However, a visit to the website where this story was posted is not encouraging. Other lead related links are to stories with misleading and incorrect information regarding lead metabolism and chelation treatment. I'd be interested in learning more about the methods employed in this study before I'd worry about eating grapefruit. In the produce business, getting the first crops of the season to market is so profitable that growers will do almost anything to beat the competition. What's more, residues of inorganic arsenic average 130ppb in fruit and 50ppb in the juice, both of which exceed drinking water standards.
Lead causes brain damage and mental and physical growth retardation in children.
Arsenic is a known carcinogen and causes severe nervous disorders, and is a gastrointestinal, kidney, liver and blood toxin. It probably wouldn't hurt to let the produce people at your local market know how much you appreciate having been spared the difficulties of knowing your fresh produce has been ripened with lead arsenate.