Lead

Classification

Classification varies by supplier and by physical form; powders and fine particles carry more hazard classes than solid metal pieces. Lead powder is commonly classified as: Reproductive toxicity, Category 1A; Effects on or via lactation; Carcinogenicity, Category 2; STOT repeated exposure, Category 1 or 2 (nervous system, blood, kidneys); Acute toxicity (oral and inhalation), Category 4; Acute and chronic aquatic hazard, Category 1

Hazard statements

• H302+H332 Harmful if swallowed or if inhaled.
• H351 Suspected of causing cancer.
• H360 May damage fertility or the unborn child.
• H362 May cause harm to breast-fed children.
• H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (some suppliers use H373).
• H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Key precautionary statements

• P201 Obtain special instructions before use.
• P260 Do not breathe dust or fume.
• P263 Avoid contact during pregnancy and while nursing.
• P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
• P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
• P273 Avoid release to the environment.
• P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing and eye protection.
• P308+P313 IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice or attention.

Lead has its own OSHA standards: 29 CFR 1910.1025 for general industry and 29 CFR 1926.62 for construction. Both set a PEL of 50 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA and an action level of 30 µg/m³. Exposure above the action level for more than 30 days a year triggers medical surveillance, including blood lead and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) tests every 6 months, or every 2 months once blood lead reaches 40 µg/dL.

Medical removal with pay and benefits protected for up to 18 months is required when blood lead reaches 60 µg/dL, or averages 50 µg/dL or more over the last three tests, in general industry, and at 50 µg/dL or more in construction. Workers can return after two consecutive results at or below 40 µg/dL. NIOSH recommends 0.050 mg/m³ TWA and the ACGIH TLV is 0.05 mg/m³.

OSHA proposed revisions to both lead standards in July 2025 and reopened the record for comment in July 2026; that rulemaking had not been finalized at that point. Check OSHA for current status. State OSHA plans may set stricter limits.

• Appearance: Heavy, soft, bluish-gray metal; the workplace hazard is fine dust and fume from cutting, grinding, sanding, melting or burning lead-containing materials
• Odor: Odorless
• Molecular weight: 207.2
• Boiling point: 3164°F (1740°C)
• Melting point: 621°F (327°C)
• Flash point: Not applicable
• Explosive limits: Not applicable
• Vapor pressure: 0 mmHg (approx.)
• Specific gravity: 11.34
• Water solubility: Insoluble

Inhalation

The main route at work. Breathing dust or fume, from tasks such as torch cutting, welding on painted steel, abrasive blasting, sanding old paint, battery work and smelting, lets lead enter the blood.

Skin

Inorganic lead is not significantly absorbed through intact skin, but lead dust on skin and clothing is easily carried to the mouth or taken home to family members.

Eyes

Dust irritates the eyes.

Ingestion

Swallowing dust from unwashed hands, food, drinks or cigarettes is a major route of lead exposure.

Target organs

Central nervous system, kidneys, blood, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive system, gums, eyes

Long-term effects

Lead builds up in the body, mainly in bone, and can take years to clear. Effects include fatigue, irritability, poor memory, sleep problems, headache, abdominal pain and constipation, anemia, high blood pressure, kidney damage, and nerve damage that can weaken the wrists and ankles. Very high levels can cause brain damage (encephalopathy). It reduces fertility in men and women and can harm the developing fetus. NJDOH treats it as a probable human carcinogen.

Gloves

The New Jersey Department of Health lists nitrile, latex or rubber gloves to keep dust off the hands.

Eyes and face

Safety glasses with side shields or goggles where dust is produced.

Respiratory

Use engineering controls first, following the hierarchy of controls. Where respirators are needed, NIOSH lists a half-mask (not quarter-mask) respirator with N100, R100 or P100 filters up to 0.5 mg/m³; a powered air-purifying respirator with high-efficiency filters up to 1.25 mg/m³; and a full-facepiece respirator with N100, R100 or P100 filters up to 2.5 mg/m³. Use a pressure-demand SCBA for unknown concentrations. A written respiratory protection program is required.

Clothing

Coveralls such as Tyvek, or work clothes that stay at work. OSHA requires employers to provide and launder protective clothing and to provide change rooms and showers where exposure is above the PEL. Never blow dust off clothing with compressed air or take work clothes home.

Store lead materials in closed containers in a cool, dry, marked area. The hazard comes from dust and fume released during work, not from intact metal.

Use local exhaust ventilation, wet methods and HEPA vacuums to control dust, and check results with air monitoring. Do not dry sweep or use compressed air to clean. Do not eat, drink, smoke or apply cosmetics in lead work areas, and wash hands and face before breaks and at the end of the shift.

Keep away from

• Hydrogen peroxide and other strong oxidizers
• Strong acids such as nitric acid and sulfuric acid
• Ammonium nitrate, sodium azide, zirconium and chlorine trifluoride (violent reactions)

• Keep unprotected people away and avoid raising dust.
• Wear a NIOSH-approved particulate respirator, eye protection, gloves and disposable coveralls.
• Collect dust with a HEPA-filtered vacuum or by wet methods. Do not dry sweep or use compressed air.
• Place collected material in sealed, labeled containers; it may need to be managed as hazardous waste.
• Do not wash lead into drains or sewers.
• For transport incidents involving UN3077, refer to ERG Guide 171.

Suitable extinguishing media

• Use the agent best suited to the surrounding fire (solid lead does not burn)
• Water spray to cool fire-exposed containers

Special hazards

Not combustible in solid form, but heat and fire produce toxic lead oxide fumes. Firefighters should wear SCBA and full protective gear, and contaminated gear should be cleaned before reuse.

• OSHA Lead, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1025): PEL 50 µg/m³, action level 30 µg/m³, exposure monitoring, compliance program, respirators, protective clothing, hygiene facilities, medical surveillance and medical removal protection.
• OSHA Lead, construction (29 CFR 1926.62): Same PEL and action level, with interim protection for high-risk tasks until exposure is assessed.
• OSHA Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200): Hazardous chemical; labels, safety data sheets and worker training required.
• CERCLA hazardous substance (40 CFR 302.4): Reportable quantity 10 lb (4.54 kg). No report is needed for releases of solid pieces with a mean diameter larger than 100 micrometers (0.004 in).
• EPCRA Section 302 (40 CFR 355): Not listed as an extremely hazardous substance.
• EPCRA Section 313 / TRI (40 CFR 372.28): Listed as a persistent, bioaccumulative toxic chemical with a 100 lb reporting threshold. The lower threshold does not apply to lead in stainless steel, brass or bronze alloys.
• DOT Hazardous Materials (49 CFR 172.101): Lead powder is commonly shipped as UN3077 Environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s. (lead), Class 9, PG III, depending on form and quantity.

• NIOSH Pocket Guide: Lead
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1025 Appendix C: Medical surveillance guidelines
• OSHA eLaws: Lead in construction, medical removal (1926.62(k))
• OSHA Lead rulemaking page
• Federal Register: Lead proposed rule, reopening of record (July 2026)
• NJ Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Lead
• 40 CFR 302.4: CERCLA hazardous substances and reportable quantities
• 40 CFR 372.28: Lower TRI thresholds for PBT chemicals