As you may know, lead is an element that is naturally occurring throughout the environment. It is a soft, malleable, heavy metal, with a density that exceeds most common materials. Lead has numerous properties that has made it useful in construction materials for hundreds of years. It is high density, has a low melting point, resistant to oxidation, and there is an abundance of it. However, it was discovered that lead is highly toxic, and its use has been stripped down and alternatives have taken its place.

In construction lead was used to make roofing, water pipes, glass, electrical conduits, gutters, and cladding, which puts construction workers at risk if renovating or demolishing any older buildings. Lead dust and/or fumes can be created when lead containing materials are disturbed, the body can absorb the lead in which it then circulates the blood and can be stored in the bones for many years without any symptoms. Years down the line it can be rereleased and cause severe health effects.


Some symptoms may include:

• Headaches

• Nausea

• Anaemia

• Weight loss

• Kidney damage

• Nerve and brain damage

• Infertility

• Cancer

When working in an older building it is important that all lead is identified first, before carrying out any tasks such as blast removal, hot cutting, demolishing, and roofing, it is vital to get a specialised team out to survey the building. Sysco Environmental have experience in many industries helping identify lead in construction materials and can help by offering a full lead-containing service package which includes:

• Lead Paint Analysis/survey

• Add-on hazard evaluations

• On-site operative exposure monitoring

• Biological lead monitoring

• Lead contamination tracking

• Environmental and site perimeter testing

• Guidance on regulations

• Training of employees

These services can help protect your employees from threatening health effects and help to identify all lead on site. Lead paint inspection and testing is always a requirement as part of due diligence prior to demolition or renovation of buildings required by CDM regulations and the “Control of Lead at Work Regulations” buildings constructed prior to 1980 are at high risk of containing lead paint.

Do not take the risk, contact Sysco Environmental today for a free quotation and site visit by calling 01709 931028, emailing admin@sysco-env.co.uk or visit sysco-env.co.uk.