Lead poisoning.

Abstract

Abstract The reduction of childhood lead exposure in the USA is a public health success story, but lead is still one of the most widely encountered toxic metals in the world. To date, no safe blood lead threshold has been identified. The properties and availability of lead, a naturally occurring blue-grey heavy metal, led to its widespread use throughout history in paint, gasoline, plumbing, food containers and a vast array of other commercial products, which in turn led to a persistent legacy of widespread lead contamination. The toxic effects of lead were recognized as early as 2000 bc, but the mechanisms by which lead exerts it impacts have only been elucidated in the past few decades. This chapter discusses the historical use and regulation of lead and provides an overview of lead's toxicological mechanisms and health effects. Particular emphasis is placed on low-dose lead impacts, which are most relevant to developed countries that have seen a decline in population lead exposures due to regulation and exposure prevention efforts.