Lead Awareness Training

7 Lead Awareness • memory and concentration problems • muscle pain • sleep disturbances Developing fetuses and young children under the age of six are most susceptible to lead exposure. Lead has no biological value to the body and will replace calcium in children. Relatively low levels of lead can inhibit growth in developing fetuses. In young children, lead may cause irreversible damage to the developing nervous system, resulting in behavioral and learning problems. Slowed growth, hearing problems, and kidney damage are also possible effects. Lead Detection – How do we know? The presence of lead is most commonly identified through these two methods: • Laboratory Analysis - A small sample of paint chips (5 grams) is collected to represent a cross section of paint down to the substrate. This method is extremely accurate however, it is destructive and results often take one to two weeks. • XRF Testing - An x-ray Fluorescence (XRF) device uses a radioactive source to excite lead molecules present in materials. XRF allows for nondestructive testing of materials with substrate correction..Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) maintains an XRF testing device that is used for testing materials that you suspect may contain lead. Specialized training is required for users. How do we minimize exposure? Maintenance tasks may require the disturbance of lead containing materials. In order to minimize exposure to the individual conducting the work and others in the area, and to avoid contamination of university property, a number of procedures are recommended. Most of the procedures reflect common sense approaches and can be accomplished with minimal effort. Contact EH&S at (515) 294-5359 to initiate testing. Lead safe work practices include: • High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtered ventilation for tools. • Use HEPA filtered vacuum for any cleanup. • Use a drop cloth to collect debris. Do not leave lead dust/debris. • Work involving lead materials should be conducted when areas are unoccupied. • Heat guns operating below 700 degrees Fahrenheit. X-Ray Fluorescence Device