Colorado. Occupational Health and Safety Surveillance Program.

Lead is a highly toxic metal that serves no known useful function once absorbed by your body. Lead can be inhaled and ingested. Most occupational exposure is from breathing inorganic lead dust and fumes. Eating, drinking and smoking on the work site or handling lead contaminated objects without proper personal protective equipment (PPE) or basic personal hygiene practices can result in unintentional exposure to lead.

Occupational health is an important public health issue in Colorado. On average, 117 work-related deaths occur each year in Colorado, accounting for approximately one work-related fatality every three days. Every year thousands more people are injured on the job or become ill from work-related exposures. The individuals and families affected by occupational injury bear substantial burdens that come with loss of life, income and sometimes independence....