When exposed to an environment that contains lead, a person can take lead into the body tissues through eating (ingesting) or breathing (inhaling) fine particles of lead compounds. Inhalation and ingestion are the routes of exposure for both children and adults.
Children are more likely to ingest lead-contaminated dust through normal hand-to-mouth activity as they explore their environment. Activities such as thumb-sucking, putting nonfood items into their mouths, crawling on surfaces contaminated with lead dust, or mouthing lead-painted surfaces such as window sills are routes of exposure for young children.
Many jobs or occupations can expose adults to lead. Workers can ingest and/or inhale lead particles if they do not use appropriate personal protective measures and good personal decontamination practices. They may also contaminate their cars and houses with lead dust on their clothes, shoes, hair, or skin. There have been many documented cases of entire families being lead poisoned from “take-home lead”.
Inspectors run a risk of lead exposure both during paint inspections and when conducting clearance inspections. Inspectors should use good personal hygiene practices during and after an inspection. Inspectors should never eat, drink, or smoke on the worksite and should thoroughly clean their faces and hands before doing so after leaving the worksite.
Additionally, inspectors should use appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, respirator, protective clothing, etc.) if they are likely to come in contact with lead-contaminated dust. OSHA required the use of some or all of these items depending on that activities are involved and/or what the airborne levels of lead are.
Some jobs that have a high risk of lead exposure include
Construction Trade
· Lead abatement workers
· Carpenters
· Remodelers/renovators
· Demolition workers
· Ironworkers
· Steel welders and cutters
· Sheet metal workers
· Painters
· Plumbers and pip fitters
· Cable splicers
Industry
· Lead miners
· Lead smelter workers
· Lead refinery workers
· Lead crystal makers
· Ceramic glaze manufacturers
· Plastic manufacturers
· Wire and cable manufacturers
· Electronic makers
Others
· Firing rage employees
· Police officers
· Artists
· Radiator repair workers
· Car mechanics
· Auto body repair
· Printers
· Scrap yard workers and recyclers
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