Lead Exposure
Lead Poisoning and Lead Exposure
Lead is a heavy metal that workers can be exposed to in a number of ways. At the workplace, employees can come into contact with lead by breathing fumes and dust, eating contaminated food, wearing contaminated clothing, working with contaminated tools, or attraction of traces of lead onto the hair and skin. In fact, lead can even be brought home to workers’ families through these forms of contamination.
Lead Poisoning Symptoms
Lead poisoning symptoms include weakness, fatigue, digestive disorders, fine tremors, and weakness in the wrist. Lead poisoning can contribute to kidney damage, neurological disorders, anemia, high blood pressure, and sexual dysfunction. It has also been shown to cause mental retardation in children.
Workers and industries at risk of lead poisoning
There are many settings and occupations where workers can be exposed to lead. Some examples include:
- Cable splicing
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Gold and silver recovery
- Smelting and welding
- Mining
- Painting
- Radiator repair
- Battery repair and reclamation
- Firing ranges
