Lead poisoning

Lead poisoning, also known as saturnism, is a condition where there is too much lead in the body. Lead interferes with many processes. It is toxic to many organs and tissues, including the bones and brain. The half-life of lead in these tissues is measured in weeks for blood, months for soft tissues, and years for bone. Lead in the bones, teeth, hair, and nails is bound tightly and not available to other tissues, and is generally thought not to be harmful. In adults, 94% of absorbed lead ends up in the bones and teeth, but children only store 70% in this way, a fact which may partially account for the more serious health effects on children. 

In 2013, lead is believed to have resulted in 853,000 deaths worldwide.

 Causes  
The risk of lead poisoning is very small in developed countries. However, lead might be used in paints, petrol or food containers in some countries where it might be legal, such as in developing countries. Other ways a person can be exposed is from: 
 lead pipes
 a lead water tank
 pipework with lead fittings
Causing the water supply to be contaminated.

One important cause of lead poisoning in the past was the leaded car fuel. The fuel companies added lead tetraethyl in petrol (US: gasoline) as it prevented knocking (premature ignition, also known as "dieseling") on petrol engines. The lead tetraethyl burned into lead oxide, which then spred in the air. The result was a widespread pollution of air in villages, town, and cities, and also pollution of the ground as rain brought the lead oxide down. 

It is assumed all people in developed countries, born between 1945 to 1990, show some symptoms of lead poisoning because of the leaded car fuel. When this was observed, using lead as anti-knock stuff was prohibited. The crime statistics have come down after leaded car fuel was forbidden.

Symptoms
Symptoms of lead poisoning include coughing, fatigue, and severe dehydration.

Exposure to lead can be harmful especially to unborn babies and young children. Infants and young children absorb a bigger percentage of lead from sources than adults. The signs and symptoms in young children can include: 
 irritability and fatigue
 loss of appetite and weight loss
 abdominal pain
 vomiting
 constipation
 hearing loss
 developmental delay and learning difficulties

Although children are at increased risk of the effects of lead poisoning, exposure can also result in illness in adults. Symptoms in adults can include:
 high blood pressure
 abdominal pain
 constipation
 joint and muscle pain
 pain, numbness or tingling of the extremities (like the fingers and toes)
 headache
 miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women
 fatigue
 memory loss

Treatment
Treatment of the condition is usually to remove the source of lead. Animals sometimes from lead poisoning. Mostly, children are at risk for this condition.

References 

Category:Toxicology