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How does lead affect human health?
Lead particles can be ingested or inhaled posing serious threats to human health. In adults, the primary cause of lead poisoning is due to inhalation of lead dust. Lead enters the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body. If not detected early enough, both children and adults are at risk. Symptoms of lead poisoning vary depending on the blood lead level. Low levels of exposure to lead can cause memory and concentration problems, muscle and joint pain, and can affect nervous system function. High levels of lead exposure have been associated with nerve disorders, digestive problems and in extreme cases, death. However, it is important to remember that many individuals show no outward signs of lead poisoning. An individual may have an elevated blood lead level even if they appear healthy and show no signs of lead poisoning.
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Who is at Risk?
Lead does not affect everyone equally. Individuals at highest risk for lead poisoning are those exposed to lead through occupational means or hobbies, fetuses, and children up to six years of age, considered the at-risk age group for lead poisoning.
Young children, infants, and fetuses absorb more lead than adults. A small amount of lead that may have little effect on an adult can have a large effect on a child who is still growing and developing. If a child is overexposed to lead it can cause disastrous consequences including the possibility of irreversible brain and nervous system damage. Even children who appear healthy can have lead poisoning. If you think your child or other family members may be at risk, contact your physician or local health department for testing.
Pregnant women should be especially cautious of lead exposure. The presence of lead dust can cause difficulties during pregnancy. Lead enters the bloodstream and can pass the placental barrier from the mother to the unborn child. The fetus can be poisoned before birth.
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Lead is a highly toxic metal that produces a range of adverse health effects, particularly in young children.
Lead poisoning is entirely preventable. However, nearly 1 million children living in the United States have lead levels in their blood that are high enough to cause irreversible damage to their health.
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What are some symptoms of lead poisoning?
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The long-term effects of lead in a child can be severe. They include learning disabilities, decreased growth, hyperactivity, impaired hearing, and even brain damage. If caught early, these effects can be limited by reducing exposure to lead or by medical treatment. If you are pregnant, avoid exposing yourself to lead. Lead can pass through your body to your baby. (In adults, lead can increase blood pressure and can cause digestive problems, kidney damage, nerve disorders, sleep problems, muscle and joint pain and mood changes.)
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Lead Poisoning Sources
There are many sources of lead exposure: deteriorated paint in older housing, and dust and soil that are contaminated with lead from old paint, drinking contaminated food and water, and from past emissions of leaded gasoline.
Airborne lead enters the body when you breathe or swallow lead particles or dust once it has settled. Lead can leach into drinking water from certain types of plumbing materials (lead pipes, copper pipes with lead solder, and brass faucets) and can also be found on walls, woodwork, and the outside of your home in the form of lead-based paint. Lead can be deposited on floors, windowsills, eating and playing surfaces, or in the dirt outside the home.
About two-thirds of the homes built before 1940, and one-half of the homes built from 1940 to 1960 contain lead-based paint. Some homes built after 1960 but before 1978 may also contain lead paint. Most paint made after 1978 contains no intentionally added lead, since it was banned from use on the interior and exterior of homes.
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Consequences of lead poisoning, by toxicity level |
General effects
Decreased learning, memory
Decreased verbal ability
Early signs of ADHD
Impaired speech, hearing
Lowered IQ
Mild toxicity
Abdominal discomfort
Irritability
Lethargy
Mild fatigue
Myalgia or paresthesia |
Moderate toxicity
Arthralgia
Constipation
Difficulty concentrating
Diffuse abdominal pain
General fatigue
Headache
Muscular exhaustibility
Tremor
Vomiting
Weight Loss |
Severe Toxicity
Colic
Encephalopathy - seizures,coma, death
Lead line on gingival tissue
Paresis or paralysis |
ADHD = attention-deficity/hyperactivity disorder; IQ = intelligence quotient.
Adapted from US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxi Syubstances and Disease Registry. |
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EDTA chelation therapy is widely recognized as an effective treatment for people with lead poisoning, mercury poisoning, and other metal toxicities. EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid) is the most commonly used chelator for removing lead and other heavy metals. EDTA attaching itself to heavy metals and carries the metals from the body.
Health professionals have used EDTA for over 50 years for heavy metal removal. EDTA is completely safe, FDA-approved for treating lead poisoning and toxicity from other heavy metals.
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