What is lead?

Lead is a metal that is widely distributed in the earth's crust (soil and rocks), air and water. It is largely emitted into environment as inorganic salts. Exposure to inorganic lead occurs primarily through food and drinking water, although exposure via soil and dust, air, and paint chips significantly contribute to the overall exposure.

What is lead used for?

The use of lead in petrol, paint and pipes has now been phased out. It is now used in occupations such steel welding, battery manufacturing and plumbing and as part of glazings for pottery.

How does lead get into the environment?

Lead predominantly gets into the environment as a result of industrial emissions from mining, smelting, recycling or waste incineration.

How will I be exposed to lead?

Most people are exposed to lead by eating or drinking food or drink containing lead. In addition, lead may be inhaled in lead-contaminated air, such as exhaust fumes. In children, the ingestion of flaking paint, paint chips or soil is the major source of exposure. People working in industries that use lead may breathe it in the air.

If there is lead in the environment will I have any adverse health effects?

The presence of lead in the environment does not always lead to exposure. Clearly, in order for it to cause any adverse health effects you must come into contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance or by skin contact. Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.

Eating food or drink or breathing in air contaminated with lead or lead compounds for a short time usually does not cause any ill effects. In rare cases it may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or kidney damage.

Exposure over a long period may cause people to become anaemic, lethargic and irritable or cause headaches, muscle tremors, kidney or liver damage, nausea, vomiting or high blood pressure.

Can lead cause cancer?

The International Agency for the Research on Cancer classified lead and its compounds as probably carcinogenic to humans, as lung, bladder and kidney cancer was seen in workers occupationally exposed to lead.

Does lead affect children or damage the unborn child?

Children who are exposed to lead in the womb or during the first years of life may have a lower IQ, behavioural problems, nerve damage or delayed growth. The underlying assumption is that no exposure to lead is completely harmless . Being exposed to lead for a long time can also affect both male and female reproduction, leading to miscarriage, stillbirths or premature births.

What should I do if I am exposed to lead?

It is very unlikely that the general population will be exposed to a level of lead high enough to cause adverse health effects.

 

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