In the case of lead poisoning, the risks and dangers to human health almost always involve the brain; several symptoms can serve as a warning
Lead is a toxic heavy metal used in the manufacture of batteries, paint, pipes, solder, plastic, glass, toys and even thermal bottles. However, this same lead can cause numerous health problems, affecting children and adults.
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Possible health risks from lead almost always involve the brain and central nervous system. In case of lead poisoning, the kidneys, liver and other systems of the human body can also be affected. Fertility may be affected.
As the World Health Organization (WHO) points out, “there is no safe concentration of lead in the blood.” Even in small doses, pregnant women and children may already show the first changes.
What is lead poisoning?
Although lead occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust, these “raw” minerals are not linked to potential health risks. The problem lies in the widespread use in some industries and economic activities, without due attention, which results in environmental contamination and human exposure to the toxic metal.
In this way we can define lead poisoning or even lead poisoning as the ingestion or contact, most often accidental, with this heavy metal. The greater the exposure, the greater the risks.
An estimated 1 million people die from lead poisoning each year, and thousands more develop neurological problems related to exposure to the metal. In the case of survivors, the damage may be irreversible, compromising public health.
Health hazards from lead
“Practically in any type of lead exposure, whether short or long term, at high or low concentrations, the critical target organ is always the brain,” says Eduardo de Capitani, doctor and associate professor at Unicamp, in a article in the magazine Medicine (Ribeirão Preto). In these cases, the patient with lead poisoning may have:
- Heachache;
- Memory loss;
- Difficulty concentrating and paying attention;
- Mood changes;
- Irritability;
- Depression;
- Insomnia or excessive sleepiness.
For the specialist, in some cases the symptoms evolve or begin with strong signs of worsening. This leads to the appearance of paranoia, as well as delusions and hallucinations. Changes in gait and balance may occur when the cerebellum is affected. There is still a risk of seizures or even coma.
Other signs, such as abdominal cramps, fatigue, generalized muscle pain (or more localized in the calves), nausea, vomiting and loss of libido, help in the diagnosis.
Confirmation of a case of lead poisoning is done by measuring lead in the blood (plumbemia) or urine (plumburia), as well as analyzing the symptoms presented by the person.
How much lead in the blood is dangerous?
To understand how harmful lead in the blood can be, the USP Laboratory for the Analysis of Human Exposure to Environmental Contaminants (Lehca) points out that:
- With 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (50 ug/dl), the person may suffer from neuropathy, memory problems and hypertension;
- With 50 micrograms, the following have been reported: irritability, headache, reduced hearing ability; kidney damage, decrease in the number of hemoglobin in the blood and sexual impotence;
- With 100 microgramsthe risk of encephalopathy, i.e. brain diseases, which can be potentially fatal, is high.
In children, complications from lead poisoning are more intense. For example, small doses can cause learning difficulties and reduced physical activity Intelligence Quotient (IQ)in addition to attention deficit.
How can lead contamination occur?
In most cases, the person does not realize that they have come into contact with lead, the metal responsible for the poisoning. The risk is greater for people who work in industries or activities that use the material, but not only.
After all, heavy metals can be present in batteries, paint, electronic devices, e-waste, recycled metal utensils, dishware, crystal and some types of plastic, as well as mining and mining activities. All of these are sources of lead and leave “traces” in the environment.
In this sense, poisoning can occur through ingestion of contaminated dust, water and food. In fact, very old homes may have metal pipes made from this material. In other cases, the person may handle objects with small amounts of metal and possibly put their hand in their mouth. Therefore attention and better regulation involving the use of the material is needed.
Source: Medicine (Ribeirão Preto), Lehca, WHO
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Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
