How can lead be dangerous

The timing of symptoms is based on the dose taken into the body and the time over which lead enters the body. A child who ingests a lead fishing sinker that is retained in the stomach may have a rapid rise in blood lead levels and become symptomatic over days with nausea, vomiting, confusion, and sedation. On the other hand, a child exposed to ingested dust contaminating the hands daily may develop few and subtle symptoms that take years to manifest, if at all.

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 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. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Refrigerant Poisoning. Flaking or peeling paint, or renovation activities, may generate dust or chips of paint containing lead which can then be inhaled by adults or inhaled or eaten by children hobbies which involve the use of lead — such as home renovations or restoration of old cars or furniture, lead-lighting, pottery using lead glazes, making or handling lead sinkers used for fishing, recreational gun shooting including casting bullets and shooting at a pistol range air may become polluted with lead from copper and lead smelters, however there are no such smelters in Victoria.

Vehicle battery works, iron and steel production and soldering using lead can produce small amounts of lead in the air. In early , leaded petrol for cars was phased out in Australia high lead levels in soil can be caused by some industrial and mining activities. In areas with a history of high traffic flow, roadside soil may still contain lead deposited from traffic fumes prior to the removal of lead from petrol household dust may contain lead from a number of sources — including deteriorating lead-based house paints, contaminated soil or dust brought into the house drinking water can contain small amounts of lead.

The solder or fittings of some older pipes may contain lead which can dissolve into water that may be sitting in these pipes traditional and alternative medicines , usually sourced overseas, have been found to contain high levels of lead — cases of lead poisoning as a result of taking Ayurvedic treatments imported from India have been reported in Victoria some imported traditional cosmetics and applications, including eye liner manufactured in Pakistan and some other Asian, African or Middle-Eastern countries, have been found to contain high levels of lead illicit opium has been found to contain high levels of lead — cases of lead poisoning as a result of smoking or swallowing illicit opium originating from overseas have been reported in Victoria old toys for example, painted items or metal cars and toy soldiers may contain high levels of lead — Australian standards restrict the amount of lead in painted toys.

However, some imported toys have presented a risk. Also, very old cots or second-hand painted cots may contain unsafe levels of lead in the paintwork foods stored in pewter, lead crystal glassware or pottery containing lead-based glazing may become contaminated with lead. Imported cans from specialty stores with irregularly soldered side seams may contain high levels of lead.

Legislation restricts lead levels in Australian foods. Eating animals hunted using lead shot may also cause lead exposure metal objects such as jewellery, old coins, medals and curtain weights may contain lead. Young children and lead exposure Lead exposure can permanently damage the brain and impair intellectual development. Children under five years of age are especially vulnerable to lead exposure because: they frequently put their hands, and held objects, to their mouth they absorb and retain more lead from their gut and airways than adults do their developing brains are more sensitive to the effects of lead.

Symptoms of lead exposure Lead exposure can affect people differently, and symptoms often depend on the type of exposure. The symptoms may include: muscle pains fatigue abdominal pains headache nausea and vomiting seizures coma.

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: irritability lack of energy loss of appetite learning disabilities behavioural problems poor school performance poor coordination impaired growth. Getting tested for lead exposure If you suspect that you or a member of your family has been exposed to lead, visit your doctor for further advice.

Preventing exposure to lead If you think you or someone else may be in a situation where you are exposed to lead at home or work, you can reduce this exposure by: following appropriate safety regulations and practices at work and home if your job or hobby involves the use of lead.

This includes using proper personal protective equipment and washing your hands with hot soapy water before eating or smoking. Do not bring home lead-contaminated clothing to wash with the household laundry taking care when redecorating or renovating your home to reduce the amount of lead dust and reduce disturbance to old paint surfaces. Pregnant or breastfeeding women and children under five should not be present in work areas during renovation activities seeking professional advice if you are unsure whether your home may contain lead paint.

Use wet cleaning methods for dusty floors, ledges, window sills and other flat surfaces to minimise the risk of lead-containing dust getting into the air consulting with your water supplier or council environmental health officer if you suspect your drinking water may contain lead avoiding storing food or drink in pewter, lead crystal or glazed pottery containers. A population based study from Germany. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.

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