Lead poisoning

Lead (Pb) is a ubiquitous and typical toxic contaminant released into the environment from natural and anthropogenic sources. Lead enters the body via ingestion or inhalation from sources such as soil, food, lead dust, consumer products, and contact with lead in products of everyday use and in the workplace.

Globally, the majority of Pb exposure in humans occurs through food consumption. Though Pb is not added to food intentionally, it remains a serious contaminant of food, either through deposition from the air or uptake from soil and leadedagrochemicals during growth.

Its negative health effects can be both acute and chronic, because the human body poorly excretes lead. Lead affects virtually all the human body system, including the blood, the cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune and reproductive systems.

Lead poisoning can cause learning, hearing, and behavioral problems, and can harm child’s brain, kidneys, and other organs. Lead in the body stops good minerals such as iron and calcium from working right.

In adults, Pb causes cardiovascular, central nervous system, kidney, and fertility problems. During pregnancy, Pb can also hamper fetal growth in the early stage.
Lead poisoning