Control of Lead at Work
This page summarises the parts of the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002, UK as they apply to biological monitoring. A full copy of the regulations is available online.
- The limit for blood lead is 60 µg/100 ml (2.90 µmol/l). Workers with blood lead levels above this will need a repeat test done. If a level above the limit is confirmed, the employment medical adviser will normally temporarily suspend the employee from that work
- The regulations stipulate an action limit of 50 µg/100 ml (2.41 µmol/l) above which the employer must act to try to reduce lead exposure.
- For women capable of bearing children and for young employees under 18 there are lower limits
| Category | Action Level | Suspension level |
|---|---|---|
| General | 50 µg/100 ml (2.41 µmol/l) | 60 µg/100 ml (2.90 µmol/l) |
| Women capable of having children | 25 µg/100 ml (1.21 µmol/l) | 30 µg/100 ml (1.45 µmol/l) |
| Young people under 18 | 40 µg/100 ml (1.93 µmol/l) | 50 µg/100 ml (2.41 µmol/l) |
- For on-line conversion of blood lead values from one set of units to another, click here.
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For exposure to lead alkyls, urine lead results are now expressed as µg/g creatinine as shown below
| Category | Action Level | Suspension level |
|---|---|---|
| General | 95 µg/g creatinine (52 nmol/mmol creatinine) | 110 µg/g creatinine (60 nmol/mmol creatinine) |
| Women capable of having children | 20 µg/g creatinine (11 nmol/mmol creatinine)) | 25 µg/g creatinine (13.6 nmol/mmol creatinine) |
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