What is Lead? What is Lead? Where is it Found?Where is it Found?

Chapter 1Chapter 1

Lead Abatement Lead Abatement

for Workers Coursefor Workers Course

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Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

In this section you will learn:In this section you will learn: What lead isWhat lead is Why lead was usedWhy lead was used Where lead is found todayWhere lead is found today How you can be exposed to leadHow you can be exposed to lead About the lead paint problem in the U.S.About the lead paint problem in the U.S.

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What is Lead?What is Lead?

Lead is a heavy, soft, flexible, blue-gray Lead is a heavy, soft, flexible, blue-gray metalmetal

The chemical symbol for lead is “Pb”The chemical symbol for lead is “Pb”

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Lead-based paint is . . .Lead-based paint is . . .

““Paint, varnish, shellac, or other Paint, varnish, shellac, or other coating on surfaces that contain coating on surfaces that contain 1.0 mg/cm1.0 mg/cm22 or more of lead or or more of lead or 0.5% (5,000 ppm) or more lead by 0.5% (5,000 ppm) or more lead by weight.”weight.”

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Why was lead used?Why was lead used? It prevents corrosionIt prevents corrosion It kills mold and mildewIt kills mold and mildew It is easy to shapeIt is easy to shape It is strongIt is strong It blocks radiationIt blocks radiation It blocks soundIt blocks sound It helps paint dry fasterIt helps paint dry faster It adds color to and brightens paintIt adds color to and brightens paint

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Where is lead found?Where is lead found?

PaintPaint DustDust AirAir SoilSoil GasolineGasoline

Industrial releasesIndustrial releases FoodFood WaterWater HobbiesHobbies OtherOther

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How You Can Be ExposedHow You Can Be Exposed Lead dust particles, not even visible to the Lead dust particles, not even visible to the

eye, can be breathed or swallowedeye, can be breathed or swallowed Touching surfaces covered with lead dust Touching surfaces covered with lead dust

may result in eating the dustmay result in eating the dust Children are especially at risk for lead Children are especially at risk for lead

poisoning because they often put their fingers poisoning because they often put their fingers into their mouthsinto their mouths

Symptoms of lead poisoning are the same as Symptoms of lead poisoning are the same as other common illnessesother common illnesses

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Jobs and Hobbies Jobs and Hobbies with Lead Exposurewith Lead Exposure JobsJobs

Construction trades (e.g., lead abatement Construction trades (e.g., lead abatement workers, carpenters, plumbers, workers, carpenters, plumbers, remodelers/renovators, painters, etc.)remodelers/renovators, painters, etc.)

Industrial trades (e.g., lead miners, lead Industrial trades (e.g., lead miners, lead smelter workers, lead crystal makers, etc.)smelter workers, lead crystal makers, etc.)

Other trades (e.g., firing range employees, Other trades (e.g., firing range employees, police officers, artists, car mechanics, police officers, artists, car mechanics, printers, etc.) printers, etc.)

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The Lead Problem in the U.S.The Lead Problem in the U.S.

About 38 million homes contain lead-About 38 million homes contain lead-based paint—based paint— 87% of homes built before 194087% of homes built before 1940 24% of homes built between 1960-197924% of homes built between 1960-1979

Paint containing more than 0.06% lead Paint containing more than 0.06% lead cannot be used in homes, on furniture, cannot be used in homes, on furniture, or on toysor on toys

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For More InformationFor More Information Many resources are available Many resources are available

Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Protect Your Family From Lead in Your HomeHome

Home Water Treatment Units: Filtering Home Water Treatment Units: Filtering Fact From FictionFact From Fiction

Lead Paint Safety: A Field Guide for Lead Paint Safety: A Field Guide for Painting, Home Maintenance, and Painting, Home Maintenance, and Renovation WorkRenovation Work

Toxics Information Series on LeadToxics Information Series on Lead Other resourcesOther resources