Lead poisoning continues to be a source of concern by government health agencies around the world. What was once considered a vital component in many industries, including paints, plumbing, and ceramics, is now known to be the cause of a number of health problems.
Lead poisoning, sometimes known as plumbism, painter`s colic and a few more, affects people of all ages. It is particularly dangerous for the very young in their growing stages. Children under six are thought to be especially vulnerable, as their nervous system is still developing.
Lead ingestion usually takes place over a period of time. Health problems such as learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, impaired hearing, blindness, and kidney damage are among just some of the problems found in children, and in adults muscle and joint pain, memory loss, hypertension, and poor concentration. Women who are pregnant are especially at risk as lead can cross into the fetus.
In the most serious cases people can suffer seizures, go in to a coma, and death can occur.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quote a blood lead level of 10 ìg/dL or above as being a cause for concern. Even at lower levels though there can be an impact on children`s development. In other words lead has no safe exposure level.
Lead can be transmitted to humans via air, water, soil, food, drink, and in consumer products.
Lead-glazed earthenware, for instance, is widely used in some parts of Latin America, and Asia. When food or drink is stored or prepared in these pots the lead can leach out. Microwaving or other cooking in dubious pots should be avoided, especially if the food or drink is to be given to a child.
Despite huge advances in understanding the dangers of lead, a number of countries are still using leaded gasoline. This results in particles of lead being emitted through vehicle emissions, and not only the air but also the soil along the highways is contaminated. This can also have a bad effect on the food chain as grass etc is eaten by animals and eventually those animals may be eaten by humans. Vegetables in fields that are consumed may be affected with lead dust too.
What about plumbing in homes and workplaces? If you have pipes that are made from lead, or even use lead-soldered lead pipes, it is suggested by many health experts that you let your water run at least 30 seconds before using it for drinking, as any water stood may have dissolved lead in it.
At one time virtually all industrial paints contained lead. Thankfully many nations have banned the use of lead in these products. Yet, in the US it is estimated that around 35 million homes have some amount of lead paint in them. Peeling paint is often the cause of children ingesting lead as they tend to put things into their mouths. And while it is true that the more advanced countries have banned lead from paints, some countries have been slower to catch up, which is why you need to be very careful if buying things like children`s toys from other less developed countries.
Some estimates show that 1 in 20 preschoolers in the US has high levels of lead in his blood, and that`s in a country which is highly regulated in the use of lead. It is very likely then that in many other countries without stringent regulations the numbers will be much worse.
