Lead Poisoning for Adults
Lead is known to have harmful effects on the heart, kidneys and the reproductive, nervous and hematological systems of the human body. In Ohio, laboratories and physicians are legally obligated to report the results of all blood lead tests conducted on persons who reside or work in the state to the Ohio Department of Health. These reports are required to include blood lead levels; patient information (sex, age, job title, etc.); and addresses and phone numbers of the patient, health care provider, and employer.
The Injury Prevention Unit’s Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) program is charged with maintaining this data for all persons 16 years of age or older. Since it was established in 1995, through 2002, the registry has received the results of 118,721 blood lead tests. Persons who have at least one result of 40 or more micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood are identified for follow-up. An attempt is made to contact each of these people by phone or through the mail to conduct a survey that asks about their job duties and safety equipment used, possible exposures to lead and about their health. Included with the mailed surveys are pamphlets that provide an explanation of their rights, safety tips and guidelines for recognizing the health effects of lead.
If a place of employment where the lead exposure likely occurred is identified, registry staff attempts to assess the degree of exposure risk. A pamphlet is provided to the company to inform staff of their responsibilities regarding use of lead and explains methods for reducing associated exposures. If a hazardous situation is identified, this is made known to agencies charged with protecting workers.
Additional Information:
Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Health
Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES)
246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Telephone: (614) 466-0289
Fax: (614) 564-2409
E-mail: BHPRR@odh.ohio.gov
Last Updated: 4/18/2008
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