Description
Lead is used in the production of batteries, ammunition, metal products (solder, pipes, fishing weights, electronics and alloys with other metals) and devices to shield X-rays. Tetraethyl lead is used to make other lead compounds (tetra-alkyl lead) and was used in leaded fuels. Lead compounds are used in the manufacturing of electronic parts, plastics, rubbers and metals. Lead is used in pigments, dyes, paints and coatings. Lead compounds are used in the manufacture of matches, ammunition, fireworks, explosives, pottery glazes, ceramics, brake shoes, flame retardants for plastics and as catalysts for industrial production and epoxy curing agents.
Substance details
Substance name: Lead
CASR number: 7439-92-1
Molecular formula: Pb
Physical properties
Lead: a soft bluish-white silvery grey metallic solid. It tarnishes on exposure to air. It is very soft and malleable, easily melted, cast, rolled and extruded.
Melting point: 327.43°C
Boiling point: 1740°C
Density: 11.34
Chemical properties
Lead can be attacked by pure water and weak organic acids in the presence of oxygen. It is resistant to tap water, hydrofluoric acid, brine and solvents. Lead reacts with hot nitric acid, boiling sulfuric or hydrochloric acids.
Lead compounds: the physical and chemical properties of lead compounds are varied. Specific properties may be found in the references listed at the end of this fact sheet.
Further information
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of lead and compounds emissions in Australia.
Description
Lead can affect almost every organ and system in the body. Lead toxicity mostly affects the nervous system. Exposure to lead may also cause paralysis in fingers, wrists or ankles. Lead exposure can also cause small increases in blood pressure and may cause anaemia, malnutrition, abdominal pain and colic. High levels of lead can severely damage the brain and kidneys in adults and may cause death.
In pregnant women, exposure to high levels of lead may cause miscarriage. In men, exposure may affect sperm production. Lead can affect a child's mental and physical growth. Unborn children can be exposed through their mothers. Harmful effects include premature birth, smaller babies, decreased mental ability in the infant, learning difficulties and reduced growth in young children. Some effects may persist beyond childhood.
Entering the body
Lead can enter the body by inhalation or ingestion.
Exposure
Exposure to lead can occur by breathing air or drinking water that contains lead. Water pipes in some older buildings may contain lead solder. Lead based paints deteriorate leaving lead in the dust that can be inhaled. Children can be exposed by eating lead-based paint chips, chewing on objects painted with lead-based paint, or swallowing house dust or soil that contains lead.
You may be exposed to lead as a result of your work where lead
Workplace exposure standards
Safe Work Australia sets the workplace exposure standards for lead and compounds through the workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants. These standards are only appropriate for use in workplaces and are not limited to any specific industry or operation. Make sure you understand how to interpret the standards before you use them.
Tetramethyl lead
- Maximum eight hour time weighted average (TWA): 0.15 mg/m3
Tetraethyl lead
- Maximum eight hour time weighted average (TWA): 0.1 mg/m3
Lead arsenate
- Maximum eight hour time weighted average (TWA): 0.15 mg/m3
Lead, inorganic dusts & fumes
- Maximum eight hour time weighted average (TWA): 0.05 mg/m3
Lead chromate
- Maximum eight hour time weighted average (TWA): 0.05 mg/m3
Drinking water guidelines
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines include the following guidelines for acceptable water quality:
- Maximum of 0.01 milligrams per litre of water for health purposes
Description
Lead occurs naturally in the environment. Lead itself does not decompose, however lead compounds are changed by sunlight, air and water. Lead usually adheres to the soil. Movement to groundwater will depend on the type of lead compound and characteristics of the soil. Over time, lead accumulates in living tissues (a process called bioaccumulation) and is persistent in water.
As with humans, exposure to lead can lead to death of animals, birds or fish and death or low growth rate in plants. In soft water, lead is highly poisonous to plants, birds or land animals, long term effects on animal life are shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility and changes in appearance or behavior. As lead bioaccumulates, it is expected that fish tissues will contain lead from polluted waters.
Entering the environment
Lead occurs naturally in the earth's crust. It is also found in combined form in several minerals: galena, anglesite, pyromorphite and mimetite.
Lead may be released as particles into the atmosphere or as dissolved compounds in water. Lead is also released from natural sources such as windblown dusts and forest fires.
Lead usually attaches to particles of organic matter, clay, soil or sand.
Where it ends up
Lead, as the element, does not break down in the environment. Lead compounds are affected by sunlight, air or water. If released to the air from industry or from burning fossil fuels or waste, lead may remain airborne for approximately 10 days. Most lead released to air, water, sediment, and soil strongly attaches to other particles, and may remain there for many years.
Environmental guidelines
The following ambient air quality standards were established a maximum of 0.50 micrograms of lead per cubic metre of air, averaged over one year, no exceedances allowed. Lead sampling must be carried out for a period of 24 hours at least every sixth day. Measurement of lead must be carried out on Total Suspended Particles (TSP) or its equivalent.
In 2000, the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) and the Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (ARMCANZ) established trigger levels of 1.0-9.4 micrograms of lead per litre of fresh water and 2.2-12 micrograms of lead per litre of marine water.
Industry sources
Mining and metal manufacturing are the largest sources of lead emissions in Australia. Water supply, sewerage and draining surfaces, oil and gas extraction and electricity supply can also emit lead. Lead is also emitted as a result of coal mining, cement, lime, plaster and concrete product manufacture, ceramic product manufacturing, transport equipment manufacturing, iron and steel manufacturing, petroleum and coal product manufacturing. Other manufacturing industries where lead may be used include: beverages and malt, paper and paper products, glass and glass products, fabricated and structural metal products, motor vehicles and parts, wood products, ceramic products, food and beverage products, textile, yarn and woven fabrics.
Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data
Paved roads, windblown dust, burning fuels or wildfires, solid and liquid fuel combustion, lawn mowing and barbeques (from burning fuel) are all capable of causing emissions of lead.
Natural sources
Lead and compounds occurs naturally in the earth's crust in rocks and soil.
Transport sources
Lead emissions may be present from the vehicle exhaust of cars, aeroplanes, railway operations and from recreational and commercial shipping or boating.
Consumer products
Lead and compounds are used in a range of applications. Lead is used in the production of batteries, ammunition, metal products (solder and pipes) and devices to shield X-rays. Lead was present in petroleum, paints and ceramic products, caulking and pipe solder, however due to health concerns, it is now prohibited to include lead in these products.
Sources used in preparing this information
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR), ToxFAQs: Lead, accessed February 2007.
- Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (ARMCANZ) (2000), Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, Volume 1, The Guidelines, accessed June 2007.
- Merck and Co. 2006, Merck Index, 14th Edition, USA.
- National Pollutant Inventory (1999), Contextual Information.
- Office of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council, Exposure Standards: Lead, accessed February 2007.
- Technical Advisory Panel 1999, Final Report to the National Environment Protection Council.
- Safe Work Australia, Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants, accessed December 2018.
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011) - Updated October 2017, accessed May 2018