...Question 1: Lead and lead poisoning Lead is a natural metal found in the earth. Lead poisoning can occur if exposure to high levels of lead happens within a short period of time. Lead enters the body via: •Water: About 20% of lead exposure comes through water because water runs through lead pipes connected to our taps. • Air that has been contaminated • Food It enters canned food which were sealed with lead solder. •Soil: lead dust that might have settled on soil and then eaten. Lead poisoning affects more kids than adults. The largest threat to children is lead paint. Whether lead is breathed in or swallowed in, it still causes the same health problems. Problems related to overexposure of lead are, amongst others: • Constant headaches • Pains in the abdomen • Being tired all the time •Constipation • Fatigue •Forgetfulness In extreme cases, lead poisoning can lead to: •brain damage •kidney failure •cancer •seizures Very high levels of lead exposure can also be fatal. Lead is toxic to the nervous system, bones and heart. The symptoms of lead poisoning in children doesnot always show if the child has lead poisoning. It is important for educators to try and prevent lead exposure to children of all ages by putting certain measures in place. For example: •Educate learners of safe drinking habits, eg. Not to drink water from the bathroom taps, to let the tap run a little bit before drinking water, Encourage the drinking of bottled water • Ensure that equipment is well maintained...
Words: 289 - Pages: 2
...Lead Toxicity Animals can be exposed to material that contains lead by eating, drinking and inhaling. An item that most commonly is chewed and digested that contains lead is paint chips from older houses or barns. Drinking water from the faucet that has been contaminated with lead and served to the domestic pet. Household pets that use everyday batteries as play toys with licking and chewing. Insecticides can be inhaled by an animal while spraying is being performed. Even if a domestic pet or farm animal gets shot by a lead bullet, the body absorbs the lead concentrate. “Lead is absorbed into the body through the gastrointestinal tract or by inhalation of dust”. (Wismer, 2016). Any animal species can get lead poisoning if they have...
Words: 388 - Pages: 2
...Importance of Lead Poisoning * It can cause serious harmful problems effects on the body including: hearing, anemia, peripheral neuropathies, wrist/foot drop, encephalopathy, seizures, coma, and even death. It can also cause children to have lower IQ scores and behavioral issues. * Lead stays within the body for decades, stored within the bones of the human body. * In pregnant women, lead can cross the placental barrier and cause harm to the fetus such as reduced growth and prematurity. Importance of Lead Poisoning * It can cause serious harmful problems effects on the body including: hearing, anemia, peripheral neuropathies, wrist/foot drop, encephalopathy, seizures, coma, and even death. It can also cause children to have lower IQ scores and behavioral issues. * Lead stays within the body for decades, stored within the bones of the human body. * In pregnant women, lead can cross the placental barrier and cause harm to the fetus such as reduced growth and prematurity. Lead Poisoning in Infants Lead Poisoning in Infants Resources Available * Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program (Tucson)-Serves low-income families with children under 6 years old. 310 N. Commerce Park Loop, Tucson, AZ 85745 520-791-4171 * Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program-Focuses on food, candies, Mexican folk remedies, and ceramics 150 N. 18th Ave., Ste. 130, Phoenix, Az 85007 602-364-3118 * National Resource * Web-Based Resource ...
Words: 947 - Pages: 4
...Why is it important? * Lead is harmful to child’s brain. It affects child’s behavior, development, ability to learn. Little kids are at higher risk for lead poisoning because they like to chew on objects and to put everything in the mouth. * Just a few particles of dust from lead-based paint are enough to poison a child (LeadFreeKids.org 2015) Why is it important? * Lead is harmful to child’s brain. It affects child’s behavior, development, ability to learn. Little kids are at higher risk for lead poisoning because they like to chew on objects and to put everything in the mouth. * Just a few particles of dust from lead-based paint are enough to poison a child (LeadFreeKids.org 2015) LEAD POISONING LEAD POISONING References: McKinney, E. (2005). Maternal-child nursing. St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier Saunders. California Department of Public Health,. (2007). Simple Steps to protect your Child from Lead. Retrieved 13 December 2015, from https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/CLPPB/Documents/CLPPB-SimpleSteps(E).pdf Leadfreekids.org,. (2015). Leadfreekids.org. Retrieved 13 December 2015, from http://www.leadfreekids.org/ Vivier, P. M., Hauptman, M., Weitzen, S. H., Bell, S., Quilliam, D. N., & Logan, J. R. (2011). The important health impact of where a child lives: Neighborhood characteristics and the burden of lead poisoning. Maternal And Child Health Journal, 15(8), 1195-1202. doi:10.1007/s10995-010-0692-6 Dewalt, F. G., Cox, D. C., O'Haver...
Words: 1165 - Pages: 5
...Childhood lead poisoning can be the most preventable illness known to babies today and a lead free environment can save their lives. * It is vital for your baby’s well-being for to get a blood test which will reveal any lead poisoning. * Get your home checked for any lead based products so that your baby and family are not exposed to this toxin. * Beware of what purchases you make outside the U.S., which may contain lead and can poison your baby. Childhood lead poisoning can be the most preventable illness known to babies today and a lead free environment can save their lives. * It is vital for your baby’s well-being for to get a blood test which will reveal any lead poisoning. * Get your home checked for any lead based products so that your baby and family are not exposed to this toxin. * Beware of what purchases you make outside the U.S., which may contain lead and can poison your baby. Mona Elshazly References LeadFreeKids.org. (2012) Your Kids: Protect your kids. Retrieved from http://www.leadfreekids.org/my_kids/index.php Mayo Clinic. (2012). Lead poisoning. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lead-poisoning Illinois Department of Public Health. (2009). Childhood Lead Poisoning. Retrieved from http://www.idph.state.il.us Millstone, Erik. (1997). Lead and Public Health: The Dangers for children. Earthscan. Fowler, Bruce A. (1993). Measuring Lead Exposure in infants, children, and other sensitive...
Words: 1261 - Pages: 6
...Lead poisoning can have serious effects on development in children. Because lead is present everywhere in our environment, parents need to be especially diligent to supervise their children when around known lead sources (Graziano 2002). Lead is not only dangerous to youth after birth, but also while still in utero, as it is a teratogen. One case example of this is a pregnant woman who had been shot 15 years prior to pregnancy. A bullet had been lodged in her spine and remained there. The lead from the bullet caused lead poisoning in her and her child (https://www.poison.org/articles/2011-dec/unusual-sources-of-lead-poisoning). Symptoms of lead poisoning can be misleading and only with a blood test can it be determined. However, common symptoms and long-term effects are abdominal pain, sleep problems, headaches, high blood pressure, anemia, and kidney dysfunction. Prolonged exposure can lead to low IQ, problems with hearing, and growth delays. Further, very high toxic doses of lead poisoning could even produce “emergency” symptoms like muscle weakness, seizures, and coma (https://www.healthline.com/health/lead-poisoning#symptoms)....
Words: 395 - Pages: 2
...CHILDREN WITH LEAD POISONING A physician working for the US Public Health Service moves to Los Angeles to assume the directorship of an inner-city health care facility for the disadvantaged. Over a period of time, she notices that an unusually large number of children brought to clinic are experiencing joint pain, difficulty walking and excessive salivation. Some have had seizures. Also many of their parents note that the children’s personalities have changed, with normally outgoing children becoming shy and withdrawn. The physician decides to investigate the situation and contacts the CDC, which sends an epidemiologist to assist her. They obtain more complete medical histories for 15 children, ranging from 6-15 years of age and perform blood and urine tests on each. In addition to the signs and symptoms already noted, the children frequently report numbness and tingling in their limbs; they perform poorly on hearing, vision and intelligence tests; their lab results how reduced RBC counts and traces of lead in blood and urine. All of these children live in the same housing project, play together in the same neighborhood and contribute a little to the family finances by salvaging scrap metal from a closed manufacturing plant nearby and selling it to recyclers. When the epidemiologist inspects the site, he finds paint peeling from the factory walls and dust on the floor composed in large part of pulverized paint chips. Analysis of the paint chips and dust reveals a high lead content...
Words: 1216 - Pages: 5
...Childhood lead poisoning is one of the most common pediatric problems currently in the United States, despite the fact that it’s very preventable. Lead poisoning is a danger because in most cases, it is without symptoms; therefore, it can go undiagnosed and even untreated. In statements published by the CDC in 1985, the threshold for blood lead level was 25 µg/dL, however it was noted that adverse effects occur at levels as low as 10 µg/dL [3]. Since health effects have been noted in levels even lower than 10 µg/dL, there is no set threshold as to what level of lead poisoning can be considered a danger. Therefore, primary prevention utilizes the involvement of pediatric health-care providers, public housing agencies, and public organizations...
Words: 1003 - Pages: 5
...What is lead poisoning and the effects of it on humans? Lead Poisoning Lead is a highly common element with an atomic number of 82. It is very soft which makes it very malleable. It is also a weak conductor for electricity. Lead is naturally found in soil and is quite poisonous. During the 1920’s and 2000, tons of millions of lead were mined and were enormous during the 20th century. Lead was normally used as a resource in items until the 1970’s. This hazardous material was commonly found in inexpensive children toys and jewelry, window blinds (the continuous exposure of UV rays caused the blinds to degrade), pipes, bullets, and was used in radioactive situations (radiation suits/x-rays). It is also found in drinking water: the pipes overtime corrode causing it to enter into the water. The most common source was from paint; specifically old paint. Lead had the ability to enhance the quality of it which made it able to last longer and cover the surface it was upon better. However, in 1978 the government banned the use of lead paint. Numerous houses and toys before this probably contained lead-based paint. This was very problematic because when paint chips or turns into dust, it floats in the air which can be harmful when it gets into your system. This is also known as lead poisoning. When lead is inhaled or swallowed it is very hazardous and poisonous. Once inside the body it is circulated throughout the body like many minerals such as calcium, zinc, and iron. Lead is like...
Words: 566 - Pages: 3
...Literature Review Background on Lead Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in small amounts (0.002%) throughout the earth’s surface and deep beneath the ground (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2014; Environmental Protection Agency, 2014; World Health Organization, 2010). It is described as a heavy, low melting, and bluish-gray metal (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 2007). The toxicity of lead has been known ever since Roman times (WHO, 2010), when a Greek physician and poet, Nicander, described it as “gleaming, deadly white lead” (Needleman, 2009, p. 235) and, Dioscorides, a physician of Nero, described “lead makes the mind give away” (Needleman, 2009, p. 235). World Health Organization cites (Eisinger,...
Words: 2164 - Pages: 9
...What is lead? Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in small amounts of the Earth’s crust. Although lead has been previously used as an ingredient in paint, gas, and plumbing, it is poisonous and can be dangerous to your and your child’s health. Why is lead harmful? Once lead is consumed it is incorporated into the skeletal system and can cause severe health problems. Lead can be especially harmful to children under the age of six because they absorb more lead than adults and their nervous systems and brain are more sensitive to lead’s toxic effects. Lead exposure in children can cause numerous problems in a child’s development and behavior, such as: • Damage to the brain and nervous system • Slowed growth and development (such as delayed puberty) • Learning and behavioral problems • Hearing and speech problems How do children get lead poisoning?...
Words: 403 - Pages: 2
...Eating habits have been changing rapidly in modern India. While traditionally, Indian families used to cook food at home with healthy ingredients and knew what went into the meal, in modern times, with rising incomes and affluence, more and more people are moving away to readymade fast foods and eating regularly at restaurants. The food in many of these outlets is cooked with poor quality ingredients to attract and satisfy the palate rather than provide a wholesome nutritional meal. We now have a lot more varieties and the choices are many. Though, some of us may not be aware of the fact that the food we consume may be adulterated, 25 to 30 per cent of the food items in India are intentionally adulterated. Impure, unsafe Food adulteration is the addition or removal of any substances to or from food, so that the natural composition and quality is affected. Adulterated food is impure, unsafe and not wholesome. Food can be adulterated intentionally and accidentally. Unintentional adulteration is a result of ignorance or the lack of facilities to maintain food quality. This may be caused by spill over effect from pesticides and fertilisers. Inappropriate food handling and packaging methods can also result in adulteration. Intentional food adulteration is usually done for financial gain. The most common form of intentional adulteration is colour adulteration. Some examples of intentional adulteration are addition of water to liquid milk, extraneous matter to ground spices...
Words: 701 - Pages: 3
...named Elmer Galbraith who has mysteriously contracted lead poisoning and is frantically searching for the cause to his illness. Throughout the story Carey uses suspense and dialogue to grab the attention of the everyday reader. The most obvious way that Carey builds interest is by creating suspense. He begins the story by describing the symptoms that Elmer has, continuing to do so for the first five paragraphs. As the story progresses, the interest towards Elmer’s illness grows. Once Carey has the reader hooked, he reveals that Elmer is actually suffering from lead poisoning. After Elmer’s illness is revealed, the reader stars to wonder what is actually causing the lead poisoning, which creates even more suspense. Using suspense keeps the reader interested and alert throughout the story. If Carey simply stated at the beginning that Elmer suffered from lead poisoning obtained by chewing plastic wire coating, then the reader would not read the rest of the story to learn about the symptoms and complications of lead poisoning. By creating suspense, Carey ensures readers actively read and understand the story. Another way that Benedict Carey is able to grab the interest of the reader is through dialogue. Reading words that were actually spoken by the characters is an excellent way to draw the audience into the story. For instance, the conversation between Galbraith and Kelley about the possible causes of the lead poisoning successfully accomplishes this goal. The reader gets a...
Words: 542 - Pages: 3
...Lead Poisoning Lead Poisoning * Each year in the United States 310,000 1- to 5-year-old kids are found to have unsafe levels of lead in their blood, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms, from headaches and stomach pain to behavioral problems and anemia. * Lead poisoning can lead to decreased bone and muscle growth, poor muscle coordination, developmental delay, speech, hearing and kidney problems. * Since child’s brain is developing, lead poisoning can lead to mental impairment. * Each year in the United States 310,000 1- to 5-year-old kids are found to have unsafe levels of lead in their blood, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms, from headaches and stomach pain to behavioral problems and anemia. * Lead poisoning can lead to decreased bone and muscle growth, poor muscle coordination, developmental delay, speech, hearing and kidney problems. * Since child’s brain is developing, lead poisoning can lead to mental impairment. When the body is exposed to lead — by being inhaled, swallowed, or in a small number of cases, absorbed through the skin — it can act as a poison. Exposure to high lead levels in a short period of time is called acute toxicity. Exposure to small amounts of lead over a long period of time is called chronic toxicity. When the body is exposed to lead — by being inhaled, swallowed, or in a small number of cases, absorbed through the skin — it can act as a poison. Exposure to high lead levels in a short period of time...
Words: 898 - Pages: 4
...Eating habits have been changing rapidly in modern India. While traditionally, Indian families used to cook food at home with healthy ingredients and knew what went into the meal, in modern times, with rising incomes and affluence, more and more people are moving away to readymade fast foods and eating regularly at restaurants. The food in many of these outlets is cooked with poor quality ingredients to attract and satisfy the palate rather than provide a wholesome nutritional meal. We now have a lot more varieties and the choices are many. Though, some of us may not be aware of the fact that the food we consume may be adulterated, 25 to 30 per cent of the food items in India are intentionally adulterated. Impure, unsafe Food adulteration is the addition or removal of any substances to or from food, so that the natural composition and quality is affected. Adulterated food is impure, unsafe and not wholesome. Food can be adulterated intentionally and accidentally. Unintentional adulteration is a result of ignorance or the lack of facilities to maintain food quality. This may be caused by spill over effect from pesticides and fertilisers. Inappropriate food handling and packaging methods can also result in adulteration. Intentional food adulteration is usually done for financial gain. The most common form of intentional adulteration is colour adulteration. Some examples of intentional adulteration are addition of water to liquid milk, extraneous matter to ground spices...
Words: 446 - Pages: 2
