Lead's Effect On The Body

4 Pages 890 Words

What Is Lead?
Lead is a common metal found naturally in the earth. The ancient Egyptians used lead in cosmetics and the ancient Romans used it to transport drinking water. Today lead is used in many products including batteries, solder, paint, fishing weights, pottery glaze, and ammunition. Lead has also been added to gasoline to reduce engine knocking. However, in the United States and much of Europe, only "lead-free" gasoline is now available.
Where Is Lead Found?
* Paint: in the United States, paint with lead was used in many houses built before 1978. Lead helps paint last longer and stick better to surfaces. After 1978, paint with added lead was banned for use on the inside and outside of houses. Paint dust and chips from older homes may contain lead and could be inhaled or eaten accidentally. Small children are especially at risk because they may not wash their hands before they put them in their mouths.
* Drinking water: lead is found in many plumbing pipes and fittings and in solder used in older water systems. People may drink water contaminated by lead that has leached into the water supply. The Safe Drinking Water Act passed by the US Congress in 1986 put restrictions on the use of lead-containing materials for delivering drinking water.
* Canned food: lead solder was used to seal canned foods in the United States until 1995. Lead solder may still be used in other countries and may contaminate canned goods imported into the United States.
* Soil: lead dust may settle on the ground and be eaten. This dust may be from lead paint on buildings or from the exhaust of cars that used leaded gasoline.
* Pottery with lead glaze: some dishes and cups are made with glazes that contain lead. Lead can leach out of the plate or cup and contaminate food.
* Miniblinds: some imported vinyl miniblinds have been found to contain lead. When these miniblinds break down, they may release lead dust into the air.


How Does Lead Aff...