June 1999 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Lead |
(Plomo) |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about lead. For more information, you
may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This
fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous
substances and their health effects. This information is important
because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure
to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration,
how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether
other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Exposure to lead
can happen from breathing workplace air or dust, eating
contaminated foods, or drinking contaminated water. Children
can be exposed from eating lead-based paint chips or playing
in contaminated soil. Lead can damage the nervous system,
kidneys, and reproductive system. Lead has been found
in at least 1,026 of 1,467 National Priorities List sites
identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). |
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What
is lead? |
Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray
metal found in small amounts in the earth's crust. Lead can
be found in all parts of our environment. Much of it comes
from human activities including burning fossil fuels, mining,
and manufacturing.
Lead has many different uses. It is used
in the production of batteries, ammunition, metal products
(solder and pipes), and devices to shield X-rays.
Because of health concerns, lead from
gasoline, paints and ceramic products, caulking, and pipe
solder has been dramatically reduced in recent years.
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What
happens to lead when it enters the environment? |
- Lead itself does not break down, but lead compounds are
changed by sunlight, air, and water.
- When lead is released to the air, it may travel long distances
before settling to the ground.
- Once lead falls onto soil, it usually sticks to soil particles.
- Movement of lead from soil into groundwater will depend
on the type of lead compound and the characteristics of
the soil.
- Much of the lead in inner-city soils comes from old houses
painted with lead-based paint.
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How
might I be exposed to lead? |
- Eating food or drinking water that contains lead.
- Spending time in areas where lead-based paints have been
used and are deteriorating.
- Working in a job where lead is used.
- Using health-care products or folk remedies that contain
lead.
- Engaging in certain hobbies in which lead is used (for
example, stained glass).
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How
can lead affect my health? |
Lead can affect almost every organ and
system in your body. The most sensitive is the central nervous
system, particularly in children. Lead also damages kidneys
and the reproductive system. The effects are the same whether
it is breathed or swallowed.
At high levels, lead may decrease reaction
time, cause weakness in fingers, wrists, or ankles, and possibly
affect the memory. Lead may cause anemia, a disorder of the
blood. It can also damage the male reproductive system. The
connection between these effects and exposure to low levels
of lead is uncertain.
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How
likely is lead to cause cancer? |
The Department of Health and Human Services
has determined that lead acetate and lead phosphate may reasonably
be anticipated to be carcinogens based on studies in animals.
There is inadequate evidence to clearly
determine lead's carcinogenicity in people.
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How
does lead affect children? |
Small children can be exposed by eating
lead-based paint chips, chewing on objects painted with lead-based
paint, or swallowing house dust or soil that contains lead.
Children are more vulnerable to lead
poisoning than adults. A child who swallows large amounts
of lead may develop blood anemia, severe stomachache, muscle
weakness, and brain damage. A large amount of lead might get
into a child's body if the child ate small pieces of old paint
that contained large amounts of lead. If a child swallows
smaller amounts of lead, much less severe effects on blood
and brain function may occur. Even at much lower levels of
exposure, lead can affect a child's mental and physical growth.
Exposure to lead is more dangerous for
young and unborn children. Unborn children can be exposed
to lead through their mothers. Harmful effects include premature
births, smaller babies, decreased mental ability in the infant,
learning difficulties, and reduced growth in young children.
These effects are more common if the mother or baby was exposed
to high levels of lead.
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How
can families reduce the risk of exposure to lead? |
- Avoid exposure to sources of lead.
- Do not allow children to chew or mouth painted surfaces
that may have been painted with lead-based paint (homes
built before 1978).
- Run your water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking or
cooking with it. This will get rid of lead that may have
leached out of pipes.
- Some types of paints and pigments that are used as make-up
or hair coloring contain lead.
- Keep these kinds of products away from children.
- Wash children's hands and faces often to remove lead dusts
and soil, and regularly clean the house of dust and tracked
in soil.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to lead? |
A blood test is available to measure
the amount of lead in your blood and to estimate the amount
of your exposure to lead. Blood tests are commonly used to
screen children for lead poisoning. Lead in teeth and bones
can be measured with X-rays, but this test is not as readily
available. Medical treatment may be necessary in children
if the lead concentration in blood is higher than 45 micrograms
per deciliter (45 µg/dL).
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Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) recommends that children ages 1 and 2 be screened for
lead poisoning. Children who are 3 to 6 years old should be
tested for lead if they have never been tested for lead before
and if they receive services from public assistance programs;
if they live in or regularly visit a building built before
1950; if they live in or visit a home built before 1978 that
is being remodeled; or if they have a brother, sister, or
playmate who has had lead poisoning. CDC considers children
to have an elevated level of lead if the amount in the blood
is 10 µg/dL.
The EPA requires lead in air not to exceed
1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (1.5 µg/m³) averaged
over 3 months. EPA limits lead in drinking water to 15 µg
per liter.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration
(OSHA) develops regulations for workers exposed to lead. The
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 banned the sale of leaded
gasoline. The Federal Hazardous Substance Act bans children's
products that contain hazardous amounts of lead.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 1999. Toxicological
Profile for lead. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Public Health Service.
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Where can I get more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns. For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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