Blood Tests Show Safe Lead Levels

Laboratory analysis of blood samples drawn from workers in a Torrance foundry has detected no cases of excessive lead exposure, according to Thomas Butler, manager of the Long Beach district office of the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Cal/OSHA investigated the Martin Brass Foundry in August, shortly after the South Coast Air Quality Management District cited the foundry at 2341 Jefferson St. for excessive emissions of airborne lead particles.

The worker safety agency found two violations--a worker wearing an inadequate respirator and improper storage of several other respirators. But Butler termed the infractions minor and said the foundry would not be fined.

Lead concentrations in all the blood samples extracted from workers met state safety standards, Butler said.