Around a decade or so ago, lead poisoning in the workplace and at home became a tasteless qoute in the United States. Thus, as early as 1991, the United States government began issuing regulations about lead exposure for children and for adults at work. These regulations are strictly enforced, especially in market associates where occupational lead poisoning is more common.
The qoute with lead poisoning among adults is that the condition does not show any symptoms until the exposure has become severe enough. In that case, high levels of lead can already be found in the blood of the man affected and it may be inherent that the damage done has already become irreparable.
So that you can prevent occupational lead poisoning, you need to be informed of how it happens and how you can deal with it.
Risk Factors for Occupational Lead Poisoning
Generally, citizen who live or work in old buildings that have not been fully renovated or in new buildings that are less than five years old are at risk.
1. Buildings built before the 1970s would have been coated with lead paint and have been installed with a plumbing law that makes use of lead pipes.
2. Buildings less than five years old would have been installed with a plumbing law that makes use of copper pipes. However, these copper pipes may have been soldered with lead, and it takes at least five years for mineral deposits in water to coat the lead solder and prevent contamination.
People who work with lead are more at risk for occupational lead poisoning. Your lead exposure is elevated if you work in one of the following professions:
1. Painting, reparation works or remodeling
2. Repairing automotive vehicles
3. Making ceramics
4. Foundries and scrap metal
5. Constructing and repairing roads and bridges
6. Making jewelry
7. Demolition crews
You are also extremely likely to be exposed to lead if you engage in hobbies and activities such as making fishing sinkers, making bullets for use in indoor firing ranges, repairing boats, making homemade pottery or jewelry, and remodeling furniture.
Signs and Effects of Occupational Lead Poisoning
As mentioned above, lead poisoning is often asymptomatic, meaning it does not show any signs or symptoms until it is too late. However, it can nonetheless leave some clues.
You may be experiencing some level of lead poisoning if you have a aggregate of the following symptoms:
• Tiredness
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Difficulty in focusing
• Short temper
• Headaches
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Lack of appetite
• Stomach pains
• Weight loss
If left untreated, it can cause damage to the brain, the nervous system, the eyes, the digestive system, and the kidneys. Adults with high levels of lead in their law can also become impotent or infertile, touch high blood pressure, and become anemic.
Employees' rights about Occupational Lead Poisoning
If you work with lead as part of your job, you need to know your rights as well as your employer's accountability when it comes to preventing lead poisoning in the workplace. In the first place, your employer is required by law to forewarn you of the government's Lead proper as well as the results of the air monitoring at work.
More importantly, your employer should instigate a medical lookout program. This is supposed to monitor and value employees for inherent lead exposure straight through blood tests or saliva lead test, medical exams particularly geared for lead exposure, and medicine when needed.
If you are diagnosed to have gotten occupational lead poisoning, it is your employer's accountability to get you treated as well as to exchange you to another job within the enterprise without losing any salaries due or benefits.
What You Need to Know About Occupational Lead Poisoning