faadvancing safety, h

sealth, and wt 

orkplace rights i

fa

n the legislative br

canch ts 

June 2008 

Lead - Be Aware and Beware 

Lead (Pb) is a bluish-gray metal found in 

nature. Because it is chemically similar 

to calcium, it is readily absorbed by the 

body. Once in the body, it can be stored 

in bones and other tissue for as long as 30 

years. Therefore, small doses of lead over 

a long period can pose a risk to a person’s 

health. 

Legislative branch employees can be 

exposed to lead when they contact it,

work with products that contain it, or

workatplaceswhereitcanbeingestedvia 

contaminated hands or the dust becomes 

airborne. Typical products that contain 

Figure 1: Fans used for cooling can cause lead paint

particles to be airborne and inhaled. 

lead are paints and sealants, particularly

those made before 1978. Exposures can

also occur when working with brass, 

solder, caulk, and other materials. 

Employees who perform sawing, sanding

and other mechanical processes on lead 

Figure 2: While top paint coats may not contain 

lead, under layers may have high lead content. 

When engineering and work practices 

are not effective, employees must wear

the appropriate respirators. 

Legislative branch employees who do not

perform facility repair should be aware

of situations that might involve lead. A 

common source of lead is from paint 

containing products can be exposed to

airborne lead dust. Because lead melts 

at a relatively low temperature, it can be

easily heated until it emits tiny particles 

called fumes. Fumes can be generated by

welding and torch cutting. They can even

be produced if a heat gun is improperly

used during paint removal. 

The Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration (OSHA) requires that 

local exhaust ventilation, wet methods, 

or other feasible practices be used to limit

the inhalation of lead fumes and dusts. 

Figure 3: Removal or encapsulation is necessary 

when extreme lead paint flaking occurs. 

peeling from walls, windows, ceilings or 

other surfaces. 

If you notice paint has peeled or 

contaminated other surfaces, notify 

someone who can determine whether the 

particles contain lead. A sample might 

be sent to a laboratory to test for lead. 

Unless a test shows that these particles 

do not contain lead, keep people away

from contaminated surfaces and do not 

allow fans or other devices to “blow” the 

particles into the air. 

Another situation to be aware of is 

where nearby housekeeping, repair or 

construction work is done on surfaces 

that might involve lead paint. The 

following regulations apply to workers 

exposed to lead: 1) 29 CFR §1910.1025

for General Industry, and 2) 29 CFR 

§1926.62 for construction. OSHA has 

strict requirements for housekeeping of

surfaces contaminated with lead.

 •Vacuum cleaners must have high 

efficiency (HEPA) filters. 

www.compliance.gov 
•Compressedairmaynotbeusedunless 

it is connected to an exhaust hood that 

“captures” the contaminated stream of

air. 

•Shoveling, sweeping, and brushing

may be used only if other methods 

have been tried and have been shown 

to be ineffective. 

Hygiene is very important where lead 

contacts the skin. Lead does not readily 

dissolve in water, so it can be difficult to 

wash away. Very tiny particles of lead can

remain on the hands and be transferred 

to food or chewing gum. Lead from the

contaminated item can then be ingested,

which increases the amount of lead that 

accumulates in the body. 

Most lead circulates in the blood for only

a few days after exposure; therefore, the 

timing of blood tests is very important. 

Absorbed lead is distributed through 

the blood and most of it is deposited in 

the bones. Some lead is also deposited in 

soft body tissues and organs, including

the nerves and the brain. Because the 

kidneys limit excretion of calcium and 

lead, lead can build up in the body over 

many years. 

Acute over-exposures can quickly result

in seizures, coma, and even death. 

Lesser, more common poisonings result

in flu-like symptoms, which often fail

to be correctly diagnosed. Long-term 

exposures can damage the nervous 

system, impacting coordination and 

behavior. 

Exposure can have serious effects on the

reproductive function in both men and 

women. Lead can pass through the 

placental barrier to a developing embryo 

or fetus. Additional effects include 

digestive symptoms, kidney damage,

high blood pressure, and anemia. Some 

groups, such as the Department of 

Health and Human Services and the 

International Agency for Research on 

Cancer, have stated that it is possible that

lead can cause cancer. 

The keys to reducing the risks due to 

ingesting lead or breathing lead particles

are to identify lead paints and other lead

contamination, keep surfaces free of lead 

contamination, and work with lead using

the appropriate methods. 

If you spot a safety hazard in your legislative branch 

workplace, contact the Office of Compliance to report it: 

Room LA 200, John Adams Building 

110 Second Street, SE 

Washington, DC 20540 

t/ 202-724-9250; tdd/ 202-426-1912; f/ 202-426-1913 

Recorded Information Line/ 202-724-9260 

www.compliance.gov 

The Office of Compliance advances safety, health,

and workplace rights in the U.S. Congress and the 

Legislative Branch. Established as an independent

agency by the Congressional Accountability Act of 

1995, the Office educates employees and employing 

offices about their rights and responsibilities under the 

Act, provides an impartial dispute resolution process,

and investigates and remedies violations of the Act. 

fast stats 

OSHA Standards to Reference 

• 29CFR § 1910.1025

• 29CFR § 1926.62

Agencies to Reference for Information 

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Peter Ames Eveleth 

General Counsel 

Rachel Berg Scherer 

Editor 

This information does not constitute advice or an official ruling of the Office of Compliance or the Board of Directors and is intended for educational 

purposes only. For further information, please refer to the Congressional Accountability Act (2 U.S.C 1301 et seq.) and the regulations issued by the 

Board, or you may contact the Office of Compliance.