What makes lead poisonous?

As everybody now knows, lead is a toxic metal. It is the element that we always hear about when hazardous substance testing reveals a problem with a consumer good (see toy recalls). Unfortunately, lead is also a very useful metal that has been used for ages in the manufacturing of everything from dishware to paint to electronics to jewelry. Only in the recent past have efforts been made to limit (or eliminate) lead from products (gasoline and house paint, for starters).

Lead has a number of harmful affects and can affect anybody but is particularly harmful in the development of children. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.2 percent of children in the United States between the ages of 1 and 5 years have blood levels of lead greater than or equal to 10 micrograms per deciliter. This amount has been linked with harmful health effects, in particular learning disabilities and behavior problems.

Lead does not provide any benefit to the human body – but, what causes the toxic effects of lead? It is poisonous when in a body because of the way it mimics other important and useful metals (commonly zinc and calcium). By binding with the normal molecular structures of enzymes in place of the helpful metals, lead limits the ability of the enzyme to function as it normally would and creates the various problems. For example, when lead takes the place of calcium then nerve impulses will not react properly. Even a small amount of lead can cause problems for children or adults and regulations will help to ‘get the lead out’ and keep everybody safe.

(this posting was written utilizing a variety of technical sources; please contact us for information on those)