Implications of new data on lead toxicity for managing and preventing exposure

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Environmental Health Perspectives; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.908949· OSTI ID:5718309

Silbergeld, E K ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore (USA)

Recent advances in research on low-level lead poisoning point to the need to increase efforts to prevent exposure. Current biomedical consensus accepts that blood lead levels as low as 5 to 15 mcg/dL are risky to fetuses, young children, and adults. Lead at low dose is associated with increased blood pressure in adults, and chronic exposure has been associated in cohort studies with kidney disease and cancer. Data on lead toxicokinetics also points to the hazards of low-level, chronic exposure, since the lead that is accumulated over time in bone can be released at a relatively rapid rate during pregnancy and menopause. Sources that contribute to current lead exposure of the general population include unabated lead-based paint and contaminated soils, as well as lower level but pervasive sources in drinking water, food, and consumer products.

• OSTI ID: 5718309
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives; (USA), Vol. 89; ISSN 0091-6765
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LEAD COMPOUNDS
TOXICITY
ADULTS
BLOOD CHEMISTRY
BLOOD PRESSURE
CHILDREN
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
DRINKING WATER
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
FETUSES
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INCINERATORS
KIDNEYS
PAINTS
PREGNANCY
SMELTERS
SOILS
AGE GROUPS
BODY
COATINGS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POPULATIONS
WATER
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology