Blood Lead Levels: Silent Dangers

            Lead is a metal that is naturally found in the environment and is derived from the earth’s crust (North Carolina department). Lead is abundant in the environment due to human activities, such as fossil fuel burning, mining, and manufacturing (North Carolina department). It is also used in other industries, such as construction (Missouri Department). Lead is combined with other metals to produce alloys, which is another way lead is introduced into the environment. Lead and lead alloys are frequently used to make batteries, ammunition, and many other metal products (Missouri Department). With this, workers are at risk of lead exposure by contact, inhalation and ingestion (Missouri Department).  Workers that are exposed to lead have the potential to transport the lead elsewhere once leaving the worksite. Workers can transport lead on clothes, skin, hair, tools, and in vehicles, which can potentially expose families to lead and the harmful health effects (North Carolina department). It is estimated that over 90% of adults in the United States with elevated blood lead levels are exposed occupationally (Missouri Department). Lead has many harmful health effects once a person has been exposed. Those exposed to lead can experience anemia, nervous system dysfunction, kidney problems, hypertension, decreased fertility, and increased miscarriages (Missouri Department). Specifically, children exposed to lead experience symptoms of neurologic damage, including learning disabilities and short attention spans (Missouri Department). These symptoms are not specific to lead exposure only, but are also symptoms of other health conditions and diseases. This makes it difficult to pinpoint lead exposure or poisoning as the problem. Workers should make use of personal protective equipment to minimize exposure (North Carolina department). Personal protective equipment includes gloves, eye protection, good personal hygiene practices, and other items that prevent skin contact (North Carolina department). Respiratory protection may be necessary as well in extreme cases where exposure levels exceed the standard limits (North Carolina department). Many people are affected by lead exposure nationally. This calls for more awareness and protective measures to be taken nation-wide.

References

(2012). Retrieved from Center for Disease Control website: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/ACCLPP/blood_lead_levels.htm

Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. (n.d.). Adult blood lead epidemiology and surveillance. Retrieved from http://health.mo.gov/data/ables/index.php

North carolina department of labor. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nclabor.com/osha/etta/A_to_Z_Topics/lead.pdf