Authors
Esswein-EJ; Ashley-K; Boeniger-MF
Source
IOHA 2005. 6th International Scientific Conference of the International Occupational Hygiene Association, 19-23 September, 2005, Pilanesberg National Park, North West Province, South Africa. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2005 Sep; :172
Abstract
This presentation describes development and application of a novel occupational health tool and method that has the potential for worldwide application as an inexpensive but effective tool for detecting lead on dermal and hard surfaces. Lead (Pb) residues on the hands of workers poses significant health risks since Pb may be ingested during eating, drinking or smoking. Also, Pb-containing dust can contaminate workers’ clothes, vehicles, and homes, posing a risk for Pb exposure to young children. A need exists for sensitive, specific and inexpensive on-site screening tests that can detect Pb residues on worker’s skin and from surface wipe samples. The U.S. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,248, 593 "Handwipe Disclosing Method for the Presence of Lead." Rapid, colorimetric detection of lead on surfaces such as skin, and various inanimate surfaces such as lunch tables, personal protective equipment is possible using this new tool. The colorimetric limit of identification is approximately 20 micrograms per wipe but the method can also be used for quantitative analyses with a limit of detection of 1 microgram. The method was developed by researchers at CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The patent has been licensed and commercialized for worldwide distribution and recently won two U.S. Federal Laboratory Consortium technology transfer awards.
Keywords
Lead-compounds; Surface-properties; Lead-poisoning; Workers; Worker-health; Health-hazards; Occupational-health; Risk-analysis; Risk-factors; Lead-dust; Sampling; Sampling-methods; Skin-exposure; Personal-protective-equipment
Contact
Eric J. Esswein, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Denver Federal Center, PO Box 25226, Denver, CO 80225-0226, USA
Document Type
Abstract; Conference/Symposia Proceedings
Email Address
eje1@cdc.gov
NIOSH Division
DSHEFS; DART; OD; WSO
Source Name
IOHA 2005. 6th International Scientific Conference of the International Occupational Hygiene Association, 19-23 September, 2005, Pilanesberg National Park, North West Province, South Africa