
Q. What is lead?
Lead is a bluish-gray, soft metallic element used in many household and industrial items from brass fixtures to batteries, and fine crystal to paint.
Q. What are the properties of lead which have caused it to be widely used?
- Lead will not rust, oxidizes at an extremely slow rate, it will exist for a very long time in a solid state.
- Lead was used as a pigment and drying agent in “alkyd” (oil based) paint. Note: “Latex” (water based) paint, generally does not contain lead.
- Lead melts at a very low temperature and solidifies rapidly which makes it ideal for use in solder.
- Lead cannot be penetrated by X-rays.
- Lead is extremely malleable and can be drilled or sawn easily.
- There is no economical metal heavier than lead.
- Lead is not easily corroded and is ideal for car batteries and lining tanks which contain corrosive liquids. It is also used to protect metal wires and steel structures from corrosion.
Q. What are sources of lead exposure?
Environmental
- Paint: Lead was used in house paint until it was banned in 1978. Dust and chips can be generated whenever it deteriorates or is scraped or sanded.
- Soil: Lead was widely used in gasoline until 1974, when a gradual regulated phase out began. Lead can be found in high concentrations in the soil surrounding high traffic routes as a result of leaded gasoline fallout. Lead can also be found in the soil surrounding buildings or structures painted with lead-based paint.
- Water: Drinking water may contain lead due to the use of lead pipes or lead solder. The use of lead pipes and solder (for potable water supplies) was banned in 1987.
- Other: Lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain
Occupational
Following are some occupations which might result in occupational lead exposure:
- Battery manufactures
- Auto mechanics
- Metal smelters & lead-reclamation plants
- Miners, especially lead miners
- Glass manufactures
- Painters
- Plastic manufactures
- Printers
- Ceramic or crystal ware manufactures
- Lead abatement workers
- Steel welders or cutters
Hobbies
- Oil painting
- Stained glass
- Pottery making
- Refinishing furniture
- Hunting or fishing equipment
- Lead soldering
Other areas of exposure
- Medicinal (folk remedies)
- Lead-based cosmetics
- Antique furniture and toys
Note: “Lead” pencils manufactured today DO NOT contain lead; they contain graphite.
Q. What is considered to be an unacceptable level of lead in paint?
Lead-based paint is defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as any paint that contains more than 0.5 percent lead by weight (or about 1 milligram per square centimeter of painted surface). This is the "action level" at which the EPA recommends removal of lead paint if it is deteriorating and chipping.