Lead in the Environment

By Randy Giang 5/17/2006

What is lead?

• • • Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal found in small amounts in the earth's crust. Lead is a chemical element with the atomic number 82 Extremely poisonous to humans!!

Biological function of lead.

• • • • Lead has no biological function in the environment It is cheap useful and easy to mine therefore it is used a lot.

It is everywhere around us like in our air, water, etc… It is also a big part of everyday things around us.

Uses of lead.

• • • • • • • Paint Petrol Cigarettes Pesticides Solder Ceramic glazes Smelters • • • • • • Televisions Computer monitors Batteries Explosives Pewter Pipes

Short-term lead poisoning affects….

• • • • • • • • Nausea Abdominal pain Irritability Insomnia Lethargy Hyperactivity Headache Seizures

Long term effects of lead poisoning • • • • small increases in blood pressure anemia Severe damage the brain and kidneys High-level exposure in men can damage the organs responsible for sperm production.

Effect of lead on children

• • • Lead poisoning is now recognized internationally, as one of the greatest environmental health risks facing children today.

Since their brain and nervous system are still developing they are more easily damaged by lead.

Children’s bodies will absorb 50% of lead while adults will only absorb 10%

History of kids and paint chips

• • • • Before 1970 lead was a common ingredient in paint.

Lead has a naturally sweet taste Therefore children were known to peel paint chips off the wall and eat them This problem caused many problems involving mental retardation for the children.

Effects of lead on unborn fetus

• • • • Unborn children can be exposed to lead through their mothers Harmful effects include premature births, smaller babies After baby is born problems still occur such as reduced growth These problems may even persist beyond childhood

How lead is absorbed in the body • • • Lead does not break down in the environment.

Lead is exposed to the environment by cars releasing it into the air, where it travels far distances until it settles and sticks in the soil.

It can also leak into the ground water

Lead is absorbed in many ways

• • • • Lead can be in our food and water Lead can be inhaled Lead can even be absorbed through our skin Some forms of lead include air, food, sediment, water, and dust

How to reduce lead exposure

• • • • Renovate house to get rid of old lead pipes and paint Plant grass on exposed areas of soil Wash pets as much as possible Wash all food before cooking

What happens to lead after it enters the body • • • After lead gets into your body it travels from the blood stream to soft tissue It then gets stored in your bones and teeth The rest that isn't stored in bones and teeth are urinated out.

Leads effect on history

• • Much of Rome's affluent class suffered from lead-induced gout Ludwig Van Beethoven suffered from lead poisoning

How can I tell how much lead is in my system?

• • There is a blood test that people can take to check the amount of lead in a persons blood stream X-Rays can be taken to check the bones,

What does the CDC recommend.

• • • Children should be tested at 1 to 2 years old And again at age 3-6 Children who have higher risk, such as those who lives in old houses with higher exposure to lead should be tested more

Unresolved cases involving lead

• • • • There are no concluding evidence that lead cause cancer but scientist believe that forms of lead are carcinogens.

Lead contribution to Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline Does lead effect dementia?

Does calcium supplement decrease cognitive decline

CITATION

• • • http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs1 3.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_poisonin g http://www.lead.org.au/