Hi! Thanks for an interesting question.
I will try to answer your queries point by point.
1. What are the health risks and dangers for adults from lead?
Effects of Lead in Adults:
Difficulties during pregnancy
Reproductive problems in men and women
High blood pressure
Digestive problems
Nerve disorders
Memory and concentration problems
Muscle and joint pain
Headaches
EXCESSIVE allergy sensitivity
“In extreme cases, lead poisoning has caused severe illness, leading
to temporary blindness, paralysis, coma, and death.”
“Lead Paint Info”
http://www.thefunplace.com/house/home/leadpaint.html#adult
“An adult who has lead poisoning may notice fatigue, irritability,
headache, weight loss, stomachache, or constipation. But lead can
cause damage without any symptoms. Blood tests are important for
anyone who works with lead on the job, in a hobby, or in any other
activity.”
“Research now shows that lead at very low levels can have toxic
effects on the developing fetus. Lead carried in the mother's blood is
passed to her unborn child. Lead toxicity may cause miscarriage or
premature birth. Infants born with only slightly elevated blood lead
levels have been found to have developmental problems.
“A mother's exposure to lead early in her life can also affect her
unborn baby. During pregnancy, lead stored in a mother's bones is
released, along with calcium needed by the fetus, into the mother's
blood stream.”
“The Abatement of Lead Paint Hazards”
http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/LandPrograms/LeadCoordination/tenants/tenants_hazards.asp
2. How little an amount of lead is dangerous?
“The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
which sets housing policy in the United States, has set a clearance
criteria for lead abatement work. That criteria requires floor
surfaces to have less than 2,150 micrograms of lead per square metre
(ug/m2), before the residents can return to the house (3).”
So once it reaches the level of than 2,150 micrograms of lead per
square metre (ug/m2) then these are dangerous levels.
“Evaluation Of The Cleanup Of Lead Paint Dust In Houses”
http://www.ledizolv.com/LearnAbout/LeadDustCleaning/lszeval.asp#Anchor-1.-59352
3. Is it possible for a person to ingest lead by such casual action
as, for example, touching a lead-paint wall with sweaty fingers and
then eating a sandwich?
Yes but the more terrifying thought is that even with airborne
particles of paint during abatement… your health might be in danger.
The situation however depends on the condition of the paint.
“Lead-based paint that is in good condition is generally not a health
hazard. Leaded paint that is peeling, chipping, chalking or cracking
can pose a serious health hazard and needs prompt attention. Removing
lead paint improperly can increase the hazard to your family by
spreading even more lead dust around the house. Precautions need to be
taken before beginning remodeling or renovations on surfaces
containing lead-based paint. Lead dust can form when lead-based paint
is dry scraped, dry sanded or heated.”
“Lead Based Paint”
http://www.ledizolv.com/LearnAbout/LeadHazards/leadpaint.asp
“The main health hazard is from exposure to lead fumes and dust. Lead
exposures occur when removing paint from surfaces that were coated
with lead-containing paint, for example, during residential renovation
and demolition. You can get lead poisoning by breathing in airborne
lead dust or fumes or by accidentally eating lead dust. You can get
lead into your body from smoking in the work area.”
“Regardless of how lead gets into your body, it can get into your
blood. Once in your blood stream, lead circulates to all parts of the
body. Some of it is passed out through the urine, while some remains
stored in the liver, kidneys, nerves, red blood cells and bones.”
“FACTS ABOUT LEAD PAINT HAZARDS FACTS ABOUT LEAD PAINT HAZARDS FOR
PUBLIC FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES”
http://www.nj.gov/health/eoh/peoshweb/ldpaint.pdf
4. How much lead might be ingested this way?
“During disturbance of the lead paint by power sanding, personal
exposures ranged from 1,600 ug/m3 to 4,320 ug/m3. For reference, the
occupational exposure limit, which represents the maximum exposure
recommended for industrial workers averaged over an 8 hour work period
(and does not provide adequate protection for children, pregnant
women, or men wishing to conceive a child), depending on the
jurisdiction, is 50 ug/m3 to 150 ug/m3. The highest airborne exposure
measured during this work was 83 times over the 50 ug/m3 limit.”
“Airborne Lead Measurements”
http://www.ledizolv.com/LearnAbout/LeadDustCleaning/lszeval.asp#Anchor-3.-6993
Table of Airborne Lead Measurements
http://www.ledizolv.com/LearnAbout/LeadDustCleaning/lszeval.asp#Anchor-Tabl-55522
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Easterangel-ga
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