Lead Poisoning Threat to Human Life

Lead poisoning can be defined as a condition of a body in which level of lead is increased in body and blood of a human being. This increase level of toxic in a body effects large number of tissues and body organs. It can affect the vital parts of the body which includes bones, heart, nervous system, reproductive system and also excretory system.  

Means of Lead poisoning:

There are number of ways in which body can be poisoned with an element of lead. These include:

Polluted Environment:

Lead is common toxic, which can be found in the environment. You can find elements of lead in water, air and soil as well. People living near industrial areas, where industries are related to processing of lead batteries, lead metal recycling, etc.., are normally found lead poisoned. People in China demonstrated against government when around 2000 children were diagnosed as lead poisoned in August 2009.

Soil and water:

Soil containing lead elements is caused of lead poisoning in urban areas. There are a number of reasons for the presence of lead in soil like: use of pesticide, lead containing gasoline, paint residues, etc. Vegetables and fruits acquired from such soil can be sourced of increased lead intake. This soil lead can be consumed by water also. This increased lead in water caused water pollution also.

Hunting:

Normally, people use lead bullets while hunting. When these bullets penetrate the meat of animals, they dissolve lead in the meat. Consumption of this meat causes elevation of lead quantity in the human body.

Similarly using lead oriented products is also a source of lead poisoning. These products include Kohl in south Asia, lead based toys in China and Paint, etc.

Diagnosis of Lead Poisoning:

Lead poisoning can be diagnosed with the help of blood cells and bone structure. Altered structure of blood cells detected by the microscope and in children presence of intense lines within bones  can be detected by X-ray are evidence of increased level of lead in bodies.

Latest cure for Lead poisoning:

The first step in treatment for lead poisoning is the removal of elements of lead from blood. Afterwards with advancement if the field of medicine, doctors use medication for curing the disease. Latest medication used for treatment includes calcium-disodium or EDTA and Succimer or Chemet, which can be self administered also.

Prevention from Lead poisoning:

The basic way to avoid lead poisoning is to prevent from direct contact with lead containing products at the domestic and commercial level. The measures should be made by individual as well as health-related groups and government bodies.  Many authorities have reduced the allowed quantity of lead consumption like US environmental protection agency in October 2008 and Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directives by European Union.