Lead and heavy metals
Tuesday, 03 June 2008, Written by Trouni   
Characteristics Main source Effects on health

Toxic metal formerly used in products found in and around buildings

  • traffic emissions
  • drinking water (via lead pipes, tubing, etc...)
  • lead-based paint
  • lead dust from outdoor (soil tracked inside)
  • lead-tainted dust on toys
  • in certain indoor activities or work such as soldering
  • can affect the physical and mental development of foetuses and children, can lower IQ levels and cause behavioural problems and neurological damages
  • problems of the central nervous system, the kidney and blood cells; increased blood pressure, infertility, nerve disorders, coma, convulsions and even death

 

About lead (Pb) and heavy metals

Lead has long been seen as a very harmful environmental pollutant and was even mentioned as number one environmental threat to the health of children in the USA in the nineties.

 

Tap water can contain lead Unfortunately there are still many ways in which humans are exposed to lead. By breathing air, drinking water or eating food we swallow lead particles and as it was used in paint, gasoline, water pipes and many other products we still get in touch very often with lead particles.

In case of indoor pollution, old lead-based paint is the most significant source of lead exposure today. Other sources are lead dust from outdoor, such a soil tracked inside and the use of lead in certain indoor activities, hobbies or work such as soldering.

 

Impact of lead on your health
  • Even small amounts of lead can be very harmful, especially to infants and young children as lead is more easily absorbed in growing bodies.
  • During pregnancy lead taken in by the mother can interfere with the health of the unborn child.
  • The physical and mental development of fetuses and infants can be affected, IQ levels can be lowered, and behavioral problems as well as neurological damages increase.
  • Exposition to lead also has effects on adults which can experience severe problems of the central nervous system, the kidney and blood cells.
  • Lead at high levels can cause convulsions, coma and even death.
Comments
Add New
Write comment
Name:
Website:
Title:
 
 
Security Image
Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.
 
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]