Occupational Health and Lead
Lead poisoning doesn't only affect children.
Lead poisoning is the oldest known occupational disease, going back over 2000 years. Lead causes both short- and long-term health problems in adults. Acute symptoms of lead poisoning include: stomach and joint pain, headaches, tiredness, irritability, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. Cases of extreme lead poisoning can result in coma and death. Exposure to lead over a period of months or years can cause anemia, nervous system (especially the brain) damage, kidney problems, high blood pressure, infertility (from both male and female exposure), miscarriage and cancer. Some health effects may occur at blood lead levels as low as 10 µg/dl, possibly lower.
Industries in which workers can be exposed to lead include, among many others:
- Painting
- Demolition
- Lead Paint Removal (deleading)
- Manufacture of Glass and Plastics
- Battery Manufacture
- Foundries
- Scrap Metal Recycling
Household members (especially young children) of workers with lead exposure are at increased risk for lead poisoning if lead is carried home or into the worker's car on his/her body, clothes or shoes (called "take-home" exposure). The children of parents who work in lead industries (including construction) have higher blood lead levels than other children.
There are also some hobbies, home activities and cultural practices that can cause lead poisoning:
- Home Repair and Painting
- Target Shooting
- Stained Glass Work
- Ceramics
- Food additives, Candies, or Medicines (from some other countries)
More information on occupational lead and safety:
EPA Small Business Compliance Policy www.epa.gov/compliance/incentives/smallbusiness/index.html
EPA Audit Policy www.epa.gov/compliance/incentives/auditing/auditpolicy.html