Lead Testing: Also Important in Adults: No Amount of Lead Is Safe, Even for Adults

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Wisconsin. Department of Health Services
• Description:
  Adults, just like children, can have lead poisoning because adults can be exposed to lead in a variety of ways, it's important for health care providers to talk to their patients about lead exposure. Common symptoms of lead poisoning in adults include nausea, constipation, upset stomach, fatigue, impaired concentration, hearing loss, and joint pain, among many others. Lead poisoning in adults can have long-term effects, such as decreased fertility and high blood pressure. The severity of symptoms depends on the level of exposure; some people might show no symptoms at all. The only way to know if someone has lead poisoning is to do a blood lead test. Three ways adults are at risk: Their jobs. Common jobs with lead exposure include painting, welding, torch cutting, auto body paint work, renovation, radiator repair, bridge work, shooting range work, demolition, battery manufacturing, metal production, metal scrap work, ceramic work, soldering, and plumbing. Their Hobbies. Common jobs with lead exposure include painting, welding, torch cutting, auto body paint work, renovation, radiator repair, bridge work, shooting range work, demolition, battery manufacturing, metal production, metal scrap work, ceramic work, soldering, and plumbing. Their remedies and habits. Some folk remedies, traditional medicines, health foods, moonshine whiskies, and ceramic wares can contain lead. Individuals may try to self-treat lead poisoning with over-the-counter medication, which is not advised. What Health Care Providers Can Do. Test any patients who may be exposed to lead. If the blood lead level is 3.5 µg/dL or higher, action is needed. If the blood lead level is below 3.5 µg/dL, monitor blood lead level if continued exposure is likely. Recommend testing of household members. If the blood lead level is 3.5 µg/dL or higher, encourage testing for people who live in the home or visit it regularly, especially children and pregnant women. Encourage activities that reduce exposure. Wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking. Wear a clean, properly fitted respirator in areas with lead dust or fumes. Keep items used on the job, such as toolboxes and lunch coolers, in the trunk of the car. Shower (if possible) and change into clean clothes and shoes after working with lead, preferably before going home. Launder lead-soiled clothes separately from other clothing. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Blood Education Hematologic Tests Lead Occupational Health Public Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Blood Lead Levels Blood Tests Hazards Health Effects Intervention Effectiveness Public Health Surveillance Worker Health Workers Worker Safety
• Publisher:
  Wisconsin Department of Health Services
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Lay Publication
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 5 ; Wisconsin
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20066605
• Citation:
  Madison, WI: Wisconsin Department of Health Services, P-01293, 2022 Sep; :1-2
• CAS Registry Number:
  Lead (CAS RN 7439-92-1)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• Performing Organization:
  Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20150701
• Source Full Name:
  Lead testing: also important in adults: no amount of lead is safe, even for adults
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:feaa232cc1abf6bb92c78a845cfe4942448a77d82e2b4dc849662b242aadd9450c0f3954191c05300cbd64df15d9d2564015f322fb6394907c95f63222a6d358
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/230979/cdc_230979_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 298.36 KB ]