Lead-based paint occupational exposures

Cardiovascular effects have been noted in occupationally exposed workers after exposure to high levels of lead following exposure durations of as short as 4 weeks. Construction workers (race not specified) using oxyacetylene torches to cut a metal bridge that had been painted with lead-based paint were reported to exhibit increases in heart rate and blood pressure after 4 weeks of exposure (Marino et al. 

Inhibition of ALAD and stimulation of ALAS result in increased levels of ALA in blood or plasma and in urine. For example, in a case report of a 53-year-old man with an 11-year exposure to lead from removing old lead-based paint from a bridge, a PbB level of 55 pg/dL was associated with elevated urinary ALA (Pollock and Ibels 1986). The results of the Meredith et al. (1978) study on lead workers and controls indicated an exponential relationship between PbB and blood ALA. Numerous studies reported direct correlations between PbB level and log urinary ALA in workers. Some of these studies indicated that correlations can be seen at PbB levels of <40 pg/dL (Lauwerys et al. 1974 Selander and Cramer 1970 Solliway et al. 1996), although the slope may be different (less steep) than at PbB levels of >40 pg/dL. In a study of 98 occupationally exposed subjects (51 pg/dL, mean PbB) and 85 matched controls (20.9 pg/dL. mean PbB) it was found that log ZPP and log ALA in urine correlated well with PbB levels (Gennart et al. 1992a). In the exposed group, the mean ZPP was 4 times higher than in the controls, whereas urinary ALA was increased 2-fold. 

People living near hazardous waste sites may be exposed to lead via ingestion of contaminated water or soils or by inhalation of lead particles in the air. For people not living in the vicinity of hazardous waste sites, the major route of exposure to lead is ingestion, particularly of lead-contaminated water, food, soil, lead-based paint chips, or dusts (the latter two are particularly relevant to children in lower-income urbanized populations). For occupationally exposed individuals, the predominant route of exposure is the inhalation of lead particles with oral ingestion also important in many cases. 

To reduce exposure to lead-based paint hazards created by renovation activities, the work practices standards in this regulation provide basic requirements for occupant protection, site preparation, and cleanup. 

Important environmental sources and pathways of lead still remain, with lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dusts and soils as the primary sources and pathways of lead exposure for children. In addition, children continue to be exposed to lead through air, water, and food, as well as occupations and hobbies ofparents and caretakers. The focus ofprevention efforts must therefore expand... 

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