Don't Chew Wire Coatings : The Plastic May Contain Lead
CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training
Summary Statement
A case study of an electrician who had a high level of lead in his blood that turned out to be a result of chewing on plastic coatings on electrical wires.
May 1998
Doctors in Ohio could not figure out why an electrician had a high blood-lead level. The level of 50 micrograms per deciliter would be high enough to require his employer to transfer him to different work, under OSHA rules. Yet the man's house did not have lead paint and his activities did not seem to expose him to lead.
Seven months after the first medical exam showed a high blood-lead level, the doctors figured out the problem. The man said he chewed on the plastic coating of electrical wire he was working with. White, blue, and yellow coatings on the copper wire were tested. They had high levels of lead. After the man stopped chewing the coatings, his blood-lead level returned to normal.Lead can cause anemia, damage your kidneys, brain, and nervous system, and harm reproduction. If you feel unexplained upset stomach, cramps, weakness, or joint pain or, if you have questions, ask your doctor. Or call the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (1-800-35NIOSH) or CPWR at 301-578-8500.
