People have known that lead is poisonous for a long time, but it was once only believed dangerous in high amounts. In fact, it wasn’t till the late 1970s that more evidence came out that showed even small amounts of lead can be dangerous. There are many adverse long-term effects of lead. This might not sound like a big issue, but lead was a staple component of buildings and products for a long time before this news became public. This means that plenty of lead is still lying around in homes and construction sites to this day. As such, anyone working in proximity to lead should learn about some gear that will protect you from lead exposure.
Lead Testing Kits
The first thing that everyone should use when there’s a chance of lead in the area is a lead testing kit. This kit will help you identify whether lead is present in the area so that you know whether you’re at risk. Without a lead test, it’s almost impossible to know if you’re exposed until you become sick.
Personal Protective Gear (PPE)
Anyone who works around lead should get PPE that helps protect their skin from exposure. If you’re working near lead, your workplace should provide this PPE. This gear includes things like gloves, boots, respirators, goggles, protective clothing, and other items, depending on the severity of the potential lead exposure.
Ventilation
Another way that you can protect yourself and anyone in the area is with good ventilation around the lead. Proper ventilation introduces fresh air and helps limit the lead that may travel into the lungs of people working in the area. This doesn’t remove the risk entirely, but it can limit it greatly.
Wipes and Cleaners
Water isn’t enough; it won’t fully remove the lead that’s on your skin or clothing. That’s why investing in wipes or cleaners that specifically target lead is your best chance at limiting lead exposure.
This is just some gear that will protect you from lead exposure. If you think you’re experiencing any symptoms of lead exposure or have had a recent exposure to lead, please contact a doctor as quickly as possible. You can also contact the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for work environment assessments.
