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Lead poisoning

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lead poisoning is a condition where there is too much lead in the body. Lead interferes with many processes. It is toxic to many organs and tissues, including the bones and brain. The half-life of lead in these tissues is measured in weeks for blood, months for soft tissues, and years for bone.[1] Lead in the bones, teeth, hair, and nails is bound tightly and not available to other tissues, and is generally thought not to be harmful.[2] In adults, 94% of absorbed lead ends up in the bones and teeth, but children only store 70% in this way, a fact which may partially account for the more serious health effects on children.[3]

In 2013, lead is believed to have resulted in 853,000 deaths worldwide[4]

The risk of lead poisoning is very small in developed countries.[5] However, lead might be used in paints, petrol or food containers in some countries where it might be legal, such as in developing countries. Other ways a person can be exposed is[5] from:

  • lead pipes
  • a lead water tank
  • pipework with lead fittings

Causing the water supply to be contaminated.

Symptoms

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Symptoms of lead poisoning include coughing, fatigue, and severe dehydration.

Exposure to lead can be harmful especially to unborn babies and young children. Infants and young children absorb a bigger percentage of lead from sources than adults.[5] The signs and symptoms in young children can include:[5]


Although children are at increased risk of the effects of lead poisoning, exposure can also result in illness in adults. Symptoms in adults can include:[5]

Treatment

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Treatment of the condition is usually to remove the source of lead. Animals sometimes from lead poisoning. Mostly, children are at risk for this condition.

References

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  1. Karri, Surya K.; Saper, Robert B.; Kales, Stefanos N. "Lead Encephalopathy Due to Traditional Medicines". Current Drug Safety. 3 (1): 54–59. doi:10.2174/157488608783333907. PMC 2538609. PMID 18690981.
  2. "Environmental and nutritional pathology". Rubin's Pathology: Clinicopathologic Foundations of Medicine (5th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2008. p. 266. ISBN 978-0-7817-9516-6.
  3. Barbosa, Fernando; Tanus-Santos, José Eduardo; Gerlach, Raquel Fernanda; Parsons, Patrick J. (December 2005). "A Critical Review of Biomarkers Used for Monitoring Human Exposure to Lead: Advantages, Limitations, and Future Needs". Environmental Health Perspectives. 113 (12): 1669–1674. doi:10.1289/ehp.7917. ISSN 0091-6765. PMC 1314903. PMID 16330345.
  4. "Lead poisoning". www.who.int. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Lead poisoning". NHS inform - Scot. 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)