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The facts on Lead compounds

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The facts on Lead compounds

Last update July 25, 2024

In the EU, according to the latest estimates, up to 1.45 million workers are potentially exposed to lead and inorganic lead compounds. For activities involving lead and lead compounds, it should be noted that only part of the individual exposure of workers is caused by inhalation of lead dust and lead fume.

A significant part of the exposure can be caused by oral uptake through hand-mouth contact due to poor hygiene.  The dominant health risk from lead and inorganic lead compounds is a reproductive toxic effect. In addition, lead exposure has been associated with an increased risk of lung, stomach and urinary bladder cancer in various human populations. The strongest epidemiological evidence is for lung and stomach cancers, which are consistently but weakly associated with occupations and industries that involve lead exposure. Lead is classified by the IARC as a Group 2B carcinogen, meaning that it is probably carcinogenic to humans.

Where risks occur

Lead fumes are produced during metal processing when metal is heated or soldered. Lead dust is produced when metal is cut or lead paint is sanded or removed with a heat gun. Lead fumes and lead dust have no odour, so you may not know you are being exposed to them. Lead and inorganic lead compounds are used in many industries. In addition to primary manufacturing and in battery production as well as recycling, they are also used in explosives, in glass production or in the manufacture of organ pipes. Extremely high levels of exposure can be expected in the removal of lead-containing coatings using abrasive processes. In each of these industries, workers are at risk of being exposed to lead by inhaling it or absorbing it into the body by poor personal hygiene.

More about the substance

Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-grey heavy metal that occurs in small amounts in the earth’s crust. It can be used as a pure metal, in combination with another metal to form an alloy, or in the form of a chemical compound. Lead is mainly used for lead-acid accumulators in motor vehicles, which use an almost pure lead alloy.

Lead can also be used in the manufacture of ammunition, metal products (solder and pipes) and X-ray shielding devices. For health reasons, the use of lead in paints and ceramic products, caulking and solder in pipes has been drastically reduced in recent years.

How the symptoms can affect

Lead enters the blood through the lungs, where it can damage many organ systems in the body. The health effects of short-term overexposure to lead can range from abdominal pain to headaches and fatigue. Prolonged exposure to lead can lead to abdominal pain, depression, nausea, heart disease, kidney disease and fertility problems. In addition to acute effects and the probable carcinogenic effect, lead is deposited in the bones and, depending on the amount; this deposit can lead to internal lead exposure even years after occupational exposure has stopped.

Lead does also damage the unborn child and possible internal lead exposure might even cause damage to the offspring before pregnancy is known.” Therefore, lead poses a pre-conceptional threat to unborn children in every women of child-bearing age who has been exposed to lead.

What you can do

The most effective way to prevent exposure is to substitute with lead-free or lower-lead products. If lead-containing products cannot be substituted, train workers on hazards, safe work practices and on effective hygiene measures. Use appropriate engineering controls to ensure that the work area is well ventilated. Eating and/or drinking should only take place in areas where lead-containing products are not handled or processed and proper cleaning procedure as well as facilities to perform the decontamination should be provided.

Continuously carry out correct exposure measurements so that it is known when action should be taken. Investigate whether workers report early symptoms.

Ensure that workers have adequate personal protective equipment, such as safety goggles, suitable respiratory protection, protective clothing and gloves, if necessary. In some cases, a respirator may be required. Personal protective equipment should only be used as a last resort, after the possible technical solutions have been presented. Take care that personal protective equipment is removed in the foreseen (respiratory equipment at last) manner.

Limit values

EU
0,15 mg/m³
 Austria
0,1 mg/m³ (TWA)
0,4 mg/m³ short term
 Belgium
0,15 mg/m³ (TWA)
Bulgaria
EU directive
Croatia
EU directive
Czech Republic
EU directive
Cyprus
EU directive
Denmark
0,05 mg/m³ (TWA)
0,10 mg/m³ short term
Estonia
0,05 mg/m³ (TWA) 0,1 mg/m³ short term
Finland
0,1 mg/m³ (TWA)
France
0,15 mg/m³ (TWA) inhalable fraction
Germany
0,15 mg/m³ (TWA)
Greece
EU directive
Hungary
0,1 mg/m³
0,05 mg/m³ respirable fraction
Iceland
EU directive
Ireland
0,15 mg/m³ (TWA)
Italy
0,15 mg/m³ (TWA)
Latvia
0,005 mg/m³ (TWA)
Lithuania
EU directive
Luxembourg
EU directive
Malta
EU directive
Netherlands
0,15 mg/m³ (TWA)
North Macedonia
0,1 mg/m³ (TWA)
0,4 mg/m³ short term
Norway
0,05 mg/m³ (TWA)
Poland
0,05 mg/m³ (TWA)
Portugal
EU directive
Romania
0,15 mg/m³ (TWA)
Serbia
EU directive
Slovakia
EU directive
Slovenia
EU directive
Spain
0,15 mg/m³ (TWA)
Sweden
0,1 mg/m³ inhalable fraction
0,05 mg/m³ respirable fraction
Turkey
0,15 mg/m³ (TWA)

References: cancer.gov, EFSA, IARC, EC, NIOSH, OSHA, CAREX

Possible substitutions

Please note that this substance or some of it's compounds are listed in Annex XIV (REACH regulation). This substance some of it's compounds are only allowed to be used, imported, or brought into the market, if authorisation requirements of REACH are fulfilled.
Occupations involved
GESTIS Database

The data pool may be used for the purpose of occupational health and safety or to obtain information on the hazards posed by chemical substances.

General facts

Facts about cancer-causing agents:

  • The direct costs of carcinogen exposure at work across Europe are estimated at 2.4 billion Euros per year.
  • Every year, about 120.000 persons get cancer from exposure to carcinogens at work
  • Every year, almost 100.000 people die from cancer that was caused by exposure at work
  • Annually more than 100.000 people die because of work-related cancer.
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