Plumbism1

Plumbism- occurrence of lead toxicity

1. Plumbism Dr. Radhakrishna G Pillai Department of Life Sciences University of Calicut

2. Presence in the Environment Lead is useful commercially, but also accumulates in the environment, because it A. reacts easily with acids, alkalis, and other chemicals B. Highly stable -does not break down over time C. is very soluble in water D. is most commonly found in the inorganic form.

3. Plumbism Lead poisoning Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust Found in all parts of our environment- much of it comes from human activities such as mining and manufacturing Lead used in paints- old houses may still have lead paint Lead exposure by; Eating food or drinking water that contains lead. Old water pipes contain lead. Working in a job where lead is used Using lead in a hobby, such as making stained glass or lead-glazed pottery Using folk remedies such as herbs or foods that contain lead

4. Lead poisoning Breathing air, drinking water, eating food, or swallowing or touching dirt that contains lead can cause many health problems Lead can affect almost every organ and system in our body In adults, lead can; increase blood pressure cause infertility, nerve disorders, and muscle and joint pain. It can also make you irritable and affect your ability to concentrate and remember Lead is dangerous for children A child who swallows large amounts of lead may develop anemia, severe stomachache, muscle weakness, and brain damage. Even at low levels, lead can affect a child's mental and physical growth.

5. Acute/chronic lead poisoning Exposure to high lead levels in a short period of time is called acute toxicity Exposure to small amounts of lead over a long period of time is called chronic toxicity

6. Children affected more Children generally ingest lead-contaminated soil and house dust at higher rates than adults because of mouthing and hand-to-mouth behaviors Children who exhibit a compulsive hand-to-mouth behavior and repeated eating of nonfood items, are at greatest risk Children have a higher breathing rate than adults, breathing in a greater volume of air per pound. Being shorter than adults are, children are more likely to breathe lead-contaminated dust and soil as well as fumes close to the ground. In addition, the percent of lead absorbed in the gut, especially in an empty stomach, is estimated to be as much as five to 10 times greater in infants and young children than in adults.

7. Lead- spreads all over body No known use in our body Once it gets into a person's system, it is distributed throughout the body just like helpful minerals such as iron, calcium, and zinc It can cause harm wherever it lands in the body In the bloodstream, for example, it can damage red blood cells and limit their ability to carry oxygen to the organs and tissues that need it, thus causing anemia.

8. Lead in our body Most lead ends up in the bone, where it causes even more problems Lead can interfere with the production of blood cells and the absorption of calcium that bones need to grow healthy and strong Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth, muscle contraction, and nerve and blood vessel function.

9. Effects of Long-Term Lead Poisoning Lead poisoning can lead to a variety of health problems in kids, including: decreased bone and muscle growth poor muscle coordination damage to the nervous system, kidneys, and/or hearing speech and language problems developmental delay seizures and unconsciousness (in cases of extremely high lead levels)

10. Signs of Lead Poisoning Many kids with lead poisoning don't show any signs of being sick, so it's important to eliminate lead risks at home When kids do develop symptoms of lead poisoning, they usually appear as: irritability or behavioral problems difficulty concentrating headaches loss of appetite, weight loss sluggishness or fatigue abdominal pain vomiting or nausea constipation pallor (pale skin) from anemia metallic taste in mouth muscle and joint weakness or pain seizures These symptoms also can indicate a wide variety of other illnesses, so blood test may be necessary to look for lead poisoning or other health problems

11. Treatment Treatment for lead poisoning varies depending on how much lead is in the blood Small amounts often can be treated rather easily; the most important part of therapy is reduction of lead exposure. Gradually, as the body naturally eliminates the lead, the level of lead in the blood will fall. Persons with severe cases and extremely high lead levels in their blood hospitalized to receive a medication called a chelating agent, which chemically binds with lead, making it weaker so the body can get rid of it naturally Calcium, iron, and vitamin C are important parts of a healthy diet and also help to decrease the way the body absorbs lead

12. Dealing with lead sources Be wary of old plumbing Keep your home and your family clean Ensure that iron and calcium are in your diets Know where your kids play Don't sand or heat lead-based paint as it increases the risk that lead will be inhaled a new layer of paint, paneling, or drywall will probably reduce the risk

13. References Besser JM, Brumbaugh WG, Brunson EL, Ingersoll CG, Acute and chronic toxicity of lead in water and diet to the amphipod Hyalella azteca . Environ Toxicol Chem. 2005 Jul;24(7):1807-15. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/lead go for more in-depth information? http ://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/nlic.htm www.epa.gov/lead National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - www.cdc.gov / niosh / Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA ): or www.osha.gov.