The net is closing in on lead. According to The Times yesterday (paywall) the Health and Safety Executive is proposing to limit the maximum permissible levels of lead in the blood of general employees from the existing 60 micrograms per decilitre to 30 mcg by October next year before cutting it to 15 mcg two years later. For women classed as being of "reproductive capacity" under the age of 50 the permitted level is due to drop from the current 30 mcg to just 7.5 mcg by October next year. It is said that workers in the stained glass industry may be affected by the new regulations.