Where Lead Can Be Found

Although it is mostly widely associated with paint, lead can also be found in many other places. Your drinking water can be polluted by the lead in pipes. Lead can sometimes even be found in soil from the leaded gasoline that was phased out nearly two decades ago. Lead in these forms can be dangerous, but most exposures to lead poisoning occur during lead paint removal.

In the early 1900s, it was discovered that the addition of lead in paint prevented structures such as bridges, ships, lighthouses, buildings and other structures from corroding. Because of its toxicity, paint containing more than 0.06% lead was banned for residential use in the United States in 1978 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (Code of Federal Regulations CFR 1303).

How Lead Enters the Body

When lead paint begins to flake or chip, it is usually taken off by the process of blasting. While this type of removal is fast, it also generates numerous harmful airborne lead particles. Lead can enter the body by means of ingestion or inhalation. Once it enters the body, lead is then absorbed by the blood stream and circulated throughout the entire body. The body attempts to filter the lead out while it is being circulated. Some of the lead gets filtered out, but much of it is absorbed by soft tissue such as the kidneys, liver and brain tissue or hard tissue such as bones and cartilage.

Health Effects

Depending on the length and level of exposure to lead, individuals can experience varying health effects.

Acute exposure, or exposure to a high level of contaminant over a short period of time, can result in a condition called encephalopathy, which affects the brain and quickly develops into seizures, coma and death from cardio respiratory arrest.

Chronic exposure, or exposure to low levels of contaminants over a long period of time, can result in damage to the brain tissue, reproductive system, urinary tract, nervous system and the formation of blood. Some common symptoms of chronic exposure include:

• loss of appetite
• dizziness
• metallic taste in the mouth
• constipation
• muscle or joint pain
• headache
• pallor
• hyperactivity
• numbness
  
• insomnia

Lead Sampling and Testing

Lead sampling and testing can be conducted in the following ways:

1. Determine the concentration of lead in the air by following NIOSH testing method 7082 or an equivalent. Two pieces of equipment are needed for this—a personal air sampling pump and a membrane filter. Both units can be used for area monitoring, or can be attached to an employee for personal monitoring.
   NOTE: The exposure level to lead in construction and general industry is 50 µg/m 3 (microgram per meter cubed) for air concentration.
2. Determine the concentration of lead in water by obtaining a water test kit or submitting a lead sample to a laboratory.
3. Determination of soil concentration. Obtain a soil test kit or submit a sample to a laboratory.
4. Determine the concentration of lead in the blood having a blood sample taken by physician.
   NOTE: The exposure level for lead in blood is 50µg/dl (micrograms per deciliter).
5. Determine surface lead levels by purchasing any of the convenient test kits that are on the market.
   NOTE: Once the lead level is determined, it should be compared with the recommended level.
   
    

Lead Remediation

Once its presence has been determined, lead can be handled in the following ways:

1. Replacement—remove the entire contaminated piece and replace.
2. Encapsulation—cover the lead with another material.
3. Chemical removal—remove lead by chemical process
4. Physical removal—remove lead by heat gun and manual scraping
5. Blasting—remove by water or vacuum
   NOTE: Before removing lead, consult with state OSHA and EPA regulations. Lead must be disposed of according to state or local ordinances.

Safe Work Practices

When working with lead, certain practices must be followed (29 CFR 1926.62):

1. Provide exhaust ventilation.
2. Use only HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Absolute) vacuums for cleanup.
3. Use a NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirator. (The type will be determined by the exposure level. See Table 1 below.)
4. Do NOT eat, drink or smoke in lead-contaminated areas.
5. Use proper protective clothing, shoe covers and gloves.
6. Wash hands thoroughly before eating.
7. Shower and change into clean clothes before leaving worksite.