Lead Exposure Persists for Painters, Metal Workers

A large number of people are still exposed to unhealthy levels of lead through their jobs—most in construction and manufacturing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that from 2002 to 2011, occupational exposure caused 7,076 adults in the U.S. to have “very high” blood lead levels (BLL), defined as being at or above 40 µg/dL. Within this group, 49% were employed in battery manufacturing, nonferrous metal production, or painting and wallcovering contracting. Painting, renovation, and remodeling work were also prominent causes in the 6% of cases with a known exposure source that was not occupationally related, CDC noted.

In two case histories provided by the CDC, one worker was exposed to lead by recycling the grit and steel shot from his company’s sandblasting operations, and another had been scraping paint without appropriate protections. These types of work-related exposures may result in such high lead levels in part because the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) lead standards do not require medical removal for construction workers until their BLL reaches 50 µg/dL, while CDC’s reference level for a healthy adult is 10 µg/dL. In addition, workers may return to work as soon as their BLL falls below 40 µg/dL, leaving them vulnerable to chronic exposure.

CDC recommends that employers increase efforts to reduce exposure and that examining physicians exercise their authority to order leave or transfers for patients even if BLLs are lower than current OSHA standards.

For more information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

cdc.gov/mmwr/