Lead is a metal found naturally in the earth's crust and throughout the environment, much of it from human activities such as mining and manufacturing. It used to be in paint, and older houses may still have lead paint.
How you can be exposed
- food or water containing lead — pipes in older homes may contain it;
- a job that uses lead;
- a hobby that uses lead, such as stained glass or lead-glazed pottery;
- folk remedies, such as herbs or foods that contain lead.
Breathing, drinking, eating, or swallowing or touching dirt that contains lead can cause many health problems.
What it does
Lead can affect almost every organ and system in the body.
| In adults | In children |
|---|---|
| higher blood pressure | swallowing large amounts can cause anemia |
| infertility | severe stomachache |
| nerve disorders | muscle weakness |
| muscle and joint pain | brain damage |
| irritability; trouble concentrating and remembering | even low levels can affect mental and physical growth |
Lead is especially dangerous for children.
Sources
Based on "Lead Poisoning," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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