Lead

Description

Lead is a Toxic Mineral.

Chemical Symbol:  Pb

Cardiovascular System

    Anemia may occur as an early symptom of Lead poisoning.  ^[1]

 Lead accumulation may cause Hypertension.  ^[2]

Digestive System

 Chronic Lead poisoning may cause loss of Appetite.

 Colic may occur as a result of (acute) Lead poisoning.  Colic caused by Lead is known as Lead Colic).  ^[3]

    Constipation may occur as an early symptom of Lead poisoning.

Ears/Hearing

 Lead accumulation may cause Deafness.

Excretory System

 Lead accumulates in the Kidneys and acute and chronic Lead exposure may cause Kidney damage.  ^[4]

Eyes/Vision

 Lead may cause Cataracts.  ^[5]

Immune System

    Lead may increase the risk of Cancer - Lead activates Hyaluronidase (an endogenous enzyme that facilitates the growth of Cancer cells):  ^[6]

 Lead may increase the risk of Prostate Cancer.  ^[7]

 Lead may suppress the function of the Immune System:

 Lead may inhibit the activity of TH1 Helper T-Cells.  ^[8]

 Lead may stimulate the overactivity of TH2 Helper T-Cells.  ^[9]

Metabolism

    Fatigue may occur as an early symptom of Lead poisoning.

 Lead may cause the production of Free Radicals within the body.

 Lead accumulates in the Liver.

 Lead may be implicated in Obesity.  ^[10]

Musculoskeletal System

 Acute Lead toxicity may cause Arthralgia (Joint Pain).  ^[11]

 Lead accumulates in Bones – in adults, approximately 80% - 95% of retained Lead is stored in Bones;  in children, approximately 70% of retained Lead is stored in Bones.  The half-life of Lead stored in Bones is 20 – 30 years.  ^[12]

    Muscle Pain may occur as an early symptom of Lead poisoning.

 Lead may cause Muscular Tics.

Nervous System

 Excessive exposure to Lead may increase the incidence of Aggressiveness.  ^[13]

 Chronic Lead toxicity may cause the hyperactivity that is associated with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  ^[14]

 Lead may cause impairment of the Sense of Balance.

 Lead may damage the Blood-Brain Barrier.

 Lead poisoning may cause Bulimia.  ^[15]

 Chronic Lead poisoning may cause permanent Brain damage.

 Poor Concentration ability may occur as a symptom of increasing levels of accumulated Lead within the body.  ^[16]

        Lead may cause Confusion.

 Lead poisoning may cause Convulsions.

 Poor Coordination may occur as an early symptom of Lead poisoning.

    Dementia may occur as a result of chronic Lead poisoning.

        Lead may cause Depression.  ^[17]

 Lead may cause Hallucinations.  ^[18]

    Headache may occur as an early symptom of Lead poisoning.

 Excessive accumulated Lead may cause Insomnia.  ^[19]

 Reduced Intelligence may occur as a symptom of increasing levels of accumulated Lead within the body:  ^[20]

 Every additional 10 micrograms of Lead per dl of Blood is associated with a reduction of 1 - 3 IQ points.

 Chronic Lead exposure may impair Learning ability (especially in children).  ^[21]

    Memory Impairment may occur as a symptom of increasing levels of accumulated Lead within the body.  ^[22]

 Lead may interfere with numerous aspects of Mental Function.  ^[23]

    Mental Retardation (especially in children) may occur as a result of chronic Lead exposure.

 Excessive Blood levels of Lead may be associated with poor (“bad”) Mood.  ^[24]

 Excessive Lead is suspected of being a trigger for Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  ^[25]

 Acute Lead toxicity may cause (Peripheral) Neuropathy.  ^[26]

    Speech Impairment may occur as a symptom of increasing levels of accumulated Lead within the body.

 Lead exposure or ingestion may cause impairment of the sense of Touch.  ^[27]

 Lead may cause Vertigo.