Inorganic Lead Toxicology

Abstract

Lead is a health hazard for all humans. Especially children under the age of six are most at risk for lead poisoning. Lead toxicity causes hematological, gastrointestinal, and neurological dysfunction. Symptoms are usually noted with blood lead greater than 2 micromoles/L. Severe or prolonged exposure may also cause chronic nephropathy, hypertension, and reproductive impairment. Lead inhibits some enzymes, alters cellular calcium metabolism, stimulates synthesis of binding proteins in kidney, brain, and bone, and slows down nerve conduction. Acute lead poisoning is relatively infrequent and results from ingestion of acid soluble lead compounds or inhalation of lead vapors but chronic exposure to low levels of the metal is still a public health issue, especially among some minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Lead has been used since prehistoric times, and has become widely distributed and mobilized in the environment. Exposure to and uptake of this non-essential element have consequently increased. Both occupational and environmental exposures to lead remain a serious problem in many developing and industrializing countries and a public health problem of global dimensions.

Correlation of Toxicity with Lead Content in Root Tip Cells (Allium cepa L.)

“…It is possible that the blockade of the MI is due to the effect it has on intracellular metabolic elements that are inhibited once the metal enters into the cellular interior, for what the caused damage can be induced by a minimum quantity of Pb +2 , being defined as a threshold above which a blockade takes place, independent of the quantity of the accumulated metal. It has been claimed that Ca +2 can be replaced by Pb +2 , inducing calcium deficiency and inhibiting cells to activate Ca-ATPase, which, in turn, disturbs the cells' physiological activity [6]. The effect on the root growth can be due to its action on external mechanisms (hormones).…”

“…Lead can affect almost every organ and system of the human body. The most sensitive is the hematopoyectic and central nervous systems, particularly in children [1,5,6]. Also, it has been shown that lead is a probable carcinogen for humans by the US Environmental Protection Agency [7].…”

Designing a smart fluorescence chemosensor within the tailored channel of mesoporous material for sensitively monitoring toxic heavy metal ions Pb(II)

“…In nature, lead ubiquitously exists in various forms including elemental, inorganic and organic compounds. They are widely used in industrial and household products such as leaded gasoline, lead-based paint, mining, smelting, battery manufacturing and ceramic glazing [2,3]. Moreover, lead also remains in trace amount in soil, water and food [4].…”

Pica-associated cerebral edema in an adult

“…Lead has long been part of the human environment [1,2]. Lead use increased dramatically during the industrial revolution; however, after introduction of stringent hygienic standards in the lead industry, the frequency of acute poisoning has dramatically decreased.…”

“…Today, most cases of acute lead intoxication occur in children following ingestion of lead paint. Lead intoxication affects multiple organ systems including the CNS and PNS, hematopoietic, renal, vascular, reproductive, gastrointestinal and skeletal systems [1][2][3][4]. Acute liver failure has not been described as a part of acute or chronic lead intoxication, but some hepatic dysfunction has been reported [5].…”