General Industry Workers and Exposure
Most adult exposures to lead is occupational and occur as a result of the production, use, maintenance, recycling, and disposal of lead material and products in the workplace. One of the most common exposures to lead involves scraping, remodeling, or otherwise disturbing lead-based paint.
In general industry, workers come in contact with lead in solder, plumbing fixtures, rechargeable batteries, lead bullets, leaded glass, brass, or bronze objects, and radiators. Lead exposure can occur not only in the production of these kinds of objects but also in their use (e.g., firing ranges), repair (e.g., radiator repair), and recycling (e.g., lead-acid battery recycling).
Construction workers are exposed to lead during the removal, renovation, or demolition of structures painted with lead pigments. Workers may also be exposed during installation, maintenance, or demolition of lead pipes and fittings, lead linings in tanks and radiation protection, leaded glass, work involving soldering, and other work involving lead metal or lead alloys.
Click on the buttons below to see a list of the those general industry occupations at most risk of lead exposure and a video on lead exposure at a battery recycling plant.
| Occupations at Risk of Exposure to Lead in the Workplace | |
|---|---|
| Auto repairers | Lead refining workers |
| Battery manufacturers and recycling | Lead smelter workers |
| Bridge reconstruction workers | Plastics manufacturers |
| Construction workers | Plumbers, pipe fitters |
| Firing range instructors | Police officers |
| Glass manufacturers | Printers |
| Lead manufacturers industry employees | Rubber product manufacturing |
| Lead mining workers | Shipbuilders |
| Workers in recycling plants for electronics, computers, etc | Steel welders or cutters |
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-5. Which of the following is a very common source of exposure to lead?
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