Lead is a harmful metal occurring naturally in the earth’s crust and can harm human and animal health. Lead poisoning results from long-term exposure to high levels of lead in the body.
Anyone can get lead poisoning. Children six years and below are, however, more vulnerable. Children are still growing; thus, their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to lead poisoning effects. Lead poisoning can cause severe health complications, and other consequences include learning and behavioral issues and long-term intellectual disabilities.
Sources of Lead Exposure in the Home
Sources of lead poisoning include:
1. Lead in Paint
The federal government banned lead-based paints in 1978, so homes built before then may still have it beneath layers of newer paint. Lead paint is safe when intact, but becomes hazardous if peeling, chalking, cracking, or damp. This situation requires immediate attention because cracked or peeling paint releases lead dust, which settles on floors and surfaces and is dangerous when inhaled. Children are at risk when they put contaminated objects or hands in their mouths.
2. Lead in Tap Water
Plumbing materials manufactured before 1986 may contain lead. Lead pipes and brass plumbing fixtures can contaminate tap water with lead. Contamination happens when these plumbing materials corrode, and corrosion occurs when metal wears away from pipes and plumbing fixtures. Corrosion is more intense when the water is acidic or contains low mineral content.
3. Lead in Soil
Some pre-1978 homes may have lead-contaminated soil, playgrounds, and yards. This happens when the lead-based paint peels or flakes, allowing lead into the soil.
Other sources of lead contamination in soil include:
- Use of leaded gasoline in automobiles during the previous years
- Industrial sources
- Contaminated sites such as past lead smelters
- Lead being naturally occurring, maybe in high concentrations in certain areas
Lead-contaminated soil is a dangerous source of lead exposure that can occur through;
- Ingestion by children due to the hand-to-mouth activity common with them
- Eating fruits and vegetables grown in lead-contaminated garden soil
- Inhaling lead in soil suspended in the air
- Lead in the soil as dust particles or on pets, clothing, or shoes
4. Lead in Foods and Other Consumer Products
Some imported or older products in the U.S. may contain lead, including traditional medicines, toys, cosmetics, and heirlooms.
- Candy and Spices: Certain candies with chili powder or tamarind, and imported spices from Vietnam, Syria, or India, can contain lead if mishandled. Candy wrappers may also leach lead.
- Traditional Medicines: Some Indian, Middle Eastern, and Hispanic remedies may contain lead, either intentionally or during manufacturing.
- Cosmetics and Jewelry: Products like Nigerian Tiro or Hindu Sindoor powder may contain lead. Lead-containing jewelry can be dangerous if swallowed, especially by children.
- Toys: Older toys or collectibles passed down generations may contain lead and pose a poisoning risk if mouthed or ingested. A child died in 2006 as a result of severe lead poisoning, and this was after eating a lead-contaminated heart-shaped metallic char. The charm was attached to a metal bracelet given away free with the purchase of Reebok International Ltd shoes.
5. Lead in Workplaces and Other Activities
Some jobs may expose you to lead. Such jobs include;
- Lead abatement or lead removal from lead-contaminated buildings or environmental sites
- Demolition of lead-contaminated structures or buildings
- Manufacturing of products such as batteries containing or coated with lead
- Renovation, repair, or remodeling of buildings contaminated with lead
- Recycling materials
- Melting of lead-containing products
- Mineral processing activities such as mining or smelting
- Working with firearms, e.g., military
Some adults also have lead-based hobbies such as pottery making and hunting. These people may also bring lead into their homes on their clothing and shoes. As a result, lead may find its way onto floors, furniture, and other surfaces, exposing family members to it.
6. Pregnancy
Women affected by lead as children may have lead deposited in their bones. During pregnancy, the lead may pass to the fetus.
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning
Those exposed to lead often do not exhibit symptoms. Lead poisoning symptoms do not appear immediately. However, they may develop over time or flare up sporadically.
Symptoms of lead poisoning in adults include;
- Headaches
- Feet and legs numbness
- Abdominal pain
- Personality changes
- Loss of sex drive
- Infertility
- Anemia
Symptoms of lead poisoning in children include;
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle cramps
- Vomiting
- Changes in behavior
- Hyperactivity
- Anemia
- Learning problems
Complications from Lead Poisoning
In children
Lead exposure can cause long-term harm, particularly in children. Lead poisoning in children can affect almost all their body systems and organs. Among the effects are:
- Hyperactivity
- Behavioral problems
- Growth delay
- Lowered IQ
- Hearing problems
- Learning difficulties
- Seizure, coma, and even death in elevated blood lead levels
In adults
Lead poisoning in grown-ups can lead to serious health complications, including;
- Reproductive issues
- Kidney problems
- High blood pressure
Risk Factors
- Younger children are more vulnerable to lead exposure than older children and adults. Young children may consume paint flakes from walls and are likelier to have lead dust on their hands. Young children also absorb lead easily, making it more dangerous.
- Living in homes built before 1978. The government prohibited using lead-based paints in 1978; however, older homes and structures still contain remnants of this paint. People living in or renovating an older home are at a greater risk of lead poisoning.
- Certain hobbies, such as producing stained glass and firearm shooting, are also sources of lead poisoning.
- Living in or traveling to developing countries. Developing countries typically have less stringent lead exposure regulations than developed countries. If you adopt a child from such a country, the child should test for lead poisoning, and children of immigrants and refugees should also test for lead.
Lead Poisoning Prevention
You can prevent lead exposure in the home. Help avoid poisoning lead by doing the following:
- You and, especially, your child should consume nutritious foods. Vitamin C, calcium, and iron-rich foods help protect against lead poisoning
- Wash your hands with soap before eating
- Regularly clean the floors and other surfaces with a damp mop or cloth
- Frequently wash your child’s hands, toys, and bottles
- If living in a house built before 1978, have your home tested for lead. If the paint is peeling or flaking, have it safely repaired.
- Do not attempt to remove lead-based paint on your own.
- Before entering the house, wash your feet and leave your shoes at the door
- Avoid home remedies containing lead
- Stagnant or hot water can leach lead into your tap water if you have lead pipes. Allow one minute for your faucet to run cold water before drinking or cooking
If you are at risk of lead contamination at work, you should:
- Always wear personal protective equipment when at work
- Change your clothing and shoes after work
- Bathe as soon as you get home
Expectant mothers should avoid new lead exposure as lead can harm unborn children by;
- Increasing risk of miscarriage
- Contributing to premature or underweight births
- Causing harm to the baby’s brain, kidneys, and nervous system
- Increasing your child’s chances of developing learning or behavioral issues
Treating Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning has irreversible consequences. However, you can lower blood lead levels and avoid further exposure, and you can achieve this by identifying and removing lead sources in your home.
In high blood lead levels, your doctor may prescribe a chelating agent, and this medication binds the lead, allowing the body to eliminate it more easily. The healthcare provider may also recommend whole-bowel irrigation, which aims to wash out the stomach contents preventing further lead absorption.
