna South local government areas. Blood lead level measurements were obtained through capillary blood sampling using a portable LeadCare II analyzer. A structured questionnaire captured occupational exposure history, health symptoms, and protective practices. Results revealed that 89 percent of participants had blood lead levels exceeding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference value of 5 micrograms per deciliter, with a mean blood lead level of 38.7 micrograms per deciliter. Neurological symptoms including persistent headaches and memory difficulties were reported by 63.4 percent of respondents. Anemia, detected through hemoglobin measurement, was present in 46.2 percent of participants. No respondent used lead-specific protective equipment, and hand washing before eating was practiced by only 19.3 percent. These findings indicate alarming occupational lead exposure in this informal sector and call for urgent regulatory intervention, targeted health education, biological monitoring programs, and engineering controls to reduce lead exposure in Kaduna's battery repair industry. Keywords: lead exposure, battery technicians, blood lead levels, occupational toxicology, Kaduna State.