Diseases

Lead Poisoning

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Acute or chronic poisoning due to the absorption of lead into the body.

SYMPTOMS

Initially, lead poisoning can be hard to detect — even people who seem healthy can have high blood levels of lead. Signs and symptoms usually don't appear until dangerous amounts have accumulated.
Lead poisoning symptoms in children

Signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children include:

developmental delay
learning difficulties
irritability
loss of appetite
weight loss
sluggishness and fatigue
abdominal pain
vomiting
constipation
hearing loss
seizures
eating things, such as paint chips, that aren't food (pica)
Lead poisoning symptoms in newborns

Babies exposed to lead before birth might:

be born prematurely
have lower birth weight
have slowed growth
Lead poisoning symptoms in adults

Although children are primarily at risk, lead poisoning is also dangerous for adults. Signs and symptoms in adults might include:

high blood pressure
joint and muscle pain
difficulties with memory or concentration
headache
abdominal pain
mood disorders
reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm
miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth in pregnant women

CAUSES

Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in the earth's crust, but human activity — mining, burning fossil fuels and manufacturing — has caused it to become more widespread. Lead was also once used in paint and gasoline and is still used in batteries, solder, pipes, pottery, roofing materials and some cosmetics.