US campaign against lead

The US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) office in Kansas City recently announced a special regional-emphasis program aimed at reducing occupational exposure to lead, one of the leading causes of workplace illnesses.

The potential for lead exposure depends on the industry although, generally speaking, lead is an ingredient in thousands of widely-used products, including lead-based paints, lead solder, electrical fittings and conduits, tank linings and plumbing fixtures.

Some common operations that can generate lead dust and fumes include demolition operations; flame-torch cutting; welding; use of heat guns, sanders, scrapers, or grinders to remove lead paint; and abrasive blasting of steel structures.

“Occupational exposure to lead continues to be one of the most prevalent overexposures found throughout industry.” said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator. “It is imperative we do all we can to reduce that exposure to workers. This special regional-emphasis program will serve to amplify OSHA's commitment to ensuring the safety and health of workers in all occupations.”

This program will set targeted inspections in industries or workplaces where there is a potential for lead exposure, and will also cover complaints and referrals regarding lead exposure.

Lead is a potent, systemic poison that serves no known useful function once absorbed by the body. It is well documented that lead adversely affects numerous body systems – including damage to blood-forming, nervous, urinary and reproductive systems – and causes forms of health impairment and disease that can arise from acute or chronic exposure.