Category: Lead
Worried About Lead in Your Workplace?
Our goal in public health is to keep people safe from the hazards around them including in the workplace. If you are worried about lead or other possible hazards in your worksite, there is something you can do about it. There’s a program for that The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Health Read More >
Posted on byABLES: A Leader in Public Health Lead Surveillance
In the early to mid-20th Century, it was becoming increasingly apparent that the metal lead had a Jekyll and Hyde persona. At that time, lead was a common and useful additive to paint and gasoline among other uses. However, evidence mounted, implicating lead as the cause of many health problems (see related blog). In adults, Read More >
Posted on by 6 CommentsWorkplace Lead Exposure Trends
What do home renovations, bullet manufacturing, and battery recycling have in common? You could be exposed to lead while working with materials used during these activities. Read More >
Posted on by 5 CommentsThe Rise and Fall of Lead in the Workplace
Lead Seemed to be Everywhere From ancient civilizations to the mid-20th century, lead seemed to be a gift from the gods. Its durable, malleable, and corrosion resistance properties made this metal invaluable. It was in such high demand, the Roman Empire began massive lead mining operations. In fact, the English word “plumbing” came from the Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsThe Story of a Lead Disaster Averted
A Sick Child and the Search for Answers This week is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. The following fictional story of take-home lead exposure among children exemplifies a very real problem. A state health department is notified about a three-year-old boy who had recently been seen by his pediatrician due to ongoing vomiting, appetite Read More >
Posted on by 4 Comments‘Take-Home’ Exposures Still Persist
Occupational health has evolved into a largely technical field dedicated to identifying and eliminating the physical, chemical, and biologic hazards found at the workplace (Peckham et al, 2017). Central to this approach has been the distinction between work-related and non-work-related exposures, injuries, and illnesses which has become a line of demarcation between occupational safety and Read More >
Posted on by 12 CommentsOccupational Exposures at Electronic Scrap Recycling Facilities
Go Green! Recycle! We have all heard the call to be more environmentally conscious. However, not everyone is aware of the many health and safety hazards facing employees who handle the recycling of electronics. Many recycled electronics can contain hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium and other toxic metals. In 2011, the U.S. e-scrap recycling Read More >
Posted on by 41 CommentsA Voice in the Wilderness: Alice Hamilton and the Illinois Survey
Today, on Workers Memorial Day we remember those who died from work-related causes and take stock of what we still need to accomplish to reduce the toll of workplace injury, disease, and death. As we do this, it may be helpful to look back at how far we have come and remember one woman in Read More >
Posted on by 8 CommentsTake Aim at Protecting Yourself
If you work or train regularly at indoor firing ranges, you could be exposed to hazardous levels of lead and noise. An estimated 16,000–18,000 indoor firing ranges operate in the United States. Read More >
Posted on by 68 Comments