lead toxins what it causes
The major mechanism of lead toxicity is due to increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and interference with generation of antioxidants. Lead causes the generation of ROS like hydroperoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and singlet oxygen. ROS are stabilized by glutathione in the body.
For centuries, lead toxicity has been one of the most significant preventable causes of neurologic morbidity from an environmental toxin. A heavy metal, lead is ubiquitous in our environment but has no physiologic role in biological systems.
Industry Group Profile - Lead Exposure. Inorganic lead is a malleable, blue-gray, heavy metal that occurs naturally in the Earthâs crust. Lead was one of the first metals used by humans and consequently, the cause of the first recorded occupational disease (lead colic in a 4th century BC metal worker). In 2012, U.S. production of lead was estimated at 1.6 million metric tons; primarily from secondary refining of scrap metal.