The aim of writing this article is to create awareness about the ill effects of lead on our body as we all knowingly or unknowingly consume lead at least in small quantity most of the time.
Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in small amount in earth’s crust. Lead and lead compounds have been used in a wide variety of products which including paint, ceramics, pipes, gasoline, batteries and cosmetics, glass TV tubes, solder, pigments, covering for power. The single largest use of lead, over 70% of total consumption is for lead storage batteries. Lead is exposed to the body via inhalation or ingestion of lead. Old lead-based paint is the most significant source of lead exposure.
Another important sources of lead are drinking water and air. High exposure to airborne lead is common, originates primarily from burning of lead-contaminated used oil, from smelting of ores and other industrial processes, and from incineration of municipal refuse. Drinking water has been found as a source of exposure. EPA estimates lead pipes, brass faucets in bathroom or kitchen sinks leads to the leakage of lead in drinking water.
Health Effects of Lead Toxicity:
Lead is a potent toxin that can damage the health in number of ways. The diagnosis of lead poisoning is based on the blood level of lead. Blood lead level above 10 ug/dL is considered as toxic. Children are more sensitive to lead than adults because of several reason. The most important reason is the absorption of lead through intestine is faster in children than adults. Also the immature nervous system of children are more vulnerable than the mature nervous system of adults.
There are two signs of lead poisoning that indicate the presence of lead in the blood tissues:
1) Continuous blue line on the gums
2) Presence of lead in the urine.
Moderate or high amount of lead in the blood can affect the several organs of our body.
1) Chronic lead exposure can lead to kidney failure, it can increase the uric acid in the blood, with further damage to the kidneys.
2) Lead exposure mainly affect the nervous system causing low IQ and hyperactivity in children. High lead exposure can lead to brain encephalopathy.
3) Lead exposure during pregnancy can lead to abortions, still births, birth defects, and even death of neonatal.
Prevention of Lead Consumption
1) Drinking water is the main source of lead as pipes and taps are made from lead. Lead enters the water through corrosion of pipes or corrosion of natural deposits. The amount of lead in water depends on how long the water stays in the pipes, waters acidity and temperature (hot water dissolves more lead than cold water).
Following are some ways to reduce the lead in your drinking water.
- If you haven't use that tap for more than 6 hours, let the water run from the tap for 30 seconds
- Use only the cold water tap for drinking, cooking, for preparing juice, etc. Do not use hot water tap for drinking.
- Do not boil the water. Although boiling reduces the number of bacteria in the water, it may increase the concentration of lead and other metals in the water. Filtered water may reduce the risk of lead consumption to some extend. However still it may not prevent it.
- Get the water tested for lead
- Change the old pipes in case they are eroded.
2) Lead based paint on walls are other common source of lead. Children tent to consume the wall paint which leads to lead consumption. Avoid using lead base paint instead use lead free paints. Get your house tested for lead.
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