A poor Conductor of Heat and Electricity , lead is Silver -blue, dense, relatively soft, and malleable, with low tensile strength. The principal lead ores are galena, cerussite, and anglesite. It was once a serious occupational hazard, but protective equipment and other precautionary measures have reduced its incidence.
Lead poisoning remains a serious problem in children, who are more susceptible to it.
Lower doses may be treated by altering the diet to counteract lead's effects and and cleaning the person's environment to reduce intake. Higher doses are treated with chelating agents, drugs that remove lead from the body.