LEAD : "A lead to negativities"

Lead is a highly toxic metal and a very strong poison. It is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems. It occurs when lead builds up in the body.

Lead poisoning usually occurs over a period of months or years. It can cause severe mental and physical impairment. Young children are most vulnerable.

Children get lead in their bodies by putting the lead containing objects in their mouths. Touching the lead and then putting their fingers in their mouths may also poison them. Lead is more harmful to children because their brains and nervous systems are still developing. Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time. 

There is no known level of lead exposure that is considered safe. Lead poisoning can be treated, but any damage caused cannot be reversed.

Causes of lead poisoning 

Lead poisoning occurs when lead is ingested. Breathing in dust that contains lead can also cause it. You cannot smell or taste lead and it’s not visible to the naked eye. Lead used to be common in house paint and gasoline, these products are not produced with lead any longer. However, lead is still present everywhere. It is especially found in older houses.

Common sources of lead include:

house paint made before 1978

toys and household items,

bullets, curtain weights, and fishing sinkers made of lead

pipes and sink faucets, which can contaminate drinking water

soil polluted by car exhaust or chipping house paint

paint sets and art supplies

jewelry, pottery, and lead figures

storage batteries

kohl or kajal eyeliners

some traditional ethnic medicines.

Symptoms of Lead poisoning:

The symptoms of lead poisoning vary. They may affect many parts of the body. Most of the time, lead poisoning builds up slowly. It follows repeated exposure to small quantities of lead. Lead toxicity is rare after a single exposure or ingestion of lead. 

Signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children include:

Developmental delay

Learning difficulties

Irritability

Loss of appetite

Weight loss

Sluggishness and fatigue

Abdominal pain

Vomiting

Constipation

Hearing loss

Seizures

Eating things, such as paint chips, that aren't food (pica)

Lead poisoning symptoms in newborns

Babies exposed to lead before birth might:

Be born prematurely

Have lower birth weight

Have slowed growth

Lead poisoning symptoms in adults

Although children are primarily at risk, lead poisoning is also dangerous for adults. Signs and symptoms in adults might include:

High blood pressure

Joint and muscle pain

Difficulties with memory or concentration

Headache

Abdominal pain

Mood disorders

Reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm

Miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth in pregnant women.

Risk Factors 

Children are at the highest risk of lead poisoning, especially if they live in old houses with chipping paint. This is because children are prone to putting objects and fingers in their mouths.

People in developing countries are also at a higher risk. Many countries do not have strict rules regarding lead. If you adopt a child from a developing country, their lead levels should be checked.

Prevention 

Simple steps can help you prevent lead poisoning. These include:

Avoid or throw away painted toys and canned goods from foreign countries.

Keep your home free from dust.

Use only cold water to prepare foods and drinks.

Make sure everyone washes their hands before eating.

Test your water for lead. If lead levels are high, use a filtering device or drink bottled water.

Clean faucets and aerators regularly.

Wash children’s toys and bottles regularly.

Teach your children to wash their hands after playing.

Make sure any contractor doing work in your house is certified in lead control.

Use lead-free paint in your home.

Take young children for blood lead level screening at their pediatrician’s office. This is usually done around 1 to 2 years of age.

Avoid areas where lead-based paint may have been used.