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Dust entry

Lead dust

Airborne particulate from lead and lead-containing materials during occupational handling or processing.

Airborne form

dust

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

weaknessinsomniaweight lossabdominal painanemiatremorparalysisencephalopathykidney diseaseeye irritationhypertension

Evidence

NIOSH lists inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact routes for lead and reports weakness, insomnia, pallor, weight loss, gastrointestinal effects, anemia, tremor, paralysis, encephalopathy, kidney disease, eye irritation, and hypertension; target organs include the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, kidneys, blood, and gingival tissue.

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Symptoms and target organs · 1
Exposure Routes: inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms: lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), insomnia; facial pallor; anorexia, weight loss, malnutrition; constipation, abdominal pain, colic; anemia; gingival lead line; tremor; paralysis wrist, ankles; encephalopathy; kidney disease; irritation eyes; hypertension. Target Organs: Eyes, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, kidneys, blood, gingival tissue.

NIOSH’s 2025 hurricane and flood guidance identifies lead dust as a possible cleanup hazard and recommends wet cleaning or HEPA vacuuming instead of compressed air or dry sweeping to reduce airborne contamination and take-home exposure.

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Lead · 1–3
Know and understand the symptoms of lead exposure and the potential health risks ... Use wet cleaning methods or a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Never use compressed air or dry sweep.

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