Chronic lead poisoning In the beginning there are no symptoms. As lead builds up in the body, it may provoke irritability and loss of appetite. There may be even more subtle changes, such as lowered intelligence. Slightly higher exposure produces some of the symptoms of acute lead poisoning . Symptoms your physician may observe Anemia may be present early.
Specific tests can now reveal even small amounts of lead in blood .
The CDC considers levels higher than 10 micrograms per deciliter dangerous. In the case of acute lead poisoning from eating or drinking a lead compound, the stomach is cleaned out by using magnesium sulfate or sodium sulfate. In 1993 a study demonstrated that aggressive treatment of lead poisoning in children results in increased scores on IQ tests at a rate of about one point for each 3 micrograms per deciliter of lead reduction. The most successful treatments reduced lead levels in children with high exposures by 30 micrograms per deciliter. Stages and progress High levels of lead cause symptoms of poisoning , but it has long been argued that even low levels of lead in children reduce intelligence.