We used white and red lead all the time building boats years ago..no gloves, etc..

But then again all the exhaust was wrapped in asbestos sheeting.

I've spent many hours in fish sheds with pipe smoke so thick you could hardly see as the old skippers puffed away and told yarns.

I'll have to pinch myself to see if I'm still alive. Exposed to too many things.

ps two of my old uncles ran lead in the GM Oshawa plant and lived to ripe old ages. They used wooden paddles and whale oil.