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Lead: Identification, Remediation and Personal Protection, 29 CFR 1926 - CONSTRUCTION

Introduction

In October 1992, President Bush signed Section 1031 of Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, requiring OSHA to develop an interim standard for lead in the construction industry. This interim standard had to provide guidelines for protection of construction workers from occupational exposure to lead that is as effective as the HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) guidelines and OSHA's lead standard for general industry. On May 4th, 1993, the final interim rule for lead in the construction industry was issued. This can be found in Subpart D of Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1926.62. The following will cover some of the highlights of this standard. For more information, consult 29 CFR 1926.62.

Where Lead Can Be Found

Many people associate lead with paint, but it is also present in many other places. Lead may be present in your drinking water, which is polluted by the lead in pipes, or in soil from the leaded gasoline which was phased out in the late 80s and early 90s. Although lead in these forms can be dangerous, most exposures to lead poisoning occur during lead paint removal.

In the early 1900s, people realized that lead in paint prevented structures such as bridges, ships, lighthouses and other buildings from corroding. When the paint begins to flake or chip, it is usually taken off by the process of blasting. This type of removal is fast, but it also creates a lot of airborne lead particles, which can be harmful.

How Lead Enters the Body

Lead can enter the body by means of ingestion or inhalation. Once it has entered the body, it is then absorbed by the blood stream which circulates it through the entire body. While the lead is being circulated, the body attempts to filter it out. Some of the lead is filtered out, but much of it is absorbed by soft tissue such as the kidneys, liver and brain tissue or hard tissue such as bones and cartilage.

Health Effects

Health effects from lead can vary depending on the length and level of exposure. In an acute exposure, an individual is exposed to a high level of contaminant over a short period of time. Exposures like this can result in a condition called encephalopathy, which affects the brain and quickly develops into seizures, coma and death from cardiorespiratory arrest.

In a chronic exposure, an individual is exposed to low levels of contaminants over a long period of time. This exposure can result in damage to the brain tissue, reproductive system, urinary tract, nervous system and the formation of blood. Some common symptoms of chronic exposure include:

• loss of appetite
• dizziness
• metallic taste in the mouth
• constipation
• muscle or joint pain
• headache
• pallor
• hyperactivity
• numbness
• insomnia

Testing

Testing for the presence of lead can be done in the following ways:

1. Determination of air concentrations. (Follow NIOSH testing method 7082 or an equivalent.) Two pieces of equipment are needed for this—an air sampling pump and a membrane filter. These can be attached to an employee for personal monitoring or used for area monitoring.
   NOTE: The exposure level to lead in construction and general industry is 50 µg/m³ (microgram per meter cubed) for air concentration.
2. Determination of water concentration. Obtain a water test kit or submit a sample to a laboratory.
3. Determination of soil concentration. Obtain a soil test kit or submit a sample to a laboratory.
4. Determination of blood lead level. Determined by blood sample taken by physician.
   NOTE: The exposure level for lead in blood is 50µg/dl (micrograms per deciliter).
5. Determination of surface lead level. Can be determined by convenient test kits.
   NOTE: Once the lead level is determined, it should be compared with the recommended level.

Remediation of Lead

Lead can be handled in the following ways:

1. Replacement—remove the entire piece and replace.
2. Encapsulation—cover the lead with another material.
3. Chemical removal—remove lead by chemical process
4. Physical removal—remove lead by heat gun and manual scraping
5. Blasting—remove by water or vacuum
   NOTE: Before removing lead, consult with state OSHA and EPA regulations. Lead must be disposed of according to state or local ordinances.

Safe Work Practices

When working with lead, you should follow certain practices (29 CFR 1926.62):

1. Provide exhaust ventilation.
2. Use only HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Absolute) vacuums for cleanup.
3. Use a NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirator. (The type will be determined by the exposure level. See Table 1 below.)
4. Do NOT eat, drink or smoke in lead-contaminated areas.
5. Use proper protective clothing, shoe covers and gloves.
6. Wash hands thoroughly before eating.
7. Shower and change into clean clothes before leaving worksite.

Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62

Training

OSHA guidelines require comprehensive training for everyone who may be potentially exposed to lead. (29 CFR Part 1926).

Signs

Signs must be posted to warn employees of the danger of lead in the area. The signs should state the following: "Warning," "Lead Work Area," "Poison" and "No Smoking or Eating." These signs shall be illuminated and cleaned as necessary to ensure legibility (29 CFR 1926.62 Appendix B, XI).

Product Reference

Lab Safety Supply has the products you need to keep your workers safe and comply with current regulations. Please refer to the Lead, Clothing, Gloves, Respirators, Signs and Vacuums sections of your Lab Safety Supply General Safety Catalog for details.

Sources for More Information

29 CFR Part 1926, Lead

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
4676 Columbia Pkwy.
Cincinnati, OH 45226
800-356-4674

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