Lead is a highly toxic metal that is naturally present in the Earth’s crust. It is used in various processes such as manufacturing, formation of paints and gasoline, batteries etc., and is also released in the environment as a result of various human activities such as mining, recycling, and smelting.
These practices have resulted in the contamination of our environment with this poisonous material.
Is Lead Harmful for Human Beings?
Lead is a toxic metal that negatively affects human health. Exposure to lead can pose serious risks to human health. When a person is exposed to lead for a long time, it can build up inside the body and cause lead poisoning, a condition that is fatal.
Is Lead Present in our Environment?
Yes. Lead is widely present in our environment; in water, air, and soil. In addition to its natural occurrence in Earth’s crust, lead is extensively released into the environment as a result of various human activities. The toxic material is present in our homes as part of various products such as cosmetics, batteries, plumbing material, ceramics, paints, pipes etc.
How Lead Goes in Our Body?
Lead can accumulate inside the human body in one of the following 2 ways:
- By consuming food or water contaminated with lead.
- By inhaling air contaminated with lead.
Since lead quickly spreads all over the body, it quickly affects the systems and organs.
Health Problems Caused By Lead
Lead is such a toxic element that it affects almost every system andorgan of human beings. Children are particularly at a higher risk. Some common health conditions caused by the presence of lead in blood include:
- Slowed growth, anemia, hyperactivity, a low IQ level, hearing disorders, and behavioral and cognitive issues in children.
- Lead poisoning can also affect the nervous system of children and can cause various brain diseases such as cerebral palsy, convulsions etc.
- It affects the growth of the fetus in pregnant women and can also cause pre-mature birth.
- Renal diseases such as inflammation of kidneys, increase in concentration of creatinine etc.
- Problems in blood circulation which can lead to hypertension and platelet dysfunction.
- Lead poisoning can cause infertility.
- It also affects the functioning of the pituitary gland.
- Cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and an increase in the chance of death from stroke and/or heart attack.
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Personality and psychological issues that could lead to suicide or violence.
- Sleep disorders
- Various digestive issues
- Alterations in the bone marrow
- Cell damage
In simplest terms, lead poisoning increases the risk of early deaths due to various diseases. Lead is also considered carcinogenic.
Get your homes checked for lead contamination, especially if you live in a home that was built before 1978. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, about 75% of homes built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint.
Sources
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs379/en/
http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/ehs/toxic/LeadGeneral.aspx
https://www.epa.gov/lead/learn-about-lead
http://www.healthline.com/health/lead-poisoning#Diagnosis5
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/toxic-metal-health-dangers-lead/
http://www.lead.org.au/fs/fst7.html
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/lead/homes/
