Lead assessments
Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust. Its widespread use has resulted in extensive environmental contamination, human exposure, and significant public health problems in many parts of the world.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) estimated that in 2019, lead exposure accounted for 900 000 deaths and 21.7 million years of healthy life lost (disability-adjusted life years, or DALYs) worldwide due to long-term effects on health. The highest burden was in low- and middle-income countries. IHME also estimated that in 2019, lead exposure accounted for 62.5% of the global burden of developmental intellectual disability whose cause is not obvious, 8.2% of the global burden of hypertensive heart disease, 7.2% of the global burden of the ischaemic heart disease and 5.65% of the global burden of stroke.
It does not matter if a person inhales, swallows, or absorbs lead particles, the health effects are the same; however, the body absorbs higher levels of lead when it is inhaled.
Within our bodies, lead is absorbed and stored in our bones, blood, and tissues. It does not stay there permanently, rather it is stored there as a source of continual internal exposure. As we age, our bones demineralise, and the internal exposures may increase as a result of larger releases of lead from the bone tissue.
Epidemiological and experimental studies indicate that chronic exposure resulting in blood lead levels (BLL) as low as 10 µg/dL in adults are associated with impaired kidney function, high blood pressure, nervous system and neurobehavioral effects, cognitive dysfunction later in life, and subtle cognitive effects attributed to prenatal exposure. Pregnant women need to be especially concerned with reducing BLL since this can have a serious impact on the developing foetus.
The health risk that may be presented to employees with regard to lead exposure in the workplace is governed by the Lead Regulations, OHS Act (85 of 1993) and one of the requirements is that companies should ensure that air monitoring is carried out by an Approved Lead Inspection Authority every year.
Learn more about lead exposure issues and how they can be resolved, by signing up for an official assessment from Strat Environment.
Sources:
https://www.osha.gov/lead/health-effects
Enquire