Preventing Occupational Lead Exposure

1. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has set standards for companies to maintain for the safety of their employees. Companies associated with lead exposure must comply with the “permissible exposure limit (PEL) of fifty micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air (50 μg/m3), averaged over an 8-hour work-day.” There are ways to ensure that the air quality meets the PEL, but also there are ways to get the air back below the PEL. Air Monitoringshould be used frequently in any building that has lead being used or produced. The air should be check to make sure it is not exceeding the PEL. If the PEL is exceeded, companies are required to inform all workers who work in the area of the air condition. There is not a set standard on how often companies should test the air, but if there is a change in processing or production the company needs to monitor to ensure that the change has not affected the air quality. Engineering Controls include material substitution, modification in the process or equipment and exhaust ventilation. Exhaust ventilation can be very effective when trying to lower the exposure to below the PEL. Safety Measures to Take The Military’s War Against Lead Exposure Preventing Occupational Lead Exposure In 2000, a study was done on the Special Operations Force soldiers’ blood lead level. The soldiers had airborne lead exposure 20 to 38 times the PEL. The average blood lead level was 13.9 μg/dL. It was determined that the soldiers were being contaminated at the outdoor firing range which had exposures above the PEL. It was difficult for the researchers to do extensive test on the soldiers because of the frequent deployment and the necessity of realistic training. Those occupations that have high risk of lead poisoning are: producing or smelting lead, melting and casting brass, copper, or lead, demolishing old structures, stripping or sanding old paint, welding, manufacturing batteries, repairing radiators, using indoor firing ranges, and mixing ceramic glazes. Some of these occupations have a higher risk than others, but all workers and employers need to take precautions. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health there are more than 3 million workers in the United States with potential lead exposure. Although the dangers of lead are known, lead is the fifth highest used metal in the world. In 2006, there was about 3,470,000 tons of lead produced in the world. Approximately 77 million pounds of lead is used annually by 45 companies in New Jersey. The continued high use of lead in society is dangerous for all those exposed to it. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one of the leading cases of work-related illness is overexposure to lead. In fact, 95% of all adult lead poisoning is from occupational exposure. Most occupational lead exposure is by oral ingestion while eating, drinking , or smoking at work. Personal Hygiene Practice requires that employees exposed to lead above the PEL are provided changing rooms, showers, and lunchrooms with filtered air. Although this is only required for those exceeding the PEL, this should be used as a precaution for all that are exposed to lead. Employees should always shower before returning home and never bring work clothes home to protect their family from incidental exposure. Lunch time can be the time when the lead is most likely to enter the body. There are companies that require their employees to shower before lunch and eat in a separate building to ensure that the employees are not ingesting lead while they eat. It turned out that not only the outdoor range exceeded the PEL, but also the indoor range. It was estimated the average time spent at the firing range by a soldier was 24 to 40 hours. These firing ranges experience thousands of rounds of ammunition being fired every day. The two indoor firing ranges had airborne lead levels of 980 to 1,900 μg/m3 and 60 to 220 μg/m3. Are Companies Doing Their Job? Lead surveillance and respiratory programs were implemented for all soldiers that spent at least 30 day per year at the firing ranges. The contaminated sand was replaced at the outdoor ranges, time limits were instilled, hygiene was improved to minimize the lead dust, mandatory uniform washing was employed and new exhaust ventilation systems were put into the indoor ranges. From 2000 and 2005, 255 soldiers had their blood tested frequently to assess the how changes in the firing ranges and health protection programs assisted in the lowering of the blood lead level. The graph below shows the average blood lead level of the 255 soldiers tested between 2000 and 2005. The United States Defense Department has taken measures to ensure that soldiers are protected with the 2004 Lead Biomonitoring Policy. This policy categorizes soldiers with any lead exposure into three level. Each level has different ways in treating the soldier so that he or she may return to duty. The military will need to keep studying the blood lead levels of its soldiers until lead is removed from bullets. The presence of lead amongst soldiers can be very detrimental to their reaction times. For these elite men they are paid for their quick reaction time. It is the job of the soldiers to maintain their reaction time, but it is also the military’s job to ensure a safe environment for these men to perfect their timing. Warning Signs should also be used to indicate the areas where lead is being used. OSHA only requires for signs to be posted outside those places where the PEL is exceeded, but there is no harm in posting where any amount of lead is use. In a study conducted by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, the protective measures by New Jersey companies to ensure safety for its workers when around lead were surveyed. The survey was sent to 104 companies in which 44 responded. The table below shows how well these companies provided ways to protect their employees. These surveys indicate that companies are complying with OSHA’s requirements and suggestions. These protective measures are only required when the lead level exceeds the PEL, a possible explanation for some of the NO proportions. Although YES proportions are the majority, there is still work that can be done by companies whose employees are exposed to lead. Many of these measures are optional unless the PEL is exceeded. It would be great achievement if all companies with lead exposure offered these protective measures. Unfortunately, these measures can be very expensive for a company especially if it is a small radiator repair store. For these smaller companies, housekeeping can be best protective measure. The wet wipe, soap/water cleaning solution would keep the lead level down in the building. No matter what size company, every company that has its employees exposed to lead needs to provide some sort of lead protective measure. The consequences of lead overexposure are very severe and any measure can help keep people from being contaminated. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required for workers exposed to lead exceeding the PEL, but should be always be used. Examples of PPE are coveralls, gloves, shoes coverlets, face shields, vented goggles and respirators. There is a listed of 7 types of respirators that are to the standards of OSHA for employers to select from. Medical Surveillance is also a required action on those who work in places where the PEL is exceeded. The medical surveillance is to be cost free for the employee and supervised by a physician. It is a two part surveillance: periodic biological monitoring and medical examinations. Biological monitoring is to be done at least every 6 months. The medical examinations are usually only done after the initial exam if the employee’s blood level has exceeded 40 μg/100g. Training employees on correct use of lead can also prevent unnecessary lead exposure. Training programs inform employees of specific hazards in their work environment, protective measures that can be taken, the dangers of lead, and also the companies responsibility for their safety. In a study, it was found that “properly designed and marketed lead-safe training courses can have a positive impact on knowledge levels, attitudes and behavioral intentions of workers.” Housekeeping is used to keep the level of lead dust down around work spaces. There are many was to do clean up. Vacuuming is the preferred method by OSHA. In a case study at a glass manufacturing company, different cleaning methods were used to clean to see which method was best for lowering the lead levels. The table shows the studies findings. The percentages show how much of the lead was Resources removed from the area. It is interesting to note the dry sweeping and the hi-efficiency vacuum actually produced more lead dust as seen by the negative percentage. Blando, James, Daniel Lefkowitz, David Valiante, Barbara Gerwel, and Eddy Bresnitz. "Survey of Current Lead Use, Handling, Hygiene, and Contaminant Controls Among New Jersey Industries." 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