lead poisoning

1. By- Trilok Keswani
MBBS 5th course
Group 41

2. Lead is a highly toxic metal and a very
strong poison. Lead poisoning is a serious
and sometimes fatal condition. It occurs
when lead builds up in the body.
Lead is found in lead-based paints,
including paint on the walls of old houses
and toys. It is also found in:
art supplies
contaminated dust

3.  gasoline products sold outside of the United States and
Canada
 Lead poisoning usually occurs over a period of months or
years. It can cause severe mental and physical impairment.
Young children are most vulnerable.
 Children get lead in their bodies by putting the lead-containing
objects in their mouths. Touching the lead and then putting
their fingers in their mouths may also poison them. Lead is
more harmful to children because their brains and nervous
systems are still developing.
 Lead poisoning can be treated, but any damage caused
cannot be reversed.

4.  Symptoms of lead poisoning are varied. They may affect many parts of the
body. Most of the time, lead poisoning builds up slowly. It follows repeated
exposures to small quantities of lead.
 Lead toxicity is rare after a single exposure or ingestion of lead.
 Signs of repeated lead exposure include:
 abdominal pain
 abdominal cramps
 aggressive behavior
 constipation
 sleep problems
 headaches
 irritability
 loss of developmental skills in children
 loss of appetite
 fatigue
 high blood pressure
 numbness or tingling in the extremities
 memory loss
 anemia
 kidney dysfunction

5. Since a child’s brain is still developing, lead can lead to intellectual disability.
Symptoms may include:
 behavior problems
 low IQ
 poor grades at school
 problems with hearing
 short- and long-term learning difficulties
 growth delays
A high, toxic dose of lead poisoning may result in emergency symptoms. These
include:
 severe abdominal pain and cramping
 vomiting
 muscle weakness
 stumbling when walking
 seizures
 coma
 encephalopathy, which manifests as confusion, coma, and seizures

6.  Lead poisoning occurs when lead is ingested.
Breathing in dust that contains lead can also cause
it. You cannot smell or taste lead, and it’s not
visible to the naked eye.
 In the United States, lead used to be common in
house paint and gasoline. These products are not
produced with lead any longer. However, lead is
still present everywhere. It’s especially found in
older houses.
 Common sources of lead include:
 house paint made before 1978
 toys and household items painted before 1976

7.  toys made and painted outside the United States
 bullets, curtain weights, and fishing sinkers made
of lead
 pipes and sink faucets, which can contaminate
drinking water
 soil polluted by car exhaust or chipping house
paint
 paint sets and art supplies
 jewelry, pottery, and lead figures
 storage batteries
 kohl or kajal eyeliners
 some traditional ethnic medicines

8. Children are at the highest risk of lead
poisoning, especially if they live in old
houses with chipping paint. This is
because children are prone to putting
objects and fingers in their mouths.
People in developing countries are also at
a higher risk. Many countries do not have
strict rules regarding lead. If you adopt a
child from a developing country, their lead
levels should be checked.

9.  Lead poisoning is diagnosed with a blood lead test.
This test is performed on a standard blood sample.
 Lead is common in the environment. The National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reports
that no amount of lead in the blood is safe. It is
known that levels as low as 5 micrograms per
deciliter can be associated with health problems in
children.
 Additional tests could include blood tests to look at
the amount of iron storing cells in the blood, X-
rays, and possibly a bone marrow biopsy.

10.  The first step of treatment is to locate and
remove the source of the lead. Keep children
away from the source. If it cannot be
removed, it should be sealed. Call your local
health department for information on how to
remove lead. They can also help you reduce
the likelihood of lead exposure.
 In more severe cases, a procedure known as
chelation therapy can be used. This treatment
binds to lead that has accumulated in your
body. The lead is then excreted in your urine.

11. Chemical chelators that are used most
often include EDTA and DMSA. EDTA has
side effects that include kidney
dysfunction, and DMSA can often cause
nausea, abdominal distress, and allergic
reactions, among others.
Even with treatment, it can be hard to
reverse the effects of chronic exposure.

12. Adults with moderate exposure usually
recover without any complications.
In children, recovery can take time. Even
low lead exposure can cause permanent
intellectual disability.

13. Simple steps can help you prevent lead poisoning.
These include:
 Avoid or throw away painted toys and canned
goods from foreign countries.
 Keep your home free from dust.
 Use only cold water to prepare foods and drinks.
 Make sure everyone washes their hands before
eating.
 Test your water for lead. If lead levels are high, use
a filtering device or drink bottled water.

14.  Clean faucets and aerators regularly.
 Wash children’s toys and bottles regularly.
 Teach your children to wash their hands after
playing.
 Make sure any contractor doing work in your
house is certified in lead control.
 Use lead-free paint in your home.
 Take young children for blood lead level screening
at their pediatrician’s office. This is usually done
around 1 to 2 years of age.
 Avoid areas where lead-based paint may have
been used.