Development of a Participatory Model for the Prevention of Elevated Blood Lead Levels in a Battery Manufacturing Plant, Samut Prakan Province

Abstract

This participatory action research aimed to analyze the situation, develop, and evaluate a preventive model for reducing elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) among workers in a battery manufacturing plant in Samut Prakan Province. The study utilized the Appreciation-Influence-Control (AIC) technique for participatory planning. The sample consisted of 40 participants, comprising occupational health personnel, professional safety officers, and factory workers. Data were collected from December 2023 to February 2025 through interviews and researcher-developed open-ended questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent content analysis. The results indicated that: (1) workers lacked sufficient knowledge and awareness regarding lead-exposure prevention and exhibited inadequate preventive behaviors. Furthermore, ineffective ventilation systems contributed to increased exposure, and subsequent elevation of BLLs; (2) the developed "LEAD Model" consisted of four key components: Leadership & Policy Engagement (L), Education & Awareness (E), Assistance & Personal Protective Support(A), and Detection & Following a six-month implementation period(D); (3) the evaluation revealed a significant reduction in the proportion of workers with BLLs exceeding the standard, decreasing from 92.08% to 78.82%. These findings emphasize the necessity of continuous knowledge development, the allocation of resources for workplace environmental improvements, and enhanced frequency of biological monitoring for high-risk individuals to ensure effective exposure surveillance.