California’s public health agency found that more than 6,000 California workers have elevated levels of lead in their blood which could lead to serious health problems, according to KaiserHealth News.
Nearly 60 per cent of workers with higher exposures — above 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood — worked in manufacturing for companies that produce batteries, aircraft and aircraft parts, ships, plumbing and pipefitting fixtures, and metal valves.
Workers with the highest blood lead levels — 40 micrograms or more per deciliter — primarily worked at shooting ranges or in ammunition manufacturing, gun repair, and firearm instruction, followed by painting and construction.
“It doesn’t surprise me. This is a huge problem,” said Doug Parker, executive director of Worksafe, a worker health and safety advocacy organization based in Oakland. “Clearly, there haven’t been adequate actions taken””by some employers, he said.
