All persons are exposed to lead in the environment, a significant source of lead exposure for some adults may be their workplace
environment. The current occupational health protection standards require medical intervention and occupational exposure control
for non-agriculturally related cases of repeated blood lead concentration repeatedly exceeding 50 ug/dL or exceeding 60 ug/dL
(Code of Federal Regulations 29:1910.1025). However, adverse health effects in adults with elevated blood lead levels less
than the national health protection standards have been noted. Also, adults that are being exposed to lead at the workplace
may bring home the leaded dust on their clothes, shoes, etc. and possibly expose other family members if precautionary measures
are not taken.
Lead-contaminated water, soil, and paint have been recognized as potential sources of children's lead exposure. Dust from
deteriorating lead-based paint is considered to be the largest contributor to the lead problem. Until the 1950s, many homes
were painted inside and out with leaded paints. Lead began to fall from favor in the 1950s, but was still commonly used until
it was banned from use in homes after 1977. Because of the long term use of lead-based paints, many homes in the United States
contain surfaces with paint, which is now peeling, chalking, flaking, or wearing away. The dust or paint chips contain high
levels of lead that easily find ways into the mouths of young children. A particular problem has emerged due to the large
number of homes with lead-based paints which are now undergoing renovation/remodeling. Often the dust created by this work
has high lead levels which are readily absorbed by children's developing bodies and those persons performing the renovation/remodeling,
if safe work practices are not followed.
Blood Lead Prevalence of Utah Adults Aged >=16, 1992-2011
Data Notes
Prevalence is calculated as (number of cases with an elevated blood lead level per number of adult individuals employed in
non-agricultural jobs) x 100,000. Prevalence for 1997 was re-calculated based on final population data. 1998 employment data
is estimated from the growth rate during the previous year.
Data Sources
Utah Blood Lead Registry.
Environmental Epidemiology Program, Division of Disease Control and Prevention, Utah Department of Health.
Definition
Prevalence of adults, aged >=16 years old with a blood lead level >=25 ug/dL, per total number of adults employed in a non-agricultural
occupation.
How We Calculated the Rates
Numerator:
The number of adult cases, aged >=16 years old, with a blood lead level >=25 ug/dL.
Denominator:
Total number of adults employed in non-agricultural occupations, aged >=16 years old.
Page Content Updated On 08/30/2012,
Published on 09/07/2012
Utah Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, Utah Department of Health, P.O. Box 142104, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2104, Telephone: 801-538-6191, Fax: 801-538-6564, Email:
eep@utah.gov
The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health's Center for
Health Data IBIS-PH web site (http://ibis.health.utah.gov). The information published
on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation:
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Mon, 17 June 2013 21:39:56
from Utah Department of
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