NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search
Handwipe method for removing lead from skin.
Authors
Esswein-EJ; Boeniger-MF; Ashley-K
Source
J ASTM Int 2011 May; 8(5):JAI103527
NIOSHTIC No.
20038921
Abstract
Researchers at the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed a handwipe removal method for lead (Pb) after field studies showed that workers in lead-acid battery plants had significant risks for dermal-oral lead exposures, despite their attempts to remove the lead by washing with soap and water. Hand washing with soap and water remains the standard recommendation for workers (as well as the public) to clean skin known or believed to be contaminated with toxic metals, such as lead. Despite longstanding recommendations for workers to "wash hands with soap and water," no efficacy studies show this to be a completely effective removal method for lead. Removal of toxic metals such as lead from skin constitutes a decontamination procedure; it is not, in fact, a hand-washing step. NIOSH scientists conceived and developed a highly effective (nearly 100 %) method for removal of lead from skin. A systems approach was devised incorporating four components deemed necessary for effective metal removal: Surfaction, pH control, chelation, and mechanical effects. The handwipe removal method evolved from a previous NIOSH invention, the handwipe disclosing method for the presence of lead, in the interests of providing complementary techniques for dermal lead detection and decontamination. The method is a patented, award-winning, commercialized technology that has significant potential to prevent occupational and public exposures to lead.
Keywords
Analytical-processes; Dust-analysis; Environmental-contamination; Environmental-exposure; Exposure-assessment; Exposure-levels; Metallic-poisons; Metal-workers; Particulate-dust; Particulates; Public-health; Quantitative-analysis; Sampling-methods; Toxic-effects; Toxic-materials; Toxicology; Work-environment; Workplace-studies; Work-practices;
Author Keywords: isostearamidopropyl morpholine lactate (ISML); cleanser; citric acid; decontamination; dermal; lead; wipe; workplace
CODEN
JAIOAD
CAS No.
7439-92-1
Publication Date
20110501
Document Type
Journal Article
Fiscal Year
2011
Issue of Publication
5
ISSN
1546-962X
NIOSH Division
DART; OD; DSHEFS
Priority Area
Manufacturing
Source Name
Journal of ASTM International
State
OH
Page last reviewed: May 5, 2020
Content source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Education and Information Division