Characterization of occupational and residential lead exposure at a stained-glass studio

Details

• Personal Author:
  Donovan B
• Description:
  In response to a request from owners of a stained glass window making studio located in the Midwest, an investigation was made on the possible hazardous working conditions at the site, paying specific attention to the exposure of the workers to lead (7439921). Samples were taken from all possible areas of exposure at the studio for 5 days; all samples were analyzed for lead. Blood samples from the artists were also taken for an assessment of blood lead and zinc-protoporphyrin levels. Air samples did not indicate deviations from the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) except during the whiting process, where personal breathing zone samples indicated measurements above the OSHA PEL of 50 micrograms/cubic meter. Surface wipe samples indicated substantial quantities of lead at the workshop, but zero to trace levels from the home. Bulk samples taken before and after the whiting process indicated that lead dust was generated during the whiting process due to absence of lead prior to use and a lead concentration of 1100 micrograms/gram immediately after use. Carpet dust vacuum samples revealed minimal quantifiable concentrations of lead. Soil samples did not show drastic differences between lead levels at home and workplace. Blood lead concentrations were primarily below the 10 micrograms/deciliter. Inhalation of lead dust/fume and ingestion resulting from hand to mouth contact with lead contaminated food, cigarettes, clothing, or other objects were determined to be the major routes of worker exposure to lead. Results indicated that the ventilation system and hygiene practices used by the personnel are minimizing lead exposure and contamination. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Art Dust Environmental Pollution Hematologic Tests Metals Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety Ventilation Workplace
• Keywords:
  Arts-and-crafts Blood-analysis Environmental-contamination Metal-dusts Metal-fumes NIOSH-Author Occupational-exposure Ventilation-systems Work-environment
• ISSN:
  1047-322X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  9
• Issue:
  10
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00224869
• Citation:
  Appl Occup Environ Hyg 1994 Oct; 9(10):678-680
• CAS Registry Number:
  Lead (CAS RN 7439-92-1)
• Editor(s):
  Tharr D
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1995
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:69bfac7e496f9d7bddd9dcd67940a3646c8e3a16a3e0fab3a2808e72b6589a88c43e6da874682d979dd070893a948d681fe4b5a5b80dd50dd3792b7c0e80d199
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/204312/cdc_204312_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 531.78 KB ]