If a 191 lb. worker is working in an environment where the airborne lead level is 200 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air for 8 hours, what is the worker’s lead does in milligrams/kilogram? What is the total amount of lead (in milligrams) absorbed by this worker in one working month (22 days)? Give the worker’s dose as well in milligrams/kilogram.Assume that the worker is performing a job that requires a high level of breathing (1.5 cubic meter of air per hour). Also assume that the particle size of the airborne lead and its solubility results in 90% of the lead that is inhaled gets absorbed into the worker’s bloodstream.
Mass of worker = 191 lb x 1kg/2.205lb
= 86.621 kg
Concentration of lead in air = 200 micrograms/m3 air
Working hours = 8 hours
Volume of air inhaled in 8 hours = (1.5 m3/hour) x 8 hour
= 12 m3
Lead inhaled through air = (200 micrograms/m3 air) x (12 m3)
= 2400 micrograms
worker’s lead does in milligrams/kilogram
= (2400milligrams) / (86.621 kilogram)
= 27.707 milligrams/kilogram
90% of the lead absorbed into bloodstream
Lead absorbed in 8 hours (or 1 day) = 0.90 x 2400 = 2160 micrograms
Total amount of lead absorbed in 22 days = 22 x 2160
= 47520 micrograms
worker’s lead dose in 22 days
= (47520 micrograms) / (86.621 kilogram)
= 548.597 milligrams/kilogram
If a 191 lb. worker is working in an environment where the airborne lead level is...