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Lead Poisoning

Author -  <a href='https://www.medindia.net/medical-review-team/suchitra-chari.asp' target='_blank'>Suchitra Chari, M.S. M.Sc.</a>
Medically Reviewed by <a href='https://www.medindia.net/medical-review-team/dr-lakshmi-venkataraman.asp' target='_blank'>Dr. Lakshmi Venkataraman, MD</a> on Oct 27, 2016
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Lakshmi Venkataraman, MD on Oct 27, 2016


What is Lead Poisoning?

Lead poisoning occurs when a person is exposed to high levels of the heavy metal lead. Exposure is typically associated with severe health effects.

It is not possible to predict the exact amount of lead, below which there will be no harmful effects on the body. In other words, toxic effects of lead can be seen at low levels in some people or at high levels in others.

Lead poisoning

Hence there is no known safe exposure level.

Symptoms and conditions vary according to the intensity and duration of exposure and the age of the person. Acute health effects of lead are seen when exposed to a high concentration in a short period of time. Chronic health effects of lead are seen when exposed to repeat low-level doses over a prolonged period.


The main source of lead is in the form of Lead Sulfide in the earth's crust. While in existence for years, it has been released into the environment through human activities. Through atmospheric transport, it has reached even the remotest locations in the world.

Lead is a cumulative toxicant; in other words, the health effects become more pronounced as the amount of lead in the body increases. It affects the neurological, hematological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, reproductive and renal system. It has a neurotoxic effect on children; if the damage goes beyond a repairable extent in children it is irreversible.

The routes of exposure of lead in children are through soil, air, water, food and consumer products. Adults are usually exposed to lead in their occupation. There are over 3 million people in the US whose occupation involves exposure to lead.

Elimination of lead in paint, plumbing, gasoline and solder are the steps followed by the government so far to curb the spread of lead poisoning.

Facts and Statistics of Lead Poisoning

Facts and Statistics of Lead Poisoning in Children


Who is at Risk of getting Lead Poisoning or having High Blood Lead Levels?

What are the Sources of Lead Toxicity?

Natural activities that release or spread lead include:


Industrial Processes:

Food and Smoking:

Drinking Water:

Household plumbing systems that contain lead pipes, solders and fittings are the main source of lead in tap water. Lead concentration in water depends on the duration of contact with lead and the acidic nature of water.

Hence it is recommended to flush taps in the morning before use.

Domestic Sources:

What are the Health Effects of Lead Poisoning?

Children are 4-5 times more susceptible to lead poisoning than most adults except for pregnant women.

Effects in children are more pronounced because:

In pregnant women, exposure to lead can cause miscarriage, still birth, premature birth and low birth weight and minor malformations in the child.

Acute effects of lead occur due to intense or high exposure in short durations.

Chronic effects of lead occur due to repeat low-level exposure over a prolonged period.

How do you Diagnose Lead Toxicity in the Body?

What is the Treatment of Lead Poisoning?

1. Removal of Lead from the Body

2. Symptomatic Treatment

In case of lead encephalopathy, anticonvulsants are used to treat the seizures and corticosteroids and mannitol are used to control the swelling of the brain.

3. Chelation therapy for people with high blood lead levels or symptoms of lead poisoning.

How do we Reduce Lead Exposure?

Eliminating source level exposure by removing lead in:

Prevention of exposure:

Monitoring:

Mass Education:

Awareness needs to be created about products containing lead and preventive measures to keep their young ones safe.

What is the Prognosis of Lead Poisoning?

The extent and the duration of lead exposure mainly control the outcome. While symptoms of the heart and kidney are reversible, effects on the Central Nervous System are irreversible.

In case of a cerebral involvement, the mortality rates is 25 %.

Lead encephalopathy causes permanent brain damage in 70-80 % of children even after getting the best treatment.

Among children who develop the symptoms of encephalopathy before chelation therapy, 40 % of them are likely to develop cerebral palsy.

References:

  1. L.J. Fewtrell, A. Pruss-Ustun, P. Landrigan, and J.L. Ayuso-Mateos. Estimating the global burden of disease of mild mental retardation and cardiovascular diseases from environmental lead exposure Environmental Research 94 (2004) 120�133
  2. Gordon, J. N., Taylor, A., & Bennett, P. N. (2002). Lead poisoning: case studies. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 53(5), 451�458
  3. Jones, A. (2009). Emerging aspects of assessing lead poisoning in childhood. Emerging Health Threats Journal, 2
  4. Lead� Poisoning - (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_poisoning)
  5. Childhood Lead Poisoning - (http://www.who.int/ceh/publications/leadguidance.pdf)
  6. Childhood Lead Poisoning Data, Statistics, and Surveillance - (https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/data/)

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