| QUESTIONS | ANSWERS |
|---|---|
| What is this chemical? | Lead is a soft, malleable metal, and occurs naturally in the ecosystem with large variations in concentration. |
| What is its purpose? | It is very resistant to corrosion but tarnishes upon exposure to air. |
| Where is it found? |
|
HEALTH CONCERNS Is this chemical a carcinogen? No. How can it affect me?
Lead is a poisonous metal that can damage nervous connections (especially in young children) and cause blood and brain disorders. Lead overexposure is one of the most common overexposures found in industry and is a leading cause of workplace illness. It is also a major potential public health risk.
Lead poisoning is the leading environmentally induced illness in children.
Some symptoms that lead toxicity can cause:
- Toxicity of the nervous system which can permanently reduce the cognitive capacity of children at extremely low levels of exposure.
- Weakness in fingers, wrists, or ankles.
- Increases in blood pressure, particularly in middle-aged and older people.
- Anemia.
- Severe brain and kidney damage in adults or children and can ultimately cause death with exposure to high Lead levels.
- In pregnant women, high levels of exposure may cause miscarriage or birth defects.
- Chronic, high-level exposure in men can damage the organs responsible for sperm production.
Lead is a potent neurotoxin that accumulates in soft tissues and bone over time. The effects of Lead are the same whether it enters the body through breathing or swallowing, and can affect almost every organ and system in the body. The main target for Lead toxicity is the nervous system, both in adults and children.
Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities to seizures and death.
Children six years old and under are most at risk. Lead poisoning usually only occurs in cases when the Lead is dispersed, like when sanding Lead based paint, or long term exposure in the case of pewter tableware.
Most common sources of lead poisoning:
- Deteriorating lead-based paint
- Lead contaminated dust
- Lead contaminated residential soil
- Lead contaminated drinking water
Are there controversial issues? None found.
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