Key Point in Toxicology: Risk Characterization

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Station 5 Lead

• Key Point in Toxicology Risk Characterization
• Hazard?
• Is lead toxic? Yes.
• Exposure?
• Do humans/animals contact lead? Yes.
• Lead is toxic and considerable exposure is
  evident (Hazard Exposure)
• Lead poisoning is a risk
• Identification of lead as a risk by toxicologists
  has led to efforts to reduce lead exposure
• .  

• Lead - What is it? 
• Lead is a naturally occurring, bluish-gray metal
  found in small amounts in the earth's crust
• Metallic lead does not dissolve in water
• Lead can combine with other chemicals to form
  lead compounds or lead salts that can dissolve in
  water
• Human activities have spread lead, and substances
  that contain lead, to all parts of the
  environment
• Lead is in the air, drinking water, rivers,
  lakes, oceans, dust, and soil
• Lead is in plants and animals that people may eat
  
• Lead is Toxic to Animals and Humans  
• Growth effects Birth defects
• IQ, memory, learning deficits Seizures
• Behavioral problems Coma
• Infertility Death
• Lead Exposure Occurs Through Many Sources  
• Deteriorated lead-based paint
• Lead-contaminated dust
• Hobbies (e.g. stained glass windows)
• Work (e.g. making batteries)
• Home health remedies

Acceptable Blood Levels of Lead in Children Have
Decreased Over the Years
Slide from http//www.asmalldoseof.org/lead.php
(slightly modified)
Written by Dave Hovland Created by Michelle Horner