| Health Effects of Lead |
How Lead Enters the Body
The two types of ways lead enters the body, is through ingestion (eating) or inhalation
(breathing). Children are more likely to infest lead-contaminated dust through normal
hand-to-mouth activity (thumb sucking, putting items in their mouths, crawling and playing
in surfaces covered with lead dust, etc). Adults, on the other hand, tend to inhale lead dust
through occupational exposure. Workers can inhale, or ingest, lead particles by disturbing
lead based paint while not taking proactive protective measures. Furthermore, entire
families have been poisoned from "take-home-lead" on the clothes and hands of exposed
workers.
Where Does the Lead Go?
Once lead enters the body, it is distributed by the blood stream to red blood cells, soft
tissue, and bone. The body eliminates lead through the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract,
but due to the slow nature of this process, most lead is stored in the body. Lead has no
useful purpose in the body and is ultimately poisonous. Of the lead ingested or inhaled,
5-10% is stored in the blood, 5-10% in the kidneys and 80-90% in the bones. Once in the
bone, lead binds with the bone marrow and is stored for decades.
Potential Health Effects
The overall heath effects of lead are wide ranging. Depending on the amount of lead
ingested or inhaled, the severity of the health effects can vary. Lead poisoning can cause
learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, neurological and physical developmental
problems, permanent damage to the central/peripheral nervous systems, reproductive
system, impairment of hearing, vision, muscle coordination, and can even lead to coma and
death in extreme cases. Depending on whether the poisoning is acute (exposure for a short
time at high levels) or chronic (exposure to low or moderate levels of lead for a long period
of time) can also effect the overall outcome of health effects. For more information of the
health effects of lead, see the EPA website on health effects.
How is Lead Measured in the Body?
The best way to measure for lead in the human body is by micrograms of lead per deciliter
of blood (mg/dL). Although some other tests exist, the blood lead level is the most
effective way to be tested. In children, blood levels as low as 10 mg/dL, the established
federal level of concern, have been associated with adverse effects on a child's intelligence
and behavior as well as growth and hearing. Recent research suggests lead may affect a
child's learning ability even at levels below 10mg/dL. In addition, data suggests lead
exposure may contribute to hyperactivity and increase a child's risks for anti-social
behavior. The only way to know if a child had lead poisoning is to have a blood test. Speak
with your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
The two types of ways lead enters the body, is through ingestion (eating) or inhalation
(breathing). Children are more likely to infest lead-contaminated dust through normal
hand-to-mouth activity (thumb sucking, putting items in their mouths, crawling and playing
in surfaces covered with lead dust, etc). Adults, on the other hand, tend to inhale lead dust
through occupational exposure. Workers can inhale, or ingest, lead particles by disturbing
lead based paint while not taking proactive protective measures. Furthermore, entire
families have been poisoned from "take-home-lead" on the clothes and hands of exposed
workers.
Where Does the Lead Go?
Once lead enters the body, it is distributed by the blood stream to red blood cells, soft
tissue, and bone. The body eliminates lead through the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract,
but due to the slow nature of this process, most lead is stored in the body. Lead has no
useful purpose in the body and is ultimately poisonous. Of the lead ingested or inhaled,
5-10% is stored in the blood, 5-10% in the kidneys and 80-90% in the bones. Once in the
bone, lead binds with the bone marrow and is stored for decades.
Potential Health Effects
The overall heath effects of lead are wide ranging. Depending on the amount of lead
ingested or inhaled, the severity of the health effects can vary. Lead poisoning can cause
learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, neurological and physical developmental
problems, permanent damage to the central/peripheral nervous systems, reproductive
system, impairment of hearing, vision, muscle coordination, and can even lead to coma and
death in extreme cases. Depending on whether the poisoning is acute (exposure for a short
time at high levels) or chronic (exposure to low or moderate levels of lead for a long period
of time) can also effect the overall outcome of health effects. For more information of the
health effects of lead, see the EPA website on health effects.
How is Lead Measured in the Body?
The best way to measure for lead in the human body is by micrograms of lead per deciliter
of blood (mg/dL). Although some other tests exist, the blood lead level is the most
effective way to be tested. In children, blood levels as low as 10 mg/dL, the established
federal level of concern, have been associated with adverse effects on a child's intelligence
and behavior as well as growth and hearing. Recent research suggests lead may affect a
child's learning ability even at levels below 10mg/dL. In addition, data suggests lead
exposure may contribute to hyperactivity and increase a child's risks for anti-social
behavior. The only way to know if a child had lead poisoning is to have a blood test. Speak
with your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Black Bear Inspections, Inc. |
 | |  | |  | |  |