Workplace Safety

Overexposure to lead is a leading cause of workplace illness and affects numerous systems in the body. These effects can happen after periods of exposure as short as a few days or as long as several years. Even low levels of lead in adults can:

• Increase blood pressure - may increase the chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
• Decrease brain function - makes it more difficult to think, learn, and remember.
• Decrease kidney function - makes it more difficult to get rid of toxic waste products through the urine.
• Harm the physical and mental development of a baby before it’s born.
• Increase chances of having a miscarriage.

Lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978. Disturbing paint in buildings constructed before 1978 may be hazardous to both workers and residents.

Children can get lead poisoning if you or someone who lives in your home works with lead. Some kinds of work make lead dust. Even though you can’t see the lead dust, it can get on your hands, face, and clothes. The lead dust you take home from your job can get in your car, on furniture, floors, and carpets. Young children can swallow this lead dust and be poisoned.

Occupational Information: