In Jefferson County we know that lead exposure is a potential risk especially for vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. However, did you there are some occupations that come with a higher risk of lead overexposure and poisoning? According to the CDC, certain jobs and industries are more likely to come in contact with lead. These include:
Artists (materials used may contain lead)
Auto repairers (car parts may contain lead)
Battery manufacturers (batteries contain lead)
Bridge reconstruction workers (old paint may contain lead)
Construction workers (materials used may include lead)
Firing range instructors and gunsmiths (ammunition contains lead)
Glass manufacturers (lead may be used in glass production)
Lead manufacturers, miners, refiners, and smelters
Manufacturers of bullets, ceramics, and electrical components (all contain lead)
Painters (old paint and commercial paint may contain lead)
Plastic manufacturers (materials made may contain lead)
Plumbers and pipe fitters (pipes may contain lead)
Police officers (ammunition contains lead)
Radiator repairers (radiators may contain lead)
Recyclers of metal, electronics, and batteries (may contain lead)
Rubber product manufacturers (process contains lead)
Shipbuilders (materials used may include lead)
Solid waste incinerator operators (waste may contain lead)
Steel welder (galvanized steel is coated in part with lead)
If you work in an occupation with a higher risk of lead exposure, it’s important to know how exposure works, how to prevent exposure, and what health effects to look out for.
Lead exposure can occur through breathing in lead fumes, ingesting lead dust, or coming in contact with lead. Lead dust can settle on clothes, shoes, food, etc. so washing your hands and work clothing is a good prevention step to reduce your exposure as well as the exposure of others in your home. Also, wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, boots, and protective clothing can help prevent contact while working around lead and lead dust.
It doesn’t matter whether a person swallows, breathes-in, or absorbs lead particles, the health effects are the same. Lead poisoning occurs when a person is exposed to very high levels of lead over a short period of time or long-term exposure to lead. Health effects for short term exposure include:
Abdominal pain
Constipated
Tired
Headachy
Irritable
Loss of appetite
Memory loss
Pain or tingling in the hands and/or feet
Weak
Health effects for long term exposure to lead include:
Abdominal pain
Constipated
Depressed
Distracted
Forgetful
Irritable
Nauseous/Sick
If you want to know your blood lead level (BLL), reach out to your healthcare provider for a simple BLL test done. Based on your results, your provider can help you take steps to protect yourself and your family. Learn more about lead poisoning using the links below.
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/default.htm
https://www.jeffcohealth.org/knowlead