Lead Facts / Q&A
Q. What is Lead?
A. Lead (atomic number 82: Symbol Pb)
is a heavy, comparatively soft, malleable, bluish-gray metal that is found
naturally in many parts of the world. It has been used by mankind in
many ways for thousands of years, including such commonly used products as
water pipes, house paint, and gasoline.
Q. What is Lead Poisoning?
A. Lead is a highly toxic substance, exposure to which can
produce a wide range of adverse health effects. Once lead is in the
body, it becomes distributed into the blood and body organs (kidney, liver,
etc.), but the majority of it is deposited into bone. Exposure to lead
is estimated by measuring levels of lead in the blood (in micrograms of lead
per deciliter of blood). In 1997, the US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) decreased the set "level of concern" for children
from 25 to 10 micrograms per deciliter. Children under the age of six
are especially vulnerable to lead's harmful health effects, because their
brains and central nervous system are still being formed. For them, even
very low levels of exposure can result in reduced IQ, learning disabilities,
attention deficit disorders, behavioral problems, stunted growth, impaired
hearing, and kidney damage. At high levels of exposure, a child may become
mentally retarded, fall into a coma, and even die from lead poisoning.
In adults, lead can increase blood pressure and cause fertility problems,
nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, irritability, and memory or
concentration problems. Children are especially at risk because they
absorb about seven times more of the lead that they ingest into their bodies
than adults do. Children also ingest more lead because they often put
things into their mouth and eat nonfood items. Once lead is absorbed
into the body, it is very hard to get rid of and can even be passed on to a
child before birth.
Q. How can Lead enter the body?
A. There are many ways in which humans are exposed to lead:
through deteriorating paint, household dust, bare soil, air, drinking water,
food, ceramics, home remedies, hair dyes and other cosmetics. Much of this
lead is of microscopic size, invisible to the naked eye. Poisoning can
occur by inhaling or breathing dust contaminated with lead, ingesting
or swallowing something made of lead or that has a lead coating (paint or
paint chips), or if you eat or drink something that was in a container that
had lead in it, especially canned foods that are processed outside of the
United States, or foods that are stored or served in plates or pottery that
contain a lead glaze. Water can also be a source from lead pipes, copper pipes
with lead solder, brass faucets, and even some household garden hoses contain
lead in the metal connectors. Lead can also be absorbed through
your skin.
Q. What are the common signs I can look for to know if my child has
been poisoned by lead?
A. Signs of lead poisoning are not always obvious. Even children who seem
perfectly healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies. Symptoms
may be mistaken for the flu or other illnesses which may include stomachache
and cramps, irritability, fatigue, frequent vomiting, constipation, headache,
sleep disorders or poor appetite. A simple
blood test can detect high levels of lead. Consult your health-care
provider for
advice on testing your children if you notice any of these symptoms. If
more lead builds up, you may notice clumsiness, weakness, or loss of recently
learned skills. The CDC recommends that children be
screened at age 1 and again at 2 years of age. Additionally, at risk
children 3-6 years of age who have not been previously tested should be.
Q. What is the most common cause of lead poisoning in children?
A. During the 1970s, lead in gasoline caused severe brain damage in
thousands of children. Today, lead-based paint is the most common source
of lead poisoning in children. Over many years, painted surfaces crumble and
become common household dust. This dust coats the objects that curious children
put in their mouths. Adults can also ingest lead in this way. It is the most
common way for the lead in paint to get into a person. Children will also chew
on windowsills or other painted surfaces. Sometimes they eat old paint chips.
Q. How long does lead poisoning last?
A. Lead will continue to accumulate as long as the person is
exposed to it. The damage from the lead can be permanent.
Submit your own questions and we'll find the answers you need.
|
