Lead Levels

• According to New York's Department of Health, 10 to 25 µg/dL of lead are present at the beginning of lead exposure. At this level, lead is at the beginning stages of accumulating in the body. At 25 to 40 µg/dL, the patient is being exposed on a regular basis and the beginning of physiologic problems is a possibility. At 40 to 80 µg/dL, symptoms of exposure may not be presenting, but serious damage to the patient's health is occurring. At levels reaching 80 µg/dL or higher, severe and lifelong damage may occur with little to no chance of reversal.
  
  

Health Effects

• Lead exposure has a rather large range of side effects which include, but are not limited to, neurological effects, such as fatigue, loss of concentration, irritability, hearing loss and seizures. The GI tract suffers from lead exposure with side effects including nausea, constipation, colic and dyspepsia. The reproductive system suffers from abnormal sperm or a decreased sperm count along with miscarriages or still births. Hypertension, myalgia and anemia are all possible side effects, as well.
  
  

Treatment

• An appointment with a physician should be made in the event that lead exposure has possibly taken place. Any possible exposure to lead should definitely be terminated. This may or may not be sufficient. For the latter, chelation would be the next course of action. Several rounds of chelation may be necessary to achieve desired results if severe and permanent damage was not done.
  
  

Sources

• Lead exposure can occur in a number of settings. From an occupational standpoint, exposure can take place when completing a number of different jobs. The following professionals may possibly be exposed at some point in their career: construction workers, painters, steel welders, cable splicers, scrap metal recyclers, auto mechanics and foundry workers. Personal hobbies can also lead to lead exposure. These hobbies include stained glass and pottery making, home remodeling, casting bullets or fishing sinkers, target shooting with guns at firing ranges, and auto repair.
  
  

Risk Reduction

• Those working with lead can reduce their exposure by washing the hands and face before engaging in meal consumption. Food, drink and smoke breaks should only occur in areas where no lead dust or fumes are present. A clean, appropriately fitting respirator with a HEPA filter should be worn when working in the presence of lead dust or fumes. Regularly worn clothes and shoes should not be used while engaged in activities that could lead to exposure. The worker should shower after working with lead, and clothes should be washed separately from the rest of the family's.