Workers can be exposed to lead through inhalation
of fumes and dusts, as well as through ingestion as a result of lead-contaminated
hands, food, drinks, cosmetics, tobacco products, and clothing. Furthermore,
workers can take lead home on their clothes, skin, hair, tools, and in
their vehicles , potentially exposing their families to harmful health
effects.
Occupations where workers may be exposed include:
- Cable splicing
- Construction
- Manufacturing:
- Bullets
- Ceramics
- Ceramic tiles
- Electrical components
- Lead batteries
- Pottery
- Stained glass
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- Mining
- Painting
- Radiator repair
- Recovery of gold and silver
- Repair and reclamation of lead batteries
- Smelting
- Welding
- Work on firing ranges
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Symptoms of lead poisoning include weakness, excessive tiredness, irritability,
constipation, anorexia, abdominal discomfort (colic), fine tremors, and
wrist drop. Additionally, damage to the kidneys and the nervous system,
anemia, high blood pressure, impotence, infertility, and reduced sex
drive can also occur with overexposure to lead. Lead poisoning, neurological
effects, and mental retardation have occurred in the children of workers
engaged in the occupations mentioned above.
NIOSHTIC-2 Search NIOSHTIC-2 search results on Lead
NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH. ABLES Program Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology Surveillance Program
The ABLES program is a state-based surveillance program of laboratory-reported adult blood lead levels. It is intended to identify and prevent cases of elevated blood lead levels in adults. Selected Publications Worker Health Chartbook 2004: Lead Toxicity
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-146
Presents ABLES data for magnitude and trend, rates among states
for elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in adults. Health Hazard Evaluations: Occupational Exposure to Lead 1994 to 1999
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-113 (2001)
Contains abstracts of and links to the full text of the related reports.
 PDF 856 KB (25 pages) NIOSH Alert - Preventing Lead Poisoning in Construction Workers
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 91-116a (1991)
Contains health effects, case reports, and recommendations to prevent lead poisoning in construction workers. PROTECTING WORKERS EXPOSED TO LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARDS - A Report to Congress
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-112 (1998)
PDF 856 KB (25 pages)
This report focuses not only on lead abatement exposures but also on other important exposures to lead-based paint (LBP) in residential and industrial construction work. NIOSH
Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140
Exposure limits, Respirator Recommendations, First Aid, more...
The Pocket Guide is a source of general industrial hygiene information on several
hundred chemicals/classes found in the work environment. Key data provided for
each chemical/substance includes name (including synonyms/trade names), structure/formula,
CAS/RTECS Numbers, DOT ID, conversion factors, exposure limits, IDLH, chemical
and physical properties, measurement methods, personal protection, respirator
recommendations, symptoms, and first aid.
Analytical Methods & Sampling NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM)
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-113 (1994)
NMAM is a collection of methods for sampling and analysis of contaminants
in workplace air, and in the blood and urine of workers who are occupationally
exposed.
- Method for Lead by FAAS (No. 7082) PDF
only 39 KB (7 pages)
- Method for Lead by GFAAS (No. 7105) PDF
only 24 KB (4 pages)
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Method for Lead: Elements by ICP (No. 7300) PDF
only 41 KB (9 pages)
- Method for Lead Sulfide (No. 7505) PDF
only 43 KB (7 pages)
- Method for Lead in Air by Chemical Spot Test (No. 7700) PDF
only 16 KB (3 pages)
- Method for Lead by Ultrasound/ASV (No. 7701) PDF
only 25 KB (4 pages)
- Method for Lead by Field Portable XRF (No. 7702) PDF
only 26 KB (4 pages)
- Method for Lead in Surface Wipe Samples (No. 9100) PDF
only 8 KB (2 pages)
- Method for Lead in Dust Wipes by Chemical Spot Test (No. 9105) PDF
only 41 KB (3 pages)
Take-Home Lead
Report to Congress on Workers' Home Contamination Study Conducted Under The Workers' Family Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 671a)
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 95-123 (1995)
PDF 10.2 MB (308 pages)
This Document is a Summary of Report To Congress On Workers' Home Contamination Study Conducted Under The Workers' Family Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 671A).
Protecting Workers' Families: A Research Agenda
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-113 (2002)
PDF 164 KB (14 pages)
This Document presents a research agenda prepared by the Worker's Family Protection Task Force. Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children of Construction Workers: a Study of “Take-Home” Lead Exposure
(abstract--bibliographic information only)
The authors conclude that children of lead exposed construction workers may be at risk of high lead exposure. Blood Lead Levels among the Children of Lead-Exposed Workers: A Meta-Analysis
(abstract--bibliographic information only)
The authors conclude that children of lead exposed workers should be targeted for blood lead screening. Elevated Lead Contamination in Homes of Construction Workers
(abstract--bibliographic information only)
The authors conclude that occupational exposures and poor hygiene practices are primarily responsible for the 'take home' lead exposures.
NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: Indoor Firing Ranges
Keeping Lead at Work
(abstract--bibliographic information only)
'Takehome' exposures among workers’ families may cause lead poisoning in family members. Lead Contamination in Automobiles of Lead Exposed Bridge Workers
(abstract--bibliographic information only)
The authors conclude that failure to shower and change clothes and shoes led to significantly increased levels of lead in workers' vehicles. CDC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Contains spotlights on lead as well as news items related to prevention of childhood lead poisoning.
NIOSH Safety and Health
Topic: Take Home Toxins
Other Lead Resources
ATSDR: Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM): Lead Toxicity
Contains information about recognition, evaluation, control, training and more...
External Site: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/lead/pbcover_page2.html
US Environmental Protection Agency: Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
OSHA Safety and Health Topics: Toxic Metals: Lead
Contains information about recognition, evaluation, control, training and more...
External Site: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead/index.html US Environmental Protection Agency: Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
Contains facts about lead and guidelines to protect family members from lead exposure.
External Site: http://www.epa.gov/lead/index.html US Department of Housing and Urban Development: Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control
Contains information about the HUD accepted lead safe work practices as well as lead professional location assistance in multiple languages and more...
External Site: http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/ National Center for Healthy Housing
Contains information about technical assistance and training for lead control, resources, scientific research and program evaluation and more...
External Site: http://www.centerforhealthyhousing.org/
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