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Lead in the Workplace
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 Lead in the Workplace
 About
																							Symptoms
																							Risk Factors
																							Prevention
																							Workplace Lead Exposure Trends
																							Blood Lead Level Guidance
																							Resources
																							About ABLES
																						View All
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						Lead in the Workplace


About Symptoms Risk Factors Prevention Workplace Lead Exposure Trends Blood Lead Level Guidance Resources About ABLES View All




Lead in the Workplace
 Understanding Your Risk for Lead Exposure


Key points
 Lead dust and fumes are not noticeable in the air and do not have an odor.
Your body absorbs higher levels of lead when you breathe it in.
Certain work tasks, like heating or grinding metal, can increase lead exposure risk.
 A person is exposed to lead by breathing it in, ingesting it, or absorbing it through their skin.
 How lead gets inside your body Lead exposure is the highest when it is breathed-in‎
 Breathing lead dust and fumes You cannot see or smell lead dust or fumes. They do not have an odor and may not be seen in the air. **You****may not know** you are being exposed. Swallowing lead dust and fumes Lead can leave a metallic taste in your mouth, though some people may not notice this. Lead dust can settle on food, water, clothes, and other objects. Absorbing lead through the skin Some studies have found that lead can be absorbed through skin.1 Lead dust on your skin, clothes, shoes, or hair can be hard to notice.
 Industries with increased risk Lead is used in many industries, but is most common in Construction
Mining
Manufacturing View the latest trends in workplace lead exposure!‎ 
 Trends in Workplace Lead Exposure
 Behaviors that can increase risk Work tasks that may expose you to lead fumes Heating or soldering metal during metal processing can produce lead fumes. Work tasks that may expose you to lead dust Cutting or grinding metal can produce lead dust.
Sanding or removing lead paint with a heat gun can produce lead dust.
Firing handguns or rifles can produce lead dust. Other ways you can increase your risk in the workplace Eating, drinking, or smoking **in****areas** where lead is being processed or stored.
Not **washing your hands** before you eat.
Handling items contaminated with lead and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
 On This Page
	How lead gets inside your body
								Industries with increased risk
								Behaviors that can increase risk
  January 24, 2024 Sources Print Share
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 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
 References U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [2007] Toxicological profile for Lead (update) [http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp13.pdfpdf icon (PDF 4.8 MB, 582 pages)] Public Health Service Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
 Sources ATSDR Lead Tox Profile (cdc.gov)


National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established NIOSH as a research agency focused on the study of worker safety and health, and empowering employers and workers to create safe and healthy workplaces. View All
 Lead in the Workplace About
													Symptoms
													Risk Factors
													Prevention
 Workplace Lead Exposure Trends
													Blood Lead Level Guidance
													Resources
													About ABLES
																			View All
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Contact Us Contact Us  Call 800-232-4636
						Contact CDC
 About CDC Mission & Organization
						Budget & Funding
						Careers & Jobs
						About CDC
 Policies Accessibility
						External Links
						Privacy
						Web Policies FOIA
						OIG
						No Fear Act
						Nondiscrimination
						Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
 Languages Languages Español
						Multilingual Content Language Assistance Español
						繁體中文
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						한국어
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						Русский
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