LEAD POISONING IN ADULTS
An unborn child’s blood lead is determined by the mother’s blood lead level. Pregnant woman should understand the dangers of lead exposure to their unborn children.
Sources of lead exposure in adults
Adult lead poisoning is most commonly a result of exposure in the workplace. Lead may be inhaled as dust or fume or ingested while eating or smoking on the job.
Occupations that may result in lead exposure include:
- Painting, remodeling, or renovation
- Radiator, battery, or automotive repair
- Ceramics making and glaze mixing
- Soldering and welding
- Bridge repair and construction
- Jewelry making
- Demolition
- Indoor firing range work
- Scrap metal operations
- Mining, smelting, and refining
People who work in lead related industries may bring lead dust into the home on their clothes and bodies. Observing good hygiene practices will help to minimize secondary lead exposure by family members.
Exposure to lead may also occur form some hobbies and activities, including:
- Using or melting fishing sinkers
- Casting lead shot or making bullets
- Shooting in indoor firing ranges
- Making ceramics, stained glass, or jewelry
- Refinishing furniture
- Remodeling and painting
- Auto or boat repair
- Welding or soldering
Following the following guidelines will help to minimize exposure to yourself and to your family:
- Do not eat, smoke or drink when you are working. Before breaks or eating, wash your hands and face.
- Keep your work area clean using wet cleaning methods or a vacuum with a high efficiency (HEPA). Do not dry sweep or use compressed air to remove lead dust
- Do not wear soiled work clothes home.
- Shower and change into clean clothes and shoes before you leave your workplace or hobby area.
- Wash work clothes separately from other laundry.
- Keep your vehicle free of lead dust
- Keep children out of the work or hobby area.
- If you are provided with a respirator, use it and clean it after use. Make sure you understand how to check to see that it fits correctly and is working properly.
- If you work with lead as an occupation or hobby, get a blood lead test.
Other sources of lead exposure:
- Lead is present in several herbal and traditional medicines. A list of lead-containing medicines is available at lead-herbalmed.pdf. (LINK TO SAME)
- Lead may be found in imported cosmetics, including the eye products kohl, kajal and surma.
Symptoms of lead poisoning
People with high levels of lead in their bodies often do not seem sick. Overexposure to lead can cause serious damage even if the person has no symptoms. A blood lead test is the only way to find out if an adult has lead poisoning. Symptoms that may be related to overexposure to lead include:
- Tiredness or weakness
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headache
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
Affects of overexposure to lead
Prolonged overexposure to lead may result in:
- Brain and nervous system damage
- Kidney damage
- High blood pressure
- Impotency and reproductive system problems
- Digestive problems
- Anemia
- Loss of hearing
- Loss of muscle coordination
Resources:
OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration, US Department of Labor)
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead/index.html
WORK SAFE, Brochure by New York City Department of Health
