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The health hazards of lead
Lead is a soft bluish-gray metal that is highly poisonous. Overexposure to lead can damage blood-forming, nervous, urinary and reproductive systems. It is added to some industrial paints because it helps resist corrosion and add certain color characteristics. It is also used in certain solders, some autobody fillers, lead fishing weights, batteries, bullets and some ceramic glazes.
In general industry, lead can be found in the following types of businesses: |
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In construction, lead exposure can occur in the following jobs or tasks: |
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The toxic effects of lead are well documented in both children and adults. Workers' exposure to lead can damage the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, hematological system, and the kidney. Workers' lead exposure can also harm development of their children when they bring lead dust home on their clothing. Lead has been shown to be an animal carcinogen, and authors of recent studies suggest that occupational lead exposure increases the risk of cancer. Lead poisoning often goes undetected since many of the symptoms, such as stomach pain, headaches, anxiety, irritability, and poor appetite, are nonspecific and may not be recognized as symptoms of lead poisoning.
Regulation & Policy
- WAC 296-155-176 Lead in construction standard
- WAC 296-62-07521 General industry lead standard
Resources - Information & Training
Do You Work on Outdoor-steel Structures? (361 KB PDF / 4 min) a pamphlet that covers how to protect workers from lead poisoning. - Lead in Construction Training Kit: a Powerpoint training on the hazards of working with lead in construction
-
How
to Avoid Lead Poisoning in Bridge Work: (124 KB PDF) a
brochure about the hazards of lead paint on bridges
- Lead
Hazards at Indoor Firing Ranges - 2 pages
-
Occupational
Lead Exposure: an Alert For Workers: (67 KB PDF) a
brochure about the hazards of lead to workers
- Exposición
de Plomo en el Trabajo -- Un Aviso para los Trabajadores: (174
KB PDF / 2 min) Spanish
version of "Occupational Lead Exposure -- An Alert for Workers"
- Preventing
Lead Poisoning in Construction Workers - National Institute of Occupational
Safety & Health (NIOSH)
-
Preventing
Lead Poisoning in Radiator Repair Work: for Owners & Managers
of Radiator Repair Businesses - 4 pages.
- Preventing
Lead Poisoning in Scrap Metal Recycling: for Employers in Scrap Metal
Recycling Businesses - 4 pages.
- Working
with lead: How to protect workers' health (153 KB PDF)
Links to Other Resources
- Model Specifications for the Protection of Workers from Lead on Steel Structures August 2002 http://www.cpwr.com/rp-overview.html
- NIOSH - information on lead.
- OSHA - information on lead.
- Lead Control Guide for Bridges and Steel Structures: Protecting
Workers During Rehabilitation and Demolition.
This 52-page booklet focuses on developing and implementing engineering and work-practice controls for lead and other paint hazards. The information should help owners, contractors, engineers, industrial hygienists, and worker trainers to comply with the OSHA Lead Exposure in Construction standard. The booklet was produced by the Mount Sinai-Irving J. Selikoff Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the Hunter College Urban Public Health Program, both in New York City. The booklets cost $6 each -- or less for bulk orders. For information call 212-241-7573 or e-mail: agoldber@hunter.cuny.edu
Video Library
Washington state residents can Borrow videos at no-cost. Find out how.
The following are specific videos on the hazards of lead:
