Is 8 µg/dL a serious blood lead result for a guy who melts lead when making embossing seals?

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QUESTION: Is 8 µg/dL a serious blood lead result for a guy who melts lead when making embossing seals? 08/02/09 Pennsylvania, USA - United States of America

I got blood tested for lead in the usa. 8 was the result. It was <10. while searching the web, i get different answers. is 8 serious? i work with melted lead when making embossing seals. i seem to be in decent health except for high cholesterol count. i am not overweight and lost 9 lbs.

thank you for your help.

respectfully
eric

EMAIL TWO

Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 10:11 AM

Hi Elizabeth,

i've been making embossing seals for 13 yrs. My health is pretty good except for high cholesterol. i got that tested the same time i got lead tested. i did this on my own. also, i don't have a computer so i use the one at work or go to library. I am at the library now since i didn't want to open the email at work.

i appreciate you getting back to me so quickly.

iam not sure of the legal and disability procedures if i fall ill. if the usa govt says my company is in compliance; then i am outta luck.

the usa govt and business go hand in hand. i didnt get that out of a political science book.

Thank You again.

Respectfully

eric

ANSWER: 21/8/2009

Hi Eric,

the simple answer is that a blood lead result of 8 micrograms per decilitre (µg/dL) is 4 times higher than we recommend but nowhere near as serious as it could be if you were regularly melting lead without any protection from the fumes. Also, the health risks from an elevated blood lead level are dependent on how long your blood lead level remains elevated. Just as you wouldn't smoke cigarettes once you understood the health risks, if you could get your blood lead level below 2 µg/dL then you would be wise to do so as soon as possible - it could decrease your risk of early death from heart attack or stroke. I will send you our Info Pack on the dangers of a blood lead level above 2 µg/dL. Be sure to get your blood pressure checked regularly and after making lead-aware changes to your embossing process, you should ask the doctor to monitor your blood lead level again to be sure that you've successfully decreased your lead exposure. You'll find some helpful hints in "Beware the Lead in Leadlighting" at https://lead.org.au/fs/fs18.html

All the best

Yours Sincerely

Elizabeth O'Brien

EMAIL TWO

Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 7:13 PM

Dear Eric,

I thought you might be interested in our two new factsheets (attached) which now make up Info Pack 56. The factsheets are also online at https://lead.org.au/fs/Dangers_of_BPb_Level_Above_2ug_dL_and_Below_10ug_dL_20110314.pdf and https://lead.org.au/fs/fst46.html

Yours Sincerely

Elizabeth O'Brien