Are Some Workers Inadvertently Exposing Family Members to Lead Hazards?

Occupational exposure to lead has been recognized as a health threat for a number of years. This is why today, there are a number of rules and regulations in place that are meant to protect workers from exposure hazards. However, if these regulations are not followed, or if workers have no idea they are being exposed to lead, they, and even their families, could be at risk of lead poisoning.

The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that indeed a secondary source of lead exposure for workers’ families can take place if workers bring home lead-contaminated dust on their:

• Skin
• Hair
• Clothes
• Shoes
• Tools

“According to OSHA’s own figures, there are approximately 804,000 workers in general industry and an additional 838,000 workers in construction that are potentially exposed to lead,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “These workers could be exposed as a result of the production, use, maintenance, recycling and disposal of lead materials and products. Lead exposure occurs in most industry sectors, including construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation, remediation and even recreation. Undoubtedly, some of these workers are exposing family members to lead-contaminated dusts they bring home. To stop lead from getting into an employee’s home and vehicle and putting their family at risk, OSHA recommends workers always wash, shower and change out of work clothes and shoes before leaving the jobsite.”

Working to prevent these types of exposure hazards for workers and their families are the environmental experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. Their scientists offer lead testing services and sampling supplies for air, dust, soil, bulk and water samples. EMSL has even sponsored an online video about secondary lead exposure risks for workers’ families that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/yoWmTavhlM8.

To learn more about lead or other occupational, environmental, indoor air quality, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . For access to environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 45 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail