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Lead Poisoning: How Can It Be Prevented? Why is lead a hazard?

Lead is a naturally occurring metal used in most everything from construction materials to batteries and can result in serious health problems especially in children. You might be asking why lead is harmful1. Simply put it is because when the body is exposed to lead either through inhalation, being swallowed or, in rare cases, being absorbed through the skin it can be toxic to the human body.

Once introduced into the human body it becomes particularly dangerous because it's distributed throughout the body just the same as helpful minerals such as iron, calcium and zinc. Unlike those good minerals, however, once lead enters the body it can begin to cause health problems such as damaging red blood cells which can limit their ability to carry oxygen to organs and tissues that need it. Additionally in children lead has been proven to cause a number of long-term health problems including:

1) Decreased bone and muscle growth;

2) Poor muscle coordination;

3) Damage to the nervous system, kidneys and/or hearing;

4) Speech and language problems; and

5) Developmental delays.

It should be noted, however, that the level of damage caused by the lead is dependent on two factors:

1) The amount of lead that actually gets into the body; and

2) The length of time it remains in the body.

How does lead poisoning occur?

Most commonly at least in the United States lead poisoning in children occurs when the child either ingests paint chips which contain lead or inhale the dust from lead-based paints which begins to peel and becomes pulverized making a fine dust. However, there are other environmental factors that can result in lead poisoning not only in children but in adults as well. Those include: Contaminated soil, which is found near busy streets, in part because lead was an ingredient in gasoline until the late 1970s.

The soil surrounding homes that were painted with lead-based might also be contaminated. An added concern involving contaminated soil is the fact that it can introduce lead dust into the home. Water flowing through old lead pipes or faucets. If the pipe or faucet begins to break down, lead is released into the water. Food stored in bowls glazed or painted with lead, or that have been imported from countries which use lead to seal canned foods. Some toys, jewelry, hobby and/or sports objects (eg: stained glass, ink, paint and plaster).

Some folk or home remedies such as greta and azarcon (used to treat an upset stomach)

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