Take-Home Lead Exposure Dangers for Families of Some Workers

Today, in the United States, there are a number of rules and regulations in place that are designed to protect workers from occupational exposure to lead hazards. Unfortunately, these are not always followed, putting workers and their families at risk.
 
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR), the major exposure pathways for workers are inhalation and ingestion of lead-bearing dust and fumes. These same workers, in some circumstances, could also be creating a secondary source of lead exposure for their families if they bring home lead-contaminated dust on their skin, hair, clothes, shoes or tools.
 
In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that take-home lead can cause lead poisoning in children and other family members. The agency recommends workers stop lead from getting into their homes and vehicles by always washing, showering and changing out of work clothes and shoes before leaving work.
 
OSHA’s list of common jobs with lead exposure risks includes:

• Painting,
• Building renovation,
• Radiator repair,
• Bridge work,
• Shooting range work,
• Demolition,
• Battery manufacturing,
• Metal production,
• Metal scrap cutting and recycling,
• Ceramic work, and
• Plumbing.

 
“It has been long recognized that occupational exposure to lead hazards is a significant concern for workers in many different industries,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark. “Sadly, some workers also bring home contaminated dusts that create lead poisoning dangers for their families. At CSC, our industrial hygiene, environmental and building science professionals are experts in the rules and regulations of the industry and are regularly called upon to provide exposure assessments, personal protective equipment fit testing and employee training to mitigate or eliminate exposure risks. These services protect workers and their families while being instrumental for keeping companies in regulatory compliance.”
 
CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about secondary lead exposure risks for workers’ families that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/TSNaDLmdwXI
 
To learn more about lead or other indoor air quality, environmental, occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address environmental, IAQ, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail