Ingestion of as little as 10 milligrams causes marked symptoms. Severe gastrointestinal inflammation and liver and kidney damage can result. Irritates and destroys cells. Causes dizziness, intense thirst, abdominal pain, vomiting and shock. Lead found in storage batteries, solder, pottery glaze, rubber, toys, brass alloys, plastic beads coated with lead, home-glazed pottery, ashes and fumes from burning old painted wood, newspapers, magazines and artists' paint pigments.
Evidence suggests that lead is a greater danger when inhaled than when ingested.
See also lead in a backgrounder on Heavy Metals . Manganese is used in the manufacture of steel and dry cell batteries. Mercury is used in the manufacture of thermometers, felt, paints, explosives, lamps, electrical apparatus, batteries. Diethyl and dimethyl mercury compounds are used in treating seeds. Other uncommon poisons include cobalt, molybdenum, platinum salts and tantalum.