Impact of Lead Poison on Children

Impact of Lead Poison on Children

Introduction

Lead is a toxic metal found naturally in the earth's crust. Its widespread use has resulted in many parts of the world to a major environmental pollution, a significant level of human exposure and serious public health problems. The main sources of air pollution include mining, metallurgy, manufacturing and recycling activities and in some countries, the persistent use of paints and leaded gasoline. Over three parts of world consumption of lead correspond to the manufacture of lead-acid batteries for motor vehicles. However, this metal is also used in many other products such as pigments, paints, solder, stained glass, glass tableware, ammunition, ceramic enamels, jewelry and toys, as well as in some cosmetics and medicines. Can also contain lead drinking water channeled through lead pipes or solder to the metal base. Today, much of the lead traded on world markets is obtained through recycling (Needleman, 2004).

The young children are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead, which can cause serious and permanent health consequences, affecting in particular the development of the brain and nervous system. Lead also causes lasting damage in adults, including increasing the risk of hypertension and renal injury. In pregnant women, the exposure to high concentrations of lead can cause natural abortion, stillbirth, premature delivery and low birth weight, and cause minor birth defects.

Lead has serious consequences on the health of children. If the degree of exposure is high, attacks the brain and central nervous system and can cause coma, convulsions and even death. Children who survive severe poisoning may develop various squeal such as mental retardation or behavioral disorders. It has further been found that exposure levels weaker without obvious symptoms, previously considered risk-free, lead can cause a variety of disorders in various systems of the human organism. In children affects in particular the development of the brain, which in turn implies a reduction in IQ, behavioral changes-for example, decreased concentration and increased antisocial behavior and lower academic performance. Lead exposure may also cause anemia, hypertension, renal dysfunction, immunotoxicity and reproductive toxicity. It is believed that the neurological and behavioral effects associated with irreversible lead (Byers, & Lord, 1943).

There is no level of lead concentration in blood can consider risk-free. Itself has been confirmed, however, that the higher the level of exposure to lead, rather increase diversity and severity of symptoms and effects associated with it. Even blood concentrations that do not exceed 5 ug / dl-level considered safe until recently-can lead to a lowering of the child's intelligence and behavior problems and learning difficulties. An encouraging fact is that the phasing out of leaded gasoline in most countries has helped to significantly reduce blood concentration in the population. Today, its use is still permitted in only six countries.

Discussion

Effects of low lead exposure in neuronal development

Subclinical lead poisoning due to exposure "low-level" has become increasingly important in the area of public health, due to the evidence that only 10 NPS to 20 mg / dl have been ...