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For more Information, contact Lauren Jenks
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Effects of Lead Poisoning

What is Lead Poisoning?

Lead poisoning is an illness that occurs when someone swallows or inhales toxic lead dust. Lead poisoning can cause permanent damage to the brain and central nervous system, as well as the heart and red blood cells.

Who is at Risk?

Anyone can get lead poisoning. However, children six years old and younger are most at risk of lead poisoning, because:

• Children's rapidly developing bodies absorb more lead than the bodies of mature adults.
• Young children explore their environment by placing objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them.
• Young children play inside on floors where lead dust is likely to collect, and outside in soil that can be lead-contaminated.

Effects of Childhood Lead Poisoning

Children are most sensitive to the damaging effects of lead, which is particularly harmful to cognitive and behavioral development. Children poisoned by lead may suffer irreversible cognitive and behavioral problems as a result of their early prolonged exposure, such as:

• Mental retardation
• Learning disabilities
• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
• Hearing problems
• Aggressive or violent behavior

High Level Childhood Lead Poisoning May Cause

• Delayed or reduced physical development
• Damage to the kidney, brain and nerves
• Serve cognitive disabilities
• Seizures or coma
• Death

Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning is especially dangerous because of the subtle and common nature of early stage symptoms; Children with elevated blood lead levels usually do not have any physical symptoms. However, at higher levels, lead poisoning may cause:

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Irritability
• Persistent tiredness or hyperactivity
• Headache
• Memory and concentration problems
• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Poor appetite