The greatest risk is to brain development, where irreversible damage can occur. Higher levels can damage the kidneys and nervous system in both children and adults. Very high lead levels may cause seizures, unconsciousness and death. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over months or years. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Preventing lead exposure.
Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Lowry JA. Childhood lead poisoning: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. Holstege does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Everything is a toxin, or has the potential to be, in the field of toxicology. All things are poison and nothing is without poison. Solely the dose determines that a thing is not a poison. Lead, however, is toxic at any dose. It serves no purpose in our body. Unlike most other toxins that our body can eliminate through metabolism and excretion, our body has no ability to purge lead. As a clinical toxicologist, I care for children and adults who have been exposed to lead and assure that those individuals receive the best possible care.
Lead can enter the body through a number of different routes, depending on the source of the element. Most commonly, it enters the body through ingestion or inhalation. As an example, toddlers are constantly placing items, including their hands, in their mouths.
If a toddler lives in an old home that was previously painted with leaded paint — which was banned in the United States in for use in homes — the child may ingest old lead paint chips or lead contaminated dust from their hands on a daily basis resulting in gastrointestinal absorption of lead. Lead can enter through the skin, or when a person breathes it in or eats or drinks something contaminated by lead.
Lead in the body can hurt the brain, kidneys, and other organs. Lead is toxic to everyone, but children younger than 6 years are at greatest risk for problems from it. Their bodies absorb lead more easily than those of older kids and adults. Children 9 months to 2 years are more likely to have higher lead levels because they crawl around and put their hands and other things in their mouth. Lead can pass from a mother to her unborn baby.
If you are pregnant and think you have been exposed to lead or were exposed in the past, talk to your doctor about getting a blood test to check lead levels.
The most common way that kids get lead poisoning is from lead-based paint in older homes. Lead paint was banned in the United states in the late s.
Gasoline also contained lead, which was released into the air in car exhaust. Kids are exposed to lead from chipping paint; house dust; and contaminated soil around older homes, streets, airports, and industrial areas. Many children with lead poisoning have no symptoms. Despite its name, the infection has nothing to do with poison….
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Discover why gasoline exposure can be dangerous for your health. Learn about gasoline poisoning, carbon monoxide poisoning, when to seek help, and…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Lead Poisoning. Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. It is also found in: art supplies contaminated dust gasoline products sold outside of the United States and Canada Lead poisoning usually occurs over a period of months or years.
Lead poisoning can be treated, but any damage caused cannot be reversed. What are the symptoms of lead poisoning?
What causes lead poisoning? Who is at risk for lead poisoning?
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