Young children are especially affected by lead. Improper work practices can cause lead dust to contaminate areas beyond the immediate work area and poison young children. Lead dust can also collect on employees' work clothes during the day. When those clothes are worn home, the lead can contaminate workers' cars and homes. Young children can then be poisoned by the lead-contaminated dust.
Lead poisoning can occur when people are exposed to large or small amounts of lead over time.
Lead builds up in the body and may cause temporary or permanent damage. A blood lead test can show whether your body has absorbed a dangerous amount of lead. A high blood lead level is an indication that lead is building up in the body faster than it can be eliminated. In the course of maintaining and repairing a building, workers engage in a variety of activities that may disturb lead paint or other lead products. In order to protect both employees and occupants, these activities must be managed in a manner that eliminates or minimizes lead exposure.