Chemistry Honors Ms.Casal 5 th 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. 2) Children and pregnant women are at particular high risk with regard to lead exposure. 3) Lead has many uses, and it may be the most widely distributed heavy metal. 4) Lead was one of the six primary pollutants noted. 5) Lead can be prevented and sometimes clearly detected. 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) 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) 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) 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) a. In many cases, there are no visible symptoms of elevated blood- lead 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.

Name of ChildBlood Lead Levels Wendy4 Lora7 Gustavo10 Paula3 Susana13 Dominick8 Joseph5 Diane6 Ken9 Child (BLL)(x,y) Peterson (16)24,26 Hernandez (24.5)21,23 Pierre (19)25,27 Wendy (4)26,30.5 Lora (7)23,32 Gustavo (10)21,30 Paula (3)17,28 Susana (13)25.5,22 Dominick (8)20,20 Joseph (5)16,21 Diane (6)19,22 Ken (9)16.5,13

Possible Risk Site(x,y) Bulletproof Lead Smelting Plant 18,21 Stinky’s Hazardous Waste Site 18,27 Commando Gun Range20,30.5 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 possible or in some cases medications are used to lower blood-lead levels.

Allin, Craig. Lead Poisoning. (2000). Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues (Vol. 2, P ). California : Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (August 1997). Public Health Statement. For Lead 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