The US-American New York State Department of Health conducted a Metal Recycling
Industry Project (MRIP) that collected information on metal recycling
operations and processes from 101 metal recyclers throughout New York State.
This project had two components: a mail survey and on-site industrial hygiene
evaluations. MRIP assessed the worker lead exposures associated with routine
metal recycling tasks, such as sorting, shearing, and torch cutting a variety
of materials through personal air monitoring, surface contamination evaluation
and monitoring workers' blood lead levels (BLL). Findings from this project
include:

• Significant lead exposure occurred when torch cutting not only painted metals,
  but also unpainted metals and new steel;


• Lead contamination was found in bathrooms and lunchrooms, and on workers' hands
  prior to eating;


• Metal recycling companies did not recognize potential sources of lead exposure
  (such as new steel) and underestimated the degree of exposure; and


• Metal recycling companies that we visited made substantial improvements to
  their lead protection programs after receiving information and technical
  guidance.

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AplusA-online.de - Source: New York State Department of Health