Young children, including unborn babies, are at greatest risk of the health effects of lead exposure. Children are most often exposed to lead by swallowing items or soil containing lead or breathing in dust containing lead. Adults are most often exposed to lead if they work in a job which involves lead-based activities. In Australia the most common source of lead exposure is at workplaces involving the use of lead compounds.
Workers can also sometimes bring lead residues into their home on their work clothes, skin, hair and equipment after contact with lead. The Department of Health Environment Section can provide advice about lead sources in the home and how to manage them safely Tel. Lead exposure can permanently damage the brain and impair intellectual development. For children the risk of exposure to lead and the health effects of exposure can depend on their environment, stage of development and behaviours.
Children under five years of age are especially vulnerable to lead exposure because:. Children with pica — a behaviour that leads to eating non-food substances such as peeling paint flakes, soil or small objects — are also at an increased risk of lead exposure. Children are particularly at risk during home redecorating or renovating, as they may pick up or swallow paint chips or dust.
Unborn babies are also at risk, since lead swallowed by the pregnant mother readily passes through the placenta. Breastfeeding mothers can also pass on lead to their infants via their breast milk. Lead exposure can affect people differently, and symptoms often depend on the type of exposure. Some children or adults may not have any symptoms at all. Acute lead poisoning is usually caused by a recent exposure to a high amount of lead.
The symptoms may include:. If a person is exposed to smaller amounts of lead over a longer time period, chronic long-term or ongoing lead exposure may produce symptoms such as:. Many of these symptoms could be caused by other conditions, so it is important to see a doctor if you are worried.
If you suspect that you or a member of your family has been exposed to lead, visit your doctor for further advice. They may recommend that you have a blood test to measure the amount of lead in your blood and determine whether you have been exposed to lead.
Once lead enters the body, it first flows through the blood stream where it slowly crosses into various organs such as the kidneys, muscles and brain. Lead is bad for humans because it interferes with numerous enzymes inside the cells of these organs. This results in symptoms such as muscle and joint aches as well as constipation and overall fatigue. It damages our brains by interfering with how brain cells send messages and communicate.
Lead decreases fertility in both males and females. It harms our kidneys and can result in hypertension later in life. Lead prevents our bodies from creating hemoglobin — the molecule that carries oxygen in our red blood cells — resulting in anemia. Rather than being eliminated, much of the lead we absorb into our bodies becomes deposited in bones and stays with us for the rest of our lives. From those tissues and the blood, lead will eventually enter the bone where it is deposited and remains for the lifetime of most individuals.
Lead is a dangerous toxin for people of all ages. But it is especially dangerous for young children. In young developing brains it alters brain development and changes the architecture, ultimately causing learning problems and lower IQs. Their nerves and muscles can be greatly affected and may no longer function as well as they should.
Other body systems may be harmed to various degrees, such as the kidneys and blood vessels. People who survive toxic lead levels may have some permanent brain damage. Children are more vulnerable to serious long-term problems.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Updated June 18, Accessed April 22, Markowitz M. Lead poisoning. In: Kliegman RM, St. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Iron and heavy metals.
Editorial team. Lead is found in: Houses painted before Even if the paint is not peeling, it can be a problem. Lead paint is very dangerous when it is being stripped or sanded. These actions release fine lead dust into the air. Infants and children living in pre's housing when paint often contained lead have the highest risk of lead poisoning. Small children often swallow paint chips or dust from lead-based paint.
Toys and furniture painted before Painted toys and decorations made outside the United States Lead bullets, fishing sinkers, curtain weights. Plumbing, pipes, and faucets. Lead can be found in drinking water in homes containing pipes that were connected with lead solder. Although new building codes require lead-free solder, lead is still found in some modern faucets. Learn about gasoline poisoning, carbon monoxide poisoning, when to seek help, and….
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Lead Poisoning. Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. It is also found in: art supplies contaminated dust gasoline products sold outside of the United States and Canada Lead poisoning usually occurs over a period of months or years. Lead poisoning can be treated, but any damage caused cannot be reversed. What are the symptoms of lead poisoning? What causes lead poisoning?
Who is at risk for lead poisoning? How is lead poisoning diagnosed? How is lead poisoning treated? What is the outlook for lead poisoning? How can lead poisoning be prevented? Read this next. Blood Lead Levels Test. Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M. Medically reviewed by Elaine K.
Luo, M. Understanding Mercury Poisoning. Gout Causes. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
0コメント