Lead Poisoning Symptoms

Lead is said to be a slow poison. ‘Plumbism’ or lead poisoning is a toxic condition triggered by skin absorption, ingestion and inhalation of lead which is found in the air, soil, water, houses, ceramic cookware, and solder used in metal cans and pipes. Lead is toxic even in minute quantities. The decline of ancient Rome is purportedly ascribed to the rampant use of lead in tableware, weapons, cosmetics, wine-making and water pipes in aqueducts. More than 80% of American homes that were built before the year 1978 were painted with lead-based paints. It is said that one in every six children in America suffers from high levels of lead in the bloodstream, according to reports submitted by the ‘Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’. So, the older the home, the more likely it contains lead paint and the higher the concentration of lead in the paint. The main sources of lead in our daily lives include car exhaust gas, home decoration and toys for kids. Some cosmetics too contain lead. Unborn babies and young children are most vulnerable to plumbism. Lead stymies the production of hemoglobin and inactivates essential enzymes in the brain and the nervous system. The detrimental effects of lead manifest themselves decades later in the form of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, pre-senile dementia, impaired cognitive ability, gout and kidney damage. Read through the sections below for more information on lead poisoning symptoms.

Symptoms Of Lead Poisoning

Lead Poisoning Symptoms In Children

• Irritability or behavioral problems
• Pica (a medical disorder characterized by an appetite for substances largely non-nutritive such as metal coins, mud, razor blades)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Sluggishness or fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting or nausea
• Constipation
• Pallorfrom anemia
• Metallic taste in mouth
• Muscle and joint weakness or pain
• Seizures
• Stunted growth and reduced IQ
• Impaired hearing
• Brain damage
• Nerve damage
• Learning disabilities
• Hyperactivity
• Staggering
• Convulsions
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Kidney damage

• Metallic taste in mouth
• Unexplained changes in personality
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Blue-grey line along gums in the mouth
• Pregnancy problems
• Reproductive problems
• High blood pressure
• Digestive problems
• Nerve disorders
• Memory problems
• Inability to concentrate
• Weakened and painful muscles
• Joint pain
• Hearing Defects
• Reduced muscle endurance
• Uncontrollable rages
• Unexplained feelings of elation
• Mania
• Miscarriage
• Birth defects
• Eye and hand defects
• Anemia
• Reduced male fertility
• Kidney toxicity
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Wrist drop
• Hostility
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Cognitive changes
• Behavioral changes
• Irritability
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Memory loss
• Severe bouts of headaches
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Coma