Chemistry Honors
Ms.Casal 5th Period
Alison Alcantara
Jenae Avila
Chris Zuozo
How were these three families
harmed by lead, and what
does it do?
If three families are exposed to lead, then
the members of the family will be harmed
depending on the level of poisoning and
amount of exposure.
•Lead is a relatively rare element.
•Excessive, long-term exposure to lead may lead to severe health problems or even death.
•Lead is now the fifth most commonly used element in the world.
•Lead has also been used in the manufacture of some paints, ceramic glazes, ammunition, and solder,
and it is the preferred material for shielding X rays.
•About 60 percent of the lead exposure for adults comes from food, both fresh and canned. About 30
percent of the lead in humans comes from the inhalation of air.
•Lead is a toxic element that can cause both acute effects from short-term high dosage exposure and
chronic effects that result from long-term exposures at lower levels.
•Children and pregnant women are at particular high risk with regard to lead exposure. Children may
ingest higher levels of lead from soil, and the effects of lead poisoning in children begin at lower blood
levels. Lead can cause hearing disorders and even slow the growth of children.
•It isn’t always clear when lead poisoning has occurred, and it is one of the 6 primary pollutants
regulated by the Clean Air Act.
•Pregnant women are at high risk because lead can be released into the blood and cause damage to
the fetus and even a miscarriage.
•At high levels, lead poisoning can cause severe brain damage, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney
damage, and even death. At lower levels the symptoms of lead poisoning are not as severe and include
constipation, vomiting, abdominal pains, and loss of muscular coordination.
Main Ideas
1) Lead is a highly toxic metal that can negatively affect
humans and the environment.
Comments
1) a. Lead poisoning may cause a range of health effects, from
behavioral problems to learning disabilities.
b. At high levels, lead poisoning can cause severe brain damage,
gastrointestinal disorders, kidney damage, and even death.
c. At lower levels the symptoms of lead poisoning aren’t as severe
and include constipation, vomiting, abdominal pains, and loss of
muscular coordination.
2) Children and pregnant women are at particular high
risk with regard to lead exposure.
2) a. Children can get lead poisoning by putting hands or toys with
lead dust on them or in their mouths.
b. Lead can substitute for calcium in bones of pregnant women and
cause damage to the fetus, or even a miscarriage.
c. Lead poisoning can cause hearing disorders and even slow the
growth of children.
3) Lead has many uses, and it may be the most widely
distributed heavy metal.
3) a. Lead is now the fifth most commonly used element in the world.
b. This metal was used by ancient European and Chinese
civilizations for plumbing, storing wine, and ornaments.
c. Lead has since then been used in the manufacture of paints,
ammunition, solder, and it is the preferred material for shielding X
rays.
4) Lead was one of the six primary pollutants noted.
4) a. Lead is a relatively rare element.
b. About 60 percent of the lead exposure for adults comes from food,
both fresh and canned.
c. About 30 percent of the lead in humans comes from the inhalation
of air.
5) Lead can be prevented and sometimes clearly
detected.
5) a. In many cases, there are no visible symptoms of elevated bloodlead levels or lead poisoning.
b. The only way to be sure if one has lead poisoning is with a quick
and easy blood test.
c. The main treatment for lead poisoning is to stop the exposure as
soon as possible or in some cases medications are used to lower
blood-lead levels.
Child (BLL)
(x,y)
Peterson (16)
24,26
Hernandez (24.5)
21,23
Pierre (19)
25,27
Wendy (4)
26,30.5
Name of Child
Blood Lead Levels
Wendy
4
Lora (7)
23,32
Lora
7
Gustavo (10)
21,30
Gustavo
10
Paula (3)
17,28
Paula
3
Susana (13)
25.5,22
Susana
13
Dominick (8)
20,20
Joseph (5)
16,21
Dominick
8
Diane (6)
19,22
Joseph
5
Ken (9)
16.5,13
Diane
6
Ken
9
Possible Risk Site
(x,y)
Bulletproof Lead Smelting
Plant
18,21
Stinky’s Hazardous Waste
Site
18,27
Commando Gun Range
20,30.5
Catherine De Medici
Playground
21,27
Batteries R Us Battery
Plant
16,14.5
Lead is a relatively rare element. Known as one of the top six
primary pollutants which is also a metal, we should take precautions
to make sure we don’t come in contact with lead. Exposure to lead
causes lead poisoning, which depending on the level of exposure
leads to diseases, brain damage, kidney damage, death, and even
more. Lead poisoning can be prevented and detected as well. To
prevent children from coming in contact with lead, parents or
guardians should make sure they play in safe, clean areas and they
do not put old toys, paint, or any metals in their mouths. Adults
should be careful at workplaces such as car battery plants, radiator
shops, construction trades, or jobs that handle ammunition because
work clothes or materials that are brought home may be
contaminated with lead. These are just some of the many ways that
humans can come in contact with lead and that we should avoid. In
many cases, there are no visible symptoms of elevated blood-lead
levels or lead poisoning. The only way to be completely sure if one
has lead poisoning is with a quick and easy blood test. The main
treatment for lead poisoning is to stop the exposure as soon as
Allin, Craig. Lead Poisoning. (2000).
Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues (Vol. 2,
P.444-445).
California : Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (August 1997).
Public Health Statement. For Lead
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/phs8817.html
Headlam, Catherine. Lead. (1993).
The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia
(Page 393). New York :
Science Encyclopedia
Watt, Susan. (2002).
The Elements: Lead. New York:
Marshall Cavendish Corporation