NIOSH Warns of Lead Exposure Risks in Battery Industry
A new NIOSH bulletin highlights elevated blood lead levels among battery manufacturing and recycling workers, along with workplace conditions that can increase exposure.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Oct 26, 2026
Workers in lead-acid battery manufacturing and recycling continue to face some of the highest occupational lead exposure risks in the United States, according to a new bulletin from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Published Oct. 26 during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, the bulletin reviews surveillance data and workplace investigations that identify persistent hazards from airborne lead dust, contaminated surfaces, inadequate ventilation, and insufficient respiratory protection.
Data from NIOSH's Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) program show that nearly 90% of adults with known lead exposure were exposed at work. In 2022, 60% of workers with blood lead levels of 25 micrograms per deciliter or higher were employed in manufacturing. More than 70% of those manufacturing workers were employed in battery manufacturing.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that approximately 51,000 people worked in battery manufacturing in 2024, including workers involved in lead-acid battery production and recycling.
Workplace Investigations Identify Exposure Hazards
NIOSH highlighted findings from two previous workplace health hazard evaluations involving a battery manufacturing facility and an automotive battery recycling operation.
At the manufacturing facility, investigators found that air contaminated with lead dust was entering locker rooms, offices and the cafeteria. Workers also carried lead contamination on their clothing, footwear and skin into areas intended to remain clean.
Investigators identified additional concerns involving dry sweeping, inconsistent respirator use, improper respirator fit and inadequate maintenance practices.
At the recycling facility, investigators detected lead contamination on most sampled work surfaces. Investigators also found inadequate local exhaust ventilation in areas with elevated airborne lead concentrations.
Among workers interviewed at the recycling facility, 85% reported at least one symptom potentially associated with excessive lead exposure. Investigators also detected lead on workers' skin after showering, raising concerns about the effectiveness of decontamination procedures.
Prevention Remains a Priority
NIOSH emphasized that occupational lead exposure is preventable through effective engineering controls, workplace hygiene practices and appropriate personal protective equipment.
Recommended measures include controlling airborne lead dust through local exhaust ventilation, using high-efficiency particulate air vacuums or wet cleaning methods instead of dry sweeping, and maintaining effective respiratory protection programs.
Employers should also establish procedures to prevent lead contamination from spreading into break rooms, locker rooms and other clean areas.
Contaminated clothing, footwear and personal belongings can carry lead dust into workers' homes, potentially exposing family members.
NIOSH said continued demand for lead-acid batteries keeps workplace exposure prevention a priority for manufacturers and recycling operations.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the content editor of Occupational Health & Safety.