Lead

• Background
• Lead Monitoring and Research in Wisconsin
• Cleanup and Management of Lead in Wisconsin
• Options to Reduce Lead
• National, International, and Other Lead Inititiaves

Background

Previous Uses: Storage batteries, ammunition, fishing sinkers, coatings, fuel additives, piping, building materials, glass and ceramics, radiation shielding, cables, and electronics.

Health Effects: Wisconsin Lead Information (exit DNR) provided by Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) provides a good summary of the child and human health concerns associated with lead.

Lead can effect nearly every organ and system in the body. The critical effects or most sensitive effects in infants and children involve the nervous system. For adults, the concerns are peripheral and/or chronic nephropathy. However, the critical or most sensitive effect may be hypertension. Lead can also adversely affect the hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems (Klaassen 1996). The USEPA classifies lead as a probable human carcinogen based on sufficient animal evidence (USEPA 1988C).

Ecological Effects: Data is currently lacking for the effects of lead on wild mammals, but direct mortality due to lead exposure has been reported in numerous avian species. Other effects associated with lead exposure in birds include hematopoietic disorders, modification of the structure and function of kidney, bone and the central nervous system, adverse biochemical, histopathological and fetotoxic effects, decreased reproductive success, increased disease susceptibility and increased mortality due to predation. Lead appears to have variable toxicity in aquatic biota. However, lead exposure in aquatic biota has been shown to result in excess mucous formation on gills leading to anoxia, skeletal disorders, hematopoietic disorders, internal organ disorders and histopathological effects (Eisler 1988).

Trade Names: None

EPA Substance Registry Information: Lead (CAS # 7439-92-1), The registry lists over 268 additional lead containing substances.

Lead Monitoring and Research in Wisconsin

Environmental Monitoring

• DNR’ Public Drinking Water Supply Data base has information about lead levels found in public water supplies (Search for Lead).

Source Monitoring and Reporting

• TRI data for Wisconsin facilities reporting releases can be retrieved at EPA’s TRI Explorer (exit DNR)

Laboratory Certification

• The Department of Natural Resources certifies and registers laboratories to perform lead tests for soil, water and waste testing for many of the agency's environmental programs.

Cleanup and Management of Lead in Wisconsin

Remediation and Redevelopment

• The DNR’s RR program assists Responsible Parties with site investigation and clean up of any "hazardous substance" releases in Wisconsin. This would include releases of lead that contaminate soil or groundwater. RR program guidance on investigations and clean ups can be found at the RR program web site.

Air Management

• Lead is a Criteria Pollutant that is regulated under Wisconsin’s Air Management Program.
• NR 427 Wisc. Adm. Code provides for control of lead emissions and using air permits to limit emissions.
• Lead and Lead Compounds are also included Wisconsin’s Voluntary Emission Reduction Registry.

Groundwater and Drinking Water Management

• There are groundwater standards for lead in NR 140 and Safe Drinking Water law, NR 809 Wisc. Adm. Code (Summary Table)
• Public Drinking water supply systems are required to routinely monitor for lead contaminants and treat any that is found (more information).

Surface Water and Watershed Management

• Wisconsin has water quality standards for lead (NR 105 Wisc. Adm. Code) and guidelines for setting associated effluent limits (NR 106 Wisc. Adm. Code).

Waste Management

• Waste Management program guidance on lead can be found at the WA program web site.

Other

• Remodeling a pre-1978 building may disturb lead paint.  Learn about the health risk, PRE-Renovation Rule and how to locate or become a contractor who is trained and certified in lead-safe work practices at DHFS’s Wisconsin Lead Information (leave DNR)

Options to Reduce Lead

• Issues in Bird Hunting: Lead Shot vs. Nontoxic Shot (PDF 10KB)
• Get The Lead Out - Non-Lead Tackle Suppliers (PDF 9KB)
• Non-Lead Alternatives for Fishing Tackle - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (exit DNR)
• Department of Health and Family Services - Lead (exit DNR)
• Check for other options to reduce lead on Wisconsin’s Pollution Prevention Partnership Website (exit DNR)

National, International and other Lead Initiatives

• US EPA: Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil (exit DNR)
• Recommended EPA Lead Resources (exit DNR)
• EPA Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) Chemical Program (exit DNR) has listed Alkyl Lead as a priority.
• The Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy, US EPA (exit DNR) includes Alkyl Lead as a Type 1 priority chemical.
• EPA’s Waste Minimization Priority Chemical ProgramLast Revised: Friday April 25 2008