Lead in the EnvironmentLead in the Environment

By By

Randy GiangRandy Giang

5/17/20065/17/2006

What is lead?What is lead?

• Lead is a naturally Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-occurring bluish-gray metal found in gray metal found in small amounts in the small amounts in the earth's crust. earth's crust.

• Lead is a chemical Lead is a chemical element with the element with the atomic number 82atomic number 82

• Extremely poisonous Extremely poisonous to humans!!to humans!!

Biological function of lead.Biological function of lead.

• Lead has no biological function in the Lead has no biological function in the environmentenvironment

• It is cheap useful and easy to mine It is cheap useful and easy to mine therefore it is used a lot.therefore it is used a lot.

• It is everywhere around us like in our It is everywhere around us like in our air, water, etc…air, water, etc…

• It is also a big part of everyday It is also a big part of everyday things around us.things around us.

Uses of lead.Uses of lead.

• PaintPaint

• PetrolPetrol

• CigarettesCigarettes

• PesticidesPesticides

• SolderSolder

• Ceramic glazesCeramic glazes

• SmeltersSmelters

• TelevisionsTelevisions

• Computer monitorsComputer monitors

• BatteriesBatteries

• ExplosivesExplosives

• PewterPewter

• PipesPipes

Short-term lead poisoning Short-term lead poisoning affects….affects….

• NauseaNausea

• Abdominal pain Abdominal pain

• IrritabilityIrritability

• InsomniaInsomnia

• LethargyLethargy

• HyperactivityHyperactivity

• HeadacheHeadache

• SeizuresSeizures

Long term effects of lead Long term effects of lead poisoningpoisoning

• small increases in blood pressure small increases in blood pressure

• anemia anemia

• Severe damage the brain and Severe damage the brain and kidneys kidneys

• High-level exposure in men can High-level exposure in men can damage the organs responsible for damage the organs responsible for sperm production. sperm production.

Effect of lead on childrenEffect of lead on children

• Lead poisoning is now recognized Lead poisoning is now recognized internationally, as one of the greatest internationally, as one of the greatest environmental health risks facing children environmental health risks facing children today.today.

• Since their brain and nervous system are Since their brain and nervous system are still developing they are more easily still developing they are more easily damaged by lead.damaged by lead.

• Children’s bodies will absorb 50% of lead Children’s bodies will absorb 50% of lead while adults will only absorb 10%while adults will only absorb 10%

History of kids and paint History of kids and paint chipschips• Before 1970 lead was a Before 1970 lead was a

common ingredient in common ingredient in paint.paint.

• Lead has a naturally Lead has a naturally sweet tastesweet taste

• Therefore children Therefore children were known to peel were known to peel paint chips off the wall paint chips off the wall and eat themand eat them

• This problem caused This problem caused many problems many problems involving mental involving mental retardation for the retardation for the children.children.

Effects of lead on unborn Effects of lead on unborn fetusfetus• Unborn children can be exposed to Unborn children can be exposed to

lead through their motherslead through their mothers• Harmful effects include premature Harmful effects include premature

births, smaller babiesbirths, smaller babies• After baby is born problems still After baby is born problems still

occur such as reduced growthoccur such as reduced growth• These problems may even persist These problems may even persist

beyond childhoodbeyond childhood

How lead is absorbed in the How lead is absorbed in the bodybody

• Lead does not break down in the Lead does not break down in the environment.environment.

• Lead is exposed to the environment Lead is exposed to the environment by cars releasing it into the air, by cars releasing it into the air, where it travels far distances until it where it travels far distances until it settles and sticks in the soil.settles and sticks in the soil.

• It can also leak into the ground It can also leak into the ground waterwater

Lead is absorbed in many Lead is absorbed in many waysways• Lead can be in our Lead can be in our

food and waterfood and water

• Lead can be inhaledLead can be inhaled

• Lead can even be Lead can even be absorbed through our absorbed through our skinskin

• Some forms of lead Some forms of lead include air, food, include air, food, sediment, water, and sediment, water, and dustdust

How to reduce lead How to reduce lead exposureexposure

• Renovate house to get rid of old lead Renovate house to get rid of old lead pipes and paintpipes and paint

• Plant grass on exposed areas of soilPlant grass on exposed areas of soil

• Wash pets as much as possibleWash pets as much as possible

• Wash all food before cookingWash all food before cooking

What happens to lead after it What happens to lead after it enters the bodyenters the body

• After lead gets into your body it After lead gets into your body it travels from the blood stream to soft travels from the blood stream to soft tissuetissue

• It then gets stored in your bones and It then gets stored in your bones and teethteeth

• The rest that isn't stored in bones The rest that isn't stored in bones and teeth are urinated out.and teeth are urinated out.

Leads effect on historyLeads effect on history

• Much of Rome's Much of Rome's affluent class affluent class suffered from lead-suffered from lead-induced goutinduced gout

• Ludwig Van Ludwig Van Beethoven suffered Beethoven suffered from lead from lead poisoning poisoning

How can I tell how much lead is How can I tell how much lead is in my system?in my system?

• There is a blood There is a blood test that people test that people can take to check can take to check the amount of lead the amount of lead in a persons blood in a persons blood streamstream

• X-Rays can be X-Rays can be taken to check the taken to check the bones, bones,

What does the CDC What does the CDC recommend.recommend.

• Children should be tested at 1 to 2 Children should be tested at 1 to 2 years oldyears old

• And again at age 3-6And again at age 3-6

• Children who have higher risk, such Children who have higher risk, such as those who lives in old houses with as those who lives in old houses with higher exposure to lead should be higher exposure to lead should be tested moretested more

Unresolved cases involving Unresolved cases involving leadlead• There are no concluding evidence that There are no concluding evidence that

lead cause cancer but scientist believe lead cause cancer but scientist believe that forms of lead are carcinogens.that forms of lead are carcinogens.

• Lead contribution to Alzheimer's Lead contribution to Alzheimer's disease and cognitive declinedisease and cognitive decline

• Does lead effect dementia?Does lead effect dementia?• Does calcium supplement decrease Does calcium supplement decrease

cognitive declinecognitive decline

CITATIONCITATION

• http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/phs13.htmlphs13.html

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_poishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_poisoningoning

• http://www.lead.org.au/http://www.lead.org.au/