With the Flint lead water crisis, lead
poisoning has become a trending topic of discussion. While children have a
higher risk exposure from lead, according to the Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology
and Surveillance (ABLES) program, ninety-four percent of adults with elevated
blood lead levels (BLL) are exposed through the workplace.
Primary lead exposures are occupational
and occur in lead related industries such as refining, lead smelting, and
manufacturing. According to the United States Department of Labor, there are 14
lead producing plants, which accounts for ninety-nine percent of U.S. secondary
production. Other areas of exposure include home renovations (a frequent source
of exposure), car repairs, electronic soldering, molding of bullets, fishing
sinkers, and glass or metal soldering. Workers are exposed to lead through
inhaling lead dusts and lead oxide fumes, as well as through eating and
drinking near lead contaminated areas.
Ingestion
of lead can cause irreversible health damage. BLL of more than 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (>10
µg/dL) is considered high. The National Toxicology program concludes that there
is sufficient evidence of adverse health effects with BLL of <10 µg/dL. Adverse
health effects include a wide range of health issues, from neurological to
renal. Health effects include increased blood pressure, increased risk of
hypertension, and increased evidence of essential tremor. Individuals with BLL
of <5 µg/dL showed decreased glomerular filtration rate, reduced fetal
growth in women, and adverse changes in sperm parameters and increased time to
pregnancy.
Lead
poisoning is preventable through many different ways, such as avoiding carrying
lead home on clothes, cleaning exhaust ventilations, wearing personal
protective equipment, and through improved lead safety practice.
Written by: Sweeta Jura
