In early , leaded petrol for cars was phased out in Australia high lead levels in soil can be caused by some industrial and mining activities. In areas with a history of high traffic flow, roadside soil may still contain lead deposited from traffic fumes prior to the removal of lead from petrol household dust may contain lead from a number of sources — including deteriorating lead-based house paints, contaminated soil or dust brought into the house drinking water can contain small amounts of lead.
The solder or fittings of some older pipes may contain lead which can dissolve into water that may be sitting in these pipes traditional and alternative medicines , usually sourced overseas, have been found to contain high levels of lead — cases of lead poisoning as a result of taking Ayurvedic treatments imported from India have been reported in Victoria some imported traditional cosmetics and applications, including eye liner manufactured in Pakistan and some other Asian, African or Middle-Eastern countries, have been found to contain high levels of lead illicit opium has been found to contain high levels of lead — cases of lead poisoning as a result of smoking or swallowing illicit opium originating from overseas have been reported in Victoria old toys for example, painted items or metal cars and toy soldiers may contain high levels of lead — Australian standards restrict the amount of lead in painted toys.
However, some imported toys have presented a risk. Also, very old cots or second-hand painted cots may contain unsafe levels of lead in the paintwork foods stored in pewter, lead crystal glassware or pottery containing lead-based glazing may become contaminated with lead. Imported cans from specialty stores with irregularly soldered side seams may contain high levels of lead.
Legislation restricts lead levels in Australian foods. Eating animals hunted using lead shot may also cause lead exposure metal objects such as jewellery, old coins, medals and curtain weights may contain lead. Young children and lead exposure Lead exposure can permanently damage the brain and impair intellectual development.
Children under five years of age are especially vulnerable to lead exposure because: they frequently put their hands, and held objects, to their mouth they absorb and retain more lead from their gut and airways than adults do their developing brains are more sensitive to the effects of lead. Symptoms of lead exposure Lead exposure can affect people differently, and symptoms often depend on the type of exposure. The symptoms may include: muscle pains fatigue abdominal pains headache nausea and vomiting seizures coma.
If a person is exposed to smaller amounts of lead over a longer time period, chronic long-term or ongoing lead exposure may produce symptoms such as: irritability lack of energy loss of appetite learning disabilities behavioural problems poor school performance poor coordination impaired growth.
Getting tested for lead exposure If you suspect that you or a member of your family has been exposed to lead, visit your doctor for further advice. Preventing exposure to lead If you think you or someone else may be in a situation where you are exposed to lead at home or work, you can reduce this exposure by: following appropriate safety regulations and practices at work and home if your job or hobby involves the use of lead.
This includes using proper personal protective equipment and washing your hands with hot soapy water before eating or smoking. Do not bring home lead-contaminated clothing to wash with the household laundry taking care when redecorating or renovating your home to reduce the amount of lead dust and reduce disturbance to old paint surfaces.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women and children under five should not be present in work areas during renovation activities seeking professional advice if you are unsure whether your home may contain lead paint. Use wet cleaning methods for dusty floors, ledges, window sills and other flat surfaces to minimise the risk of lead-containing dust getting into the air consulting with your water supplier or council environmental health officer if you suspect your drinking water may contain lead avoiding storing food or drink in pewter, lead crystal or glazed pottery containers.
Managing individual exposure to lead in Australia — a guide for health practitioners pdf , , National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Government. Give feedback about this page. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Lead Poisoning. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is lead poisoning? What causes lead poisoning? Adults are most often exposed to lead at work or while doing hobbies that involve lead. Who is at highest risk of lead poisoning? Children at highest risk include those who: Live in or regularly visit homes or buildings built before These buildings may have lead-based paint. The risk is even higher in buildings built before , when lead-based paint was more commonly used.
Are immigrants, refugees, or adoptees from other countries. Are 6 years old or younger. Young children are at higher risk because: They often put their hands and objects in their mouths. They sometimes swallow nonfood items. Their bodies absorb lead at a higher rate.
Their brains are developing quickly. Others at risk for lead poisoning include people who: Drink water that flows through pipes that were soldered with lead. Work with lead either in their job or as a hobby for example, metal smelters, pottery makers, and stained glass artists.
Eat food from cans made with lead solder. These types of cans aren't made in the United States. Cook or store food in ceramic containers. Some ceramic glaze contains lead that may not have been properly fired or cured. Eat or breathe traditional or folk remedies that contain lead, such as some herbs and vitamins from other countries.
Live in communities with a lot of industrial pollution. What are the symptoms? Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Lead Poisoning? Who Is at Risk for Lead Poisoning? Kids also can come into contact with lead through: water that flows through old lead pipes or lead solder food stored in bowls glazed or painted with lead some old or imported toys, jewelry, pottery, and cosmetics.
Lead has also been found in some imported candies and herbs. Symptoms of lead poisoning include: loss of appetite feeling tired or irritable poor growth nausea and vomiting constipation stomach pain joint pain and muscle weakness headaches Rarely, very high lead levels can cause confusion, seizures, coma, and death.
How Is Lead Poisoning Diagnosed? How Is Lead Poisoning Treated? To help prevent lead poisoning: Ask your doctor about having your kids tested for lead exposure. Get your home checked for lead if it was built before In children, the use of chelation therapy must be carefully monitored to avoid serious complications that can include permanent kidney damage or even death.
The treatment is often reserved for only those children with very high lead levels. Lead exposure in the U. In , the Environmental Protection Agency decided to begin phasing out lead as a gasoline additive. The phase-out was complete in Interestingly, this was not done for health reasons, but to allow the catalytic converters that cars required to meet new air pollution standards to function. However, the phase-out dramatically reduced the amount of lead deposited on the ground, where children could be exposed and ingest it while playing.
Then in , the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of lead paint from residential properties and homes. This action was solely based on health concerns. Together, these actions greatly reduced lead in the environment, with an added benefit of reducing blood lead levels in children. But there is still plenty of lead out there. And those who are poor or live in the shadow of abandoned industrial sites are often at greatest risk.
Much of the housing stock in the U. S, especially in eastern cities, dates to before lead paint was banned. Many homes, particularly in poor communities, still contain lead , and if the paint surfaces are not well maintained, the paint may flake off and form dust that can be inhaled and ingested.
0コメント