The neurological and behavioural effects of lead are believed to be irreversible. Lead exposure also causes anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs. ![]() In particular, lead can affect children’s brain development, resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioural changes such as reduced attention span and increased antisocial behaviour, and reduced educational attainment. At lower levels of exposure that cause no obvious symptoms, lead is now known to produce a spectrum of injury across multiple body systems. Children who survive severe lead poisoning may be left with intellectual disability and behavioural disorders. At high levels of exposure lead attacks the brain and central nervous system, causing coma, convulsions and even death. Lead exposure can have serious consequences for the health of children. Children at highest risk are the very young (including the developing fetus) and the economically disadvantaged. Undernourished children are more susceptible to lead because their bodies absorb more lead if other nutrients, such as calcium or iron, are lacking. Lead stored in bone may be released into the blood during pregnancy, thus exposing the fetus. The body stores lead in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time. Once lead enters the body, it is distributed to organs such as the brain, kidneys, liver and bones. Exposure to lead-contaminated soil and dust resulting from battery recycling and mining has caused mass lead poisoning and multiple deaths in young children in Nigeria, Senegal and other countries. This route of exposure is magnified in children with a psychological disorder called pica (persistent and compulsive cravings to eat non-food items), who may pick away at and eat leaded paint from walls, door frames and furniture. Moreover, children’s innate curiosity and their age-appropriate hand-to-mouth behaviour result in their mouthing and swallowing lead-containing or lead-coated objects, such as contaminated soil or dust and flakes from decaying lead-containing paint. Young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning because they absorb 4–5 times as much ingested lead as adults from a given source. ingestion of lead-contaminated dust, water (from leaded pipes) and food (from lead-glazed or lead-soldered containers).inhalation of lead particles generated by burning materials containing lead, for example during smelting, recycling, stripping leaded paint and using leaded aviation fuel and.People can become exposed to lead through occupational and environmental sources. Exposure of pregnant women to high levels of lead can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and low birth weight. ![]() Lead also causes long-term harm in adults, including increased risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage. ![]() Young children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead and can suffer profound and permanent adverse health impacts, particularly on the development of the brain and nervous system. Much of the lead in global commerce is now obtained from recycling. Drinking water delivered through lead pipes or pipes joined with lead solder may contain lead. Lead is, however, also used in many other products, for example pigments, paints, solder, stained glass, lead crystal glassware, ammunition, ceramic glazes, jewellery, toys, some cosmetics such as kohl and sindoor, and traditional medicines used in countries such as India, Mexico and Viet Nam. More than three quarters of global lead consumption is for the manufacture of lead-acid batteries for motor vehicles. Important sources of environmental contamination come from mining, smelting, manufacturing and recycling activities and use in a wide range of products. Its widespread use has resulted in extensive environmental contamination, human exposure and significant public health problems in many parts of the world. ![]() Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust.
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