Elevated Blood-lead

Lead exposure can lead to serious health complications, from behavioural and
learning difficulties in children, to foetal complications in pregnant women.
Environmental Health Officers are responsible for
investigating non-occupational causes of elevated blood-lead.

Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal found in the earths crust. Human exposure to lead usually occurs as a result of human activities, whether from industrial processes (for example lead smelting) or from the use of lead in cosmetics and ceramic cookware. Exposure to lead can affect almost every single organ and system in your body and at high levels can result in health effects, such as increased blood pressure and kidney problems. In children, even low levels can result in behavioural and learning difficulties. Pregnant women are also at particular risk, as lead can accumulate in the bones, which can be passed on to the developing foetus. This can result in serious health issues in the developing foetus and infant, including damaging the baby’s brain, kidneys and nervous system.

Elevated blood-lead is a notifiable condition in Queensland. Environmental Health Officers have a role in investigating non-occupational exposure to lead. Their primary role is to determine the cause of the lead exposure and provide guidance to reduce the risk of ongoing exposure. In Queensland, non-occupational exposure to lead can occur in people that visit shooting ranges (resulting from the lead which is released when firing rounds) and sanding external paint of older houses (paint used in houses built prior to the 1970s often contained lead).

The Metro North Public Health Unit may send questionnaires to those that have been identified with an elevated blood-lead level. If you have received this questionnaire, it is requested that you complete it, as it may assist in determining the cause of your elevated blood-lead level. Your treating doctor should also assist in establishing the cause of your lead exposure and provide guidance on how to reduce exposure. 

Resources

• Common causes of non-occupational lead exposure
• Lead exposure and firearms use
• Risk of lead exposure from complementary, traditional and herbal medicine
• Lead Alert: The six step guide to painting your home
• Lead in ceramic crockery and pottery-making
• Lead in recreational activities
• Lead and Shooting: Health Guide for Shooters