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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Synonyms vary depending upon specific compound such as Lead Arsenate; Lead Chromate

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1591

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 7439-92-1; 1317-36-8 (lead monoxide); 3687-31-8 (lead(II) arsenate); 7645-25-2 (lead arsenate); 7758-97-6 (lead chromate); 7784-40-9 (lead arsenate); 18454-12-1 (lead chromate oxide)

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: OF7525000

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Lead: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

Exposure Limits

OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1025 -- 0.05 mg/m3 TWA; 0.03 mg/m3 Action Level

Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.62 -- 0.05 mg/m3 TWA; 0.03 mg/m3 Action Level

Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1025 requirements identical to 1910.1025.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 0.05 mg/m3 TWA; Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans; BEI®

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 0.050 mg/m3 TWA; Appendix C - Supplementary Exposure Limits (Air concentrations should be maintained so that worker blood lead remains less than 0.060 mg Pb/100 g of whole blood.)

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Group B2, probable human carcinogen

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans (Lead and Lead Compounds, Inorganic) [237 KB PDF, 3 pages]
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 100 mg/m3 (as Pb)

Potential Symptoms: Lassitude (weakness, exhaustion); insomnia; facial pallor; anorexia, weight loss, malnutrition; constipation; abdominal pain; colic; anemia; gingival lead line; tremor; paralysis of wrist, ankles; decreased hand-grip strength; encephalopathy; kidney disease, gout; eye, skin irritation; decreased hearing acuity; elevated blood pressure; reduced sperm count, impaired sperm motility and abnormal morphology; headache; possible deficits in some neuropsychological performance measures (verbal memory, visuospacial abilities, executive functions); mood changes (irritability, depression); nausea, vomiting; seizures, coma, death (at extremely high exposures).

Health Effects: Nephrotoxicity (HE3); Cumulative blood effects (HE12); Cumulative neurologic effects (HE7); Reproductive Hazards (HE5).

Affected Organs: Eyes, GI tract, CNS, kidneys, blood, gingival tissue.

Date Last Revised: 08/27/2004

Literature Basis:
  • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Lead.
  • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Lead.
  • EPA Air Toxics Website: Lead compounds. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
  • Barth, A., et al.: Reduced cognitive abilities in lead-exposed men. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 75(6): 394-398, 2002.
  • Counter, S.A. and Buchanan, L.H.: Neuro-ototoxicity in andean adults with chronic lead and noise exposure. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 44(1): 30-38, 2002.
  • Glenn, B.S., Stewart, W.F., Links, J.M., Todd, A.C. and Schwartz, B.S.: The longitudinal association of lead with blood pressure. Epidemiology 14(1): 30-36, 2003.
  • Goodman, M., LaVerda, N., Clarke, C., Foster, E.D., Iannuzzi, J. and Mandel, J.: Neurobehavioral testing in workers occupationally exposed to lead: systematic review and meta-analysis of publications. Occup. Environ. Med. 59(4): 217-223, 2002.
  • Henreting, F.M.: Lead. In: Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 6th Ed., Goldfrank, L.R., Flomenbaum, N.E., Lewin, N.A., Weisman, R.S., Howland, M.A., Hoffman, R.S., eds. Connecticut: Appleton & Lange, pp. 1277-1302, 1998.
  • Lindgren, K.N., Ford, D.P. and Bleecker, M.L.: Pattern of blood lead levels over working lifetime and neuropsychological performance. Arch. Environ. Health 58(6): 373-379, 2003.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Lead-Metallic and Inorganic. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1369-1372.
  • Rubens, O., Logina, I., Kravale, I., Eglite, M. and Donaghy, M.: Peripheral neuropathy in chronic occupational inorganic lead exposure: a clinical and electrophysiological study. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 71(2): 200-204, 2001.
  • Wu, T.N., et al.: Effects of lead and noise exposures on hearing ability. Arch. Environ. Med. 55(2): 109-114, 2000.

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
  • sampling media: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter (MCEF) 0.8 microns
    maximum volume: 960 Liters
    minimum volume: 480 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 2.0 L/min
    current analytical method: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy; AAS
    method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA ID-121)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    alternate analytical method: Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma; ICP-AES/MS, AAS
    method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA ID-125G, OSHA ID-206, OSHA ID-105, OSHA 1006)
    method classification: Fully Validated
    note: If the filter is not overloaded, samples may be collected up to an 8-hour period.
On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:
  • note: On-site surface sampling test kits are commercially available. OSHA neither endorses these kits nor recommends their use. The effectiveness and applicability of these kits are the responsibility of the user.
Wipe Sampling Method: Ghostwipe - Whatman Smear Tab filter. Moistened with Distilled Water.

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