Lead Poisoning
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Lead Poisoning
Lead is a heavy metal that occurs naturally in the environment at very low levels. However, it is commonly used in pipes and batteries. It is also a versatile, persistent, and subtle poison whose exposure poses significant healthcare implications (Ara & Usmani, 2015). It is widely used in manufacturing processes. However, its use and disposal create the chances of contamination of the environment with a high lead concentration in the environment. Once released to the environment, lead is persistent and remains a significant source of exposure.
Lead poisoning is one of the slow and deadly environmental hazards that can impact the entire community. It occurs due to human exposure to lead, a common ingredient in the manufacture of ceramic glazes, lead-acid batteries, cosmetic products, jewelry, toys, solders, and some pigments and paints (Chen et al., 2012). Leaded gasoline is also a significant source of exposure, especially when used in moto vehicles and aviation fuels. The safe level of exposure to lead has not been identified yet. People are exposed to lead by breathing contaminated air, eating contaminated food, or drinking water that has been contaminated (APHA, 2020). Children are exposed to lead if they eat chips contaminated with lead or when they eat contaminated soil.
Lead-acid batteries are significant sources of lead contamination. Such batteries are commonly used to store energy in the automotive or domestic settings and back-up power systems. Batteries account for up to 85% of the global use for lead (Chen et al., 2012). During the battery recycling process, lead is released to the environment in dust, fumes, and particles. The draining and dismantling of batteries and smelting or refining the lead-acid batteries exposes the workers and the surrounding communities. For example, if they come home without changing their clothes, they can expose their family members’ contamination.
Children are at a higher risk of lead contamination because of uncertainty. They put hands and objects in their mouths quite often and hence have a higher risk of getting poisoned (Soto-Jimenez & Flegal, 2011). Exposure to lead is also dangerous to them because their bodies are still developing. Even the unborn children are also at a higher risk because lead can pass through breastmilk and across the placenta. Adults are usually exposed to lead poisoning in their work and hobbies such as when gardening with contaminated soil, making stained glass, or consuming food or water that is contaminated with lead (Soto-Jimenez & Flegal, 2011). The routes of exposure to lead are primarily water, air, and household environment. However, the symptoms of exposure may not be noticed immediately.
The metal does not have any function in the body. Its presence in the body only accumulated and may influence the operation and functioning of the body. Its chronic and debilitating impacts can affect all people across all age groups, but children are more affected than adults. Lead poisoning poses significant health risks, which may not manifest immediately after exposure (Zhang et al., 2015). The risks include reducing the intelligence quotient, difficulties in learning, problems in reproduction, anemia, and slowed growth for children. Also, it significantly affects the functioning of essential organs like the kidney and heart, increasing the risk for cardiovascular diseases and reduced kidney function (APHA, 2020). Children are in the stage of development of their nervous system, hence vulnerable to the toxic lead effects. In some cases, increased exposure of children to lead pollution increases the risk for cognitive disabilities, antisocial behavior, attention deficit disorders, renal impairment, and hypertension. Absorption of large amounts increases the risk for convulsions, coma, and even death (Zhang et al., 2015). Children that survive severe lead poisoning may be forced to live with permanent neurologic injuries.
Lead poisoning can be prevented by monitoring and preventing children from ingesting products containing lead. Children’s toys and hands should be continuously washed to remove any lead poisoning that would end up in the mouth (Zhang et al., 2015). The children’s environment should be cleaned constantly, including mopping floors and windowsills. Also, access to lead-based paints should be prevented, especially when they are peeling off.
It can also be prevented by providing access to clean drinking water. Most accumulated lead poisoning results from the drinking of contaminated water for a long time without knowing. Such water is dangerous to the entire community that drinks from the source; hence can amount to environmental injustice. Water service lines require routine replacements and examinations to ensure that the water that passes through them is safe for human consumption. The government should restrict the use of lead emitting products that are substitutive such as the lead-acid batteries and leaded gasoline. Raising awareness of the hazards of lead and preventive action can help reduce the chances of exposure and poisoning.
References
Soto-Jimenez, M. F., & Flegal, A. R. (2011). Childhood lead poisoning from the smelter in Torreón, México. Environmental Research, 111(4), 590-596.
Chen, L., Xu, Z., Liu, M., Huang, Y., Fan, R., Su, Y., … & Peng, X. (2012). Lead exposure assessment from study near a lead-acid battery factory in China. Science of the total environment, 429, 191-198.
Zhang, R., Wilson, V. L., Hou, A., & Meng, G. (2015). Source of lead pollution, its influence on public health, and the countermeasures. International Journal of Health, Animal Science, and Food Safety, 2(1).
Ara, A., & Usmani, J. A. (2015). Lead toxicity: a review. Interdisciplinary Toxicology, 8(2), 55-64.
APHA (2020). Lead. Topics and Issues. Retrieved from https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/environmental-health/lead