Employees who work with heavy metals such as lead and hexavalent chromium should not take their clothes home. Contaminated work clothes can also contaminate the home. This can affect young children who are susceptible to the health effects of certain metals. The National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health have recognized that arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury can have adverse health effects in children.
Here are some ways to prevent exposure.
• Use good safety practices to reduce exposure.
• Leave soiled clothes at work.
• Change clothes before leaving work.
• Store non-work clothes away from work clothes.
• Shower before leaving work.
• Do not take tools, scrap, packaging, and similar items home.
• Launder work clothes separately;
• Prevent family members from visiting the work area.
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