Lead Levels in Children of Construction Workers

The children of construction workers who have high blood lead levels ( û25 µg/dL) are at risk from lead dust on their parents’ clothing, shoes, and in their vehicles. In fact, it may be their only source of lead.

In a small but comprehensive study of home lead contamination among construction workers, exposed children under age 6 were six times more likely to have blood lead level of 10µg/dL or greater than the control group of 19 neighborhood children whose parents worked elsewhere. Among the 31 exposed children, the child’s blood lead level correlated with dust lead levels in the home, particularly the main entry and family room, and in vehicles.

Since the study focused on children of workers known themselves to have high blood lead levels, the parents had been monitored but may not have been educated by medical staff about reducing home contamination. Furthermore, many of the construction jobs are short-term and may not include education or shower/changing facilities. Thus, parents inadvertently take lead dust home on their skin, clothing and in their vehicles.

The CDC will be revising guidelines to recommend screening for children of occupationally exposed workers as a high-risk population.

(Whelan E. Elevated blood lead levels in children of construction workers. Am J Public Health 1997;87:1352-1355)

COMMENT: The lead exposure risk for children of construction workers is similar to that for children living in older homes with lead-based paint. The school nurse should be alert to children whose parents are in the highest risk jobs ( such as painting or sandblasting) with long exposure to lead tainted-dust. She/he could educate parents and high school students pursuing these jobs about the need for showering and changing clothes before leaving work. -J.O.