Be away from LEAD Toxicity

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Be away from LEAD Toxicity

 

What is lead and where is it found?

Lead is a heavy, soft bluish-grey metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust in small amounts (average concentrations of 5-50 micrograms per kilogram). Much higher concentrations are found in lead ores . Lead tastes sweet but does not have a special smell. It can be found everywhere in our environment, not only because it occurs naturally, but also because it's used extensively in modern industry (mining, manufacturing and burning of fossil fuels).

Lead in environment

Lead was first mined in turkey about 6500 BC. A 6000-8000 years old lead necklace was found in the ancient city site of Anatolia. Lead’s easy workability, low melting point and corrosion resistant were among its attractions. Lead’s toxicity was recognized and recorded early as 2000 BC and the wide spread use of the lead has been a cause of endemic chronic plumbism in several societies in history. 

Lead chemistry

Lead isotopes are the end products of each of the three series of naturally occurring radioactive elements.

Table: basic information about and classifications of lead.
·         Name: Lead ·         Symbol: Pb ·         Atomic number: 82 Atomic weight: 207.2 (1) [see notes g m] ·         Standard state: solid at 298 K ·         CAS Registry ID: 7439-92-1	·         Group in periodic table: 14 ·         Group name: (none) ·         Period in periodic table: 6 ·         Block in periodic table: p-block ·         Color: bluish white ·         Classification: Metallic

Occurrences and Sources of Lead

Lead is a normal constituent of earth’s crust, with trace amounts found naturally in soil plants and water. If left undisturbed lead is practically immobile. However, once mined and transformed in to man made products, lead is dispersed throughout the environment.

Natural Sources of lead

Rocks: Lead occurs naturally in earth’s crust in the concentration of about 13mg/kg. the most important source of lead is igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Soil: The nature of organic matter in soil also has a considerable influence on its lead content. Some organic matters is rich in chelating components, and its binds lead, either promoting its movement out of the soil or fixing the metal, depending on the solubility properties of t he complex.

Water Pipe

Lead in natural water comes from leaching of soil and manmade pollution lead in drinking water comes from PVC pipes from which it supplies.

Plants: Higher concentration is more likely to be found in leafy vegetables (e.g. Lettuce) and on the surface of root crops

AIR: lead in air comes from vehicle exhaust, industrial fumes, and smelting and grinding.

Man made sources of Lead:

Lead Mining: lead is produced from ores and recycled lead products. Lead occurs in variety of minerals.

Smelting and Refining: Smelting is producing refined lead from the primary lead ore.  Refining is recovering lead from scrap.

Storage battery Industries: The manufacture of electric storage batteries is responsible for the largets consumption of Lead. This industry uses both metallic lead in the form of Lead-Antimony alloy, and lead oxides in about equal proportions.  

Food Industry: Foods or Beverages stored, cooked, reheated, or served in lead glazed ceramics or porcelain, leaded crystal or glass, or imported cans with lead soldering.

Medicines and Cosmetics: Certain Indian systems of Medicines and Cosmetics

Children Play Items: All Toys

Natural

Man Made

Herbal Plants Rocks Soils Water AIR

Air riffle pillets, art paints, azarcone, Batteries, Brass, Cookware, Cable Sheath, Ceramic Glazes, Burial Stone Inlays, Crayons, Crystal Glassware, Drinking water pipe, fishing sinkers, Funnels and cans for storing petrol, Hair Dye, Insecticides, leaded petrol, Mirror backing medals, coins ornaments, news print ink, Paint chalking, Tinned food storage vessels, Foil wrapper, X ray room in hospitals etc.,

Routes of Exposure: (How Lead enters in to our body)

A.)   Inhalation: Inhalation is the most important route of Airborne Contamination

B.)   Ingestion: Ingestion of toxic Material may result from many sources such as contaminated food and beverage or other contaminated objects in to mouth

C.)   Dermal Absorption:  many gases and liquid Materials are absorbed in to limited extent through the intact skin

Effects of Lead on Human Health:

Children:          1.) Damage to the Brain and nervous System in Children up to age 4

                        2.) Impaired growth and IQ

                        3.) Poor hearing and learning Difficulties

                        4.) Hyperactive and Aggressiveness

                        5.) Behavioral problems

Adults              1.) Loss of Libido, Infertility

                        2. High Blood pressure

                        3.) Loss of Appetite, Constipation

                        4.) Anemia, Paralyses, Fits, Swelling of the Brain, coma and Death

Pregnant Women and Unborn Children

1.)   Pre-term Delivery

2.)   Low Birth Weight

3.)   Miscarriage and Still Birth

Note:    The safe lead blood level for children as per CDC is <10mg/dL

            The permitted lead blood level for adults as per OSHA is <20mg/dL allowed to 40mg/dL

How do you know you are lead Poisoned or Not

Two Blood tests are conducted for the monitoring of Lead Exposed Persons

a.)   Blood Lead Level Testing (BLL)

b.)   Zinc Protoprphyrin Testing

Treatment:

Ch elation therapy is given only when the blood Lead level is above 45mg/dL because of the potential Side Effects of Chelating agents

   

  Don’ts

• Don’t litter the surroundings
• Don’t take footwear inside the house as it may carry lead
• Don’t let children suck fingers as they may carry lead
• Don’t keep pencil, pen, toys, key chains,etc in your mouth as they may carry lead
• Don’t leave your food uncovered
• Don’t touch food without washing your hand
• Dont use paint containing lead