The Effects of Trace Lead Ingestion

Lead is a toxic naturally occurring metal which can cause various health complications. Long-term trace lead exposure through ingestion, inhalation and absorption results in chronic lead poisoning. Body-lead concentrations as low as 10 µg/dL are a potential health risk and become more hazardous with continued exposure and accumulation. Treatment options depend on the level of lead poisoning at time of detection. There are many preventative methods which can be used to reduce trace lead exposure and occurrence of chronic lead poisoning.

Exposure

• Children are most likely to put objects with traces of lead in their mouths.

  Lead-based paint chips and dust, common in homes built in and before the seventies, is the most common source of trace lead exposure. Children are most likely to put contaminated objects and hands in their mouths which makes them vulnerable to chronic lead poisoning through ingestion. Adults are also vulnerable to inhaling lead contaminated dust, residue and chemicals in homes or places of employment. Water which flows through deteriorating lead pipes can cause chronic lead poisoning through long-term consumption. International food and objects from countries with minimum lead manufacturing regulations are sources of contamination. Lead exposure is dangerous to people of all ages. However, newborns and children have higher risk of health problems due to their small developing bodies' inability to gradually reduce lead build-up faster than the rate of accumulation.

Lead in the Body

• Once in the body's system, lead travels through the bloodstream as if it was a naturally occurring mineral such as iron, calcium or zinc. It interferes with the bloods oxygen supply to organs and tissues, accumulates and affects normal functioning of the body systems and brain. Ingested lead traces can also build up in the bones leading to problems with calcium absorption, healthy bone growth and muscle and nerve function.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of chronic lead poisoning are non-specific and can go undetected at low blood contamination levels. Adults with chronic lead poisoning experience problems with reproduction, hypertension, nerve disorders, difficulty with concentration and muscle and joint pain. Children will show signs of delayed cognitive development, behavioral problems, constipation, headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, weakness or pain. Continued exposure, without detection or treatment, will result in seizures or coma. The condition can be life threatening and survival can be accompanied with permanent brain damage.

Treatment

• Treatment for cases of low lead levels begins with determining the source and stopping continued exposure. The body will gradually eliminate the lead and reduce the lead concentrations in the blood. Patients diagnosed with high lead concentrations are hospitalized and treated with a chelating agent. The medication works by chemically binding with the lead and making it easier to be naturally excreted from the body through the urinary system.

Prevention

• Professional renovation and removal of lead paint from older homes is an effective way to reduce lead exposure and ingestion. Additional preventative methods include regular cleaning of high-risk areas and testing of tap water for lead content. Periodic blood tests during routing physician visits enables early detection and successful treatment and recovery.