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31. Cigarettes
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It will surprise
some people to learn that cigarettes contain lead, although the lead is not
purposefully added. When leaded petrol is finally banned, I predict that
cigarettes will move up to first place as the most effective disseminator of
lead to humans.
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Lead workers who
smoke typically have twice the blood lead level of non-smoking colleagues
that they work beside. Children of people who smoke in cars and homes always
have a higher blood lead level than children of non-smokers.
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Warning labels on
cigarette packets should suggest that smokers get blood lead testing whenever
they’re having their blood pressure checked.
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It is a delusion
that if you smoke outside, you’re not doing any harm. You are contributing to
lead in the environment.
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Lead in a product
should legally require a health warning, especially if it is Intentional
addition of lead, as with California’s Proposition 95, which requires
health warnings for even low levels of lead, whether accessible or not, such
as the lead in PVC cabling and mirror backings.
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A specific warning
on, for instance, leaded electronics solder, should stop it being used as
plumbing solder, whereas currently leaded solder is not sold with any warning
in Australia.
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