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LeadPoisoning

Everyone seems to carry on about how lead poisoning is such a bad thing, making it out to be some horrid situation like loosing an arm? or having someone poke out your eye? with a fork.

But is it really that bad?

The Question

How bad is lead poisoning, and does it cause a gruesome death??

The Quest

Using Google search as our ultimate authority?, the query "lead poisoning effects?" brought us to a very useful page:

"[In children]... Lead exposure? can cause:

• Brain damage?
• Nervous system? damage- can cause seizures, coma, and death
• Anemia
• Damage to the teeth
• Kidney function changes
• Behavioral problems
• Learning disorders?
• Delayed and/or slower growth
• Hearing problems
• Headaches

"¹

"Adults are affected by lead in different ways, sometimes leading to high blood pressure and damage to reproductive organs. Effects of lead poisoning in adults can cause:

• Death
• Coma
• Seizures
• Reproductive problems
• Digestive problems
• Listlessness
• Lack of coordination
• Vomiting
• Altered consciousness
• Bizarre behavior
• Loss of recently acquired skills?
• Pregnancy difficulties

"¹

The conclusions

Although there is a possibility that lead poisoning could cause some bad things to happen to you, it doesn't seem that you're automatically going to have a horrible death or anything.

Just be aware of lead that exists in your environment, as well as any other heavy metals? such as arsenic, mercury, antimony, etc... Try to minimize contact with these metals, as they might cause "Bizarre behavior" or other bad side effects.

Refs

• [1] -- http://www.lead-poisoning-resources.com/

RobinsonTryon - 19 Mar 2003