to breathe in and therefore may
be more dangerous than dust. These are some of the most common ways to
be exposed.
LEAD DUST
is produced in many ways including:
N
Grinding, cutting, drilling, sanding, scraping or blasting surfaces that
are coated with lead paints
N
Tearing down structures that have been painted with lead based paints
N
Working on leaded cables or wires
N
Pouring powders containing lead pigments
LEAD FUMES
are also created in many ways including:
N
Using heat guns to remove paint from doors, windows, and other
painted surfaces
N
Welding or soldering lead containing materials
N
Torch cutting painted and uncoated metal
What are the Health Effects from Lead?
Lead can enter the body in two ways:
N
It can be inhaled (breathed in)
N
It can be ingested (swallowed) by getting
it on the hands, clothes, or hair, or in
food, drinks or cigarettes
Once lead gets into the body, it can stay
there for a long time. It is stored in three
places: the blood, body organs, and bones. Lead stays in the blood about a
month, in body organs for several months, but can remain in the bones for
years. It affects the brain and nervous system, reproductive capabilities, the
kidneys, the digestive system, and the bodys ability to make blood. Early
signs of lead poisoning are:
N
Tiredness
N
Headache
N
Metallic taste
N
Poor appetite
Later
signs are:
N
Aches or pains in stomach
N
Constipation
N
Muscle and joint pains
N
Memory problems
Everyday aches and pains may hide these symptoms. It is important to
remember that lead may hurt your body even if you do not feel sick.
What Does Your Blood Lead Level Mean?
The most common test for lead is a blood test. It measures how much
lead is in your bloodstream. If you think you have been exposed to lead,
you should ask your doctor for a blood lead test.
N
At levels above 80 µg/dL, serious, permanent health damage may occur
(extremely dangerous).
N
Between 40 and 80 µg/dL, serious health damage may be occurring,
even if there are no symptoms (seriously elevated).
N
Between 25 and 40 µg/dL, regular exposure is occurring. There is some
evidence of potential physiologic problems (elevated).
N
Between 10 and 25 µg/dL, lead is building up in the body and some
exposure is occurring.
The typical level for U.S. adults is less than 10 µg/dL (mean =
3 µg/dL).
0
10
20
30
40
50
BACKGROUND
EXPOSURE
OCCURRING
ELEVATED
micrograms per deciliter
(µg/dL)
60
70
80+
SERIOUSLY
ELEVATED
EXTREMELY
DANGEROUS How Can Exposure to Lead Be Reduced?
Wash
your hands and face before
you eat, drink or smoke.
Do NOT eat, drink or smoke
or store food, drink, cigarettes or
cosmetics in areas of lead dust
and fumes.
Wear
a clean, properly fitted air
purifying respirator equipped with
P100 filters (purple) as a minimum
level of protection, in all work
areas that have lead dust or fumes.
Shave to get the required fit.
Change
into work clothes and
shoes before beginning work each
day. Keep your street clothes and
shoes in a clean place.
Shower
at work at the end of the
day, before you go home.
Launder
your clothes at work if
possible. If you must take clothes
home, wash and dry them
separately from other family
members clothes. What is Take Home Lead?
Lead dust can be brought into your home on work clothes and equipment.
This is called take home lead and it can harm anyone who comes in
contact with it.
Lead poisoning in children is especially dangerous because small amounts
of lead can cause learning problems and serious illness.
If
young children
live in your home and you
work with lead,
talk to
your doctor about having them tested.
What Are Some Sources of Occupational
Lead Exposure?
N
Breaking up old lead batteries
N
Torch cutting coated and uncoated metal
N
Remodeling and renovation work
N
Sanding, scraping or blasting lead-based paint
N
Handling scrap metal
N
Soldering electronics, stained glass or radiators
N
Shooting in and cleaning indoor firing ranges
N
Smelting operations bronze, brass, copper or iron foundries
N
Handling artist pigments
Some
hobbies
involve lead exposure such as:
N
Shooting in indoor ranges
N
Making your own bullets or fishing sinkers
N
Making stained glass or pottery
N
Removing lead based paint (e.g., home renovations) Who Can Help?
Remember to follow your employers recommendations for safe
cleaning practices, and correct use of personal protective equipment
and ventilation systems.
Your Doctor or other Medical Care Provider.
If you are concerned about
lead exposure for yourself or others in your house, see a doctor. The doctor
can arrange for blood testing and help you interpret any exposure and
health effects. It is important for your doctor to know about your possible
lead exposure even if you do not have any symptoms.
Your Employer or Union.
If you know that you have been exposed to
lead, talk to your employer and union about how to reduce exposures. Your
employer is required to help you avoid lead exposure with appropriate work
practices, protective controls and equipment, and training. Your employer
should also provide you with a properly fitting respirator, if necessary. Your
safety officer should check your work area for lead dust or fumes.
New York State Department of Health.
The Health Department can
provide guidance, information and technical assistance to you on many
occupational health issues. (www.health.state.ny.us)
(800) 458-1158 extension 27900
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
If you
feel that your employer does not adequately address a safety or health
hazard, you have the right to request an inspection by OSHA. In filing a
complaint, you can ask OSHA to withhold your identity from your
employer. (www.OSHA.gov)
Albany . . . . . . . (518) 464-4338
Manhattan . . . .(212) 466-2482
Bayside. . . . . . . (718) 279-9060
Syracuse . . . . .(315) 451-0808
Buffalo . . . . . . . (716) 684-3891
Tarrytown . . . .(914) 524-7510
Long Island . . . (516) 334-3344
New York State Department of Labor.
If you are a public employee
(work for State, county or city offices), OSHA standards are enforced by
the New York State Department of Labor Public Employee Safety and
Health (PESH) program. In filing a complaint, you can ask PESH to
withhold your identity from your employer.
Albany . . . . . . . (518) 457-5508
Rochester . . . .(585) 258-4570
Binghamton . . . (607) 721-8211
Syracuse . . . . .(315) 479-3212
Buffalo . . . . . . (716) 847-7133
Utica . . . . . . . .(315) 793-2258
Hempstead . . . . (516) 485-4408
White Plains . .(914) 997-9514
New York City . (212) 352-6116
Occupational Health Clinic Network.
The New York State Network of
Occupational Health Clinics provides medical and educational services for
workers exposed to workplace hazards. (see map on facing page)
(www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/environ/occupate. htm) Syracuse/
Utica/
Binghamton
Central New York
Occupational
Health Clinical
Center of SUNY
Health Science
Center at Syracuse
315-432-8899
SPECIALTY CLINIC
New York Center
for Agricultural
Medicine and Health
of Bassett Hospital
Cooperstown, NY
607-547-6023
800-343-7527
Rochester
Finger Lakes
Occupational
Health Services
of Univ. of
Rochester
Medical Center
585-274-4554
Albany/
Mid Hudson
Occupational and
Environmental
Health Center of
Eastern New York of GHI
518-690-4420
800-419-1230
Buffalo
Union Occupational
Health Center
716-894-9366
New York City
Bellevue/NYU
Occupational
and Environmental
Medicine Clinic
of Health and
Hospitals Corporation
212-562-4572
New York City/Westchester
Mt. Sinai-IJ Selikoff Center for
Occupational and
Environmental Medicine
of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
212-241-9059
Long Island
Long Island
Occupational and
Environmental
Health Center
of SUNY Stony Brook
631-642-9100
New York State
Occupational Health Clinics State of New York
George E. Pataki, Governor
Department of Health
Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H, Dr.P.H., Commissioner
2543
2/05