An Analysis of Lead Surface Cross-Contamination in a Metal Assay Lab - An Analysis of Inorganic Lead Surface Contamination and Employee Cross-Contamination in a Precious Metal Assay Lab

An industrial hygiene assessment was performed in order to analyze surface cross-contamination between lead and non-lead working areas of an assay laboratory. Employee contamination was assessed to determine if lead was transported to the different areas of the assay laboratory. The employees work clothes and hands were examined to further assess cross-contamination and the potential for inorganic lead ingestion. To characterize area cross-contamination, 52 surface wipe samples were collected in 26 areas of the laboratory. In addition, 36 micro-vacuum samples taken from employees clothes were collected before and after work shifts. Fourteen hands wipe samples were also collected to characterize employees skin contamination. Ghost wipes were used for the collection of all surface wipes as well as employees hand wipe samples. Nonparametric statistics were used to determine significant differences in employees lead concentration build up and surface area lead cross-contamination. A statistically significant difference (p0.05) in surface lead concentration was found, indicating that lead cross-contamination was evident.