How is lead harmful - Metals and their processing

Harm from lead to human health

Everyone remembers from school that lead is a chemical element located in the periodic table of Mendeleev in accordance with its atomic mass at number 82.

Lead was known to mankind even before our era. Due to its properties of being easy to melt and easy to work with, the metal was popular in the ancient world, where it was used in the manufacture of various household items, including dishes and water pipes.

Throughout history, thousands of facts have been known about the use of lead or its compounds in industrial production, the national economy and medicine: the production of bullets and shot, car batteries, paint, crystal, explosives, screens for protection against X-rays and radiation, and much more.

Despite its widespread use, we should not forget about the dangers of lead. For a long time it was believed that in small quantities the impact of this metal on the environment and the human body is completely safe and does not carry any negative consequences. As it turns out, this is a deep misconception.

Hazard Class

Nowadays, the harm from lead to human health is obvious. It is a dangerous enough substance to cause poisoning if handled incorrectly. As you know, all harmful substances are divided into four hazard classes.

The hazard class of lead is the second, “Highly Hazardous Substances,” and its compounds, lead oxide and soluble lead salts, belong to the first class, “Extremely Hazardous Substances.” In practice, this means that the average lethal dose of a substance when it enters the stomach and onto human skin is quite insignificant and amounts to 15-150 and 100-150 mg/kg, respectively, and the indicated compounds are even smaller - less than 15 and less than 100 mg/kg.

Impact on the human body

In the adult human body, about 100 mg of this metal is present, distributed mainly between the bones, liver, kidneys, brain and teeth. Depending on the area of human activity, the amount of lead in the body may increase with age. Lead enters the human body mainly in three ways: from the air through breathing, through food and water, and through the skin.

An excess of this metal in the body can lead to poisoning. The most common is chronic poisoning, or saturnism. It is dangerous because the metal gradually accumulates in the organs without showing itself in any way, and the consequences can only appear after months or even years.

A rarer case is acute poisoning, which is most often associated with industrial accidents or children swallowing a piece of metal.

The main symptoms of poisoning are pale skin, dark gray discoloration of the gum edge, metallic taste in the mouth, colic in the lower abdomen, poor attention, sleep disturbance, aggressiveness, and fatigue.

Lead has a negative effect on the entire body, but the central nervous, hematopoietic and digestive systems are especially susceptible to damage. Chronic poisoning can contribute to the development of gout, kidney disease, destruction of red blood cells and other disorders in the body, which will subsequently require long-term medical treatment. In case of acute intoxication, irreversible consequences for the human body and even death can occur.

The most dangerous effects of lead are on the health of children and pregnant women. It has been established that even a small content of this element in a child’s body reduces mental activity and leads to problems in learning. Acute poisoning can lead to behavioral disorders, developmental delays, and dysfunction of the brain and central nervous system. Intoxication of a pregnant woman can cause premature birth or intrauterine death of the fetus.

Prevention of poisoning

It is necessary to strictly observe safety and personal hygiene rules when handling this metal.

Source: https://interesnie-fakti.net/vred-ot-svinca-dlya-zdorovya/

Why lead is dangerous and harm is toxic

Two painters in hazmat suits remove lead paint from an old house. Jamie Hooper / Shutterstock.com

Everything is a toxin or has the potential to be in the field of toxicology. In the 1500s, the Swiss physician Paracelsus, the father of toxicology, coined his famous saying: “What is there that is not poison? All things are poison, and nothing is without poison. Only the dose determines that a thing is not poison."

Lead, however, is toxic at any dose. This makes no sense in our body. Unlike most other toxins that our body can eliminate from the body through metabolism and elimination, our body does not have the ability to detoxify lead.

As a clinical toxicologist, I care for children and adults who have been exposed to lead and ensure that these people receive the best care possible. Lead can enter the body through several different routes, depending on the source of the element. It most often enters the body through ingestion or inhalation.

For example, babies constantly put objects, including their hands, in their mouths.

If a toddler lives in an older home that was previously painted with lead paint—which was banned in the United States in 1978 for household use—the child may ingest old lead paint or lead-contaminated dust from the hands daily, resulting in the absorption of lead into the gastrointestinal tract. tract. This is by far one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead levels that I see in my clinic.

On the other hand, I evaluated adults in our clinic who had elevated blood lead levels after inhaling lead vapor after heating the lead in poorly ventilated areas.

A couple of such cases included a hobbyist who made his own lead musket balls in his basement for Revolutionary War and Civil War reenactments, and military marksmen who practiced target shooting with lead ammunition.

One of my patients, who was pregnant, used a heat gun to remove lead paint in an old home, and when inhaled, she had markedly elevated levels of lead in her blood, posing a risk to the fetus because lead crosses the placenta.

Clinical effects of lead

People in areas of Flint, Michigan were exposed to high levels of lead in their water. Barbara Kalbfleisch / Shutterstock.com

The clinical effects of lead toxicity are potentially subtle and may be slow to occur and may not be noticed initially. The time for symptoms to appear depends on the dose ingested and the length of time the lead enters the body.

A child who ingests a lead trap that is retained in the stomach may have a rapid increase in blood lead levels and, within a few days, develop symptoms of nausea, vomiting, confusion, and sedation.

On the other hand, a child exposed to daily dust on his hands may develop minor and subtle symptoms that may last for years, if at all.

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Once lead enters the body, it first flows through the bloodstream, where it slowly travels to various organs such as the kidneys, muscles and brain. Lead is harmful to humans because it interferes with numerous enzymes in the cells of these organs.

This leads to symptoms such as muscle and joint pain, as well as constipation and general fatigue. It damages our brain by interfering with the way brain cells send messages and communicate. Lead reduces fertility in both men and women. This harms our kidneys and can lead to hypertension later in life.

Lead prevents our body from creating hemoglobin—the molecule that carries oxygen in our red blood cells—leading to anemia.

Instead of being eliminated, most of the lead we absorb into our bodies gets deposited in our bones and stays with us for the rest of our lives. From these tissues and blood, lead eventually travels to the bone, where it is deposited and remains throughout most people's lives. This is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has clearly stated that “there is no safe level of lead in the blood of children.”

Chelation therapy uses ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid to remove lead, mercury, iron, and arsenic from the blood. rumruay/Shutterstock.com

Lead in the brain

Lead is a dangerous toxin for people of all ages. But this is especially dangerous for young children. In the young developing brain, this alters brain development and changes architecture, which ultimately causes learning problems and lowers IQ.

In the brain, lead interferes with the release of signaling molecules called neurotransmitters, it inhibits the function of a receptor (N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor) vital for memory and the formation of new neural connections, and increases levels of a messenger molecule called protein kinase C.

Taken together, these effects reduce the number of synaptic connections during a critical early period of postnatal development.

There are many treatments available, such as a process called chelation, which helps eliminate lead from the body when a person is poisoned. Chelation is used when blood lead levels exceed a certain critical threshold where such treatment would be beneficial. However, the first goal is to ensure that our population is not exposed to toxins, especially lead.

Agencies such as the CDC, OSHA and local state health departments are working to reduce adult and child exposure to lead.

Public health initiatives over the past several decades in the United States have been successful in reducing the blood lead levels of our public. Such preventative public health work to reduce lead exposure will lead to a reduction in future adverse health effects in subsequent generations.

If you have questions about lead, check information on trusted sites such as your state's Department of Health, the CDC, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

America's Poison Control Centers can also help answer questions regarding lead poisoning, day or night (1-800-222-1222).

about the author

Christopher P. Holsteg, Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Virginia

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Who is at risk of lead poisoning at work? How to stay healthy?

It is important to be aware of any contaminants present in your workplace. This will help minimize damage as much as possible if there is a real risk. Learn to recognize symptoms of poisoning and prevent exposure.

Lead is a poisonous metal that can kill you from overexposure. It used to be found in many products such as paints and ceramics. Now there are strict restrictions on its use. However, representatives of some professions still encounter lead quite often. The risk group includes people employed in the following areas:

construction
manufacturing industry
development of mineral deposits
transportation
liquidation of accidents and their consequences
environment protection
wholesale.

Exposure to lead can occur in three ways. First, you may inhale lead fumes or mist. Most often they are odorless. Second, you may swallow lead, which may leave a metallic taste in your mouth. Third, lead exposure can occur through skin contact. This occurs when you touch lead or lead-containing objects.

How to stay healthy?

The employer is responsible for the safety of your workplace. Many countries have clear legislation limiting exposure to lead. These documents oblige employers to strictly comply with the standards and thus protect employees from harm to health. For example, in the United States, the 8-hour average of lead levels in the air should not exceed 50 mcg (micrograms) per meter.

The legislation of most developed countries stipulates the right of employees to:

Safe and healthy workplace.
Obtain a copy of workplace safety regulations.
Receiving a copy of the results of control measurements.
Providing free medical examination in case of airborne exposure to lead concentrations above 30 µg/m for more than 30 days a year. In this case, the employer is obliged to provide medical care, including blood testing, lead testing and, if necessary, treatment. Sometimes it makes sense to seek advice about the advisability of wearing a respirator. In some cases, an employee may be required to be removed from work for medical reasons. This allows you to transfer to another job that does not involve exposure to lead, without losing your salary or benefits package.

Large enterprises usually have a safety director. It is he who is responsible for checking workplaces for high levels of lead, as well as issuing protective equipment.

Follow basic safety rules, namely:

Change into a change of clothes and shoes at work.
Do not go home wearing the same clothes you wore at work.
Wash, dry and store work clothes separately. Never mix it with everyday clothes or family members' belongings.
Wash your hands and face before eating, drinking or smoking. Avoid touching your face or hair without washing your hands first.
Do not eat, drink or smoke in areas with lead vapor or vapor.
Do not wipe lead dust with a dry cloth. It is much safer to do this with a damp cloth.
If you wear a respirator at work, choose the correct size. Clean it after every use.

Lead remains in the body for a long time. It accumulates over time, even at low levels of exposure. Lead damages the brain, kidneys, heart, nerves and blood cells. When it affects the blood, the condition is called lead poisoning.

High levels of exposure can cause death. The longer and the higher the exposure, the higher the risk of complications. There is no specific amount of lead that leads to lead poisoning.

This is explained by the fact that lead affects each person differently.

Symptoms of lead poisoning include:

fatigue and weakness
muscle and joint pain
headache
stomach pain or cramps
irritability
inability to focus attention
decreased appetite
memory impairment.

If you suspect you are exposed to lead, discuss the situation with your employer and your doctor. The latter will conduct a special blood test to determine the amount of this substance in the body, after which he will announce the result and explain how dangerous the current condition is to health. It is very important that your doctor is aware of your exposure to lead, even if you have no symptoms.

Recommendations

Lead can be present not only in the workplace, but also in the home. In particular, it is found in old paints and soil. The older your home, the more likely it is that the walls are painted with lead. It enters the body through dust or pieces of peeling paint. The soil around your home can also become contaminated from numerous sources, including paint. There are experts who can measure the lead levels in your home.

Lead can leach into drinking water through plumbing. If you think your home's plumbing may contain lead, contact a professional to conduct an inspection to identify such contaminants. Use only cold water for drinking and cooking. Before using, let the water run from the tap for about 30 seconds. If lead is found in the water, the piping may need to be replaced.

Questions to ask your doctor

What should I do if I suspect the negative effects of lead on my body?
How often should I get a blood test to determine my lead level?
Will the effects of lead poisoning go away over time?

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Lead - An Ancient Killer

The effect of lead on the human body is destructive. Lead accumulates in the bones, replacing calcium, which causes various diseases.

When the concentration of this metal in the blood and soft tissues is exceeded, anemia develops, the cardiovascular system, digestive tract, kidneys and brain are affected, which in turn causes a decrease in mental development. It is clear that lead poisoning is especially dangerous for children. Lead can also cause other diseases.

You can read about this in more detail in an article entirely devoted to lead, but now we will talk about the effect of lead on the body from a historical point of view and the environmental disasters it causes.

Lead and Ancient Rome

Surprisingly, the ancient Greeks who lived before the Romans knew about the harmful effects of lead on the body. They never kept wine in glazed vessels, because... glaze contains lead. However, either knowledge was lost, or it was simply negligence, but nevertheless the Romans neglected this simple rule.

Paradoxically, the inhabitants of Ancient Rome seriously believed that lead improved the taste of wine and not only kept it in leaded containers, but also directly added it to wine. From history we know about the general decline of morals in Ancient Rome, and some scientists believe that lead consumption led to this moral decay.

Indeed, at first the fashion for adding lead to wine was introduced by the highest ranks of the state, and after that the habit became widespread. Systematic use of lead reduces intelligence, animal instincts come to the fore, as we see in the example of unbridled Roman orgies. However, drinking wine with lead did not cause as much damage to the Roman state as ordinary water supply.

The fact is that the water supply in Ancient Rome was made of lead. Builders really liked this durable and easy-to-work metal. And engineers logically assumed that lead would be the best material for transporting water for citizens. Thus, the invisible but systematic use of lead in Ancient Rome assumed truly terrifying proportions.

Scientists estimate that each Roman received an average of about four kilograms of lead per year. Currently, in industrial cities this figure is slightly higher. Thus, lead caused the first environmental disaster in history!

Lead in Russia

It is surprising that many centuries later the Russians stepped on the same rake. With the development of the Russian state, more and more benefits of civilization appeared, and one of them was the new Moscow water supply system, built in 1633. What do you think it was made of? That's right, made of lead! Water was pumped from the Neglinnaya River, it accumulated in a large tank, from where it flowed by gravity to the Kremlin. Both the pipes and the tank were made of lead.

In addition, the water in the tank was additionally saturated with lead, because
accumulated in large volumes and settled there. Fortunately, the Moscow lead water supply system worked for a little more than a century, and after that it was destroyed by fire; moreover, water flowed through lead pipes only to the Kremlin. During these 100 years, the Russian tsars lived less than usual. For example, Tsar Ivan V Alekseevich did not live to see his thirtieth birthday and died in the prime of his life at the age of 29.

And according to contemporaries, he looked like a decrepit old man! Throughout his life, the king suffered from a stutter, eye diseases and scurvy; the king’s intelligence was also not up to par. Ivan V had 6 brothers and five of them did not even live to be 20 years old. And the sixth brother spent his childhood far from Moscow, in villages near Moscow. Then he very successfully ruled the Russian state and there is no doubt that he had high intelligence.

This sixth brother was none other than the famous Peter I! Apparently, he guessed something like that, because... The first water supply system in St. Petersburg was wooden.

Lead and the Franklin Expedition

It is naive to believe that the influence of lead on the body led to disastrous consequences only in ancient times. Already in the enlightened 19th century, one terrible story occurred that killed more than a hundred people. We are talking about the polar expedition of the Englishman John Franklin. In 1845, ships under his command set out in search of the shortest route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific.

The expedition was equipped to the highest standard: on board there were more than a thousand cans of canned food alone. The expedition went its own way, but news from it suddenly suddenly stopped coming. The search did not yield any results until in 1851 the graves of several expedition members were discovered on one of the islands of the Arctic Ocean. Later, eyewitnesses were found from among the local Eskimos who spoke about the English sailors.

Finally, a boat with two bodies was found. The rescuers were surprised at what things they found in the boat; usually, when saving themselves, people take the bare essentials. However, in this case everything was exactly the opposite. A lot of items that were completely useless in such a situation were found in the boat: books, toothbrushes, even a desk! This question remained a mystery until, in 1981, Dr. Owen Beaty began to study the bodies of the dead.

It turned out that the lead content in the bones of polar explorers exceeded the norm by more than 10 times! Thus, it turned out that the brave team died due to lead poisoning. Where did they get it from in such quantities? The solution turned out to be simple - the tin cans taken on the expedition were sealed at the seams with lead! During the voyage, the sailors received lead poisoning along with their food. Now everything has become clear why unnecessary items were found in the boat.

An overdose of lead causes clouding of the mind, which is why the sailors took with them everything they could get their hands on, completely not understanding why they needed it.

From this sad example, we can understand the scale of the disaster that happened to the ancient Romans, who not only ate from leaded dishes, but also drank from lead water pipes.

Source: http://www.alto-lab.ru/zanimatelnya-himia/svinec-drevnij-ubica/

How is lead harmful to humans?

There is an opinion that lead is harmful to health. It does not matter whether a person inhales, ingests or absorbs lead particles in any other way, the health consequences are the same. However, the body absorbs higher levels of lead during breathing. Therefore, the most dangerous cases are when this element is present in the air in sufficiently large quantities.

Once in the human body, the metal is very quickly absorbed and stored in bones, blood and tissues. It does not remain there permanently; rather, it is stored there as a source of constant internal exposure.

It is known that with age, bones demineralize and internal metal exposure may increase. This occurs as a result of large releases of lead from bone tissue. There is concern that lead is mobilized from bone quite quickly in women undergoing menopause. It has been scientifically proven that after menopause, women have higher levels of lead in their blood than before.

In this regard, all doctors unanimously recommend that women of this age regularly visit an endocrinologist, gynecologist, and other specialists who can promptly detect such changes in the body and help minimize possible health risks.

Health effects of lead

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Consequences of long-term exposure to lead on the body

Damage to the body occurs less frequently in children than in adults.

Children typically show signs of severe lead toxicity at lower levels than adults.

Lead poisoning has occurred in children whose parent accidentally brought home lead dust on their clothing.

Neurological effects and mental retardation have occurred in children if parents were exposed to lead at work.

A person exposed to lead for a long time may experience side effects over time, such as:

abdominal pain
changes in stool and problems with bowel movements;
depressed emotional state;
neuralgic problems;
constant forgetfulness;
increased irritability and much more.

Essentially, the symptoms are the same as those that occur as a result of short-term exposure to metal on the body, only they are much more powerful and appear more often. Granted, people with long-term metal exposure may also be at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and decreased fertility.

It has also been scientifically proven that prolonged exposure to this element on the human body causes the development of malignant formation. Moreover, a tumor can begin to develop in any organ and, accordingly, in any part of the body. Therefore, it is important for patients who regularly come into contact with this metal to be regularly examined by an oncologist and monitor their general health.

This is especially true for people working in industries where there is an increased level of this metal.

How to protect yourself from lead exposure?

Of course, the influence of this metal is dangerous for any person. Moreover, the body suffers from both large doses of the substance and small ones. The same applies to the timing of contact with lead; if the period is short, but the doses are high enough, rapid poisoning occurs. But when the period of exposure is long, but at the same time the doses of metal are small, chronic intoxication begins.

Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in the Earth's crust, but human activity—mining, burning fossil fuels, and manufacturing—has caused it to become more common. Lead pipes, brass plumbing fixtures, and copper pipes soldered with lead can release particles into tap water.

It can also sometimes also be found in:

Soil (when particles of a substance contained in paint or gasoline settle into the ground).
Household dust (in this case, particles can form from chips or any other items in the house containing this metal).
Elements found on some ceramics and porcelain may leach into food served or stored in dishes made from these materials.

Of course, any lead product can cause significant harm to human health. Therefore, it is advisable to minimize this contact. Especially if there are children or pregnant women nearby.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a long-term exposure or a short period of contact, as a result the human body suffers quite severe damage.

Source: http://polzovred.ru/ximiya/svinec-vreden-dlya-zdorovya.html

The whole truth about cosmetics: toxic substances, lead powder and the myth of pheromones

Society 10:40 | June 12, 2017

At his next lecture, popularizer of science and chemist Arkady Kuramshin explained why past civilizations used toxic substances in cosmetics, whether parabens are really harmful and whether pheromones are known to science.

Ilnur Yarkhamov - Kazan

Surprisingly, it turns out that humanity in past historical eras could intentionally use toxic substances in cosmetics. Moreover, the current cosmetic procedures that are familiar to us - eyeliner, manicure, applying powder to the face - then, in ancient times, had an exclusively utilitarian purpose. There could be no talk of any beauty, aesthetics.

Arkady Kuramshin , a chemistry teacher at KFU, spoke about this and much more at his next popular science lecture at the Museum of Natural History of the Republic of Tatarstan . His lecture was called “The Chemistry of Beauty: From Parabens to Pheromones.” It is part of the Smart Sunday project for children and adults, organized by the Natural Science laboratory. At the previous lecture, the lecturer talked about the dangers and benefits of food preservatives.

Absolutely all of his lectures at the museum are sold out.

Ancient Egypt - the main civilization in the beauty industry

Arkady Kuramshin traditionally began his lecture with chronology, namely with the first signs of cosmetics among people of the Paleolithic, Neolithic and Stone Ages. For example, a figurine of the Venus of Brassempouille (about 22 thousand years ago) already tells us that ancient people combed their hair and applied some kind of paint to their body and face.

— What makes you want to paint your body? - the lecturer wondered. He answered that this was connected, firstly, with ritual, and secondly, with sanitation and hygiene.

In the Paleolithic, humanity did not yet know what antibiotics and antiseptics were; there were many insects flying around, various infections were actively transmitted and multiplied.

“Through trial and error, it became clear to people that if you apply some leaves and berries mashed into a paste, then the insects don’t land on them as intensively. Sometimes they even get scared away.

And if you smear your eyes with some pebbles, ground into powder, or with some extracts, then your eyes will stop inflaming,” the lecturer said. Here the chemist is referring to the lining of the eyes. He notes that vision played a significant role in the Stone Age.

There is no vision, there is no opportunity to go hunting and get food, and this means death.

One of the first civilizations to be technologically advanced in terms of cosmetics was Ancient Egypt.

Arkady Kuramshin showed the audience several frescoes. He noticed that the ancient Egyptians had hairstyles that were similar to modern dreadlocks. It is more convenient to comb out various insects, lice and bedbugs from such styled hair.

Both men and women in Egyptian frescoes are depicted with circled eyes. They didn't do it just like that. The composition of the world's first carcass, which the Egyptians invented, contains black lead sulfide (aka galena), sulfur and some kind of animal fat. Lead sulfide had toxic properties for protozoa - the same infections. Insects also did not tolerate this heavy metal compound. The substance stopped inflammatory processes.

At the same time, lead is a strong toxicant for the human body. Of course, the Egyptians could also find less dangerous substances on the banks of the Nile - ocher, copper sulfide. But in the fight for their health, they chose to poison themselves. Naturally, there were no microscopes then and the Egyptians could not know for sure about the dangers of lead. But even if they knew, they would prefer to die from poisoning at the age of 40 than from an infectious inflammation of the eyes at the age of 12-14, the lecturer reasoned.

— Lead has been in human civilization for a long time. He kills one civilization after another, degenerating it. Lead is a very strong toxicant,” said Arkady Kuramshin.

Elite warriors, not women, invented painting their nails

In the ancient states of Mesopotamia (Sumer, Assyria, etc.), humanity thought of inventing nail polish. The dyes included lead and cadmium compounds. People again received accumulated poisoning.

The first to paint their nails were not women, as one might expect, but stern male warriors - the elite guards of the kings of the cities of Mesopotamia. They did this when they went on long military campaigns.

Lead and antimony stopped the development of fungal diseases to which our nails are susceptible. On the other hand, the warlike manicure also had a ritual meaning - a large bearded man, with curled hair, including a curled beard, with an ax in his hands and nails painted black, looked menacing.

In Ancient Greece, powder became an innovation. Its composition again included lead (lead white, lead carbonate). And they blushed with no less dangerous cinnabar, which contains mercury sulfide. Such an explosive mixture of powder and blush really stopped inflammation, cauterized acne and drove away insects. It was effective, but not harmless.

In Ancient Rome, apparently, they began to realize a little about the serious consequences of lead abuse. Therefore, flour was used for powder, but cinnabar was not abandoned. At the same time, the Romans, as wine lovers, added lead acetate to wine. And the vaunted Roman aqueducts were not so safe - the linings in the water pipes were made of the same lead.

The Romans innovated hair coloring. Rich matrons preferred to dye their hair red or dark red, while poorer matrons bleached their hair with flour. The Romans then used henna for coloring - a more or less familiar substance for today.

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The desire to whiten your face is not only a demonstration of social status. The whiter your skin, the less you are in the sun, which means you have slaves, servants who do everything for you. During the Renaissance, the white face also acquired aesthetic significance. The record holder with the whitest face is considered to be the legendary English Queen Elizabeth. Vinegar and flour were applied to her face.

Little by little progress is pushing humanity forward. And in 1920, during the Great Depression in the United States, Revlon began to experience a crisis.

Being a manufacturer of paints for cars, and due to the impoverishment of people, their sales have fallen tens of times, the company decides to bottle its products in small bottles. Revlon nail paints are a huge hit with women.

True, they contain lead, because the metal is safe for cars. But over time, the company conducts several studies and makes the paint formulation safer.

The main horror stories about cosmetics

Then Arkady Kuramshin spoke about one of the most important horror stories that is circulating in the world of fashion and cosmetics today - the harmlessness of parabens.

The lecturer said that in fact, paraben preservatives for humans in reasonable doses are quite safe, as countless alarmist articles and sites on the Internet want to present. As an example, he cited almond seeds, which contain potassium cyanide. A person is physically unable to eat such a mass of seeds to get real cyanide poisoning.

At the same time, a person can drink six liters of water at once and is guaranteed to get chemical water poisoning, because reverse osmosis of toxins from the liver and kidneys will occur.

The lecturer urged listeners to be suspicious of cosmetic manufacturers if they write on their labels “consisting of 97% or more organic substances,” “paraben-free,” “cruelty-free” (that is, not tested on animals; but then on whom? and were they tested at all?).

In fact, parabens are esters of benzene acid isomers. Its structure is similar to potassium benzoate, a natural preservative found in large quantities in cranberries and lingonberries. It allows the berries to overwinter the whole winter under the snow without rotting.

The natural content of potassium benzoate in berries is slightly higher than allowed in the food standards of Rospotrebnadzor. An overdose of this substance, or rather abuse of berries, usually affects a person as a laxative.

In fact, parabens are 100 times less toxic than potassium benzoate. The chemist says that the rising wave of alarmism, due to which real manufacturers began to replace parabens with other substances, became the reason for one almost scientific study. It reports that parabens were found in breast tumors in women. Today there are already sites that are full of headlines that in 99% of oncology cases it is parabens that are to blame.

At the same time, all cancer cells contain water, but for some reason no one is in a hurry to declare it an oncogene.

Also, the scientific work draws a conclusion based on a study of 20 women, which is very, very far from the required statistical sample.

However, this research spawned subsequent experiments. Scientists, for example, have found that people die in water with a 3% solution of parabens. But such a dose of the substance is really very large. In order for a person to accumulate such a mass of parabens, he needs to rub 10 standard paraben-containing cosmetics into himself every 36 hours.

Nowadays, cosmetics left without parabens are susceptible to mold formation. In itself, rubbing and using products that contain mold are safe for humans. But mold contains antibiotics.

By consuming and receiving them in small doses that are not lethal to bacteria, a person tames his body. As a result, bacteria become more resistant to antibiotics.

And this is bad, because in case of illness, simple antibiotics will not help a person - you will either have to look for other antibiotics or increase their dose.

The lecturer then moved on to the topic of pheromones. Indeed, there are now a lot of advertisements on the Internet that promise perfumes containing pheromones, which should attract the opposite sex.

The chemist said that today science does not know a single substance that could be called a pheromone for humans. Yes, such substances are found in insects and some animals. But man is a more complexly organized being. He perceives odors only on the basis of a conditioned reaction. That is, if a smell accompanied a person at the time of his positive experience, it means that he will associate it only with positive emotions.

If a guy’s girlfriend uses a certain perfume, they broke up very hard for each other, then the same perfume on other women will only scare him away in the future.

At the same time, the lecturer emphasizes, what has not been discovered does not mean that it does not exist. Scientists continue to search for substances that would act as pheromones.

Source: https://KazanFirst.ru/articles/404670

Lead poisoning

Lead poisoning caused by children getting lead-based paint in their mouths led to the US government banning the use of lead paint in 1978. For homes built after 1980, all painting work was required by law to be done with lead-free paint.

So the problem should be solved. However, things are different. The symptoms of lead poisoning have long been known, but recent research has shown that even low levels of lead in a child's blood can cause some developmental delays and behavior problems, or even cause brain damage.

Today lead is called the “silent killer.”

Why is lead dangerous?

This toxic substance enters the bloodstream and the body, mistaking it for calcium, allows it to reach vital cells such as bone marrow, kidney and brain cells, where lead interferes with the enzymes needed for these organs to function properly. Lead poisoning causes the following symptoms:

• spasmodic pain in the abdomen (as with colic);

• constipation, loss of appetite;

• increased irritability;

• pallor caused by a decrease in hemoglobin levels;

• growth retardation;

• developmental delay;

• inability to maintain attention for a long time;

• convulsions.

How does lead enter the body?

Children don't get lead poisoning because they chew pencils. The pencils are made with lead-free paint and the lead is just harmless graphite. Lead, which causes poisoning in children, comes from old paint, gasoline fumes, contaminated soil and water, and lead-containing cookware.

How to get rid of lead

Find out about the following sources of lead around your child and follow our recommendations to reduce the risk. Also keep in mind that children who don't get enough iron, calcium, and zinc are more vulnerable to lead poisoning, which is further evidence that good nutrition is good prevention.

Shards of old paint. Although homes and apartments built after 1980 are required by law to be painted with lead-free paint, older homes and homes that have undergone major renovations may have new paint on top of the old.

Pieces of crumbling paint containing some old paint are very appetizing to a child who loves to put any small pieces into his mouth. Even more toxic is lead dust, which comes from rubbing against painted surfaces in places such as window sills, door frames and central heating radiators.

A piece of lead paint the size of a postage stamp could contain ten thousand times the legal limit if a child ingested it. Curious children's hands fumble along the edge of the window sill, collecting toxic lead dust, and then the child licks it from his fingers.

And ingesting even a few such specks of dust or a small piece of paint every day throughout childhood can lead to lead poisoning. To remove dust from old paint from window sills and other

areas subject to high friction, wipe these surfaces with a detergent containing a high phosphate content.

Repair. If you are renovating an old home, make sure the contractor knows how to completely remove all remaining old paint. Also, keep your child away from the house while the old paint is being removed.

After repairs, rent a HEPA (high efficiency particulate accumulator) vacuum cleaner equipped with a microstatic filter at the outlet to remove all, even the smallest, lead paint dust from the room.

Pay special attention to old balconies, which never leave curious little hands without lots of small flakes of paint and lead dust.

Polluted water. If you drink well water or live in an older home where the water pipes may have been soldered with lead, have your water tested by an EPA-licensed laboratory or your local water department if it provides such services.

If your tap water contains too much lead, in addition to replacing your water pipes, use cold water for cooking if possible (hot water will leach more lead from your pipes), use bottled water for drinking and cooking, and get a water filter. which reliably removes lead.

The water that comes out of your tap when you turn it on early in the morning has the highest concentration of lead. This is useful to know, since many parents prepare a supply of baby formula for the whole day in the morning. If your pipes are suspicious or your tap water is found to have too much lead in it, run cold water for at least two minutes to flush out the pipes before using tap water to prepare baby formula.

Contaminated air. If you live downwind of major highways or major interchanges, test your child's blood lead levels at least twice a year if moving is not possible.

Contaminated soil. Do not allow your child to put soil in his mouth, especially if you live in a new neighborhood built on the site of destroyed old houses.

Other sources and precautions. Previously, printing ink contained lead, but modern ink does not contain lead and is recognized as harmless, so parents do not have to worry if their child starts sucking newspapers and magazines. Do not store food or liquids in crystal dishes or imported ceramics.

And don't forget about old toys and furniture that may have been passed down in your family from generation to generation. Finally, pregnant women and nursing mothers should be especially vigilant to avoid getting lead into their bodies.

Pregnancy is not a good time to scrape off old paint in your baby's future nursery, as lead can pass from the mother's blood to the fetus. Before you buy a house or rent an apartment, test your paint and water for lead.

Safe and low-risk substances commonly found in the home

If a child accidentally swallows any of the following, treatment is usually not required. Caution: This list is intended as a guide only. For more information, contact your pediatrician or call 911.

antacids (reducing stomach acidity);

antibiotics (if only three or four tablets or teaspoons);

aroma oils;

bath oil;

bath soap;

petrolatum;

vitamins with or without fluoride1;

lipstick;

deodorants, deodorizers;

baby shampoo and lotion;

putty or putty;

game dough;

pencils;

glue, paste;

fabric softener;

cosmetics2;

cat droppings;

suntan cream;

shaving cream;

Lysol (disinfectant);

calamine lotion;

hand lotions and creams;

chalk;

detergents3;

cologne;

zinc oxide;

mouth rinses, dental elixirs4;

oral contraceptives;

air freshener;

a bag of silica gel (put in shoe boxes);

bath foam:

pistons (for toy pistols);

plasticine;

sweeteners or sugar substitutes;

mercury from a broken thermometer;

blush;

candles;

cigarettes5;

laxatives;

matches;

pencil lead;

tablets that regulate thyroid function;

eye shadows, contour pencils, etc.;

Mascara;

ink (markers and pens);

shampoo.

Iron and fluoride in vitamin complexes can be toxic when taken in large doses.

2For the most part, cosmetics are harmless. However, hair straightener and nail polish are extremely dangerous. Even inhaling nail polish fumes while applying it can be dangerous for a child.

3Most household detergents, cleaning products and dishwashing detergents are non-toxic. However, bleach, ammonia and sanitary products used to treat children's potties, as well as granules and liquid detergents for automatic dishwashers, are very poisonous.

4Mouthwash contains a lot of alcohol and may be harmful to your child if a large amount is swallowed.

5Although one cigarette theoretically contains enough nicotine to kill a horse, ingested tobacco is not easily absorbed by the intestines. Very often the child vomits, and this way he gets rid of most of the tobacco.

Testing a child's blood for lead

If your child has the risk factors listed above, tell your doctor, who may refer you for a blood test.

A child living in an area where there is a high risk of lead poisoning must be examined at twelve months and at twenty-four months.

Because recent research has shown that even relatively low levels of lead can cause some developmental delays, the blood lead level at which a child is at risk has been lowered from 25 micrograms per deciliter to 10 micrograms.

Treatment for lead poisoning

Treatment for lead poisoning (injecting drugs into the blood to remove the lead) is expensive, painful, and cannot remove all the lead. Some consequences are irreversible. What can be done? Prevent. While environmentalists make a lot of noise about saving the wildlife in our forests, perhaps the most endangered species is the children in our cities.

Source: https://medn.ru/semiy/statyi/Opasnyeveshhestvavokruzhayushh.html

How harmful is lead to humans - PravoSistema

There is an opinion that lead is harmful to health. It does not matter whether a person inhales, ingests or absorbs lead particles in any other way, the health consequences are the same.

However, the body absorbs higher levels of lead during breathing. Therefore, the most dangerous cases are when this element is present in the air in sufficiently large quantities.

It is known that with age, bones demineralize and internal metal exposure may increase. This occurs as a result of large releases of lead from bone tissue.

There is concern that lead is mobilized from bone quite quickly in women undergoing menopause.

It has been scientifically proven that after menopause, women have higher levels of lead in their blood than before.

Lead poisoning – how to recognize the symptoms and what to do next?

Lead poisoning is a common type of intoxication with heavy metal salts. This condition is characterized by a specific clinical picture. It is important to recognize warning signs in time and provide first aid correctly: this will help avoid serious consequences.

Why is lead dangerous for humans?

According to statistics, over 150 thousand people die every year around the world due to poisoning with this toxic substance. At the same time, children are susceptible to negative influences 4-5 times more than adults.

To understand the risks of lead poisoning, you first need to understand what this metal is and where it is used. This is a chemical substance with a dense consistency of a gray-blue hue.

In ancient times, alchemists associated lead with Saturn, so poisoning with it was called Saturnism.

This metal was one of the first that people learned to smelt. Industrial production of goods containing lead began at an active pace in the 1870s. This metal is present in:

Dishes. Lead is added to the glaze used to coat cups, plates and other clay vessels. In addition, this metal is present in the solder used to hold together buckets, barrels and other containers. Cooking food or storing it for a long time in such a container provokes Saturnism.
Finishing materials. Paints containing red lead are especially dangerous. Lead poisoning occurs when objects coated with lead are burned.
Leaded gasoline. To improve the performance properties of fuel, some manufacturers enrich it with lead tetraethyl. When it burns, a toxic substance is released into the air.

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There are other causes of lead poisoning:

drinking water from an old water supply;
cutting lead-coated metal;
treating fields with preparations containing this metal;
drinking contaminated water;
work at an industrial enterprise;
eating unwashed vegetables and fruits.

As a result, the following ways of penetration of lead into the body can be distinguished:

through the skin;
with food;
through the respiratory tract.

The salts and vapors of this metal are very toxic, so it is important to understand why lead is dangerous. This substance interacts with disulfide proteins, changes their structure and provokes cell death. As a result, an inflammatory process develops in the body. The intensity of its development depends on the amount of toxic substance entering the body.

In adults, approximately 10% of metal salts are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. In children this figure increases to 40%. If the body is deficient in zinc, iron or calcium, the absorption of the toxic substance increases. On average, 100 mcg of lead is excreted in urine per day. The excess settles in various organs and tissues, provoking pathological changes in them.

This toxic substance is distributed as follows:

5% binds to red blood cells;
90% is deposited in bone tissue;
5% is deposited in the spleen, kidneys, brain, and liver.

Doses for lead poisoning

It is believed that for adults the maximum permissible value is 150 mcg of metal salts per day. However, according to WHO, there is no safe dose. Any contact with toxic substances is fraught with negative consequences. A condition is considered dangerous when 1-3 mg of salts enter the body: this dose of lead is enough to poison an adult. Lethal outcome occurs when the concentration of the toxic substance increases to 10 g.

Lead poisoning - symptoms in humans

Depending on the severity, the following forms of the pathological process are distinguished:

light;
moderate severity;
heavy;
lethal.

According to the stage of development, they are distinguished:

functional disorders;
organic changes.

The classification according to the course of the disease is as follows:

acute form;
subacute;
chronic type.

Lead poisoning symptoms at the first stage may be barely noticeable. In most cases, only laboratory testing helps to identify As the toxic substance accumulates in the body, the clinical picture becomes pronounced and “many-faced.”

In acute cases, the disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:

constipation;
insomnia;
lack of appetite;
anemia accompanied by pale skin;
feeling of a metallic taste in the mouth;
shortness of breath;
headaches;
hyperpigmentation;
nausea.

Signs of lead poisoning in humans with a chronic course of the disease are as follows:

prostration;
coloration of the skin in a gray tone;
purple streaks on gums;
dizziness;
convulsive muscle contraction;
pressure surge;
loss of consciousness.

Acute lead poisoning

Such a violation occurs if 0.1-0.5 g of metal salts enter the body overnight. The first signs of lead poisoning begin to appear a couple of hours after contact with the toxic substance. The patient's condition deteriorates sharply, so urgent hospitalization is required. More often, this form of the disease is diagnosed in production workers during an accident.

Chronic lead poisoning

This condition occurs when microscopic doses of a toxic substance enter the body over many months or even years. Lead intoxication symptoms are barely noticeable at the initial stage. For a long time no one pays attention to them. More often, a full-fledged symptom complex is detected only 3, and sometimes 5 years after a person’s first contact with a toxic substance.

All the signs that are observed with such a violation can be divided into the following groups:

Anemic syndrome is one of the first manifestations of lead poisoning. Since this poison damages red blood cells, oxygen starvation occurs in the body. This condition is accompanied by debilitating headache, drowsiness and pale skin.
Abdominal syndrome is a disorder in which severe cramping pain periodically occurs. At the same time, constipation and rapid weight loss are observed, caused by a lack of appetite.
Neuromuscular syndrome – accompanied by damage to motor fibers. With mononeuropathy (if, for example, the peroneal nerve is damaged), the patient cannot raise the foot. In the future, this is fraught with muscle weakness, soreness, discoloration of the limbs in a bluish tint and a local decrease in temperature.
Asthenovegetative syndrome is a condition in which the patient becomes very irritable, quickly gets tired and sleeps poorly. At the same time, his pulse quickens (more than 90 beats per minute) and sweating increases.
Cerebral syndrome - accompanied by confusion and convulsions. Due to swelling of the brain tissue, intracranial pressure increases.
Bone syndrome – lead accumulating in the bones displaces calcium. As a result, osteoporosis begins to develop rapidly.

Lead poisoning in children is a very dangerous condition. Intoxication provokes irreversible processes. If at the time of contact with a harmful substance the child had already developed some speech or motor skills, they fade away under the influence of lead. In addition, children exhibit aggression. The higher the concentration of poison in the body, the more severe the child’s condition.

A toxicologist treats this disease. Before making his recommendations, he will refer the patient for examination. Such a study helps to identify the exact dose of a toxic substance in the body. For diagnosis, the patient's biological fluid is used.

Sometimes the concentration of poison is determined by examining hair. After chronic lead poisoning has been diagnosed, a chemical and toxicological study of water, food, soil and air is carried out.

This procedure helps to identify the source of the toxic substance.

First aid for lead poisoning

In case of acute intoxication, immediate hospitalization is required. However, before the doctor arrives, the victim must be given first aid correctly. Otherwise, his condition will worsen.

For lead poisoning, first aid looks like this:

When a toxic substance has entered the body through the digestive tract, the stomach is washed with saline solution. If intoxication occurred a couple of hours ago, cleanse the intestines. At the same time, the victim is given diuretics. Afterwards, an antidote is administered for lead poisoning.
If intoxication occurs due to inhalation of vapors, the victim must be immediately taken to fresh air. In addition, you need to make sure that he rinses his mouth and nasal cavity with clean water. They also give him weak sweet tea.
If a toxic substance enters the skin, it should be washed with copious amounts of water.

Intoxication occurs when metal is melted. Vapors enter the body through the lungs, and from there are sent into the bloodstream. At the same time, poisons can come from eating food in a contaminated area or from smoking.

As the temperature in the smelting room increases, the toxicity of the metal increases. For this reason, it is important for industrial workers to know what to do in the event of lead poisoning and how to prevent this condition.

Any alarming symptoms that arise are a reason to immediately seek medical help.

First aid for lead vapor poisoning:

Provide the victim with fresh air. To do this, he needs to be taken outside.
Unfasten clothing or remove tight clothing items. Such manipulations will provide the victim with free breathing.
Make sure that the poisoned person rinses his mouth and nasal cavity with clean water.
Provide plenty of warm fluids, such as weak sweet tea.
Monitor blood pressure readings. If it sharply increases, an antihypertensive drug is given in a reduced dosage (this will definitely need to be reported to emergency specialists).

Such toxic substances enter the body through the digestive tract or skin. First aid must be provided correctly, otherwise the situation will only get worse.

Lead intoxication is also insidious in that the toxic substance accumulates in the form of an inactive compound in the body.

Under unfavorable conditions (alcohol abuse, excessive stress, infectious diseases), compounds are released into the blood, thereby provoking repeated poisoning of the body. In this case, recovery will take longer.

First aid for lead salt poisoning:

Remove the victim to fresh air.
In case of contact poisoning, rinse the area in contact with the toxic substance under running water. The liquid should not be cold: it is important that its temperature is comfortable.
If poisoning occurs through the digestive tract, wash the stomach with a slightly salted solution (1 teaspoon of salt per liter of water).
Monitor the condition of the victim until the ambulance arrives.

Therapy involves an integrated approach. Treatment includes the following steps:

etiological;
pathogenetic;
symptomatic.

At the etiological stage, antidotes are used - drugs that bind to metal ions and remove them from the body.

These include the following drugs:

Succimer;
Unithiol;
D-penicillamine;
Tetacin.

Pathogenetic treatment is aimed at combating disorders that dominate the clinical picture.

More often, Saturnism disease is accompanied by damage to the nervous system, so the following drugs are prescribed during therapy:

Magnesium;
Vasobral;
glucose solution;
Vinpocetine.

If the cardiovascular system is affected, the following medications are prescribed:

ATP;
Nicotinic acid;
Cocarboxylase.

Lead poisoning - consequences

Contact with this heavy metal is fraught with serious complications.

Chronic lead intoxication can cause:

development of osteoporosis;
hearing loss;
decreased intelligence;
loss of vision;
damage to the endocrine system.

Source: https://womanadvice.ru/otravlenie-svincom-kak-raspoznat-simptomy-i-chto-delat-dalshe

Lead in drinking water - an invisible danger

Tap water is believed to be clean. After all, our cities and municipalities are obliged to provide consumers with safe drinking water. Unfortunately, the presence of lead in it is not a problem of poor-quality water treatment facilities, but is caused precisely by the pipes and plumbing equipment through which water enters our homes.

What is lead?

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that is known to be harmful to human health if inhaled or ingested. Lead is a bluish-white shiny metal. It is very soft, malleable, but is a poor conductor of electricity. These characteristics make it an ideal component in building materials and alloys, pipes, some types of batteries, etc.

According to some sources, lead began to be used by 6400 BC. e. Later, Ancient Rome was the largest producer of this metal. The baths of the Roman Empire were connected by lead pipes, which are still in place today. However, it is considered unsafe to swim in their waters due to corrosion of the pipes.

Why is lead dangerous to health?

Lead is a toxic metal that can damage the nervous system of people of all ages, but children are especially vulnerable. A child who drinks small amounts of this water may suffer severe abdominal pain, weakness and possible brain damage.

Even low levels of lead have been shown to affect the mental and physical growth of children, and can lead to high blood pressure in adults, general weakness, brain problems, as well as anemia and damage to internal organs, which is ultimately fatal.

Why can lead be found in drinking water?

While lead is a naturally occurring element, it is not typically found in groundwater sources. The most common cause of lead in tap water is the pipes that supply it to consumers. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have problematic lead plumbing fixtures. Brass faucets, coolers, and valves contribute to increased lead levels.

Private wells containing lead also pose a risk. A reaction between water and lead pipes or solder, called corrosion, allows lead to be introduced into the water that comes to us through the tap. However, the newer design is not without problems.

Modern homes and structures are more likely to have copper pipes installed, but the solder used to join these pipes together is a major cause of pollution today.

Source: https://ecoizm.org/svinec-v-pitevoj-vode-nevidimaja-opasnost/

Is Lead in the Home Harmful?

Question: many people are engaged in reloading cartridges, incl. using lead. In this regard, we are interested in the degree of harm when lead comes into contact with the skin (in the form of lead dust, etc.), whether lead penetrates into the body, and also the vapors formed during melting. Those. We are talking about minor exposure to a small amount of lead. How harmful is this in terms of re-equipping and is it worth protecting yourself with gloves and a mask that protects you from inhaling dust and fumes? Thank you!

quote: In this regard, I am interested in the degree of harm when lead gets on the skin (in the form of lead dust, etc.), whether lead penetrates into the body, and also the vapors formed during melting. Those. We are talking about minor exposure to a small amount of lead. How harmful is this in terms of re-equipping and is it worth protecting yourself with gloves and a mask that protects you from inhaling dust and fumes?

Is lead harmful?

If everything is clear with an excess of lead, then another question arises: is lead harmful if its content does not exceed the officially permissible level? According to research, even small doses of this metal can be dangerous. The fact is that it has the ability to gradually accumulate in the body. In children, lead poisoning can cause various nervous disorders, memory and hearing impairment, difficulties in learning, and abnormalities in the functioning of the kidneys of other organs.

Modern science has proven that lead is a very dangerous metal for the human body. Not only children, but also adults should be protected from its effects. If the adult body is able to absorb about 15% of lead, then in children this value reaches 50%. Lead poisoning affects the entire body and the central nervous system in particular, since lead interferes with the production of proteins necessary for the functioning and development of a child’s brain.

Lead poisoning: consequences and treatment

An important symptom of poisoning in children of any age is anemia. Lead destroys red blood cells that carry oxygen. As a result, the child’s body experiences chronic oxygen starvation. And this is one of the reasons for the formation of mental retardation.

Deep general cleansing of the body.
Liver cleansing.
Lymphatic drainage, cleaning of lymph and intercellular space.
Kidney regulation.
Blood purification and plasma.
Detoxification of a chemical.
Stabilization of the immune system.
Symptomatic treatment.

How harmful is lead?

LEAD AND ITS EFFECT ON HUMAN HEALTH It is a well-known fact: mercury is dangerous and must be disposed of in a certain way. Therefore, if we break even a small thermometer, we are ready to call the Ministry of Emergency Situations. At the same time, few people think that in addition to thermometers, danger may lie in wait for us in other inventions of civilization.

For example, most car enthusiasts are aware that batteries contain lead and electrolyte, but it is unlikely that everyone is fully aware of the dangers of these substances. The electrolyte of a car battery is a solution of sulfuric acid, which belongs to substances of hazard class 2, its obvious to everyone destructive force. Let's talk about lead, which is classified as class 1; it is the strongest poison, along with arsenic, mercury, etc.

The danger of this insidious substance for the body is that it affects most organs and systems. Lead causes the death of blood cells, which leads to severe anemia, interferes with the physical and chemical mechanisms of the heart, affects the kidneys and liver, but the most common changes are in the nervous system.

Headache and dizziness, lethargy, apathy, increased physical and mental fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory loss, hearing and vision problems, changes in motor activity, surges in blood pressure, cramping abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea, paralysis of the limbs, etc. ., the list can be continued for quite a long time. The worst thing is that in addition to the adult population, children suffer.

In children, lead poisoning first manifests itself as abdominal pain and irritability, then drowsiness, loss of appetite, impaired coordination of movements and speech appear, the result can be sad: cerebral edema, kidney failure, and as a result coma and death. In addition, lead can accumulate in organs and tissues, mostly in bone tissue.

It is in the bones that this poison can persist for years, causing poisoning only in certain circumstances, for example, during pregnancy, breastfeeding, in old age, and with diseases of the thyroid gland. Moreover, poisoning can develop due to lead accumulated in childhood. There are suggestions that susceptibility to lead poisoning also depends on genetic characteristics.

Lead poisoning, according to science, saturnism can be acute and chronic. The average person can encounter classic acute poisoning only at work, and then in very rare cases. With prolonged intake of lead into the body, a picture of chronic poisoning arises. Often, it is chronic lead poisoning that is sometimes associated with the difficulty of educating modern children. Many examples of lead poisoning can be found in history.

In Ancient Rome, for example, lead was held in high esteem. The famous plumbing from lead pipes, galvanized dishes and cosmetics. When examining the remains of the ancient Romans, the lead content was many times higher than the norm. There is a version that lead is to blame for the death of the great composer L. Beethoven. Some historians explain the tyranny and illness of many Russian tsars by lead poisoning. All this is history, but even today, unfortunately, poisoning in the modern environmental situation is very possible. Look around: garages, landfills, transport sites - any of them may contain used car batteries.

There is evidence that today, throughout the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, there are about 1 million tons of lead, precisely from such batteries, and this figure will grow. They are the sources of soil pollution, and, consequently, water and atmospheric air.

Source: https://lawyer99.ru/bez-rubriki/vreden-li-svinets-v-dome