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Lead Hazards Fact Sheet

LEAD POISONING FACT SHEET

 

Lead is a hazardous metal that is present in scrap metal, and may be present as a contaminant in finished steel. Therefore lead can be a problem in many areas, especially when scrap metal is being heated to high temperatures, or when welding or cutting brass or other metals with high lead content. 

 

Lead is a well known hazard, but continues to cause health problems for workers. The federal government tracks adult lead poisoning. 

 

Nearly all (95%) of adult lead exposures were occupational, 94% of those exposed were male, 91% were ages 25-64. 

 

Manufacture of batteries and smelting were among the most hazardous industries.  The most lead poisoning was noted in the Midwest and lower Northeast; rates by state can be seen in a map.

 

Lead poisoning is declining, due to prohibitions against leaded gasoline, declines in manufacturing in the US and improved prevention, such as OSHA enforcement.


“I was feeling out of sorts; in a bad mood and not sleeping well.  If I didn’t have a blood test for lead, I never would have known it was lead.  Good thing it wasn’t that bad.  But I brought lead dust home on my work clothes too.”

 

 

What is the problem with lead? 
 
 

Adults exposed to lead can have anemia, nervous system damage, kidney problems, high blood pressure, infertility and miscarriage. 

 

Workers can bring lead home on their shoes and clothing.  Children are more sensitive; exposure to even low levels of lead may cause neurological damage including learning disabilities and short attention spans.

 

Home repair, especially scraping old paint and replacing lead painted windows may cause serious lead exposure.  Non-occupational sources of lead will contribute to the total body burden an increase the risk of the workplace exposure.

 

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WORKING WITH.

 

Recognize the sources of lead.  In steel mills, these are likely to be fumes (from very high temperatures that make metal melt and form tiny, invisible fumes in the air) and dusts from lead containing metals, like brass and scrap metal.  Anyplace where metal fumes or dust can get into the air (blast furnace, welding or oxyacetylene cutting on metals other than mild steel) may include lead.

 

If you suspect lead poisoning, get a blood test.

The lead level will show whether you have been overexposed in the last month, where the ZPP will indicate lead exposure over the previous 3 months.

 

OSHA has a very comprehensive standard on lead.  It requires that employers provide blood test for lead, if you are exposed, ventilation, personal protective equipment, and transfer away from high lead jobs while maintaining full pay rates, if you are lead poisoned. 

 

 TRAINING MUST BE PROVIDED.

ADDITIONAL LINKS TO KEY RESOURCES:

 

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead/index.html

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead/compliance.html

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ables.html

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5326a2.htm

 

 

 

Click Here to download a printable copy of the Lead Hazards Fact Sheet

  These documents are Acrobat Reader  PDFs.
If you do not have Acrobat Reader CLICK HERE for a free download.


 

 

 

 


 

  What can be done about lead?