Re: LEAD HAZARDS

[Heidi Grant 428-6617 <heidi.grant@NSPower.NS.Ca>]

In terms of the lead in your fishing hooks, it's hard to say if you
are ingesting significant quantities that would result in lead
toxicity.  One of the things that has been mentioned on this thread is
that lead can be ingested as well as inhaled.  However, lead is far
more hazardous inhaled than ingested because the body can retain more
of it.  It also depends on the form--organolead compounds, such as
those once used as anti-knock agents in gasoline, were removed because
they were so readily absorbed through inhalation.

Lead is definitely a concern for chronic exposure.  The biological
half-life of lead in the body can be anywhere from 30 days to 3 years,
depending where it has been deposited in the body.  Thus, if you are
exposed to lead over a long period of time, there is a much greater
chance of developing symptoms of lead toxicity than a one-time
exposure. 

Robert, I definitely agree with the advice you have been given--go see
your doctor, or an occ doc, as well as alerting your IH.  As an
industrial hygienist myself, it's really difficult to assess the level
of hazard you have been exposed to without monitoring, etc.

As for the fisherman, some of the symptoms of lead toxicity are the
following--anemia, loss of appetite, malaise, insomnia, headaches,
irritability, joint and muscle pains, gastritis, to name a few.  One
other thing:  your dust masks are useless for paint, varnish, or any
other organic solvents.  Dust masks are for dusts and sometimes other
particulate matter.  If you want respiratory protection for VOCs, get
yourself a half-mask respirator, properly fitted, with replaceable
organic vapour cartridges.

Heidi Grant
Occupational Hygienist
Nova Scotia Power
heidi.grant@nspower.ns.ca

The above opinions are mine and do not represent those of my
employer's.