How am I exposed

How am I exposed to lead in jobs and hobbies?

Some jobs and hobbies involve using lead. If you’re not careful, you can bring lead home with you on your clothes, shoes, or hands. 

While working with lead in a job or hobby, lead can enter the body through breathing in, eating, or drinking lead.  This may happen from:

• Breathing in lead dust and lead fumes.
• Eating without washing your hands and accidentally swallowing lead dust.
• Putting lead materials in your mouth.

While lead will continue to exist in the environment, it is important to know there is no safe level of lead in the blood.  Following lead-safe work practices can help prevent lead from entering your body.