The standard also includes requirements addressing exposure assessment, methods of compliance, respiratory protection, protective clothing and equipment, hygiene facilities and practices, employee information and training, signs, recordkeeping, and observation of monitoring. Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause adverse health effects. Lead has no beneficial biological effect. Fetuses and young children are particularly susceptible to lead. Considerable data suggest a correlation between elevated blood lead and delays in early neurological and physical development, cognitive and behavior alterations, alterations in red blood cell metabolism and vitamin D synthesis, and kidney impairment.
Adults are also at risk.
A positive association has been found in adult males between elevated blood lead and hypertension. Lead has also been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Since lead is stored in bone, it may be mobilized during periods of stress, during pregnancy, and among people suffering from osteoporosis. Lead exposure also may play a role in miscarriages and in damage to the male reproductive system.