Exposure to Lead

5,094

Lead workers under medical surveillance in Great Britain, 2023/24

11

Lead workers suspended from work due to excess blood-lead levels, 2023/24

In 2023/24

  • 4,799 (94%) of the workers under surveillance were male and 295 (6%) female.
  • Two young males (under 18 years old) were under medical surveillance.
  • The paint removal sector accounted for the highest number of males under medical surveillance during the three-year period 2021/22-2023/24.
  • Work in other lead processes accounted for the highest number of females under medical surveillance during the three-year period 2021/22-2023/24.
  • 30 male workers had a blood-lead level at or above 50µg/100ml recorded.
  • Five female workers had a blood-lead level at or above 25µg/100ml recorded.
  • 11 lead workers were suspended from work, eight of which were male.

Full report on exposure to lead

Exposure to Lead in Great Britain, 2024

Full report on historical trends of exposure to lead

Medical Surveillance of Blood-Lead Levels, 1992/93 – 2009/10 (available via the National Archives)

More information on lead exposure

Is this page useful?

Updated 2025-07-11