Georgia Occupational Health Indicator: Elevated Blood Lead Levels (BLL) Among Adults, 2010–2015

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Georgia. Department of Public Health
• Description:
  Lead is a soft, malleable, and heavy post-transition metal that is highly poisonous to animals and humans. It can be found both in the environment and in the workplace. As a neurotoxin, lead accumulates both in soft tissues and in the bones, causing hypertension, cognitive dysfunction, adverse effects on renal function, and adverse effects on female reproductive outcomes. In the United States, about 90% of adult lead poisoning is caused by occupational exposures. The primary exposure pathways of lead are through inhalation and ingestion. In general, approximately 100% of inhaled lead is absorbed, compared with about 20-70% of that ingested. Adults are exposed to lead mainly by breathing in lead dust and fumes at work or from hobbies that involve lead. For example, construction workers are exposed to lead during the removal, renovation, or demolition of structures painted with lead pigments. Certain industries are more likely to have lead exposures, such as manufacturers of ceramics, electrical components, plumbing fixtures, lead bullets, and rechargeable batteries. Lead exposure can occur not only during production, but also during the use (e.g., shooting ranges), repair (e.g., radiator repair), and recycling (e.g., battery recycling) of lead containing materials. Adult blood lead levels (BLL) are considered elevated at 10 ug/dL or greater, however, toxicity can occur at levels as low as 5 ug/dL. In 2015, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) revised the case definition for elevated BLL to include persons aged 16 years and older with blood lead concentrations of 5ug/dL or greater. No level of lead in the blood of children is currently thought to be safe. Approximately 24,000 children in the United States have an elevated BLL of 10 ug/dL or greater from lead being brought home from work by their parents. The average BLL for the general population is less than 1.5 ug/dL. Lead poisoning has been mandated a reportable condition in Georgia. The state of Georgia requires that all BLL screening and follow-up test results be reported to DPH within seven days. This report summarizes the burden of elevated BLL (10 ug/dL or greater) in Georgia among persons aged 16 years and older during 2010 - 2015. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Age Factors Epidemiology Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Age Factors Blood Lead Levels Lead Dust Medical Screening Occupational Health Programs Surveillance Programs Toxic Effects Worker Health
• Publisher:
  Georgia Department of Public Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Report
• Place as Subject:
  Georgia ; OSHA Region 4
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054336
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: Georgia Department of Public Health, 2017 Jan; :1-3
• CAS Registry Number:
  Lead (CAS RN 7439-92-1)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• Performing Organization:
  Georgia State Department of Public Health, Atlanta
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20150701
• Source Full Name:
  Georgia occupational health indicator: elevated blood lead levels (BLL) among adults, 2010-2015
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b4ff34719b7c3a1ec7212831915eb8216180ee423475c7cc0d0d2d59e04990eef796adb392b3ff4e51e570217258dfcfcb86e671a5684bc5b4ef3c70dc08d530
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/216922/cdc_216922_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 845.48 KB ]