Lead is used in storage batteries, ammunition, cable sheaths, solder, previously used in anti-knock compounds in petrol and the plastics industry. It is also present in many metals such as brass. Lead can also be a problem in the home, particularly from sanding old lead based paints and making diving and fishing weights, and in artists’ studios and potteries. Indoor small bore rifle shooters are also at risk from lead poisoning.
Acute lead poisoning in adults is commonly characterized by abdominal pain, tiredness, aching limbs and joints, and irritability. Nerve palsy and wrist drop have also been mentioned but are very rare. In children and animals lead poisoning is accompanied by CNS signs such as convulsions, irritability, vomiting and anaemia. High lead intake can also be asymptomatic as in a lot of occupational exposure where increased lead intake is seen only by blood lead level measurement.
Sources of lead for different occupational groups
Radiator repair:
Solder (60% lead, 40% tin) is used.
Smelting:
High heat generated in the furnace leads to fumes. Lead (2-3%) is added to brass (copper/zinc alloy) and some bronzes (copper/tin alloy)
Muffler repair:
Exhaust systems may have deposits of lead oxide from lead petrol. This creates fine dust and lead fumes during welding.
Scrap metal:
This includes burning off the covering of old cables, cutting lead enamelled baths, handling old lead batteries and smelting down lead using crude furnaces.
Metal moulding:
The high temperatures used produce fumes from lead and lead containing alloys.
Container repair:
Welding, brushing and sandblasting of lead paint in the confined spaces of containers produces dusts and fumes.
Engine reconditioning:
This involves engines and oils that may be contaminated with lead deposits from leaded petrol.
Panel beating:
Workers are exposed to lead dust and fumes from sanding and welding car bodies containing lead.
Metal machining:
Dust is created by the cutting and spinning of metal alloys containing lead.
Metal polishing:
Fine dust is created when buffing lead based alloys.
Printing:
Old printing equipment used lead based letters for printing.
Welding/gas cutting:
This involves cutting metals coated with lead based paints or bath enamel.
Spray painting:
Exposure occurs during the preparation of surfaces previously coated with lead based paints.
Lead battery manufacture:
Used lead batteries are recycled by smelting down and making lead ingots.
Plastic production:
PVC contains tri basic lead sulphate as a scavenger of acids produced in the degradation of PVC and improves thermal stability.
Leadlighting:
Lead dust is created when sanding and buffing the lead solder seams.
Pottery/ceramics:
Lead based glazes are used.
Plumbing:
Plumbers sometimes use red lead putty as a sealant, as well as soldered joints and lead flashings.
Cable jointing:
Lead is used to mould around joins in cables, which is generally carried out in confined spaces.
Electroplating:
Lead soldered seams are buffed up and polished prior to chrome plating.
Bright solder/electronics:
These use lead solder. Jewellers mostly use silver solder (bright solder).
Paint removal/painting and decorating:
Exposure occurs during removal of lead based paints, e.g., by sanding.
Smallbore rifle shooting:
Lead fumes arise from both the bullet and the primer.
Lipids/Trace Metals
BPB
Sample timing is not critical for occupational exposure. Please state source of exposure if known.
Gross haemolysis OK, gross lipemia OK, gross icterus OK
Ambient 28 days, refrigerated (preferred) 28 days, frozen 28 days
Blood Lead
Red Cell Lead
Whole Blood Lead
7 days
4253