Workers can protect themselves from hazards by wearing special suits and using goggles, gloves, ear plugs, and other equipment. About 3.5 million Americans have kidney diseases. These range from simple infections to total kidney failure. People with kidney failure cannot remove wastes and poisons from their blood. They depend on expensive kidney machines in order to stay alive.
Some chemicals found in the environment can produce kidney damage.
Some nonprescription drugs, when taken too often, can also cause kidney problems. Be sure to read the label and use drugs as directed. Sometimes, infants and children will pick up and eat paint chips and other objects that contain lead. Lead dust, fumes and lead-contaminated water can also introduce lead into the body. Lead can damage the brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs.