Characterization of lead in US workplaces using data from OSHA's integrated management information system.
BACKGROUND
Lead hazards continue to be encountered in the workplace. OSHA's Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) is the largest available database containing sampling results in US workplaces.


METHODS
Personal airborne lead sampling results in IMIS were extracted for years 1979-2008. Descriptive analyses, geographical mapping, and regression modeling of results were performed.


RESULTS
Seventy-nine percent of lead samples were in the manufacturing sector. Lead sample results were highest in the construction sector (median = 0.03 mg/m(3) ). NORA sector, year, OSHA region, number of employees at the worksite, federal/state OSHA plan, unionization, advance notification, and presence of an employee representative were statistically associated with having a lead sample result exceed the PEL.


CONCLUSIONS
Lead concentrations within construction have been higher than any other industry. Lead hazards have been most prevalent in the north and northeastern US. IMIS data can be useful as a surveillance tool and for targeting prevention efforts toward hazardous industries.
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies (DSHEFS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA. SHenn@cdc.gov
Scott A
SA
Henn
Aaron L
AL
Sussell
Jia
J
Li
Jeffrey D
JD
Shire
Walter A
WA
Alarcon
Sangwoo
S
Tak
D003252:Construction Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D016490:Integrated Advanced Information Management Systems; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration; D017132:Workplace
D007854:Lead