There are over 10,000 papers on the toxicity of lead. High levels of lead are known to produce potentially fatal results such as Anaemia, and other symptoms may include colicky Abdominal Pains, damage to the peripheral nerves or brain; however, many authorities are now convinced that lower levels than originally thought can cause sub-acute poisoning, leading to stillbirths and congenital abnormalities, learning and behavioural problems, Cancer, Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure, Kidney and metabolic disease, Immune Dysfunction, arid vague symptoms such as lethargy, depression, muscular aches and pains and frequent Infections.
Sources Traffic fumes, unlined copper food pans, dust, polluted water from flaking lead pipes, or lead alloy sealed copper piping, cracked lead-glazed earthenware, lead soldiers, dust and dirt, vegetables grown by the roadside or exposed to traffic fumes, bone meal, dolomite, cigarette ash and tobacco, and occupational exposure.
N.B. Since 1986, no white interior paints have contained lead, nor since 1987 have any coloured interior paints. |