NIOSH reports that abrasive blasting lead-based paint can produce very high airborne lead and silica exposures affecting blasters, support workers, and cleanup workers, with lead exposure associated with nervous-system, kidney, blood, cardiovascular, and reproductive harms.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Engineering Controls — Lead-based Paint Removal from Steel Structures ↗Dust entry
Lead-paint removal dust
Lead-contaminated dust generated while abrasive blasting lead-based paint from steel structures such as bridges.
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
lead poisoningnervous-system injuryanemiakidney damagereproductive effectscardiovascular effectslung and silica co-exposure concern
Evidence
The NIOSH Alert warns that abrasive blasting, sanding, cutting, burning, or welding lead-painted steel can produce very high concentrations of lead dust and fumes, and reports lead poisoning among bridge workers.
Source: html ↗ · saved source
Warning; Lead poisoning in construction workers · 1
Warning; Lead poisoning in construction workers · 1
Lead poisoning may occur in workers during abrasive blasting, sanding, cutting, burning, or welding of bridges and other steel structures coated with lead-containing paints. NIOSH recently learned of 42 workers who developed lead poisoning while working on bridges. Operations ... may produce very high concentrations of lead dust and fumes.
Controls
- ventilated containment
- automation or local exhaust
- dust suppressants
- decontamination and hygiene
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate supplied-air respiratory protection