CAS Number: 7439-92-1. A bluish-white, soft, heavy, metallic
element found mostly in combination with other metals, and used
especially in pipes, cable sheaths, batteries, solder, and
shields against radioactivity. Chemical symbol = Pb. Molecular
weight = 207.2 g/mol.
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Lead is used in the manufacture of batteries, metal products,
paints, and ceramic glazes. Exposure to lead can occur from
breathing contaminated workplace air or house dust or eating
lead-based paint chips or contaminated dirt. Lead is a very
toxic element, causing a variety of effects at low dose levels.
Brain damage, kidney damage, and gastrointestinal distress are
seen from acute (short-term) exposure to high levels of lead in
humans. Chronic (long-term) exposure to lead in humans results
in effects on the blood, central nervous system (CNS), blood
pressure, kidneys, and Vitamin D metabolism. Children are
particularly sensitive to the chronic effects of lead, with
slowed cognitive development, reduced growth and other effects
reported. Reproductive effects, such as decreased sperm count in
men and spontaneous abortions in women, have been associated with
high lead exposure. The developing fetus is at particular risk
from maternal lead exposure, with low birth weight and slowed
postnatal neurobehavioral development noted. Human studies are
inconclusive regarding lead exposure and cancer.