Occupational lead absorption notifications

This section provides information on occupational lead absorption notifications in people aged 15 years and over from 2014 to 2023. The data comes from the Hazardous Substances Disease and Injury Reporting Tool (HSDIRT). Data before 9 April 2021 relates to a blood lead notification threshold of ≥0.48 µmol /L. From 9 April onwards, the notifiable threshold was set as ≥0.24 µmol/L. While no safe level of exposure to lead has been found, these are the notifiable thresholds currently set by the Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand [1].

Prolonged lead exposure linked to depression and serious health risks in adults

Prolonged lead exposure in adults can result in a range of psychological and physiological outcomes, including depression, high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease, and reduced fertility [2]. Exposure of pregnant women to high levels of lead can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and low birth weight.

Key facts from 2024

1. Occupational lead absorption notification rates remained high in 2023, partly due to the lowering of the new notifiable level in 2021.
   

2. Painters and smelting/metal refinery workers were the most notified occupational groups with lead absorption in 2022–23.

3. Pacific people continue to have the highest occupational lead absorption notification rates since 2017.
   

4. Occupational lead absorption notification rates for people living in the most deprived areas (NZDep 2018 quintile 5) were more than twice the rate of those living in the least deprived areas.

Information about the data

This indicator reports HSDIRT occupational lead absorption notifications from 2014 to 2023. The data was extracted from the HSDIRT system on 18 March 2024. Updates or additions made to HSDIRT after this date are not reflected in this factsheet.

Repeat blood lead tests taken within a year of the original test have been excluded from this data unless further investigation has resulted.

This data source only includes cases that were notified and will be underestimating the total burden of disease and injury caused by lead exposures. Also, a case will not be included in the analysis if the GP is unaware of the tool and does not use it to notify cases or the laboratory does not directly notify the blood lead result to EpiSurv.

Lead absorption is challenging to detect based on symptoms alone as many cases are asymptomatic and will, therefore, not be seen by a doctor and/or have a blood lead test. In some instances, a blood lead test will occur because of awareness of the person’s occupation.

For additional information, see the metadata linked at the top of this page.