LEAD
Why are we worried about lead?

Protection of children primarily
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Most buildings are open to the public,
i.e. “Public Buildings”
Workers could take dust home on their
clothes, creating exposure to family
members
Protection of workers/occupants

Workers and occupants could get
exposed via inhalation/ingestion of lead
dust
Lead Facts
Lead can be found:
 Paints and coatings up until 1980. Industrial
paints still contain lead in high levels.
 Printing equipment
 Batteries
 Plumbing
 Soil
 Water
 Imported food
 Imported medicines and cosmetics
 Radiation shielding
Lead Hazards

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Children, Pregnant women & developing
fetuses most at risk of harm from exposure
Lead is readily absorbed and distributed.
Collects in the brain, bones, teeth and organ
tissues.
Lead overexposure can lead to damage to:

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Nervous system
Kidneys
Blood-forming system
Digestive system
Reproductive system
Additional Effects on Children
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Brain damage
Behavior and learning problems
Slowed growth
Hearing problems
Headaches
Children more at risk of lead poisoning
due to:
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Nervous system sensitivity
Absorption levels
Pica: putting toys, hands, etc. into
mouth
Lead exposure routes

Hand to mouth contact with leadcontaminated:

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Dust
Soil
Water
Other products
Inhalation of dust and fumes
Lead poisoning

Checked via blood test
Children/pregnant women:
>10 microg/dl - elevated
>20 microg/dl - lead burdened
Adults:
> 40 microg/dl - elevated
Lead regulations
Activities related to disturbance of lead are
regulated by:

Department of Health Services (DOHS):
Housing and Public buildings

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Federal and Cal-OSHA: Worker Safety

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For operations involving lead at 0.5% content
Operations that involve lead in any detectible amount
Federal and Cal-EPA: Hazardous waste

For waste containing lead equal to or above 1000 ppm
lead
What is being done to prevent lead
exposure to employees?

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All surfaces and materials to be
disturbed are sampled and analyzed
for lead content.
Lead-containing materials are
handled by certified employees and
contractors
The campus drinking water is
regularly tested for lead.
OSHA requirements
Include:
 Proper work techniques
 PPE
 Worker training
 Medical monitoring
Prevention of exposure to University
community…

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EH&S reviews all repair/remodeling plans
EH&S determines if work can be
completed in-house or if an outside
contractor is required.
Facilities Management Project Managers
are provided with training
In-house lead disturbance

Must be reviewed with Office of
EH&S to develop work plan, ensure
worker and occupant safety and
collect worker exposure sampling.
Employee/Supervisor
Requirements

Building Materials must NOT be
disturbed without authorization
from EH&S