Lead is a type of metal found in the earth’s crust. It is present in paints, leaded gasoline, and batteries. Therefore, it is harmful, and exposure to it may cause lead poisoning and other health problems. Inhaling and exposure to it are the common cause of poisoning. Also, this metal is an ingredient in making some make-up or jewelry. Children are the most common victims of lead poisoning. Even the dust of this metal is very dangerous to our health.
1. Lead Affects to the Body
Lead exposure may cause anemia, weakness, kidney and brain damage. Direct contact with it may cause death. Likewise, children are more susceptible to lead poisoning compared to adults. The brain and body of young children are still developing. Contact with this metal is harmful. It may cause the brain not to develop fully and may cause disability. For adults, it may increase the risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage. Pregnant women who come in contact with it may lose their baby. In case the unborn child had contact with it, then it can lead to damages of the organs.
The body can absorb lead and enter our bloodstream. 70% to 20% of it enters the human body.
2. Lead Exposure is Preventable
Here are different ways to prevent lead poisoning.
· Wash hands and toys
Your child would put the toys inside their mouth. It is important to wash their toys and hands. Also, check if the toy you are about to buys does not contain lead so that you can protect your child from lead toxicity.
· Clean dusty surface
Lead dust can be present in the dusty areas of your house. Therefore, clean your floors with a wet mop and dust off the dusty counters. Hence, to make sure that everyone in your household would not inhale lead dust.
· Remove shoes before entering the house
Have separate footwear inside and outside the house. Hence, it is to prevent possible lead-infected footwear from entering the house. Additionally, it is because soil can also contain lead.
· Prevent children from playing soil
It is fun to do outdoor activities with your child and get dirty. However, these activities may expose them to lead. An alternative to this fun activity is by providing a sandbox.
· Eat a healthy diet
Make sure that you are consuming healthy and lead-free foods. Also, eating healthy and complete meals may lessen lead absorption in the body. Therefore, it is important for children to take their daily vitamin C and calcium.
· Keep your home well-maintained
Moreover, it is challenging for those busy homemakers. If you are using lead-based paint, check it from time to time. You contact a professional if there are problems.
3. There is no Direct Cure
There is a treatment available, but the damage caused by the toxicity of lead is not reversible. As they say, prevention is far more important than looking for tons of cure. Even the smallest amount of lead that enters the body can accumulate, which causes damage to the body.
The first treatment to lead poisoning is to get rid of lead sources within the patient’s environment. Above all, if the patient shows low levels of lead, he or she must avoid any sources of lead.
4. Symptoms and Diagnosis
There are different symptoms of lead toxicity in a patient’s body.
For children, the symptoms are:
- Developmental delay
- Learning difficulties
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
For newborns:
- Born earlier
- Lower birth weight
- Slowed growth
For adults:
- High blood pressure
- Joint and muscle pain
- Difficulty in concentration
- Headache and abdominal pain
- Reduced sperm count
- Miscarriage
Moreover, even less exposure to lead may still cause damage over time. Avoid the children from coming into contact with lead sources. Also, make sure to do your research about another source of lead so that you can keep yourself and your family safe.
To diagnose lead poisoning, your doctor will conduct a physical examination. However, the symptoms of lead poison may also be a symptom of other diseases. After that, they will take a sample of your blood for a blood test. Also, lead can be present in our bloodstream; this test would determine if you are positive or not for the lead.
Furthermore, it is good to keep you and your children safe from this harmful metal. Additionally, it can hide in the food and water you drink or in the vibrant color paint in your house. To avoid contamination, get rid of all the lead-containing things.
