Skin and Surface Lead Contamination, Hygiene Programs, and Work Practices of Bridge Surface Preparation and Painting Contractors

Details

• Personal Author:
  Pepper, Lewis D. ; Virji, M. Abbas ; Woskie SR ; Pepper, Lewis D. ; Virji, M. Abbas ; Woskie SR
• Description:
  A 2005 regulatory review of the lead in construction standard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) noted that alternative pathways of exposure can be as significant as inhalation exposure and that noncompliance with the standard pertaining to hygiene facilities and practices was the second most commonly violated section of the standard. Noncompliance with provisions of the standard and unhealthy work and hygiene practices likely increase the likelihood of take-home lead via contaminated clothing, automobiles, and skin, thus contributing to elevated blood lead levels (BLL) among construction workers and their family members. We performed a cross-sectional study of bridge painters working for small contractors in Massachusetts to investigate causes of persistent elevated BLLs and to assess lead exposures. Thirteen work sites were evaluated for a 2-week period during which surface and skin wipe samples were collected and qualitative information was obtained on personal hygiene practices, decontamination and hand wash facilities, and respiratory protection programs. Results showed lead contamination on workers' skin, respirators, personal automobiles, and the decontamination unit, indicating a significant potential for take-home lead exposure. Overall, the geometric mean (GM) skin lead levels ranged from 373 microg on workers' faces at end of shift to 814 microg on hands at break time. The overall GM lead level inside respirators was 143 microg before work and 286 microg after work. Lead contamination was also present inside workers' personal vehicles as well as on surfaces inside the clean side of the decontamination unit. Review of the respiratory protection programs, work site decontamination and hand wash facilities, and personal hygiene practices indicated that these factors had significant impact on skin and surface contamination levels and identified significant opportunities for improving work site facilities and personal practices. Elevated lead exposure and BLL can be minimized by strict adherence to the OSHA provisions for functioning decontamination and hygiene facilities and healthy personal hygiene practices. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Construction Industry Environmental Exposure Environmental Pollution Lead Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Paint Personal Protective Equipment Safety Skin Staff Development Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Aerosol Particles Author Keywords: Bridge Painting Construction Industry Construction Workers Environmental Contamination Environmental Exposure Environmental Hazards Lead Absorption Lead Compounds Lead Dust Lead Exposure Assessment Lead Fumes Occupational Exposure Occupational Hazards Painters Painting Paints Personal Hygiene Personal Protective Equipment Protective Equipment Qualitative Analysis Safety Education Safety Practices Skin Exposure Skin Exposures Statistical Analysis Surface Contamination Training Work Analysis Work Areas Work Environment Workplace Studies Work Practices

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• ISSN:
  1545-9624
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article ; Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health ; Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America ; North America
• Pages in Document:
  131-142
• Volume:
  6
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20034968
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Hyg 2009 Feb; 6(2):131-142
• Contact Point Address:
  Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA
• Email:
  MVirji@cdc.gov
• CAS Registry Number:
  Lead (CAS RN 7439-92-1) ; Lead (CAS RN 7439-92-1)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2009
• Performing Organization:
  Boston University, Boston, MA
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19930930
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• End Date:
  19970731
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:cb91ee397d907b75971d4f1d3250578e733d1fa1bd75fc4b5abc32f55ab76469e069082440d399d1774305dbe463872841457569c8f40b71e6e6b5c7e2b642d5
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/186975/cdc_186975_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 598.79 KB ]