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Safety and Health Topics |
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In
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Lead overexposure is one of the most common overexposures found in
industry and
is a leading cause of workplace illness. Therefore, OSHA has established the reduction of lead
exposure to be a high strategic priority. OSHA's five year strategic plan sets a performance goal of
a 15% reduction in the average severity of lead exposure or employee blood lead levels in selected
industries and workplaces.
It is also a major potential public health risk.
In general populations, lead may be present in hazardous concentrations in food,
water, and air. Sources include paint, urban dust, and folk remedies. Lead poisoning is the leading
environmentally induced illness in children. At greatest risk are children under the age of six because they are undergoing rapid neurological and physical
development.
The following questions link
to information relevant to lead in the workplace.
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What OSHA standards
apply?
Standards | Effective Dates for Enforcement of the Lead Standard | More |
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What information is available for the construction industry?
Alliances | OSHA Standards | Health Effects | Exposure Evaluation | More |
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What is lead and what are its health effects?
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How is lead exposure evaluated?
Lead in Housing (including remediation) |
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How are potential lead hazards identified, where do exposures occur, and how are exposures controlled?
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What additional information is available?
Related Safety and Health Topics Pages | Training | Other Resources |
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In Focus |
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Hot Topics
Hurricane Recovery
 eTools
- Lead. OSHA. Describes ways to reduce lead exposure to
employees in lead smelter plants, specifically in the following operations: raw
materials processing, smelting, refining and casting, environmental controls,
and maintenance.
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