Health
Impacts of Lead Poisoning
A
preliminary listing of the health effects &
symptoms of lead poisoning
by
Vance Vella, Elizabeth O’Brien, Elisa Idris and
others - a work in progress
The following
list of the symptoms and effects of lead
poisoning has been compiled to raise awareness
that more blood lead assessments must be done in
time for further poisoning to be prevented. After
each symptom or effect, the numbers indicate the
publications which refer to that effect. So far,
only 58 publications have been examined of the
thousands published. More will be reviewed and
this list updated as time permits.
However,
remember that most people
who are lead poisoned present with no symptoms at
all.
Children
Nervous system
- Encephalopathy [brain
disease] (1,
2,
3,
4,
20,
35)
- Acute encephalopathy (11)
- Alters function of
developing brain (16)
- Alters electroencephalogram
[EEG] (16)
- Convulsions (1,
2,
3,
4)
- Cerebral Palsy (1)
- Neurotransmitter release
disrupted (11)
Peripheral nervous system
- Peripheral nerve
disturbances [reduced touch sensitivity] (2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
18)
- Slowed nerve conduction
velocity [decreased reaction times] (2,
14,
18,
35,
39,
58)
- Foot/ hand drop (1,
3)
- Proprioreceptive pathways
involved in balance altered (2)
- Dizziness (1,
4,
38)
Growth & development
- Delayed neurodevelopment
[e.g. in sitting up, walking, talking] (2,
58)
- Stature and growth rate
reduction (1,
2,
3,
18,
35,
39)
- Impaired pituitary-thyroid
endocrine system (18,
21)
- Osteoporosis in later years
(43)
- Weight loss (58)
Cognitive development
- I.Q. levels decrease (1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
15,
24,
35,
36,
39,
41,
58)
- Cognitive function deficits
(2,
26,
33)
- Verbal function /
linguistic deficits ( 2,
14,
15)
- Learning difficulties (11,
15,
35)
- Decreased educational
performance (35)
- Decreased reading, maths,
non-verbal reasoning ability & short term
memory, even at blood lead levels less than
10µg/dL (41)
- Autism (7) in genetically predisposed
individuals with metallothionein dysfunction (42)
Behaviour
- Aggression, violence,
hostility, anti-social or delinquent behaviour (8,
26)
- Attention problems;
distractibility, restlessness (8,
12,
15,
21,
38,
58)
- Externalising and
internalising behaviours (8)
- Hyperactive behaviours,
difficult to manage (1,
2,
8)
- Inappropriate /
uncontrolled behaviours similar to ADD
behaviours, increased frequency (2,
11)
- Irritability (1,
38)
- Lethargy (1)
- Increased school
absenteeism (35)
Hearing
- Hearing impairment;
auditory sensitivity decreased (2,
3,
5,
10,
14,
18,
21,
26,
32,
35,
39,
58)
- Auditory evoked response
patterns altered (2)
- Auditory processing altered
(2,
10)
Sight
- Retinal degeneration (6,
10)
- Depressed sensitivity of
rod photoreceptors (10)
- Perceptual function
deficits (2,
21)
- Visuo-spatial skills
deficit [eg jigsaws] (15)
Movement and muscular
- Visual-motor skills
deficits [hand-eye coordination] (2,
3,
15,
26)
- Fine motor dysfunction (1,
2,
3)
- Motor function deficits (2)
- Impaired muscular strength
and endurance (26)
- Paralysis (3)
- Somatic complaints [aches
and pains] (8,
38)
Digestive system
- Impaired Vitamin D
metabolism [affecting bone remodelling, mineral
absorption and calcium uptake] (2,
3,
6,
18,
24,
35,
38,
39,
58)
- Colic (3,
25,
35)
- Loss of appetite (1,
2)
- Vomiting (1,
4)
- Constipation, diarrhoea,
anorexia (38,
58)
- Abdominal cramps (39, 58)
Renal (kidneys), blood and
circulation
- Renal disease – acute
nephropathy (14,
21,
35,
38,
58)
- Queensland nephritis (14)
- Anaemia (1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
35,
38,
58)
Death (1,
2,
3,
4,
19,
35,
46,
58)
Perinatal Development and
Reproductive Health Effects
Foetal
- Preimplantation loss (3)
- Miscarriage, still birth,
neonatal death (2,
3,
4,
5,
18,
20,
24,
31,
47)
- Reduced gestational age,
preterm birth (1,
2,
3,
5,
18,
24)
- Reduced birth weight (1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
18,
19)
- Minor congenital /
chromosomal anomalies (2,
3,
4,
18,
31)
- Reproductive abnormalities;
disorders (5,
13,
38)
- Decreased placental
functioning (19)
- Lead passed via placenta to
foetus from mother (39,
58)
Adults
- Altered testicular
functioning (24)
- Hypospermia [low sperm
count] (3,
5,
19,
47)
- Asthenospermia [sperm
weakness] (3,
5,
20)
- Teratospermia [sperm
abnormalities] (3,
5,
31)
- Erectile dysfunction,
impotence (3,
40)
- Decreased serum
testosterone (3)
- Lead presence in seminal
fluid (31)
- Pituitary effects (31)
- Sterility, infertility (5,
31,
35,
39,
58)
- Effects on ovaries (19)
- Decreased libido / sex
drive (2,
21,
31)
- Impotence (31)
Kidneys
- Renal damage (2,
3,
5,
13,
14,
21,
23,
24,
28,
30,
34,
39,
58)
- Chronic lead nephropathy
[kidney disease] (2,
3,
14,
21,
22,
24,
38,
58)
- Death from nephritis
[kidney inflammation] (29,
30)
- Fanconi Syndrome (14)
- Gout (2,
3,
14)
- Renal hypertension (17)
- Increase in creatinine
concentration (23)
Nervous system
- Encephalopathy [brain
disease] (2,
4,
20,
24,
25,
34)
- Cerebrovascular diseases,
stroke, cerebral haemorrhage (2,
27,
28,
29,
30)
- Psychomotor impairment (13,
34)
- Peripheral nervous system
impairment [eg wrist-drop] (13,
24,
40,
47)
- Peripheral Arterial Disease(53,
54)
- Slowed nerve conduction
velocity [slowed reaction time] (2,
34, 58)
- Tremor (25,
26,
38,
40,
55)
- Paresthesia, paralysis (25)
Cardiovascular and
circulation
- Hypertension, elevated
blood pressure (2,
14,
17,
22,
35,
38,
40,
58)
- Increased systolic blood
pressure in men (35)
- Cardio-toxic effects (14)
- Increased risk of
cardiovascular disease (17)
- Coronary artery disease (2)
- Anaemia; falling
haemoglobin levels (2,
3,
5,
13,
24,
35,
38,
39,
47,
58)
- Platelet dysfunction (2)
- Increased erythrocyte [red
blood cell] protoporphyrin (35)
- Increased ALA in urine (34)
- Increased protoporphyrin in
urine (34)
- Increased risk of early death from
heart attack or stroke (46)
Intellectual and mental
- Depression (2,
13,
38)
- Anxiety (38)
- Personality changes (34)
- Death from violence,
suicide, accidents (29)
- Impaired concentration (19,
25,
34,
38)
- Deficits in short term
memory (2,
13,
19,
34,
38)
- Cognitive function deficit (58)
Behaviour
- Fatigue, muscular
exhaustion (2,
19,
25,
34,
38,
47)
- Sleep disturbance, insomnia
(19)
- Irritability, agitation,
restlessness, aggression (2,
13,
19,
24,
34,
47,
58)
Sensory
- Abnormalities in visuomotor
coordination (2)
- Abnormalities in fine motor
control (2)
- Deficits in visual acuity (2)
- Hearing loss (18,
35,
39,
47,
58)
- Somatosensory dysfunction
[eg deficits in detection of vibration, changes
in temperature] (2,
23)
Gastrointestinal / Digestive
- Effects on gastrointestinal
tract (24)
- Loss of appetite (19,
40)
- Nausea (19)
- Constipation, diarrhoea (25,
38)
- Abdominal pain, cramps (25,
34,
40,
47)
- Weight loss, anorexia (25,
38)
Bone, muscle and joint
- Bone marrow alterations (21)
- Myalgia [muscle pain] (25,
38,
40,
58)
- Pain in buttocks and cramps in the
legs as early stages of peripheral arterial
diseases (53, 54)
- Muscular weakness (34,
38,
39,
40,
47)
- Arthralgia [joint pain] (25,
38,
40,
47)
- Bone marrow alterations (21)
- Bone lead mobilisation during
menopause leads to decreased neurocognitive
performance and increased systolic blood pressure
in post-menopausal women (44)
- Wrist drop [the inability to hold
the hand extended] (47)
- Long term effect: linked to
osteoporosis which has symptoms of decline in
bone density and increase risk in fractures, also
inhibit normal fracture healing (48,
49 ,50,
51,
52)
Other
- Headaches (2,
19,
21,
40,
47)
- Decreased longevity (35,
39)
- Adrenal dysfunction (38)
- Teeth with blueblack-lines
near gum base (38,
40)
- Pallor (40)
- Cell damage (at blood lead level
between 20 to 30 mg/dL for men
and between 10 to 20 mg/dL for
women) (39)
- Probable human carcinogen (56,
57)
Death (2,
4,
19,
39,
46)
- Increased risk of early death from
cancer and all other causes (46)
Effects of lead from animal
studies
- Impaired attention,
learning and short-term memory in primates (12)
- Behavioural impairment;
inflexibility in behavioural change in primates (12)
- Elevated blood pressure at
moderate levels (17)
- Impaired immune system in
new-borns of rats fed lead [greater
susceptibility to asthma ] (37,
45)
- Increased incidence of tumors
(cancer) in rats born to mothers fed lead (45)
- Altered response to
stimulant drugs; attenuation of drug induced
hyperactivity in rats (2)
- Impaired attention, learning and
short-term memory in primates (12)
- Teratogenic effect causing birth
deformities (4)
- Low bone density in lab animals
such as mice and fractures due to lead-induced
osteoporosis do not heal properly (52)
References
- Smith, M. A., Grant, L. D.
& Sors, A. (1989). Lead exposure and
child development: an international assessment.
Kleeven Academic Publishers.
- Silbergeld, E. K. (1992).
Neurological perspective on lead toxicity.In Human
Lead Exposure, ed H. L. Needleman, CRC Press.
- National Research Council
(US). (1993). Measuring lead exposure in infants
children and other sensitive populations.
National Academy Press, Washington DC.
- Chemwatch Database. (1996)
Lead Arsenate.
- Alperstein, G., Reznik, R.
& Duggin, G. (1991). Lead: Subtle forms and
new modes of poisoning. The Medical Journal of
Australia Vol 155 Sept 16.
- Berry, M., Garrard, J. &
Greene, D. (1994). Reducing Lead Exposure in
Australia. Commonwealth Department of Human
Services and Health, Canberra.
- Clark, H. R. (1995). The cure
for all diseases. Pro Motion Publishing, San
Diego California.
- Needleman, H. L., Riess, J.
A., Tobin, M., Biesecker, G. & Greenhouse,
J.B. (1996). Bone Lead Levels and Delinquent
Behavior. vol 275 No 5 JAMA. February 7. pp
363-369.
- Gil, F. (1996). The
science of the total environment. Dec
- Fox, D. A. (1992). Visual and
Auditory System Alterations following
Developmental or Adult Lead Exposure: a critical
review. In Human Lead Exposure, ed H. L.
Needleman, CRC Press.
- Goldstein, G. W. (1992).
Developmental neurobiology of lead toxicity. In
Human Lead Exposure, ed H. L. Needleman, CRC
Press
- Rice, D. C., (1992).
Behavioural Impairment produced by developmental
lead exposure: Evidence from primate research. In
Human Lead Exposure, ed H. L. Needleman, CRC
Press
- Matte, T. D., Landrigan P. J.
& Baker E. L. (1992). Occupational Lead
Exposure. In Human Lead Exposure, ed H. L.
Needleman, CRC Press
- Wedeen R. P. (1992). Lead, the
kidneys and hypertension. In Human Lead Exposure,
ed H. L. Needleman, CRC Press
- Bellinger, D. & Needleman,
H. L. (1992). Neurodevelopmental effects of
low-level lead exposure in children. In Human
Lead Exposure, ed H. L. Needleman, CRC Press
- Burchfile, J. L., Duffy, F.
H., Bartels P. H., & Needleman, H. L. (1992).
Low-level lead exposure: Effect on quantitative
electroencephalography and correlation with
neuropsychologic measures. In Human Lead
Exposure, ed H. L. Needleman, CRC Press
- Schwartz, J. (1992). Lead,
blood pressure and cardio-vascular disease"
In Human Lead Exposure, ed H. L. Needleman, CRC
Press
- Schwartz, J. (1992). Low level
health effects of lead: Growth, developmental and
neurological distrubances. In Human Lead
Exposure, ed H. L. Needleman, CRC Press
- Rutter, M. & Jones, R.
(ed) Lead versus health: Sources and effects of
low level lead exposure. Wiley medical
Publications
- National Academy of Sciences.
(1980). Lead in the Human Environment. Washington
DC.
- Castellino, N., Castellino, P.
& Sannolo, N. (ed). (1995). Inorganic lead
exposure. Lewis Publishers
- Hu, H., Pepper, L. &
Goldman, R. (1991). Effects of repeated
occupational exposure to lead. American Journal
of Industrial Medicine V 20 pp. 723-735.
- Kim, R., Rotnitzky, A.,
Sparrow, D., Weiss, S. T., Wager, C. & Hu, H.
(1996). Low level lead exposure and impairment of
renal function. JAMA Vol 275 No 15 April. p.
1177.
- Fischbein, A. (1992).
Occupational and environmental lead exposure. In
Environmental and Occupational Medicine, 2nd edn. Ed W.N. Rom. Little, Brown & Co.
- Renpel, D. (1989). California
occupational health program JAMA Vol 262 No 4
July.
- Repko, J. (1976). Behavioural
toxicology of inorganic Lead. In Health Effects
of Occupational Lead and Arsenic Exposure - a
symposium, ed.B. W. Carnow, US Dept of Health,
Education and Welfare Public Health Service Divn
of Surveillance Hazard Evaluation and Field
Studies, Feb.
- Fanning, D. (1988). A
mortality study of lead workers 1926 - 1985. In
Archives of Environmental Health, Vol 43 No 3
May/June. pp. 247-251.
- Barnett, M. (1982). A
mortality study of lead workers 1925 - 76. In
British Journal of Industrial Medicine Vol 39.
pp. 404-410
- Davies, J. M. (1984).
Long-term mortality study of chromate pigment
workers who suffered lead poisoning. In British
Journal of Industrial Medicine, Vol 41. pp.
170-178
- McMichael, A. J. &
Johnson, H. M. (1982). Long term mortality
profile of heavily exposed lead smelter workers.
In Journal of Occupational Health, Vol 24 No 5
May.
- Winder, C. (1989).
Reproductive and chromosomal effects of
occupational exposure to lead in the male. In
Reproductive Toxicology Review. Vol 7. pp.
221-233.
- Schwartz, J. & Otto, D.
(1987). Blood lead, hearing thresholds, and
neurobehavioral development in children and
youth. In Archives of Environmental Health Vol
42, No. 21 pp 153-160, 1st May 1987.
- Fergusson, D. M., Hurwood, L.
J. & Lynskey, M. T. (1997). Early dentine
lead levels and educational outcomes at 18 years.
In Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry,
Vol 38 No 4. pp. 471-478.
- NSW Workcover Authority.
Occupational Medicine Handbook Ch 5
"Lead" p. 58
- Royce, S. E. (1992). Lead
toxicity. US Dept of Health and Human Services
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Sept .
- Gatsonis, C. A.. &
Needleman, H. L. (1992). Recent epidemological
studies of low-level lead exposure and the IQ of
children: a meta-analytic review In Human Lead
Exposure, ed H. L. Needleman, CRC Press
Day, M. (1998) Lead in the
womb. New Scientist Magazine. 23 May 1998 p.7
Werbach, M. F. (1997).
Foundations of nutritional medicine. Third Line
press, Tarzana California.
- Agency for Toxic Substances
Disease Registrar. (1989). Toxicological profile
of lead. US ATSDR.
- Salome, F. & Gulson, B.
(1996). Lead paint management. Grad School of the
Environment, Macquarie University
- Lanphear, Bruce P; Dietrich,
Kim; Auinger, Peggy; Cox, Christopher. (2000)
Cognitive Deficits Associated with Blood Lead
Concentrations <10 µg/dL in US Children and
Adolescents, Public Health Reports Nov 2000,
Volume 115, 521-529; phr.oupjournals.org/cgi/reprint/115/6/521.pdf
- Walsh, William J; Usman, Anju;
Tarpey, Jeffrey; and Kelly, Tanika. (2001)
Metallothionein And AutismPfeiffer Treatment
Center, Health Research Institute, Naperville,
Illinois USA.
The booklet can be ordered from info@HRIPTC.org or via the website
www.hriptc.org for US$20 + postage but is
not web-published. October 2001
- Wentzel, Michael, Democrat
& Chronicle, 25/2/02, UR [University of
Rochester] links childhood lead to osteoporosis:
http://www.who.int/peh/ceh/articles/leadandosteoporosis.htm or
http://www.mindfully.org/Health/2002/Lead-Exposure-Osteoporosis25feb02.htm
- Silbergeld, Ellen, Menopause
and Lead: Consequences and Determinants of Bone
Lead Mobilization, Women's Environments &
Women's Health Conference, Baltimore, Maryland
http://medschool.umaryland.edu/womenshealth/whrg/environment.html#pm_agenda, October 22, 1999.
- NBC News, Lead in Pregnancy
Linked to Asthma, July 29 [1998?] re: study by
Dr. Rodney R. Dietert, Cornell University in
Ithaca, N.Y published in journal Toxicological
Sciences. See www.cyber-nook.com/water/tbl_cont.html#lead
- Lustberg, M; Silbergeld, E,
Blood Lead Levels And Mortality, in Arch Intern
Med 2002 Nov 25;162(21):2443-9, ABSTRACT ONLY is
ONLINE at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db
=PubMed&list_uids=12437403&dopt=Abstract [LID 6921]
- Government of Ontario, Canada,
Ministry of Labour, Health and Safety, "Lead
on Construction Projects - The Health Effects of
Lead", http://www.gov.on.ca/LAB/english/hs/guidelines/lead/gl_lead_3.html
- Escribano, A., M. Revilla,
E.R. Hernandez, C. Seco, J. Gonzalez-Riola, L.F.
Villa, H. Rico. (1997), Effect of lead on bone
development and bone mass: A morphometric,
densitometric, and histomorphometric study in
growing rats. Calcified Tissue International.
60(2): 200-203.
- Gruber,
H.E., H.C. Gonick, F.
Khalil-Manesh, T.V. Sanchez, S. Motsinger, M.
Meyer, C.F. Sharp. (1997). Osteopenia induced by
long-term, low- and high-level exposure of the
adult rat to lead. Mineral & Electrolyte
Metabolism. 23(2): 645-73.
- Katrina Smith Korfmacher, PhD,
Long Term Costs of Lead Poisoning. How much can
New York save by stopping lead? Environmental
Health Sciences Center, University of Rochester.
http://www.leadsafeby2010.org/Articles/longtermcosts.htm
- Professor Brian Gulson,
Macquarie University News, Good News for aging
Bones, http://www.pr.mq.edu.au/macnews/ShowItem.asp?ItemID=157
- Akron Health Department,
Division of Health Promotion, (2002) Lead Issues
- University of Rochester study links
osteoporosis to childhood lead exposure,
http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/_Health/Promotions/health_issues_v5_i2.htm
- AHA Journal News report
(2004),"Safe' levels of lead, cadmium",
08/06/04.[LID 7385]
- Ana
Navas-Acien, M.D., MPH;
Elizabeth Selvin, MPH; A. Richey Sharrett, M.D.,
DrPH; Emma Calderon-Aranda, M.D., Ph.D; and Ellen
Silbergeld, Ph.D. (2004)The American Heart
Association and the National Heart, Lung and
Blood Institute, Circulation: Journal of the
American Heart Association.
- Louis, ED, EC Jurewicz, LK
Applegate, P Factor-Litvak, M Parides, L Andrews,
V Slavkovich, JH Graziano, S Carroll and A Todd.
(2003). "Association Between Essential
Tremor and Blood Lead Concentration Environmental
Health Perspectives", 3 July 2003
http://www.protectingourhealth.org/newscience/learning/
2003/2003-0703louisetal.htm
- International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC), IARC Monographs on the
Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans:
Inorganic and organic lead compounds, Vol. 87,
10-17 February 2004 [LID7420]
- National Toxicology Program
(of the US department of Health and Human
Services) http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/newhomeroc/roc11/Lead-Public.pdf
- Dr. Ben Balzer, "Lead
Poisoning Slide Show, 6 September
2000" www.lead.org.au/bblp/bblp.html
|
