There is a certain amount of lead present in our environment from past uses of lead called the background lead level. The amount of that background depends upon the history of the location. We have all accumulated some lead in our bodies over the course of our lives. Lead may accumulate in almost all of our body tissues but only produces visible effects or symptoms when too much lead enters our bodies. The resulting disease is called lead poisoning.
Lead poisoning is normally treatable, though some of the effects can be permanent.
Children under the age of 6 and fetuses exposed through lead in their mother's blood are most susceptible. Lead poisoning has been linked to anemia, central nervous system, kidney and immune system damage and learning disabilities. The degree of damage is dependent on the amount of lead taken into the body over time. In both adults and children, signs and symptoms are easily misdiagnosed. A child with lead poisoning may seem well.