NO SAFE LEVEL OF LEAD EXPOSURE – Health Risks
There is no safe level of lead exposure for humans. Period. Children, especially, are at risk from lead’s toxicity. Such is supported by the most current research and study by scientists and many prominent health officials globally.
The purpose of this page is to provide information, articles, etc. related to the health dangers related to lead exposure:
REPORT: NEW HEALTH ISSUES FOR CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS TIED TO LOW-LEVEL LEAD EXPOSURE
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STORY FROM THE NATIONAL DISEASE CLUSTER ALLIANCE
DALLAS MORNING NEWS
“Frisco Residents Wonder if Lead Caused Learning Problems”
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“In this study, researchers found that a blood level of lead over two micrograms/deciliter (that’s two, not 10 or 40) caused dramatic increases in heart attacks, strokes and death. In fact, after controlling for all other risk factors, including cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and inflammation, the researchers found that the risk of death from all causes in people with a lead level that high increased by 25 percent. Deaths from heart disease increased by 55 percent, risk of heart attacks increased by 151 percent and risk of stroke increased by 89 percent.
What’s even more remarkable is that nearly 40 percent of all Americans are estimated to have blood levels of lead high enough to cause these problems. This is potentially a greater risk for heart disease than cholesterol! But this study is not the first indication we have of problems with lead.” (Read full story and watch related video at link below.
“WHY LEAD POISONING MAY BE CAUSING YOUR HEALTH PROBLEMS”
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VIDEO
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“LEAD IS A POISON AT ALL LEVELS, DOCS SAY”
“We now know that lead is a poison at all levels,” she said, adding that the prior concept that lead levels had to reach a certain threshold to damage a child’s developmental progress or IQ no longer holds true, according to Dr. Helen Binns at the Children’s Memorial Lead Evaluation Clinic in Chicago, who says the message is trickling out slowly to parents and pediatricians alike.”
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IDENTIFYING AND MANAGING ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS:
LEAD EXPOSURE
From the Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.; the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; the Health Promotion and Environmental Health Protection Office, Toronto Public Health, Toronto, Ont.; and the Community Medicine Residency Program, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.
LEAD LEVELS IN NORTH AMERICAN CHILDREN AND ADULTS have declined in the past 3 decades, but lead persists in the environment in lead paint, old plumbing and contaminated soil. There are also a number of occupations and hobbies that carry a high risk of lead exposure.
There is no evidence for a threshold below which lead has no adverse health effects. Blood lead levels previously considered safe are now known to cause subtle, chronic health effects.
The health effects of lead exposure include developmental neurotoxicity, reproductive dysfunction and toxicity to the kidneys, blood and endocrine systems. Most lead exposures are preventable, and diagnosing lead poisoning is relatively simple compared with diagnosing health effects of exposures to other environmental toxins. Accurate assessment of lead poisoning requires specific knowledge of the sources, high-risk groups and relevant laboratory tests. In this article we review the multiple, systemic toxic effects of lead and provide current information on groups at risk, prevention, diagnosis and clinical treatment.
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THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES’ NATIONAL TOXICOLOGY PROGRAM
This is a good site to follow some of the latest research into the health effect of low-level lead exposure. Click here to explore for yourself.
