In the EU, according to the latest estimates, up to 1.45 million workers are potentially exposed to lead and inorganic lead compounds. For activities involving lead and lead compounds, it should be noted that only part of the individual exposure of workers is caused by inhalation of lead dust and lead fume.
A significant part of the exposure can be caused by oral uptake through hand-mouth contact due to poor hygiene. The dominant health risk from lead and inorganic lead compounds is a reproductive toxic effect. In addition, lead exposure has been associated with an increased risk of lung, stomach and urinary bladder cancer in various human populations. The strongest epidemiological evidence is for lung and stomach cancers, which are consistently but weakly associated with occupations and industries that involve lead exposure. Lead is classified by the IARC as a Group 2B carcinogen, meaning that it is probably carcinogenic to humans.
Where risks occur
Lead fumes are produced during metal processing when metal is heated or soldered. Lead dust is produced when metal is cut or lead paint is sanded or removed with a heat gun. Lead fumes and lead dust have no odour, so you may not know you are being exposed to them. Lead and inorganic lead compounds are used in many industries. In addition to primary manufacturing and in battery production as well as recycling, they are also used in explosives, in glass production or in the manufacture of organ pipes. Extremely high levels of exposure can be expected in the removal of lead-containing coatings using abrasive processes. In each of these industries, workers are at risk of being exposed to lead by inhaling it or absorbing it into the body by poor personal hygiene.
More about the substance
Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-grey heavy metal that occurs in small amounts in the earth’s crust. It can be used as a pure metal, in combination with another metal to form an alloy, or in the form of a chemical compound. Lead is mainly used for lead-acid accumulators in motor vehicles, which use an almost pure lead alloy.
Lead can also be used in the manufacture of ammunition, metal products (solder and pipes) and X-ray shielding devices. For health reasons, the use of lead in paints and ceramic products, caulking and solder in pipes has been drastically reduced in recent years.
How the symptoms can affect
Lead enters the blood through the lungs, where it can damage many organ systems in the body. The health effects of short-term overexposure to lead can range from abdominal pain to headaches and fatigue. Prolonged exposure to lead can lead to abdominal pain, depression, nausea, heart disease, kidney disease and fertility problems. In addition to acute effects and the probable carcinogenic effect, lead is deposited in the bones and, depending on the amount; this deposit can lead to internal lead exposure even years after occupational exposure has stopped.
Lead does also damage the unborn child and possible internal lead exposure might even cause damage to the offspring before pregnancy is known.” Therefore, lead poses a pre-conceptional threat to unborn children in every women of child-bearing age who has been exposed to lead.
What you can do
The most effective way to prevent exposure is to substitute with lead-free or lower-lead products. If lead-containing products cannot be substituted, train workers on hazards, safe work practices and on effective hygiene measures. Use appropriate engineering controls to ensure that the work area is well ventilated. Eating and/or drinking should only take place in areas where lead-containing products are not handled or processed and proper cleaning procedure as well as facilities to perform the decontamination should be provided.
Continuously carry out correct exposure measurements so that it is known when action should be taken. Investigate whether workers report early symptoms.
Ensure that workers have adequate personal protective equipment, such as safety goggles, suitable respiratory protection, protective clothing and gloves, if necessary. In some cases, a respirator may be required. Personal protective equipment should only be used as a last resort, after the possible technical solutions have been presented. Take care that personal protective equipment is removed in the foreseen (respiratory equipment at last) manner.
Limit Value(s)
EU directive 0,15 mg/m³ (unless specified otherwise below)
Directive under development
| Country | National limit value | National reference | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Austria | 0,1 mg/m³ (TWA) 0,4 mg/m³ short term | To be included |
 | Belgium | 0,15 mg/m³ (TWA) | Belgium reference |
 | Bulgaria | EU directive | To be included |
 | Croatia | EU directive | Croatian reference |
 | Czech Republic | EU directive | To be included |
 | Cyprus | EU directive | To be included |
 | Denmark | 0,05 mg/m³ (TWA) 0,10 mg/m³ short term | To be included |
 | Estonia | 0,05 mg/m³ (TWA) 0,1 mg/m³ short term | Reference |
 | Finland | 0,1 mg/m³ (TWA) | Finnish reference |
 | France | 0,15 mg/m³ (TWA) inhalable fraction | French references Reference 1 Reference 2 |
 | Germany | 0,15 mg/m³ (TWA) | German reference |
 | Greece | EU directive | To be included |
 | Hungary | 0,1 mg/m³ 0,05 mg/m³ respirable fraction | Hungarian reference |
 | Iceland | EU directive | To be included |
 | Ireland | 0,15 mg/m³ (TWA) | To be included |
 | Italy | 0,15 mg/m³ (TWA) | To be included |
 | Latvia | 0,005 mg/m³ (TWA) | To be included |
 | Lithuania | EU directive | Lithuanian reference |
 | Luxembourg | EU directive | To be included |
 | Malta | EU directive | To be included |
 | North Macedonia | 0,1 mg/m³ (TWA) 0,4 mg/m³ short term | Reference |
 | The Netherlands | 0,15 mg/m³ (TWA) | To be included |
 | Norway | 0,05 mg/m³ (TWA) | Reference |
 | Poland | 0,05 mg/m³ (TWA) | To be included |
 | Portugal | EU directive | Portugese reference |
 | Romania | 0,15 mg/m³ (TWA) | To be included |
 | Serbia | - | To be included |
 | Slovakia | EU directive | Slovakian reference |
 | Slovenia | EU directive | Slovenian reference |
 | Spain | 0,15 mg/m³ (TWA) | Spanish reference |
 | Sweden | 0,1 mg/m³ inhalable fraction 0,05 mg/m³ respirable fraction | Swedish reference |
 | Turkey | 0,15 mg/m³ (TWA) | To be included |
| This data was carefully collected. However, the data is subject to change and was last updated July 6, 2023 2:52 pm. |
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References: IARC, NIEHS, NIOSH, CAREX, AGS, external study for IA on lead
