An analysis of inorganic lead surface contamination and employee cross-contamination in a precious metal assay laboratory

Overexposure to lead is common in industry and a leading cause for occupational illnesses. Repeated lead exposure can cause lead poisoning. Industries in which inorganic lead is used are at higher risk of exposing employees to this contaminant. An industrial hygiene assessment is performed in order to analyze surface cross-contamination between lead and non-lead working areas of an assay laboratory. Employee contamination is assessed to determine if lead is transported to the different areas of the assay laboratory. The employees' work clothes and hands are examined to further assess cross-contamination and the potential for inorganic lead ingestion. To characterize area cross-contamination, 52 surface wipe samples are collected in 26 areas of the laboratory. In addition, 36 micro-vacuum samples taken from employees' clothes are collected before and after work shifts. Fourteen hand wipe samples are also collected to characterize employees' skin contamination. Ghost wipes are used for the collection of all surface wipes as well as employees' hand wipe samples.;Nonparametric statistics are used to determine significant differences in employees' lead concentration build up and surface area lead cross-contamination. A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in surface lead concentration is found, indicating that lead cross-contamination is evident. Over the course of a shift, lead concentration build up on employees' clothes and hands were also noted; however, no statistical significance is found.