The Effects of Lead Exposure

updated 05/22/2008

What is Lead?

Lead is symbol Pb, atomic number 82 on the periodic table. Its elemental traits are a soft, heavy toxic, poor metal. When first cut, its color is bluish-white, and tarnishes becoming dull gray after air exposure, and when melted into its liquid form, it becomes shiny silver chrome in appearance. Lead is a potent "neurotoxin" that accumulates in bones and soft tissues over time.

Lead is used in a variety of industries, including building construction, bullets, weights, lead-acid batteries used in cars, coloring element in ceramic glazes, fishing sinkers, candle treatments, sound-deadening layers for studios and organ pipes. It is also used in solder for electronics, combined with brass in reducing machine tool wear, used in ballast keel of sailboat and in high-voltage power cables. Lead is also widely used in sculptures and statues.

Before the harmful effects of lead were recognized in 1978, lead was used in many products and materials such as paint and gasoline. However, even though laws now prevent lead from being used in various products, lead hazards can still be present in and around homes by getting into the water, food, soil and dust, causing serious health problems, especially in young children.

How am I Exposed to Lead?

Most people are exposed to some amount of lead in their lifetime.

One of the most common lead exposures is from lead-based paint used in homes, which were built before 1978. Traces of lead can be found both indoors and outdoors of apartments, single-family homes, public and private housing in the city, suburbs or in country. Lead can sometimes be traced in the soil around a house, since the lead from exterior paint or leaded gas in cars could easily transfer to soil. When lead-based paint deteriorates, it turns into dust, which can work it's way into households.

Some homes still have plumbing with lead solder. Unfortunately, drinking water with lead is invisible, odorless and tasteless. It is undetectable in water without special testing. In addition, boiling lead-contaminated water cannot get rid of lead.

People can also be exposed to lead from their jobs and hobbies. People who work with lead or use lead in pottery making, shooting ranges, refinishing furniture or other hobbies are more likely to bring lead particles on their clothes.

Other examples of lead exposure, include eating food and drinking liquid stored in containers made with lead, alternative medicines that uses lead and through contaminated air.

What are the Symptoms of Lead Exposure?

Lead is a toxic or poisonous metal that can cause nervous system damage, especially in children, possibly leading to blood and brain disorders.

Long-term exposure to lead and its salts could cause nephropathy and abdominal pains.

Lead exposure in children is usually left untreated because it does not show outward symptoms. However, high levels of lead undetected in their bodies, could in time, result in damages to the nervous system and brain, lethargy, nausea, headaches, hearing problems, slowed growth, sleeping troubles, constipation, stomachaches, irritability as well as learning and behavioral problems.

Symptoms of lead exposure in adults are more evident. Adults often suffer from headaches, severe abdominal pain, irritability and mood swings, memory loss, concentration problems, muscle and joint pains, high blood pressure, hypertension, nerve disorders, loss of motor coordination and reproductive problems in both men and women.

How do I Test Myself for Lead Exposure?

The Lead Testing Kit

The Lead Heavy Metals Test Kit is available to determine the levels in your body. Should the test determine that your levels are high, you may want to use Dr. Group's Chemical & Heavy Metals Cleanse to reduce your levels. Cleansing can take a long time, sometimes as long as months. It's recommended that you test your body levels periodically throughout the cleansing process to determine your progress.

Homes should also be checked for lead exposure by paint inspection and risk assessment, wherein qualified professionals determine the lead content of both indoor and outdoor spaces in homes.

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