In our sister blog, Rainbows of Autism, I named a few kinds of brain-unhealthy effects that the heavy metal lead has. Please read it with the following: [LINK] There are also numbers of non-brain health effects of lead. We will only mention some of many...
Lead poisoning is especially bad for youngsters, who absorb it more readily and more likely to be exposed. Young children might eat lead paint flakes off walls and woodwork. "Miscarriage, stillbirth... premature birth", and low weight at birth might happen to the fetus/baby of a mother exposed to lead(1).
The government agency OSHA made an 1978 estimate of blood levels due to chronic exposure at which lead poisoning problems can occur. Lead has been found since to cause problems at much lower levels. Kidney problems and high blood pressure happen with blood lead levels at 10 µg/dL in adults. Impaired motor function and attention issues happen between 20 and 40 µg/dL, and above 40, there can be "headache, fatigue, sleep disturbance, joint pain, myalgia, anorexia, and constipation." Some workers might have levels above 60, which can be lethal or cause convulsions, comas, peripheral neuropathy, and severe abdominal cramps(2).
Here are some other lead poisoning health effects:
- Hearing loss(1)
- Eating non-food items like paint chips (pica)(1)
- Vomiting(1)
- Joint/muscle discomfort(1)
- Fatigue/feeling sluggish(1)
Lead can come from pipes, solders, pottery, soil exposed to lead paint or gasoline, bullets, some folk remedies, cosmetics, or tamarind (present in Mexico-sourced candies)(1).
References:
1. Mayo Clinic Staff. "Lead poisoning: Symptoms & causes." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). 20 Dec. 2019. Web. 18 Jan. 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lead-poisoning/symptoms-causes/syc-20354717.
2. "Lead: Health Effects." United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Web. 18 Jan. 2022. https://www.osha.gov/lead/health-effects.
Lead poisoning is especially bad for youngsters, who absorb it more readily and more likely to be exposed. Young children might eat lead paint flakes off walls and woodwork. "Miscarriage, stillbirth... premature birth", and low weight at birth might happen to the fetus/baby of a mother exposed to lead(1).
The government agency OSHA made an 1978 estimate of blood levels due to chronic exposure at which lead poisoning problems can occur. Lead has been found since to cause problems at much lower levels. Kidney problems and high blood pressure happen with blood lead levels at 10 µg/dL in adults. Impaired motor function and attention issues happen between 20 and 40 µg/dL, and above 40, there can be "headache, fatigue, sleep disturbance, joint pain, myalgia, anorexia, and constipation." Some workers might have levels above 60, which can be lethal or cause convulsions, comas, peripheral neuropathy, and severe abdominal cramps(2).
Here are some other lead poisoning health effects:
- Hearing loss(1)
- Eating non-food items like paint chips (pica)(1)
- Vomiting(1)
- Joint/muscle discomfort(1)
- Fatigue/feeling sluggish(1)
Lead can come from pipes, solders, pottery, soil exposed to lead paint or gasoline, bullets, some folk remedies, cosmetics, or tamarind (present in Mexico-sourced candies)(1).
References:
1. Mayo Clinic Staff. "Lead poisoning: Symptoms & causes." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). 20 Dec. 2019. Web. 18 Jan. 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lead-poisoning/symptoms-causes/syc-20354717.
2. "Lead: Health Effects." United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Web. 18 Jan. 2022. https://www.osha.gov/lead/health-effects.
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